cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Broadcasting of cortical activity to the olfactory bulb.

Odor representations are initially formed in the olfactory bulb, which contains a topographic glomerular map of odor molecular features. The bulb transmits sensory information directly to piriform cortex, where it is encoded by distributed ensembles of pyramidal cells without spatial order. Intriguingly, piriform cortex pyramidal cells project back to the bulb, but the information contained in this feedback projection is unknown. Here, we use imaging in awake mice to directly monitor activity in the presynaptic boutons of cortical feedback fibers. We show that the cortex provides the bulb with a rich array of information for any individual odor and that cortical feedback is dependent on brain state. In contrast to the stereotyped, spatial arrangement of olfactory bulb glomeruli, cortical inputs tuned to different odors commingle and indiscriminately target individual glomerular channels. Thus, the cortex modulates early odor representations by broadcasting sensory information diffusely onto spatially ordered bulbar circuits.
A world‐wide survey of the microflora of Dactylis glomerata seed*

SUMMARY The fungal microflora of orchard (cock's-foot) grass seed (Dactylis glomerata L.) was determined for 140 samples obtained from thirteen countries. The microflora was assessed by visual examination of dry seed (20–50 x), by microscopic examination of centrifuged seed washings and by incubating seed on 2 % malt extract agar (MA) under a 10-day regime of diurnal cycling of temperature (23-9oC/i8-3oC) and near-ultraviolet radiation (12 h NUV/ 12 h dark). More than twenty-five species of potentially pathogenic fungi and forty species of saprophytes were detected. The pathogens included an Ascochyta sp., Botrytis cinerea, nine species of Drechslera including D. dactylitis (infested 23% of seed lots) and D. Useptatum (10% of seed lots), five species oiFusarium including F. avenaceum (5 % of seed lots), Lep-tosphaeria sp., Phleospora sp., Phoma sp., Phomopsis sp., Pyrenochaeta sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Rhynchophoma sp., Septoria sp. and Stagonospora sp. Many more fungi were identified from seed plated on MA and exposed to NUV than by examination of seed washings or visual examination of dry seed. Several of the fungi that were detected are known to produce mycotoxins.
Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Reputation Mediators in the Relationships Between Accountability and Job Performance and Satisfaction

Holding people answerable for their actions captures the essence of accountability, which is one of the most fundamental constructs in the organizational sciences and, unfortunately, one about which little is known. This study formulated and tested a model that sought to explicate the intermediate linkages between accountability and job performance and satisfaction. Specifically, the hypothesized model suggests that accountability affects organizational citizenship behavior, which in turn influences job performance and satisfaction through personal reputation. Three alternative models were also examined, but the hypothesized model demonstrated the best fit to the data. Strengths and limitations of the study, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed.
Detection of organophosphorus compounds by covalently immobilized organophosphorus hydrolase

As a consequence of organophosphorus (OP) toxins posing a threat to human life globally, organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) has become the enzyme of choice to detoxify such compounds. Organophosphorus hydrolase was covalently immobilized onto a quartz substrate for utilization in paraoxon detection. The substrate was cleaned and modified prior to chemical attachment. Each modification step was monitored by imaging ellipsometry as the thickness increased with each modification step. The chemically attached OPH was labeled with a fluorescent dye (7-isothiocyanato-4-methylcoumarin) for the detection of paraoxon in aqueous solution, ranging from 10-9 to 10-5 M. UV−visible spectra were also acquired for the determination of the hydrolysis product of para-oxon, namely p-nitrophenol.
Inequalities related to Hardy's and Heinig's

In a 1975 paper [8], Heinig established the following three inequalities:where A = p/(p + s − λ) with p, s, λ real numbers satisfying p + s > λ,p > 0;where B = p/(2p + sp − λ −1) with p, s, λ real numbers satisfying 2p +sp > λ, + 1, p > 0;where is a sequence of nonnegative real numbers,and C = p[l + l/(p + s−λ)] with p, s, λ real numbers satisfying s > 0, p ≥ 1, and p +s > λ 0.
Laterally averaged empirical repulsive exponential interaction between carbon atoms in graphite

Abstract Experimental studies of the scattering of gas molecules by graphite have shown that the attractive London dispersion interactions between non-coplanar carbon atoms must allow for the electronic anisotropy of carbon atoms in graphite. Previous results of such effects are used to evaluate the parameters A and α in a laterally averaged repulsive interaction of the form A exp( - α z ) between a carbon atom at a distance z from a basal graphite plane. The constants are evaluated from empirical values of graphitic interlaminar spacing and compressibility.
A breathing manikin model for teaching nasotracheal intubation to EMS professionals

Objective. The widespread use of orotracheal intubation with rapid-sequence induction has made it difficult for emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to gain experience in nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in a controlled and supervised setting. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a training session on NTI with a breathing manikin can be used to improve the self-assessed skill level and comfort of EMS professionals.Methods. A prospective trial was conducted with a convenience sample of 33 EMS professionals, previously trained in NTI techniques. For the training session, a Laerdal airway manikin was modified by replacing the lungs with self-inflating resuscitation bag. The bag could then be squeezed to simulate breathing, with an inspiratory and expiratory phase. Following didactic instruction, and with direct supervision, each participant practiced NTI using this breathing manikin. Each participant completed a questionnaire, both before and after the training session, to determine self...
MMPI-2 Short Form: Psychometric Characteristics in a Neuropsychological Setting

A 180-item short form of the MMPI-2 (MMPI-2-180) was recently developed by Dahlstrom and Archer and has been proposed for clinical use under special circumstances. This study investigated the psychometric characteristics of the MMPI-2-180 in order to delineate its strengths, limitations, and appropriate scope of clinical application. Using a neuropsychological referral sample (N = 205), we examined accuracy of the short-form as it pertains to the following (a) the prediction of basic scale scores and profile code types, (b) the identification of high-point scales, and (c) the classification of scores as pathological (T > or = 65) or normal range. The results indicate that the MMPI-2-180 provides an unreliable basis for predicting clinical code types, identifying the high-point scale, or predicting the scores on most of the basic scales. In contrast, scores on the MMPI-2-180 are accurate predictors of whether the full-scale scores fall within the pathological range (T > or = 65). These findings suggest that (a) standard interpretive procedures involving profile configuration should not be used, in most cases, with the 180-item short-form results, (b) properly interpreted, this shortened version provides potentially useful information regarding the probable presence of various problem areas, and (c) this information is very limited when contrasted with that obtained using the complete or abbreviated (i.e., 370 item) version of the MMPI-2.
Relation of Kwashiorkor in Early Childhood and Intelligence at School Age

Extract: Measured intelligence at school age was compared in 37 previously severely malnourished children and their siblings. The malnourished children all had been hospitalized for kwashiorkor (severe infantile malnutrition with edema) when they were between 6 and 30 months of age. The siblings had never experienced a bout of severe malnutrition requiring hospitalization. The sibling controls were all within 3 years of age of the index cases. Full scale WISC IQ of the index cases was 68.5 and of the controls 81.5. Verbal and performance differences were of similar magnitude and in the same direction. All mean IQ, differences were significant at less than the 5% level of confidence. If an IQ score of below 70 is considered a customary cut-off point for the definition of mental retardation then twice as many of the previously malnourished children as their sibs functioned below this level; 18 malnourished, compared with 9 of the control subjects, had an IQ below 70. Moreover, of those with a low IQ, 10 of the index cases were below 60, contrasted with only 2 of the control subjects. At the other extreme of the distribution, in the conventionally normal range, the reverse picture obtains; 10 of the control subjects compared with 4 of the index cases had an IQ. of 90 or higher (Table III). Speculation: The long term effect of severe malnutrition in infancy has been suggested but not unequivocally demonstrated in comparative studies of malnourished children with controls drawn from the general population. To demonstrate the relation more convincingly it is necessary that children who have experienced such severe malnutrition be compared with their own sibs raised in the same family environment but not experiencing the same severity of nutritional insult. If differences in intellectual outcome exist between sib groups at school age the source of these differences may be more clearly related to the antecedent episode of severe malnutrition and hospitalization.
Vicarious learning in mobile neurally controlled agents: the V-MAXSON architecture

Extends MAXSON (a neural reinforcement learning system) to include vicarious learning. It shows that V-MAXSON can improve individual survival as well as promote survival of the group.
Participants' descriptions of social support within a multisite intervention for HIV-seropositive injection drug users (INSPIRE).

: HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) are at risk for transmitting HIV to their sex and injection partners, and compared with non-IDUs, they have poorer access to medical care and adherence to antiretroviral therapies. Social support has been linked with decreased injection and sexual risk behaviors and slower disease progression. In this qualitative process evaluation, we explored emotional support (ie, caring, empathy), informational support (ie, information, guidance, feedback), and appraisal support (ie, information for self-evaluation or understanding) received by participants in the Interventions for Seropositive Injectors-Research and Evaluation (INSPIRE) project, a multisite secondary prevention intervention for HIV-positive IDUs. Participants in the intervention and control conditions (N = 40) described similar experiences in terms of type, source, and perceived benefits of social support received from the program. Emotional support was received from program staff, other participants, and elements of the intervention. Participants also mentioned social support received from the INSPIRE project in relation to changes they had made in their lives during and after their involvement in the intervention, such as changes in their drug use, sexual practices, and health care utilization.
The Effect of Protein Particle Size Reduction on the Physical Properties of CO2-Precipitated Casein Films

Casein precipitated with high pressure-CO2 (CO2CAS) has unique properties compared to commercial acid-precipitated casein. CO2CAS is less water-soluble and films made from it are less susceptible to high humidity environments; however, the films are also opaque and hazy. The appearance of CO2CAS films is important especially if applied as a food coating. To improve the appearance properties, the particle size of CO2CAS film plasticized with glycerol was reduced. The effect of protein particle size reduction on tensile properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), and gloss was studied using ASTM methodology. As particle size of the CO2CAS was reduced from 126 μm to 111 μm, tensile strength and modulus of the films increased, while WVP decreased. With the same particle reduction, gloss increased from 55.3 gloss units on average to 73 gloss units, but films were still hazy. With a particle size less than 86 μm, CO2CAS films were glossy and transparent, however, tensile strength decreased and WVP increased. Depending on desired application, the properties of CO2CAS films can be optimized by changing particle size.
Effect of live attenuated, cold recombinant (CR) influenza virus vaccines on pulmonary function in healthy and asthmatic adults

The effects of intranasal inoculation with live attenuated, CR influenza virus vaccines on pulmonary function in healthy and asthmatic adults were evaluated in placebo-controlled, double-blind studies. In 46 healthy adult volunteers, there were no statistically significant alterations in pulmonary function as measured by spirometry and histamine bronchoprovocation tests in the first week following monovalent CR influenza virus vaccine [type A (H3N2, H1N1) and type B]. Among healthy adults with pre-inoculation PC20s less than 10 mg ml-1, 8/12 were infected following vaccination but no significant alterations occurred in histamine bronchoprovocation. In 11 asthmatic adults, no statistically significant alterations in pulmonary function, as measured by spirometry, were noted during the first 7 days postinoculation with bivalent CR influenza virus vaccine type A (H3N2 and H1N1). Postinoculation respiratory illnesses were more common in CR influenza virus vaccine recipients than placebo recipients, but they were mild, consisting of afebrile pharyngitis and transient rhinorrhea. Attenuated CR influenza virus vaccines do not appear to impair pulmonary function during the first week following immunization of healthy and asthmatic adults.
Coexistence of fcc and hcp phases of C60. Microstructural characterization of C60 and metal complexes of C60

Abstract Direct high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging of sublimed C 60 provides good evidence for the coexistence of relatively defect-free fcc and hcp phases in sublimed C 60 . In addition, some previously unobserved defects have been found in C 60 grown from solution. Preliminary results on imaging crystalline metal derivatives of C 60 by TEM are also presented.
Equating damp heat testing with field failures of PV modules

Damp heat testing is an integral part of the module qualification test sequence. To develop accelerated stress tests for module wear out mechanisms, laboratories have been extending the damp heat tests beyond the qualification level. This paper examines the failure analysis of modules exposed to extended damp heat testing and concludes that there is no evidence that the dominant observed failure mode occurs in fielded modules. Analysis of moisture ingress shows that the damp heat test exposes modules to much higher levels of moisture than will ever be experienced in the field. Humidity driven field failures instead often appear to occur in combination with delamination of the encapsulant, suggesting interfaces should be pre-stressed using UV and/or humidity-freeze before applying damp heat.
Satellite Remote Sensing and Hydrologic Modeling for Flood Inundation Mapping in Lake Victoria Basin: Implications for Hydrologic Prediction in Ungauged Basins

Floods are among the most catastrophic natural disasters around the globe impacting human lives and infrastructure. Implementation of a flood prediction system can potentially help mitigate flood-induced hazards. Such a system typically requires implementation and calibration of a hydrologic model using in situ observations (i.e., rain and stream gauges). Recently, satellite remote sensing data have emerged as a viable alternative or supplement to in situ observations due to their availability over vast ungauged regions. The focus of this study is to integrate the best available satellite products within a distributed hydrologic model to characterize the spatial extent of flooding and associated hazards over sparsely gauged or ungauged basins. We present a methodology based entirely on satellite remote sensing data to set up and calibrate a hydrologic model, simulate the spatial extent of flooding, and evaluate the probability of detecting inundated areas. A raster-based distributed hydrologic model, Coupled Routing and Excess STorage (CREST), was implemented for the Nzoia basin, a subbasin of Lake Victoria in Africa. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Terra-based and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer-based flood inundation maps were produced over the region and used to benchmark the distributed hydrologic model simulations of inundation areas. The analysis showed the value of integrating satellite data such as precipitation, land cover type, topography, and other products along with space-based flood inundation extents as inputs to the distributed hydrologic model. We conclude that the quantification of flooding spatial extent through optical sensors can help to calibrate and evaluate hydrologic models and, hence, potentially improve hydrologic prediction and flood management strategies in ungauged catchments.
13C NMR Evidence for a Fixed Soliton Width in Anionic Polyacetylene

Abstract According to the Su, Schrieffer, and Heeger (SSH) theory, the charge carrier in doped polyacetylene is a charged soliton of finite half-width with maximum charge at the center of the defect. The classical organic chemistry counterpart of the n-type soliton is an odd-alternate resonance-stabilized polyenyl anion, whose charge distribution is described by the coefficients of the occupied non-bonding molecular orbital. Examination of the nuclear magnetic resonance properties of α,ω-diphenylpolyenyl anions, which are models for anionic polyacetylene oligomers, has confirmed the existence of charge localization in resonance-stabilized polyenyl anions allows us to estimate the soliton width as 26 carbon atoms in n-doped polyacetylene.
On nash subsets of bimatrix games

This work considers a class of bimatrix games to which some well-known structure theorems of 0-sum matrix games can be made to generalize. It is additionally shown how to construct such games and how to generate the equilibrium points defining a given game as a member of that class.
Simultaneous heat transfer in a circular tube by free-molecule convection and thermal radiation

Abstract A general analysis including arbitrary thermal boundary conditions has been made for the energy transport in a circular tube in which a highly rarefied gas is flowing. Thermal radiation acts simultaneously with the free-molecule convection. Detailed consideration was given to the eases of uniform wall temperature, uniform wall heat flux, and the adiabatic wall. It was found that at all temperature levels except those well below room temperature, the results corresponding to combined convective and radiative transport differ little from those for purely radiative transport. Whenever results for the purely radiative transport differed appreciably from those of the purely convective transport, the radiation appeared to be the dominant mode in the simultaneous transport process.
Magnetic Spectra of Ferrites

A brief discussion is given of the meaning of initial permeability, the principles of its measurement, and the nature of "dimensional resonance." In considering magnetic spectra containing only a single resonance, typical data on sintered ferrites and on finely divided ferrite powders are reviewed, and some of the theoretical interpretations previously advanced are criticized. The investigations involving the two natural resonances found at this laboratory in a commercial Mg-ferrite are then summarized, including resonance in single-domain particles as a method for identifying dispersion mechanisms, experimental evidence for the inertia of domain walls, the nature of internal fields, and the temperature dependence of the natural resonances and of the spectroscopic splitting factor. Using the information obtained from these special studies, the following general hypothesis is advanced: In principle, two natural resonances are present in the magnetic spectrum of any sintered ferrite, and the single resonance sometimes observed represents the coalescence of two resonances. Reasons are given for expecting this coalescence to occur in some materials only, as in certain sintered mixed ferrites containing Zn-ferrite. The new hypothesis is consistent with all presently available data, including new spectra, some containing two resonances, that were recently obtained on pure ferrites at this laboratory. Additional confirmatory experiments are described which provide methods for separating or coalescing two resonances, and permit distinguishing between internal fields due to anisotropy and magnetic interactions. The limitations and possibilities of ferrites for obtaining useful microwave permeabilities are discussed from the new viewpoint, the criteria involved in this problem being shown to differ from those used at radiofrequencies.
Supramolecular Photophysics of Self-Assembled Block Copolymers Containing Luminescent Conjugated Polymers

Luminescent micellar aggregates and spherical vesicles self-assembled from polyquinoline−polystyrene diblock and polyquinoline−polystyrene−polyquinoline triblock copolymers were investigated by photoluminescence excitation and emission spectroscopies and fluorescence microscopy. In both the diblock micelles and triblock vesicles, new absorption and emission features characteristic of the supramolecular morphology in solution and the solid state were observed. J-like aggregation of the conjugated polymer blocks within the self-organized assemblies explain the observed supramolecular photophysics. The large red shift between aggregate luminescence in the solid state compared to solution is attributed to excimer emission. Self-assembling block copolymers containing conjugated polymer blocks thus constitute a promising route to functional supramolecular materials with tailorable optoelectronic and photonic properties.
A robotic reproduction of the dynamic sonar sensing in Horseshoe bats

Horseshoe bats (family Rhinolophidae) are a group of bats with a particularly sophisticated biosonar system that allows them to navigate and pursue prey in dense and complex living areas. One conspicuous feature of horseshoe bat biosonar is that the pulses are emitted nasally and diffracted by a special baffle structure - the noseleaf - as the exit into the free field. Furthermore, the noseleaves can change their shapes while diffracting the outgoing ultrasonic waves. The aim of this research project is to determine the relationship between the deformation of the noseleaf during pulse emission and the ultrasonic field through experiments. 3D models of horseshoe bat noseleaf were obtained by tomographic imaging, reconstructed, and modified in the digital domain to meet the needs of additive manufacturing prototypes for an experimental setup. A data acquisition and instrument control system was developed and integrated with ultrasonic transducers to characterize the dynamic emission system acoustically, actuators for displacing the lower and top portion of bat noseleaf, and pan-tilt unit for orienting the noseleaf. A cone and tube waveguide was designed to match the loudspeaker to the nostrils of bat noseleaf. By using this system, it was possible to reproduce the dynamic effect of the noseleaf and characterize it as a basis for inspired dynamic acoustic devices. Future research will address the relationship between the deformations of the noseleaf and the acoustic field.
Some Aspects Of A Three Dimensional Shape Descriptor Function

The paper describes a 3-dimensional Shape Descriptor Function (SDF) which is invariant under the action of SO(3). We concentrate here on the analytical derivation of the SSD, and show how certain requirements constrain both the nature of the SSD and the class of manifolds over which it can be defined.
Proton magnetic resonance of some α‐methyl group‐containing polymers and their monomers

Proton magnetic resonance spectra of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(sodium methacrylate), poly(α-methylstyrene), and the four corresponding monomers have been obtained from 77°K. At 77°K. all four polymers and α-methylstyrene exhibit complex derivative line shapes. Coincidental with the loss of the broad component of the derivative shape, marked second-moment changes in all four polymers occur in the 100–250°K region and are attributed to the onset of hindered α-methyl group rotation. α-Methylstyrene shows a corresponding second moment change in the 77–140°K. region which is 90–140° below that found for the polymer. At 77°K. considerable motion, presumably hindered methyl group rotation, is occurring in the methacrylate monomer crystals. At temperatures above 300°K. the NMR line narrowing is found for PMMA, poly(methacrylic acid), and poly-(α-methylstyrene) and is believed to be due to reorientation motions associated with the glass transition. The line narrowing process for highly isotactic PMMA and highly syndiotactic PMMA occurs rear 360 and 420°K., respectively, while for commercial samples it takes place near 410°K.—behavior in agreement with the different Tg values reported for these materials. Correlation frequencies have been calculated for the low-temperature transition region for the four polymers and α-methylstyrene, and are compared with theoretically derived curves.
Microviscosity of mucosal cellular membranes in toad urinary bladder: relation to antidiuretic hormone action on water permeability.

The microviscosity of cellular membranes (or membrane fluidity) was measured in suspensions of single mucosal cells isolated from the urinary bladder of the toad,Bufo marinus, by the technique of polarized fluorescence emission spectroscopy utilizing the hydrophobic fluorescent probe, perylene. At 23°C, 5mm dibutyryl cyclic 3′,5′-AMP decreased the apparent microviscosity of the cell membranes from 3.31 to 3.07 P, a minimum decrease of 7.3% (P<0.001) with a physiological time course. Direct visualization of the cell suspension indicated that 98% of the cells were viable, as indicated by Trypan Blue dye exclusion. The fluorescent perylene could be seen only in plasma membranes, suggesting that the measured viscosity was that of plasma membrane with little contribution from the membranes of cellular organelles. Addition of antidiuretic hormone to intact hemibladders stained with perylene produced changes in fluorescence consistent with a similar 7% decrease in apparent microviscosity with a physiological time course. However, finite interpretation of the findings in intact tissue cannot be made because the location and the fluorescent lifetime of the probe could only be conducted on the isolated cells. Comparison with previously determined relationships between water permeability and microviscosity in artificial bilayers suggests that the 7% (a lower limit) decrease in microviscosity would produce only a 6.5% increase in water permeability.
Optical properties of some greenish blue—to--green diamonds

Most green diamonds owe their coloration to radiation exposure that produces the GR]. absorption band. Depending upon the conditions of radiation either a surface color or a bodycolor can result. Natural green diamonds of known geographic origin especially those with a conspicuous bodycolor are extremely rare. A group of seven natural greenish bluetogreen bodycolor type-Ia diamonds from alluvial deposits in Guyana display a distinct but sometimes subtle internal blue-to-green color zoning and a visiblerange absorption spectrum consisting of in addition to the N3 N2 and GR1 bands weak-to-moderate 503 (H3) 496 (H4) and 595 nm bands. We suggest that this combination of features is characteristic of at least one category of natural bodycolor green diamonds. 1.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Light- and electron microscopic studies of the liver in "bronze baby" syndrome.

Summary The light- and electron-microscopic changes of the hepatic tissue of a case with the “bronze baby” syndrome were described. The light-microscopic examinations revealed intrahepatic cholestasis of the hepatocanalicular type associated with portal inflammation. The electronmicroscopic examinations showed dense deposits in the hepatic cells, Kupffer cells and in the bile canaliculi. The bile canaliculi were distended, the canalicular membrane severely destructed. The patient included in the study has been free of symptoms for 2 years.
CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Associated with Protective Immunity Induced following Vaccination of Mice with an Ehrlichial Variable Outer Membrane Protein

The ehrlichiae express variable outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that play important roles in both pathogenesis and host defense. Previous studies revealed that OMPs are immunodominant B-cell antigens and that passive transfer of anti-OMP antibodies can protect SCID mice from fatal ehrlichial infection. In this study, we used a model of fatal monocytotropic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia bacteria from Ixodes ovatus (IOE) to determine whether OMP immunization could generate protective immunity in immunocompetent mice. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with a purified recombinant OMP expressed by IOE omp19 generated protection from fatal IOE infection and elicited robust humoral and CD4 T-cell responses. To identify CD4 T-cell epitopes within OMPs, we performed enzyme-linked immunospot analyses for gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production using a panel of overlapping 16-mer peptides from IOE OMP-19. Five immunoreactive peptides comprising residues 30 to 45, 77 to 92, 107 to 122, 197 to 212, and 247 to 264 were identified; the strongest response was generated against OMP-19107-122. Most of the peptides are conserved between E. muris and E. chaffeensis OMP-19, and they elicited IFN-γ production in CD4 T cells from E. muris-infected mice, indicating that T-cell epitope cross-reactivity likely contributes to heterologous immunity. Accordingly, CD4 T-cell responses to both OMP-19 and OMP-19107-122 were of greater magnitude following high-dose IOE challenge of mice that had been immunized by prior infection with E. muris. Our studies cumulatively identify B- and T-cell epitopes that are associated with protective homologous and heterologous immunity during ehrlichial infection.
Particle mixing rates in sediments of the eastern equatorial Pacific: Evidence from 210Pb, 239,240Pu and 137Cs distributions at MANOP sites

Abstract Particle mixing rates (DB) calculated from excess 210Pb gradients in sediments of the east equatorial Pacific range from 0.04 to 0.5 cm2/y, with variation of a factor of 3–4 at a single site. Diffusion of the 236Ra daughter 222Rn may affect 210Pb distributions under conditions of slow mixing and low 210Pb flux to the seafloor, as shown by a siliceous ooze-clay core which contained the fallout radionuclides 239,240Pu and 137Cs but no excess 210Pb (relative to 226Ra). There is no clear relationship between 210Pbderived mixing rates and sediment type, accumulation rate or organic carbon flux to the sediments. Comparison of 210Pb mixing rates with those calculated from 239,240Pu and 137Cs distributions reveals better agreement for a pulse input of the fallout radionuclides (DB = 0.03−0.4 cm2/y) than for continuous input at a constant rate (DB = 0.1−1.6 cm2/y), although the Pu and 137Cs data are better fit by the latter model. The agreement may be fortuitous because 239,240Pu and 137Cs appear significantly deeper than 210Pb in at least one core. Tracer separation could be caused by particle size-selective mixing by the benthic fauna or by chemical mobilization. If the fallout radionuclides are scavenged from surface waters by large, organic-rich particles such as fecal pellets, their release and migration may result from decomposition of the carrier in surface sediments. Either a relatively unreactive form of Pu (e.g. oxidized Pu) has been released by this process or a one-dimensional model is inadequate to explain its observed penetration into the sediments. Activity ratios of 239,240 Pu 137 Cs in the sediments decrease with increasing north latitude, and the trend reflects higher fluxes of 239,240Pu near the weapons test site at Christmas Island (2°N). The 239,240 Pu 137 Cs ratios and fluxes to the sediment (assuming constant input) at the siliceous ooze-red clay site are consistent with published sediment trap data from a nearby site. Thus if fallout radionuclide fluxes to the sea floor were higher in the past, both 239,240Pu and 137Cs have been released from sinking particles.
Effect of patterned magnetic shields on high-frequency integrated inductors

Understanding the losses in magnetic integrated inductors is essential for attaining optimal performance. Integrated inductors with thick magnetic shield (MS) with eddy current inhibiting slots were fabricated to understand the losses due to the MS, patterning, and eddy currents. An increase in the quality factor was measured for inductors with patterned magnetic shields. We further measured a) only a partial inhibition of eddy currents in films, and b) an increased in the expected frequency response of the magnetic material (in-situ). We found that patterning the MS with wide patterns (36 /spl mu/m wide) is not entirely sufficient for eliminating eddy currents, and the pattern should be refined; however studies of arrays of bars show that refining the pattern leads to dramatically different high frequency behavior that must be accounted for when optimizing the quality factor.
Characterization of Pekin duck drinking and preening behaviors and comparison when housed on raised plastic versus pine litter flooring

Abstract In recent years, much attention has been given to the welfare of commercial Pekin ducks. Management systems in the European Union have been the focus of most of these studies, with less research being done on raising ducks commercially in the United States. We set out to characterize commercial Pekin duck social and preening behaviors associated with water lines (pin-metered water systems). We also determined if these behaviors differed with ducks housed on pine litter compared with raised plastic flooring. To accomplish this we used video surveillance systems to observe flocks at ages of 7, 21, and 31 d. These recordings were analyzed for group interactions under water lines as well as preening behaviors and then compared between flooring types. We found that ducks are much more likely to drink in groups rather than individually. Significantly fewer ducks were observed drinking alone in barns with raised flooring compared with pine litter at all ages. Flooring type had no effect on preening behaviors that occurred equally as often with and without the use of water. Based on these observations, we suggest that social and preening behaviors do occur in barns with water lines.
An L-band SAR for repeat pass deformation measurements on a UAV platform

We are proposing to develop a miniaturized polarimetric L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for repeat-pass differential interferometric measurements of deformation for rapidly deforming surfaces of geophysical interest such as volcanoes or earthquakes that is to be flown on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or minimally piloted vehicle (MPV). To support the repeat pass deformation capability it is necessary to control flight track capability of the aircraft to be within a specified 10 m tube with a goal of 1 m. This requires real-time GPS control of the autopilot to achieve these objectives that has not been demonstrated on these aircraft. Based on the Proteus and ALTAIR's altitude of 13.7 km (45,000 ft), we are designing a fully polarimetric L-band radar with 80 MHz bandwidth and a 16 km range swath. The radar has an active electronic beam steering antenna to achieve a Doppler centroid stability that is necessary for repeat-pass interferometry. This paper presents the radar configuration along with some of the trade studies for the platform and instrument.
Experiments in object reconstruction using a robot-mounted laser range-finder

This paper presents a methodology to estimate the 2D reconstruction of an object on a given horizontal plane using a laser range-finder mounted on a mobile robot. To complete the reconstruction process, scans of the object from all sides are required and hence the robot must go completely around the object in a full circle. Since no apriori information about the object is used, the path planning for the robot must be done in an online fashion as more and more of the object is seen. Techniques for such trajectory planning to obtain all round views in a smooth fashion are put forth in this paper. As the object is being seen in parts, these parts must be registered together to form a consistent reconstruction. Scan matching using Iterative Closest Point (ICP) is used to stitch together the scans obtained from various viewpoints to form the required reconstruction. Experimental results for the reconstruction are provided in this paper. The 2D reconstruction can provide information about the area projected onto the ground by the object, thus giving cues about the shape of the object. This provides motivation for further work in the 3D reconstruction of moving objects.
Channel-adaptive frequency-domain relay processing in multicarrier multihop transmission

Conventionally, a memoryless analog repeater at the relay of a multihop transmission system amplifies the signal received from its incoming link, and retransmits the amplified signal to its outcoming link. In the frequency domain, such an amplification essentially is ideal bandpass filtering, treating all the frequency components uniformly. For multicarrier systems like orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) over frequency-selective channels, such a frequency-flat amplification is inadequate to exploit the benefits of adaptive processing at the relay. This paper analyzes the potential performance gain of non-uniform frequency-domain relay amplification, in which the gain coefficients for subcarriers are adapted from the frequency responses of both the incoming and outcoming links. An end-to-end achievable rate optimization problem is formulated. A simple heuristic power allocation algorithm is proposed. Numerical results indicate that the heuristic algorithm achieves considerable performance gains compared to conventional amplify-and-forward relay processing.
Neurofilaments are flexible polymers that often fold and unfold, but they move in a fully extended configuration.

Time-lapse imaging of neurofilaments in axons of cultured nerve cells has demonstrated that these cytoskeletal polymers move along microtubule tracks in both anterograde and retrograde directions, powered by microtubule motors. The filaments exhibit short bouts of rapid intermittent movement interrupted by prolonged pauses, and the average velocity is slow because they spend most of their time pausing. Here we show that axonal neurofilaments are also very flexible and frequently exhibit complex and dynamic folding and unfolding behaviors while they are pausing. Remarkably, however, when the filaments move in a sustained manner we find that they always adopt an unfolded, i.e. fully extended configuration, and this applies to movement in both anterograde and retrograde directions. Given the flexibility of neurofilament polymers and the apparent ease with which they can fold back on themselves, the fact that they move in a fully extended configuration suggests that moving neurofilaments may be pulled from their leading end. Thus we speculate that motors may bind to the leading ends of neurofilaments polymers during both anterograde and retrograde motion.
The global cancer divide: relationships between national healthcare resources and cancer outcomes in high-income vs. middle- and low-income countries.

Abstract Background Cancer continues to rise as a contributor to premature death in the developing world. Despite this, little is known about whether cancer outcomes are related to a country’s income level, and what aspects of national healthcare systems are associated with improved cancer outcomes. Methods The most recent estimates of cancer incidence and mortality were used to calculate mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) for the 85 countries with reliable data. Countries were categorized according to high-income (Gross Domestic Product (GDP) > $15,000) or middle/low-income (GDP Results Cancer MIR in high-income countries (0.47) was significantly lower than that of middle/low-income countries (0.64), with a p p = 0.004), a $379 increase in THE ( p p = 0.027) were all associated with a 0.01 decrease in cancer MIR. In middle/low-income countries, only WHO scores correlated with decreased cancer MIR ( p = 0.022); 12 specific cancer types also showed similar significant correlations ( p Conclusions The analysis of this study suggested that cancer MIR is greater in middle/low-income countries. Furthermore, the WHO healthcare score was associated with improved cancer outcomes in middle/low-income countries while absolute levels of financial resources and infrastructure played a more important role in high-income countries.
MR Enterography Findings of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to illustrate and describe the characteristic MR enterography findings in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to present MR enterography as the first-choice imaging modality in this setting. CONCLUSION. Given its high sensitivity and specificity for IBD and lack of ionizing radiation, MR enterography is a valuable technique for examining children with IBD.
No-commitment branch and bound search for distributed constraint optimization

We present a new polynomial-space algorithm for solving Distributed Constraint Optimization problems (DCOP). The algorithm, called NCBB, is branch and bound search with modifications for efficiency in a multiagent setting. Two main features of the algorithm are: (a) using different agents to search non-intersecting parts of a search space concurrently, and (b) communicating lower bounds on solution cost every time there is a possibility the bounds might change due to changed variable assignments. The first leads to a better utilization of computational resources of multiple participating agents, while the second provides for more efficient pruning of search space.Experimental results show that NCBB has significantly better performance than another polynomial-space algorithm, ADOPT, on random graph coloring problems. Under assumptions of cheap communication it also has comparable performance with DPOP despite using only polynomial memory as opposed to exponential memory for DPOP.
Modeling and Analysis for End-to-End Service Performance in Virtualization-Based Next Generation Internet

Network virtualization has been propounded as a key diversifying attribute of the future inter-networking paradigm. Although exciting progresses have been made in this area, understanding the performance of end-to-end service delivery in network virtualization is still a significant opening topic that requires analytical modeling and analysis. Heterogeneity of the network infrastructures coexisting in future Internet and the resource abstraction feature of network virtualization bring new challenges to service modeling and performance analysis. The research study presented in this paper addresses these challenges. The main contributions made in this paper include a new model for end-to-end service delivery systems in network virtualization environments, and the techniques developed for analyzing the performance of end-to-end network service delivery in the virtualization-based Internet. The model and techniques developed in this paper are general and independent of network architectures and implementations; thus are applicable to service delivery over the various heterogeneous networking systems coexisting in the future Internet.
Coronary flow reserve in mice: Effects of age, coronary disease, and vascular loading

Mice are now commonly used as models of human cardiovascular diseases and conditions, but it is challenging to measure blood flow velocity in small vessels such as coronary arteries. Accordingly, we have developed a method using a 2 mm diameter 20 MHz pulsed Doppler probe applied to the chest of an anesthetized mouse to measure left main coronary blood flow velocity noninvasively. We also found that coronary flow velocity could be increased from baseline (B) to hyperemic (H) levels by changing the concentration of isoflurane gas anesthesia from 1% to 2.5% in oxygen and that the H levels are similar to or higher than those induced by adenosine. We used the ratio H/B to estimate coronary flow reserve (CFR) in young, adult, and old mice and in mice with atherosclerosis, coronary occlusion, pressure overload, and angiotensin infusion. We found that H/B increases with age from 2.4 (young) to 3.6 (old) and is reduced by all forms of coronary and vascular disease to as low as 1.1 by pressure overload. We conclude that CFR can be measured noninvasively and serially in mice as their cardiovascular systems adapt and remodel to various imposed or natural conditions, and that left main coronary flow reserve may be a good index of global cardiac function.
Gating multiple signals through detailed balance of excitation and inhibition in spiking networks

Recent theoretical work has provided a basic understanding of signal propagation in networks of spiking neurons, but mechanisms for gating and controlling these signals have not been investigated previously. Here we introduce an idea for the gating of multiple signals in cortical networks that combines principles of signal propagation with aspects of balanced networks. Specifically, we studied networks in which incoming excitatory signals are normally cancelled by locally evoked inhibition, leaving the targeted layer unresponsive. Transmission can be gated 'on' by modulating excitatory and inhibitory gains to upset this detailed balance. We illustrate gating through detailed balance in large networks of integrate-and-fire neurons. We show successful gating of multiple signals and study failure modes that produce effects reminiscent of clinically observed pathologies. Provided that the individual signals are detectable, detailed balance has a large capacity for gating multiple signals.