cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of patterned cellulose film via solvent-assisted soft nanoimprint lithography at a submicron scale

Solvent-assisted soft nanoimprint lithography of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) has been applied to easily fabricate nano-/microscale structured cellulose films of various structures, including line gratings and pillar patterns. The cellulose-based ink consisted of CNCs, citric acid, and sodium hypophosphite monohydrate. After imprinting with a crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamp (PDMS), the patterned CNC films were crosslinked via the citric acid present under mild heat treatment. In order to obtain well-defined ultra-small structures, two different modification methods were applied to optimize the wettability between the CNC dispersions and the PDMS stamp. With this modification, CNC films could be patterned on various substrates by either direct imprint or reversal imprint methods. The dimensions of the patterned features in the cellulose films was as small as 140 nm.
Chaper Seventeen: Prohibited Discrimination in International Law

This essay assesses how the prohibition of discrimination is understood in contemporary international human rights law. The essay aims to determine whether human rights bodies apply coherent theories when deciding which distinctions are permitted and which are invidious. The essay begins by surveying the provisions of human rights instruments such as the U.N. Charter that call for non-discrimination and equality. Next, the essay examines the jurisprudence of international tribunals and monitoring bodies, including judgments, advisory opinions, general comments, and observations on state periodic reports. The conclusion draws from this body of law a general approach to discrimination in international human rights law.
Post-exercise autonomic function in chronic fatigue syndrome

Heart rate variability (HRV), a convenient non-invasive measure of inter-beat interval fluctuations and more broadly of parasympathetic (vagal) activity, has been used to index autonomic imbalances...
Oxytocin receptor gene loss influences expression of the oxytocin gene in C57BL/6j mice in a sex‐ and age‐dependent manner

Parental care and sensory stimulation are critical environmental factors that influence oxytocin (OXT) and its receptor (OXTR). Because developmental Oxt mRNA expression is enhanced by sensory-rich early life experience and reduced by sensory deprivation, we predicted that compared to wild-type (WT) littermates, mice with congenital loss of OXTR (OXTR KO), as a genetically induced deprivation, would show impaired Oxt mRNA expression in the offspring hypothalamus during development. Oxt mRNA levels of male and female OXTR KO mice were not different from WT littermates from postnatal day (P)0 to P6, although, by P8, OXTR KO showed significantly decreased Oxt mRNA expression in the hypothalamus compared to WT littermates. At P14, male and female OXTR KO mice had significantly decreased Oxt mRNA expression specifically in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), but not the supraoptic nucleus (SON), compared to WT littermates. We investigated whether this effect persisted in adulthood (P90) and found a significant genotype by sex interaction where male OXTR KO mice displayed a reduction in Oxt expression specific to the PVN compared to male WT littermates. By contrast, male and female OXTR KO adults had increased Oxt mRNA levels in the SON. These findings suggest that OXTR plays a role in developmental Oxt mRNA expression with sex by genotype interactions apparent at adulthood. We then measured OXT and neural activation in the PVN and SON at P14. We observed more OXT-immunoreactive cells in the PVN of OXTR KO mice but significantly fewer c-Fos immunoreactive cells. There were no genotype differences in immunoreactivity for OXT and no c-Fos activity in the SON at P14. Combined, these data suggest that OXTR WT P14 mice have more PVN activity and are more likely to release OXT than OXTR KO mice. Future experiments are warranted to understand which OXTR-expressing neural circuits modulate the development of the PVN oxytocin system.
Fasting and Nonfasting Lipid Levels Similarly Predict Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

Adding ultrasonography to screening mammography in women younger than 50 years at low, intermediate, or high breast cancer risk is not associated with an increase in breast cancer detection. It is associated with increased unnecessary biopsy recommendations and results in more frequent follow-up.
Nursing of three children patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support during long-distance transfer

Objective To summarize the experience of nursing three critical children patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during long-distance transfer. Methods Before the transfer, a sound contingency plan was made in case of problems that might happen during the transfer; during the transfer, the patients' vital signs and ECMO parameters were closely monitored, and their complications were identified and managed; when transferred in the ward, they were handed over and nursed carefully. Results The first patient's transfer time and distance were 8h and 700km, the second's 14 h and 1200 km, and the third's 15 h and 1700 km. After successfully transferred, two patients left hospital thanks to treatment, while the other one, who suffered from Nephrotic Syndrome complicated by pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, died in hospital. Conclusions ECMO support for children patients during long-distance transfer is a specialized and systematic process that requires multidisciplinary coordination. The aid of ECMO makes the transfer of severe children patients with Cardiopulmonary Failure possible and safe, and saves valuable time for the treatment of critical patients. Key words: Nursing; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Critical children patients; Long-distance transfer
Synthesis and crystal structures of two potential gem-di(pyrazolyl)cycloalkane ligands, 1,1-di(pyrazol-1-yl)cyclohexane [C6H10(C3N2H3)2] and 1,1-di(pyrazol-1-yl)cyclopentane [C5H8(C3N2H3)2]

The species 1,1-di(pyrazol-1-yl)cyclohexane, C12H16N4, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 8.340(2), b = 14.281(5), c = 10.153(3) A, β = 106.86(2)°, and Z = 4. The cyclohexane moiety has the chair conformation. The congener, 1,1-di(pyrazol-1-yl)cyclopentane, C11H14N4, while not isomorphous, also crystallizes in space group P21/c with a = 14.350(2), b = 6.776(1), c = 11.043(2) A, β = 100.68(1)°, and Z = 4. The cyclopentane ring has a conformation in which four carbon atoms are essentially coplanar, while the fifth (that with the two pyrazolyl substituents) lies 0.63 A from this plane, resulting in a bend of 41.3° across the C(2)···C(5) vector. The hydrogen atoms in each structure were located directly and their coordinates refined.
Aspects of Technical Adequacy of an Early-Writing Measure for English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 3

This study examined the technical adequacy of Picture Word, a type of Writing Curriculum-Based Measurement, with 73 English learners (ELs) with beginning to intermediate English language proficienc...
Sensitivity of protein C immunosensor with and without human serum albumin.

Protein C (PC) acts as an anticoagulant and antithrombotic in the hemostasis pathway. The PC deficiency can result in thrombosis and other clinical complications due to the blockage of oxygen transport. The proposed PC immunosensor is designed to diagnose a PC deficient patient prior to the onset of thrombosis and also to monitor a patient’s PC level in blood plasma. The current work focuses on the effect that non-competitive inhibitors have on the immunosensor’s sensitivity compared to pure PC samples in buffer solution. Human serum albumin (HSA) was chosen as the first testing protein because it represents approximately 55% of the proteins in human blood plasma.
Rural Midwestern Mexican Fathers' Perspectives on Family Food, Mealtimes, and Physical Activity.

Two focus group interviews with eight low-income Mexican fathers in two communities in a rural Midwestern state explored fathers' perceptions, behaviors, and roles related to child and family food consumption, mealtimes, and physical activity. On average, fathers were 34 years of age, had 10 years of formal education, and annual household incomes ranged from $36,250 to $46,249. Findings include the identification of fifteen themes through the process of thematic analysis that are organized by five thematic areas of interest (family food patterns, strategies for healthy eating, family roles in food shopping and preparation, family mealtimes, physical activity among families). Findings revealed ways fathers contributed to their children's and families' health and well-being, and challenges they faced. Health promotion efforts aimed at rural, low-income Mexican immigrant families can benefit from embracing fathers' perspectives and how they influence the health and well-being of their children and families.
Disorders of development.

For full access, view the book at USF St. Petersburg Library -- RC467.2.O94 2011, check it out through your local library, request it on interlibrary loan, or order it through a book dealer.
Principles of Capital

This chapter aims to clarify economic thoughts related to capital, and then to expand their research activities through data science approaches. The research focuses include: (1) applying predictive analytics to Irving Fisher’s theory of income and capital, (2) exploring possible event classification in Thomas Piketty’s conclusion of capital and inequality, (3) introducing to feature selection for Jonathan Haskel and Stian Westlake’s capital accounting, and (4) solving pattern mining problems related to Pierre Bourdieu’s claims on capital and power. By taking hospital ranking as an example, additionally, a data-driven paradigm on the capitalization of intangibles is provided.
Coculture of Endothelial and Stromal Cells to Promote Concurrent Osteogenesis and Vasculogenesis.

A key challenge in the treatment of large bone defects is the need to provide an adequate and stable vascular supply as new tissue develops. Bone tissue engineering applies selected biomaterials an...
The Pandemic as an Opportunity to Reflect on Athletic Training Research

The authors reflect on how the athletic training community was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including on athletic training research Topics include how the readers, editors, authors, and reviewers were affected by the pandemic, and how athletic trainers conduct research, evaluate research, and disseminate research
Multiscale Modeling of Airway Inflammation Induced by Mechanical Ventilation

MULTISCALE MODELING OF AIRWAY INFLAMMATION INDUCED BY MECHANICAL VENTILATION By Kittisak Koombua, M.S.M.E. A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Major Director: Ramana M. Pidaparti, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a system that partially or fully assists patients whose respiratory system fails to achieve a gas exchange function. However, MV can cause a ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI) or even contribute to a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Despite advances in today technologies, mortality rates for ARDS patient are still high. A better understanding of the interactions between airflow from mechanical ventilator and xxi the airway could provide useful information used to develop a better strategy to ventilate patients. The mechanisms, which mechanical ventilation induces airway inflammation, are complex processes and cover a wide range of spatial scales. The multiscale model of the airway have been developed combining the computational models at organ, tissue, and cellular levels. A model at the organ level was used to study behaviors of the airway during mechanical ventilation. Strain distributions in each layer of the airway were investigated using a model at the tissue level. The cellular inflammatory responses during mechanical ventilation were investigated through the cellular automata (CA) model incorporating all biophysical processes during inflammatory responses. The multiscale modeling framework started by obtaining airway displacements from the organ-level model. They were then transferred to the tissue-level model for determining the strain distributions in each airway layer. The strain levels in each layer were then transferred to the cellular-level model for inflammatory responses due to strain levels. The ratio of the number of damage cells to healthy cells was obtained through the cellular-level model. This ratio, in turn, modulated changes in the Young’s modulus of elasticity at the tissue and organ levels. The simulation results showed that high tidal volume (1400 cc) during mechanical ventilation can cause tissue injury due to high concentration of activated immune cells and low tidal volume during mechanical ventilation (700 cc) can prevent tissue injury during mechanical ventilation and can mitigate tissue injury from the high tidal volume ventilation. The multiscale model developed in this research could provide useful xxii information about how mechanical ventilation contributes to airway inflammation so that a better strategy to ventilate patients can be developed.
Termination and Reduction Checking for Higher-Order Logic Programs

In this paper, we present a syntax-directed termination and reduction checker for higher-order logic programs. The reduction checker verifies parametric higher-order subterm orderings describing relations between input and output of well-moded predicates. These reduction constraints are exploited during termination checking to infer that a specified termination order holds. To reason about parametric higher-order sub-term orderings, we introduce a deductive system as a logical foundation for proving termination. This allows the study of proof-theoretical properties, such as consistency, local soundness and completeness and decidability. We concentrate here on proving consistency of the presented inference system. The termination and reduction checker are implemented as part of the Twelf system and enable us to verify proofs by complete induction.
Barriers to girls' education in Mozambique at household and community levels: an exploratory study

Although education of children is universally accepted as a leading mechanism of poverty eradication and social development, many developing nations continue to struggle in achieving gender parity in primary and secondary education. While Mozambique has recently accelerated its efforts to reduce this gap, girls are still enrolled and attending school at a much lower rate than boys. The present study explored the barriers to children's – especially girls' – education in central Mozambique, based on information on 738 children in two separate communities. Household, child, environmental, and social/cultural factors are examined in the context of global and regional data. The study found girls to be impacted more negatively by every correlating factor, including the lingering practice, in rural areas, of early marriage. Policy and research implications are discussed.
Threshold Mean Larger Ratio Motion Estimation in MPEG Encoding Using LNS

The Logarithmic Number System (LNS) offers good performance for some multimedia applications at low precisions. Motion estimation is a key part of the MPEG encoding system. Usually the motion estimation is performed by using a fixed-point Mean Absolute Difference (MAD) cost function for block matching. LNS Mean Larger Ratio (MLR) is another cost function which can produce comparable video encoding results as fixed-point MAD. This paper proposes an optimized Threshold MLR (TMLR) cost function, which uses a threshold value to keep only the larger LNS ratio of the pixel values with shorter word lengths. The encoding results show that the optimization makes significant area savings with little quality degradation. This paper also shows that the threshold approach can be applied to the fixed-point MAD. The Threshold MAD (TMAD) can achieve similar area savings as the TMLR does.
BAROQUE MODERNITY AND THE COLONIAL WORLD: AESTHETICS AND CATASTROPHE IN NICK JOAQUIN'S A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO

The point of departure for these reflections is the status of “Hispanism” as an aesthetic mode (and possibly an elitist position or ideology in Philippine society) in a largely ignored debate within Philippine nationalist circles after World War II. In this instance, Dr. Blanco is thinking of the polemic between nationalist historian and poet Teodoro Agoncillo and Filipino national artist Nick Joaquin following the inauguration of a Philippine national republic formally recognized by the League of Nations. In this paper, he wants to focus on one, perhaps the key, manifestation of this “Hispanism” – Joaquin’s recovery of the baroque mode of representation, as a way of returning to the baroque aesthetic of catastrophe in various colonial works (particularly the Pasyon and the Balagtasan awit). By examining the scenography of Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, he will turn to various aspects of Western baroque representation highlighted by Max Weber, Walter Benjamin, and Jose Antonio Maravall in order to highlight the relationship between colonial sovereignty and the onset of colonial modernity as the “disenchantment of the world.”
Framework Ordering in Aluminophosphate Molecular Sieves Studied by27Al Double Rotation NMR

Abstract Aluminum-27 Double Rotation NMR spectroscopy (DOR) has been used to investigate framework ordering in the aluminophosphate molecular sieves VPI-5, AIPO 4 -5, and AIPO 4 -8. Well-resolved peaks in the 27 Al DOR spectra of both hydrated and dehydrated VPI-5 allow isotropic shifts to be correlated with local framework structure. More distorted aluminum environments are reflected by broader lines in 27 Al DOR spectra of AlPO 4 -5 and AlPO 4 -8.
Understanding Democracy: Data from Unlikely Places

Some skeptics have asked whether ordinary people possess an understanding of democracy that allows them to evaluate it as a form of government. Our research yields three generalizations about popular understanding of democracy. First, even in new democracies, most people can offer a definition of democracy in their own words. Second, most people think of democracy in terms of the freedoms, liberties, and rights that it conveys, rather than institutional elements or social benefits. Third, the breadth of these sentiments suggests that the democratic ideal has broadly spread throughout the world, and its freedoms and liberties are the main source of its popular appeal.
Signal representation and processing in the mixed time-frequency domain

This paper is concerned with mixed time-frequency signal processing using Wigner Distribution Function (WDF). This approach is based upon the generation of the mixed time-frequency representation (MTFR) of a signal, processing of that representation in the mixed time-frequency domain, and obtaining a filtered output by an inverse operation or approximation procedure. Various signal processing operations are formulated. Validity condition for the resulting MTFR are investigated. An inverse operation can be applied as an exact procedure if the output MTFR is a valid WDF, it can be regarded as an approximation procedure if the resulting MTFR is not admissible. Other approximations can be formulated. One scheme depends on the projection of the MTFR onto the space of valid WDF. The other scheme depends on the modification of the filtering function in a minimal way such that the resulting MTFR is valid.
Elastic Wave Propagation in an Infinite Media

For most of the complicated geometries encountered in ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) applications, finite element (FE) solutions [1–4] of the elastic wave equation are usually limited because of the spatial discretization required for accuracy. Artificial boundaries introduced to limit the spatial dimensions of a given problem can cause unwanted reflections which corrupt the desired response. The simplest approach to this problem is to ensure that the model is large enough for the unwanted reflections to be separated from the desired signal in the time domain. But this becomes very expensive for most applications, especially for full 3-D geometries. Models for infinite media, therefore, are very important for numerical modeling in 3-D and even in many 2-D practical applications.
Alternative Inhibition of Androgen Receptor Signaling: Peptidomimetic Pyrimidines As Direct Androgen Receptor/Coactivator Disruptors

Compounds that directly disrupt the androgen receptor/steroid receptor coactivator interaction could function as novel inhibitors of androgen signaling that would remain effective in the treatment of prostate cancer that is resistant to conventional endocrine therapies. A structure-based peptidomimetic approach was used to design and synthesize such compounds, based on a pyrimidine-core system. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer and reporter gene assays, we identified members of this library that disrupt the androgen receptor/steroid receptor coactivator interaction selectively, without affecting the estrogen receptor/steroid receptor coactivator interaction. Unlike the activity of traditional androgen receptor antagonists, such as flutamide and bicalutamide, inhibition by these coactivator binding inhibitors is insurmountable by increased concentrations of androgen agonists and maintains effectiveness even on a mutant androgen receptor that is resistant to traditional antagonists. These findings support the feasibility of targeting the coactivator binding groove of the androgen receptor as an alternative approach to treatment-resistant prostate cancer therapy.
A Modeling and Simulation Approach to Characterize Methadone QT Prolongation Using Pooled Data From Five Clinical Trials in MMT Patients

Pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation were used to establish a link between methadone dose, concentrations, and Fridericia rate-corrected QT (QTcF) interval prolongation, and to identify a dose that was associated with increased risk of developing torsade de pointes. A linear relationship between concentration and QTcF described the data from five clinical trials in patients on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). A previously published population PK model adequately described the concentration-time data, and this model was used for simulation. QTcF was increased by a mean (90% confidence interval (CI)) of 17 (12, 22) ms per 1,000 ng/ml of methadone. Based on this model, doses >120 mg/day would increase the QTcF interval by >20 ms. The model predicts that 1-3% of patients would have ΔQTcF >60 ms, and 0.3-2.0% of patients would have QTcF >500 ms at doses of 160-200 mg/day. Our predictions are consistent with available observational data and support the need for electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and arrhythmia risk factor assessment in patients receiving methadone doses >120 mg/day.
Distributional Estimates for the Bilinear Hilbert Transform

We obtain size estimates for the distribution function of the bilinear Hilbert transform acting on a pair of characteristic functions of sets of finite measure, that yield exponential decay at infinity and blowup near zero to the power −2/3 (modulo some logarithmic factors). These results yield all known Lp bounds for the bilinear Hilbert transform and provide new restricted weak type endpoint estimates on Lp1 × Lp2 when either 1/p1 + 1/p2 = 3/2 or one of p1, p2 is equal to 1. As a consequence of this work we also obtain that the square root of the bilinear Hilbert transform of two characteristic functions is exponentially integrable over any compact set.
Multiple twinning and nitrogen defect center in chemical vapor deposited homoepitaxial diamond

Abstract Homoepitaxial diamond films were grown on polished {100} faces of single crystal type IIa diamond substrates using microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition system. 14 homoepitaxial diamond films were grown under a variety of substrate temperatures (1000–2000°C), methane concentration (1–6% in hydrogen gas) and processing pressure (60–200 Torr). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies demonstrate that nitrogen is incorporated as a singly substitutional impurity (P1-defect center) and the nitrogen concentration is in the range 10–100 parts per million (ppm). The substitutional nitrogen concentration in homoepitaxial diamond was observed to decrease with increasing substrate temperature. Multitwin percentages of all grown diamonds derived from EPR spectra are correlated with the growth parameter α , which is simply the growth velocity along the 〈100〉 direction divided by the growth velocity along the 〈111〉 direction. With the aid of multitwin morphology and multitwin percentages derived from EPR, we describe conditions under which a twin-free and low defect single crystal diamond can be grown from the vapor phase on the {100} oriented substrates.
Reflex control of the opener and stretcher muscles in the cheliped of the fiddler crab, Uca pugnax

1. In the legs of brachyuran Crustacea, the stretcher and opener muscles share a single motoneuron and have separate specific inhibitory neurons. 2. During passive joint movements, reflex activity of the inhibitors is coordinated to prevent contraction of the muscle in the unstimulated segment (Fig. 2). 3. Within the reflex hursts of activity, the inhibitory impulses are centrally coupled to excitor impulses, producing patterned output. The opener inhibitor tends to fire closely following each excitor spike while the stretcher inhibitor fires preceding each excitor spike (Fig. 4). 4. Stretcher inhibitor impulses are frequently observed to occur as doublets, with spikes both preceding and following an individual excitor impulse (Figs. 2, 3). 5. The observed excitor-inhibitor coupling is optimal in each case for the reduction in height of ejp's recorded in the muscles (Figs. 5, 6). This impulse spacing also corresponds to the maximally effective spacing for reduction of muscle tension (Fig. 8).
Pereskia, Portulacaceae, Photosynthesis, and Phylogenies: Implications For Early Cactaceae

Abstract Recent molecular studies inform relationships among Cactaceae and early cactus evolution. Results of these studies are not uniform. Three topics are considered: (1) the phylogenetic position of Pereskia, (2) characters of the outgroups of Cactaceae, and (3) the character evolution implied thereby. If diminutive habit, succulence, and stem photosynthesis predate the Cactaceae, then character states in Pereskia may represent reversals.
Mid-to-high- Z precision x-ray measurements

New x-ray wavelength (energy) and width measurements are reported for a number of elements from $47\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}92$. The x rays were produced with the use of an electron Van de Graaff, and the measurements were made with a two-axis flat-crystal transmission spectrometer equipped with angle-measuring interferometers. The new measurements reported here, combined with other high-precision x-ray wavelengths, form a moderately extensive data base for comparison with theoretical calculations. Comparison with recent revisions of a previously available all-$Z$ calculation reveals improved patterns of general agreement with, however, important exceptions. The newly measured linewidths are in agreement with widths calculated via relativistic wave functions used for the term estimates.
Mental Verb Input for Promoting Children's Theory of Mind: A Training Study.

a b s t r a c t An experimental study investigated the effect of the type of mental verb input (i.e., input with think, know, and remember) on preschoolers’ theory of mind development. Preschoolers (n = 72) heard 128 mental verb utterances presented in video format across four sessions over two weeks. The training conditions differed only in the way the mental verbs were presented: the form (statement or question), the referent (first person or other person), and the interaction style (overheard or interactive). Children who overheard the characters discussing the mental states of someone else, either in statement or question form, significantly improved in their false belief understanding. These experimental findings demonstrate mental verb utterances about other people, even when not directed to the child, scaffold children’s attention to differing perspectives, thus more efficiently promoting some aspects of their ToM development.
Quark model for nucleus-nucleus collisions.

We present a simple quark model for nucleus-nucleus collisions which employs the Glauber multiple scattering theory. The model is first used to fit a quark-quark scattering amplitude to high energy nucleon-nucleon elastic scattering data. This amplitude is then used to calculate high energy \ensuremath{\alpha}p and \ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\alpha} elastic scattering cross sections. The nucleus-nucleus calculations are performed using both a simple first-order optical phase shift function (essentially a t\ensuremath{\rho} approximation) and an optical phase shift function calculated through fifth order. We also calculate the same cross sections using a conventional nuclear model together with Glauber theory. Comparisons of the results of the different theoretical approaches and the data are presented.
Transforming light and sound with metamaterials

In this invited talk, we present the fabrication and characterization of optical and acoustic metamaterials, incorporating unique topological interactions between waves and matter. We propose spatially rerouting ultrasound through broadband and highly transparent metamaterials. We also observed a set of localized modes in optical metamaterials, using novel near field optical and electron probes. These novel metamaterials, could be the foundation of broadband photo-absorbers, directional emitters, as well as compact and power-efficient devices in highly parallel optical networks.
β-adrenergic receptor desensitization in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure

Based on our recent data (37,54,56) and the association that profound alterations in βAR signaling are found in chronic end-stage human heart failure (64), it is possible that defects in this pathway are primary elements that underlie the transition from compensated to decompensated cardiac failure. Decreasing the level of myocardial βARK1 in established heart failure, is a novel approach to improving impaired βAR receptor function and potentially alter the pathogenesis in this disease.
Radiopotentiation of human brain tumor cells by sodium phenylacetate

Abstract Phenylacetate (PA) inhibits the growth of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo and shows promise as a relatively nontoxic agent for cancer treatment. A recent report shows that prolonged exposure of cells to low concentrations of PA can enhance the radiation response of brain tumor cells in vitro, opening up the possibility of using this drug to improve the radiation therapy of brain tumor patients. We investigated the cytotoxicity produced by sodium phenylacetate (NaPA) alone and in combination with X-rays in SF-767 human glioblastoma cells and in two medulloblastoma cell lines, Masden and Daoy. Exposure of all three cell lines to relatively low concentrations of NaPA for up to 5 days did not enhance the subsequent cell killing produced by X-irradiation. However, enhanced cell killing was achieved by exposing either oxic or hypoxic cells to relatively high drug concentrations (>50–70 mM) for 1 h immediately before X-irradiation. Because central nervous system toxicity can occur in humans at serum concentrations of ∼6 mM PA, translation of these results into clinical trials will likely require local drug-delivery strategies to achieve drug concentrations that can enhance the radiation response. The safety of such an approach with this drug has not been demonstrated.
Thermal Effects of Particles on Hypersonic Ablation

A model is presented for the study of thermal effects of solid particles on hypersonic ablation. Only the case of sparse particles of small sizes is considered, so that to the first order of approximation, the basic ablation field can be assumed to be particle-free. For simplicity, we consider spherical particles. We focus the study on the behavior of the particle during its passage in the melt layer of the basic ablation model. The particle trajectory is calculated by using a simple estimate of the drag, and the heat transfer between the particle and the surrounding melt is analyzed by considering the coupling of the one-dimensional transient heat conduction in the particle and the convection in the melt. An average heat transfer coefficient is used to simplify the calculation, and approximate solutions are obtained by using an integral method. The parametric dependence of solutions appears explicitly. Specific results are presented for the total heat released by the particle to the melt layer during its travel through the layer. /
A Novel Process for Demulsification of Water-in-Crude Oil Emulsions by Dense Carbon Dioxide

CO2 was used to break several water-in-crude oil and water-in-model oil emulsions stabilized by asphaltenic films. The stability of asphaltenic films in model oils having varying H/C ratios (aromaticities) was also studied upon contact with liquid or supercritical CO2. The efficacy and kinetics of demulsification appeared to be enhanced with increased CO2 density and mole fraction. The proposed mechanism by which CO2 destabilizes water-in-crude oil emulsions involves asphaltene flocculation and precipitation. The emulsions break by flocculating the adsorbed asphaltenes, leading to film defects, film thinning, film rupture, and water coalescence. The various factors influencing asphaltene precipitation and emulsion destabilization were studied in model solvent systems containing asphaltenes and resins. Increasing CO2 pressure, residence time, temperature, and degree of mixing were found to increase the rate of asphaltene precipitation. Asphaltene precipitation by CO2 was found to increase in the presence o...
Interaction of the Escherichia coli gal repressor protein with its DNA operators in vitro

The binding of Escherichia coli Gal repressor to linear DNA fragments containing two binding sites (OE and OI) within the gal operon was analyzed in vitro with quantitative footprint and mobility-shift techniques. In vivo analysis of the regulation of the gal operon [Haber, R., & Adhya, S. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 9683-9687] has suggested the role of a regulatory "looped complex" mediated by the association of Gal repressor dimers bound at OE and OI. The binding of Gal repressor to a single site can be described by a model in which monomer and dimer are in equilibrium and only the dimer binds to DNA. At pH 7.0, 25 mM KCl, and 20 degrees C, the binding and dimerization free energies are comparable, suggesting that the equilibrium governing the formation of dimers may be important to regulation. The two intrinsic binding constants, delta GI and delta GE, and a constant describing cooperativity, delta GIE, were determined by footprint titration analysis as a function of pH, [KCl], and temperature. Only at 4 and 0 degrees C was delta GIE negative, signifying cooperative binding. These results are thought to be due to a weak dimer to tetramer association interface. delta GE and delta GI had maximal values between pH 6 and pH 7. The dependence of these constants on [KCl] corresponded to the displacement of approximately 2 ion equiv. The temperature dependence could be described by a change in the heat capacity, delta Cp, of -2.3 kcal mol-1 deg-1. Mobility-shift titration experiments conducted at 20 and 0 degrees C yielded values for delta GIE that were consistent with those resolved from the footprint analysis. Unique values of delta GIE were determined by analysis of mobility-shift titrations of Gal repressor with wild-type operator subject to the constraint that delta GE = delta GI: a procedure that eliminates the need to simultaneously analyze wild-type titrations with titrations of OE- and OI- operators.
Relativistic wave function at the origin and the pion decay constant

A hybrid Breit-Salpeter equation is studied for the pion. It is shown that the component of the Salpeter amplitude related to ${f}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ is finite at the origin if the full relativistic equation is solved. This leads to an unambiguous calculation of ${f}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$. It is shown that this finiteness of the wave function is due to a suppression of the Coulomb potential whereby the $\frac{1}{r}$ singularity at the origin is reduced to a logarithmic one.
Longitudinal Evaluation of Mouse Hind Limb Bone Loss After Spinal Cord Injury using Novel, in vivo, Methodology

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is often accompanied by osteoporosis in the sublesional regions of the pelvis and lower extremities, leading to a higher frequency of fractures 1 . As these fractures often occur in regions that have lost normal sensory function, the patient is at a greater risk of fracture-dependent pathologies, including death. SCI-dependent loss in both bone mineral density (BMD, grams/cm 2 ) and bone mineral content (BMC, grams) has been attributed to mechanical disuse 2 , aberrant neuronal signaling 3 and hormonal changes 4 . The use of rodent models of SCI-induced osteoporosis can provide invaluable information regarding the mechanisms underlying the development of osteoporosis following SCI as well as a test environment for the generation of new therapies 5-7 (and reviewed in 8 ). Mouse models of SCI are of great interest as they permit a reductionist approach to mechanism-based assessment through the use of null and transgenic mice. While such models have provided important data, there is still a need for minimally-invasive, reliable, reproducible, and quantifiable methods in determining the extent of bone loss following SCI, particularly over time and within the same cohort of experimental animals, to improve diagnosis, treatment methods, and/or prevention of SCI-induced osteoporosis. An ideal method for measuring bone density in rodents would allow multiple, sequential (over time) exposures to low-levels of X-ray radiation. This study describes the use of a new whole-animal scanner, the IVIS Lumina XR (Caliper Instruments) that can be used to provide low-energy (1-3 milligray (mGy)) high-resolution, high-magnification X-ray images of mouse hind limb bones over time following SCI. Significant bone density loss was seen in the tibiae of mice by 10 days post-spinal transection when compared to uninjured, age-matched control (naive) mice (13% decrease, p<0.0005). Loss of bone density in the distal femur was also detectable by day 10 post-SCI, while a loss of density in the proximal femur was not detectable until 40 days post injury (7% decrease, p<0.05). SCI-dependent loss of mouse femur density was confirmed postmortem through the use of Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), the current "gold standard" for bone density measurements. We detect a 12% loss of BMC in the femurs of mice at 40 days post-SCI using the IVIS Lumina XR. This compares favorably with a previously reported BMC loss of 13.5% by Picard and colleagues who used DXA analysis on mouse femurs post-mortem 30 days post-SCI 9 . Our results suggest that the IVIS Lumina XR provides a novel, high-resolution/high-magnification method for performing long-term, longitudinal measurements of hind limb bone density in the mouse following SCI.
The most vulnerable, the least successful and other such extremes

Abstract We investigate the relation between the underlying dynamics of a randomly evolving system and the extrema statistics of such systems. Failure modes, as an exemplar of extreme properties, are considered in independent processes, Fokker–Planck processes and Levy stable processes. Using the diffusional entropy to replace the Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy in the survival probability of a dynamical system, we construct the relation between weak dynamical chaos and the ubiquitous inverse power-law distribution for the survival probability.
Information flow in the auditory cortical network

Auditory processing in the cerebral cortex is comprised of an interconnected network of auditory and auditory-related areas distributed throughout the forebrain. The nexus of auditory activity is located in temporal cortex among several specialized areas, or fields, that receive dense inputs from the medial geniculate complex. These areas are collectively referred to as auditory cortex. Auditory activity is extended beyond auditory cortex via connections with auditory-related areas elsewhere in the cortex. Within this network, information flows between areas to and from countless targets, but in a manner that is characterized by orderly regional, areal and laminar patterns. These patterns reflect some of the structural constraints that passively govern the flow of information at all levels of the network. In addition, the exchange of information within these circuits is dynamically regulated by intrinsic neurochemical properties of projecting neurons and their targets. This article begins with an overview of the principal circuits and how each is related to information flow along major axes of the network. The discussion then turns to a description of neurochemical gradients along these axes, highlighting recent work on glutamate transporters in the thalamocortical projections to auditory cortex. The article concludes with a brief discussion of relevant neurophysiological findings as they relate to structural gradients in the network.
Indices of ventricular contractile state: Comparative sensitivity and specificity

Twenty-four indices of ventricular contractile state were compared as to inotropic sensitivity using dobutamine infusion, as well as to preload and afterload independence using dextran and phenylephrine infusion. Experiments were done in 10 open-chest instrumented dogs and signal processing was done off-line by digital techniques. The indices studied, listed in order of decreasing sensitivity, are (1) power-averaged rate of generation of power density, (2) peak isovolumic rate of change of power, (3) ejection rate of change of power at peak tension, (4) peak second time derivative of ventricular pressure, (5) peak ejection rate of change of power, (6) peak isovolumic power, (7) energy-averaged power density, (8) mean aortic blood acceleration, (9) peak aortic blood acceleration, (10) peak first time derivative of ventricular pressure, (11) peak normalized fiber velocity, (12) peak fiber velocity, (13) peak aortic blood flow, (14) peak power, (15) extrapolated Vmax (total pressure), (16) mean normalized fiber velocity, (17) mean fiber velocity, (18) extrapolated Vmax (developed pressure), (19) mean aortic blood flow, (20) mean power, (21) stroke volume, (22) peak wall tension, (23) mean wall tension, (24) time-tension index. The most sensitive index which was statistically independent of preload and afterload manipulation was the ejection rate of change of power at peak tension.
Cyclic nucleotide regulation of methyl farnesoate synthesis by the mandibular organ of the lobster, Homarus americanus

Mandibular organ (MO) synthesis of methyl farnesoate (MF) is negatively regulated by extracts of the sinus gland, a neuroendocrine organ in the lobster eyestalk. Sinus gland extracts significantly increased cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels in the MO in vitro, but had no effect on cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Extracts of two other neuroendocrine tissues, the brain and thoracic ganglion, did not affect either cAMP or cGMP levels. In vitro treatment of MO with 8-bromo-cGMP (a cGMP analog) significantly decreased MF synthesis at concentrations of 10−7 M to 10−4M. Higher concentrations of 8-bromo-cAMP (10−5M to 10−4M) were required for significant decreases in MF synthesis. Forskolin and IBMX decreased MF synthesis at a concentration of 10−5M, but had no effect at lower concentrations (10−8M to 10−6M). These data suggest that cGMP is a second messenger for the sinus gland factor that inhibits MF synthesis in the MO. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Signal processing education through concept discovery and resource selection practice

In this paper, we describe an on-line learning platform that enables students to develop conceptual knowledge, organize related concepts around supporting resources, and test their conceptual knowledge and its organization through numerous practice problems. We present these ideas in the context of our ongoing web-based educational platform ITS which we have deployed since 2010 for an introductory Signal Processing course at Georgia Tech. Specifically, we discuss the addition of two new features: the “Concept Browser” and the “Resource Selector”. These tools provide a user interface that explicitly fosters a concept oriented learning environment.
An Improvement to an Algorithm for Computing Aircraft Reference Altitude

A recently developed algorithm which is being used to compute an aircraft reference altitude from air data inputs is accurate in a stationary column of air. However, pressure gradients in the atmosphere can introduce significant errors. An improvement (which corrects for pressure gradient errors) has been developed which is based on the equilibrium equation for the motion of the air mass in the presence of pressure gradients.
Investigation of Na5GdSi4O12(NGS) NASICON and highly doped NGS NASICON prepared by spray-freeze/freeze-dry methods using complex plane analysis

Abstract Complex plane techniques have been employed to measure bulk and grain boundary effects, as well as electrode/electrolyte interface effects in polycrystalline samples of pure Na5GdSi4O12 and Na5GdSi4O12 doped with either Eu(III) or Ce(III). The technique of spray-freeze/freeze-drying was employed to prepare highly dense NASICON ceramics. The densities of Na5GdSi4O12 and 10 wt% Ce-doped Na5GdSi4O12 sintered pellets were > 94% of theoretical (3.213 g/cm3) and at 300°C the bulk conductivities were 0.21 and 0.18 S-cm−1, respectively. Densities of the 10 wt% Eu-doped samples were low (78–84%), yet the multiphase ceramics exhibited high Na+ conductivities of 0.3 S-cm−1 at 300°C.
A theoretical study of malonate ion and its metal binding by ab initio and semiempirical techniques

Abstract STO-3G and CNDO calculations have been performed on malonate ion and its Mg 2+ complexes. The parallel carboxyl group arrangement is found to be the single minimum energy conformation with both techniques. In the metal binding studies, the binding of a Mg 2+ to a single carboxyl is preferred over binding symmetrically to both carboxyls in their parallel conformation. These results are consistent with X-ray structure results on calcium malonate.