cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of a shape memory alloy actuator using pulse width (PW) modulation

Shape memory alloy (SMA)s, in particular the nickel-titanium alloy (or Nitinol), have been used as actuators in some astronautic, aeronautic and industrial applications. Future will see more SMA application if less energy is required for actuation. This paper presents the design and experimental results of control of an SMA actuator using Pulse Width (PW) Modulation to reduce the energy consumption by the SMA actuator. An SMA wire test stand is used in this research. Open-loop testing of the SMA wire actuator is conducted to study the effect of the PWM parameters. Based on results of testing results and parameter analysis of the PW modulator, a PW modulator is designed to modulate a Proportional plus Derivative (PD) controller. Experiments demonstrate that control of the SMA actuator using PW modulation effectively save actuation energy whiling maintaining same control accuracy as compared to continuous PD control. PW modulator also demonstrates robustness to external disturbances. A comparison with pulse width pulse frequency (PWPF) modulator is also presented.
Effects of the demethylase inhibitor, cyproconazole, on hyphal tip cells ofSclerotium rolfsii: II. An electron microscope study

Abstract Hyphal tip cells ofSclerotium rolfsii, prepared by freeze substitution, were examined by transmission electron microscopy after continued growth on cyproconazole-amended potato dextrose agar at fungistatic concentrations of 0.1, 0.75, and 1.0 μg/ml which respectively produced 50, 80, and 95% growth inhibition. Alternatively, observations were made of control tip cells that were transferred onto potato dextrose agar amended with 0.75 μg/ml cyproconazole for 30, 60, and 240 min. Ultrastructural abnormalities observed in hyphal tip cells as a result of cyproconazole treatment included (1) Spitzenko¨rper disorganization, (2) proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum with inflated cisternae, (3) increased vacuolar contents, (4) presence of monovesicular bodies, and (5) irregular cell wall characteristics. Alterations of the Spitzenko¨rper, endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuoles were noted 30 min after exposing control hyphae to cyproconazole (0.75 μg/ml). Abnormal wall depositions were observed 60 min after fungicide exposure. After a 140-min exposure to fungicide, tip cell morphology was similar to that of cells grown in the continual presence of 0.75 μg/ml cyproconazole. The changes in hyphal morphology are discussed relative to the mode of action of cyproconazole.
Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Silicon Valley: The Case of Google, Inc.

In May 2009, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, co–founders of Google, Inc., were trying to determine how they were going to navigate Google through the worst recession since the Great Depression. Their p...
Role of selective arteriography in the diagnosis of a ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm

A case of a ruptured middle colic artery is reported. The diagnosis was initially overlooked and eventually made by selective arteriography. Aneurysms of visceral arteries are rare and rupture of them even more infrequent. Awareness of this potentially fatal and treatable entity should enable early detection by selective visceral arteriography. The roles of embolization and surgery in the management of visceral aneurysms are discussed.
Accurate determination of local defocus and specimen tilt in electron microscopy

Accurate knowledge of defocus and tilt parameters is essential for the determination of three-dimensional protein structures at high resolution using electron microscopy. We present two computer programs, CTFFIND3 and CTFTILT, which determine defocus parameters from images of untilted specimens, as well as defocus and tilt parameters from images of tilted specimens, respectively. Both programs use a simple algorithm that fits the amplitude modulations visible in a power spectrum with a calculated contrast transfer function (CTF). The background present in the power spectrum is calculated using a low-pass filter. The background is then subtracted from the original power spectrum, allowing the fitting of only the oscillatory component of the CTF. CTFTILT determines specimen tilt parameters by measuring the defocus at a series of locations on the image while constraining them to a single plane. We tested the algorithm on images of two-dimensional crystals by comparing the results with those obtained using crystallographic methods. The images also contained contrast from carbon support film that added to the visibility of the CTF oscillations. The tests suggest that the fitting procedure is able to determine the image defocus with an error of about 10nm, whereas tilt axis and tilt angle are determined with an error of about 2 degrees and 1 degrees, respectively. Further tests were performed on images of single protein particles embedded in ice that were recorded from untilted or slightly tilted specimens. The visibility of the CTF oscillations from these images was reduced due to the lack of a carbon support film. Nevertheless, the test results suggest that the fitting procedure is able to determine image defocus and tilt angle with errors of about 100 nm and 6 degrees, respectively.
Viscous Flow and Electrical Conductance in Ionic Liquids: Temperature and Composition Dependence in the Light of the Zero Mobility Concept

Using the concept of vanishing mobility consequent on the Gibbs—Dimarzio interpretation of the liquid—glass transition, it is shown by a quasiempirical treatment of the data that the isothermal composition dependence of transport at low temperatures may be understood, and expressed analytically, on the basis that the zero mobility temperature T0, is the only composition‐dependent parameter in the transport equation. T0 reflects the forces of cohesion in the liquid. Simple equations developed on this basis lead to a description of conductance in uni‐divalent nitrate melts, and an account of viscous flow in 0–15N concentrated aqueous solutions which is consistent with the electrical‐conductance behavior of the same solutions. The usefulness of the Tobolsky and related parameters in describing deviations from additivity in the conductance of mixed molten univalent nitrates is interpreted in the same terms, providing a rational basis for the parallel between kinetic and thermodynamic behavior in these melts. ...
Methamphetamine dependence: medication development efforts based on the dual deficit model of stimulant addiction.

: Converging lines of evidence indicate that withdrawal from prolonged exposure to stimulants and alcohol results in synaptic deficits of both dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT). According to the dual deficit model proposed by the authors, DA dysfunction during cocaine or alcohol withdrawal underlies anhedonia and psychomotor retardation, whereas 5-HT dysfunction gives rise to depressed mood, obsessional thoughts, and lack of impulse control. This model predicts that pharmacotherapies which correct only one of the two neurochemical deficits will not be effective. On the other hand, pharmacotherapies which “correct” both of the proposed DA and 5-HT abnormalities should be effective in treating stimulant and alcohol dependence. This paper reviews two approaches, based on the dual deficit model, taken by our laboratory to develop medications to treat stimulant abuse.
Epithelial–Stromal Interactions Modulating Penetration of Matrigel Membranes by HPV 16-Immortalized Keratinocytes

The role of epithelial–stromal interactions in the progression of human papillomavirus-associated squamous intraepithelial lesions to invasive cervical cancer is poorly understood. Using the Matrigel artificial basement membrane assay as a model of keratinocyte invasion, the effects of selected growth factors on penetration of human papillomavirus 16-immortalized keratinocytes through Matrigel were studied. Also studied in this model were the effects of conditioned media from fibroblast lines derived from normal cervical tissues (normal fibroblasts) and adjacent cervical cancer biopsies (tumor-associated fibroblasts) and from primary keratinocytes. Addition of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-α, and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor or conditioned media from tumor-associated fibroblasts to the Matrigel resulted in near-doubling of penetration of human papillomavirus 16-immortalized keratinocytes, whereas transforming growth factor-β, platelet derived growth factor-β, or conditioned media from primary keratinocytes decreased penetration 10-fold. Antibodies to basic fibroblast growth factor abrogated the stimulatory effects of conditioned media from tumor-associated fibroblasts on keratinocyte penetration, whereas antibodies to transforming growth factor-β abrogated the inhibitory effects of conditioned media from normal fibroblasts on keratinocyte penetration. S1 nuclease protection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed increased expression of transforming growth factor-β and decreased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in normal compared with tumor-associated fibroblasts. Messenger RNA in situ hybridization of five cervical cancer biopsies demonstrated basic fibroblast growth factor expression in stromal cells surrounding nests of invading keratinocytes. Epithelial–stromal interactions mediated by growth factors such as transforming growth factor-β and basic fribroblast growth factor modulate penetration of human papillomavirus 16-immortalized keratinocytes through Matrigel in vitro and these interactions may also be operative in vivo .
RNA Oxidation Adducts 8-OHG and 8-OHA Change with Aβ42 Levels in Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

While research supports amyloid-β (Aβ) as the etiologic agent of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the mechanism of action remains unclear. Evidence indicates that adducts of RNA caused by oxidation also represent an early phenomenon in AD. It is currently unknown what type of influence these two observations have on each other, if any. We quantified five RNA adducts by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy across five brain regions from AD cases and age-matched controls. We then used a reductive directed analysis to compare the RNA adducts to common indices of AD neuropathology and various pools of Aβ. Using data from four disease-affected brain regions (Brodmann's Area 9, hippocampus, inferior parietal lobule, and the superior and middle temporal gyri), we found that the RNA adduct 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) decreased, while 8-hydroxyadenine (8-OHA) increased in AD. The cerebellum, which is generally spared in AD, did not show disease related changes, and no RNA adducts correlated with the number of plaques or tangles. Multiple regression analysis revealed that SDS-soluble Aβ(42) was the best predictor of changes in 8-OHG, while formic acid-soluble Aβ(42) was the best predictor of changes in 8-OHA. This study indicates that although there is a connection between AD related neuropathology and RNA oxidation, this relationship is not straightforward.
The African Health Profession Regulatory Collaborative (ARC) at two years.

Background The African Health Profession Regulatory Collaborative (ARC) for nurses and midwives was created in response to the increasing reliance on shifting HIV tasks to nurses and midwives without the necessary regulation supporting this enhanced professional role. ARC Approach The ARC initiative comprises regional meetings, technical assistance, and regulatory improvement grants which enhance HIV service delivery by nurses and midwives, and systematic evaluation of project impact. Results Eight of 11 countries funded by ARC advanced a full stage in regulatory capacity during their 1-year project period. Countries in ARC also demonstrated increased capacity in project management and proposal writing. Discussion The progress of country teams thus far suggests ARC is a successful model for regulation strengthening and capacity building, as well as presenting a novel approach for sustainability and country ownership. The ARC platform has been a successful vehicle for regional harmonisation of updated regu...
Optically sensing tongue gestures for computer input

Many patients with paralyzing injuries or medical conditions retain the use of their cranial nerves, which control the eyes, jaw, and tongue. While researchers have explored eye-tracking and speech technologies for these patients, we believe there is potential for directly sensing explicit tongue movement for controlling computers. In this paper, we describe a novel approach of using infrared optical sensors embedded within a dental retainer to sense tongue gestures. We describe an experiment showing our system effectively discriminating between four simple gestures with over 90% accuracy. In this experiment, users were also able to play the popular game Tetris with their tongues. Finally, we present lessons learned and opportunities for future work.
Unusually dense crystal packings of ellipsoids

In this Letter, we report on the densest-known packings of congruent ellipsoids. The family of new packings consists of crystal arrangements of spheroids with a wide range of aspect ratios, and with density $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ always surpassing that of the densest Bravais lattice packing $\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\approx}0.7405$. A remarkable maximum density of $\ensuremath{\phi}\ensuremath{\approx}0.7707$ is achieved for maximal aspect ratios larger than $\sqrt{3}$, when each ellipsoid has 14 touching neighbors. Our results are directly relevant to understanding the equilibrium behavior of systems of hard ellipsoids, and, in particular, the solid and glassy phases.
The Action-Sentence Compatibility Effect: It's All in the Timing.

When participants are asked to make sensibility judgments on sentences that describe action toward the body (i.e., “Mark dealt the cards to you”) or away from the body (i.e., “You dealt the cards to Mark”), they are faster to respond when the response requires an arm movement in the same direction as the action described by the sentence. This congruence effect is known as the Action–Sentence Compatibility Effect (ACE). This study reports 4 experiments that extend our understanding of the ACE by exploring how the time at which one prepares the motor response required for the sensibility judgment affects the magnitude of the ACE. Results show that the ACE arises only when participants have the opportunity to plan their motor response while they are processing the sentence.
Cogmed Working Memory Training Product Review

Objective: In this review of the Cogmed training program, we discuss its theoretical foundations, materials, the intervention program, use of coaches, customer support, and research support. Method: This review was conducted by means of first-hand exploration of the Cogmed training program in conjunction with a critical synthesis of existing empirical literature. Results: We conclude that Cogmed has the potential to help individuals improve working memory capabilities and focused attention. Conclusion: More research is needed to demonstrate if these changes in working memory and focused attention are enduring and generalizable.
The Crucial Mutation for Language

Language and Species. Derek Bickerton Chicago: University of Chicago Press1990297 pp. $24.95 (cloth).
The IκB Family Member Bcl-3 Coordinates the Pulmonary Defense against Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection

Bcl-3 is an atypical member of the IκB family that has the potential to positively or negatively modulate nuclear NF-κB activity in a context-dependent manner. Bcl-3's biologic impact is complex and includes roles in tumorigenesis and diverse immune responses, including innate immunity. Bcl-3 may mediate LPS tolerance, suppressing cytokine production, but it also seems to contribute to defense against select systemic bacterial challenges. However, the potential role of Bcl-3 in organ-specific host defense against bacteria has not been addressed. In this study, we investigated the relevance of Bcl-3 in a lung challenge with the Gram-negative pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. In contrast to wild-type mice, Bcl-3-deficient mice exhibited significantly increased susceptibility toward K. pneumoniae pneumonia. The mutant mice showed increased lung damage marked by neutrophilic alveolar consolidation, and they failed to clear bacteria in lungs, which correlated with increased bacteremic dissemination. Loss of Bcl-3 incurred a dramatic cytokine imbalance in the lungs, which was characterized by higher levels of IL-10 and a near total absence of IFN-γ. Moreover, Bcl-3-deficient mice displayed increased lung production of the neutrophil-attracting chemokines CXCL-1 and CXCL-2. Alveolar macrophages and neutrophils are important to antibacterial lung defense. In vitro stimulation of Bcl-3-deficient alveolar macrophages with LPS or heat-killed K. pneumoniae recapitulated the increase in IL-10 production, and Bcl-3-deficient neutrophils were impaired in intracellular bacterial killing. These findings suggest that Bcl-3 is critically involved in lung defense against Gram-negative bacteria, modulating functions of several cells to facilitate efficient clearance of bacteria.
Women's Body Image: Implications for Mental Health Nursing Interventions

The aim of this concept analysis is to define women's body image in the context of mental health and to describe its antecedents and consequences. The analysis is grounded in a selective review delimited to literature about women's self-perceived body image. The psychological, social, and spiritual effects of a negative body image will be explored. Implications for mental health clinicians and researchers will be presented.
Grip strength and finger dexterity across five styles of commercial wrist orthoses.

Objective Five styles of commercial static wrist extensor orthoses were compared to determine whether any style, or styles, afforded better power grip strength or finger dexterity. Because wrist extensor orthoses are intended for use during functional tasks, their influence on hand function is of great importance. Method Twenty-three right-hand-dominant women without upper extremity dysfunction participated in this crossover study. Dominant-hand finger dexterity and power grip strength were evaluated while wearing each of five commercial orthoses-Kendall-Futuro #33 (Futuro), AliMed Freedom Long (AliMed Long), AliMed Freedom Short (AliMed Short), Smith & Nephew Rolyan D-Ring (Rolyan), and LMB Wrist Rest (LMB)--and while using the dominant hand without an orthosis (free hand). Finger dexterity was assessed with the unimanual subtest of the Purdue Pegboard. Grip strength was assessed with a Jamar hydraulic dynamometer. Results Four of the study orthoses (Futuro, AliMed Short, Rolyan, and LMB) afforded finger dexterity that did not differ significantly from that of the free hand. The AliMed Long orthosis slowed finger speed when compared with the speeds afforded by both the LMB orthosis and the free hand. The Rolyan orthosis permitted a power grip strength that was not significantly different from the free hand. The other four commercial orthoses reduced grip strength when compared with the strength observed when wearing a Rolyan orthosis and when gripping with a free hand. Conclusion The five styles of commercial orthoses affect power grip and finger dexterity differently. When power grip or finger dexterity are priorities, differences among the orthoses furnish grounds for initial suggestions, although medical needs and patient preference should be the overriding factors in the final selection of an orthosis.
Surface plasmon dynamics of a metallic nano-particle

The paper presents a theoretical framework to explain the surface plasmon dynamics in a single metallic nano-particle (MNP). The plasmon physical mechanisms, i.e, internal oscillation energy, electromagnetic near-field energy and power-flow are analyzed here in terms of electric dipole moment of a single metallic nano-particle. The resonant mode shift and hybridization of a metallic nano-shell with annular metallic region are also calculated on the basis of internal oscillation energy and electrostatic approximation. The paper also calculates the power-flow due to relaxation, radiation, plasmon-coupling in the surrounding matrix, and applied electromagnetic (EM) signal. The law of conservation of energy is used to compute the relaxation damping, radiation damping, and surrounding matrix coupling effect. Finally, the resonant behavior of a single metallic nano-particle is represented by a lumped resonant circuit model. The lumped circuit parameters are determined by deriving the equation of motion of electric dipole moment and the electromagnetic near-field energy outside the metallic nano-particle.
Magnesium hydroxychloride: A possible pH buffer in marine evaporite brines?

Crystallization of a magnesium hydroxychloride (basic magnesium chloride) mineral may play an important role in buffering pH in concentrated marine evaporite brines. Laboratory synthesis of Mg 2 (OH) 3 C1-4H 2 O as an alteration product of Mg(OH) 2 in 2 M MgCl 2 solutions at 25°C suggests that this salt may precipitate in hypersaline environments. Brine compositions from a succession of salt pans near Portoroz, Yugoslavia, support the hypothesis. After converting concentrations to ion activities with a modified version of the computer program WATEQ, it is seen that the ion activity product of Mg 2 (OH) 3 Cl reaches a maximum midway through the Portoroz succession and then remains essentially constant in the more concentrated brines. This suggests that IAP max = K sp . Since crystallization of only minute amounts of this salt would generate the observed pH decline and since the salt would be extremely soluble in subsequent pore fluids, it is not surprising that the phase remains unobserved in marine evaporite assemblages.
A new marking scheme to defend against distributed denial of service attacks

In this paper, we propose a new mechanism to defend against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks with path information rather than IP address information. Instead of the complete binary tree model, our proposal is based on the four color theorem. The salient feature of the theorem is that it allows color reuse so that even if some portions of the map have more than 4 neighbors, 4 colors are still sufficient to mark all their borders. This idea of reuse is very important because some routers have many interfaces and the length of the ID field in the header of an IP packet, where the marking information is embedded, is very limited. Furthermore, our marking scheme takes the Internet hierarchy into account, and greatly relaxes the limitation on the number of interfaces of routers, thus making the scheme more practical. Simulation results have validated our design.
Rethinking the parallelization of random-restart hill climbing: a case study in optimizing a 2-opt TSP solver for GPU execution

Random-restart hill climbing is a common approach to combinatorial optimization problems such as the traveling salesman problem (TSP). We present and evaluate an implementation of random-restart hill climbing with 2-opt local search applied to TSP. Our implementation is capable of addressing large problem sizes at high throughput. It is based on the key insight that the GPU’s hierarchical hardware parallelism is best exploited with a hierarchical implementation strategy, where independent climbs are parallelized between blocks and the 2-opt evaluations are parallelized across the threads within a block. We analyze the performance impact of this and other optimizations on our heuristic TSP solver and compare its performance to existing GPU-based 2-opt TSP solvers as well as a parallel CPU implementation. Our code outperforms the existing implementations by up to 3X, evaluating up to 60 billion 2-opt moves per second on a single K40 GPU. It also outperforms an OpenMP implementation run on 20 CPU cores by up to 8X.
PACE: a parallel VLSI extractor on the Intel hypercube multiprocessor

Hypercube multiprocessors achieve a cost-effective and feasible approach to supercomputing by directly connecting a large number of low-cost processors with local memory, which cooperate on tasks by message-passing. An efficient parallel algorithm to speed up the VLSI circuit extraction task on a hypercube multiprocessor is proposed. The basic approach consists of partitioning of a circuit into smaller regions, assigning each region to a processor of the hypercube, and having the processors cooperate in performing the extraction procedures. The algorithm supports the use of different models for electrical parameter calculations of varying degrees of accuracy and computational complexity. The algorithm has been implemented in a program called PACE (parallel circuit extractor) on the Intel iPSC/D4-MX hypercube. Speedup results for the algorithm on many realistic VLSI circuits are presented. >
Chromatographic separation and characterization of hydrolyzed Cr(III) species

Both macroscale and microscale methods to separate hydrolyzed Cr(III) species from acidic to near-neutral pH solutions have been developed. The macroscale approach is based on ion exchange, and involves separating monomeric, dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric, and higher order Cr(III) oligomers from such solutions using a gradient elution with increasing cationic charge. With this approach, the concentration of a given fraction can be maximized, and complete resolution between these species can be achieved. In addition, complete recovery of Cr(III) from the column is achievable. For the microscale approach, capillary electrophoresis with indirect detection is used to isolate and uniquely identify the same smaller oligomers and a fraction of larger Cr(III) species that are not uniquely identified. Capillary electrophoresis also provides indirect structural information for the Cr(III) trimer, suggesting that it exists in a triangular configuration rather than as a linear species. These methods are described in detail, and possible applications are discussed.
2-deoxyglucose and cytochalasin D modulate aldolase mobility in living 3T3 cells

Approximately 23% of the glycolytic enzyme aldolase in the perinuclear region of Swiss 3T3 cells is immobile as measured by FRAP. Previous studies suggest that the immobile fraction may be associated with the actin cytoskeleton (Pagliaro, L. and D. L. Taylor. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 107:981-991), and it has been proposed that the association of some glycolytic enzymes with the cytoskeleton could have functional significance, perhaps involving a fundamental relationship between glycolysis, cytoplasmic organization, and cell motility. We have tested the effect of a key glycolytic inhibitor and an actin cytoskeletal modulator on the mobility of aldolase in living cells directly, using fluorescent analog cytochemistry and FRAP. We report here that the competitive hexokinase inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose releases the bound fraction of aldolase in 3T3 cells within 10 min, and that this process is reversible upon washout of the inhibitor. A similar result is produced with the actin-binding agent, cytochalasin D. These results are consistent with models in which glycolytic enzymes are not exclusively diffusion-limited, soluble proteins, but may exist partially in the solid phase of cytoplasm. Such organization has significant implications for both the modulation of cytoplasmic structure and for cellular metabolism.
Characterization of Major and Minor Organic Pollutants in Wastewaters from Coal Gasification Processes

Abstract In order to investigate the feasibility of anaerobic biological treatment for wastewaters generated from thermal gasification processes of coal, a characterization program was implemented whose major effort consisted in the elucidation of specific organic constituents contained in the wastewater. Solvent extraction in acid and base conditions followed by glass capillary gas chromatography in combination with several detectors (i.e., FID, NPD, and MS-DS) were employed for the investigation of major and minor “extractable” organic constituents. Direct aqueous injection on a polar glass capillary column (i.e., OV-351) was used for the major “nonsolvent extractable” organic constituents amenable to GC. The identity of 28 organic compounds was confirmed by comparison with pure standards. Phenol, the three cresol isomers, 5,5-dimethyl-hydantoin and 5-methyl,5-ethylhydantoin were identified as major wastewater constituents. Several substituted phenols (e.g., methyl, dimethyl, trimethyl, methylethyl, hyd...
An in vivo experimental model for effects of topical retinoic acid in human skin

An occlusive patch-test assay has been developed for assessment of topical retinoid action in human epidermis. Previous work with this assay has demonstrated marked epidermal hyperplasia in skin treated with topical all-trans-retinoic acid for 4 days and similar effects with the local irritant, sodium lauryl sulphate. To investigate the capabilities of this assay further, a time-course and dose-response were performed with all-trans-retinoic acid, and a comparison made with sodium lauryl sulphate. At no time, between 1 and 4 days, could the clinical or histological effects of 0.1% and 0.025% cream formulations of all-trans-retinoic acid be distinguished from each other. Epidermal hyperplasia was used to generate a 4-day dose-response for all-trans-retinoic acid at concentrations from 0.001 to 0.025% dissolved in a 70% ethanol/30% propylene glycol vehicle. All-trans-retinoic acid could be successfully differentiated from sodium lauryl sulphate at 2 days by virtue of its greater ability to increase epidermal thickness, spongiosis and glycosaminoglycan deposition. It appears that although all-trans-retinoic acid and sodium lauryl sulphate produce similar epidermal histological changes at 4 days, significant differences at earlier time-points suggest differing mechanisms of action. In addition, this in vivo human assay is able to provide potency ranking for doses of all-trans-retinoic acid, and may predict clinical efficacy of retinoids in improvement of acne and/or photodamage.
Quantum Mind and Social Science: Preface to a quantum social science

Why are we here? Almost from its inception as an academic discipline in 1919, International Relations (IR) has featured “Great Debates” about what we today would call the relationship between ideas and material conditions, human agency and social structures, and naturalist and anti-naturalist modes of inquiry. While often disparaged as mere “meta-theory,” at least implicit positions on these essentially philosophical questions play an important role in the field. Intellectually, they structure our substantive theorizing, methods, empirical findings, and ultimately the normative and policy implications we draw from our research; and sociologically, they affect who we hire (and sometimes, fire), where we publish, and how we train our graduate students. Unfortunately, despite considerable disciplinary investment in meta-theory since the 1980s, from my own vantage point, as someone who has been involved in these debates for 25 years, I see no progress toward ending them. IR scholars have a better sense today of what the issues are and how, why, and when they matter, but the debates remain as intractable as ever. When it comes to the ontological and epistemological foundations of IR scholarship, we are in a “Land of Confusion” from which escape is nowhere on the horizon. Of course, the confusion is not IR's alone, but the social sciences' as a whole. Although over the years sociologists, economists, political scientists and others have acquired better data and statistical techniques that have significantly improved empirical understanding of trends and relationships in society, social scientists' ability to cumulate deeper, theoretical knowledge has lagged seriously behind. This is true even in economics, where despite greater theoretical homogeneity, vigorous heterodoxies survive. In contrast to physical sciences like chemistry or geology, where there is broad agreement on the nature of reality and how we should study it, in the social sciences there is no such consensus.
Physiological Effects of Galls Induced by Phylloxera notabilis (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae) on Pecan Foliage

Effect of the Phylloxera notabilis Pergande gall was assessed on leaf chlorophyll, leaf nutrient status, and leaf gas exchange of nursery pecan, Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch, ‘Stuart’. Gall tissue was significantly different from ungalled tissue in every nutrient investigated. Galls contained 60% N, 50% Ca, and 50% Al, but 260% K, 150% P, and 200% Na of leaf tissue from uninfested (control) leaflets. Analysis of concentric rings of tissue revealed that chlorophyll and all macronutrients except P were altered in leaf tissue 0–1.5 cm away from a gall compared with control leaflets. Net CO2 assimilation rate of infested tissue was reduced by an average of 27%, which was equivalent to almost 4-fold the percentage of gall area occurring in the field of measurement. Significant reductions in leaf conductance and transpiration also occurred over leaf tissue containing a gall. Cumulative gall cross-sectional area was negatively correlated with net CO2 assimilation rate. Thus, not only did the P. notabilis gall divert resources away from normal metabolic function, but it also interfered with the nutrient status and photosynthetic capacity of adjacent leaf tissue.
Abstract IA-13: Mechanisms regulating anchorage independent survival

One of the earliest recognized features of tumor cells in culture is their ability to proliferate and survive without attachment to extracellular matrix. This ‘anchorage independence’ of tumor cells distinguishes their behavior from normal cells and is believed to be important to allow tumor cells to proliferate outside of their natural niches during early stages of tumor formation as well as during invasion and metastasis. My presentation will focus on findings from our laboratory on the mechanisms responsible for death of cells deprived of matrix and how oncogenes and other factors promote anchorage independence. We have found that three distinct death processes — apoptosis, metabolic impairment, and a novel non‐apoptotic mechanism, referred to as entosis, involving invasion of one cell within another and lysosomal degradation — contribute to death of cells deprived of their appropriate matrix. The major topic of my presentation will be new unpublished findings on metabolic pathways that are regulated by matrix attachment. We have found that detachment of mammary epithelial cells from ECM causes an ATP deficiency due to loss of glucose transport. Overexpression of ErbB2 rescues the ATP deficiency by restoring glucose uptake through PI(3)K activation. Interestingly, we found that the ATP deficiency could also be rescued by antioxidant treatment without rescue of glucose uptake. This restoration was found to be dependent on stimulation of fatty acid oxidation (FAO), which is inhibited by detachment‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The significance of these findings was supported by studies in 3D acinar cultures and anchorage‐independent colony formation. These results reveal both the importance of matrix attachment in regulating metabolic activity and an unanticipated mechanism for cell survival in altered matrix environments through antioxidant restoration of ATP generation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):IA-13.
Comparative Damage to Automobile Finishes of Promising Bait-Spray Toxicants for Fruit Flies

Formulations of protein hydrolysate bait in 19 potential toxicants for tephritid fruit flies were tested for their effect on automobile finishes. The standard bait spray (containing malathion) had caused damage to lacquer automobile finishes in earlier eradication programs against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), when not washed off soon after deposition. Although several phosphate toxicants were less damaging to some type of finishes than malathion, others were more destructive, and none was completely safe. When the bait sprays contained high concentrations of sugar or molasses, damage was reduced but not prevented. Zectran® (4-dimethylamino-3,5-xylyl methycarbamate) a carbamate which has compared favorably with malathion as a toxicant in preliminary bait spray tests, was relatively safe, even on the newer acrylic finishes. Malathion spray deposits caused damage to the more susceptible paints in a relatively short time, especially under hot conditions. Therefore, until a suitable substitute is found for malathion in aerial sprays for fruit By control, auto-mobile owners should be cautioned to wash their cars as soon as possible after spray applications to prevent spot damage to paint finishes.
The Blackbird Whistling or Just After? Vygotsky’s Tool and Sign as an Analytic for Writing

Based on Vygotsky’s theory of the interplay of the tool and sign functions of language, this study presents a textual analysis of a corpus of student-authored texts to illuminate aspects of develop...
The effect comparison of ladd laparoscopic and open surgical in treatment of neonatal intestinal malrotation

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of ladd laparoscopic and open surgical in treatment of neonatal intestinal malrotation.Methods The neonatal intestinal malrotation from January 2011 to January 2012 admitted to our hospital were randomly divided into control group amd observation group,they were given open surgery and ladd la paroscopic surgery respectively,and the operation situation and occurrence of complications in children were compared between two groups.Results The blood loss in the observation group was less than that of the control group,stress time,recovery of bowel function and length of stay was significantly shorter than that of the control group respectively( P 0.05);complication rate of the observation group was 3.45%,was significantly lower than 17.24% of the control group(P0.05).Conclusion The clinical effect of ladd laparoscopic in the treatment of neonatal intestinal malrotation is sig nificant,and it has surgical trauma,faster postoperative recovery,safety and has good clinical value.
The identification of N-terminal labeled GFP-TFF3 fusion protein in mammalian fibroblasts

Objective To construct the expression vector of pEGFP-N1-TFF3 fusion protein and explore the expression and localization of pEGFP-N1-TFF3 fusion protein in COS7 cells.Methods Total RNA was extracted from human epithelial cells.The hTFF3(286bp-462bp) gene sequence was amplified from the cDNA of HT29 cells by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method and subcloned into pEGFP-N1 vector by EcoRⅠand XhoⅠ.After DNA sequencing was employed,the recombinant plasmid was transfected into HEK293 cells,and recombinant protein was identified by Western blot.Then the localization of recombinant protein in COS 7 cells was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.Results The hTFF3 gene was successfully cloned into pEGFP-N1 vector,then confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing.GFP-TFF3 fusion protein was detected by Western blot,corresponding to a molecular weight about 34kDa.GFP-TFF3 fusion protein was more located in the nucleus,less in the cytoplasm of COS 7 cells.Conclusion The eukaryotic expression plasmid of pEGFP-N1-TFF3 was successfully constructed and the expression of its fusion protein was in the nucleus and cytoplasm of COS 7 cells.
Lactation history, serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants, and maternal risk of diabetes

Abstract Objective Lactation may help curb diabetes risk and is also known as an excretion route for some environmental pollutants. We evaluated associations of lifetime lactation history with serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2006, and examined whether potentially diabetogenic POPs account for associations between lactation and diabetes. Research design and methods Among 4479 parous women, breastfeeding history was defined as the number of children breastfed ≥1 month. Diabetes was identified by self-report or hemoglobin A1c >6.5%. Twenty-four POPs were measured in serum among subsamples of 668 to 1073 participants. Results Compared with women without lactation history, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of having diabetes among those with 1–2 and ≥3 lactation periods were 0.83(0.61, 1.13) and 0.63(0.44, 0.91; P trend =0.03). Lifetime lactation history was inversely associated with serum concentrations of 17 out of the 24 organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (P trend Conclusion Crudely-classified lifetime lactation history was inversely associated with concurrent serum POP concentrations and diabetes prevalence. Prospective studies are needed to clarify how lactation could complement diabetes prevention through decreasing the POP body burdens.
Review of the film "East of Salinas: A Story of Immigration, Childhood, and Circumstance"

Review of the film "East of Salinas: A Story of Immigration, Childhood, and Circumstance" (2015, 53 mins) by Laura Pacheco and Jackie Mow.
Doating on Faults in Jane Austen’s Emma

This article examines the novel’s interest in powerless female characters and claims that through women’s lack the public experiences a communal loss. Emma famously attempts to repair the lack of s...
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN BLUE LIGHT-MEDIATED RESPONSES

The study of blue light (B)-mediated responses has a long history (Darwin, 1881; Sachs, 1887), yet molecular identification of the photoreceptors mediating these responses has only occurred in the last decade. Although identification of cryptochrome (cry)-, phototropin (phot)-, and other B-receptor-mediated signal transduction components have lagged even farther behind, use of mutational analyses in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana has resulted in many exciting new advances in recent years. The focus of this chapter is on signalling associated with the cryptochromes and phototropins. For simplicity, subsections are divided by a response output although this in no way implies that a given response operates in isolation relative to other receptors and/or responses. Co-action and interaction between various photosignal-response systems is covered elsewhere (see Chapters 20, 21).
Toward a framework for mixed-gender selling teams and the impact of increased female presence on team performance: Thought development and propositions

Abstract Team selling and the increasing representation of women in the sales force are two current trends contributing to the complexity of managing the sales environment, yet little work exists investigating the impact of women on selling team performance. This paper anchors on cognitive resource diversity theory and integrates relevant prior research to propose a new proposition-driven framework that explains why gender diversity of team members improves team performance. Specifically, we provide evidence to suggest that the addition of females to all-male selling teams should positively impact team performance by reducing the average turnover rate of high performers within the team; by enhancing relational skills, organizational citizenship behaviors, and shared leadership within the team; and by building on the favorable effects associated with team heterogeneity. We also consider the moderating effects that potentially deeply ingrained connections among members of all-male teams may have on changes in team gender composition, as well as the importance of a culture of organizational inclusion on the favorable effects of team heterogeneity overall. Managerial implications of increased female presence on teams are proffered, along with suggested next steps in research and limitations of the present conceptualization.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Shows Corpus Callosum Differences between High‐Grade Gliomas and Metastases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The corpus callosum (CC) has an important role in regulating interhemispheric transfer and is thought to be instrumental in contralateral brain reorganization in patients with brain tumors, as suggested by a previous study reporting callosal differences between language dominance groups through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) characteristics. The purpose of this study was to explore the structural differences in the CC between high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and metastatic tumors (METs) using the DTI characteristics of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and axial diffusivity (AD). METHODS HGG (n = 30) and MET (n = 20) subjects with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans including DTI were retrospectively studied. The tumor and CC were segmented using the 3-dimensional T1-weighted scans to determine their volumes. The region of interest (ROI; mean volume of the ROI = 3,090 ± 464 mm3 ) of the body of the CC was overlaid onto the DTI parametric maps to obtain the averaged FA, MD, and AD values. RESULTS There were significant differences in the distributions of FA and MD values between the two patient groups (mean FA for HGG/MET = .691/.646, P < .05; mean MD for HGG/MET = .894×10-3 mm 2/ second /.992×10-3 mm2 /second, P < .01), while there was no correlation between the DTI parameters and the anatomical volumes. CONCLUSION These results suggest that there is more contralateral brain reorganization in HGG patients than MET patients and that neither the tumor nor callosal volume impact the degree of contralateral brain reorganization.
Roll maneuvers are essential for active reorientation of Caenorhabditis elegans in 3D media.

Locomotion of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a key observable used in investigations ranging from behavior to neuroscience to aging. However, while the natural environment of this model organism is 3D, quantitative investigations of its locomotion have been mostly limited to 2D motion. Here, we present a quantitative analysis of how the nematode reorients itself in 3D media. We identify a unique behavioral state of C. elegans —a roll maneuver—which is an essential component of 3D locomotion in burrowing and swimming. The rolls, associated with nonzero torsion of the nematode body, result in rotation of the plane of dorsoventral body undulations about the symmetry axis of the trajectory. When combined with planar turns in a new undulation plane, the rolls allow the nematode to reorient its body in any direction, thus enabling complete exploration of 3D space. The rolls observed in swimming are much faster than the ones in burrowing; we show that this difference stems from a purely hydrodynamic enhancement mechanism and not from a gait change or an increase in the body torsion. This result demonstrates that hydrodynamic viscous forces can enhance 3D reorientation in undulatory locomotion, in contrast to known hydrodynamic hindrance of both forward motion and planar turns.
The impact of a malignant diagnosis on the pattern and outcome of readmission after liver and pancreatic surgery: An analysis of the nationwide readmissions database.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Reducing readmissions is an important quality improvement metric. We sought to investigate patterns of 90-day readmission after hepato-pancreatic (HP) procedures. METHODS The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to identify patients undergoing HP procedures between 2010 and 2014. Patients were stratified according to benign versus malignant HP diagnoses and as index (same hospital as operation) versus non-index (different hospital) readmissions. RESULTS Among the 41 059 patients who underwent HP procedures, 26 563 (65%) underwent a liver resection while 14 496 (35%) pancreatic resection. Among all patients, 11 902 (29%) had a benign diagnosis versus 29 157 (71%) who had a cancer diagnosis. Overall 90-day readmission was 22% (n = 8 998) with a slight increase in readmissions among patients with a malignant (n = 6 655;23%) versus benign (n = 2 343;20%) diagnosis (P < 0.001). Readmission to an index hospital was more common (n = 7 316 81%) versus a non-index hospital (n = 1 682 19%). Non-index hospital readmissions were more frequent among patients with malignant HP diagnoses (OR, 1.41;P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Up to one in four patients were readmitted after HP surgery. Late readmission was more common among patients with a cancer-diagnosis. While most readmissions occurred at the index hospital, 19% of all readmissions occurred at a non-index hospital and were more frequent among patients with malignant diagnoses.