cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Csmd2 interacts with Dab1 and is Required in Reelin-Mediated Neuronal Maturation

Abstract Reelin is a glycoprotein secreted by Cajal-Retzius cells to regulate development of the cerebral cortex. Reelin binding to its receptors on immature neurons initiates a signaling cascade through the downstream adaptor protein, Dab1. Defects in this signaling mechanism result in perturbed neuronal migration, reductions in dendrite complexity, and deficits in synapse development and function. How Reelin controls neuronal migration and brain lamination have been extensively investigated over the years, but the pathways that regulate dendrite and spine development downstream of Reelin and Dab1 have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we have identified a novel interaction between Dab1 and Csmd2, a synaptic transmembrane protein required for dendrite and dendritic spine development in forebrain excitatory neurons. We demonstrate that Csmd2 contains an NPxY motif on its intracellular region, through which Dab1 interacts with Csmd2. Interestingly, we find that this NPxY consensus motif is not required for Csmd2 to localize at the postsynaptic densities of spiny neurons. Rather, the introduction of an NPxY mutant form of Csmd2 results in a significant overproduction of immature, filopodia-like dendritic spines in maturing neurons. Moreover, we show that knockdown of Csmd2 mRNA expression in immature developing neurons abolishes the ability of Reelin to promote dendrite elaboration and dendritic spine maturation. This suggests that the Csmd2-Dab1 interaction may be a requirement of Reelin/Dab1 signaling to mediate the structural maturation of neurons. Together, these results point toward a role of Csmd2 in the Reelin/Dab1 signaling axis that promotes the development of dendrites and dendritic spines in maturing neurons. Summary Statement How Reelin controls neuronal maturation remains to be understood. We demonstrate that the synaptic protein Csmd2 interacts with the Reelin-associated adaptor protein Dab1. We also determine that Reelin requires Csmd2 to regulate structural development and maturation of forebrain neurons.
Mechanical and High-Frequency Electrical Study of Printed, Flexible Antenna Under Deformation

During usage, printed electronic components are often stretched, bent, folded, and/or twisted to conform to underlying structure. In this article, tests have been developed for characterizing the mechanical and high-frequency electrical behavior of inkjet-printed patch antennas on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates under uniaxial and biaxial bending. A patch antenna is designed to have a single resonant frequency of 5 GHz in free space. Polycarbonate cylindrical mandrels of 1.25” diameter and special sculptured surfaces have been used as uniaxial and biaxial bending fixtures, respectively. Up to 2000 bending cycles have been performed in both uniaxial and biaxial bending tests. During bending tests, $S_{11}$ (return loss) has been measured by a vector network analyzer (VNA) in both bent and flat configurations. Mechanical simulations have also been performed to determine the strain distribution in the printed elements which will lead to changes in electrical behavior. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images have been taken to examine the physical damage in the printed structure and to correlate with the strain values obtained through mechanical simulation. High-frequency electrical simulations have also been performed to correlate with the bending experimental data. It is seen that the conductivity of the printed structure changes differently in different zones, due to various values of strain they undergo. Although the cracks are observed in the printed structures, the maximum relative shift in the measured resonant frequency is less than 1.66% in both uniaxial and biaxial bend tests.
Effective Learning of Post-Seismic Building Damage with Sparse Observations

Accurate and rapid assessment of infrastructure conditions is vital for post-earthquake disaster management and decision making. The authors propose a data-based approach that utilizes limited information from buildings after the earthquake to predict the damage intensity for other buildings in the community. The data-based approach is formulated with Gaussian process regression (GPR). General engineering demand parameters (EDP) that are available after the earthquake on instrumented buildings are assumed to be indicators of damage. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake scenario is considered for demonstrating the applicability of the proposed method to buildings across a large region. A wide variety of steel structure models representing the general buildings in municipal areas are created to populate the dataset. Based on the time history analysis, EDPs are calculated and used as damage labels. Judicious variables describing the earthquake input characteristics and the building attributes are used in the feature space. All the utilized variables are selected based on the accessibility after the earthquake. A set of covariance functions are considered for Gaussian process model and the predictive performances are compared. A spectral analysis is also performed in order to compare with prediction results from GPR algorithm. Finally, it is shown that with a set of handy features and inspecting as low as 5% of the affected buildings in a region, damage estimations are improved significantly compared to the spectral analysis.
On the Viability of Spectrum Trading Markets

Spectrum trading markets are being considered or implemented by the regulatory bodies of many countries due to the growing demand for wireless services. In these markets, buyers and sellers determine the assignments of spectrum and, possibly, its uses. We make use of Agent-Based Computational Economics (ACE) to analyze these markets and the behaviors of its participants. We model the participants in a ST market over a set of different scenarios where our focus is on market viability which is determined on the basis of the liquidity and sustainability characteristics of the market. This research identifies the conditions for viability of spectrum trading markets and provides guidelines that can be used by regulators and wireless service providers for the implementation and use of these markets. This analysis is valuable because it will help regulators and service providers prepare for plausible future wireless service provision scenarios based on spectrum trading.
Many States Were Able To Expand Medicaid Without Increasing Administrative Spending.

With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, states were given the option to expand their Medicaid programs. Since then, thirty-eight states and Washington, D.C., have done so. Previous work has id...
Intrusion detection techniques for mobile wireless networks

The rapid proliferation of wireless networks and mobile computing applications has changed the landscape of network security. The traditional way of protecting networks with firewalls and encryption software is no longer sufficient and effective. We need to search for new architecture and mechanisms to protect the wireless networks and mobile computing application. In this paper, we examine the vulnerabilities of wireless networks and argue that we must include intrusion detection in the security architecture for mobile computing environment. We have developed such an architecture and evaluated a key mechanism in this architecture, anomaly detection for mobile ad-hoc network, through simulation experiments.
Serial Experimentation for the Management and Evaluation of Communications Systems

When there is a decision to mount a demonstration of new communications systems in the field, controversy about the role of evaluation often results. Those who have operational responsibility for the system become its advocates, believing it to be sufficiently robust to succeed. They resent research that would divert resources from the central purpose of demonstrating success. In contrast, evaluators anticipate the chance of failure. They maintain that it is essential to construct systematic and rigorous research on a project so that future projects can learn from past experiences.
A BP-Neural Network Improvement to Hop-Counting for Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks

GDL (Geographic Distributed Localization) is a distributed localization technique useful for letting nodes in a network determines their relative locations without special hardware or configuration. As compared with previous proposed measurement techniques, which require additional hardware (such as special antennas), this technique is based on hop counting and only requires the connectivity of network. In this paper, we propose to incorporate neural networks into the standard hop counting-based approach to improve the accuracy of localization over the existing method. We use one neural network at each node to compute its hop-coordinates, after a training procedure. Using network simulations, we show that incorporating our technique improves the accuracy of localization results generated by GDL by 15%. The application of this method is not limited to the GDL algorithm; it can also be used in other hop-counting based localization algorithms, such as MDS-MAP. It is also designed to be suitable for implementation in current embedded systems, such as standard motes like Moteiv’s Invent.
Crossed Laser and Molecular Beam Study of Multiphoton Dissociation of C2F5Cl

Recent molecular beam experiments [1] have shown that infrared multiphoton dissociation of molecules mainly proceeds through the lowest available dissociation channel. Larger molecules may have the two (or more) lowest dissociation channels close in energy. When the laser energy fluence is adequate, the molecules can be excited above the dissociation energies of all these channels, with the branching rate into each available dissociation channel determined by statistical considerations since the excitation energy is expected to be randomized rapidly. In the case of C2F5Cl two competing dissociation channels exist: Cl atom elimination at 83 kcal/mole and C-C bond rupture at 97 kcal/mole. Although C-C bond rupture has appreciably higher dissociation energy, with three more rotational degrees of freedom in the fragments, the rate constant is expected to increase faster than Cl elimination when the excitation energy becomes higher.Consequently, the ratio of Cl elimination to C-C rupture will be a good indicator of the level of excitation. RRKM rate constants for dissociation into these channels are shown in Fig. 1.
Agile Systems Architectural Design

Architecture can be defined as the set of large-scale design and system organizational concepts for a system. For systems engineering, it is primarily concerned with identifying the subsystems, defining their interfaces, and allocating responsibilities and requirements to them. In the Harmony agile MBSE approach, this is done incrementally and is focused around five key views of architecture: the subsystem and component view, the distribution view, the dependability view, the concurrency and resource view, and the deployment view. This chapter provides workflows and guidelines for developing robust and efficient system architectures and techniques to demonstrate the adequacy of the architecture.
A portable three-dimensional stylus profile measuring instrument

Abstract This paper describes the development of an inexpensive, portable three-dimensional (3-D) stylus-based surface profiler with a scan range of 4.5 mm × 5.5 mm and a maximum vertical range of 150 μm (limited by signal conditioning electronic range) with a resolution of better than 0.9 μm and a range of 30 μm with a resolution of better than 30 nm at the highest vertical sensitivity. The instrument occupies a volume with dimensions of approximately 75 × 75 × 40 mm (L × B × H) with scan speeds up to 0.5 mm s −1 . Construction of instrument components from similar material results in a thermally balanced design with a reasonably low thermal coefficient of 0.27 μm K −1 and a first-order time constant of approximately 40 min. The stylus probe sensor has a free resonant frequency of 49 Hz and a low damping ratio of 0.006. When in stationary contact with a steel surface, this increases to above the transducer bandwidth of 900 Hz. Calibration of the probe sensor is achieved through direct comparison against a standard stylus gauge. Lateral calibration of the specimen carriage position has been assessed by the measurement of standard gratings and laser interferometry. Planar errors caused by the motion of the carriage have been assessed by measuring an optical flat and inferring deviation from a perfect plane as an indication of the worst-case error, which in this case, was 0.2 μm (P-V). The design and construction of the internal datum and the portability of the instrument to facilitate in situ measurement of components are emphasized. Images illustrating the surface mapping capabilities of the profiler are presented.
Benefits of using paired controls for analyzing gene expression of prostate cancer

The genetics of prostate cancer are highly variable and not well understood. No consistent pattern of mutations across prostate cancer samples has yet been found. Due to this inherent heterogeneity it is natural to wonder whether or not using paired controls in gene expression studies might be useful. Although other studies have previously analyzed the use of paired controls for the expression of a handful of genes at a time no study has yet been performed to assess the benefits of using paired controls rather than independent controls on a large scale. By using a prostate cancer microarray data set that consisted of 58 pairs of paired cancer and control samples as well as 18 independent controls we found that searches for differentially expressed genes and for upregulated genes were significantly enhanced by using paired controls instead of independent controls.
Target immunity of Mu transposition reflects a differential distribution of Mu B protein

Abstract A DNA molecule carrying Mu end DNA sequence(s) is a poor target in the Mu DNA strand-transfer reaction, a phenomenon which is referred to as "target immunity." We find that Mu B protein stimulates intermolecular strand-transfer by binding to the target DNA. Our results show that a differential distribution of Mu B protein between "immune" and "non-immune" DNA molecules is responsible for target immunity; in the presence of Mu A protein and ATP, Mu B protein dissociates preferentially from immune DNA molecules. Hydrolysis of ATP is implicated in establishing the differential distribution of Mu B protein between immune and non-immune DNA molecules in the presence of Mu A protein; nonhydrolyzable ATPγ can support an efficient strand-transfer reaction even with a target DNA that is immune in a reaction with ATP.
Cheops: a modular processor for scalable video coding

We describe the Cheops Imaging System, a small, parallel video processing and display system for real time experiments in video coding and interactive image-based applications. The modular structure of the system allows it to evolve to meet new application requirements or to employ new processing chips as they are developed.
Prenatal stress: role in psychotic and depressive diseases.

Rationale The birth of neurons, their migration to appropriate positions in the brain, and their establishment of the proper synaptic contacts happen predominately during the prenatal period. Environmental stressors during gestation can exert a major impact on brain development and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric illnesses, such as depression and psychotic disorders including schizophrenia.
Addressing the N/1 scheduling problem—A heuristic approach

Abstract The problem of sequencing n-jobs on one machine (n/1) to minimize maximum job lateness has been the subject of much prior research. Most of this research has been directed at identifying optimal solutions to the problem via algorithmic search techniques. A weakness in employing an algorithm for solving the problem, however, is that lengthy computational times may result because of the necessity of searching n! sequences. By employing a multiple heuristic approach this limitation can be avoided. An optimal or near optimal schedule can be identified in a finite number of steps. This paper describes a multiple heuristic model that is effective more than eighty-ninety percent of the time in providing an optimal schedule for the N/l/L max scheduling program. Ten separate heuristics are described, and the results of testing the heuristics over fifteen hundred and sixty randomly generated problems is presented. Three of the heuristics are combined to form the heuristic-scheduling model.
Phosphate entry into erythrocytes at high levels.

Abstract Human red blood cells reach an equilibrium of phosphate distribution at 37° much faster with 0.11 M or intermediate levels than with 0.02 M and lower phosphate levels. Other divalent anions added to 0.02 M phosphate solutions have an action similar to that of the extra phosphate. A past observation that phosphate escapes from red cells more slowly than it enters them appears to have arisen from differences in the phosphate levels to which the cell membrane was exposed. The effect of 0.11 M phosphate at 37° undergoes reversal when the temperature is lowered to 22°, and when the phosphate level is also lowered to 0.02 M. These properties of the red blood cell introduce difficulties in applying tests for mediation in the entry and exit of phosphate. The retarding action of estradiol disulfate, stilbestrol disulfate and stilbestrol on phosphate entry extends from 0.002 to 0.11 M, phosphate, and applies also to the exodus of phosphate.
Comparison of immunosuppressive properties of hydatidiform mole decidua and trophoblast extracts.

PROBLEM : The immunologic privilege afforded the fetus relies upon immunoregulation within the maternal-fetal interface. Trophoblast and decidua-derived immunoregulatory factors enforce this privilege by locally suppressing maternal responses to trophoblast antigens. The relative contribution of trophoblast or decidua immunosuppressive factors to pregnancy immunotolerance are not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to compare the suppressive effects of hydatidiform mole trophoblast and decidua extracts on interleukin-2-dependent proliferation. METHOD : Tissue extracts were prepared from hydatidiform mole trophoblast and decidua following uterine evacuation. Samples were submitted to interleukin-2-dependent and -independent cell proliferation assays. RESULTS : Hydatidiform mole trophoblast extract significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed interleukin-2-dependent proliferation but did not affect interleukin-2-independent cell proliferation. In contrast, molar decidua extract suppressed both cell lines. CONCLUSIONS : Human hydatidiform mole trophoblast contains factor(s) that specifically abrogate interleukin-2-dependent clonal expansion of murine cytotoxic T-cells. In contrast, extracts of molar decidua suppressed both interleukin-2-dependent and -independent responses. This indicates that the trophoblast antagonizes critical interleukin-2-mediated immunologic responses, but that the decidua uses nonspecific antiproliferative mechanisms for immunoregulation.
Performance of multiplexed SQUID readout for Cryogenic Sensor Arrays

Abstract We report on the implementation of a multiplexer that uses superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to read out low-impedance cryogenic detectors. Using prototype chips, a circuit was built which interfaces eight input SQUID channels with a close-packed array of eight transition-edge sensor (TES) infrared bolometers. Circuit elements were measured and crosstalk specifications are reported. Digital feedback is employed to flux-lock a single element in the array of SQUIDs.
PRO‐LIFE AND PRO‐CHOICE ISSUE VOTING

Four hundred and eighteen residents of “Middletown” (Muncie, Indiana) were randomly selected to develop empirical models of factors related to using the abortion issue in selecting a candidate for political ofice, for both pro-life and pro-choice people. Regression analysis was used to develop those models. For pro-life people, social consensus developed within conservative Protestant environments related to abortion-issue voting. For pro-choice people, abortion issue-voting behavior was based more on their political (vs. religious) views and there was less need for group support to do this. Among these pro-choice advocates as well, young educated women were the most likely to translate their attitude position into a pro-choice vote. Possible explanations for these results are then presented.
Cholangiocarcinoma: Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Opportunities

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive biliary tract malignancy with limited treatment options and low survival rates. Currently, there are no curative medical therapies for CCA. Recent advances have enhanced our understanding of the genetic basis of this disease, and elucidated therapeutically relevant targets. Therapeutic efforts in development are directed at several key pathways due to genetic aberrations including receptor tyrosine kinase pathways, mutant IDH enzymes, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, and chromatin remodeling networks. A highly desmoplastic, hypovascular stroma is characteristic of CCAs and recent work has highlighted the importance of targeting this pathway via stromal myofibroblast depletion. Future efforts should concentrate on combination therapies with action against the cancer cell and the surrounding tumor stroma. As the mutational landscape of CCA is being illuminated, molecular profiling of patient tumors will enable identification of specific mutations and the opportunity to offer directed, personalized treatment options.
Information Processing and Estimation of Short Time Intervals

Duration estimates were assessed by the method of reproduction with filled reproduction intervals. Mental arithmetic, reading and mirror-image drawing were used in pairs as initial and/or reproduction tasks. All nine possible pairs of tasks were used in a 9 X 5 X 5 mixed design with five Ss per task pair and five interruption intervals for each initial task. Results indicated that, when arithmetic was used as the initial task, Ss underestimated the duration of the initial interval. When arithmetic was used as the reproduction task, Ss overestimated the duration of the initial interval. A significant correlation was obtained between arithmetic outputs and the lengths of the duration estimates. Results are interpreted as supportive of Burnside's (1971) interpretation of Ornstein's (1969) storage-size hypothesis.
Studying artificial life with cellular automata

Abstract Biochemistry studies the way in which life emerges from the interaction of inanimate molecules. In this paper we look into the possibility that life could emerge from the interaction of inanimate artificial molecules. Cellular automata provide us with the logical universes within which we can embed artificial molecules in the form of propagating, virtual automata. We suggest that since virtual automata have the computational capacity to fill many of the functional roles played by the primary biomolecules, there is a strong possibility that the ‘molecular logic’ of life can be embedded within cellular automata and that, therefore, artificial life is a distinct possibility within these highly parallel computer structures.
X-Ray Diffraction and Photoluminescence Studies of InN Grown by Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy with Low Free-Carrier Concentration

We report studies of InN grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. GaN templates were first grown on sapphire substrates followed by InN overgrown at 457°C to 487°C. Atomic force microscopy shows the best layers to exhibit step-flow growth mode of the InN, with a root-mean-square roughness of 0.7 nm for the 2 μm × 2 μm scan and 1.4 nm for the 5 μm × 5 μm scan.␣Measurements of the terrace edges indicate a step height of 0.28 nm. Hall measurements at room temperature give mobilities ranging from 1024 cm2/V s to 1904 cm2/V s and the electron concentrations are in the range of 5.9 × 1017 cm−3 to 4.2 × 1018 cm−3. Symmetric and asymmetric reflection x-ray diffraction measurements were performed to obtain lattice constants a␣and c. The corresponding hydrostatic and biaxial stresses are found to range from −0.08 GPa to −0.29 GPa, and −0.05 GPa to −0.32 GPa, respectively. Low-temperature photoluminescence peak energies range from 0.67 eV to 0.70 eV, depending on residual biaxial stress, hydrostatic pressure, and electron concentrations. The electron concentration dependence of the estimated Fermi level is analyzed using Kane’s two-band model and conduction-band renormalization effects.
HOSPITAL COSTS OF ACUTE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Abstract Objective Pulmonary embolism places a heavy economic burden on health care systems, but the components of hospital cost have not been elucidated. We evaluated hospitalized patients with the primary diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Our goal was to determine the total and component costs associated with their hospital care. Methods We included patients hospitalized at Brigham and Women's Hospital from September 2003 to May 2010. Patient demographics, characteristics, comorbidities, interventions, and treatments were obtained from the electronic medical record. Costs were obtained using the hospital's accounting software and categorized into the areas providing direct patient supplies or care. Results We identified 991 hospitalized patients with acute pulmonary embolism. In-hospital mortality was 4.2%, and 90-day mortality after hospital discharge was 13.8%. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 4 days. The mean total hospitalization cost per patient was $8764. Nursing costs, which included room and board, were $5102. Pharmacy ($966) and radiology ($963) costs were similar. Pharmacy costs ($966) were dominated by the use of low-molecular-weight heparin ($232). Radiology costs ($963) were dominated by the use of diagnostic imaging examinations ($672). During the observation period, an average of 160 patients with pulmonary embolism were admitted each year, requiring an annual hospital expense ranging from $884,814 to $1,866,489. Conclusions Pulmonary embolism has a high case fatality rate and remains an expensive illness to diagnose and treat. Nursing costs comprise the largest component of costs.
Bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) complexes of a homologous series of simple peralkylated 1,2-diamines: Steric modulation of structure, stability, and reactivity

We have synthesized and characterized bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) dimers 1b−4b (Os) based on a core family of peralkylated trans-(1R,2R)-cyclohexanediamine (CD) ligands, self-assembled from the corresponding [LCu(MeCN)]CF3SO3 species 1a−4a and O2 at 193 K in aprotic media; additional Os based on peralkylated ethylenediamine and tridentate polyazacyclononane ligands were synthesized analogously for comparative purposes (5b−7b and 8b−9b, respectively). Trigonal-planar [LCu(MeCN)]1+ species are proposed as the active O precursors. The 3-coordinate Cu(I) complexes [(LTE)Cu(MeCN)]CF3SO3 (4a) and [(LTB)Cu(MeCN)]CF3SO3 (10a) were structurally characterized; the apparent O2−inertness of 10a correlates with the steric demands of its four benzyl substituents. The rate of O formation, a multistep process that likely proceeds via associative formation of a 1:1 [LCu(O2)]1+ intermediate, exhibits significant dependence upon ligand sterics and solvent: oxygenation of 4athe slowest-reacting O precursor of the CD seriesis fi...
Phospholipid, an enhancing component in the synergistic factor of a granulosis virus of the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta

The synergistic factor (SF) in the capsule of a granulosis virus (Hawaiian strain) of the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta, contained polypeptides and phospholipids. Its molecular weight estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 126,000 ± 8,700. The capsule proteins were digested by a proteinase released from the capsule under alkaline conditions, and by trypsin added to the proteinase-free capsules. Neither enzyme affected the synergistic factor or its activity. The synergistic factor was slowly depolymerized by 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate and was more rapidly depolymerized when phospholipase C (phosphatidylcholine cholinephosphohydrolase) was also added. Phospholipase C alone did not decompose the synergistic factor, but it did destroy the capacity of the synergistic factor to enhance the nuclear polyhedrosis virus. In contrast, phospholipase A2 (phosphatidyl 2-acylhydrolase) had no effect on the synergistic factor. The different reactions of the two phospholipases on the synergistic factor suggested that the hydrophilic group of the phospholipid was exposed to the action of phospholipase C and was associated with the synergistic activity. This interpretation was supported by the detection of a phospholipid in the SF by thin-layer chromatography.
Thyroid hormone regulation of extrathyroidal iodoproteins.

The effect of thyroid status on plasma and tissue levels of labeled nonextractable iodine (NEI) derived from the metabolism of radioiodothyronines was examined in the rat. Concentrations of radioiodoprotein were substantially elevated in plasma, kidney, and liver in thyroidectomized animals 72 h postinjection of [125I]triiodothyronine ([125I]T3). Similarly, total rat concentrations of radioactive NEI were increased (52%) 72 h after injection of [125I]T3. NE125I concentrations from [125I]T3 in plasma, kidney, and liver were diminished progressively in thyroidectomized animals maintained on increasing doses of thyroxine replacement, demonstrating that iodoprotein levels were inversely related to thyroid state. The plasma disappearance rate of radioiodoprotein from [125I]T3 was markedly slowed in hypothyroid animals and accelerated in intact controls rendered hyperthyroid with daily injections of T4, 8 μg/100 g BW. Propylthiouracil (PTU) treatment of thyroidectomized rats maintained on T4, 2 μg/100 g BW per ...
Integration issues for high-strain actuation applications

Strain actuators, used to induce a relative structural displacement, are most effective when integrally embedded into the host structure. The paper summarizes progress and challenges in the field of embedding smart materials into structures. The difficulties of embedding active elements within composite structures are described from a system design perspective. Issues associated with the application of strain actuators in primary aircraft structure are discussed. Development of new embedding technology to combat the difficulties associated with high strain applications is advocated.
Distribution and abundance of thaliaceans and copepods off the southeastern U.S.A. during winter

The abundance and distribution of planktonic copepods and tunicates were studied in relation to physical and biological variables from late January to early February 1990 on the middle and outer shelf off South Carolina, U.S.A. The inner and part of the middle shelf were vertically mixed throughout the study period, the middle and outer shelf only after passage of a storm on 4 and 5 February. Subtidal currents at the 40 m isobath were highly correlated with local alongshore winds, whereas at the 75 m isobath the currents showed a mixed response to wind and Gulf Stream events. Chlorophyll concentrations in the study area usually surpassed 0.5 and reached levels of 3 μg l−1. Zooplankton was characterized by high abundances of doliolids (Tunicata, Thaliacea) and relatively low concentrations of calanoid and cyclopoid copepods. When doliolids were very abundant the vertical distribution of doliolids was inversely related to those of the calanoids. We hypothesized that this inverse relationship could be the result of (a) doliolids removing food particles, thus reducing food particle concentrations, and through that calanoid reproduction rates; (b) doliolids ingesting calanoid eggs and nauplii, thereby reducing copepod recruitment; (c) active avoidance of doliolids by downward migration of copepods; and (d) vertical shear between the upper and lower part of the stratified water column. At stations on the middle shelf the abundance of photo- and heterotrophic nanoplankton was inversely related to the abundance of doliolids. The frequency of occurrence of thaliacea in neritic regions is evaluated in relation to hydrographic regimes and the availability of seed populations. From previous and present observations we assume that thaliacea due to their high rates of feeding, individual and population growth could impact zooplankton communities two-fold: indirectly, by reducing phytoplankton concentrations rapidly thus affecting reproduction of certain calanoid taxa, and directly, by consuming copepod eggs.
Shedding and serologic responses following primary and secondary inoculation of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus

Waterfowl and shorebirds are well-recognized natural reservoirs of low-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (LPAIV); however, little is known about the role of passerines in avian influenza virus ecology. Passerines are abundant, widespread, and commonly come into contact with free-ranging birds as well as captive game birds and poultry. We inoculated and subsequently challenged house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with wild-bird origin LPAIV H3N8 to evaluate their potential role in transmission. Oropharyngeal shedding was short lived, and was detected in more starlings (97.2%) than sparrows (47.2%; n=36 of each). Cloacal shedding was rare in both species (8.3%; n=36 of each) and no cage-mate transmission occurred. Infectious LPAIV was cultured from oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and gastrointestinal and respiratory tissues from both species. Seroconversion was detected as early as 3 days post inoculation (d.p.i.) (16.7% of sparrows and 0% of starlings; n=6 each);...
Multiple daily amphetamine administration decreases both [3H]agoinst and [3]antagonist dopamine receptor binding

Multiple daily amphetamine injections in rats decreased both [3H]agonist as well as [3H]antagonist striatal dopamine receptor binding. Concurrently, these animals exhibited a decrease in striatal dopamine concentration and, paradoxically, an enhancement of behavioral responsivity.
Bridging social and private interactions: Collaborative Information Retrieval in K‐12 learning contexts

Until recently, most models of information seeking and retrieval did not take into account other searchers or peers in the social/organizational environment (Wilson, 1999). Donald Case's (2007) survey of research on information seeking, needs and behavior further illustrates this omission: in the research literature, other persons are portrayed as sources of information, but not actively involved in the search process as collaborators. The concept of Collaborative Information Retrieval (CIR), on the other hand, identifies that peers and other human intermediaries play an important role in information behavior, both in formal and informal contexts. Researchers have documented the presence of collaboration in student information behavior in school libraries; however, the CIR concept has not been directly explored in K-12 education. The study of CIR in K-12 education may illustrate ways to improve the efficacy of our instructional programs in information literacy, as well as suggest requirements for the design of information systems and services.
The Canary in the Coal Mine: The Growth of Patient-Derived Tumorgrafts in Mice Predicts Clinical Recurrence after Surgical Resection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Recurrence after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is common, thus postoperative surveillance is critical for detection and treatment of recurrent disease. The development of biologically based techniques for early recurrence detection may enable more timely and effective treatment of such recurrences. Tumor fragments derived from patients who underwent potentially curative resection of PDAC were heterotopically implanted into NOD/SCID mice. Engraftment success rates and growth parameters were matched to clinicopathologic data, preoperative treatment status, and oncologic outcomes to correlate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival. Seventy patients consented to participate with 56 (80 %) developing a mouse PDAC tumorgraft. Patients with successful engraftment had a shorter median DFS compared with patients whose tumorgrafts failed to engraft (9.8 vs. 40.9 mo, respectively; p < 0.01). Fifty patients received preoperative therapy with 36 (72 %) successful tumorgrafts from this cohort. On multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 3, 95 % CI 1.4–6.7, p < 0.01) and successful engraftment (HR 5.8, 95 % CI 2–16.9, p < 0.01) were predictive of a shorter DFS in the preoperative therapy cohort. In patients who recurred, tumorgraft formation was identified at a median of 134.5 days before standard methods of radiographic recurrence detection (p < 0.01). Patient-derived tumorgrafts from resected PDAC may potentially predict recurrence months before currently available surveillance modalities. This lead-time advantage may allow for earlier implementation or changes in therapy as successful engraftment, particularly in those having undergone preoperative therapy, may indicate a more biologically aggressive disease.
Disaggregating Induced Intensification for Land-Change Analysis: A Case Study from Madagascar

This study investigates smallholder responses to land pressure in the Andapa region of Madagascar. Recent enforcement of conservation laws has abruptly closed the agricultural frontier, and development experts warn of land degradation if exogenous support is not forthcoming. To evaluate responses, the study identifies adaptive and maladaptive management strategies by production sector instead of by production system, allowing for a more precise linkage between strategies and associated land change. Results reveal a remarkably positive response to land pressure, with significant expansion of both market tree crops and irrigated rice fields. Yet, the study also finds excessive cropping frequency in the hill-rice sector, demonstrating independently motivated and environmentally inconsistent strategies within production systems. This evidence calls for a new formulation of the induced intensification thesis's bipolar model predicting either adaptive or maladaptive change. It also suggests that exogenous polic...
Strong and Specific Protective and Therapeutic Immunity Induced by Single HLA-A2.1 Restricted Epitope DNA Vaccine in Rabbits

Abstract An HLA-A2.1 transgenic rabbit /Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) infection model has been reported previously. In this study, we incorporated online MHCI epitope prediction software and HLA-A2.1 transgenic mouse and rabbit systems together to demonstrate an efficient way to identify and test immunogenicity of two HLA-A2.1 restricted epitopes from CRPVE1 (161-169 LLFRQAHSV and 303-311 MLQEKPFQL). Both epitopes were able to induce specific cytotoxic CD8 T cells in HLA-A2.1 mice and rabbits after peptide and DNA immunization and in vitro stimulation respectively. Using an epitope DNA vaccination method, we achieved partial and complete protection against CRPV DNA challenge by CRPVE1/161-169 and CRPVE1/303-311 respectively in HLA-A2.1 transgenic outbred rabbits. CRPVE1/303-311 also showed strong and specific therapeutic effects in CRPV-infected HLA-A2.1 transgenic outbred rabbits. Interestingly, epitope CRPVE1/303-311 (but not E1/161-169) showed strong protective immunity in non-transgenic EIII/JC inbred (but not outbred) NZW rabbits. Our data demonstrates an efficient way to identify HLA-A2.1 restricted epitopes for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
Radial diffusion comparing a THEMIS statistical model with geosynchronous measurements as input

The outer boundary energetic electron flux is used as a driver in radial diffusion calculations, and its precise determination is critical to the solution. A new model was proposed recently based on Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) measurements to express the boundary flux as three fit functions of solar wind parameters in a response window that depend on energy and which solar wind parameter is used: speed, density, or both. The Dartmouth radial diffusion model has been run using Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) geosynchronous satellite measurements as the constraint for a one-month interval in July to August 2004, and the calculated phase space density (PSD) is compared with GPS measurements, at magnetic equatorial plane crossings, as a test of the model. We also used the PSD generated from the Shin and Lee model as constraint and examined it by computing the error relative to the LANL geosynchronous spacecraft data-driven run. The calculation shows that there is overestimation and underestimation at different times; however, the direct insertion of the statistical model can be used to drive the radial diffusion model generally, producing the phase space density dropout and increase during a storm. Having this model based on a solar wind parameterized data set, we can run the radial diffusion model for storms when particle measurements are not available as input. We chose the Whole Heliosphere Interval as an example and compared the result with MHD/test-particle simulations, obtaining better agreement with GPS measurement using the diffusion model, which incorporates atmospheric losses and an initial equilibrium radial profile.
Treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major public health problem in the United States. However, in contrast to systolic heart failure, there are little data to guide treatment decisions in HFpEF, and no therapies have been shown to improve outcome in these patients. This review explores what is currently known about the pathophysiologic mechanisms causing HFpEF in order to frame appropriate therapeutic targets and better understand the clinical responses commonly observed in patients with HFpEF. Data from published clinical trials are reviewed, and the roles for each class of drug commonly used in practice are examined. Finally, novel therapies and future directions for basic investigation and clinical trials are discussed.
A bipartite signaling mechanism involved in DnaJ-mediated activation of the Escherichia coli DnaK protein.

The DnaK and DnaJ heat shock proteins function as the primary Hsp70 and Hsp40 homologues, respectively, of Escherichia coli. Intensive studies of various Hsp70 and DnaJ-like proteins over the past decade have led to the suggestion that interactions between specific pairs of these two types of proteins permit them to serve as molecular chaperones in a diverse array of protein metabolic events, including protein folding, protein trafficking, and assembly and disassembly of multisubunit protein complexes. To further our understanding of the nature of Hsp70-DnaJ interactions, we have sought to define the minimal sequence elements of DnaJ required for stimulation of the intrinsic ATPase activity of DnaK. As judged by proteolysis sensitivity, DnaJ is composed of three separate regions, a 9-kDa NH2-terminal domain, a 30-kDa COOH-terminal domain, and a protease-sensitive glycine- and phenylalanine-rich (G/F-rich) segment of 30 amino acids that serves as a flexible linker between the two domains. The stable 9-kDa proteolytic fragment was identified as the highly conserved J-region found in all DnaJ homologues. Using this structural information as a guide, we constructed, expressed, purified, and characterized several mutant DnaJ proteins that contained either NH2-terminal or COOH-terminal deletions. At variance with current models of DnaJ action, DnaJ1-75, a polypeptide containing an intact J-region, was found to be incapable of stimulating ATP hydrolysis by DnaK protein. We found, instead, that two sequence elements of DnaJ, the J-region and the G/F-rich linker segment, are each required for activation of DnaK-mediated ATP hydrolysis and for minimal DnaJ function in the initiation of bacteriophage λ DNA replication. Further analysis indicated that maximal activation of ATP hydrolysis by DnaK requires two independent but simultaneous protein-protein interactions: (i) interaction of DnaK with the J-region of DnaJ and (ii) binding of a peptide or polypeptide to the polypeptide-binding site associated with the COOH-terminal domain of DnaK. This dual signaling process required for activation of DnaK function has mechanistic implications for those protein metabolic events, such as polypeptide translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotic cells, that are dependent on interactions between Hsp70-like and DnaJ-like proteins.
Synthesis of 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane (dtbpe) complexes of nickel: radical coupling and reduction reactions promoted by the nickel(I) dimer [(dtbpe)NiCl]2

Abstract Tetrahydrofuran solutions of (dtbpe)NiCl2 (dtbpe=1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane) are reduced by KC8 to afford the dimeric Ni(I) complex [(dtbpe)NiCl]2 (1) in 73% yield. Reaction of 1 with [FeCp2][PF6] effects a one-electron oxidation to give the mixed-valent Ni(I,II) binuclear species [{(dtbpe)NiCl}2][PF6], [1][PF6]. Complex 1 reacts with the radicals NO and TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-N-oxyl) to give the diamagnetic Ni(0) nitrosyl (dtbpe)Ni(Cl)(NO) (2) and the Ni(II) complex (dtbpe)Ni(Cl)(O,N:η2-TEMPO) (3). Reduction of the SS bond of diphenyldisulfide by 1 results in formation of the Ni(II) arylthiolate complex (dtbpe)NiCl(SPh) (4). The radical anions NaOCPh2 and KN2Ph2 react cleanly with 1 to afford (dtbpe)Ni(η2-OCPh2) (5) and (dtbpe)Ni(η2-N2Ph2) (6). Phenylacetylide CC bond coupling is effected by reaction of 1 with LiCCPh to form [(dtbpe)Ni(C,C′:η2-CCPh)]2 (7). In addition to standard spectroscopic (IR, NMR, EPR) and magnetic measurements, complexes 1, [1][PF6], 3, and 5 were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods.
SugarTrail: Indoor navigation in retail environments without surveys and maps

A system that helps people navigate in indoor environments on a fine-grained level can enable a variety of pervasive computing applications in retail environments. Existing indoor navigation systems rely on extensive RF tagging surveys and accurate floor plans. These prerequisites are often impractical in indoor environments. In this paper, we present SugarTrail, a system for indoor navigation assistance in retail environments that minimizes the need for active tagging and does not require existing maps. By leveraging the structured movement patterns of shoppers in retail store environments, the system provides higher accuracy than existing radio finger-printing approaches. With minimal setup and active user participation, the system automatically learns user movement pathways in indoor environments from radiofrequency and magnetic signatures. These pathways are clustered and used to automatically build a navigable virtual roadmap of the environment. We present results from a campus testbed and from actual radio measurements collected in an operational supermarket to show that SugarTrail system can navigate users with a success rate of > 85% and an average accuracy of 0.7m.