cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Force-annihilation conditions for variable-coefficient lanchester-type equations of modern warfare

This paper develops a mathematical theory for predicting force annihilation from initial conditions without explicitly computing force-level trajectories for deterministic Lanchester-type “square-law” attrition equations for combat between two homogeneous forces with temporal variations in fire effectivenesses (as expressed by the Lanchester attrition-rate coefficients). It introduces a canonical auxiliary parity-condition problem for the determination of a single parity-condition parameter (“the enemy force equivalent of a friendly force of unit strength”) and new exponential-like general Lanchester functions. Prediction of force annihilation within a fixed finite time would involve the use of tabulations of the quotient of two Lanchester functions. These force-annihilation results provide further information on the mathematical properties of hyperbolic-like general Lanchester functions: in particular, the parity-condition parameter is related to the range of the quotient of two such hyperbolic-like general Lanchester functions. Different parity-condition parameter results and different new exponential-like general Lanchester functions arise from different mathematical forms for the attrition-rate coefficients. This theory is applied to general power attrition-rate coefficients: exact force-annihilation results are obtained when the so-called offset parameter is equal to zero; while upper and lower bounds for the parity-condition parameter are obtained when the offset parameter is positive.
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale as a long-term outcome measurement tool in patients receiving clozapine ODT- A Pilot Study

Objective: This pilot, twelve-week, open-label study examined the effect of clozapine orally disintegrating tablet or ODT in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder utilizing Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) as a long-term outcome measurement tool. Methods: The final study sample consisted of nineteen subjects who were residents a long-term care psychiatric facility in Pomona, California. Subjects were using clozapine ODT (FazaClo®) at the most clinically effective dosage depending on their symptoms and at the discretion of the psychiatrist and psychopharm consultant. PANSS were administered at baseline, week-4, week-8 and week-12. Paired sample t-tests were used to calculate the statistical significance of the mean differences for scores at baseline and week-12. Results: Mean differences from baseline indicated significant improvement on total score, as well as positive, negative, cognitive and general psychopathology subscales after twelve weeks of treatment. The greater average reduction in the negative syndrome subscale across the twelve weeks possibly illustrates the ability of clozapine ODT in improving negative symptoms, including cognitive function which is their ability to participate in their personal care and creative expressions in dance, arts, games, poetry to a greater extent their overall, quality of life and living along with the effect on positive symptoms. Conclusion: Overall, clozapine proved to affect a broad range of psychopathology including cognitive functions in this schizophrenic sample
Nanosensors based on graphene inter-layer electronic properties: Sensing mechanism and selectivity

Graphene-based nanosensors with inter-layer structures were built and tested as gas sensors in response to ethanol and water molecules, and were compared with intra-layer nanosensors built on mono-layer and bi-layer graphenes. Ethanol and water molecules were chosen because they act differently as donors and acceptors to graphenes. The results show that the sensitivities of the inter-layer graphene nanosensors were over two times higher than the ones based on the mono-layer and bi-layer graphenes under the same experimental conditions. Strong suppression of the tunneling current through the two stacked graphene layers was observed, which is mainly caused by the reconstruction of the microscopic corrugation due to the adsorption of gas molecules.
Continuum modeling of forces in growing viscoelastic cytoskeletal networks

Mechanical properties of the living cell are important in cell movement, cell division, cancer development and cell signaling. There is considerable interest in measuring local mechanical properties of living materials and the living cytoskeleton using micromechanical techniques. However, living materials are constantly undergoing internal dynamics such as growth and remodeling. A modeling framework that combines mechanical deformations with cytoskeletal growth dynamics is necessary to describe cellular shape changes. The present paper develops a general finite deformation modeling approach that can treat the viscoelastic cytoskeleton. Given the growth dynamics in the cytoskeletal network and the relationship between deformation and stress, the shape of the network is computed in an incremental fashion. The growth dynamics of the cytoskeleton can be modeled as stress dependent. The result is a consistent treatment of overall cell deformation. The framework is applied to a growing 1-d bundle of actin filaments against an elastic cantilever, and a 2-d cell undergoing wave-like protrusion dynamics. In the latter example, mechanical forces on the cell adhesion are examined as a function of the protrusion dynamics.
Treating children with asthma. A review of drug therapies.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood1 and the most frequent cause of children being hospitalized.2 Despite advances in the treatment of asthma, these rates have remained constant or have increased in the past decade.3 This article gives an overview of the medications used in treating childhood asthma.​asthma. Table 1 Terms used in the MEDLINE search asthma pediatric albuterol cromolyn nedocromil fluticasone budesonide beclomethasone triamcinolone flunisolide montelukast zafirlukast zileuton salmeterol theophylline ipratropium side effects cataracts peak expiratory flow nebulizer metered-dose inhaler View it in a separate window
The role of commercial crocodile farming in crocodile conservation

Abstract Commercial crocodile rearing stations in Rhodesia are described, including regulations which govern their operation. When crocodile eggs are collected from the wild a quota of juveniles equivalent to 5% of the number collected must be released at the age of 3 years. Figures for hatching success and juvenile growth on rearing stations compared with wild populations indicate that both these parameters are better on the rearing stations. The growth rate on a rearing station is twice as fast as in the wild. Data on juvenile survival on the rearing stations suggest that it is of the order of 50% to the age of 3 years. No comparative information is available for wild populations. Survival of station-reared crocodiles after release into the wild is good, although growth slows substantially. Juveniles for release are a valuable tool in management, for restocking suitable areas or supplementation of natural recruitment. Crocodile farms may provide an answer to future management of this species, and a ready source of breeding stock is available in ‘problem’ animals which are relocated rather than shot. Crocodile rearing and farming in developing countries could provide the incentive to maintain a renewable resource rather than to exploit and destroy existing populations.
Isobaric-analogue states in Cu65

The isobaric analogs of low-lying states in (d,p)-produced /sup 65/Ni were observed in /sup 65/Cu by adding a proton to /sup 64/Ni. Proton widths of the analogous states were calculated from the neutron reduced widths determined in (d,p) experiments. Five resonances were observed in (p,n) and (p,p') reactions on /sup 66/Ni. It is concluded that isobaric analog states are spread very little, if at all, in the compound nucleus and that their energies are reproduced remarkably well. (R.E.U.)
A stimulus-activated conductance in isolated taste epithelial membranes

Membrane vesicles isolated from the cutaneous taste epithelium of the catfish were incorporated into phospholipid bilayers on the tips of patch pipettes. Voltage-dependent conductances were observed in approximately 50% of the bilayers and single-channel currents having conductances from 8 to greater than 250 pS were recorded. In 40% of the bilayers displaying no voltage-dependent conductances, micromolar concentrations of L-arginine, a potent stimulus for one class of catfish amino acid taste receptors, activated a nonselective cation conductance. The L-arginine-gated conductance was concentration-dependent, showing half-maximal activation in response to approximately 15 microM L-arginine. L-Arginine-activated channels had unitary conductances of 40–50 pS and reversed between -6 and +18 mV with pseudointracellular solution in the pipette and Ringer in the bath. L-Alanine, a potent stimulus for the other major class of catfish amino acid taste receptors, did not alter bilayer conductance. D-Arginine, which is a relatively ineffective taste stimulus for catfish but a good cross-adapter of the L-arginine-induced neural response, had no effect on bilayer conductance at concentrations below 200 microM. However, increasing concentrations of D-arginine from 1 to 100 microM progressively suppressed the L-arginine-activated conductance, suggesting that D-arginine competed for the L-arginine receptor, but did not activate the associated cation channel. This interpretation is consonant with recent biochemical binding studies in this system. These results suggest that L-arginine taste receptor proteins in the catfish are part of or closely coupled to cation-selective channels which are opened by L-arginine binding.
Genomic conflict drives patterns of X-linked population structure in Drosophila neotestacea.

Intragenomic conflict has the potential to cause widespread changes in patterns of genetic diversity and genome evolution. In this study, we investigate the consequences of sex-ratio (SR) drive on the population genetic patterns of the X-chromosome in Drosophila neotestacea. An SR X-chromosome prevents the maturation of Y-bearing sperm during male spermatogenesis and thus is transmitted to ~100% of the offspring, nearly all of which are daughters. Selection on the rest of the genome to suppress SR can be strong, and the resulting conflict over the offspring sex ratio can result in the accumulation of multiple loci on the X-chromosome that are necessary for the expression of drive. We surveyed variation at 12 random X-linked microsatellites across 16 populations of D. neotestacea that range in SR frequency from 0% to 30%. First, every locus was differentiated between SR and wild-type chromosomes, and this drives genetic structure at the X-chromosome. Once the association with SR is accounted for, the patterns of differentiation among populations are similar to the autosomes. Second, within wild-type chromosomes, the relative heterozygosity is reduced in populations with an increased prevalence of drive, and the heterozygosity of SR chromosomes is higher than expected based on its prevalence. The combination of the relatively high prevalence of SR drive and the structuring of polymorphism between the SR and wild-type chromosomes suggests that genetic conflict because of SR drive has had significant consequences on the patterns of X-linked polymorphism and thus also probably affects the tempo of X-chromosome evolution in D. neotestacea.
Karhunen-Loève representation distinguishes ST-T wave morphology differences in emergency department chest pain patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction versus nonacute coronary syndrome.

Patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain are triaged to early reperfusion therapies based on their initial 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The standard 12-lead ECG lacks sensitivity to detect acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Electrocardiographic diagnosis of non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) is especially difficult and is delayed until cardiac biomarkers turn positive, indicating onset of myocardial necrosis. Study Aims: The purpose of this analysis was to extract global ST-T waveform features from patients with chest pain, compare these features in patients with and without AMI, and then identify features that distinguish diagnostic categories. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from the Ischemia Monitoring and Mapping in the Emergency Department in Appropriate Triage and Evaluation of Acute Ischemic Myocardium study, a prospective clinical trial in which patients were attached to Holter monitor devices to obtain 24 hours of continuous ECG data. Digital recordings from 176 patients were analyzed: 88 with AMI (STEMI and non-STEMI) and 88 without AMI or unstable angina. The non–acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group was further subdivided into those with non-ACS cardiac conditions such as heart failure and those without cardiac disease who had noncardiac chest pain. For each patient, 10 consecutive waveforms were obtained within the first 120 minutes of emergency department presentation. The waveforms were time-aligned to the QRS, signal-averaged, baseline-adjusted. ST-T waveforms were complied according to diagnostic category and pooled for further analysis. Eigenvector-lead feature coefficients (Karhunen-Loeve [K-L] coefficients) were obtained for each patient by taking the dot product of the ST-T wave (ST segment or entire waveform) and the first 3 common eigenvectors, producing 24 K-L coefficients. Cumulative probability distribution function curves were plotted for each diagnostic category. Statistical significance of category coefficient distribution differences was determined. Multinomial regression was used to assess accuracy of feature coefficients to predict diagnostic category. Results: Non-STEMI and non-ACS cardiac category K-L coefficient curves were statistically different in 11 of 24 feature curves (P < .001-.047). ST-segment (50 samples) coefficients predicted non-ACS cardiac patients 11.5% more often (P = .02) than those derived from the entire ST-T wave. Conclusion: Patients diagnosed with non-STEMI have distinct distribution of K-L coefficients compared with non-ACS cardiac patients. Coefficients from the first 50 samples of the ST-T wave (ST segment) better predict diagnostic category than do coefficients derived from the entire ST-T wave. Karhunen-Loeve coefficient feature analysis may provide early diagnostic information to distinguish patients with non-STEMI vs non-ACS cardiac patients.
Charge transport through a molecular π-stack: double helical DNA

Abstract Double helical DNA, containing a π-stacked array of base pairs within its interior, can be considered as a molecular analogue of solid state π-stacked arrays. Like the solid state materials, the DNA base pair stack provides a medium to facilitate charge transport. However, owing to the dynamical motions of the base pairs within the molecular stack, as well as sequence-dependent inhomogeneities in energetics and base–base couplings, DNA charge transport differs considerably from that in solid state π-stacked materials. Here we review some of the experimental techniques and chemical assemblies used to probe charge transport in DNA. We focus on those parameters that distinguish charge transport within the molecular base pair stack and highlight the sensitivity of DNA charge transport to dynamical variations in base stacking and couplings. Exploiting the sensitivity of DNA charge transport to these sequence- and structure-dependent variations in stacking provides a route to the design of DNA-based nanoscale sensors. Certainly the application of DNA in molecular electronic devices must take into consideration those factors that promote and inhibit DNA-mediated charge transport.
CpG oligonucleotides enhance the tumor antigen-specific immune response of an anti-idiotype antibody-based vaccine strategy in CEA transgenic mice

A murine monoclonal anti-idiotype (Id) antibody, 3H1 has been developed and characterized previously. Anti-Id 3H1 mimics a specific epitope of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and can be used as a surrogate antigen for CEA. 3H1 induced anti-CEA immunity in different species of animals as well as humans and showed promise as a potential vaccine candidate in phase I/II clinical trials for colon cancer patients. One area of interest to us has been the development of new immune adjuvants that may augment the potency of 3H1 as a tumor vaccine. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) are potent immunostimulatory agents capable of enhancing the Ag-specific Th1 response when used as immune adjuvants. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of 3H1 as a tumor vaccine when admixed with a select CpG ODN 1826 in transgenic mice that express human CEA. The vaccine potential of 3H1 was also assessed in the presence of another widely used adjuvant, QS-21. 3H1 coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and mixed with Freund’s adjuvant (FA) was used as a gold standard in this system. 3H1 vaccination with different adjuvants induced both humoral and cellular anti-3H1, as well as anti-CEA immunity in CEA transgenic mice. The immune sera could lyse CEA-transfected murine colon carcinoma cells, C15 effectively in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay. The anti-CEA antibody responses were somewhat comparable in each adjuvant-treated group of mice, whereas cellular immune responses were significantly greater when CpG was used as an adjuvant. Splenocytes obtained from 3H1–CpG-immunized mice showed an increased proliferative CD4+ Th1-type T-cell response when stimulated in vitro with 3H1 or CEA and secreted elevated levels of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ). This vaccine also induced MHC class I antigen-restricted CD8+ T-cell responses. In a solid tumor model, C15 tumor growth was significantly inhibited by 3H1 vaccinations. In 3H1–CpG-vaccinated mice, the duration of survival was, however, longer compared to the 3H1–QS21-vaccinated mice. These findings suggest that 3H1-CpG vaccinations can break peripheral tolerance to CEA and induce protective antitumor immunity in this murine model transgenic for human CEA.
Hydration of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine

Chloroaluminum phthalocyanine is shown to form a hydrate with two molecules of water, and this hydrate is shown to be identical with what was previously believed to be the result of a simple phase transformation.
Elaboration of a conditioned reflex in a single experiment with simultaneous recording of neural activity.

Abstract In 18 of 20 experiments with click CS, and in 5 of 10 experiments with flash CS, we have elaborated a conditioned EMG response in a single session (less than 60 pairings). The US was direct electrical stimulation of the rabbit's motor cortex that evoked a movement of the forelimb. Electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus was used as reinforcement. Parameters for this reinforcement were chosen to evoke a feeding reaction or self-stimulation in the freely behaving animal. The elaborated EMG response satisfied most of the required characteristics of a conditioned reflex. These included spontaneous recovery after extinction, savings of long duration, specificity to stimulus pairing, and weak efferent and afferent generalization. In most experiments with click CS, the elaborated phasic response had an amplitude of 0.1–6 mV with a latency of 12–16 msec. In form and latency the conditioned response was similar to the unconditioned startle reaction of the same animal under chloralose anesthesia, or to its unanesthetized response to a loud sound. However, the conditioned response differed from the startle reaction in that it was localized. Extracellular recordings of 2–5 neurons were simultaneously made from sensory motor cortex near the point at which the US was applied. In 7 experiments 17 neurons were followed through the entire cycle of elaboration and extinction of the conditioned response. Seven neurons showed a statistically significant ( P In isolated presentations of the CS after elaboration of the CR, we sometimes observed neural responses to click with a latency less than 6 msec. We propose that at least one of the pathways involved in the localized conditioned startle reflex reported here goes through the sensory motor cortex.
Sulfhydryl content of tuna myoglobin

Abstract A homogeneous preparation of myoglobin made from the red meat of yellowfin tuna ( Neothunnus macropterus ) resembled previously described myoglobins in solubility, absorption spectra, iron content, and sedimentation velocity, but, uniquely, contained one to two free sulfhydryl groups per assumed molecular weight of 16,000–17,000.
The role of capital mobility in illegal immigration policy

Abstract This paper analyzes the effectiveness of enforcement in controlling illegal immigration in two scenarios, capital mobility and capital immobility in the host nation (for illegal immigrants). The source nation is assumed throughout to have immobility of capital. We show that the net enforcement expenditure is higher (lower) in the presence of capital mobility if the host nation is an importer (exporter) of capital at the target immigration level. Furthermore, we show that if the host nation is an exporter of capital at the point of zero enforcement (unrestricted immigration), it must have lower enforcement expenditure (compared to capital immobility) for any illegal immigration target. If it is an importer of capital at zero enforcement, there is some ambiguity. National income must be higher (lower) under capital mobility (compared to immobility) if the host nation is an importer (exporter) of capital at the target immigration level. The analysis is extended to consider endogenous determination o...
The value of the ultrasonic Doppler method and apexcardiography as reference tracings in phonocardiography.

Abstract The exact timing of the opening of the mitral valve and of atrial contraction was obtained by utilizing the ultrasonic Doppler. These signals were used as reference points in phonocardiography for the differentiation of the diastolic heart sounds and compared to the ACG utilized for the same purpose in 62 patients. The Doppler signal coincided with the opening snap in all patients with mitral stenosis while the 0 point of the ACG usually followed the opening snap by a time interval of up to 20 msec. The third heart sound bore a very close relationship to the end of the rapid filling wave of the ACG. The fourth heart sound was related to the atrial component of the Doppler tracing as well as the A wave of the ACG. Satisfactory Doppler tracings were obtained in all 62 patients while in 11 of these patients a satisfactory ACG could not be obtained. The ultrasonic Doppler method is a noninvasive method that can be used as a reference tracing in phonocardiography especially when a satisfactory ACG cannot be obtained. The tracings can be recorded with minimal delay and at no risk or discomfort to the patient. The ultrasonic Doppler method is the most reliable and accurate noninvasive method for the identification of the opening snap and timing of the mitral opening while the ACG is more reliable for the identification of the third heart sound.
Naloxonazine, a potent, long-lasting inhibitor of opiate binding sites

Naloxazone, the hydrazone derivative of naloxone, has proven useful in studies of opiate binding site heterogeneity both in vivo and in vitro based on its long-acting inhibition of high affinity, or mu1, binding sites. However, the need for high doses of naloxazone to inactivated the mu1 sites raised the possibility that its actions might result from lower concentrations of a more active compound. We now present evidence suggesting that this more active compound is the azine derivative of naloxone. In acidic solutions, approximately 35% of naloxazone, spontaneously rearranges to the azine, naloxonazine. Unlike naloxazone, naloxonazine is relatively stable in solution. It does not appreciably dissociate into naloxone and naloxazone and no additional compounds can be detected. Under assay conditions under which no azine formation can be detected, no inhibition of binding of either 3H-dihydromorphine or 3H-DADL is found after incubating tissue with naloxazone at concentrations up to 2000 nM followed by extensive washing. Naloxonazine, on the other hand, produces a potent, dose-dependent inhibition of binding which is resistant to washing. Despite the washes, naloxonazine at 50 nm abolishes high affinity binding with some inhibition seen at concentrations down to 10 nM.
WEIGHTED-L2 INTERPOLATION ON NON-UNIFORMLY SEPARATED SEQUENCES

We define a weighted-l 2 -norm associated to a discrete sequence Γ in C and a weight function ϕ. We then give a sufficient condition which ensures that we can always extend weighted-l 2 data to global holomorphic functions which are also weighted-L 2 . The condition is such that the so-called upper density of Γ is strictly less than one.
Influence of cyclophosphamide and other immunosuppressive drugs on immune disorders and neoplasia in NZB/NZW MICE

NZB/NZW mice were treated with various immunosuppressive drugs used in human SLE. Cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg 6 days out of 7), alone or with prednisolone, was better than azathioprine, prednisolone, or azathioprine-plus-prednisolone, in prolonging survival and/or reducing proteinuria, Coomb's antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, and glomerular deposits of gamma-globulin. Intermittent bolus therapy with cyclophosphamide (59 mg/kg/10 days) was as effective as daily therapy. However, 61% of the mice receiving any cyclophosphamide regimen developed malignant tumors compared to none in the other groups.
Evidence for the interaction of brainstem systems mediating seizure expression in kindling and electroconvulsive shock seizure models

Amygdala kindling was observed to increase significantly the proportion of rats that exhibited tonic hindlimb extension in response to corneal electroshock stimulation. Mechanical brainstem lesions which abolished electroshock-induced tonic hindlimb extension failed to alter either the expression of fully generalized kindled seizures or the development of amygdala kindled seizures. Results suggest that while kindling can alter the sensitivity of brainstem systems involved in the expression of tonic hindlimb extension, these same systems are not necessary for either the development or expression of amygdala kindled seizures.
Toward integrated assessment in agriculture

Abstract Practitioners of agriculture increasingly find themselves in conflict with the broader society over issues such as siting of livestock rearing facilities and the presence of chemicals in water resources. This is probably a function both of urban development encroaching further into agricultural lands, and of the emerging norm of broader participation in environmental decisions. Numerous public debates over these issues shape the ways by which society reconciles its need for agriculture with the inevitable impacts on nature. Scientific knowledge plays an important role in these debates, but no more so than do human values. Agricultural scientists must seek ways to best inform these debates, while respecting the roles of values. The emerging approach of integrated assessment, now in use in larger-scale issues such as global change and acid rain, appears to have applicability to agriculture. A central component of integrated assessment is the integrated assessment model (IAM), a system model incorporating diverse facets of a problem, so interactions among these facets can be seen. The systems tradition in agriculture, including hard and soft variants, may be viewed as precursors to the IAM approach. Academic agriculturists should begin to create the IAMs that are needed to inform the emerging public debates surrounding agriculture, society, and nature.
A transient parabiosis skin transplantation model in mice

Parabiosis-conjoined surgery to provide a shared circulation between two mice-has been previously developed to study the hematopoietic system. This protocol describes the use of parabiosis for efficient transplantation of skin from a transgenic to a wild-type mouse. It can be used to study the role of stromal cells in a spontaneous model of distant cancer dissemination (metastasis). We have recently shown that primary tumor-derived stromal cells may facilitate metastasis by providing a provisional stroma at the secondary site. Studying the role of primary tumor-derived stroma cells requires methods for distinguishing and targeting stromal cells originating from the primary tumor versus their counterparts in the metastatic site. Parabiosis may also be used, taking advantage of the shared circulation between the parabiosed mice, to study tumor metastasis from one parabiont to another, or to investigate the role of circulating inflammatory cells or stem cells. Studying the role of stromal cells in metastasis using this model typically takes up to 11 weeks.
Reversal of Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Repetitive Monomorphic Ventricular Ectopy Originating From the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract

Background— Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy caused by ventricular tachycardia is a well-defined clinical entity. Less well appreciated is whether simple ventricular ectopy can result in cardiomyopathy. We sought to examine a potential causal relationship between repetitive monomorphic ventricular ectopy originating from the right ventricular outflow tract and cardiomyopathy and the role of ablation in reversing this process. Methods and Results— The study consisted of 27 patients (11 men; age, 47±15 years) with repetitive monomorphic ventricular ectopy, including 8 patients (30%) with depressed ventricular function (ejection fraction ≤45%). All patients underwent assessment of cardiac structure and function. The burden of ectopy was quantified through 24-hour Holter monitoring. Patients then underwent ablation guided by 3D mapping. After ablation, patients underwent repeated Holter monitoring and reassessment of cardiac function. Patients with depressed ventricular function were more likely to be older...
Electrochemical oxidation of solid Li2O2 in non-aqueous electrolyte using peroxide complexing additives for lithium–air batteries

Abstract Using the anion receptor tris(penftafluorophenyl) borane as an additive to non-aqueous electrolytes, the solubility of solid Li2O2 can be dramatically increased through the Lewis acid–base interaction between boron and peroxide. The complexed boron-peroxide ions can be electrochemically oxidized with much better kinetics than the oxidation of solid Li2O2 on a carbon powder microelectrode. This discovery could lead to a new avenue for the development of high capacity, high rate, rechargeable, Li–Air batteries.
ADAPTIVE CONTROL STRATEGY FOR GLUCOSE REGULATION USING RECURSIVE LINEAR MODELS

Abstract Using frequently sampled blood glucose measurements (at 5 min intervals), low-order recursive linear time series models have been developed for the prediction of future blood glucose concentrations. Such predicted glucose values are then integrated with model based control algorithms, such as GPC and LQC, for adjusting the required insulin infusion rates with an automated insulin pump. Since the models are derived from patients’ own glucose data, the proposed algorithm can dynamically adapt to inter- and intra-subject variability.
The Effects of Phytosterols Present in Natural Food Matrices on Cholesterol Metabolism and LDL-Cholesterol: A Controlled Feeding Trial

The effects of phytosterols present in natural food matrices on cholesterol metabolism and LDL-cholesterol: a controlled feeding trial
A two-dimensional iterative panel method and boundary layer model for bio-inspired multi-body wings

The increased use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has created a continuous demand for improved flight capabilities and range of use. During the last decade, engineers have turned to bio-inspiration for new and innovative flow control methods for gust alleviation, maneuverability, and stability improvement using morphing aircraft wings. The bio-inspired wing design considered in this study mimics the flow manipulation techniques performed by birds to extend the operating envelope of UAVs through the installation of an array of feather-like panels across the airfoil’s upper and lower surfaces while replacing the trailing edge flap. Each flap has the ability to deflect into both the airfoil and the inbound airflow using hinge points with a single degree-of-freedom, situated at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the chord. The installation of the surface flaps offers configurations that enable advantageous maneuvers while alleviating gust disturbances. Due to the number of possible permutations available for the flap configurations, an iterative constant-strength doublet/source panel method has been developed with an integrated boundary layer model to calculate the pressure distribution and viscous drag over the wing’s surface. As a result, the lift, drag and moment coefficients for each airfoil configuration can be calculated. The flight coefficients of this numerical method are validated using experimental data from a low speed suction wind tunnel operating at a Reynolds Number 300,000. This method enables the aerodynamic assessment of a morphing wing profile to be performed accurately and efficiently in comparison to Computational Fluid Dynamics methods and experiments as discussed herein.
Thermomechanical assessment of plastic deformation in model amorphous polyamide/clay nanocomposites

In an effort to isolate the role of nanofiller independent of changes in polymer microstructure, we report the processing and characterization of model amorphous polyamide/clay nanocomposites. Analyses confirm fully amorphous character, no change in Tg or thermal stability, and a partially exfoliated structure. The tensile modulus, yield stress, and failure stress increase with the clay content, both in dried and conditioned samples. In contrast, failure strain decreases with increasing clay content in conditioned samples but is independent of clay content in dried samples. Concurrently, the conversion of mechanical work to heat during plastic deformation was studied using infrared thermography, with the heat of deformation estimated based on these results and compared to the work of deformation. These results allow us to quantify changes in deformation mechanism and to conclude that the presence of clay enhances the conversion of mechanical energy to heat in these materials.
The development of an objective scale to measure a transpersonal orientation to learning

A transpersonal orientation to learning was detected in the writings of 89 well-known representatives of humanistic education. According to the transpersonal approach, schools and other learning environments should be used for the development of spiritual potential as well as academic, vocational, and socio-personal learning. Despite many studies and measures of paranormal/ transpersonal beliefs and practices, there has been none devoted exclusively to objective scales measuring such applications to education. In the current study, a 40-item Likert-scale, The Transpersonal Orientation to Learning (TOTL), was developed and validated to meet the need for such careful measures in today's increasingly controversial climate regarding the place of any and all religious beliefs in the public schools. Satisfactory reliability and promising predictive and construct validity were demonstrated for TOTL. An equamax factor analysis revealed four factors: Fantasy Techniques in Schools, Mysticism Preferred to Science, P...
On the influence of light on dislocation motion in compound semiconductors

The influence of light on dislocation motion and the associated flow stress is examined for CdS and (Hg0.3Cd0.7)Te semiconductors. For CdS, a large increase in flow stress is observed for slip on the basal planes during irradiation. In contrast, (Hg0.3Cd0.7)Te exhibits a smaller photoplastic effect with a time delay. Results of experiments on the effect of light, slip direction, strain rate, and temperature are presented with emphasis on CdS. Possible mechanisms of photoplasticity, along with methods of exploiting the photoplastic effect to reduce dislocation densities in semiconductor devices, are also discussed.
Magic angle 13C NMR determination of the fate of ketone end groups during photolysis of crosslinked acrylic copolymers

Abstract Ketone end groups formed during acrylate copolymerization are a main source of free radical formation during the initial stages of weathering in crosslinked coatings formulated with these copolymers. During weathering, the rate of formation of radicals changes. Other chromophores such as hydroperoxides are also observed. To better understand the photooxidation process, magic angle spinning C-13 NMR spectroscopy has been used to measure the change in concentration of ketone end groups in crosslinked acrylic copolymer coatings as a function of weathering time. A clear correlation has been established between ketone concentration, hydroperoxide concentration, and free radical formation rates in weathered coatings.
Reconfigurable photonics from microfluidic waveguides

Here we report the development of adaptive photonics using optofluidic waveguides. This work demonstrates the ability to couple light from a liquid-core waveguide to solid-core waveguides taking advantage of both photonic modalities while facilitating reconfigurability.
First Principles Investigation of Multiferroism in Perovskite Manganites

We present results of first principles calculations which indicate the simultaneous occurrence of ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in perovskite structure bismuth manganite, BiMnO 3 .
Multipath and multiple source array processing via the EM algorithm

A computationally efficient scheme for multi-path and multiple source location estimation, based on the EM algorithm is presented. The proposed scheme is optimal in the sense that it converges iteratively to the exact Maximum Likelihood of all source location parameters simultaneously.
Ammonium uptake and growth limitation in marine phytoplankton

We used continuous culture techniques and a sensitive fluorescence method to quantify relationships among ammonium (NH z ) concentration, cellular NH z uptake rates, and growth rate limitation for five marine algal species ranging in diameter from 3 to 11 mm. The growth rate of two high–nutrient-requiring coastal diatoms, Thalassiosira weissflogii and Thalassiosira pseudonana, were limited at NH z concentrations ,90–100 nmol L21, while those of low-nutrient–adapted species, the oceanic coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi, the coastal pelagophyte Aureoumbra lagunensis, and the coastal trebouxiophyte Nannochloris atomus, were limited at concentrations ,30–40 nmol L21. In the nitrogen-limited cyclostats, the residence times of dissolved ammonium were extremely short (4–12 min at chlorophyll a levels of 20–30 m gL 21), and these short times had to be taken into account to obtain accurate NH z measurements. Ammonium and nitrate concentrations in stratified surface ocean waters (3–15 nmol L21) fall within the range that substantially limited algal growth rates in our experiments, providing evidence for nitrogen limitation in these waters. Ammonium uptake rates and associated specific growth rates were much lower for T. weissflogii (10–11 mm in diameter) than for the other smaller (3.1– 4.5 mm in diameter) species under ammonium limitation owing to the limits imposed by NH z diffusion to the cell surface. Diffusion per unit of cell volume varies with the inverse square of the cell diameter and, thus, greatly restricts growth of large-celled species under NH z limitation. The resultant selection of small-celled algal species in ammonium-limited ocean waters should promote rapid grazing and nutrient cycling and minimum nutrient loss via settling of intact cells and zooplankton fecal material. Competition for limiting nutrients is a fundamental force shaping the composition and structure of phytoplankton communities and planktonic food webs (Sommer 1989; Thingstad and Sakshaug 1990). This competition is based in large measure on differences in relationships among dissolved nutrient concentrations, cellular nutrient uptake rates, and specific growth rates among species. It has been argued that nitrogen (N) is the most important limiting nutrient in coastal waters and the open ocean based on N : phosphorus (P) ratios of inorganic nutrient pools and results of nutrient addition experiments (Dugdale 1967; Ryther and Dunstan 1971; Falkowski and Raven 1997). In low-nitrogen waters, ammonium (NH z )i s often the dominant nitrogen source utilized by phytoplankton, while nitrate, which is energetically more difficult to assimilate, is only a minor source (Harrison et al. 1996; Mulholland and Lomas in press). However, despite the likely importance of
Mitigating transient loops through interface-specific forwarding

Under link-state routing protocols such as OSPF and IS-IS, when there is a change in the topology, propagation of link-state advertisements, path recomputation, and updating of forwarding tables (FIBs) will all incur some delay before traffic forwarding can resume on alternate paths. During this convergence period, routers may have inconsistent views of the network, resulting in transient forwarding loops. Previous remedies proposed to address this issue enforce a certain order among the nodes in which they update their FIBs. While such approaches succeed in avoiding transient loops, they incur additional message overhead and/or increased convergence delay. We explore an alternative approach, loopless interface-specific forwarding (LISF), that mitigates transient loops by forwarding a packet based on both its incoming interface and destination address. LISF needs to compute and update interface-specific instead of interface-independent forwarding tables. But it requires neither the synchronization of FIB updates at different nodes nor the modification of the existing link-state routing mechanisms. LISF is easily deployable with current routers if they already maintain a FIB at each interface for lookup efficiency. This paper presents the LISF approach, illustrates its strengths and limitations, discusses four alternative implementations of it and evaluates their performance.
Cognitive Representation in Ethnophaulisms as a Function of Group Size: The Phenomenology of Being in a Group

Two studies examined cognitive representation for minority groups of varying sizes. Cognitive representation was operationalized as the degree of complexity in the ethnophaulisms, or ethnic slurs, for these minority groups. The results of these studies confirm the prediction that prototype cognitive representations will be more prevalent for smaller groups. The relation between group size and cognitive representation could not be dismissed as an artifact of a more fundamental association between prejudice and cognitive representation. Moreover, this basic effect did not seem to vary as a function of the region of origin of these ethnic groups or membership in the groups. The Discussion section considers the implications of these results for the study of stereotyping.
Characterizing Switching and Congruency Effects in the Implicit Association Test as Reactive and Proactive Cognitive Control

Recent research has identified an important role for task switching, a cognitive control process often associated with executive functioning, in the Implicit Association Test (IAT). However, switching does not fully account for IAT effects, particularly when performance is scored using more recent d-score formulations. The current study sought to characterize multiple control processes involved in IAT performance through the use of event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Participants performed a race-evaluative IAT while ERPs were recorded. Behaviorally, participants experienced superadditive reaction time costs of incongruency and task switching, consistent with previous studies. The ERP showed a marked medial frontal negativity (MFN) 250–450 ms post-stimulus at midline fronto-central locations that were more negative for incongruent than congruent trials but more positive for switch than for no-switch trials, suggesting separable control processes are engaged by these two factors. Greater behavioral IAT bias was associated with both greater switch-related and congruency-related ERP activity. Findings are discussed in terms of the Dual Mechanisms of Control model of reactive and proactive cognitive control.
CAN PREY USE DIETARY CUES TO DISTINGUISH PREDATORS? A TEST INVOLVING THREE TERRESTRIAL AMPHIBIANS

Prey animals may enhance their fitness by avoiding predators, but unnecessary responses to predators that pose little threat may be maladaptive. Dietary cues from predators may be used by prey individuals to identify “dangerous” predators (i.e., those that have been feeding on conspecific prey), and consequently to minimize needless reactions to cues from innocuous animals. We tested for the presence of diet-mediated antipredator responses in a terrestrial system involving wandering garter snake predators (Thamnophis elegans) and amphibian prey (spotted frogs, Rana luteiventris; long-toed salamanders, Ambystoma macrodactylum; and Pacific tree frogs, Pseudacris regilla). Wild-caught prey were exposed to cues from predators fed heterospecific (worm) versus conspecific diets in two-sided behavioral arenas, and patterns of selection for particular sides of the arena were assessed. We found that none of the amphibian prey species responded to differences in the diet of their predator, but two species avoided c...
Investigation of post-transcriptional gene regulatory networks associated with autism spectrum disorders by microRNA expression profiling of lymphoblastoid cell lines

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by abnormalities in reciprocal social interactions and language development and/or usage, and by restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Differential gene expression of neurologically relevant genes in lymphoblastoid cell lines from monozygotic twins discordant in diagnosis or severity of autism suggested that epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation or microRNAs (miRNAs) may be involved in ASD. Global miRNA expression profiling using lymphoblasts derived from these autistic twins and unaffected sibling controls was therefore performed using high-throughput miRNA microarray analysis. Selected differentially expressed miRNAs were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, and the putative target genes of two of the confirmed miRNA were validated by knockdown and overexpression of the respective miRNAs. Differentially expressed miRNAs were found to target genes highly involved in neurological functions and disorders in addition to genes involved in gastrointestinal diseases, circadian rhythm signaling, as well as steroid hormone metabolism and receptor signaling. Novel network analyses of the putative target genes that were inversely expressed relative to the relevant miRNA in these same samples further revealed an association with ASD and other co-morbid disorders, including muscle and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as with biological functions implicated in ASD, such as memory and synaptic plasticity. Putative gene targets (ID3 and PLK2) of two RT-PCR-confirmed brain-specific miRNAs (hsa-miR-29b and hsa-miR-219-5p) were validated by miRNA overexpression or knockdown assays, respectively. Comparisons of these mRNA and miRNA expression levels between discordant twins and between case-control sib pairs show an inverse relationship, further suggesting that ID3 and PLK2 are in vivo targets of the respective miRNA. Interestingly, the up-regulation of miR-23a and down-regulation of miR-106b in this study reflected miRNA changes previously reported in post-mortem autistic cerebellum by Abu-Elneel et al. in 2008. This finding validates these differentially expressed miRNAs in neurological tissue from a different cohort as well as supports the use of the lymphoblasts as a surrogate to study miRNA expression in ASD. Findings from this study strongly suggest that dysregulation of miRNA expression contributes to the observed alterations in gene expression and, in turn, may lead to the pathophysiological conditions underlying autism.