cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfusion in critically ill children: indications, risks, and challenges.

OBJECTIVE To provide a concise review of transfusion-related issues and practices in the pediatric patient population, with a focus on those issues of particular importance to the care of critically ill children. DATA SOURCE Electronic search of the PubMed database using the search terms "pediatric transfusion," "transfusion practices," "transfusion risks," "packed red blood cell transfusion," "white blood cell transfusion," "platelet transfusion," "plasma transfusion," and "massive transfusion" either singly or in combination. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION All identified articles published since 2000 were manually reviewed for study design, content, and support for indicated conclusions, and the bibliographies were scrutinized for pertinent references not identified in the PubMed search. Selected studies from this group were then manually reviewed for possible inclusion in this review. DATA SYNTHESIS Well-designed studies have demonstrated the benefit of "restrictive" transfusion practices across the entire age spectrum of pediatric patients across a wide spectrum of pediatric illness. However, clinician implementation of the more restrictive transfusion practices supported by these studies is variable. Additionally, the utilization of both platelet and plasma transfusions in either a "prophylactic" or "therapeutic" setting appears to be greater than that supported by published data. CONCLUSIONS The preponderance of prospective, randomized trials and retrospective analyses support the use of a restrictive packed RBC transfusion policy in most clinical conditions in children. Neonatal transfusions guidelines rely largely on "expert opinion" rather than experimental data. Current transfusion practices for both platelets and coagulant products (e.g., fresh-frozen plasma and recombinant-activated factor VII) are poorly aligned with recommended transfusion guidelines. As with adults, current transfusion practices in children often do not reflect implementation of our current knowledge on the need for transfusion. Greater efforts to implement current evidence-based transfusion practices are needed.
Isolated Hepatocyte Transplantation in an Infant With a Severe Urea Cycle Disorder

Objective. Transplantation of isolated hepatocytes in animal models has been shown to correct inborn errors of metabolism. Based on these studies and our experience with hepatocyte transplantation in a child with Crigler-Najjar syndrome, isolated hepatocyte trans- plantation was performed to attempt metabolic reconsti- tution in a male infant with severe ornithine transcar- bamylase (OTC) deficiency. Methods. An infant with an antenatal diagnosis of OTC deficiency was managed intensively to prevent hy- perammonemia. Isolated hepatocytes were obtained by collagenase perfusion of donated livers not used for transplantation. Hepatocytes were infused in batches over the first 4 weeks of life via an umbilical venous catheter positioned in the portal vein. Immunosuppres- sion consisted of tacrolimus and corticosteroids. Results. Over 4 billion viable hepatocytes were trans- planted during the first 3.5 weeks of life. A period of metabolic stability was achieved between days 20 and 31 during which normal protein intake was tolerated while phenylbutyrate was weaned. During this time, plasma ammonia and glutamine remained within normal limits. Hyperammonemia reappeared abruptly on day 31 of life. Protein tolerance diminished to baseline; metabolic sta- bility was subsequently reattained only following suc- cessful liver transplantation at 6 months of age. Conclusions. Isolated hepatocyte transplantation ap- peared to result in temporary relief of hyperammonemia and protein intolerance attributable to OTC deficiency. The metabolic stability achieved was lost after 11 days presumably because of rejection of the transplanted cells because of insufficient immunosuppression. Future at- tempts at isolated hepatocyte transplantation for inborn errors of metabolism in humans should include adequate immunosuppression and a liver biopsy as a means of proving hepatocyte engraftment and function. Pediatrics 2003;111:1262-1267; hepatocyte transplantation, infant, ornthine transcarbamylase deficiency, urea cycle disorder.
Long-isoform mouse selenoprotein P (Sepp1) supplies rat myoblast L8 cells with selenium via endocytosis mediated by heparin-binding properties and apolipoprotein E receptor-2 (apoER2)

In vivo studies have shown that selenium is supplied to testis and brain by apoER2-mediated endocytosis of Sepp1. Although cultured cell lines have been shown to utilize selenium from Sepp1 added to the medium, the mechanism of uptake and utilization has not been characterized. Rat L8 myoblast cells were studied. They took up mouse Sepp1 from the medium and used its selenium to increase their glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity. L8 cells did not utilize selenium from Gpx3, the other plasma selenoprotein. Neither did they utilize it from Sepp1Δ240–361, the isoform of Sepp1 that lacks the selenium-rich C-terminal domain. To identify Sepp1 receptors, a solubilized membrane fraction was passed over a Sepp1 column. The receptors apoER2 and Lrp1 were identified in the eluate by mass spectrometry. siRNA experiments showed that knockdown of apoER2, but not of Lrp1, inhibited 75Se uptake from 75Se-labeled Sepp1. The addition of protamine to the medium or treatment of the cells with chlorate also inhibited 75Se uptake. Blockage of lysosome acidification did not inhibit uptake of Sepp1 but did prevent its digestion and thereby utilization of its selenium. These results indicate that L8 cells take up Sepp1 by an apoER2-mediated mechanism requiring binding to heparin sulfate proteoglycans. The presence of at least part of the selenium-rich C-terminal domain of Sepp1 is required for uptake. RT-PCR showed that mouse tissues express apoER2 in varying amounts. It is postulated that apoER2-mediated uptake of long isoform Sepp1 is responsible for selenium distribution to tissues throughout the body.
Health Risks of Homeless Adolescents: Implications for Holistic Nursing

Although the exact number of homeless adolescents is unknown, it is estimated that this population may exceed 2 million. Literally living on the streets, homeless youth are at risk for a variety of...
Doppler echocardiography during exercise to predict residual narrowing of the aorta after coarctation resection.

Blood pressure measurements and Doppler echocardiography at rest and during exercise were performed in 36 patients at an average 17 years after coarctation resection. Interest focused on the study of Doppler systolic and diastolic gradients and half-times during exercise. Blood pressure gradients and Doppler values were compared with the degree of narrowing at the site of the anastomosis measured by magnetic resonance imaging. A systolic half-time of >110 ms together with a diastolic gradient of ≥17 mmHg on exercise Doppler sonography predicted a residual isthmic narrowing of >30%. We propose the use of this noninvasive method for identifying patients with narrowing of >30% at the site of the anastomosis after coarctation resection. In these cases evaluation by an imaging technique is necessary to confirm the need for surgery.
The Mathematics Content Knowledge Role in Developing Preservice Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge

Abstract This paper outlines the nexus between mathematics content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge in developing pedagogical content knowledge. Increasing expectations about what students should know and be able to do, breakthroughs in research on how children learn, and the increasing diversity of the student population have put significant pressure on the knowledge and skills teachers must have to meet education goals for the 21st century. Specifically, in undergraduate mathematics education, how pedagogical awareness is taught should relate to deeper and broader understandings of mathematical concepts for preservice teachers. The participants (n = 193) were enrolled in their senior integrated methods block in the semester prior to beginning their student teaching. Among the data analyzed were previous mathematics course performance, a pre- and post-assessment instrument, success on the state level teacher certification examination, and portfolios and journals. The results indicated that previous ma...
Effects of cerebellar lesions on monkey jaw-force control: implications for understanding ataxic dysarthria.

Eight macaques were trained on one of two isometric force regulation tasks. Six animals were trained to maintain a static force for a 2-sec period, and two animals were trained to make a rapid seri...
Modeling of saturation in induction machines using EMTP, PSpice and a dedicated computer program

Abstract The effects of saturation in an induction motor's performance during a direct on-line start are studied using three different techniques. In the first method, the motor is modeled using the well-known Electromagnet Transients Program (EMTP) with saturation included in the magnetizing branch only. Secondly, the motor is modeled using PSpice, a popular circuit simulation software package, where magnetic-core saturation is modeled more accurately than in EMTP. In the final method, the motor is modeled by taking into account cross- as well as magnetic-core saturation and implemented in a dedicated computer program. A comparative evaluation of the results is presented.
Fabrication of CaO insulator coatings by MOCVD for application in fusion reactor blankets.

The liquid lithium blanket for fusion reactors requires an electrically insulating coating on the duct to minimize the magnetohydrodynamic pressure drop that occurs during the flow of liquid metal in a magnetic field. Calcium oxide (CaO) is a good candidate for the coating material because it is an excellent electrical insulator and it is stable in a liquid lithium environment. In this paper, details are presented on metalorganic chemical-vapor deposition method that was used to fabricate the CaO coating. Composition and phase analyses of the coating were performed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy images show that the coating did not crack after several thermal cycles from room temperature to 715°C. The resistance of the coating is high enough for an insulating coating on the liquid lithium blanket of fusion reactors.
Polyhydroxybutyrate, a Biodegradable Thermoplastic, Produced in Transgenic Plants

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a high molecular weight polyester, is accumulated as a storage carbon in many species of bacteria and is a biodegradable thermoplastic. To produce PHB by genetic engineering in plants, genes from the bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus that encoded the two enzymes required to convert acetoacetyl-coenzyme A to PHB were placed under transcriptional control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic plant lines that contained both genes accumulated PHB as electron-lucent granules in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and vacuole; the size and appearance of these granules were similar to the PHB granules that accumulate in bacteria.
Electron beam sounding rocket experiments for probing the distant magnetosphere

Electron accelerators on sounding rockets have injected 8-40-keV electrons on closed magnetospheric tail field lines near 250 km altitude in the northern auroral zone. These beams mirrored at the southern conjugate point ad returned as 'echoes' which were detected on the rocket system. The 20 percent of the beam that returned was sufficient to measure field line lengths and verify magnetospheric magnetic models, to measure fluctuating electric fields, and electron pitch angle scattering (6-10) R(E) distant, and to identify 10-100 V field-aligned potentials above the rocket. The experiment gives new insight into the motion of natural electrons in the outer Van Allen radiation belt.
Hacking intellectual property law

Considering how intellectual property law has evolved in response to advances in computing technologies.
p21-activated Kinase-1 Signaling Mediates Cyclin D1 Expression in Mammary Epithelial and Cancer Cells

p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) has been shown recently to induce hyperplasia in the mammary epithelium, a phenotype also manifested by overexpression of cyclin D1, a known indicator of the proliferative stage. Here we investigated the role of the Pak1 pathway in the expression of cyclin D1 using tissue culture models and transgenic mice expressing activated Pak1 in mammary glands. We found that hyperplastic mammary glands from catalytically active Pak1 transgenic mice exhibit a 5- to 7-fold increased expression of cyclin D1 as compared with stage-matched wild-type mice. In addition, Pak1 levels were elevated in human breast tumors and also correlated well with increased cyclin D1 expression. Increased expression of Pak1 in breast cancer cells stimulated cyclin D1 promoter activity, elevated levels of cyclin D1 mRNA, protein, and nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1. Conversely, Pak1 inhibition by an auto-inhibitory peptide (amino acids 83-149) or Pak1 knockdown by short interference RNA markedly reduced the expression of cyclin D1, suggesting a requirement of a functional Pak1 pathway for optimal expression of cyclin D1. Results from deletion and mutant analysis indicate that Pak1 regulates cyclin D1 transcription by means of an NF-κB-dependent pathway. Together, these findings suggest a model wherein Pak1 regulation of cyclin D1 expression might involve an NF-κB-dependent pathway and that hyperplasia in the mammary glands of Pak1-TG mice may be associated, at least in part, with the up-regulation of cyclin D1, and that Pak1 is up-regulated in human breast tumors.
Arene-substituent effects in benzo-15-crown-5 complexes. The crystal structures of 4-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 and [KI(OH2)(4-nitrobenzo-15-crown-5)]2

Abstract The crystal structures of two arene substituted benzo-15-crown-5 moieties have been determined. Aminobenzo-15-crown-5 crystallizes as a hydrogen bonded polymer. The interaction between the amino group and the macrocylic oxygen atoms influences the observed conformation. The structure of [KI(OH2)((NO2)benzo-15-crown-5)]2 reveals dimer formation via a donor interaction between the nitro group of one crown ether and the K+ ion coordinated to a second ether. In both structures the arene substituent has a dramatic effect on the observed solid state structure.
General function spaces, products and continuous lattices

The compact–open topology for function spaces is usually attributed to R. H. Fox in 1945 [16]; and indeed, there is no earlier publication to attribute it to. But it is clear from Fox's paper that the idea of the compact–open topology, and its notable success in locally compact spaces, were already familiar. The topology of course goes back to Riemann; and to generalize to locally compact spaces needs only a definition or two. The actual contributions of Fox were (1) to formulate the partial result, and the problem of extending it, clearly and categorically; (2) to show that in separable metric spaces there is no extension beyond locally compact spaces; (3) to anticipate, partially and somewhat awkwardly, the idea of changing the category so as to save the functorial equation. (Scholarly reservations: Fox attributes the question to Hurewicz, and doubtless Hurewicz had a share in (1). As for (2), when Fox's paper was published R. Arens was completing a dissertation which gave a more general result [1] – though worse formulated.)
Failure analysis of engineering structures in undergraduate courses using optimization

In the design process for engineering structures, it is often of interest to determine the largest magnitude of a given form of load that can be applied on a structure before causing failure. This gives the factor of safety against failure. Determining the factor of safety entails analysis of a structure on the verge of failure, and is known as limit analysis. It is well known that limit analysis can be formulated as a constrained optimization problem. With robust computational tools for optimization having become readily available, it is possible to introduce the optimization-based approach to limit analysis at various stages in the undergraduate civil engineering curriculum. In this article, we present three instances of limit analysis using an optimization-based approach from (i) a sophomore level Statics course, (ii) a junior level Structural Analysis course, and (iii) a senior level Advanced Solid Mechanics course. These are based on materials presented by the author in undergraduate mechanics courses at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In each case, we develop a mathematical formulation and implement the computations in MATLAB. We use two optimization tools, one from the MATLAB Optimization Toolbox and the other called SeDuMi. Classroom experience has shown that the optimization-based approach helps students recognize the underlying thread in seemingly disparate limit analysis problems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:297–308, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.20555
The effect of root pressurization on water relations, shoot growth, and leaf gas exchange of peach (Prunus persica) trees on rootstocks with differing growth potential and hydraulic conductance

It is well known that rootstocks can have an effect on the vegetative growth and development of the tree; however, there has been no clear explanation about the physiological mechanism involved in this phenomenon. Evidence indicates that the rootstock effects on tree vegetative growth may be related to hydraulic limitations of the rootstock. The objective of these experiments was to investigate the shoot growth, water potential, and gas exchange of peach trees on different rootstocks in response to manipulations of water relations of trees on rootstocks that differ in root hydraulic conductance. Tree water relations were manipulated by applying different amounts of pneumatic pressure on the root system and then relative shoot extension growth rate, tree transpiration rate, leaf water potential, leaf conductance, leaf transpiration, and net CO2 exchange rate responses were measured. Root pressurization increased leaf water potential, relative shoot extension growth rate, leaf conductance, leaf transpiration, and net CO2 exchange rates of trees on both vigorous and dwarfing rootstocks. There was a significant positive linear correlation between applied pneumatic pressure and tree transpiration rate and leaf water potential. Leaf conductance, transpiration rate, and net CO2 exchange rate as well as relative shoot extension growth rates were also positively correlated with the applied pneumatic pressure on the root system. These relationships were consistent across both vigorous and size-controlling rootstocks, indicating that rootstock hydraulic limitation may be directly involved in the vegetative growth control of peach trees.
Haplotype and minimum-chimerism consensus determination using short sequence data

Assembling haplotypes given sequence data derived from a single individual is a well studied problem, but only recently has haplotype assembly been considered for population-sampled data. We discuss a software tool called Hapler, which is designed specifically for low-diversity, low-coverage data such as ecological samples derived from natural populations. Because such data may contain error as well as ambiguous haplotype information, we developed methods that increase confidence in these assemblies. Hapler also reconstructs full consensus sequences while minimizing and identifying possible chimeric points. Experiments on simulated data indicate that Hapler is effective at assembling haplotypes from gene-sized alignments of short reads. Further, in our tests Hapler-generated consensus sequences are less chimeric than the alternative consensus approaches of majority vote and viral quasispecies estimation regardless of error rate, read length, or population haplotype bias. The analysis of genetically diverse sequence data is increasingly common, particularly in the field of ecoinformatics where transcriptome sequencing of natural populations is a cost effective alternative to genome sequencing. For such studies, it is important to consider and identify haplotype diversity. Hapler provides robust haplotype information and identifies possible phasing errors in consensus sequences, providing valuable information for population studies and downstream usage of resulting assemblies.
Echo Planar Imaging For Diffusion / Perfusion

Conventional MRI sequences acquiring only one line of spatial frequency data per RF excitation or repetition interval (TR) can be additionally fitted with diffusionlperfusion sensitizing gradient pulses which alter pixel intensities. Ideally, pixel values from images created at different gradient levels can be used to calculate local diffusionlperfusion maps of tissue. However, conventional imaging methods, with relatively long scan times, often allow bulk motion, flow and system instability artifacts (at or below levels tolerable for normal imaging) to corrupt the diffusionlperfusion sensitized data. This imposes constraints on patient motion which are often uncomfortable, difficult or impossible to achieve. Methods such as Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) that acquire reconstructable spatial frequency data within one or a few RF excitations are becoming methods of choice for motion artifact reduced imaging. An overview of the differences between conventional imaging and EPI will be discussed, emphasizing areas relating to pulse sequences, magnetlgradient hardware requirements and reconstruction corrections.
Coordinating adaptations in distributed systems

Distributed applications may use sophisticated runtime adaptation strategies to meet their performance or quality-of-service goals. Coordinating an adaptation that involves multiple processes can require complex communication or synchronization, in addition to communication in the base application. We propose conceptually simple high-level directives and a sophisticated runtime algorithm for coordinating adaptation automatically and transparently in distributed applications. The coordination directives specify when to adapt, in terms of the relative computational progress of each relevant process. The coordination algorithm relies on simple compiler transformations to track the progress of the processes, and performs the adaptive changes locally and asynchronously at each process. Measurements of the runtime overhead of the automatic coordination algorithm for two adaptive applications (a parallel PDE solver and a distributed video tracking code) show that the overhead is less than 1% of execution time for both these codes, even with relatively frequent adaptations, and does not grow significantly with the number of coordinating processes.
Induction of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression in Astrocytes by Nitric Oxide

Increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) represents astroglial activation and gliosis during neurodegeneration. However, the molecular mechanism behind increased expression of GFAP in astrocytes is poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to explore the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the expression of GFAP. Bacterial lipopolysachharides (LPSs) induced the production of NO and the expression of GFAP in mouse primary astrocytes. Either a scavenger of NO [2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO)] or an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase [l-N6-(I-iminoethyl)-lysine hydrochloride] blocked this induction of GFAP expression. Similarly, other inducers of NO production such as interferon-gamma, interleukin-1beta, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120, fibrillar amyloid beta peptides, and double-stranded RNA (polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid) also induced the expression of GFAP through NO. The role of NO in the expression of GFAP was supported further by increased expression of GFAP by S-nitroso glutathione (GSNO), an NO donor. Interestingly, inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) suppressed LPS- but not GSNO-induced expression of GFAP, suggesting that NO does not require NF-kappaB to induce GFAP and that NF-kappaB functions upstream of NO production. However, inhibition of LPS- and GSNO-induced expression of GFAP either by NS-2028 [a specific inhibitor of guanylate cyclase (GC)] or by KT5823 [a specific inhibitor of cGMP-activated protein kinase (PKG)], and induction of GFAP expression by either 8-Br cGMP (a cell-permeable cGMP analog) or MY-5445 (a specific inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase) suggests that NO induces GFAP via GC-cGMP-PKG. This study illustrates a novel biological role of NO in regulating the expression of GFAP in astrocytes through the GC-cGMP-PKG pathway that may participate in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.
Biodegradable Dissolved Organic Carbon in Trickling Filter and Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plants

The chemical composition of wastewater derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is complex and consists of moderate and high molecular weight organic compounds with different levels of biodegradability. Biodegradable DOC (BDOC) is a portion of DOC that can be mineralized by an acclimated mixed bacterial culture. DOC and BDOC data were collected along the treatment trains of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with a two-stage trickling filter (TF) system and an activated sludge (AS) + moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) system. Results showed that BDOC varied significantly within the treatment facility and between the two facilities.From primary clarifier to final effluent, the TF plant removed about 90% of BDOC, while the AS + MBBR plant removed about 80% of BDOC. Effluent BDOC to effluent DOC ratio(biodegradability) for the TF plant was73% while it was 63% for the AS + MBBR plant.
Diastolic dysfunction in volume-overload hypertrophy is associated with abnormal shearing of myolaminar sheets.

Diastolic dysfunction in volume-overload hypertrophy by aortocaval fistula is characterized by increased passive stiffness of the left ventricle (LV). We hypothesized that changes in passive proper...
Why “God” as “She” Provokes us:Semiotically Speaking --The Significance of the Divine Feminine

Why does the idea of the divine feminine result in such intense fear in some people and excitement in others? Writings on the Goddess movement consistently document that adherents sense the power of symbols and use them intentionally to create something profoundly different. My approach employs semiotic theory to offer a terminology and established theoretical base that imparts an understanding of “what” and “how” Goddess spirituailty and its alternative cosmology pose for some such a risk and for others such promise. Replacing the established transcendental signified of “God” with “Goddess” ruptures and displaces the systemic and totalizing structure of Western metaphysics. This is why, I believe, reactions to the idea of the feminine divine can be so pronounced. For some, the Goddess promises to solve Western culture’s problems by creating a new, more female-valuing symbolic structure. For others, She threatens the very core of the current system of signification and everything within it.
Sex differences in coping with career decision making

Sex differences in coping with career decision making were investigated among 247 undergraduate students. Men and women differed on three of four coping factors. Men scored significantly higher on Self-Efficacy Behavior fp < .05) while women scored higher than men on Reactive Behavior (p < .Ol) and SupportSeeking Behavior (p < .OOl) strategies. Coping factors were investigated in relation to career decidedness. Although men and women differed on the coping factors, the pattern of relationships between coping and career indecision was virtually identical for both sexes. Self-Efficacy Behavior (Factor 1) was negatively related to career indecision while Symptom-Altering/Avoidant Behavior (Factor 2) was positively related to indecision for both men and women.
Arising from the Bajos: The Evolution of a Neotropical Landscape and the Rise of Maya Civilization

The conjunctive use of paleoecological and archaeological data to document past human-environment relationships has become a theoretical imperative in the study of ancient cultures. Geographers are playing leading roles in this scholarly effort. Synthesizing both types of data, we argue that large karst depressions known as bajos in the Maya Lowlands region were anthropogenically transformed from perennial wetlands and shallow lakes to seasonal swamps between 400 bc and ad 250. This environmental transformation helps answer several questions that have long puzzled scholars of Maya civilization: (1) why many of the earliest Maya cities were built on the margins of bajos, (2) why some of these early centers were abandoned between 100 bc and ad 250, and (3) why other centers constructed elaborate water storage systems and survived into the Classic period (ad 250 –900). The transformation of the bajos represents one of the most significant and long-lasting anthropogenic environmental changes documented in the...
A Sample-Hold Circuit Using MOSFETs

An analysis and design of a sample-hold circuit is presented and in addition, details of a working circuit. MOSFETs offer the possibility of a higher quality sample-hold circuit than has previously been available because of low leakage currents along with high switching speed and low ``on'' resistance.
Improving network management with software defined networking

Network management is challenging. To operate, maintain, and secure a communication network, network operators must grapple with low-level vendor-specific configuration to implement complex high-level network policies. Despite many previous proposals to make networks easier to manage, many solutions to network management problems amount to stop-gap solutions because of the difficulty of changing the underlying infrastructure. The rigidity of the underlying infrastructure presents few possibilities for innovation or improvement, since network devices have generally been closed, proprietary, and vertically integrated. A new paradigm in networking, software defined networking (SDN), advocates separating the data plane and the control plane, making network switches in the data plane simple packet forwarding devices and leaving a logically centralized software program to control the behavior of the entire network. SDN introduces new possibilities for network management and configuration methods. In this article, we identify problems with the current state-of-the-art network configuration and management mechanisms and introduce mechanisms to improve various aspects of network management. We focus on three problems in network management: enabling frequent changes to network conditions and state, providing support for network configuration in a highlevel language, and providing better visibility and control over tasks for performing network diagnosis and troubleshooting. The technologies we describe enable network operators to implement a wide range of network policies in a high-level policy language and easily determine sources of performance problems. In addition to the systems themselves, we describe various prototype deployments in campus and home networks that demonstrate how SDN can improve common network management tasks.
Parallel implementations of the simplex algorithm

Three parallel implementations of the simplex algorithm on three different parallel architectures are presented and compared. Each machine is the representative of one class of parallel computers. Performance comparisons and the major difficulties encountered by users of these machines are given. The potential for parallel programming of the array processors is investigated with the massively parallel processor (MPP) machine. Multiprocessor systems with asynchronous shared memory are studied by implementing the simplex algorithm on the Encore machine in both the process creation by fork() and the tasking environment. The class of supercomputers represented by the Alliant FX-8 minisupercomputer where a Fortran compiler can parallelize and vectorize DO loops is considered. >
Reverse genetics studies on the filamentous morphology of influenza A virus.

We have investigated the genetic determinants responsible for the filamentous morphology of influenza A viruses, a property characteristic of primary virus isolates. A plasmid-based reverse genetics system was used to transfer the M segment of influenza A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) virus into influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus. While WSN virions display spherical morphology, recombinant WSN-Mud virus acquired the ability of the parental Udorn strain to form filamentous virus particles. This was determined by immunofluorescence studies in infected MDCK cells and by electron microscopy of purified virus particles. To determine the gene product within the M segment responsible for filamentous virus morphology, we generated four recombinant viruses carrying different sets of M1 and M2 genes from WSN or Udorn strains in a WSN background. These studies revealed that the M1 gene of Udorn, independently of the origin of the M2 gene, conferred filamentous budding properties and filamentous virus morphology to the recombinant viruses. We also constructed two WSN viruses encoding chimeric M1 proteins containing the amino-terminal 1–162 amino acids or the carboxy-terminal 163–252 amino acids of the Udorn M1 protein. Neither of these two viruses acquired filamentous phenotypes, indicating that both amino- and carboxy-terminal domains of the M1 protein contribute to filamentous virus morphology. We next rescued seven mutant WSN-M1ud viruses containing Udorn M1 proteins carrying single amino acid substitutions corresponding to the seven amino acid differences with the M1 protein of WSN virus. Characterization of these recombinant viruses revealed that amino acid residues 95 and 204 are critical in determining filamentous virus particle formation.
Voice/data channel access integration in TDMA digital cellular networks

The integration of digital data capabilities in the soon to be widely deployed digital cellular networks, which were primarily designed for voice communications, offers a low-cost way to capture the large and ever growing market for mobile data services. The authors propose and evaluate a multiaccess protocol for integrating data traffic in the E(nhanced)-TDMA voice system with digital speech interpolation, which is an enhancement of the emerging North American digital cellular standard. The proposed, protocol combines random access with slot reservation mechanisms to statistically multiplex data packets with speech spurt packets over the shared terminal-to-base air channel. The integrated protocol requires no modification in the voice access protocol used in the E-TDMA system, and can attain performance close to that of an ideal voice/data multiplexer. Furthermore, the protocol may enable multislot assignment per TDMA frame to match the throughput needs of individual data terminals, and can accommodate application-dependent data transmission priorities. >
Structure and nuclease resistance of 2′,4′-constrained 2′-O-methoxyethyl (cMOE) and 2′-O-ethyl (cEt) modified DNAs

Combining the structural elements of the second generation 2′-O-methoxyethyl (MOE) and locked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotide (AON) modifications yielded the highly nuclease resistant 2′,4′-constrained MOE and ethyl bicyclic nucleic acids (cMOE and cEt BNA, respectively). Crystal structures of DNAs with cMOE or cEt BNA residues reveal their conformational preferences. Comparisons with MOE and LNA structures allow insights into their favourable properties for AON applications.
Lack of Hormonal Influences on Mechanical Properties of Sheep Knee Ligaments

Background: The number of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes exceeds that in male athletes at similar competitive levels. This difference has been attributed by some authors to hormone-mediated alteration in knee laxity in women.Hypothesis: Sheep anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament strength and stiffness are not altered by administration for 6 months of estrogen or a selective estrogen receptor agonist (raloxifene).Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Thirty-eight mature ewes were divided into five groups: sham operation (N = 6), ovariectomy (N = 9), ovariectomy and estradiol implant (N = 7), low-dose raloxifene (N = 9), and high-dose raloxifene (N = 7). After 6 months, the animals were sacrificed and ligaments were tested along with those from five rams' knees.Results: No differences were found between treatment groups for maximum force, stiffness, energy to failure, or failure site. The ultimate stress of the rams' anterior cruciate ligaments was significan...
Charge states of energetic ions in Jupiter's radiation belt inferred from absorption microsignatures of Io

The Heavy Ion Counter on the Galileo Jupiter orbiter observed depletions of energetic (≳5 MeV/nucleon) oxygen and sulfur ions near Io that are interpreted as absorption microsignatures. The two elements were equally abundant in this region of Jupiter’s radiation belt. Numerical simulations of microsignatures from Galileo orbits 27, 31, and 32, based on calculations of ion trajectories in models of the magnetospheric and Alfven wing magnetic fields, show that the data are most consistent with the ions being fully ionized or nearly so. The conclusion is independent of field model inaccuracies, which cause some discrepancy between simulations and data, because the Alfven wing field significantly deflects only those trajectories with relatively small gyroradii.
Cooling performance of transverse thermoelectric devices

Abstract Thermoelectric devices operated in the transverse mode can decouple heat flow from the electrical current, which in turn offers some practical advantages in device design. In the current study, hypothetical transverse thermoelectric devices are constructed from alternating layers of a bismuth telluride based thermoelectric material and pure metals. The cooling performance of such devices used in the refrigeration mode is examined in terms of the maximum temperature difference, heat flux density, and coefficient of performance. Results show that the size of the uniform cooling region is determined by the aspect ratio of the device, and the temperature homogeneity in this region improves as the individual material layers become thinner. We further show that the effective heat conduction of transverse thermoelectric device when used in the active cooling mode may outperform a heat sink made of pure copper or aluminum, which indicates transverse thermoelectric devices may have potentials in applications such as electronic cooling.
Ozone and temperature decadal responses to solar variability in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, based on measurements from SABER on TIMED

Abstract. We have derived ozone and temperature responses to solar variability over a solar cycle, from June 2002 through June 2014, 50 to 100 km, 48° S to 48° N, based on data from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument on the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere-Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. Results with this extent of coverage in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere have not been available previously. A multiple regression is applied to obtain responses as a function of the solar 10.7 cm flux (solar flux units, sfu). Positive responses mean that they are larger at solar maximum than at solar minimum of the solar cycle. From ∼ 80 to 100 km, both ozone and temperature responses are positive for all latitudes and are larger than those at lower altitudes. From ∼ 80 to 100 km, ozone responses can exceed 10 % (100 sfu)−1, and temperature responses can approach 4 °K. From 50 to ∼ 80 km, the ozone responses at low latitudes ( ∼ ±35°) are mostly negative and can approach ∼ negative 3 % (100 sfu)−1. However, they are mostly positive at midlatitudes in this region and can approach ∼ 2 % (100 sfu)−1. In contrast to ozone, from ∼ 50 to 80 km, the temperature responses at low latitudes remain positive, with values up to ∼ 2.5 K (100 sfu)−1, but are weakly negative at midlatitudes. Consequently, there is a systematic and robust relation between the phases of the ozone and temperature responses. They are positively correlated (in phase) from ∼ 80 to 100 km for all latitudes and negatively correlated (out of phase) from ∼ 50 to 80 km, also for all latitudes. The negative correlation from 50 to 80 km is maintained even though the ozone and temperature responses can change signs as a function of altitude and latitude, because the corresponding temperature responses change signs in step with ozone. This is consistent with the idea that dynamics have the larger influence between ∼ 80 and 100 km, while photochemistry is more in control from ∼ 50 to 75 km. The correlation coefficients between the solar 10.7 cm flux and the ozone and temperature themselves from 2012 to 2014 are positive (negative) in regions where the responses are positive (negative). This supports our results since the correlations are independent of the multiple regression used to derive the responses. We also compare with previous results.
Visualization of Periplasmic and Cytoplasmic Proteins with a Self-Labeling Protein Tag.

ABSTRACT The use of fluorescent and luminescent proteins in visualizing proteins has become a powerful tool in understanding molecular and cellular processes within living organisms. This success has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for new and more versatile protein-labeling tools that permit light-based detection of proteins within living cells. In this report, we present data supporting the use of the self-labeling HaloTag protein as a light-emitting reporter for protein fusions within the model prokaryote Escherichia coli. We show that functional protein fusions of the HaloTag can be detected both in vivo and in vitro when expressed within the cytoplasmic or periplasmic compartments of E. coli. The capacity to visually detect proteins localized in various prokaryotic compartments expands today9s molecular biologist toolbox and paves the path to new applications. IMPORTANCE Visualizing proteins microscopically within living cells is important for understanding both the biology of cells and the role of proteins within living cells. Currently, the most common tool is green fluorescent protein (GFP). However, fluorescent proteins such as GFP have many limitations; therefore, the field of molecular biology is always in need of new tools to visualize proteins. In this paper, we demonstrate, for the first time, the use of HaloTag to visualize proteins in two different compartments within the model prokaryote Escherichia coli. The use of HaloTag as an additional tool to visualize proteins within prokaryotes increases our capacity to ask about and understand the role of proteins within living cells.
Shareholder Initiative: A Social Choice and Game Theoretic Approach to Corporate Law

By longstanding practice, shareholders of large public corporations have delegated almost all decision rights over business matters to the board of directors. Given current calls for shareholder empowerment, it is worth revisiting the basis for the existing practice, as reflected in this 1991 paper. Among other things, we see that this absolute delegation rule minimizes potential pathologies in shareholder voting, including possibilities for opportunistic side-dealings and destructive voting cycles. These risks must be addressed lest shareholder empowerment merely replace one set of problems with another.
Sphere Release from a Rectangular Cavity at Mach 2.22 Freestream Conditions

Experimental and computational methods were used to investigate the characteristics of a scaled, generically shaped weapons internal carriage and separation bay with a length-to-depth ratio of 4.5 at multiple Mach numbers and stagnation pressures. Three new nozzles were designed, manufactured, and characterized for the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology small supersonic tunnel, yielding freestream Mach numbers of 1.43, 1.84, and 2.22. In addition, a control valve was reconfigured to achieve stagnation pressures as low as 1.0 psia, allowing more realistic scaling. These nozzles were used in conjunction with piezoresistive pressure transducers and high-speed schlieren photography to capture the time history of the pressure and the acoustic spectra of the cavity. The nominal Mach 2.3 nozzle was used in free-drop testing of a 1:20 scaled sphere and compared with computational simulations. The computational solution was obtained using the OVERFLOW solver with incorporated six-degree-of-freedom motion and t...
Genetic and Environmental Aspects of Fruiting in Schizophyllum Commune Fr.

An extensive study of fruiting in a large, world-wide sample of Schisophyllum has revealed genetic background as the most critical factor in determining the occurrence and time of fruiting and the ...
The power of connections: Psychological sense of community as a predictor of volunteerism

Two studies explored psychological antecedents of volunteerism, including several dispositional constructs and psychological sense of community (PSOC). In Study 1, 140 retirees completed measures of empathy, self-esteem, generativity, and PSOC, as well as involvement in volunteer organizations and weekly volunteering hours at two points in time. PSOC predicted concurrent and future volunteerism even after controlling for the other predictors. In Study 2 (n = 427), PSOC and measures of environmental concern and connectedness were used to predict current environmental volunteerism and activism. PSOC was the only measure reliably and uniquely related to these behaviors. Across two different domains and operationalizations of PSOC, the findings support the validity and utility of PSOC for understanding general and issue-specific volunteerism. More generally, they highlight social relationships and psychological connections as potential pathways to volunteerism and social action.
Antiferromagnetic Single Domain L12 FePt3 Nanocrystals

Compositionally ordered, single domain, antiferromagnetic L12 FePt3 nanocrystals were synthesized by coating colloidally grown Pt-rich Fe−Pt nanocrystals (Fe0.27Pt0.73) with thermally stable SiO2 and annealing at 700 °C in forming gas (7% H2 in N2). Without the silica coating, the nanocrystals transform predominately into the L10 FePt phase due to interparticle diffusion of Fe and Pt atoms. Magnetization measurements of the L12 FePt3 nanocrystals revealed two antiferromagnetic transitions near the bulk Neel temperatures of 100 and 160 K. Combining L12 FePt3 nanocrystals with L10 FePt nanocrystals was found to produce the constriction in field-dependent magnetization loops that has been observed near zero applied field in ensemble measurements of single domain silica-coated L10 FePt nanocrystals [Lee, D. C.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 11160].
Non-Drude like behaviour of metals in the terahertz spectral range

AbstractWe review measurements of the dielectric properties of metals, which have resurfaced as a timely topic given the ongoing interest in plasmonics across a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is generally accepted that the Drude model fully describes the optical response of metals. This is certainly true at optical frequencies. This also appears to be the case when THz time-domain spectroscopy is used to measure the properties of thin films. However, for a variety of plasmonics-based implementations in the terahertz (THz) spectral range, there appear to be significant discrepancies. We discuss these observations, as well as a new family of measurement techniques based on the excitation and detection of surface plasmon-polaritons. Finally, we conclude with a brief discussion regarding the implications of these new measurements for the field of THz plasmonics.