cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Piscine Polemics: Small Tropical Fish Species as Models for Aging Research

Abstract The study of aging to date has focused on relatively few animal models, with round worms, flies, and rodents dominating the research landscape. Fish represent the largest class of vertebrates with longevities that span from months to centuries, yet little has been reported on the aging of any of these species. We review available information on several small tropical fish that have been used for gerontology research, including guppy, medaka, killifish, and zebrafish. Their longevities and aging characteristics have been described, and they have been used for studies on environmental manipulations that increase longevity including caloric restriction and temperature reduction, as well as to generate genetic models of accelerated aging. They have also served as valuable models for the emerging field of tissue regeneration and as an in vivo assay system for drug discovery research. Killifish has recently reemerged as an aging model promoted by its extremely short life span, though the species may be well suited for diapause and cancer research. Zebrafish have become a mainstay for nearly every biological discipline except gerontology. Driven largely by zebrafish biologists, the scientific tools and resources that are now available for several small tropical fish should allow them to better compete with invertebrates and rodents as models for aging research.
Intent-driven composition of resource-management SDN applications

As software-defined networking deployments mature, operators need to manage and compose multiple resource-management applications, such as traffic engineering and service chaining. Today such applications' resource management algorithms run separately and composition approaches are output-driven, e.g., running each application on a statically provisioned slice of the network and then combining the flow rules output for each slice. Such approaches result in inefficient resource utilization and unfairness. Instead, we argue for intent-driven composition, where a unified resource optimization formulation is composed from applications' high-level intents and the solution to this problem formulation is realized in the network. We design Chopin1, an intent-driven framework for composing SDN resource-management applications. Chopin's design addresses key robustness challenges with regard to efficiency and fairness that arise in realizing such an intent-driven approach. We have integrated Chopin with the ONOS controller and show that it substantially improves efficiency and fairness over existing composition approaches.
Deception, Materiality, and Survey Research: Some Lessons from Kraft:

The author presents a response to a review by Jacoby and Szybillo (1995) of two empirical studies offered as evidence in Federal Trade Commission v. Kraft, Inc. (1991). He reviews the rationale for...
The community structure of functional brain networks exhibits scale-specific patterns of inter- and intra-subject variability.

Abstract The network organization of the human brain varies across individuals, changes with development and aging, and differs in disease. Discovering the major dimensions along which this variability is displayed remains a central goal of both neuroscience and clinical medicine. Such efforts can be usefully framed within the context of the brain's modular network organization, which can be assessed quantitatively using powerful computational techniques and extended for the purposes of multi-scale analysis, dimensionality reduction, and biomarker generation. Though the concept of modularity and its utility in describing brain network organization is clear, principled methods for comparing multi-scale communities across individuals and time are surprisingly lacking. Here, we present a method that uses multi-layer networks to simultaneously discover the modular structure of many subjects at once. This method builds upon the well-known multi-layer modularity maximization technique, and provides a viable and principled tool for studying differences in network communities across individuals and within individuals across time. We test this method on two datasets and identify consistent patterns of inter-subject community variability, demonstrating that this variability – which would be undetectable using past approaches – is associated with measures of cognitive performance. In general, the multi-layer, multi-subject framework proposed here represents an advancement over current approaches by straighforwardly mapping community assignments across subjects and holds promise for future investigations of inter-subject community variation in clinical populations or as a result of task constraints.
Role of Surgery in Locally Recurrent and Metastatic Renal Cancer

Locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma following either partial or radical nephrectomy presents a complex set of technical and therapeutic challenges to clinicians. That there is a role for aggressive surgical resection in these clinical scenarios is clear. Retrospective evidence demonstrates the feasibility of salvage surgery and the potential benefit to oncologic outcomes. However, clear trade-offs exist between the possible oncologic benefits of surgical extirpation and the high-risk nature of salvage renal surgery. Similarly, local recurrence following primary ablative therapy can be challenging to diagnose on cross-sectional imaging, and salvage surgery is technically demanding. Verification of local recurrence in this situation is critical prior to embarking upon surgical intervention. Additionally, metastatic disease presents unique and complex challenges of its own. Metastasectomy has been demonstrated to have a role in the management of these patients but again must be undertaken with a clear understanding of the risks of surgery. Several retrospective series have demonstrated excellent survival in well-selected patients undergoing surgical management of metastatic disease. Broadly speaking, appropriate patient selection and risk evaluation are paramount to successful surgical management of both locally recurrent disease and metastatic disease. As the contemporary era of targeted therapy and immunotherapy continues to evolve, further evaluation of the role and timing of surgery will be necessary to infer meaningful standards of care.
Effect of intrauterine marijuana exposure on fetal growth patterns and placental vascular resistance

The recent legalization of marijuana has increased overall use, including in pregnancy. Studies have previously associated marijuana use with adverse fetal neurodevelopmental outcomes. We sought to...
Temperature Imaging in an Unsteady Propane-Air Counterflow Diffusion Flame Subjected to Low Frequency Oscillations

Current emphasis in non-premixed turbulent combustion research is focused on the effects of hydrodynamic unsteadiness and transient effects in these flames. To address these effects, measurements of the temperature field in unsteady propane-air flames were made using planar laser-induced fluorescence of the hydroxyl radical to ascertain the effect of fluctuating hydrodynamics on flame temperature. Planar temperature measurements were made at four temporal locations within the 25 Hz velocity fluctuation as a function of initial steady strain rate and forcing amplitude. Results show that temperature in the propane flame is rather insensitive to initial strain rate for these weakly strained flames due to the balance between decreased heat release rate and reduced radiative losses resulting from diminished soot production as the strain rate is increased. The temperature is significantly influenced by the imposed velocity oscillation, however, which causes large fluctuations in the instantaneous strain rate. A decoupling of peak flame temperature and maximum PAH and excited CH concentration indicates significant transient effects resulting from the unsteady flow field even at these low oscillation frequencies.
Religious Exemptions As Rational Social Policy

In its 1963 decision Sherbert v. Verner, the Supreme Court interpreted the Free Exercise Clause to permit religious exemptions from general laws that incidentally burdened religious practice. Sherbert, in theory, provided stringent protections for religious freedom. But those protections came at a price. Religious adherents could secure exemptions even if they had no evidence the laws they challenged unfairly targeted their religious conduct. And they could thereby undermine the policy objectives those laws sought to achieve. Because of such policy concerns, the Court progressively restricted the availability of religious exemptions. In its 1990 decision Employment Division v. Smith, the Court then abandoned the Sherbert regime altogether. Incidental burdens would no longer suffice for Free Exercise exemptions. Instead, Smith predicated future exemptions on litigants’ showing that laws unfairly targeted religious practice or granted exemptions to secular entities that were arbitrarily withheld from religious comparators. Smith’s revision, this Article contends, subtly but profoundly changed how public policy interacts with the Free Exercise Clause. Smith created a world in which religious exemptions often promote, rather than impede, rational policy. Smith’s framework helps detect laws that are rooted in animus, rather than reason, or that impede their own efficacy with gratuitous secular exemptions. Applying that insight to recent religious liberty litigation contesting coronavirus lockdowns, this Article contends that many of those suits made state responses to COVID-19 more rational. Despite the scholarly criticism religious litigants endured, their suits exposed both irrational over-enforcement of lockdown measures against religious entities and irrational under-enforcement of those measures against their secular counterparts.
Policies to solve the salt problem.

Abstract Diets high in sodium have long been known to raise blood pressure, which, in turn, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Though authoritative recommendations have been made in the past several decades for federal policies and programs to reduce sodium consumption, measures adopted to date have not been effective. We recommend a comprehensive public health approach to reduce sodium in the food supply and prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths and billions of dollars in health-care costs each year.
Teleology and nous in plotinus’s ennead VI.7

In this paper, I argue that Plotinus’s critique of divine deliberation in Ennead VI.7 does not seek to banish teleology altogether from his philosophy of nature. Rather, his critique aims to situate teleology within his own metaphysical system so as to reconcile it with the basic principles governing the intelligible universe. In this sense, Plotinus does not propose that we expunge all reference to notions of utility and benefit from our natural explanations; he merely wishes to render those notions coherent with an ontology in which the intelligible always takes precedence over sensible reality. To this end, Plotinus introduces, first, what I call a vertical teleology, where the different animal species create the necessary conditions for the maintenance of higher forms of intelligible life, such as genera. Second, Plotinus advances what I call a horizontal teleology, where the various animal organs serve to provide a minimal coefficient of noetic content to each species in its respective ontic level. Plotinus thus sketches the outlines of a properly ‘noetic’ teleology in Ennead VI.7.
Insular excitatory-inhibitory balance and amplification of functional connectivity during sustained pressure pain is associated with hyperalgesia and temporal summation in chronic pain

Chronic pain is characterized by hyperalgesia and heightened temporal summation of pain, however, the brain mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain understudied. We sought to understand the relationship of hyperalgesia and temporal summation with the balance between basal excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission (E-I balance) and brain functional connectivity during sustained pressure pain. Sixty-four females with Fibromyalgia (FM, age=43±11, M±SD) and 19 controls (age=42±16) were recruited for the study. Brain imaging included proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to measure Glutamate+Glutamine (Glx) and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the right anterior insula (aINS), followed by individually calibrated 6-minute tonic pressure pain (PAIN) over the left leg (40/100 pain). Pain ratings were obtained for initial, middle, and final 2-minutes of PAIN. Temporal Summation Index (TSI) was calculated as ((Final/Initial Rating)/mmHg) x 100. aINS E-I balance was calculated as Glx/GABA ratio. Functional connectivity amplification of the primary somatosensory cortical representation of the leg (S1leg) was calculated as the contrast between the final 2 minutes of PAIN versus the initial 2 minutes of PAIN (final-initial). FM patients required lower pressure (p=0.0002) but reported higher TSI (p=0.0031) relative to controls. In FM, TSI was associated with clinical pain (r=0.47). During PAIN, FM showed amplified S1leg-aINS connectivity, and this amplification was associated with clinical pain (r=0.44), TSI (r=0.34), and cuff pressure (r=-0.37). aINS E-I balance was also associated with cuff pressure (r=-0.34) and S1leg-aINS connectivity (r=0.29) in FM. Mediation analysis showed that the effect of aINS E-I balance on clinical pain was serially mediated by cuff pressure and amplification of S1leg-aINS connectivity (indirect effect, β=0.053, BootSE=0.027, BootCI=[0.005, 0.114]). Mechanistically, in chronic pain, greater basal aINS excitability (E-I balance) necessitates lower pressure to achieve target experimental pain, resulting in greater amplification of S1leg and aINS communication during tonic experimental pain. This project was supported by R01AT007550 (NIH-NCCIH) awarded to R. E. Harris and V. Napadow and F99DK126121 (NIH-NIDDK) training grant awarded to I. Mawla.
A system dynamics framework for mechanistic analysis of flexible pavement systems under moisture variations

Abstract The infiltration of water in pavement layers due to heavy precipitation, snow melting, surface water flow, or ground water fluctuation can lead to a substantial change in pavement performance under traffic loading. The extent of this change depends on several complex and interdependent factors such as climatic and mechanical stressors, hydro-geological material properties, and traffic loads. Due to a very large number of variables and their interdependencies, a system dynamics approach can holistically capture all significant variables and provide a tool to study and visualize governing factors and their effects on pavement response under variable initial and boundary conditions. The objective of this study is to develop and program a system dynamics model (SDM) to study the performance of pavement systems under extreme moisture variations in real time. The application of the model is illustrated by evaluating surface deflection of a conventional flexible pavement system with hypothetical material and precipitation conditions. A parametric study was also conducted to illustrate the capability of the proposed SDM to simulate moisture movement in subsurface and estimate pavement performance at variable initial conditions in real time. Results demonstrated that the pavements weakened through water infiltration may suffer a considerably high surface deflection. This indicated that the proposed SDM can be potentially used for load restriction decision making which results in provision of safe traffic passage as well as preservation of pavements’ structure during extreme climatic events.
Aerial Vehicle Trajectory Design for Task Aggregation

In this demo, an optimal design method for generating a flight path passing through specified waypoints while satisfying the task points sent by the ground base station is proposed. Each specified waypoint is reached exactly at the specified location and time while intermediate waypoints are generated in such a way that they satisfy the task points with high task priority and high QoS priority. Generated waypoints are points from where imagery data of the task points are collected and taking into consideration factors such as task points' priorities, sensory capability and deviation required from the shortest path to satisfy that waypoint aggregates these task points. In this demo paper, we demonstrate the procedure for 4D flight trajectory generation, by taking the velocities, maneuverability of the aerial vehicle into consideration while ensuring that the vehicle avoids no-fly zones.
Local bifurcation theory for thermoelastic Bravais lattices

Some weak first order phase transitions encountered in shape-memory alloys seem to occur near bifurcations which are not actually observed. Being curious about the nature of these in particular, I began to think about the nature of all the bifurcation patterns predicted by the theory of thermoelastic Bravais lattices. Presented here are local characterizations of the most likely patterns near a bifurcation.
Properties of Synchrotron Radiation

Synchrotron radiation has several important properties including: 1. High intensity 2. Broad spectral range 3. High polarization 4. Pulsed time structure 5. Natural collimation In addition, synchrotron radiation produced by storage rings (rather than synchrotrons) offers: 6. High-vacuum environment 7 Small-source-spot size 8. Stability
Axon routing across the midline controlled by the Drosophila Derailed receptor

In nervous systems with symmetry about the midline, many neurons project axons from one side to the other. Although several of the components controlling midline crossing have been identified1,2,3,4, little is known about how axons choose the appropriate pathway when crossing. For example, in the Drosophila embryo axons cross the midline in one of two distinct tracts, the anterior or posterior commissure (AC or PC, respectively). Here we show that the Derailed (Drl) receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed by neurons that project in the AC, and that in the absence of Drl such neurons often project abnormally into the PC. Conversely, misexpression of Drl in PC neurons forces them to cross in the AC. The behaviour of Drl-misexpressing neurons and the in vivo binding pattern of a soluble Drl receptor probe indicate that Drl acts as a guidance receptor for a repellent ligand present in the PC. Our results show that Drl is a novel component in the control of midline crossing.
Modification Of The Standard ∈-Equation For The Stable Abl Through Enforced Consistency With Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory

A condition is derived for consistency of the standard∈-equation with Monin–Obukhov (MO) similarity theory of thestably-stratified surface layer. The condition is derivedby extending the procedure used to derive the analogous condition forneutral theory to stable stratification. It is shown that consistencywith MO theory requires a function of flux Richardson number, Rif, to be absorbed into either of two closure parameters, c∈ 1 or c∈ 2.Inconsistency, on the other hand, results if constant values of these are maintained for all Rif, as is done in standardapplication of the equation, and the large overpredictions ofturbulence found in such application to the one-dimensionalstable atmospheric boundary layer (1D-SBL) are traced to thisinconsistency. Guided by this, we formulate a MO-consistent∈-equation by absorbing the aforementioned function intoc∈ 1, and combine this with a Level-2.5 second-orderclosure model for vertical eddy viscosity and diffusivities.Numerical predictions of the 1D-SBL by the modified model converge to a quasi-steady state, rectifying the predictive failure of the standard∈ -equation for the case.Quasi-steady predictions of non-dimensional variables agree stronglywith Nieuwstadt's theory. Qualitative accuracy of predictionsis inferred from comparisons to field data, large-eddy simulationresults and Rossby-number similarity relationships.
SHetA2 targets cyclin D1 for proteasomal degradation through a GSK3β-independent mechanism leading to G1 cell cycle arrest.

A116 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Flexible Heteroarotinoids (Flex-Hets) are promising chemoprevention drugs that regulate growth, differentiation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. SHetA2 was chosen as the lead Flex-Het compound because it induced the highest level of growth inhibition against a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines with reduced effects against normal cells. Induction of apoptosis was shown to contribute to the SHetA2 mechanism of cancer cell growth inhibition. The aim of this project was to investigate whether cell cycle arrest also contributes to SHetA2 growth inhibition in ovarian cancer cell lines. HYPOTHESIS: SHetA2 induces cell cycle arrest by altering specific cell cycle regulatory proteins. METHODS: The proteasomal inhibitor MG132 and GSK3β inhibitors were used to treat ovarian cancer cell lines, A2780 and SK-0V-3 in the presence or absence of SHetA2. The cell cycle profile was determined using Flow cytometry with PI staining. Western blots analysis was used to investigate expression of cyclin D1, Cyclin E2, p21, GSK3β and the phosphorylation of cyclin D1 and GSK3β. Cyclin D1 mRNA expression was quantified by real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: SHetA2 induced G0-G1 cell cycle arrest in a time-dependent and dose-responsive manner. This G0-G1 arrest was transient and fully reversible 48 hours after the drug was removed. Of the G0-G1 proteins examined, only cyclin D1 protein levels were significantly altered, with the protein disappearing from the nucleus earlier than in the cytoplasm. Cyclin D1 was also reduced at the mRNA level. MG132 blocked the G0-G1 cell cycle arrest and cyclin D1 degradation. Although SHetA2 increased cyclin D1 Thr286 phosphorylation in the ovarian cancer cell lines, GSK3β inhibitors did not abrogate the effects of SHetA2-induced cell cycle arrest and cyclin D1 degradation. Instead, SHetA2 inactivated GSK3β by phosphorylating the protein at Ser9. CONCLUSIONS: SHetA2 induced G0-G1 cell cycle arrest is dependent on proteasomal degradation of cyclin D1 through classical cyclin D1 Thr286 phosphorylation, and proteasomal degradation. Ubiquitination is implicated in the mechanism. Our data agrees with current findings that question the role of GSK3β mediated cyclin D1 degradation. Ongoing studies are being conducted to investigate the mechanism of SHetA2 inhibition of Cyclin D1 mRNA expression and the kinase involved in cyclin D1 phosphorylation. Cyclin D1 is rate limiting for cell cycle progression through G1 and its overexpression has been implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor growth, making cyclin D1 an important chemotherapeutic target.
Antihypertensive medications and C-reactive protein in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Background The effects of different antihypertensive medication classes on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are still not well characterized, and might be of relevance to treatment choices. Methods We studied the association between antihypertensive medication class and CRP levels among participants with treated hypertension in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. We performed a cross-sectional study of hypertensive participants free of clinical cardiovascular disease who were taking one or more of the following medication classes: β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ARB). Results Among 2340 participants taking one or more antihypertensive medications, the mean serum CRP level was lower among participants taking a β-blocker than among those not taking a β-blocker (2.13 v 2.54 mg/L, P = .002). This difference persisted after multivariate adjustment ( P = .021). There were no other statistically significant differences in multivariate models. Among 1314 participants receiving monotherapy, the multivariate adjusted mean CRP level among participants taking a β-blocker was lower (1.97 mg/L) than those taking a diuretic (2.72 mg/L, P P = .046). African-American race/ethnicity did not modify any of those relationships. Conclusions The β-blocker use was associated with lower CRP levels overall and among participants on monotherapy, whereas ACE inhibitor and ARB use was associated with lower CRP levels among participants on monotherapy. These findings warrant further evaluation in randomized trials.
Solution and flotation chemistry of enargite

The flotation characteristics of enargite have been investigated in a micro-flotation cell in which the solution potential was controlled using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium sulfide (Na2S). It was established that the oxidation–reduction potential of the flotation solution can have a pronounced influence on the flotation of enargite. Enargite displayed natural floatability under oxidizing conditions, and non-floatability under reducing conditions. In acidic solutions of pH<5.5, the hydrophobicty of enargite increased with increasing solution potential due to the formation of elemental sulfur on the mineral surface. However, in alkaline solutions, the hydrophobicity decreased with increasing solution potential due to the formation of CuO. The flotation of enargite was also studied in the presence of ethyl xanthate at pH 10.5. These results showed that enargite floated over a range of 0.2 V in the presence of xanthate. The floatability of the mineral increased with increasing solution potential due to the formation of cuprous xanthate and dixanthogen, then decreased with the decomposition of CuX to CuO under the influence of excess oxygen.
Membrane interactions of the synthetic N-terminal peptide of HIV-1 gp41 and its structural analogs.

Abstract Structural and functional studies assessed the membrane actions of the N terminus of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 000 (gp41). Earlier site-directed mutagenesis has shown that key amino acid changes in this gp41 domain inhibit viral infection and syncytia formation. Here, a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N terminus of gp41 (FP; 23 residues, 519–541), and also FP analogs (FP520V/E with Val→Glu at residue 520; FP527L/R with Leu→Arg at 527; FP529F/Y with Phe→Tyr at 529; and FPCLP1 with FP truncated at 525) incorporating these modifications were prepared. When added to human erythrocytes at physiologic pH, the lytic and aggregating activities of the FP analogs were much reduced over those with the wild-type FP. With resealed human erythrocyte ghosts, the lipid-mixing activities of the FP analogs were also substantially depressed over that with the wild-type FP. Combined with results from earlier studies, theoretical calculations using hydrophobic moment plot analysis and physical experiments using circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicate that the diminished lysis and fusion noted for FP analogs may be due to altered peptide-membrane lipid interactions. These data confirm that the N-terminal gp41 domain plays critical roles in the cytolysis and fusion underlying HIV-cell infection.
Simulation for pre-visualizing and tuning lighting controller behavior

Abstract We present a computer graphics simulation framework to pre-visualize and tune the parameters of an advanced lighting controller for a given illuminated environment. The objective is to show that the simulation framework makes it easy for a user to predict the controller's behavior and modify it with minimal effort. Our methodology involves off-line pre-computation of lightmaps created from photorealistic rendering of the scene in several basis lighting configurations, and the subsequent combination of these lightmaps in a video game engine. We demonstrate our framework in a series of experiments in a simulation of a conference room currently under physical construction, showing how the controller can be easily modified to explore different lighting behaviors and energy use tradeoffs. The result of each experiment is a computer-generated animation of the lighting in a room over time from a single viewpoint, accompanied by estimated measurements of source input, light sensor output, and energy usage. A secondary objective is to match the simulation as closely as possible to a real physical environment with physical electric light sources and sensors. We demonstrate this calibration in a highly controlled lighting research environment, showing how measurements of source and sensor specifications enable the output of the virtual sensors in the simulation to match the outputs of real sensors in the physical room when applying the same control law in both cases. Our research is aimed at both lighting designers seeking to quantitatively predict real-world controller behavior, and control algorithm researchers seeking to visualize results and explore design tradeoffs in realistic use cases. Furthermore, these simulation tools can aid in the benchmarking of candidate daylighting and lighting control algorithms for a given space.
The host response to anthrax lethal toxin: unexpected observations

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is believed to induce disease and death in humans in an endotoxic shock–like manner. A comprehensive study of the effects of anthrax toxin in mice demonstrates that toxin-induced death is mediated not by cytokine release, as previously thought, but by hypoxia-induced liver failure. The study strongly suggests that the therapies developed for treatment of cytokine-mediated septic shock will not be appropriate for the treatment of anthrax.
EXPERIPLAN an expert system that selects statistical analyses for research studies

EXPERIPLAN is a LISP program that selects and applies statistical analyses to experimental or observational research studies in medicine biology, education, and psychology. A research study is a proposed hypothesis describing the relationship between observed variables. It is based on observed characteristics (variables) of individual subjects. EXPERIPLAN selects an appropriate statistical analysis from the hypothesis and the variables' properties. It contains tutorial components that explain the analysis using the original hypothesis variables, and describe empirical relationships between variables. EXPERIPLAN contains information on 8 pre-defined variables (IO, Sex, Age, Education.,) and their empirical relationships. This knowledge base can be expanded and modified within the memory limits of the operating system. EXPERIPLAN uses this knowledge to advise researchers on the study's possible results. It also searches for controlling or matching variables to include in the study.
Predators and invasive plants affect performance of amphibian larvae

Exotic ecosystem engineers induce structural and qualitative habitat changes in invaded landscapes, yet studies rarely examine the effects of both of these changes on native taxa. We used a factorial experiment in natural, predator-containing environments to determine whether performance of amphibian larvae was affected by predators and/or changes in habitat structure or chemistry associated with the invasive shrub Lonicera maackii. Invertebrate predators significantly reduced survival of American toad Anaxyrus americanus larvae, whereas tadpole development was accelerated in pools inoculated with the chemical signature of L. maackii. The significant effect of L. maackii chemistry on A. americanus larvae suggests that invasive species may have non-intuitive effects even on native taxa with which they share no trophic connection, and may represent cryptic components of the multiple, interactive drivers of biodiversity change.
Locast H2flow: creative learning tool for participatory urbanism

This paper aims to show the contribution of participatory learning and co-design skills in making education more productive and personally fulfilling. The Locast H2flow Project is an educational learning experience for teenagers to develop an awareness of sustainable water usage in their community. The project incorporates the Locast platform as a tool for urban exploration, documentation, civic engagement, and ultimately participatory learning through technology. The Locast web and mobile application allows students to explore the issues surrounding water in their local context. This distributive approach further integrates the learning experience into the community through a hands-on workshop.
Mandibular Reconstruction Using Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing: An Analysis of Surgical Results

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy of virtual surgical planning in mandibular reconstruction. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study involving 8 consecutive patients reconstructed with nonvascularized iliac crest bone grafts and free fibula osteomyocutaneous flaps. DICOM data from a maxillofacial skeleton computed tomography (CT) scan were sent to a medical modeling company and used to map the mandibular resection, anatomically place the mandibular reconstruction plate, and create surgical guides. After surgery a postoperative CT compared the virtual plan to the surgical result. Linear measurements [2 transverse and 1 anterior-posterior (A-P)] were performed to determine if the virtual surgical result was achieved. The transverse measurements were made from the condylar head to condylar head and from the gonial angle to gonial angle. The A-P analysis was made by measuring a perpendicular line drawn from the anterior inferior mandibular border to the center point on the condylar head to condylar head measurement. Results The average surgical error in the A-P dimension for the iliac crest bone grafts and free fibula flap was 0.2 mm (range 0.0 mm to 0.7 mm) and 0.9 mm (range 0.2 mm to 1.9 mm), respectively. In the transverse dimension the average surgical error was 1.6 mm (range 0.7 mm to 2.4 mm) and 2.7 mm (range 1.9 mm to 4.5 mm) from condyle to condyle, and 1.7 mm (range 0.7 mm to 2.7 mm) and 2.5 mm (range 0.4 to 4.8 mm) from gonial angle to gonial angle. Conclusion The use of CAD-CAM (Medical Modeling, Golden, Colorado) technology for the fabrication of surgical resection guides and mandibular reconstruction plates resulted in an accurate surgical result.
Air pollution induces enhanced mitochondrial oxidative stress in cystic fibrosis airway epithelium

We studied the effects of airborne particulate matters (PM) on cystic fibrosis (CF) epithelium. We noted that PM enhanced human CF bronchial epithelial apoptosis, activated caspase-9 and PARP-1; and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondrial inhibitors (4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′disulfonic acid, rotenone and thenoyltrifluoroacetone) blocked PM-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. PM upregulated pro-apoptotic Bad, Bax, p53 and p21; and enhanced mitochondrial localization of Bax. The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Mcl-1 and Xiap remained unchanged; however, overexpression of Bcl-xl blocked PM-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, we provide the evidence that PM enhances oxidative stress and mitochondrial signaling mediated apoptosis via the modulation of Bcl family proteins in CF.
Interaction of a cytoplasmic factor with electron and ion transfer coupled functions of mitochondria

Abstract Intramitochondrial Mg2+ is labilized by uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation or by valinomycin. This effect of uncouplers and of valinomycin exhibits ADP dependence, while the Mg2+ labilizing action of valinomycin requires K+ also. A trace amount (∼ 10−6 M) of a purified cytoplasmic factor (CMF) prevents the induction of mitochondrial Mg2+ ejection by both uncouplers and valinomycin and simultaneously activates mitochondrial metabolism. Oxidizable substrates protect mitochondrial Mg2+ in a transient manner against labilization by uncouplers but not against valinomycin. It is concluded that the CMF-sensitive bound Mg2+ containing system of mitochondria regulates energy coupled electron and K+ transfer as an energy transducer.
AUTOMATIC PROCESS PLANNING AND OPTIMIZATION FOR A TURNING OPERATION

SUMMARY A computer based system that plans and optimizes the manufacture of components on automated machines is presented. The input to the system consists of information regarding the machining operations that are to be performed in the manufacture of the component. Utilizing this information the system selects a member from the set of automated machines that can perform the operations. It then selects tooling based upon the machine parameters and raw material characteristics. The optimum technology parameters are determined based upon the criterion of minimum time of manufacture. Cost and time values are calculated for the particular machine under consideration. If more than one machine is available in the set of machines that can perform the work, the system repeats the process for each machine. The output from the system consists of optimum technology parameters, tooling, costs, times, etc. for each machine. Thus, the optimum machine can also be selected. The output is then utilized to generate the ne...
High-Temperature Entropy and Specific Heat of Interacting Electrons in a Solid

The virial expansion for a fermion system is employed to derive an expression for the high-temperature entropy of electrons which interact according to the Hubbard Hamiltonian. The results are applied to an itinerant electron ferromagnet at temperatures well above the Curie temperature. In contrast with the results of the Stoner theory, a nonvanishing interaction contribution to the entropy and specific heat is obtained above ${T}_{C}$.
Infertility in central Africa.

Summary objectives To determine the prevalence and risk factors of primary and secondary infertility in the four Central African countries of Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic and Gabon. methods Primary infertility was approximated by the percentage of women childless after at least 5 years of marriage. The percentage with no birth at least 5 years subsequent to a previous birth was considered to have secondary infertility. Logistic regression and discrete logistic regression models were estimated to determine the risk factors of primary and secondary infertility, respectively. The relatively few women who were defined as infertile and reported using a traditional or modern method of contraception at survey date were considered fertile to reduce bias from falsely classifying effective contraceptive users as infertile. results The prevalence of infertility was highest in Central African Republic and lowest in Chad: primary infertility ranged from 6.9% to 3.1% and secondary infertility for women aged 20–44 years ranged from 26.5% to 18.9%. Women married more than once vs. only once and formerly married women vs. women living with their husbands had higher odds of primary and secondary infertility. Also, younger cohorts had relatively higher risks of primary (born after 1970) and secondary infertility (born after 1960) compared with women born before 1960. In contrast, place of residence, religion, education of wife or husband and socio-economic status were generally not associated with primary or secondary infertility. conclusions Infertility is still prevalent in Central Africa and new interventions aimed at reducing the incidence and social implications of pathologic infertility are needed.
Incidence of Avian Leukosis Virus Infection in Broiler Stocks and Its Effect on Early Growth

Abstract Twenty-eight broiler breeder flocks were tested for avian leukosis virus (ALV) group-specific (gs) antigen shedding into the albumen. The rate of shedding ranged from 0 to 17%, rates substantially lower than those observed previously in egg production stocks. The flock shedding at the highest rate was trapnested and dams positive and negative for gs antigen shedding in the albumen produced progeny for a growth trial. Chicks produced by the positive and negative dams had 27 and 1% ALV isolations from their meconia, respectively. Progeny of positive dams or chicks having virus in their meconia weighed 1 to 3% less at 4 and 7 weeks than progeny of negative dams. More infected chicks died or were runted by 7 weeks. Although the proportion of infected chicks and the lower weight gain is very small, the previously reported loss in breeder flock productivity and livability suggest broiler breeders should consider reducing ALV shedding in higher incidence female lines.
Enzymatically generated polyphenols as array-based metal-ion sensors

Abstract Phenolic polymers containing fluorescent reporter molecules were prepared via soybean hull peroxidase (SBP) catalysis, and used as metal-based sensor components. Specifically, we generated a variety of phenolic homopolymers containing p-cresol, p-phenylphenol, or p-methoxyphenol containing one of the two fluorophores: fluorescein and calcein. The fluorescence of the resulting polyphenols was dependent on the presence of metal ions, including Cu2+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, and Fe3+. The fluorescence response was dependent on both, the metal ion and the phenolic monomer used in polyphenol synthesis, indicating that significant control over the selectivity and sensitivity of metal sensing can be achieved by varying the components that comprise the phenolic polymer. In some cases, metal-ion concentrations as low as 10 μM can be analyzed. The broad reactivity of SBP toward phenolic monomers enables the use of a wide array of structures and chemistries that can assist in metal-ion detection.
Lattices of pseudovarieties

We consider the lattice of pseudovarieties contained in a given pseudovariety P. It is shown that if the lattice L of subpseudovarieties of P has finite height, then L is isomorphic to the lattice of subvarieties of a locally finite variety. Thus not every finite lattice is isomorphic to a lattice of subpseudovarieties. Moreover, the lattice of subpseudovarieties of P satisfies every positive universal sentence holding in all the lattices of subvarieties of varieties V(A) generated by algebras A€. P.
Cytologic-histologic correlation

The process of cytologic-histologic correlation is highly valuable to the fields of both cytopathology and surgical pathology, because correlation provides a wealth of data that may be used to improve diagnostic testing and screening processes. In this study, overall improvement appeared to be driven largely by improvement in preanalytic Papanicolaou (Pap) test sampling, because longer institutional participation also was associated with improved sampling sensitivity. The authors hypothesized that Pap test sampling may have improved secondary to the introduction of liquid-based technology, which was implemented in many laboratories during the study time frame. Through the performance of continuous data tracking and retrospective root cause analysis to identify factors that may have influenced any observed changes in performance indicators, institutions may learn which initiatives are successful or unsuccessful. The future of correlation lies in the standardization of methods, the development of more formal and rigorous root cause analysis processes to determine system components underlying correlation discrepancies, and the active use of correlation data to redesign testing and screening processes for quality and patient safety improvement.
Aerothermal Considerations for the Design of Two-Phase High Speed Impact Cleansers

An alternative method employed in industrial cleansing applications involves injecting liquid water in a flow of gaseous nitrogen and discharging the mixture through a converging-diverging nozzle onto the surface. This paper is an extension of a previous analysis, which was geared towards understanding the gas/liquid mixture dynamics through the nozzle. The analysis presented here takes into account the effect of the nozzle area ratio and is thus geared towards the nozzle designer and provides additional fundamental insight into the required geometry
Investigation of the role of tribofilms in self-mating CoCrMo systems utilizing a quartz crystal microtribometer

Abstract A new experimental device has been developed to investigate the properties of tribofilms as they occur in hip implants made from CoCrMo alloys. The device has the ability to detect small mass changes on the alloy surface and consists of CoCrMo alloy pins articulating against a quartz crystal that is sputter coated with the same CoCrMo alloy. The instrument not only measures normal and friction forces, but the quartz substrate also enables the in situ quantification of mass changes due to wear or tribofilm formation with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The functionality of the test rig is demonstrated in a pilot study with different testing fluids, and methods to pre-condition surfaces with a tribofilm-like material are described.
Relationship between concentrations of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and zinc in water, sediments, and aquatic macrophytes in six acidic lakes

Assessment of trace element behavior in a series of six clear-water acidic lakes in northwestern New Jersey indicated that, while there was considerable variation over time, in general, the most acidic lakes exhibited the highest water column concentrations of aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). Concentrations of Cd and Zn in the upper 2.5 cm of sediment from two of the most acidic sites were markedly lower than those from other lakes. Submerged species of aquatic macrophytes generally contained higher trace element levels than did floating-leafed species. Concentrations of Al and Pb were highest in specimens growing in the most acidic lakes. Pb:Zn ratios varied dramatically, with Pb levels greatly exceeding those of Zn in several species of macrophytes in highly acidic Long Pine Pond and Crater Lake.
A Revision of the Subgenus Solidobalanus Hoek (Cirripedia Thoracica) Including a Description of a New Species With Complemental Males

[Les auteurs presentent une revue critique de la litterature relative aux especes et aux groupes d'especes inclus dans les sous-genres Solidobalanus et Hesperibalanus, et la completent par l'examen de nombreux specimens des especes disponibles dans le sous-genre. Des variations infraspecifiques considerables ont ete trouvees dans les caracteres diagnostiques utilises pour distinguer ces sous-genres; ces caracteres presentent aussi de notables chevauchements parmi les especes. Les resultats de cette etude indiquent clairement que Hesperibalanus n'est pas un sous-genre valide et doit etre considere comme un synonyme de Solidobalanus. En outre, une nouvelle espece de Solidobalanus est decrite du Pacifique oriental. Elle est particulierement remarquable car elle est, parmi les Balanomorpha, la premiere espece connue comme ayant des mâles complementaires., Les auteurs presentent une revue critique de la litterature relative aux especes et aux groupes d'especes inclus dans les sous-genres Solidobalanus et Hesperibalanus, et la completent par l'examen de nombreux specimens des especes disponibles dans le sous-genre. Des variations infraspecifiques considerables ont ete trouvees dans les caracteres diagnostiques utilises pour distinguer ces sous-genres; ces caracteres presentent aussi de notables chevauchements parmi les especes. Les resultats de cette etude indiquent clairement que Hesperibalanus n'est pas un sous-genre valide et doit etre considere comme un synonyme de Solidobalanus. En outre, une nouvelle espece de Solidobalanus est decrite du Pacifique oriental. Elle est particulierement remarquable car elle est, parmi les Balanomorpha, la premiere espece connue comme ayant des mâles complementaires.]
The political alienation of the intellectual in recent Zairian fiction

L'alienation politique et sociale de la figure post-independante de l'intellectuel zairois chez Ngal, Mudimbe, Bolya, Ngandu...
New californium isotope, 242Cf☆

Abstract A new isotope of californium has been produced in the bombardments of 233 U, 234 U, 235 U and 236 U with 12 C ions from the Hilac. It decays with a half-life of 3.4 ± 0.2 min by the emission of α particles with an energy of 7.39 ± 0.02 MeV. From an analysis of the excitation functions, it is concluded that the isotope has the mass number 242.