cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activity of a sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) in MDCK-MDR1 cells and mechanism of ascorbate uptake.

Abstract The objective of this research was to functionally characterize sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) in MDCK-MDR1 cells and to study the effect of substituted benzene derivatives on the intracellular accumulation of ascorbic acid (AA). Mechanism of AA uptake and transport was delineated. Uptake of [14C]ascorbic acid ([14C]AA) was studied in the absence and presence of excess unlabelled AA, anion transporter inhibitors, and a series of mono- and di-substituted benzenes. Transepithelial transport of [14C]AA across polarized cell membrane has been studied for the first time. Role of cellular protein kinase-mediated pathways on the regulation of AA uptake has been investigated. The cellular localizations of SVCTs were observed using confocal microscopy. Uptake of AA was found to be saturable with a Km of 83.2 μM and Vmax of 94.2 pmol/min/mg protein for SVCT1. The process was pH, sodium, temperature, and energy-dependent. It was under the regulation of cellular protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+/CaM mediated pathways. [14C]AA uptake was significantly inhibited in the presence of excess unlabelled AA and a series of electron-withdrawing group, i.e., halogen- and nitro-substituted benzene derivatives. AA appears to translocate across polarized cell membrane from apical to basal side (A–B) as well as basal to apical side (B–A) at a similar permeability. It appears that SVCT1 was mainly expressed on the apical side and SVCT2 may be located on both apical and basal sides. In conclusion, SVCT has been functionally characterized in MDCK-MDR1 cells. The interference of a series of electrophile-substituted benzenes on the AA uptake process may be explained by their structural similarity. SVCT may be targeted to facilitate the delivery of drugs with low bioavailability by conjugating with AA and its structural analogs. MDCK-MDR1 cell line may be utilized as an in vitro model to study the permeability of AA conjugated prodrugs.
Crystal Structure of Dicyclohexano- 18-crown-6 Potassium 2-Nitrophenoxide

The first crystal structure of a potassium cation complex with dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 is reported. The potassium 2-nitrophenoxide complex ofsyn-cis-syn dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\(\bar 1\) with cell constantsa=8.604(2),b=10.772(4),C=16.123(5)A, α=73.86(3)°,β=77.61(3)°, γ=82.68(3)° andZ=2 forDc=1.31 g cm−3. Least-squares refinement based on 2742 observed reflections led to a final conventionalR value of 0.040. Dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 has the shape of a saddle with the potassium cation sitting at the saddlepoint. The structure of the 2-nitrophenoxide anion is dominanted by the quinoid resonance contributor. Because the complex is devoid of significant intercomplex interactions, it is a prototypical 1:1:1 complex.
A novel data caching scheme for multimedia servers

Abstract In this paper, we propose a Bi-directional Fragmental Pipelining (BFP) technique and its variable buffer size data-caching scheme BFPV to reduce the disk I/O bandwidth requirement for multimedia servers. Our mathematical analysis shows that the BFP technique is superior to the traditional unidirectional pipelining technique in terms of memory buffer space requirement. We further demonstrate that the memory buffer management using BFPV is better than that of using the fixed buffer size approach BFPF. We have mathematically proved that BFPV saves more disk I/O bandwidth than BFPF does using the same memory buffer space. Our simulation results have quantitatively confirmed our analysis.
A QUALITY‐BASED INVENTORY ISSUE POLICY FOR PERISHABLE FOODS

Inventory issue policies that are based on elapsed storage time do not account for nonuniform deterioration within a perishable inventory stockpile. The literature on keeping quality of perishable food provides ample evidence of the direct relationship between storage temperature and quality deterioration. Because varying temperature condition may be encountered during storage and distribution of perishable foods, each item in an inventory stockpile may have a different deterioration history. The time-based first-in first-out (FIFO) and last-in first-out (LIFO) issue policies, in additional, to a quality-based issue criterion, the shortest remaining shelf-life (SRSL) issue policy were examined with a computer simulation of frozen broccoli stored in temperature varying conditions. The SRSL issue policy showed advantages over both the FIFO and LIFO policies in that items issued under the SRSL policy were of equal or higher average quality, with less quality variation at time of issue. The use of the SRSL issue policy in conjunction with full-history time-temperature indicators to predict temperature dependent changes in food quality is discussed.
Quantitative imaging of bromine-76 and yttrium-86 with PET: a method for the removal of spurious activity introduced by cascade gamma rays.

Positron Emission Tomography of bromine-76 and yttrium-86 results in the detection of coincident events that are not strictly associated with annihilation photon pairs. Instead, these coincidences occur because prompt gamma rays emitted by these nuclides result in cascades of photons that are emitted within the timing window of the PET scanner. Pairs of detected photons from these cascades are not angularly correlated and therefore contain little information regarding the location of their source. Furthermore, these coincidences are not removed by correction procedures (e.g., randoms, scatter) routinely applied to PET data. If left uncorrected, the cascade coincidences will result in spurious apparent activity within the PETimages. A correction, applied within projection space, that removes the cascade coincidence signal from septa-in (i.e., two-dimensional) datasets is proposed and tested on phantom data.
A Woman With Ascites, Nodular Liver Contour, and Splenomegaly

Question: A 66-yearold woman presented with a 6-week history of abdominal distension. History included a modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, radiation, and chemotherapy for breast cancer 8 years earlier. She denied alcohol consumption and had no personal or family history of liver disease. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen with shifting dullness and a nontender, firm liver edge that extended 3 finger widths below the right costal margin. The only abnormal laboratory values were aspartate aminotransferase, 47 U/L (reference range, 8–43), and alkaline phosphatase at 148 U/L (reference range, 55–142). Computed tomography revealed a slightly irregular liver surface, ascites, and splenomegaly (Figure A). Doppler ultrasonography revealed nodular liver contour with a course inhomogeneous echotexture and decreased antegrade flow in the portal vein without portal or hepatic vein thrombosis. An 18F-FDG–labeled positron emission topography scan did not show increased uptake to suggest FDG-avid malignancy. Ascitic fluid sampling revealed a cloudy white fluid with a nucleated cell count of 248/ L (63% ymphocytes, 27% monocytes, and 1% neutrophils), total protein level of 1.9 g/dL, and triglyceride level of 123 mg/dL. The serum–ascites– lbumin gradient (SAAG) was 2.9 g/dL. Cytology of the peritoneal fluid was negative. A liver biopsy was performed (Figure B). What is the diagnosis? Look on page 871 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY website (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Putting CENP-A in its place

The centromere is the chromosomal region that directs kinetochore assembly during mitosis in order to facilitate the faithful segregation of sister chromatids. The location of the human centromere is epigenetically specified. The presence of nucleosomes that contain the histone H3 variant, CENP-A, are thought to be the epigenetic mark that indicates active centromeres. Maintenance of centromeric identity requires the deposition of new CENP-A nucleosomes with each cell cycle. During S-phase, existing CENP-A nucleosomes are divided among the daughter chromosomes, while new CENP-A nucleosomes are deposited during early G1. The specific assembly of CENP-A nucleosomes at centromeres requires the Mis18 complex, which recruits the CENP-A assembly factor, HJURP. We will review the unique features of centromeric chromatin as well as the mechanism of CENP-A nucleosome deposition. We will also highlight a few recent discoveries that begin to elucidate the factors that temporally and spatially control CENP-A deposition.
Photoinduced diradical formation and decay in uncomplexed and metal-bound benzotriazine systems: mechanistic implications to chemically and biologically relevant photochemistry

The photochemical reactivities of 3-hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazine-4(3H)-one (1a) and tris[3-hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazine-4(3H)-one]iron(III) (1b) have been studied in solution and low temperature (5–77 K) glasses. Photoexcitation (λ345 nm) of 1a and 1b ultimately results in population of a ligand-centered excited state that releases N2. Electron paramagnetic resonance reveals the presence of S = 1 and S = 0 diradical intermediates upon photolysis of 1a and 1b, respectively, at 4 K. These species convert to an S = 1/2, nitrogen-centered monoradical species (aN = 23 G) upon warming to 77 K ia H-atom abstraction from the matrix. In solution, the first intermediates observed upon photolyses (λ = 355 nm) of 1a and 1b are oxime ketenes (5: λ = 385, 440 nm; 9: λ = 390, 430, 740 nm) that are formed from collapse of the diradical to generate a 4-membered β-lactam ring. The decay kinetics for the oxime ketene 5 decay can be fitted to a biexponential expression representing a parallel reaction mechanism with an element of reversibility. Thus, the data proposes the existence of an equilibrium between the oxime ketene and the spectroscopically silent β-lactam intermediate, as well as a first or pseudo first-order solvent-dependent pathway for the oxime ketene. The kinetics for formation and decay of the ketene are strongly influenced by the presence of the Fe(III) center, which leads to an increase in the lifetime of the diradical in solution, and a retarded rate of formation for the oxime ketene 9. The solution lifetimes suggest that the diradical intermediates only persist sufficiently long to react with bound solution substrates, whereas the ketene intermediates have suitable kinetic viabilities to react bimolecularly in solution.
The Effect of Intradermal Injection of Adreno-Cortical Hormones

How adreno-corticaj hormones work is largely unknown, but clinical and experimental evidence seems to show that their action is mainly peripheral. Because it is accessible, we decided to observe the action of these hormones on the human skin.
Room temperature self-organized quantum dot transistors

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), due to the discrete nature of their density of states, are very attractive for optoelectronic and electronic devices. Quantum dot single electron transistors are highly sought after for low power and high-density semiconductor memory and logic devices. Strained layer growth in the Stranski-Krastanow growth mode, referred to as self-organized growth, is a promising method for producing regular arrays of dislocation free quantum dots without post-growth transistors at low temperature. There have been a variety of reports on the nonlinear transport properties of quantum dot transistors at low temperature. We report a novel field-effect transistor with quantum dots in close proximity to a quantum well channel, demonstrating steps and nonlinear transport properties at room temperature. MODFET structures were grown by MBE, consisting of an InGaAs quantum well channel grown on GaAs, with a delta-doped AlGaAs barrier. A layer of self-organized InAs quantum dots were grown 2.5 nm above the channel and the structure was delta-doped at n=1×1(12) cm/sup -2/ at a distance of 5 nm above the channel. Transistors were fabricated with 0.3 μm gates through e-beam lithography, optical lithography, wet chemical etching, and metallization.
UniRef clusters: a comprehensive and scalable alternative for improving sequence similarity searches

Motivation: UniRef databases provide full-scale clustering of UniProtKB sequences and are utilized for a broad range of applications, particularly similarity-based functional annotation. Non-redundancy and intra-cluster homogeneity in UniRef were recently improved by adding a sequence length overlap threshold. Our hypothesis is that these improvements would enhance the speed and sensitivity of similarity searches and improve the consistency of annotation within clusters. Results: Intra-cluster molecular function consistency was examined by analysis of Gene Ontology terms. Results show that UniRef clusters bring together proteins of identical molecular function in more than 97% of the clusters, implying that clusters are useful for annotation and can also be used to detect annotation inconsistencies. To examine coverage in similarity results, BLASTP searches against UniRef50 followed by expansion of the hit lists with cluster members demonstrated advantages compared with searches against UniProtKB sequences; the searches are concise (� 7 times shorter hit list before expansion), faster (� 6 times) and more sensitive in detection of remote similarities (>96% recall at e-value <0.0001). Our results support the use of UniRef clusters as a comprehensive and scalable alternative to native sequence databases for similarity searches and reinforces its reliability for use in functional annotation. Availability and implementation: Web access and file download from UniProt website at http:// www.uniprot.org/uniref and ftp://ftp.uniprot.org/pub/databases/uniprot/uniref. BLAST searches against UniRef are available at http://www.uniprot.org/blast/
Diversity and channel estimation using time-varying signals and time-frequency techniques

We propose the use of time-varying (TV) signaling in modulation schemes to provide multiuser detection and multipath diversity in TV wireless channels. Specifically, we design an orthogonal linear chirp modulation scheme that is based on assigning different users with optimally designed parameters in order to reduce multiple-access interference. We also derive conditions on the parameters of the modulation signals to achieve multipath diversity. Furthermore, we propose the use of TV pilot signals with nonlinear instantaneous frequency and matched time-frequency (TF) techniques to estimate fast-fading channels with unknown state information. The proposed algorithm simplifies to the estimation of the parameters of multiple linear chirps, which we perform using the modified matching pursuit decomposition. We compare our estimation method with the use of pilot signals with linear instantaneous frequency, which we implement using the reassigned spectrogram. The proposed modulation scheme is applied to a frequency-hopped code-division multiple-access system for which we demonstrate improved performance when compared with frequency-shift-keying (FSK) modulation due to the designed multipath diversity and low multiple-access interference. Our simulations also demonstrate the increased estimation performance when pilot signals with nonlinear structures are used instead of linear structured ones to estimate TV channel parameters
A High Throughput Screening Assay System for the Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors of gsp

Mis-sense mutations in the α-subunit of the G-protein, Gsα, cause fibrous dysplasia of bone/McCune-Albright syndrome. The biochemical outcome of these mutations is constitutively active Gsα and increased levels of cAMP. The aim of this study was to develop an assay system that would allow the identification of small molecule inhibitors specific for the mutant Gsα protein, the so-called gsp oncogene. Commercially available Chinese hamster ovary cells were stably transfected with either wild-type (WT) or mutant Gsα proteins (R201C and R201H). Stable cell lines with equivalent transfected Gsα protein expression that had relatively lower (WT) or higher (R201C and R201H) cAMP levels were generated. These cell lines were used to develop a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)–based cAMP assay in 1536-well microplate format for high throughput screening of small molecule libraries. A small molecule library of 343,768 compounds was screened to identify modulators of gsp activity. A total of 1,356 compounds with inhibitory activity were initially identified and reconfirmed when tested in concentration dose responses. Six hundred eighty-six molecules were selected for further analysis after removing cytotoxic compounds and those that were active in forskolin-induced WT cells. These molecules were grouped by potency, efficacy, and structural similarities to yield 22 clusters with more than 5 of structurally similar members and 144 singleton molecules. Seven chemotypes of the major clusters were identified for further testing and analyses.
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the Pressor Response to Static Handgrip Exercise

Background and Purpose. A proposed mechanism for the pain-relieving properties of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is gating of impulses carried by group III and IV afferent nerve fibers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of TENS on the pressor response to static exercise, a response mediated by group III and IV muscle afferents. Subjects. Sixteen subjects (9 men, 7 women) with no known history of cardiovascular, neurologic, or musculoskeletal disease participated. Methods. We measured arterial pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic activity during sustained, 25% maximal handgrip exercise. Each subject performed the handgrip exercise with and without conventional TENS applied to the ipsilateral forearm and, in a separate trial, to the contralateral leg. Results. The sympathetically mediated pressor response to handgrip exercise was blunted when TENS was applied to the ipsilateral forearm, but not when TENS was applied to the contralateral leg. Conclusion and Discussion. These data support the concept that central transmission of neural impulses traveling in group III and IV fibers can be modulated by other afferent inputs converging on the same spinal level.
Silver sulfadiazine induced Clostridium difficile toxic megacolon in a burn patient : a case report

A 53 yr old diabetic male presented with a 34% total body surface area (TBSA) deep partial- and full-thickness burns. On post burn days 4 and 9, all of his burns were excised and grafted. Although he had only been treated with topical antibiotics, he developed Clostridium difficile colitis after his second surgery that progressed to Toxic Megacolon and perforation. The incidence and treatment of Toxic Megacolon secondary to C. difficile is reviewed. Early diagnosis and treatment with colonoscopic decompression may obviate the need for surgery.
New desorption strategies for the mass spectrometric analysis of macromolecules

We present two new desorption strategies for the mass spectrometric analysis of macromolecules. These desorption strategies are based on the molecular design and construction of two general classes of sample ‘probe’ surfaces. The first class of surfaces is designed to enhance the desorption of intact macromolecules presented alone (neat) to the surface; we call this surface-enhanced neat desorption (SEND). The availability of probe surfaces derivatized with, or composed of, multiple types and defined numbers of energy-absorbing molecules will facilitate investigations of energy transfer and desorption/ionization mechanisms. The second class of probe surfaces is designed to enhance the desorption of specific macromolecules captured directly from unfractionated biological fluids and extracts; we call this surface-enhanced affinity capture (SEAC). Use of these new probe surfaces as chemically defined solid-phase reaction centers will facilitate protein discovery through molecular recognition in situ, and also macromolecular structure analysis through the sequential chemical and/or enzymatic modification of the adsorbed analyte in situ. Specific examples of laser-assisted SEND and SEAC time-of-flight mass spectrometry are presented to illustrate the potential for increased selectivity, analyte detection sensitivity, and mass measurement accuracy.
An Experiential Learning Activity Demonstrating Normal and Phobic Anxiety

This article describes an activity for an undergraduate abnormal psychology course that used student-generated data to illustrate normal versus clinically significant anxiety responses related to specific phobias. Students (N = 37) viewed 14 images of low- or high-anxiety valence and rated their subjective response to each. Discussion in a subsequent class focused on differentiating normal from pathological fear and the theory of predisposed, evolution-linked phobias. Students indicated the exercise was interesting and contributed to their understanding of specific and social phobias.
Inventory and Assessment of Denver, Colorado: Curb and Gutters

The City and County of Denver (CCD) and the University of Colorado Denver have been involved in cooperative research since 1997. Although a variety of projects have been completed, the main deliverable has been a comprehensive geographic information system database containing both major and minor infrastructure. Major infrastructure includes assets such as bridges and streets, while minor infrastructure includes alleys and street subsystems, such as curbs, gutters, inlets, sidewalks, driveways, cross-pans, and handicap ramps. This paper presents the equipment, methodology, results, and applications based on the inventory and analysis of the CCD’s concrete curb and gutter infrastructure. In summary, approximately 3,300 lineal mi (5,280 km) of curb and gutter were inventoried and inspected over a period of three years at a cost to the CCD of approximately $100 per mile.
Power System Harmonic State Estimation and Observability Analysis via Sparsity Maximization

Harmonic state estimation (HSE) is used to locate harmonic sources and estimate harmonic distributions in power transmission networks. When only a limited number of harmonic meters are available, existing HSE methods have limited effectiveness due to observability problems. This paper describes a new system-wide harmonic state estimator that can reliably identify harmonic sources using fewer meters than unknown state variables. Note there are only a small number of simultaneous harmonic sources among the suspicious buses. Traditional observability analysis is extended to general underdetermined estimation when considering the sparsity of state variables. It is shown that the underdetermined HSE can become observable with proper measurement arrangements by applying the sparsity of state variables. The HSE is formulated as a constrained sparsity maximization problem based on L1-norm minimization. It can be solved efficiently by an equivalent linear programming. Numerical experiments are conducted in the IEEE 14-bus power system to test the proposed method. The underdetermined system contains nine meters and 13 suspicious buses. The results show that the proposed sparsity maximization approach can reliably identify harmonic sources in the presence of measurement noises, model parameter deviations, and small nonzero injections
A novel acoustic simulation of cochlear implant hearing: effects of temporal fine structure

Acoustic simulations of cochlear implant signal processing have been widely used to determine the upper bounds on speech perception using these devices. These simulations assume that the only temporal information delivered to the inner ear is the envelope of the signal and that spectral cues, determined by the number of channels present, are the primary determinant of speech perception ability. While highly informative, such simulations fail to explain open-set speech perception obtained by some patients who received single channel implants as young children. In addition, some implant recipients enjoy and appreciate music to an extent not possible if envelope is the sole source of temporal information. A novel acoustic simulation algorithm is described which allows varying the degree to which temporal fine structure is delivered to the cochlea. Use of this algorithm demonstrates that while high levels of speech perception in quiet can be provided with only six channels of envelope, inclusion of even small amounts of temporal fine structure dramatically improves perception of speech in noise, timbre and melody.
Sulfhydryl compounds in melanocytes of yellow (Ay/a), nonagouti (a/a), and agouti (A/A) mice.

ABSTRACT Cleffmann (1953, 1963a,b) has reported that yellow but not black melanocytes of agouti ( A/A ) rabbits contained reducing sulfhydryl compounds. We have attempted to repeat Cleffmann9s observations in mouse melanocytes of the lethal yellow ( A y /a ), nonagouti ( a/a ) and agouti ( A/A ) genotypes. Our results contradict those of Cleffmann and reveal that yellow and black melanocytes, regardless of genotype, possess equivalent amounts of histochemically detectable sulfhydryl compounds. These results do not support the hypothesis that agouti-locus genes act by controlling the sulfhydryl metabolism of pigment cells.
Multiple window time-varying spectral analysis

A multiwindow method for generating a time-varying spectrum of nonstationary signals is presented The time-varying spectrum is computed from an optimally weighted average of multiple orthogonal windowed spectrograms. The weights are determined using linear least squares estimation with respect to a reference time-frequency distribution. Examples are provided, with performance criteria measures, to demonstrate and quantify the effectiveness of the method.
Thrombospondin-4 regulates fibrosis and remodeling of the myocardium in response to pressure overload

Thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) expression increases dramatically in hypertrophic and failing hearts in rodent models and in humans. The aim of this study was to address the function of TSP-4 in the heart. TSP-4-knockout (Thbs4−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to increase left ventricle load. After 2 wk, Thbs4−/− mice had a significantly higher heart weight/body weight ratio than WT mice. The additional increase in the heart weight in TAC Thbs4−/− mice was due to increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The levels of interstitial collagens were higher in the knockout mice, but the size of cardiomyocytes and apoptosis in the myocardium was unaffected by TSP-4 deficiency, suggesting that increased reactive fibrosis was the primary cause of the higher heart weight. The increased ECM deposition in Thbs4−/− mice was accompanied by changes in functional parameters of the heart and decreased vessel density. The expression of inflammatory and fibrotic genes kn...
Linker Insertion Mutations in the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 UL28 Gene: Effects on UL28 Interaction with UL15 and UL33 and Identification of a Second-Site Mutation in the UL15 Gene That Suppresses a Lethal UL28 Mutation

The UL28 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of seven viral proteins required for the cleavage and packaging of viral DNA. Previous results indicated that UL28 interacts with UL15 and UL33 to form a protein complex (terminase) that is presumed to cleave concatemeric DNA into genome lengths. In order to define the functional domains of UL28 that are important for DNA cleavage/packaging, we constructed a series of HSV-1 mutants with linker insertion and nonsense mutations in UL28. Insertions that blocked DNA cleavage and packaging were found to be located in two regions of UL28: the first between amino acids 200 to 400 and the second between amino acids 600 to 740. Insertions located in the N terminus or in a region located between amino acids 400 and 600 did not affect virus replication. Insertions in the carboxyl terminus of the UL28 protein were found to interfere with the interaction of UL28 with UL33. In contrast, all of the UL28 insertion mutants were found to interact with UL15 but the interaction was reduced with mutants that failed to react with UL33. Together, these observations were consistent with previous conclusions that UL15 and UL33 interact directly with UL28 but interact only indirectly with each other. Revertant viruses that formed plaques on Vero cells were detected for one of the lethal UL28 insertion mutants. DNA sequence analysis, in combination with genetic complementation assays, demonstrated that a second-site mutation in the UL15 gene restored the ability of the revertant to cleave and package viral DNA. The isolation of an intergenic suppressor mutant provides direct genetic evidence of an association between the UL28 and UL15 proteins and demonstrates that this association is essential for DNA cleavage and packaging.
A Technology Survey of Emergency Recovery and Flight Termination Systems for UAS

For safe flight in the National Airspace System (NAS), either under the current interim rules or under anticipated longer-term regulatory guidelines facilitating unmanned aircraft system (UAS) access to the NAS, the UAS must incorporate technologies and flight procedures to ensure that neither people nor property in the air, on the ground, or on or in the water are endangered by the failure of an onboard component, by inappropriate unmanned aircraft (UA) response to pilot commands, or by inadvertent entry by the UA into prohibited airspace. The aircraft must be equipped with emergency recovery (ER) procedures and technologies that ensure that in the event of such a failure that the UA is recovered intact with minimal risk to other aircraft, people, or property. Finally, should ER procedures prove ineffective and it is impossible to recover the UA, the pilot-in-command and/or the UAS may engage flight termination (FT) procedures-activities to ensure that the UA is safely destroyed (should the UA be so equipped) or immediately grounded. Together ER and FT are referred to as emergency recovery and flight termination (ERFT). This paper presents a technology survey of ERFT technologies and procedures as applied toward unmanned aircraft.
Innate Immune Receptor Expression in Peri-Implant Tissues of Patients With Different Susceptibility to Periodontal Diseases

Background: Although inflammation mediates the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, the effects of innate immune responses on implant therapies have not been evaluated. Innate immune receptors, including toll-like-receptors (TLRs) and the receptor for advanced glycated end-products (RAGE), are upregulated within inflamed gingiva and are responsible for initiation of detrimental host responses. The aim of this study is to compare the expression of TLR2, TLR4, and RAGE in gingival tissues from participants susceptible to periodontitis and participants not susceptible to periodontitis before and after implant therapy.Methods: Periodontally healthy participants received implant therapy for non-periodontal edentulism. Participants susceptible to periodontitis were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis prior to implant therapy. Gingival biopsies were collected from edentulous ridges before implant installation and from peri-implant mucosa 2 months after treatment. Histology, real-time PCR, and Western blot were...
A hierarchical methodology to improve channel routing by pin permutation

A hierarchical pin permutation algorithm is presented which is used as a preprocessor of conventional channel routing algorithms. This algorithm determines the proper positions of permutable gates and cell terminals such that the results of the subsequent channel routing can be significantly improved. First, gates and terminals are interchanged to maximize the number of aligned terminal pairs and to reduce the channel density. Then, terminals that are not aligned are interchanged to remove cyclic constraints in the vertical constraint graph (VCG). Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm considerably reduces the number of tracks and vias. >
CALCIUM ACCUMULATION IN EGGS AND MANCAS OF ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE (ISOPODA: ONISCIDEA)

Abstract Oniscidean isopods brood the eggs in a fluid-filled marsupium, and embryos undergo prolonged lecithotrophic development. After sloughing of the vitelline membrane (second embryonic molt), the mancas remain in the marsupium for several more days before emerging as free-living juveniles. Calcium is required for cuticle mineralization in crustaceans, and the time-course of net calcium uptake during these early developmental stages is thus of interest. We studied calcium uptake during embryogenesis and manca development in Armadillidium vulgare using Ca microelectrodes and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total Ca increased approximately 17-fold during egg development, from 0.33 ± 0.12 nmol in Early Stage 1 eggs to 5.58 ± 2.73 nmol in Late Stage 2 eggs. However, the major period of uptake occurred after the second embryonic molt, with total Ca increasing rapidly to 197 ± 19.5 nmol per animal in Day 4 mancas; this represents a 35-fold increase from Late Stage 2 eggs. Mancas take up amaranth when c...
The Story of Seagram: The Step Transaction Doctrine on the Rocks

This chapter focuses on the Tax Court's 1995 Seagram opinion, which involved the tax consequences of events of 1981 in which Du Pont bested Seagram in a battle for control of Conoco, and Seagram ended up with a 20 percent interest in Du Pont as a consolation prize. Zelenak uses the Seagram litigation to tell two stories - of the development of the step transaction doctrine (a brooding omnipresence in the corporate income tax), and of the intertwined fates of Seagram and three generations of the Bronfman dynasty. In its discussion of the step transaction doctrine, the essay explains the two distinct aspects of the doctrine, and demonstrates the role the doctrine has played (and continues to play) in the evolutionary processes of the corporate income tax. The essay also describes two other tax issues - one involving Seagram's later disposition of its interest in Du Pont, and the other involving Du Pont's later disposition of Conoco - the origins of which trace back to the events of 1981. According to Zelenak, A professor planning a seminar on advanced problems in corporate taxation could do worse than devoting the entire semester to an examination of [the tax issues in the Seagram-Du Pont-Conoco saga]. This paper will be published as a chapter in a book entitled Business Tax Stories, to be published by Foundation Press later this year (2005).
Remapping the Border: Taxation, Territory, and (Trans) National Identity at the Mexico—Guatemala Border

This paper examines how rural communities on a clandestine road crossing the Mexico—Guatemala border stake claim over this route while delegitimizing state control. Each community delimits its control by erecting a cadena, or chain, across its section of the road, from which it levies tolls on cross-border contraband. The cadenas shape political, economic, and cultural geography by instituting a local sovereign system of morality, economy, and legality. As border residents reimagine and rematerialize the border by displacing it from the geopolitical line to their cadenas, they mark their claims to this space. In a region where the majority of border flows occur through clandestine routes, residents contest the power of the nation-state to determine the border, sovereignty, belonging, and transregional development. Simultaneously, however, residents' border practices mimetically reproduce the relation between territory, power, and identity. I argue that the margins of the state can be critical junctures fo...
Central Asia's Changing Agricultural Sectors: A Comparative Analysis of Transforming Commercial Practices

In Kazakhstan, food processors are pursuing vertical integration strategies to deal with chronic supply-chain problems. In Kyrgyzstan, by contrast, fruit and vegetable suppliers and processors have been able to develop commercial practices that support a transformation from managerial transactions to bargaining transactions.
Evaluation of Preemergence and POST-directed Herbicides on Rootstock Safety in Field-grown Almond Nursery Stock

Producers of fruit and nut tree nursery stock need effective weed control for maximum production of vigorous, high-grade planting material. Current weed practices include methyl bromide fumigation, preemergence herbicides, hand labor, and multiple tillage operations. As methyl bromide use is phased out due to air quality concerns, and fuel and labor costs continue to increase, herbicides are likely to become even more important for weed management in the nursery industry. Before new herbicides can be registered and used in stonefruit (Prunus sp.) tree nurseries, weed control efficacy and crop safety data are needed under local conditions. Eleven experiments were conducted from 2007 to 2011 in California tree nurseries to evaluate the crop safety of preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST-directed) applications of various herbicides on commonly grown peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus domestica), and peach/plum hybrid rootstocks budded to almond (Prunus dulcis) scions. Rootstocks grown from cuttings generally were more tolerant to herbicides than those grown from seed. Crop safety was adequate in seeded and vegetatively propagated rootstocks with oryzalin, pendimethalin, and isoxaben, all of which are labeled for use in tree nurseries. The unregistered herbicides, dithiopyr, rimsulfuron, oxyfluorfen, and foramsulfuron; as well as lower rates of indaziflam and penoxsulam; applied PRE and POSTdirected can provide good to excellent weed control in some stonefruit rootstocks. However, because slight crop injury was occasionally observed, additional work on application rates, timing, and method of application, especially on nonlabeled herbicides is needed before these materials can be considered for registration and broad scale use in tree nurseries.
The MAVEN EUVM model of solar spectral irradiance variability at Mars: Algorithms and results

Solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation is a primary energy input to the Mars atmosphere, causing ionization and driving photochemical processes above approximately 100 km. Because solar EUV radiation varies with wavelength and time, measurements must be spectrally resolved to accurately quantify its impact on the Mars atmosphere. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) EUV Monitor (EUVM) measures solar EUV irradiance incident on the Mars atmosphere in three bands. These three bands drive a spectral irradiance variability model called the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM)-Mars (FISM-M) which is an iteration of the FISM model by Chamberlin et al. (2007, 2008) for spectral irradiance at Earth. In this paper, we report the algorithms used to derive FISM-M and its associated uncertainties, focusing on differences from the original FISM. FISM-M spectrally resolves the solar EUV irradiance at Mars from 0.5 to 189.5 nm at 1min cadence, and 0.1 nm resolution in the 6–106 nm range or 1 nm resolution otherwise. FISM-M is suitable for both daily average and flaring spectral irradiance estimates and is based on the linear association of the broadband EUVM measurements with spectral irradiance measurements, including recent high time cadence 0.1 nm resolution measurements from the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) on the Space Dynamics Observatory (SDO) between 6 and 106 nm. In addition, we present examples of model outputs for EUV irradiance variability due to solar flares, solar rotations, Mars orbit eccentricity, and the solar cycle, between October 2015 and November 2016.
Sampled-Data Decentralized Controller Design 1

Abstract The H∞-norm-bounding controller design problem is solved for decentralized sampled-data controllers. The sampled-data controller design problem is posed as the limit of a sequence of two-rate digital controller design problems. Each two-rate controller design bounds the discrete-time H∞ norm of a system with disturbance and regulated-output variables sampled between control sampling instances. For the limiting controller, the continuous-time H∞ norm is bounded. Analytical expressions are derived for the controller and observer gains and design equations, and numerical schemes are presented for the solution of the equations.
Importance of temporal changes in myocardial strain in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Strain imaging is a sensitive marker of myocardial dysfunction and may be underused in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). We present a case of biventricular TC in which early improvement in left ventricular longitudinal strain predated subsequent improvement in ejection fraction. Early temporal patterns of strain of the left and right ventricles have not previously been described in TC. Our case illustrates how strain can be a sensitive marker for myocardial dysfunction and recovery in TC. Increased use of strain in TC may have further implications on prognosis and management.
Sexual orientation disparities in prescription drug misuse among a nationally representative sample of adolescents: Prevalence and correlates

Abstract Objective Sexual minority adolescents (SMA) may be at disproportionate risk for misusing prescription psychotropic medications compared to their heterosexual peers. However, generalizable studies specific to this age group are lacking. The current study aimed to describe the prevalence of sexual orientation disparities in prescription drug misuse among a nationally representative sample of adolescents as well as to examine key correlates of misuse. Method Using data from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we conducted stepwise multivariable weighted logistic regressions, sequentially controlling for demographics, experiences of victimization, mental health, and other illicit substance use. Results Adjusting for grade and race/ethnicity, female SMA and gay and unsure males had significantly elevated odds of ever misusing a prescription drug compared to heterosexual adolescents (ORs from 1.7–2.5). Most sexual orientation disparities among females remained significant with the addition of victimization and mental health covariates but attenuated completely after controlling for other illicit drug use. The effect for unsure males attenuated when victimization variables were included, but the effect for gay males remained significant through the final model. Controlling for other illicit drug use, mental health variables remained significant correlates for females whereas only forced sex was significant for males. Conclusion These results suggest experiences of victimization and mental health partially account for the disparities in prescription drug misuse between SMA and heterosexual adolescents, and their effects may differ by sex. A combination of structural, individual coping, and universal drug prevention approaches should be used to make the largest impact on reducing these disparities.
In vivo measurement of bone manganese and association with manual dexterity: A pilot study

We used neutron activation analysis (NAA) to measure hand bone manganese (BnMn) in 19 adult males. Median BnMn was 0.89µg/g dry bone (interquartile range = 1.07). After adjustment for age and occupation, higher ln(BnMn) was significantly associated with lower manual dexterity based on the Purdue Pegboard assembly task: β = -1.77, standard error = 0.79, p = 0.04. Due to the small sample size, these results should be interpreted cautiously. BnMn appears to be a promising biomarker, and should be further studied.
Synthesis and Characterization of Radiopaque Shape Memory Polymers

An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured cerebral aneurysm [1]. If left untreated, these aneurysms can rupture and to lead to severe brain function impairment or even death. Shape memory polymer (SMP) foams have been proposed for use to optimize endovascular embolization in place of current embolization devices [2,3].SMPs are capable of actuating from a programmed secondary geometry to their expanded primary geometry in response to a stimulus, such as body temperature [4]. The expanded foam geometry provides an interface for embolization of the aneurysm to occur, however, treatment with these devices has limited visibility under fluoroscopy.Previous work by Hasan et al. increased radiopacity through the incorporation of tungsten (W) nanoparticles. These composite foams showed successful x-ray visibility, but aggregate disruption of the SMP matrix led to decreased mechanical properties [5].This work addresses limitations of composite SMP foams, namely toughness, by chemically incorporating x-ray visible monomers, such as the triodobenzene containing monomer, 5-Amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid (AT), into the material composition. These materials enable contrast agent loading without disrupting the polymer matrix. This polymer foam system was characterized to determine the clinical relevance of the improved radiopaque SMP foam for occlusion devices.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
Assessment of skeletal maturity

Assessment of skeletal maturity and estimation of the remaining growth of the femur and tibia are essential when treating a child or adolescent with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Injury to the physis during ACL reconstruction during femoral or tibial tunnel drilling may lead to leg length discrepancy or angular deformity. Therefore the treating orthopedic surgeon must have an appropriate understanding of the skeletal age and physiologic age of the patient and the amount of growth remaining at the knee. This information will help direct the most felicitous graft choice and treatment technique. This chapter will discuss the current concepts regarding the various ways to determine skeletal maturity and the amount of skeletal growth remaining.
The acoustics of therapeutic subjectivity and their impact on the resonance of mutual recognition

This paper addresses how musical metaphors can be useful in understanding the substructure of psychotherapy by considering how our patients resonate inside us, what that resonance does to and for us, and how these acoustic properties seem to be foundational in the construction of the therapist as an instrument of healing. From this perspective, psychotherapy involves "living music" with another person, as the process of psychotherapy always involves the passing of sound back and forth across an interpersonal divide. This requires both psychotherapist and patient to step into the roles of performer and audience member. Additionally, psychotherapists can be meaningfully thought of not only as an "instrument" of healing, but also an "instrumentalist" who produces unique "therapeutic music." Moreover, the patient and therapist cocreate the concert space in which treatment is performed. This concert space has unique "architectural," and thus acoustic, properties within which we hear and remember one another.
Developing Readers: Understanding Concept of Word in Text Development in Emergent Readers.

A child’s ability to fingerpoint accurately to words while reading aloud a memorized text showcases his/her development of concept of word in text. This ability demonstrates the extent to which key early literacy skills are integrated (e.g., alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness). Research indicates that attaining a concept of word in text is a watershed literacy event that allows a reader to more readily acquire a store of sight words. Concept of word in text develops in a predictable fashion, progressing in three stages: developing, rudimentary, and firm. During the kindergarten year, teachers can foster children’s development of concept of word in text in order to accelerate children’s literacy learning. This article provides instructional suggestions that teachers can use to support this development.
A Survey of Approaches to Teaching Reading to Visually Impaired Students in Residential Schools

A survey of 44 residential schools for the visually impaired indicated that the most widely used approach for teaching reading is the basal reader approach, the most prevalent standardized achievem...