cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proactive interference between cues trained with a common outcome in first-order Pavlovian conditioning.

The nature of interference between cues (X, A) trained apart with a common outcome (O; an unconditioned stimulus) was explored by assessing proactive interference in first-order Pavlovian conditioning (i.e., A-O, X-O, resulting in attenuated responding to X). Three lick-suppression studies were conducted with water-deprived rats. Posttraining extinction of the interfering cue (A) attenuated proactive interference (Experiment 1), which mirrors the observation that extinction of the competing cue can reduce competition between cues trained together (e.g., recovery from overshadowing). Proactive interference was also attenuated with manipulations known to attenuate interference between outcomes trained apart (e.g., counterconditioning), namely reminder cues (Experiment 2) and renewal (Experiment 3). The findings suggest that similar processes underlie interference between cues trained apart, between cues trained together, and between outcomes trained apart.
Wheat gluten composites reinforced with coconut fiber

Abstract Coconut fiber-reinforced wheat gluten (WG) biocomposites were fabricated. The coconut fibers (CCFs) were chemically modified by either sodium hydroxide or silane treatment, as well as following the alkali surface treatment with a silane treatment. (3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-t-butylcarbamate (carbamate silane), which is a masked isocyanate functional silane, was used for the first time to improve interfacial adhesion between WG and natural fibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analyses were employed to prove the presence of the silane on silane-treated coconut fiber (SCCF) and alkali-followed by silane-treated fiber (ASCCF). It was found that ASCCF has more silane content on the fiber surface than SCCF. The mechanical properties of composites with 15 mass% fiber loading were assessed by three-point bending tests. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate fracture surface characteristics of composites. The WG/ASCCF composite provided an 80% increase in strength, and showed superior fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion.
Multiple aneurysms of the coronary arteries

Abstract This report concerns a 48-year-old Negro man with angina, electrocardiographic changes suggesting inferior wall ischemia and a lipemic serum with high cholesterol. Cine-coronary angiogram disclosed multiple fusiform aneurysms mainly of the right coronary artery. It is believed that this is the second case of coronary aneurysm diagnosed in life.
Multimedia input in automated image annotation and content-based retrieval

This research explores the interaction of linguistic and photographic information in an integrated text/image database. By utilizing linguistic descriptions of a picture (speech and text input) coordinated with pointing references to the picture, we extract information useful in two aspects: image interpretation and image retrieval. In the image interpretation phase, objects and regions mentioned in the text are identified; the annotated image is stored in a database for future use. We incorporate techniques from our previous research on photo understanding using accompanying text: a system, PICTION, which identifies human faces in a newspaper photograph based on the caption. In the image retrieval phase, images matching natural language queries are presented to a user in a ranked order. This phase combines the output of (1) the image interpretation/annotation phase, (2) statistical text retrieval methods, and (3) image retrieval methods (e.g., color indexing). The system allows both point and click querying on a given image as well as intelligent querying across the entire text/image database.
Prey selection in crustacean-eating fishes following the invasion of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus in a marine temperate community

Abstract The Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus invaded the coast of Long Island Sound approximately twenty years ago and has become hyper-abundant and the most common crab species throughout the intertidal region. The success of the species is hypothesized to be due to reduced predation pressure in the invaded region. Recent observations document the expansion of H. sanguineus into shallow subtidal habitats (i.e., up to 5 m depth and up to 180 crabs m − 2 in some habitats) where it is more accessible to a diversity of crustacean-eating predators. The role that higher trophic level predators might play in controlling populations of invasive species has seldom been investigated in marine communities. Here we conducted a series of prey-preference experiments under laboratory conditions to determine whether crustacean-eating fishes prefer H. sanguineus rather than native crab species, and to provide insight into how predator size and habitat type influence prey preference. Small size-class predators exhibited a clear preference for H. sanguineus in paired offerings of the invader versus native crab species while paired offerings for large size-class fishes resulted in mixed findings. Small size class predators demonstrated no preference when prey were set in a range of sediment type treatments (i.e., sand, pebble, cobble), while paired offerings for large size class predators resulted in mixed findings. In general, the results from this study support our hypothesis that H. sanguineus is preyed upon preferentially by native crustacean-eating fishes but sediment type and predator size play an important role in determining that preference. Preference for the invasive crab over the native prey items in some settings suggests prey switching could occur in areas where the invader is abundant. We suggest that future field studies focus on the role that crustacean-eating fishes can play in biological control of invasive crab populations and how management of predators can influence the impact of invaders.
Application of Circular Dichroism and Optical Rotation forStereochemical Analysis of Natural Products

Conventional electronic circular dichroism (ECD) as well as optical rotation (OR) are not only one of the earliest and most powerful chiroptical methods for determining absolute configurations (AC) in solution, but they are also methods that have rapidly improved in term of better data acquisition and analysis. Furthermore, in the past two decades the ab initio methodologies for theoretical simulations of chiroptical properties have made a tremendous progress. The latter has greatly improved the interpretation of experimental ECD and OR spectra, as well as of more recently accessible vibrational CD data, towards determination of AC of even more structurally complex natural products. The lecture will highlight some basic concepts in ECD, VCD and OR methods regarding their applications for determination of AC, as well as the emerging awareness regarding the advantages of using simultaneously more than one chiroptical method for AC analysis. We will also discuss some recent stereochemical studies on AC of structurally diverse natural products. The examples will include the polyether marine toxin Gymnocin B, the cruciferous phytoalexin Brasicanal C, the alkaloid Actinophyllic acid, the irregular diterepene Anisotomenoic acid, some fungal and plant metabolites, such as, Scytolide, Phyllostin and Oxysporone, and some acyclic alcohols and aminoalcohols.
Further Studies of the Effect of Cottonseed Oil on Discoloration of Cold Storage Eggs

Abstract THE presence of Sterculia foetida oil or cottonseed oil, crude or partially-refined, in the rations of laying hens has been reported to cause pink discoloration and to intensify gossypol discoloration in cold storage eggs (Kemmerer, Heywang and Vavich, 1961; Kemmerer, Heywang, Nordby and Phelps, 1962; Shenstone and Vickery, 1959). In the research with cottonseed oil (Kemmerer et al., 1962) the rations included considerably more cottonseed oil than would be present in practical rations containing cottonseed meal. The study reported here attempted to duplicate the levels of cottonseed oil that would be contained in practical laying rations, and suggests the maximum amount of residual cottonseed oil that can be contained in a laying ration without inducing pink-white discoloration or influencing yolk color in stored eggs. EXPERIMENTAL Thirty-one lots, each containing 6 White Leghorn hens, were fed and handled as described previously (Kemmerer et al., 1962). Two samples of cottonseed oil and…
Mentoring as a learning tool: enhancing the effectiveness of an undergraduate business mentoring program

Mentoring can be used as a pedagogical alternative both to extend and augment the educational experience of business students. This article addresses a gap in the literature regarding the use and effectiveness of mentoring in undergraduate business education by examining improvements to an existing mentoring program. After reviewing the mentoring literature and identifying four critical elements for program success (matching, preparation, interaction and outcome assessment), the researchers used a cohort design and developed a survey to assess baseline participant satisfaction with these elements. Interventions were developed to enhance the mentoring program, and a second cohort allowed the authors to assess the benefits of these interventions. With statistically significant improvements in two out of four program elements (and a third showing marginally significant differences), the results demonstrate that the authors’ approach to evaluating and enhancing mentoring program effectiveness is useful in bus...
Utility of the period-one oscillation state in injection-locked semiconductor lasers

The period-one state of injection-locked semiconductor lasers represents a convenient way to generate microwave tones using only steady state biasing conditions. Recent developments will be reviewed along with comments on the practicality of these sources.
Universities and the New National Effort

In reassessing the role of government, many Americans have agreed that public expenditures should be curtailed. Although our universities must bear their full share of the sacrifices, some of the Administration's recent proposals would be to the detriment of the country. Drastic cuts in student aid, for example, will not encourage young people to seek the best possible education and training; reductions in federal funds for scientific instruments and facilities will mean that our laboratories will deteriorate, our accomplishments will be fewer. The success of American science has depended heavily on the talent that came from Europe at the time of World War II. Today that source has largely disappeared, and if we cannot replace it with exceptional young investigators of our own, the quality of our universities and the vitality of our science will diminish.
Modeling Flexible Loops in the Dark-Adapted and Activated States of Rhodopsin, a Prototypical G-protein-Coupled Receptor

Conformational possibilities of flexible loops in rhodopsin, a prototypical G-protein-coupled receptor, were studied by modeling both in the dark-adapted (R) and activated (R*) states. Loop structures were built onto templates representing the R and R* states of the TM region of rhodopsin developed previously (G. V. Nikiforovich and G. R. Marshall. 2003. Biochemistry. 42:9110). Geometrical sampling and energy calculations were performed for each individual loop, as well as for the interacting intracellular loops IC1, IC2, and IC3 and the extracellular loops EC1, EC2, and EC3 mounted on the R and R* templates. Calculations revealed that the intra- and extracellular loops of rhodopsin possess low-energy structures corresponding to large conformational movements both in the R and R* states. Results of these calculations are in good agreement with the x-ray data available for the dark-adapted rhodopsin as well as with the available experimental biophysical data on the disulfide-linked mutants of rhodopsin. The calculated results are used to exemplify how the combined application of the results of independent calculations with emerging experimental data can be used to select plausible three-dimensional structures of the loops in rhodopsin.
Sampling-based algorithm for filtering using Markov chain approximations

In this paper, the filtering problem for a large class of continuous-time, continuous-state stochastic dynamical systems is considered. Inspired by recent advances in asymptotically-optimal sampling-based motion planning algorithms, such as the PRM* and the RRT*, an incremental sampling-based algorithm is proposed. Using incremental sampling, this approach constructs a sequence of Markov chain approximations, and solves the filtering problem, in an incremental manner, on these discrete approximations. It is shown that the trajectories of the Markov chain approximations converge in distribution to the trajectories of the original stochastic system; moreover, the optimal filter calculated on these Markov chains converges to the optimal continuous-time nonlinear filter. The convergence results are verified in a number of simulation examples.
Policies to prevent firearm trafficking

Measures to prevent firearms moving from the licit to the illicit market within the US can also reduce international trafficking Excluding military conflicts, firearms are used in >200 000 deaths annually,1 including nearly 30 000 in the US alone,2 and 7–8 million new firearms are manufactured each year worldwide.3 Firearm manufacturers typically market their products through a network of licensed distributors and dealers, before the gun is sold to an individual buyer. Virtually every firearm used to commit a homicide or other violent crime was first purchased from a licensed dealer by someone deemed to be legally eligible. Typically, however, the individuals who use firearms to commit violent crimes are not the initial lawful purchasers, but have instead obtained firearms through an illicit market. The secondary market in firearms—which includes guns acquired from private individuals both legally and illegally—is largely unregulated, making it difficult to hold people who supply guns to criminals accountable for their actions. However a number of policies can be implemented to enhance accountability and thereby prevent violent injury and death. ### Improved licensing and oversight of dealers People in the business of selling firearms in the US must obtain a federal firearms license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), and maintain records of their inventory and the guns they sell.4 Corrupt firearm dealers are an important …
Chromosomal mapping of two loci affecting filarial worm susceptibility in Aedes aegypti

Two quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting susceptibility of the mosquito Aedes aegypti to the filarial worm parasite Brugia malayi were identified using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The first locus, fsb[1,LF178], resides within a 10 cM interval on chromosome 1 and exhibits a recessive effect with respect to susceptibility. The second locus, fsb[2,LF98], resides within a 9 cM interval on chromosome 2 and exhibits an additive effect on susceptibility. Significant epistasis was detected between these loci, although the effect of fsb[2,LF98] was dependent on the genetic background of the mosquito strains. Suggestions for a standard QTL nomenclature are included.
Defect characterization for scaling of QCA devices [quantum dot cellular automata ]

In this paper, we present the impact of scaling on defects that may arise in the manufacturing of quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) devices. This study shows how the sensitivity to manufacturing processing variations changes with device scaling. Scaling in QCA technology is related to cell dimension/size and cell-to-cell spacing within a Cartesian layout. Extensive simulation results on scaling of QCA devices, such as the majority voter, the inverter and the binary wire, are provided to show that defects have definitive trends in their behavior. These trends relate cell size (l) to the smallest cell-to-cell spacing (d) for erroneous behavior in the presence of different defects (such as misalignment and displacement); their impact on the correct functionality of QCA devices is extensively discussed. It is shown that in most defect cases, the scaling relationship between l and d is linear, albeit with different slopes.
The US Department of Energy's Working Group on Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production: Promoting Technology-Enabling Breakthroughs in Semiconductor Materials Research

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, using sunlight to split water, is an important enabling technology for a future “Green” economy which will rely, in part, on hydrogen as an energy currency. The traditional semiconductor-based PEC material systems studied to date, however, have been unable to meet all the performance, durability and cost requirements for practical hydrogen production. Technology-enabling breakthroughs are needed in the development of new, advanced materials systems, and toward this end, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Working Group on PEC Hydrogen Production is bringing together experts in analysis, theory, synthesis and characterization from the academic, industry and national-laboratory research sectors. Key Working Group activities, as described in this paper, include performing techno-economic analyses of large-scale PEC production systems and establishing standardized testing and screening protocols for candidate PEC materials systems. In addition, a number of Working Group “Task Forces” are focused on advancing critical PEC materials theory, synthesis and characterization capabilities for application in the research and development of broad-ranging materials systems of promise, including complex metal-oxide and -nitride compounds, amorphous silicon alloys, III-V semiconductors and the copper chalcopyrites. The current status of Working Group activities and progress is summarized.
Nanorheology of Aqueous Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

Static and dynamic surface interactions in deionized water were studied between poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and an opposed layer of either the same PEG or a highly charged cationic polymer, quaternized polyvinylpyridine (QPVP). The PEG, molecular weight 5000 g mol-1, was end-attached to hydrophobized mica by hydrophobic-driven adsorption of the lipid portion (distearoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine) of PEG-lipid diblock copolymers. The QPVP homopolymer, 98% quaternized and molecular weight 39,000 g mol-1, was allowed to adsorb statistically onto mica. Within the scatter of the data the force−distance curves could be fit equally well by the Alexander-de Gennes expression for brush-brush interactions or by exponential decay (decay length 4 nm). However, at every film thickness, the shear modulus of the PEG-PEG interface was less than that of PEG-QPVP by an order of magnitude. When the layers were compressed strongly, they remained demonstrably fluid, even in the most strongly compressed state, in the sense that...
Cell Junctions in the Specialized Conduction System of the Heart

Anchoring cell junctions are integral in maintaining electro-mechanical coupling of ventricular working cardiomyocytes; however, their role in cardiomyocytes of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) remains less clear. Recent studies in genetic mouse models and humans highlight the appearance of these cell junctions alongside gap junctions in the CCS and also show that defects in these structures and their components are associated with conduction impairments in the CCS. Here we outline current evidence supporting an integral relationship between anchoring and gap junctions in the CCS. Specifically we focus on (1) molecular and ultrastructural evidence for cell-cell junctions in specialized cardiomyocytes of the CCS, (2) genetic mouse models specifically targeting cell-cell junction components in the heart which exhibit CCS conduction defects and (3) human clinical studies from patients with cell-cell junction-based diseases that exhibit CCS electrophysiological defects.
Temperature-mediated coexistence in temperate forest ant communities

Patterns of ant species diversity are well documented and yet the mechanisms promoting species coexistence among communities are often elusive. Two emerging hypotheses that account for coexistence in ant communities are the discovery-dominance tradeoff and the dominance-thermal tolerance tradeoff. Here we used behavioural assays and community-level sampling from ant assemblages in the southern Appalachians, USA to test for the discovery-dominance and dominance-thermal tolerance tradeoffs. Species that were behaviorally dominant during interspecific interactions tended to forage in a narrow window of generally warmer temperatures, whereas subordinate species tended to forage in a wide range of temperatures, including colder temperatures. Species that foraged at lower temperature tended to be behaviourally subordinate, suggesting that a dominance-thermal tolerance tradeoff promotes coexistence in this system. Species richness was positively related to site average annual temperature and within-site variation in ground temperature, suggesting that temperature also shapes the structure of ant communities and regulates diversity. There was no relationship between the ability of a species to discover food resources and its behavioural dominance, contrary to the predictions of the discovery-dominance tradeoff hypothesis. In sum, our results show that temperature plays numerous roles in promoting regional coexistence in this system.
Benchmarking the system dynamics community: Research results

This article reports on the findings of a wide-ranging study designed to ‘benchmark’ the system dynamics community. The study captured information about individual practitioners across a number of dimensions, including background, approach to and practice of model building, use of hardware and software and knowledge of the history and development of the field. Circulated to all members of the System Dynamics Society, the study attracted responses from 163 members (over 35 percent). The following pages present research results and discuss their possible implications. In particular, important conclusions highlight a potential quality gap in the model base, postulate a relationship between pedagogy and practice and begin a dialog concerning the dynamics of supply and demand in the field.
Cross-Language Comparisons of Maze Use in Spanish and English in Functionally Monolingual and Bilingual Children.

Maze use appears to be higher in bilingual speakers than in their functionally monolingual peers. One question is whether this is due to the speaker's bilingual status or to the characteristics of the bilingual's language(s). Narratives for 22 Spanish–English bilingual 4–6-year-olds and their functionally monolingual age-matched peers were analyzed for maze use. Bilingual and functionally monolingual children used similar percentages and patterns of mazes. Children produced more grammatical revisions in Spanish than English. Bilingual and functionally monolingual children used similar grammatical revision strategies in Spanish and English. Children's maze use in each language was correlated with measures of language productivity such as mean length of utterance and number of words used in the sample. These findings suggest that the role of language is important in maze use and that bilingual children do not necessarily have greater levels of linguistic uncertainty than do their functionally monolingual peers.
Effects of hemorrhage and naloxone on adrenal release of methionine-enkephalin and catecholamines in halothane anesthetized dogs

Concurrent levels of methionine-enkephalin and catecholamines in adrenal vein, femoral vein and femoral artery were measured under baseline conditions and during graded hemorrhage in halothane anesthetized dogs and compared to a non-bled control group. Naloxone was administered in both groups at the end of the experiment. Normotensive hypovolemia with a remaining blood volume of 76% led to a moderate decrease in mean arterial blood pressure from baseline and a 15- to 20-fold increase in norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine, and a 5-fold increase in enkephalin in the adrenal vein. Subsequent induction of hypotensive hypovolemia with a remaining blood volume of 51% resulted in a profound drop in blood pressure and evoked a further increase in the level of catecholamines (40- to 50-fold from baseline) and enkephalin (8-fold from baseline) in the adrenal vein. In the control group only a 3- to 4-fold increase from baseline in adrenal vein hormone levels was observed over time. Naloxone administration at the end of the experiment, led to a 2- to 6-fold further increase in hormones at the 3 collection sites in both groups of dogs. Joint calculation of the partial correlation coefficients for the influence of preceding blood volume and blood pressure, and concurrent blood volume and blood pressure on hormone secretion in the adrenal vein revealed that these variables explained the variation in hormone levels between 56 and 92% during normotensive hypovolemia and 62-83% during hypotensive hypovolemia. In one dog with bilateral adrenalectomy, hemorrhage was poorly tolerated, and naloxone administration did not lead to increased systemic plasma levels of catecholamines and enkephalin or improved hemodynamics. In the hemorrhage group, molar ratios of norepinephrine/epinephrine in the adrenal vein showed a significant increasing trend during the experiment. Findings in these experiments support the idea of differential monoaminergic and enkephalinergic regulation in adrenal medullary cells.
Solution of Reynolds Equation in Polar Coordinates Applicable to Nonsymmetric Entrainment Velocities

Reynolds equation in polar cylindrical (polar) coordinates is used for numerous tribological applications that feature thin fluid films in sliding contacts, such as chemical mechanical polishing and pin-on-disk testing. Although unstated, tribology textbooks and literary resources that present Reynolds equation in polar coordinates often make assumptions that the radial and tangential entrainment velocities are independent of the radial and tangential directions, respectively. The form of polar Reynolds equation is thus typically presented, while neglecting additional terms crucial to obtaining accurate solutions when these assumptions are not met. In the present investigation, the polar Reynolds equation is derived from the cylindrical Navier―Stokes equations without the aforementioned assumptions, and the resulting form is compared with results obtained from more traditionally used forms of the polar Reynolds equation. The polar form of Reynolds equation derived in this manuscript yields results that agree with the commonly used Cartesian form of Reynolds equation but are drastically different from the typically published form of the polar Reynolds equation. It is therefore suggested that the polar form of Reynolds equation proposed in this technical note be utilized when entrainment velocities are known to vary with either radial or angular position.
Gender-specific differences in diabetic neuropathy in BTBR ob/ob mice

Abstract Aims To identify a female mouse model of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), we characterized DPN in female BTBR ob/ob mice and compared their phenotype to non-diabetic and gender-matched controls. We also identified dysregulated genes and pathways in sciatic nerve (SCN) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of female BTBR ob/ob mice to determine potential DPN mechanisms. Methods Terminal neuropathy phenotyping consisted of examining latency to heat stimuli, sciatic motor and sural sensory nerve conduction velocities (NCV), and intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density. For gene expression profiling, DRG and SCN were dissected, RNA was isolated and processed using microarray technology and differentially expressed genes were identified. Results Similar motor and sensory NCV deficits were observed in male and female BTBR ob/ob mice at study termination; however, IENF density was greater in female ob/ob mice than their male counterparts. Male and female ob/ob mice exhibited similar weight gain, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia compared to non-diabetic controls, although triglycerides were elevated more so in males than in females. Transcriptional profiling of nerve tissue from female mice identified dysregulation of pathways related to inflammation. Conclusions Similar to males, female BTBR ob/ob mice display robust DPN, and pathways related to inflammation are dysregulated in peripheral nerve.
Short Paper: Towards a Location-Aware Role-Based Access Control Model

With the growing use of wireless networks and mobile devices, we are moving towards an era where location information will be necessary for access control. The use of location information can be used for enhancing the security of an application, and it can also be exploited to launch attacks. For critical applications, a formal model for location-based access control is needed that increases the security of the application and ensures that the location information cannot be exploited to cause harm. In this paper, we show how the Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) model can be extended to incorporate the notion of location. We show how the different components in the RBAC model are related with location and how this location information can be used to determine whether a subject has access to a given object. This model is suitable for applications consisting of static and dynamic objects, where location of the subject and object must be considered before granting access.
Dissection of the HIV Vif Interaction with Human E3 Ubiquitin Ligase

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein Vif recruits the host E3 ubiquitin ligase, composed of cullin 5 (Cul5), Rbx2, Elongin B, and Elongin C (EloBC), to polyubiquitinate the antiviral protein APOBEC3G. Multiple regions in the C-terminal half of Vif interact with the E3 ligase. We have purified individual regions of Vif and investigated their thermodynamic contributions to the ligase assembly in vitro using isothermal titration calorimetry and fluorescence anisotropy. Our results quantify the high-affinity interactions between the Vif BC box and EloBC and between the Vif zinc finger and Cul5, as well as the modest interaction between the Vif cullin box and Cul5. Our purified Vif constructs also provide direct biochemical evidence that the Vif cullin box, containing the PPLP region, leads to the dimerization of Vif-EloBC complexes but not Cul5-Vif-EloBC complexes.
PGC-1α regulates normal and pathological angiogenesis in the retina.

Neovascular diseases of the eye are the most common causes of blindness worldwide. The mechanisms underlying pathological neovascularization in the retina remain incompletely understood. PGC-1α is a transcriptional coactivator that plays a central role in the regulation of cellular metabolism. In skeletal muscle, PGC-1α induces VEGFA expression and powerfully promotes angiogenesis, suggesting a similar role in other tissues. This study investigates the role of PGC-1α during normal and pathological vascularization in the retina. We show that PGC-1α induces the expression of VEGFA in numerous retinal cells, and that PGC-1α expression is strongly induced during postnatal retinal development, coincident with VEGFA expression and angiogenesis. PGC-1α−/− mice have a significant reduction of early retinal vascular outgrowth, and reduced density of capillaries and number of main arteries and veins as adults. In the oxygen-induced retinopathy model of retinopathy of prematurity, PGC-1α expression is dramatically induced in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, suggesting that PGC-1α drives pathological neovascularization. In support of this, PGC-1α−/− mice subjected to oxygen-induced retinopathy had decreased expression of VEGFA and were protected against pathological neovascularization. These results demonstrate that PGC-1α regulates VEGFA in the retina and is required for normal vessel development and for pathological neovascularization. The data highlight PGC-1α as a novel target in the treatment of neovascular diseases of the eye.
Assembling virtual pots from 3D measurements of their fragments

A heretofore unsolved problem of great archaeological importance is the automatic assembly of pots made on a wheel from the hundreds (or thousands) of sherds found at an excavation site. An approach is presented to the automatic estimation of mathematical models of such pots from 3D measurements of sherds. The overall approach is formulated and described and some detail is provided on the elements of the procedure. The end result is a representation suitable for comparisons, geometric feature extraction, visualization and digital archiving. Matching of fragments and aligning them geometrically is based on matching break-curves (curves on a pot surface separating fragments), estimated axes and profile curves for individual fragments and groups of matched fragments, and a number of features of groups of break-curves. Pot assembly is a bottom-up maximum likelihood performance-based search. In our case, associated with subassemblies of fragments is a loglikelihood which is a sum of energy functions. Experiments are illustrated on pots which were broken for the purpose, and on sherds from an archaeological dig located in Petra, Jordan. The addressed problem and solution can be considered as problems in "geometric learning" and in "perceptual grouping," where subgroups of pot fragments at a site location are to be assembled into individual virtual pots and other fragments are to be discarded as clutter.
Meteorological controls on glacier mass balance in High Asia

The aim of this study is to investigate spatial and temporal variations of meteorological variables known to control glacier mass-balance processes, and to demonstrate their relevance in High Asia. The study uses the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis database (US National Centers for Environmental Prediction and US National Center for Atmospheric Research), which is global and continuous since 1 January 1948. A positive degree-day (PDD) model of annual glacier-wide summer surface balance, Bs, uses upper-air temperatures at NCEP/NCAR gridpoints near each of six glaciers between 40 and 458 N and between 71 and 878 E and two others near 508 N, 878 E. Model error ranged between 0.19 and 0.41 m w.e., comparable with the observational accuracy of Bs. Sensitivity to temperature change, dBs=dT , ranges between -0.5 and -0.2 m w.e. a -1 8C -1 for these glaciers.
Robust Meridian Filtering

The linear, median, myriad filtering structures are statistically related to the maximum likelihood (ML) estimates of location under Gaussian, Laplacian, and Cauchy statistics, respectively In this paper, we propose a filtering structure based on the ML estimate of the constructed and so-called meridian statistics. Analysis and simulations presented here indicate that the proposed filtering structure exhibits characteristics more robust than that of mean, median and myriad filtering structures.
A Two-Parameter Function for Nanoscale Indentation Measurement of Near Surface Properties

A two-parameter function for estimation of projected area in instrumented indentation measurement is obtained to account for indenter tip imperfection. Imperfection near indenter tip is modeled using a spherical function and combined with a linear function describing the edge boundary of the indenter. Through an analytical fusion technique the spherical and linear functions are combined into a single function with two unknown geometric parameters of tip radius of curvature and edge slope. Data from indentation measurement of force and displacement, using a Berkovich tip and single crystal alumina and silica samples, are implemented in the proposed area function yielding estimated values of Young’s modulus. Results were compared with that obtained from Oliver and Pharr technique for deep as well as shallow indentation regimes. The estimates for Young’s modulus were found to agree quite favorably. More importantly, in contrast to the Oliver-Pharr technique, the use of the two-parameter function resulted in a significantly more accurate estimation of Young’s modulus for shallow indentation depth of 0 to 50 nm. The error in estimation of Young’s modulus was found to be within 10 percent for indentation depths 25 nm to 50 nm and within 20 percent for indentation depths 0 to 25 nm.© 2006 ASME
A Review of: “The Two Tasks of the Christian Scholar: Redeeming the Soul, Redeeming the Mind”

The secular university can powerfully shape the minds of future leaders and scholars, but it is largely unaffected by Christian thought in the classroom. According to this excellent book, Christian...
Additional data in the debate on stage I non-small cell lung cancer: surgery versus stereotactic ablative radiotherapy

Lobectomy has been the standard of care for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), resulting in nearly universal local control and excellent overall survival. However, up to one-quarter of early stage patients are unable to undergo or refuse definitive resection. With the increasing adoption of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) over conventionally fractionated radiotherapy among medical inoperable patients, tumor control and overall survival rates in this population have significantly improved. Trials demonstrating excellent outcomes among both medically inoperable and medical operable patients with stage I NSCLC have spurred interest in comparisons between surgery and SABR. The recent publication of the randomized STARS and ROSEL trials demonstrated fewer toxicities and an improvement in overall survival among patients treated with SABR compared with surgery. Based on these trials and retrospective comparisons between the modalities, definitive SABR now more firmly appears to be a viable first-line option for treating patients with operable stage I NSCLC.
BALANCING COMPETING ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS: Challenges in Performance Improvement of the Nonprofit Human Services Agency

Nonprofit human services agencies (NHSAs) face the acute challenge of improving their performance under multiple and competing systems of accountability. This article examines the impact of various systems of accountability on NHSAs as they struggle to demonstrate program success while providing vital human services within professional norms of practice and to respond to their multiple stakeholders. To explore the competing accountability relationships and their effects on agency performance, the failures of organizational change in a large community mental health center are examined based on Johnston and Romzek's (1999) four types of accountability: hierarchical, legal, professional, and political. I argue that encouraging greater emphasis on legal and hierarchical accountability can damage professional and political accountability, thereby preventing NHSAs from realizing an improvement in performance. This emphasis implies that upsetting the mutual balance between multiple and competing accountability r...
Fear of cancer recurrence in survivor and caregiver dyads: differences by sexual orientation and how dyad members influence each other

The purpose of this study was to identify explanatory factors of fear of recurrence (FOR) in breast cancer survivors of different sexual orientations and their caregivers and to assess the directionality in the survivor and caregiver dyads’ FOR. We recruited survivors of non-metastatic breast cancer of different sexual orientations and invited their caregivers into this study. Using a telephone survey, we collected data from 167 survivor and caregiver dyads. Using simultaneous equation models and a stepwise selection process, we identified the significant determinants of survivors’ and caregivers’ FOR and determined the directionality of survivors’ and caregivers’ FOR. Weighting the model by the inverse propensity score ensured that differences by sexual orientation in age and proportion of life in the caregiver-survivor relationship were accounted for. Caregivers’ FOR predicted survivors’ FOR, and sexual orientation had a significant effect on survivors’ FOR, in that sexual minority women reported less FOR than heterosexual women. Other determinants of survivors’ FOR included their medical characteristics, coresidence with caregivers, and caregivers’ social support and use of counseling. Caregivers’ FOR was related to their social support and survivors’ medical characteristics. This study suggests a need for caregiver interventions. Because survivors’ FOR is affected by caregivers’ FOR, caregiver interventions will likely benefit survivors’ FOR. Both sexual minority and heterosexual breast cancer survivors’ FOR are affected by their caregivers’ FOR, which suggests that the caregivers of breast cancer survivors are central for the survivors’ well-being and shall therefore be integrated into the care process.
Life Support Dependability for Distant Space Missions

The dependability of a life support system for a long duration mission can be specified using any of several metrics availability, reliability, probability of Loss of Crew (LOC), or Loss of Mission (LOM). The availability, reliability, and probability of LOC LOM are defined and the relations between them are explained. The appropriate dependability metric depends on the mission, but the availability, reliability, and probability of LOC LOM have a common basis. Decreasing the life support system failure rate will improve all these dependability metrics. High reliability life support can be achieved by providing spares to replace failed components. Long duration, short distance missions such as the space station or a permanent moon base can use frequent resupply and rotating crews. Spares can be provided when a failure occurs, or if repair is not possible, the crew can return to Earth. For a long distance, long duration mission such as a Mars visit or asteroid rendezvous, providing emergency spares or on-demand crew return is not possible. All the spares must be on hand at the beginning of the mission. The required additional mass for the spares needed to guarantee very high reliability is approximately equal to the original system mass, provided the original system reliability is not too low. Examples show how high reliability can be achieved by providing spare parts. The life support dependability metrics are computed for Moon and Mars missions.
An Initial Laboratory Prototype Experiment for Sequestration of Atmospheric CO2

AbstractAn initial phase of laboratory investigation has been completed in pursuit of a global-scale methodology for reduction of CO2 in ambient air through direct air capture (DAC). The methodology presented previously by Agee, Orton, and Rogers provides the background for this study. The laboratory prototype experiment presented has been designed to assess the potential for removing CO2 from ambient air by snow deposition. The approach consists of refrigeration to achieve the required CO2 deposition temperature of 135 K at 1 bar of pressure. The refrigerant of choice is liquid nitrogen (LN2) with cooling (77 K) at the top of a cylindrical 26.5-L Pyrex glass sequestration chamber. A highly conductive aluminum base with 14 instrumentation ports rests at the interface between the LN2 reservoir and the sequestration chamber. The cooling and mixing through Rayleigh–Taylor instability achieves uniform deposition temperature. Insulation to maintain the cooling process is provided to sustain CO2 depletion phase...
Reactions of substituted benzene anions with N and O atoms: Chemistry in Titan’s upper atmosphere and the interstellar medium

The likely existence of aromatic anions in many important extraterrestrial environments, from the atmosphere of Titan to the interstellar medium (ISM), is attracting increasing attention. Nitrogen and oxygen atoms are also widely observed in the ISM and in the ionospheres of planets and moons. In the current work, we extend previous studies to explore the reactivity of prototypical aromatic anions (deprotonated toluene, aniline, and phenol) with N and O atoms both experimentally and computationally. The benzyl and anilinide anions both exhibit slow associative electron detachment (AED) processes with N atom, and moderate reactivity with O atom in which AED dominates but ionic products are also formed. The reactivity of phenoxide is dramatically different; there is no measurable reaction with N atom, and the moderate reactivity with O atom produces almost exclusively ionic products. The reaction mechanisms are studied theoretically by employing density functional theory calculations, and spin conversion is found to be critical for understanding some product distributions. This work provides insight into the rich gas-phase chemistry of aromatic ion-atom reactions and their relevance to ionospheric and interstellar chemistry.
Predicting the potential gradient field in ventricular fibrillation from shocks delivered in paced rhythm

A method of defibrillation threshold determination that utilizes low-strength shocks delivered in a benign rhythm would be desirable. Because the two-dimensional epicardial potential gradient (PG) is a shock parameter that is linked to defibrillation, we examined whether the epicardial PG measured for shocks delivered in paced rhythm could be used to predict the PG for defibrillation-strength shocks delivered in ventricular fibrillation (VF). In six open-chest pentobarbital-anesthetized pigs with left ventricular apex and right atrial internal defibrillation patches, we measured the epicardial PG field for shocks delivered in paced rhythm and during VF. We determined that there was a linear relationship between epicardial PG and shock strength for shocks delivered in paced rhythm. However, prediction of the PG measured for shocks in VF from those measured in paced rhythm resulted in a statistically significant overestimation of the PG in VF. We conclude that, for equivalent strength shocks, the epicardial PG field is weaker for shocks delivered in VF. This change in the potential gradient field can have an effect on defibrillation threshold estimates that are based on shocks delivered in paced rhythm.
Tennessee Valley Authority: Balancing Aquatic Biodiversity, River Management, and Power Generation

While operating an integrated system of dams, reservoirs, and power plants along the Tennessee River, TVA sustains a diverse ecosystem. The system is designed to provide for navigation, flood damage reduction, and the production of electricity. The TVA system encompasses more than 11,000 miles of shoreline and 650,000 surface acres of water within the Tennessee River watershed. The watershed covers approximately 41,000 square miles, with about 42,000 miles of streams and rivers. There are more aquatic species diversity (such as fish, insects, mussels, snails, and other forms of life) in the Tennessee River system than there are anywhere else in North America. TVA also operates the dams for other purposes, such as protecting water quality and aquatic habitat, providing municipal and industrial water supplies, regulating flows to minimize the effects of effluents, including thermal discharges, and controlling flows and levels for various recreational uses. TVA strives to minimize the impacts to aquatic life in its public power system and has embraced sustainable practices since its beginning. Through the years, sustainability at TVA has focused on the environment, the valley economy, and societal benefits.