cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of void geometry on elastic properties of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites

Abstract Voids are one of the most common types of manufacturing process induced defects in composite materials that have detrimental effect on the material properties. The void content can be reduced by carefully chosen process parameters, such as pressure and temperature, but often at the price of higher cost. A quantitative relationship between void characteristics and material properties would allow the trade-off between the cost and the desired product performance. The characteristics of interest include volume fraction, size, shape, and spatial distribution. In this paper, methods for determining effective elastic constants of unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced composites containing voids of various characteristics are presented. Finite element analysis (FEA) is performed on a representative volume cell based on observed void microstructure to determine the effective elastic constants. Analytical method based on Mori–Tanaka theory is also utilized for comparison. The predictions by FEA and the analytical method are compared with each other as well as with available experimental data. Overall good agreement is found. A parametric study reveals that the void content has severe impact on the out-of-plane modulus, while the in-plane properties are less significantly affected. For a given void content, the shape of the voids has different effect on different moduli. Flat voids are benign for in-plane moduli but undesirable for out-of-plane stiffness. Long voids reduce significantly the out-of-plane shear modulus, but have little effect on the in-plane properties.
Laws, History, and the Nature of Biological Understanding

Michael Clegg, in the Preface to this volume, notes the role Biology is expected to play in application to policy: I was stimulated to consider the limits to knowledge in the applied science of conservation Biology as Chair of the National Research Council Committee on Science and the Endangered Species Act. The theoretical foundations of ecology and population genetics play a major role in the science of biological conservation. For instance, theory, in conjunction with empirical information, informs approaches to reserve design and to the elaboration of breeding strategies. The fundamental science of evolutionary Biology is called on by managers in deciding when a species is no longer in danger of extinction and when a listing is the appropriate action, (p. viii)
IGE AND IGGA ANTIBODY-MEDIATED RELEASE OF HISTAMINE FROM RAT PERITONEAL CELLS I. OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR IN VITRO PREPARATION OF TARGET CELLS WITH ANTIBODY AND CHALLENGE WITH ANTIGEN

The optimum conditions for antigen-induced release of histamine in the rat IgE and IgGa antibody-mediated systems were studied in vitro. The IgE antibody-mediated reaction could be separated into two steps: preparation of target cells with antibody and challenge with antigen. The optimal conditions for these two steps were distinctly different. Release of histamine by IgGa antibody and antigen could not be separated into two steps, and the optimal conditions for the total reaction were identical to those of the antigen challenge step of the IgE antibody-mediated system.
Comparison of synthetic psoralen derivatives and 8-MOP in the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation

Psoralens are a family of furocoumarins that naturally occur in nature in small amounts in a variety of common vegetables, including figs and limes, and in larger quantities in plants originally identified in the Nile valley and in India.' These molecules have the remarkable quality of being activated by ultraviolet A (UVA) from a biologically inert form to one capable of forming covalent bonds with the pyrimidine bases of DNA.
Does the use of transgenic plants diminish or promote biodiversity

The protection of biodiversity and of ecosystem services ought to be a top priority, taken into consideration in the course of all human activities, because we depend on it fully now and for the future. In this context, we note that the ecological problems related to the cultivation of GE crops fail to differ in any fundamental way from the ecological problems associated with agriculture in general, except that they usually involve the application of much lower quantities of chemicals and thus tend to leave the environments in and adjacent to where they are grown in better condition than do the conventional ones. Higher productivity on cultivated lands, which is one outcome of growing GE crops, protects biodiversity by sparing lands not intensively cultivated, whereas relatively non-productive agriculture practised is highly destructive to biodiversity, since it consumes more land in an often destructive way, even though more biodiversity may be preserved among the crops themselves than in industrialized, large fields, especially if hedgerows and woodlands are not encouraged in near proximity. The major preservation of biodiversity, however, does not take place among crops! If weeds are present that are closely related to the crops, they may acquire immunity to the effects from which the crops were protected and be more difficult to control among them. The production of superweeds as a result of hybridization between cultivated crops and their wild relatives is essentially a myth. The definition of 'organic' production in the U.S. and elsewhere unjustifiably rules out GE crops, often in such a way as to damage the environment more than would be the case otherwise. Unless the definition of 'organic' is a problem, or close relatives to the crops are weedy among them, there seems to be essentially no ecological risk involved in growing GE crops.
Induction of Benzoic Acid 2-Hydroxylase in Virus-Inoculated Tobacco.

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the induction of plant resistance to pathogens. An accompanying article (N. Yalpani, J. Leon, M.A. Lawton, I. Raskin [1993] Plant Physiol 103: 315-321) shows that SA is synthesized via the decarboxylation of cinnamic acid to benzoic acid (BA), which is, in turn, hydroxylated to SA. Leaf extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Xanthi-nc) catalyze the 2-hydroxylation of BA to SA. The monooxygenase catalyzing this reaction, benzoic acid 2-hydroxylase (BA2H), required NAD(P)H or reduced methyl viologen as an electron donor. BA2H activity was detected in healthy tobacco leaf extracts (1-2 nmol h-1 g-1 fresh weight) and was significantly increased upon inoculation with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). This increase paralleled the levels of free SA in the leaves. Induction of BA2H activity was restricted to tissue expressing a hypersensitive response at 24[deg]C. TMV induction of BA2H activity and SA accumulation were inhibited when inoculated tobacco plants were incubated at 32[deg]C. However, when inoculated plants were incubated for 4 d at 32[deg]C and then transferred to 24[deg]C, they showed a 15-fold increase in BA2H activity and a 65-fold increase in free SA content compared with healthy plants incubated at 24[deg]C. Treatment of leaf tissue with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide blocked the induction of BA2H activity by TMV. The effect of TMV inoculation on BA2H could be duplicated by infiltrating leaf discs of healthy plants with BA. This response was observed even when applied levels of BA were much lower than the levels observed in vivo after virus inoculation. Feeding tobacco leaves with phenylalanine, cinnamic acid, or o-coumaric acid (putative precursors of SA) failed to trigger the induction of BA2H activity. BA2H appears to be a pathogen-inducible protein with an important regulatory role in SA accumulation during the development of induced resistance to TMV in tobacco.
Spinal cord segments containing key elements of the central pattern generators for three forms of scratch reflex in the turtle

The immobilized, low-spinal turtle produces 3 forms of the fictive scratch reflex in response to tactile stimulation of specific sites on its body surface (Robertson et al., 1985). We used complete transections of the spinal cord at different rostrocaudal levels to reveal the minimum length of spinal cord sufficient to produce each scratch form. Additional transections revealed the progressive loss of elements of the motor pattern and the eventual loss of rhythmogenesis. We have identified, therefore, spinal cord segments containing key elements of each scratch form's central pattern generator (CPG). The turtle spinal cord consists of 8 cervical segments (C1-C8), 10 dorsal segments (D1-D10), 2 sacral segments (S1, S2) and about 16 caudal segments (Ca1-Ca16; Kusuma et al., 1979). The cell bodies of motor neurons innervating the hindlimb muscles are located in the hindlimb enlargement, segments D8-S2 (Ruigrok and Crowe, 1984). The receptive field for the rostral scratch is innervated by segments D3-D6; the pocket scratch receptive field is innervated by segments D6-D8; the caudal scratch receptive field is innervated by segments S2, Ca1, and more caudal segments (Mortin and Stein, 1985). A rostral scratch motor pattern could be produced with as few as 5 or 6 segments, i.e., segments D5-D9 or D3-D8. The anterior 3 segments of the hindlimb enlargement, D8-D10, could produce a pocket scratch motor pattern. A single segment, either D7 or D8, is capable of rhythmogenesis in response to stimulation of sites in its part of the pocket receptive field. A caudal scratch motor pattern could be produced by D8-End (the hindlimb enlargement and more caudal segments). The posterior 40-80% of the hindlimb enlargement is not necessary for the production of a rostral or pocket motor pattern. The anterior segment of the enlargement is necessary for the production of a normal caudal scratch motor pattern. Key elements of the CPG for each of the 3 scratch forms reside in segments D7-D10. The pattern-generating capacity of the anterior half of the hindlimb enlargement is greater than the posterior half; such an asymmetric distribution of pattern-generating elements in the enlargement of the spinal cord has been described for cat scratching (Deliagina et al., 1983). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the CPGs producing different motor patterns for the hindlimb share neuronal elements (Grillner, 1981; Robertson et al., 1985; Currie and Stein, 1988, 1989).
Modified Grid Argon (Blue-Green) Laser Photocoagulation for Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema

Abstract One hundred sixty eyes of 92 patients with diffuse diabetic maculopathy with or without cystoid macular edema were enrolled in a prospective randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of "modified grid" argon (bluegreen) laser photocoagulation. At the 12- and 24-month follow-ups, visual acuity significantly improved in treated eyes ( P = 0.00007 and P = 0.00031, respectively) compared to the observation group. In addition, at the 12- and 24-month follow-ups, visual acuity significantly worsened in observation eyes ( P = 0.00007 and P = 0.0007, respectively) compared to the treatment group. The following factors did not statistically alter the visual prognosis: a history of systemic hypertension ( P = 0.2921); systemic vascular disease ( P = 0.5324); cystoid macular edema ( P = 0.1010); and initial poor visual acuity ( P = 0.3032).
The M2 proton channels of influenza A and B viruses.

SummaryofStructure-FunctionRelationshipoftheA/M2IonChannel TheavailablebiochemicalandsolidstateNMRdataindicatethatthetrans-membrane domain of the A/M2 protein is comprised of a four-helix bundlewithatiltofabout25degrees.TheseexperimentsarealsoconsistentwiththefunctionalstudiesthatshowedthatthatresiduesVal 27 ,Ala 30 ,Gly 34 ,His 37 ,andTrp 41 line the aqueous pore. Furthermore, these results indicate that His 37 formsabarriertolargemoleculesandthatTrp 41 functionsasagatethatcloseswithhighpH out .Functionalstudiesindicatethattheportionofthecytoplasmicdomain nearest the membrane is important for normal ion channel function,andsolidstateNMRstudiesindicatethatthestructureofthisdomainbringsitinto close proximity to the inner membrane leaflet. The most remarkableaspect of this channel is the observation that much of its functionality is pro-vided for by the His 37 and Trp 41 residues found in one turn of the transmem-brane helical bundle. InhibitionoftheA/M2IonChannel ThistopicisimportantbecauseantiviraldrugsthatinhibittheM2ionchan-nel also inhibit replication of the influenza A virus, and understanding themechanismofinhibitionwouldbehelpfulindevelopingbetterinhibitors.TheantiviraldrugamantadineanditsderivativerimantadineinhibitthereplicationoftheinfluenzaAvirusbutnotinfluenzaBvirus(39).AmantadineinhibitstheA/M2ionchannel(12,17,40)butnottheBM2channel(16),whichisconsist-ent with amantadine inhibiting influenza A virus but not influenza B virusreplication.Severallinesofevidenceindicatethatinhibitionofviralreplicationby amantadine results from the inhibition of A/M2 proton channel activity.Thefirstevidencecomesfromamantadine-resistantescapemutantvirusesinwhich the site of the mutation was mapped and found to lie in the A/M2transmembrane domain (41). When these escape mutation proteins wereexpressed in oocytes (17, 42) or mammalian cells (12, 18) their currents werefoundtobeinsensitivetoamantadine.Thesecondlineofevidencecomesfromconsideration of the virus life cycle. Viral uncoating requires acidification ofthe virus prior to fusion with the endosomal membrane (43–45), and the M2protein is capable of providing the needed acidification when the virion iscontained in the endosome. The viral genome encodes three integral mem-brane proteins (46), and only A/M2 is capable of proton transport. Thus,inhibition of the essential proton transport function of the A/M2 ion channelresults in inhibition of replication of the virus.Five observations, taken together, suggest a mechanism for inhibition byamantadine. 1) Two of the mutations that result in resistance to amantadineoccur on residues that have been found by cysteine scanning mutagenesis toline the aqueous pore. Both of these mutations are to residues that are lesshydrophobic(A30TandG34E)thanthenativeresidue(41).2)Inhibitionofthechannel occurs more readily when pH of the bathing medium is high (40). 3)AmantadineonlyinhibitswhenitisappliedtothemediumbathingtheN-ter-minal ectodomain and not when applied to the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail;injection of as much as 1 m
Nonpolar and Semipolar III-Nitride Light-Emitting Diodes: Achievements and Challenges

It has been several years since InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on nonpolar and semipolar orientations were first demonstrated. Prominent performance and inherent potential of these crystallographic orientations have been revealed as bulk-GaN substrates of arbitrary orientations became available for epitaxial device growth. At this point in time, we intend to survey the progress made to date and prospect the future requirements for further device improvements. The discussion begins with a historical background: how nonpolar/semipolar orientations were introduced to III-nitride LEDs and why they are beneficial. The discussion then provides information on elementary crystallography and piezoelectricity in addition to the electronic band structure of wurtzite crystals. Later in this paper, LED reports are collected to develop comprehensive knowledge of the past research efforts and trends. Nonpolar and semipolar orientations provide not only high LED performances, e.g., optical output power and wavelength ranges, but also unique functions, e.g., polarized light emission, which will explore new fields of applications.
From molecular chemistry to supramolecular chemistry to superdupermolecular chemistry. Controlling covalent bond formation through non-covalent and magnetic interactions.

The reactions of carbon centered radical pairs often involve diffusion controlled combination and/or disproportionation reactions which are non-selective. A triplet geminate pair of radicals is produced by the photolysis of suitable ketones. The reactions of such geminate pairs can be controlled though the application of supramolecular concepts which emphasize non-covalent interaction to “steer” the geminate pair toward a selected pathway. In addition, “superdupermolecular” concepts, which emphasize the control of radical pair reactions through the orientation of electron spins, can be employed to further control the course of geminate pair reactions. Examples of control of a range of the selectivity of geminate radical combinations, which form strong covalent bonds, through supramolecular and superdupermolecular effects will be presented for the photolysis of ketones adsorbed in the supercages of zeolites.
Distribution and Societal Development: The Shape of Marketing in a World of Diverse Nations

Marketing scholars have posited that a country's pattern of distribution can be associated with the level of societal development. This study lends empirical support for this relationship. Three groups of nations were created from 37 societal measures. The country groups' distribution structures were characterized in terms of 19 measures of channel structure, representing the degree of channel integration, wholesaler size, wholesale services, retail form, and the pervasiveness of supermarkets. The findings show that most developed nations have a distribution structure that differs from that of the least developed nations. The moderately developed nations have elements similar to both other groups of nations, yet important differences also exist.
Ovipositional and flight behavior of overwintered Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)

Overwintered Colorado potato beetles, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), collected from the soil at South Deerfield, Mass., in the spring of 1989 were brought to the laboratory and individually fed potato foliage or left unfed. Beetles were tethered to a flight mill for 1h daily to measure the number of flights, their distances, and time per flight when on the mill. Unfed beetles flew more often, for longer periods, and for greater distances (on average, a total of 4,879 m for unfed females compared with 1,346 m for fed females). Many (17 of 27) fed beetles flew for short distances (>5 m) before initiating oviposition; a smaller number (6 of 22) flew >200 m during any flight bout before laying their first eggs. Unfed female beetles laid virtually no eggs, whereas fed females laid an average of 22 eggs/d. Overwintered females that were unmated in the spring did not differ in egg production from spring-mated females, but egg viability was significantly higher. Results show that a single overwintered female constitutes a mobile and fecund founder of populations. The complex life history of the Colorado potato beetle uses migration and diapause to distribute offspring over space and time, thus minimizing reproductive risk.
Insectary Life History and Apterous Instar Morphology of Myzus Persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera, Aphidae)

The world-wide distribution, polyphagous nature, and demonstrated ability of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), to transmit numerous plant viruses makes it one of the most economically important aphids. M. persicae is probably the most important aphid species in plant virus transmission.
African independence: how Africa shapes the world

Africa remains a poorly understood and often ignored region of the globe reduced to sporadic news reports of poverty, genocide and terrorism. In this well-written and accessible book, Tukufu Zuberi...
Accumulation of Inorganic Sulfate by Choroid Plexus in Vitro

SummaryThe incubation of choroid plexus tissue with 35SO42- reveals that sulfate is accumulated in the tissue against a concentration gradient. The magnitude of tissue accumulation appears to depend on cellular metabolism as evidenced by the adverse effect of metabolic inhibitors. The inhibition of sulfate accumulation by thiosulfate and thiocyanate implies that these anions share a common carrier. These findings support the contention that the low concentration of sulfate in CSF is due to the active transport of this ion out of the CSF across the choroid plexus.
The Nonresonant DST Equation as a Model for McClare’s Excimer

In the contribution by Knox et al. to these proceedings, it was emphasized that the mechanism for injecting energy into—and extracting it from—the alpha helix region has not yet been adequately considered. They suggest that this question deserves as much theoretical effort as the problem of calculating soliton lifetime. A similar concern was noted by the present author several years ago [1]. Introducing an arbitrary perturbation of the sound system in Davydov’s equations, it was shown that only the (kinetic) energy of motion would be converted to mechanical energy, not the rest energy. Other mechanisms, it was concluded, must be supposed to make use of the main portion of soliton energy. The aim here is to consider one such mechanism: McClare’s “excimer” [2].
Two-phase-balance coordinated control system of Yd11 traction transformer for electric railroad

According to the conversion relationship of current or voltage between the primary and secondary sides of Yd11 traction transformer,an analysis method is put forward for solving the problems about negative sequence,reactive power and harmonics existing in electric railroad and the corresponding circuit structure is given.Phasor analysis is used to get the most suitable relation of current amplitude or phase angle between the primary and secondary sides of traction transformer.Time-domain analysis is then used to obtain the current detection method,which eliminates the harmonic and reactive components based on the instantaneous power theory.Results of simulation with MATLAB / Simulink prove that,the proposed analysis method and circuit structure balance the loads of two phases,improve power factor and eliminate harmonic pollution effectively.
Application of geothermometers in the geothermal system

The geothermometer is usually used to calculate the deep temperatures of geothermal reservoirs in the geothermal system,but if the chemistry component is not balanceable in the geothermal reserviors,the equilibrium temperature of the deep reservior estimated by the geothermometer is not true.Taking thermal groundwater of the eighth coal mine in Pingdingshan for example,both the Na-K-Ca diagram and the lg(Q/K) figure are employed to exam the mineral-fluid equilibrium state qualitatively and quantificationally,which may lay a theoretical foundation for the choice and application of geothermometers.
ASS1 gene mutation in a neonate with citrullinemia type I

Objective To identify the genetic mutation in ASS1 gene in a Chinese family with citrullinemia typeⅠ, which may provide a basis for the diagnosis and genetic counseling. Method Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of the family members. Mutation analysis of ASS1 gene was carried out by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Biostructural analysis of the mutated ASS1 was completed by Phyre server. Result Double heterozygous mutations in the proband were identified:c.951delT (F317LfsX375) and c.1087C>T (R363W), which were confirmed in the proband's father and mother, respectively. It was found that the c.951delT mutation might change the formation of a dimer or a tetramer and the function of ASS1 protein. Conclusion Double heterozygous mutations for c.951delT and c.1087C>T have been found in a proband with citrullinemia typeⅠ. The c.951delT is a novel mutation in citrullinemia typeⅠ, which may change the configuration of ASS1 protein and result in ASS1 dysfunction. Key words: Citrullinemia typeⅠ; ASS1 gene; Mutation; Protein
What is NBO analysis and how is it useful

Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is one of many available options for ‘translating’ computational solutions of Schrodinger’s wave equation into the familiar language of chemical bonding concepts. In this Review, we first address the title questions by describing characteristic features that distinguish NBO from alternative analysis methodologies (e.g. of QTAIM or EDA type) and answering criticisms that have been raised in specific chemical applications. We then address the general ‘usefulness’ of NBO analysis in the context of widely accepted philosophical criteria, including (i) broad consistency, both internally and with respect to known experimental data, (ii) multi-faceted predictive capacity, including numerical model predictions of specific properties, general correlative and statistical regression relationships, and ‘risky’ falsifiable predictions of previously unknown chemical phenomena, and (iii) general pedagogical value, promoting organisation, unification, and orderly rationalisation of che...
Creeping South to Astara-Chay (1797–1829)

Agha Mohammad was succeeded by his nephew, Fathali Khan, who, not unlike Agha Mohammad, received his instructions in government early on as the ruler of Mazandaran. In 1780–1781, Fathali Khan, nicknamed Baba Khan, was made ruler of Barfurush, present-day Babol, a town some 18 miles east of Amol and 25 miles west of Sari. Fathali Khan’s only rival to the Persian throne was Agha Mohammad’s brother, Aliqoli Khan, whom Fathali Shah (1797–1834) had blinded and banished quickly to Barfurush in 1797.1
Performance Analysis of a Space Shuttle External Tank Attach Ring using Probabilistic Principles

This work deals with performance analysis of an external tank attach ring of a space shuttle. The shuttle consists of the orbiter and the main engines along with the solid rocket boosters, external tank (ET), and external tank attachment (ETA) ring. The study discussed in this paper is restricted solely to the ETA. Performance analysis in the traditional deterministic sense involves calculation of margin of safety values for yield and ultimate allowable stresses. Performance analysis using probabilistic principles uses probabilistic margins of safety (PMS). These values are determined for various parts of ETA ring cross-sections and a comparison is made between the two sets of results. This study also indicates that there is a good built-in margin of safety in the ETA ring components as indicated by high PMS values, and it further includes the existing results for membrane and grid forces of ETA ring after incorporating the uncertainty of these variables based on the existing data in the literature and past experience at NASA.
The Association Between Pain and Clinical Outcomes in Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract Context Pain is a common problem in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and in adults is associated with lower quality of life and more pulmonary complications. Less is known about the impact of pain in adolescents with CF. Objectives This study aimed to describe pain in an adolescent CF population and to determine if pain at baseline is associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and worse pulmonary outcomes at six-month follow-up. Methods We administered surveys at baseline and at six months to CF patients aged 12 to 20 years. Analyses included Wilcoxon log-rank tests, Spearman correlations, and linear and logistic regressions. Results Seventy-three patients (86.9%) completed the baseline questionnaire and 53 patients (63.1%) completed the six-month follow-up questionnaire. Mean age was 15.6 ± 2.5 and mean FEV1 was 79 ± 26% predicted; 89% of patients reported pain in the three months before the survey, but in most it was short lived and mild to moderate in severity. Abdominal pain was the most common location. Pain was associated with increased pulmonary exacerbations (odds ratios = 1.99 for every one-point increase on a composite pain scale, P = 0.03) and with lower HRQoL. Conclusions Pain in adolescents with CF is associated with lower HRQoL and more pulmonary exacerbations. Greater efforts are needed to manage pain in this population and to determine if treatment of pain improves other outcomes.
Quantitative assay for the detection, screening and reactivity evaluation of nanoceria particles.

Abstract Increasing use of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in many industrial processes and consumer products requires rapid analytical methodologies to reliably detect and screen samples for the presence of NPs. Here, we report the development, analytical characterization and performance evaluation of a colorimetric assay as a comprehensive test for quantitative detection, screening and reactivity evaluation of nanoceria (cerium oxide, CeO2) particles in aqueous environments. We provide a critical discussion of the role of environmental conditions including pH, ionic composition, and presence of humic acid and particle type on the overall performance and sensitivity of this assay. The method is based on the strong oxidation ability of nanoceria for organic dyes such as 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-benzidine dihydrochloride hydrate (TMB). Performance characteristics were established with a series of commercially available NPs of varying sizes dispersed in different environments. The results demonstrate that colorimetric assays can be used as a rapid and cost effective way to characterize nanoceria. The method enables identification and selective detection of nanoceria among other metal oxides including Fe2O3, TiO2, Sb2O3, ZnO, SiO2, and Al2O3. Applicability of the method for detection of nanoceria in environmental water samples is demonstrated. Recommendations are provided on the selection of the reaction conditions to ensure validity and reliability of measurements. The assay offers an effective and inexpensive alternative to advanced spectroscopic instrumentation, as a screening assay for nanoceria in environmental water. The method can be used as a general tool for the analytical characterization of redox active nanomaterials.
Drosophila PAF1 Modulates PIWI/piRNA Silencing Capacity.

Summary To test the directness of factors in initiating PIWI-directed gene silencing, we employed a Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA)-targeted reporter assay in Drosophila ovary somatic sheet (OSS) cells [1]. This assay confirmed direct silencing roles for piRNA biogenesis factors and PIWI-associated factors [2–12] but suggested that chromatin-modifying proteins may act downstream of the initial silencing event. Our data also revealed that RNA-polymerase-II-associated proteins like PAF1 and RTF1 antagonize PIWI-directed silencing. PAF1 knockdown enhances PIWI silencing of reporters when piRNAs target the transcript region proximal to the promoter. Loss of PAF1 suppresses endogenous transposable element (TE) transcript maturation, whereas a subset of gene transcripts and long-non-coding RNAs adjacent to TE insertions are affected by PAF1 knockdown in a similar fashion to piRNA-targeted reporters. Additionally, transcription activation at specific TEs and TE-adjacent loci during PIWI knockdown is suppressed when PIWI and PAF1 levels are both reduced. Our study suggests a mechanistic conservation between fission yeast PAF1 repressing AGO1/small interfering RNA (siRNA)-directed silencing [13, 14] and Drosophila PAF1 opposing PIWI/piRNA-directed silencing.
500–2000-MHz Brightness Temperature Spectra of the Northwestern Greenland Ice Sheet

An ultra-wideband radiometer has been developed to measure subsurface properties of the cryosphere including ice sheets and sea ice. The radiometer measures brightness temperature spectra from 0.5 to 2 GHz using 12 channels, each of which measures scene brightness temperatures over an ~88-MHz bandwidth resolved into 0.24-MHz intervals. The instrument was flown over northwestern Greenland in September 2016 and acquired the first, wideband, low-frequency brightness temperature spectra over the ice sheet and coastal region. The results reveal strong spatial and spectral variations that correlate well with the physical properties of the surface encountered along the flight path, which started over ocean, then passed the rock near the coast, and then up onto the ablation, wet, percolation, and dry snow zones of the interior ice sheet. In particular, strong spectral responses in percolation and dry snow zones are observed and plausibly explained by varying the distribution of horizontal density layers and isolated icy bodies in the upper portion of the firn. The success of the airborne deployment of the instrument and subsequent implementation of algorithms to limit radio frequency interference in unprotected bands is motivating continued airborne investigations as well as stimulating research into the feasibility of a spaceborne instrument.
An individually tailored family-centered intervention for pediatric obesity in primary care: study protocol of a randomized type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (Raising Healthy Children study).

Pediatric obesity is a multi-faceted public health concern that can lead to cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and early mortality. Small changes in diet, physical activity, or BMI can significantly reduce the possibility of developing cardiometabolic risk factors. Family-based behavioral interventions are an underutilized, evidence-based approach that have been found to significantly prevent excess weight gain and obesity in children and adolescents. Poor program availability, low participation rates, and non-adherence are noted barriers to positive outcomes. Effective interventions for pediatric obesity in primary care are hampered by low family functioning, motivation, and adherence to recommendations. This (type II) hybrid effectiveness–implementation randomized trial tests the Family Check-Up 4 Health (FCU4Health) program, which was designed to target health behavior change in children by improving family management practices and parenting skills, with the goal of preventing obesity and excess weight gain. The FCU4Health is assessment driven to tailor services and increase parent motivation. A sample of 350 families with children aged 6 to 12 years who are identified as overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age and gender) will be enrolled at three primary care clinics [two Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHCs) and a children’s hospital]. All clinics serve predominantly Medicaid patients and a large ethnic minority population, including Latinos, African Americans, and American Indians who face disparities in obesity, cardiometabolic risk, and access to care. The FCU4Health will be coordinated with usual care, using two different delivery strategies: an embedded approach for the two FQHCs and a referral model for the hospital-based clinic. To assess program effectiveness (BMI, body composition, child health behaviors, parenting, and utilization of support services) and implementation outcomes (such outcomes as acceptability, adoption, feasibility, appropriateness, fidelity, and cost), we use a multi-method and multi-informant assessment strategy including electronic health record data, behavioral observation, questionnaires, interviews, and cost capture methods. This study has the potential to prevent excess weight gain, obesity, and health disparities in children by establishing the effectiveness of the FCU4Health and collecting information critical for healthcare decision makers to support sustainable implementation of family-based programs in primary care. NCT03013309 ClinicalTrials.gov
Switching costs and network compatibility

Abstract This paper investigates how consumer switching costs affect firms’ compatibility choices and social welfare in network industries. Firms face a choice between two modes of competition: make their networks incompatible and compete fiercely for market dominance, or make their networks compatible and have mild competition. By incentivizing firms to harvest their locked-in consumers rather than price aggressively for market dominance, switching costs tip the balance in favor of compatible networks and mild competition. A public policy that reduces switching costs also tends to make networks incompatible, and results in small efficiency gains at best. Combining the policy with a mandatory compatibility policy, however, can lead to sizable efficiency gains.
Acute Soft Tissue and Bone Infections

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), and bone infections (osteomyelitis) may complicate acute management of orthopedic injuries. SSTIs range from superficial surgical site infection after fracture repair to severe infections, including necrotizing soft tissue infections and acute/chronic osteomyelitis. Knowledge of common causative bacterial pathogens and appropriate antimicrobial therapy is necessary in the care of these patients. There are four fundamental management principles that are key to a successful outcome in caring for patients with severe SSTIs, including (1) early diagnosis and differentiation of necrotizing vs. non-necrotizing SSTI, (2) early initiation of appropriate empiric broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy with consideration of risk factors for specific pathogens, (3) “source control,” that is, early aggressive surgical intervention for drainage of abscesses and debridement of necrotizing soft tissue infections, and (4) pathogen identification and appropriate de-escalation of antimicrobial therapy. MRSA has emerged as the most common identifiable cause of severe SSTIs, therefore initiation of empiric anti-MRSA antimicrobials is warranted in all cases of severe SSTIs and osteomyelitis.
The thioredoxin reductase inhibitor auranofin induces heme oxygenase-1 in lung epithelial cells via Nrf2-dependent mechanisms

Thioredoxin reductase-1 (TXNRD1) inhibition effectively activates nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) responses and attenuates lung injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARD...
A semi-empirical design parameter for determining the inelastic strike-face mass fraction of soft armor targets

Abstract At the ballistic limit velocity of a soft armor target pack, the impact response was shown to be decoupled in the thickness direction, with the initial few plies behaving in an inelastic fashion while the remaining plies dissipate energy via elastic strain modes. Since these initial plies only contribute to energy absorption via inelastic kinetic energy transfer, these plies may be replaced with another material with desirable properties, such as low costs or high shear strengths. The behavior of these diphasic armors has been shown in previous works to be varied depending on the type and the amount of strike face material that was replaced. However, there is a limited amount of published literature investigating this phenomenon. In this study, a framework is proposed to estimate the inelastic strike-face mass ratio as a function of the overall system areal density ratio to provide a preliminary design tool for diphasic armors.
Resveratrol Attenuates Allergic Asthma and Associated Inflammation in the Lungs Through Regulation of miRNA-34a That Targets FoxP3 in Mice

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways mediated by T-helper 2 (Th2) cells involving complex signaling pathways. Although resveratrol has previously been shown to attenuate allergic asthma, the role of miRNA in this process has not been studied. We investigated the effect of resveratrol on ovalbumin-induced experimental allergic asthma in mice. To that end, BALB/c mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneally followed by oral gavage of vehicle (OVA-veh) or resveratrol (100 mg/kg body) (OVA-res). On day 7, the experimental groups received intranasal challenge of OVA followed by 7 days of additional oral gavage of vehicle or resveratrol. At day 15, all mice were euthanized and bronchioalveolar fluid (BALF), serum and lung infiltrating cells were collected and analyzed. The data showed that resveratrol significantly reduced IL-5, IL-13, and TGF-β in the serum and BALF in mice with OVA-induced asthma. Also, we saw a decrease in CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, and CD4+IL-4+ cells with increase in CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells in pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltrate in OVA-res group when compared to OVA-veh. miRNA expression arrays using lung infiltrating cells showed that resveratrol caused significant alterations in miRNA expression, specifically downregulating the expression of miR-34a. Additionally, miR-34a was found to target FOXP3, as evidenced by enhanced expression of FOXP3 in the lung tissue. Also, transfection studies showed that miR-34a inhibitor upregulated FOXP3 expression while miR-34a-mimic downregulated FOXP3 expression. The current study suggests that resveratrol attenuates allergic asthma by downregulating miR-34a that induces increased expression of FOXP3, a master regulator of Treg development and functions.
Maternal inflammation at midgestation impairs subsequent fetal myoblast function and skeletal muscle growth in rats, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction at term

Maternal inflammation induces intrauterine growth restriction (MI-IUGR) of the fetus, which compromises metabolic health in human offspring and reduces value in livestock. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of maternal inflammation at midgestation on fetal skeletal muscle growth and myoblast profiles at term. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected daily with bacterial endotoxin (MI-IUGR) or saline (controls) from the 9th to the 11th day of gestational age (dGA; term = 21 dGA). At necropsy on dGA 20, average fetal mass and upper hindlimb cross-sectional areas were reduced (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR fetuses compared with controls. MyoD+ and myf5+ myoblasts were less abundant (P < 0.05), and myogenin+ myoblasts were more abundant (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR hindlimb skeletal muscle compared with controls, indicating precocious myoblast differentiation. Type I and Type II hindlimb muscle fibers were smaller (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR fetuses than in controls, but fiber type proportions did not differ between experimental groups. Fetal blood plasma TNFα concentrations were below detectable amounts in both experimental groups, but skeletal muscle gene expression for the cytokine receptors TNFR1, IL6R, and FN14 was greater (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR fetuses than controls, perhaps indicating enhanced sensitivity to these cytokines. Maternal blood glucose concentrations at term did not differ between experimental groups, but MI-IUGR fetal blood contained less (P < 0.05) glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Fetal-to-maternal blood glucose ratios were also reduced (P < 0.05), which is indicative of placental insufficiency. Indicators of protein catabolism, including blood plasma urea nitrogen and creatine kinase, were greater (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR fetuses than in controls. From these findings, we conclude that maternal inflammation at midgestation causes muscle-centric fetal programming that impairs myoblast function, increases protein catabolism, and reduces skeletal muscle growth near term. Fetal muscle sensitivity to inflammatory cytokines appeared to be enhanced after maternal inflammation, which may represent a mechanistic target for improving these outcomes in MI-IUGR fetuses.
Precision of Gains and Losses Affect Seller Credibility and Product Perceptions: An Abstract

The price of products and services is a critical aspect of marketing communications and can affect consumer inferences regarding product quality, as well as seller motives and credibility (Cheema 2008; Xu and Wyer 2010; Zhang and Schwarz 2012). The price of product or service, however, is often just a starting point or “anchor” for the eventual cost of acquiring a product or service. From this initial anchor, price factors such as discounts and shipping costs often affect the final cost to consumers. Building on previous research on anchor adjustment theory (e.g., Janiszewski and Uy 2008), the present research investigates how both positive and negative adjustments from an initial anchor price affect consumer perception. In the marketplace, a positive adjustment from an anchor price is a gain to the consumer, whereas a negative adjustment is loss. An example of such a gain to the consumer could be a price discount, whereas an example of such a loss to the consumer could be shipping and handling fees.
Mindfulness Predicts Psycho-behavioral Improvement after Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Influence of Childhood Adversity:

Mindfulness-based interventions provide psychological benefit after breast cancer diagnosis. The aims of this study were to determine whether within-person change in facets of mindfulness predict psycho-behavioral improvements in women with breast cancer, and to assess the influence of childhood adversity on those improvements. Women randomized to the mindfulness arm of a larger trial were evaluated. Psychometric instruments and the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire were completed pre-, mid-, at completion, one, and six months post program. A subsample completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that significant change in nonjudgment and nonreactivity to inner experience were associated with more rapid decrease in stress, depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and more rapid increase in quality of life. For women with greater exposure to childhood adversity, a greater increase in nonreactivity to inner experience significantly associated with greater improvements in stress, depressive symptoms, and quality of life.
Lung-only melanoma: UV mutational signature supports origin from occult cutaneous primaries and argues against the concept of primary pulmonary melanoma.

Primary pulmonary melanoma (PPM) is an entity recognized by the thoracic WHO classification. However, given the absence of native melanocytes in the lung and the known phenomenon of regression of cutaneous melanomas, the existence of PPM has remained controversial. Herein we investigate clinicopathologic and genomic features of lung-only melanomas with the goal to clarify their site of origin. We identified 10 melanomas involving exclusively lung with no current or previous cutaneous, uveal, or mucosal primaries. Four patients had solitary lesions with mean size of 5.1 cm (range 3.0–10.1 cm), meeting the criteria of PPM. Four patients had 2–3 lesions and 2 patients had >10 lesions. All cases underwent targeted next-generation sequencing interrogating up to 468 cancer genes, which revealed mean tumor mutation burden of 42.6 per megabase (range 1.8 to 126) and frequent mutations involving BRAF, NRAS, NF1, KIT, and KRAS – a genomic profile typical of UV-associated cutaneous melanoma. Mutational signature was assessable for eight cases harboring >20 mutations. This revealed that all evaluable cases harbored a dominant UV signature. In addition, one nonevaluable case harbored a GG > AA TERT promoter variant that is highly specific for UV-mutagenesis. As control groups, using the same methodology, a dominant UV signature was identified in 97% (470/486) of cutaneous melanomas, whereas no lung adenocarcinoma (n = 291) exhibited this signature. Notably, the clinical and pathologic features of solitary melanomas, especially those with large size and epithelioid morphology, closely mimicked primary lung carcinomas, highlighting a major potential for misdiagnosis. In conclusion, presence of a UV signature provides direct evidence that nearly all lung-only melanomas in this series, including solitary lesions meeting the strict criteria of PPM, represent metastases from occult cutaneous melanomas. This suggests that lung-only melanomas should be considered as likely metastatic even in the absence of a known primary melanoma elsewhere.
Localization of mobile robot based on multi-sensor fusion

In order to realize the precise positioning of mobile robot, the data information of multiple sensors needs to be collected by the localization system to enhance the state estimation ability of robot. Due to the need for accurate calibration and initialization of sensor groups, as well as the processing of measurement errors with different rates and delays, multi-sensor fusion still needs to solve many problems and faces many challenges. A method of multi-sensor fusion, which can analyze and screen the signal quality of sensors is proposed in this paper. Based on the extended Kalman filter, UWB data, IMU data and Lidar data are fused. By filtering and processing the sensor information, the impact of noise can be reduced. At the same time, the results of various sensor information fusion are closer to the actual results, and the mobile robot can be located.