cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applications of label‐free, quantitative phase holographic imaging cytometry to the development of multi‐specific nanoscale pharmaceutical formulations

A label-free, high content, time-lapse holographic imaging system was applied to studies in pharmaceutical compound development. Multiple fields of cellular images are obtained over typically several day evaluations within standard CO2 incubators. Events are segmented to obtain population data of cellular features, which are displayed in scattergrams and histograms. Cell tracking is accomplished, accompanied by Cartesian plots of cell movement, as well as plots of cell features vs. time in novel 4-D displays of X position, Y position, time, and cell thickness. Our review of the instrument validation data includes 1) tracking of Giant HeLa cells, which may be undergoing neosis, a process of tumor stem cell generation; 2) tracking the effects of cell cycle related toxic agents on cell lines; 3) using MicroRNAs to reverse the polarization state in macrophages to induce tumor cell killing; 4) development of liposomal nanoformulations to overcome Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) in ovarian cancer cells; and 5) development of dual sensitive micelles to specifically target matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) over-expressing cell lines. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Transitions in marriage: Types, turbulence, and transition processing activities

This study examines transitions in marriage by merging the frameworks of the relational turbulence model and the experiencing life transitions model. An online survey presented 208 married individu...
First Report of the Dark Rover Ant, Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), from Tennessee

ABSTRACT The dark rover ant, a species native to South American, is documented for the first time in Tennessee. This invasive species was found at one of eleven survey sites, suggesting that it is not yet well established in Tennessee.
Evidence for Reduced, Carbon-rich Regions in the Solar Nebula from an Unusual Cometary Dust Particle

Author(s): De Gregorio, BT; Stroud, RM; Nittler, LR; Kilcoyne, ALD | Abstract: Geochemical indicators in meteorites imply that most formed under relatively oxidizing conditions. However, some planetary materials, such as the enstatite chondrites, aubrite achondrites, and Mercury, were produced in reduced nebular environments. Because of large-scale radial nebular mixing, comets and other Kuiper Belt objects likely contain some primitive material related to these reduced planetary bodies. Here, we describe an unusual assemblage in a dust particle from comet 81P/Wild 2 captured in silica aerogel by the NASA Stardust spacecraft. The bulk of this ∼20 μm particle is comprised of an aggregate of nanoparticulate Cr-rich magnetite, containing opaque sub-domains composed of poorly graphitized carbon (PGC). The PGC forms conformal shells around tiny 5-15 nm core grains of Fe carbide. The C, N, and O isotopic compositions of these components are identical within errors to terrestrial standards, indicating a formation inside the solar system. Magnetite compositions are consistent with oxidation of reduced metal, similar to that seen in enstatite chondrites. Similarly, the core-shell structure of the carbide + PGC inclusions suggests a formation via FTT reactions on the surface of metal or carbide grains in warm, reduced regions of the solar nebula. Together, the nanoscale assemblage in the cometary particle is most consistent with the alteration of primary solids condensed from a C-rich, reduced nebular gas. The nanoparticulate components in the cometary particle provide the first direct evidence from comets of reduced, carbon-rich regions that were present in the solar nebula.
Advances In Business Problem Solving: Bridging Business And Computing Disciplines

Fifty years have passed since the first business computing system began regular operations in 1951. Today, business computing systems in their may manifestations are important and often essential for the competitiveness or even survival of most organizations. This spectacular leap has been fueled by unrelenting advances in computer and communications technologies. It has been driven by the need to effectively deal with relentless growth in the volumes and complexity of knowledge produced and confronted by organizations in the course of their business activities. It has been guided by the successful bridging of computing and business disciplines in the interest of business problem solving. This chapter examines the exceptional bridging work of a remarkable contributor to the business computing field: Professor Andrew Whinston. It does so by way of a framework for appreciating both the multidisciplinary nature of the field and Andy’s significant global contributions to it. The still unfolding legacy of Andy’s work provides an outstanding role model and inspiration for both seasoned colleagues and beginning students throughout the business computing field.
Smart Gamification and Smart Serious Games

The nascent technologies—smart serious games and smart gamification—potentially present an effective fusion of smart technology and smart systems on one side, and applications of computer game mechanics in “serious” areas and gamification of business processes on the other side. They can combine the features and advantages of both areas, and, as a result, provide the end users with non-existing functionality, features and advances. This chapter is aimed to analyze current status of serious games and gamified applications in industry, examine “smartness” maturity levels of smart objects and systems, classify main components and features and present conceptual design model of smart serious games and smart gamified applications, identify technical skills required for a design and development of smart serious games and smart gamification of business, research and development processes and simulations.
Clinical Comparability of Schizophrenia Patients at Two Public Mental Health Systems

Differences between public mental health delivery systems do not permit generalizing most research findings from one service system to another. Under certain circumstances, generalizing psychopharmacological research findings may be feasible when patients served at these health care systems share a similar illness severity profile. This study compared the illness severity of schizophrenia patients served at the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VA) with that for Non-VA Medicaid patients served at state facilities. Findings demonstrate remarkable clinical comparability and suggest the potential for generalizing psychopharmacological research findings from one health care delivery system to the other, after adjustments for relevant background characteristics.
Overview, History, and Overall Objectives of Auditing

The objectives of the audit have also evolved through time from the detection of fraud to its prevention through adequate safeguards and principles. An audit function plays a critical role in maintaining the welfare and stability of the society. Today, it is well accepted that the role or function of an audit consists of providing credibility to the financial statements prepared and released by company managers for their shareholders, including the detection, the report, as well as the assessment of the business’ risks.
The Learning Loss Effect in Genetics: What Ideas Do Students Retain or Lose After Instruction?

Modern genetics is a relatively new domain, but it is increasingly important for students to have a firm grasp on the content, because genetic technologies are becoming more commonplace. In a previous study, we used the Learning Progression-based Assessment of Modern Genetics to assess high school students' knowledge of genetics concepts after an intensive inquiry-based genetics instructional period. Given that this type of intensive inquiry-based instruction is unique, we are now investigating how students' knowledge of genetics changes after instruction (i.e., learning loss effect). Using a six-measure longitudinal design, we found that students retained significant gains in five of the 12 constructs 18 months after instruction; scores were not significantly different than the pretest in seven of the constructs. Through a nonparametric analysis, we found that students are better able to retain mechanistic explanations in genetics than memorized details. This study uses an learning progression framework that examines what happens to genetics knowledge over an extended period of time after instruction and indicates that classroom time is better spent helping students construct mechanistic explanations of genetic phenomena as opposed to memorizing terminology.
A survey of automation-enabled human-in-the-loop systems for infrastructure visual inspection

Abstract Routine inspection and maintenance are critical for the proper functioning of civil infrastructures such as bridges, pavements and underground structures. Civil infrastructures are being inspected less frequently because of the high cost and long duration of current inspection procedures. Furthermore, conventional inspection procedures often interrupt the routine functioning of the infrastructure, are inspector-dependent and expose the inspectors to complex and unsafe working environments. Visual inspection technologies play a crucial role in the inspection and maintenance of civil infrastructures. Automation-assisted technologies such as drones and underwater vehicles equipped with multiple imaging and sensing systems have been developed to address some of these issues with the conventional visual inspection processes. This paper reviews peer-reviewed research publications investigating automated visual inspection technologies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Specifically, 53 publications satisfying a set of inclusion criteria were reviewed, its results highlighting the application domain, the level of autonomy of the automated systems, the sensor technologies used for the inspection process and navigation, the navigation and control technologies and the algorithms used. The review of the articles revealed that the data collected by automation is used to augment the qualitative assessment. Several types of algorithms such as target detection and image enhancing have been developed to reduce the inspector bias in these automated technologies. Path planning algorithms reduce the workload on the inspector by automating the navigation and control tasks. Remotely operated systems reduce the risk to the inspectors by minimizing their exposure to the inspection environment. However, only a limited number of studies investigated the human factors aspects of the automation-assisted inspection process. It is important to understand the cognitive, physical, and temporal demands these technologies place on inspectors to improve the design of systems assisting in the inspection process. Moreover, factors such as automation bias, trust in the system and communication between the automation and the operator need to be investigated. Furthermore, it is important to incorporate appropriate decision aids that support adequate situation awareness in the interface design. Based on these findings this review proposes directions for future research. This review concludes by highlighting the need for human-centered research to develop better solutions for infrastructure inspection problems.
Evaluation of A Data Analytic Based Anomaly Detection Method for Load Forecasting Data

Grid operation relies on accurate short-term load forecast, and therefore, can become vulnerable to cybersecurity issues. The cyber adversary, once breaches the forecasting systems, may launch coordinated cyberattacks to covertly tamper with essential forecasting data including time series load and meteorological data and/or forecasting models. Detection and mitigation of data anomalies induced by such cyberattacks are more difficult. A previously introduced data analytics based method (DABM) using the so-called "Symbolic Aggregation approximation" (SAX) to detect abnormal patterns is further developed and its detailed evaluation is performed for forecast data compromised using different cyberattack templates. It is also demonstrated that attacks on weather data such as temperature may also be detected indirectly by applying the DAMB. A mitigation strategy is developed upon the detection of anomalies for a cybersecure forecasting scheme.
Civic-mindedness Development throughout a Physical Therapy Curriculum

Graduate professional programs seek to foster professionalism and civic-mindedness in their students. This study measures the development of civic-mindedness throughout a graduate physical therapy (PT) program curriculum committed to community engagement. Three class cohorts completed the Civic-Minded Professional (CMP) Scale at four time points. Scores increased throughout the curriculum. Participants involved in community service leadership had the highest scores. A professional program that allows for community engagement throughout the curriculum will encourage student development of civic-mindedness.
Risk of Collision in a Vehicle Platoon in Presence of Communication Time Delay and Exogenous Stochastic Disturbance

A platoon is a suitable model to study self-operating (e.g., driving or flying) vehicles, where a team of vehicles is lined up in a chain and travel in close proximity of each other. These vehicles form a dynamical network where the objective is to match their speed and traverse safely without inter-vehicle collisions. In this paper, the unknown effect of environment is modeled by an additive exogenous stochastic disturbance. We impose the realistic constraint that vehicles communicate with some certain time delay. We use a second order model for the platoon and define a risk measure that quantifies possibility of an inter-vehicle collision. A closed form expression is derived for the risk measure that uncovers an inherent interplay among communication topology, statistics of the exogenous disturbance, and time delay. We explain that the combination of noise and delay puts a limit on our ability to leverage connectivity in order to decrease risk. In some cases we show that more connectivity, increases the risk of collision.
Engineering properties of natural pozzolan/slag based alkali-activated concrete

Abstract The current study aims to assess engineering properties of alkali-activated concretes made with hybrid aluminosilicate precursors having different proportions of natural pozzolan as a low calcium precursor and blast furnace slag as a high calcium precursor which activated with different concentrations and combinations of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The studied parameters included aluminosilicate precursor combination (natural pozzolan/slag proportions of 70/30, 50/50 and 30/70), sodium hydroxide concentration (1, 1.75 and 2.5 M), and activator combination (sodium silicate/sodium hydroxide proportions of 20/80, 25/75 and 30/70). The resulting concrete mixtures were tested for slump, setting time, unit weight, compressive strength, tensile strength, elastic modulus, drying shrinkage, absorption, and chloride penetration. The performance of developed alkali-activated concretes was also compared with that of a reference portland cement concrete. The findings of this study revealed that alkali-activated concretes can be designed to perform similar or superior to portland cement concrete. In view of overall performance, an equal proportion of natural pozzolan and slag (50/50) and a 30/70 combination of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide proved to be the optimum precursor and activator combinations, respectively. The optimum sodium hydroxide concentration was dependent on the precursor and activator combinations as well as the expected fresh, strength, dimensional stability and transport properties.
Sense of Effort and Articulatory Contact Pressure Associated with Talking by Individuals Using Tracheoesophageal Speech.

Background/aims The aims of this study were (1) to determine locations of increased effort in the body when talking using tracheoesophageal speech (TES); (2) to compare talking effort for participants using TES and those using laryngeal speech; (3) to compare tongue-palate contact pressure during talking for TES and laryngeal speech; and (4) to assess the relationship between talking effort and articulatory contact pressure (ACP). Methods This cohort comparison study included 16 individuals using TES and 10 using laryngeal speech. Participants rated talking effort on a visual analog scale and then rated effort in the lungs, throat, oral cavity, brain (cognitive) and arm/shoulder. ACP for /t/, /d/, and /n/ produced in sentences was measured using a pressure sensor on the alveolar ridge. Results Factor analysis of effort ratings across body locations by participants using TES revealed two latent variables associated with non-voice production locations and voice production. Ratings of effort and ACP were statistically significantly higher in participants using TES. The correlation between overall talking effort and ACP was strong and statistically significantly. Conclusions The effort ratings suggest adults with functional TES experience talking as more effortful than adults with a larynx. Some increased effort was focused in the voice production process, but regions outside of voicing were also implicated.
A Strategic Game for Task Offloading among Capacitated UAV-Mounted Cloudlets

In this paper, we focus on the computational offloading problem among unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) acting as small flying cloudlets that receive compute-intensive tasks from Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Different from existing studies, we consider a network of capacitated UAV-mounted cloudlets (NUMC) covering a region, where each UAV is endowed with limited computational resources and a restricted capacity providing edge computing services to IoT users in that region. UAVs aim to optimize their energy consumption while satisfying quality of services of IoT tasks. We formulate the task offloading problem among UAVs as an integer program, and introduce a novel offloading game to model this problem. We prove the existence of pure-strategy Nash equilibrium of our game, where none of the UAVs has incentive to change its offloading decision. We propose a strategic offloading algorithm to solve our proposed game and find a Nash equilibrium. We evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithm by extensive experiments. The results show that a Nash equilibrium exists in NUMC and a desired system performance is achieved as well.
Sextus Empiricus' Fourth Conditional and Containment Logic

In his Outlines of Pyrrhonism 2.110–113, Sextus Empiricus presents four different accounts of the conditional, presumably all from the Hellenistic period, in increasing logical strength. While the ...
Baricitinib reverses HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in a SCID mouse model and reservoir seeding in vitro

Since HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) occur in up to half of HIV-positive individuals, even with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), adjunctive therapies are needed. Chronic CNS inflammation contributes to HAND and HIV encephalitis (HIVE). Baricitinib is a JAK 1/2 inhibitor approved in the USA, EU, and Japan for rheumatoid arthritis, demonstrating potent inhibition of IL-6, D-dimer, CRP, TNF-α, IFN-α/β, and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our modified murine HAND model was used to evaluate the ability of baricitinib to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and modulate monocyte/macrophage-driven HAND. Severity of HAND was measured by assessing cognitive performance of low- and high-dose baricitinib treated versus untreated HAND mice. The severity of brain neuroinflammation was evaluated in these mouse groups after flow cytometric analyses. We also assessed the ability of baricitinib to block events in myeloid and lymphoid cells in vitro that may undergird the persistence of HIV in the central nervous system (CNS) in primary human macrophages (Mϕ) and lymphocytes including HIV replication, HIV-induced activation, reservoir expansion, and reservoir maintenance. In vivo, both doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg qd baricitinib crossed the BBB and reversed behavioral abnormalities conferred by HIV infection. Moreover, baricitinib significantly reduced HIV-induced neuroinflammation marked by glial activation: activated microglia (MHCII+/CD45+) and astrogliosis (GFAP). Baricitinib also significantly reduced the percentage of p24+ human macrophages in mouse brains (p < 0.05 versus HAND mice; t test). In vitro, baricitinib significantly reduced markers of persistence, reservoir size, and reseeding in Mϕ. These results show that blocking the JAK/STAT pathway reverses cognitive deficits and curtails inflammatory markers in HAND in mice. Our group recently reported safety and tolerability of ruxolitinib in HIV-infected individuals (Marconi et al., Safety, tolerability and immunologic activity of ruxolitinib added to suppressive ART, 2019), underscoring potential safety and utility of JAK inhibitors for additional human trials. The data reported herein coupled with our recent human trial with JAK inhibitors provide compelling preclinical data and impetus for considering a trial of baricitinib in HAND individuals treated with cART to reverse cognitive deficits and key events driving viral persistence.
Characterization of genes involved in (p)ppGpp precursor biosynthesis in Erwinia amylovora

Previous studies have shown that the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp)-type III secretion system (T3SS) is activated by the bacterial alarmone (p)ppGpp, which mediates the stringent response in nutrient starvation conditions in Erwinia amylovora. ATP and GTP, the precursors of (p)ppGpp biosynthesis, are synthesized from AMP/adenine and GMP/guanine, respectively, by the de novo pathway of purine biosynthesis. In this study, we examined the role of the purA/purB and guaA/guaB genes, which are involved in the AMP/adenine and GMP/guanine biosynthesis, respectively. Our results showed that growth of the purA, purB, and guaAB mutants was much slower in minimal media, but could be restored by addition of exogenous AMP/adenine and GMP/guanine, respectively. However, mixed results were obtained for their contribution to virulence on immature pear fruits. These results suggested that the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway might be required for proliferation, colonization and infection of E. amylovora.
Lipid Rafts, Sphingolipids, and Ergosterol in Yeast Vacuole Fusion and Maturation

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysosome-like vacuole is a useful model for studying membrane fusion events and organelle maturation processes utilized by all eukaryotes. The vacuolar membrane is capable of forming micrometer and nanometer scale domains that can be visualized using microscopic techniques and segregate into regions with surprisingly distinct lipid and protein compositions. These lipid raft domains are liquid-ordered (L o ) like regions that are rich in sphingolipids, phospholipids with saturated acyl chains, and ergosterol. Recent studies have shown that these lipid rafts contain an enrichment of many different proteins that function in essential activities such as nutrient transport, organelle contact, membrane trafficking, and homotypic fusion, suggesting that they are biologically relevant regions within the vacuole membrane. Here, we discuss recent developments and the current understanding of sphingolipid and ergosterol function at the vacuole, the composition and function of lipid rafts at this organelle and how the distinct lipid and protein composition of these regions facilitates the biological processes outlined above.
Extensive Peripheral Arterial Thrombosis in a Patient with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Thrombosis is one of the major underlying pathogenetic mechanisms leading to increased morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients. Thromboembolic events as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are the major causes of death in this continued pandemic. While elevated D-dimer level suggests worse thrombotic outcomes, levels at which benefits of anticoagulation outweigh the bleeding risk is yet to be determined. In this report, we present a case of a 72-year-old man with COVID-19 presented with confusion and subsequently developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure. On hospital day 7, patient developed extensive peripheral arterial thrombosis with acute rise of D-dimer from 800 to 14,899 ng/ml. He was treated with heparin drip and underwent urgent brachial, radial and ulnar embolectomy under general anesthesia. In this report, we also discuss the pathogenetic mechanisms and management of thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the role of early detection and aggressive therapeutic interventions that could be life and / or limb saving strategy.
H I OBSERVATIONS OF FIVE GROUPS OF GALAXIES

We present the results of H I observations of five groups of galaxies spanning a range of velocity dispersion and spiral fraction (brightest optical group member in parenthesis): NGC 7582 (NGC 7552), USGC U207 (NGC 2759), USGC U070 (NGC 664), USGC U412 (NGC 3822), USGC U451 (NGC 4065). Neutral intragroup gas is detected in three of the five groups. We present the discovery of a previously uncataloged galaxy in the USGC U070 group at α(2000) = 01h45m27s, δ(2000) = +0436'19'', which we are designating FSW J014526.92+043619.1. We compile an H I mass function for the group environment and find that the faint-end slope is consistent with being flat.
Compact Augmented Spark Igniters For Liquid Rocket Engines

The objective of this dissertation is to characterize augmented spark impinging (torch) igniters. Torch igniters inject propellants into a small prechamber where a spark igniter imparts the activation energy to initiate combustion. The flame stabilizes within the prechamber and exits into the main combustion chamber where it ignites the main flow directly or by mixing with a coaxial flow to create a secondary flame. The underlying phenomena that promote reliable ignition are multifaceted and required a broad scope of investigations. Initial efforts focused on spark discharges across an annular geometry. Gaseous propellent projects the electrical arc toward the prechamber, where the arc and the thermal energy is imparted to the surrounding fluid then meets with a combustible mixture. Discharges are parametrically examined against pressure, spark-gap size, and exciter types to emulate transient engine startup. The energy imparted to the flow, approximate velocity, and distance traveled by the exhaust plume are determined. Spark quenching (no energy deposition) and its effects on perceived versus actual measurements are shown. Results outline the prechamber target zone where a combustible mixture is necessary for ignition. Next, three-dimensional, time-accurate, and nonreacting computational fluid dynamics simulations assess effects of geometric and mass flow differences on the size, location, and composition of a combustible mixture. Fluid dynamic phenomena are elucidated. Correlations between nondimensional variables are found. Results are coupled with a conservation-law analysis to produce novel objective functions. Lastly, a full-scale, modular torch igniter is tested. Injector sizes, mixture ratios, and injector momentum ratios are systematically varied to map ignition probability and ignition delay. Results show the importance of local mixture ratios, provide injector momentum ratios guidelines, and demonstrate reliable ignition of core mixture ratios typically outside flammability limits. The deliverable of this project is not a torch igniter or derivative thereof. Instead, this dissertation produces novel objective-functions for igniter design. These equations are functions of variables that may be constrained by engine-level requirements, physics, and experimental results from this work. They provide a foundation for future igniter design and will minimize iterative processes from the design cycle for next-generation ignition hardware.
Multi-Channel Entity Alignment via Name Uniqueness Estimation

When searching for adversarial activity within multiple networks, one of the greatest challenges is how to accurately align entities across different channels of information. This task becomes increasingly difficult when minimal additional information is known about each individual besides a name. Within this study, we analyze name rarity and how it can be used to align people on three distinct data channels: Venmo financial transactions, Reddit online discussions, and a bibliographic data source of academic writings. We explore how the uniqueness of a name can be used to decide if a person is likely the same as another across networks, in the absence of any additional ground truth. While 100 percent confidence cannot be gained, we can use this information to clarify when a possible alignment is more or less likely to be the same individual, increasing our confidence of accurately detecting adversarial behavioral patterns. From the data collected, we found that 0.1% of people had the same name across data sets, and 22.5% of those names are considered rare by our threshold. In our study, we also examine the accuracy of our method and show how real names can be extracted from account usernames, and compared in a similar manner.
Age and Sexual Orientation Moderated the Effects of a Bystander-Focused Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program for High School Students.

The objective of the current paper was to identify moderating factors of a bystander-focused violence prevention program for adolescents, Bringing in the Bystander—High School Curriculum. Participants were 2,403 high school students from 25 schools in northern New England (M age = 15.8 years; 50.9% female; 85.1% White, 84.5% heterosexual) who participated in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. We examined impact among different social groups (i.e., by race, gender, age, poverty, sexual orientation) using moderation analyses. The intervention effects for the past 12-month sexual harassment and stalking perpetration were stronger for younger participants and heterosexual participants; poverty, race, and gender did not moderate any program effects. Findings indicate that future prevention research should consider additional targets for older adolescents that may improve intervention program efficacy. An urgent need exists for interventions that are effective for sexual minority adolescents.
Within-gap position shapes fifty years of forest dynamics in a temperate hardwood forest in Connecticut, USA

Abstract Predictions of forest succession have a tremendous influence on forest management decisions, strategies, and policies. Although generalized forest succession models are intensively studied, there is a distinct lack of long-term studies confirming these models due to the logistical constraints of tracking a forest as it develops over decades or centuries. Here we use a long-term dataset spanning >50 years of third-growth forest development in experimental forest gaps within a second-growth northern temperate hardwood forest to examine the influence of gap position on the structure and composition of regeneration and confirm past models of forest succession. We document key stand development patterns in even-aged mixed-species stands, including vertical stratification and shifts in diameter distributions. While the stands have shifted into a classic inverse-J diameter distribution, these shifts are due to a combination of unimodal distributions of the shade-intolerant and intermediate guilds that grow in mean diameter over time with consistently high densities of small individuals from the shade-tolerant guild. The greatest vertical stratification between the shade-intolerant and intermediate guilds occurred 30 years after clearing but then disappeared as the intermediate guild increased in height. In contrast, the separation in strata between the shade-tolerant species and the more intolerant guilds only increased over time. Finally, we found that gap position had a significant effect on productivity. The basal area, height, and species richness (in this case, an indicator of canopy stratification) were best modeled with negative quadratic regressions with highest values in gap centers and lower values towards the edges of gaps. This pattern aligns more with expected moisture and nutrient availability within gaps than expected solar radiation in the northern hemisphere, suggesting that moisture and nutrient availability may play a greater role than is often acknowledged in temperate forest types. Furthermore, these relationships were readily apparent only after 30 years yet became more accentuated with time, highlighting the importance of long-term research on successional dynamics for management. Ultimately our results document a clear successional trajectory in these gaps that follow expectations for even-aged mixed-species stand development where a full suite of species leads to rolling periods of dominance based on species functional guilds, with early successional species replaced by late-successional species in the progression of succession.
Digital planning for implant retained overdentures

Digitally planned implant placement is quickly becoming a standard for guided implant placement due to greater accuracy and predictability. The Digital Workflow can optimize the implant position by enabling the dentist to access the quality and quantity of the bone, soft tissues, and the surrounding anatomic structures. This method results in a final restoration with increased stability, retention, comfort, and ultimately better masticatory function for the patient.
Novel Speckle Tracking Analysis Showed Excellent Reproducibility for Size and Shape of the Fetal Heart and Good Reproducibility for Strain and Fractional Shortening

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate reproducibility and agreement of fetal cardiac shape and deformation using FetalHQ. Methods Fifty normal fetuses at 20-38 weeks of gestation were evaluated. Two operators independently selected an optimal cardiac cycle using FetalHQ®™software for speckle tracking analysis. Intra- and interobserver correlation coefficient and limits of agreement for cardiac shape and deformation were estimated. Results Global cardiac markers: high correlation (r = 0.98) and agreement (mean difference, standard deviation [MD, SD] 5.07, 75.8) for ventricular area; moderate correlation (r = 0.78) and agreement (MD, SD: 0.016, 0.08) for global sphericity index (SI) and for left ventricle (LV) global strain (r = 0.65; MD, SD: -4.48, 11.9); and low but still significant correlation (r = 0.58) and agreement (MD, SD: -3.77, 12.27) for right ventricle (RV) global strain. For individual ventricular parameters: high correlation for LV ([median r; range] 0.98; 0.93-0.99) and RV (r = 0.98; 0.97-1.0) SI, and for LV (r = 0.92: 0.56-0.99) and RV (r = 0.96; 0.67-0.99) end diastolic diameters; moderate correlation for LV fractional shortening (r = 0.53; 0.87-0.98); and no significant correlation for RV fractional shortening (r = 0.36; 0.32-0.97). Inter- and intraobserver correlation and agreement were similar for all evaluated parameters. Conclusion Speckle tracking analysis of the fetal heart provides reliable estimations of global and LV shape and deformation. Low correlation in the RV can be related to anatomical structures such as the moderator band.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FAILING DENTAL IMPLANT

SUMMARY With the advent of placement of increasing numbers of implants over the next decade, the need for identification, repair, and maintenance of the failing implant will become increasingly important to the practitioner. The use of viable techniques and materials to salvage the failing implant will continue to improve the short- and long-term prognoses. Grafting materials and guided regeneration of bone and soft tissue are integral aspects of future implant success. Future work is necessary to understand better the biologic and mechanical aspects of implant failure and how to treat potential failures predictably. This work should encompass all aspects of dentistry.
A New Receptor for Lysosomal Proenzymes

Lysosomal enzymes are segregated from secretory proteins in the trans Golgi network by virtue of their ability to bind to mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs) which carry the lysosomal enzymes to late endosomes or prelysosomes (Review, Kornfeld and Mellman, 1989). In these acidic vesicles, the enzymes are released from the MPRs, which recycle back to the Golgi. It is not clear how the lysosomal enzymes, now soluble in the lumen of these sorting vesicles, are targeted on to lysosomes. We have identified a new receptor which binds lysosomal proenzymes at pH 5 (McIntyre and Erickson, 1991). The pH-dependence of the binding reaction suggests that the receptors might be localized in late endosomes and therefore could participate in this sorting process.
Fragmentation in the Expanding Ring Experiment

Ever since the inspiring work of Mott [1] on the explosive fragmentation of shells, the expanding ring test has been used as an effective tool for evaluating the dynamic constitutive and failure behavior of materials at strain rates of about 104 s−1. Due to the complexity of the experimental configuration used in the expanding ring test, very few experimental results are available in the literature. A large database collected by Grady and Benson [2], which shows that the ring fails by generating a large number of localized necking deformation and a number of fractures at the neck points, has served as the main benchmark for analytical and numerical investigators. Two different points of view are prevalent in the literature, one is based on a statistical approach following on Mott and the other based on the growth of perturbations that localize deformation into necks (see for example, Guduru and Freund, [3]). Both approaches provide realistic predictions of the statistics of the fragmentation and its dependence on the rate of loading; hence additional experimental investigations that are instrumented to identify the appropriate necking and fragmentation mechanisms at these strain rates to are essential.
Endogenous GABA attenuates CNS white matter dysfunction following anoxia

We studied the effects of GABA on anoxia-induced injury in CNS white matter using optic nerves exposed to 60 min of anoxia. Injury was assessed by recording pre- and postanoxic compound action potentials (CAPs). GABA (1 microM) significantly increased postanoxic CAP recovery when applied 60 min prior to anoxia. This effect was bicuculline (100 microM) insensitive, mimicked by baclofen (1 microM), blocked by GABA-B antagonists, and not mimicked by selective GABA-A agonists. GABA therefore acted at GABA-B receptors. High concentrations of GABA and baclofen did not influence recovery, possibly indicating GABA-B receptor desensitization at high agonist concentrations. Pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment reduced postanoxic CAP recovery in the presence of 1 microM GABA to control levels, indicating the recruitment of a G-protein-linked intracellular pathway. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation with 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) mimicked the effects of GABA. Inhibition of PKC with 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H7) or staurosporine reduced postanoxic recovery in the presence of GABA to lower levels than under control conditions, confirming the involvement of PKC in the protective effect of GABA and indicating that this GABA-B receptor/G-protein/PKC protective pathway might be active under control conditions. This was confirmed by the observation that GABA-B receptor blockade, in the absence of exogenous GABA, significantly reduced postanoxia recovery. Thus, activation of the protective mechanism under control conditions is due to endogenous GABA release. Increasing the level of endogenous extracellular GABA by blocking GABA uptake with 1 mM nipecotic acid also protected against anoxia. We propose a model where release of GABA in white matter helps to limit nerve fiber injury during anoxia via recruitment of a G-protein/PKC pathway with subsequent phosphorylation of an unknown target protein.
Comparison of the effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone on the steroidogenic activity and ultrastructure of adrenal cortex.

Abstract Comparison of ultrastructural and biochemical response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in superfused adrenals or cell suspension and in adrenals of hypophysectomized rats showed that (a) steroidogenic response can take place in superfused glands that have suffered gross structural damage and contained no detectable intact mitochondria; (b) steroidogenesis of cell suspensions takes place without dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum; (c) adrenals of 1-day posthypophysectomized rats respond normally to ACTH in terms of ultrastructural changes even though they have lost their responsiveness to ACTH in terms of steroidogenesis; (d) these ACTH-induced ultrastructural changes in adrenals of hypophysectomized rats are blocked by the prior administration of cycloheximide and postulated to be dependent upon the translation of preformed mRNA with a longer half-life than the mRNA coding for the labile steroidogenic protein.
Development of Atmospheric Cherenkov Detectors at Milagro

The NEMO (NEutrino Mediterranean Observatory) Collaboration aims at R&D for the construction of an underwater Cerenkov neutrino detector. Great attention is dedicated to projects for the apparatus electronics and mechanical structures. At this stage the main effort of the collaboration is devoted to the selection and characterization of a marine site suitable for the detector deployment. Several sites near the Italian coast have been investigated. In addition, during year 2001, the collaboration will install a test site at 2000 m depth near the Sicilian coast. The facility will be fundamental to study the deep sea environment and to test the reliability of submersed structures.
Finite horizon distributed optimal tracking control of multi-agent systems in presence of completely unknown dynamics

In this paper, a novel time-based finite horizon distributed optimal tracking control is proposed for multi-agent systems with completely unknown system dynamics. First, the distributed optimal tracking control problem has been formulated for multi-agent systems. Next, an online Neural Network (NN) identifier is introduced to approximate the control coefficient matrices of multi-agent systems which is subsequently utilized to develop distributed optimal tracking control inputs. Then, in order to achieve the optimality and satisfy the terminal cost at the fixed final time, a novel actor-critic scheme is proposed to determine the time-based finite horizon distributed optimal tracking control in a forward-in-time manner by using critic NN and actor NN efficiently. Eventually, Lyapunov theory is used to demonstrate that all closed-loop signals and NN weights are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) with ultimate bounds being a function of initial conditions and fixed final time. Further, the approximated distributed control signal converges close to theoretical distributed optimal value within fixed final time even while the multi-agent systems dynamics are completely unknown. Multiple-agent systems tracking example is included in simulation section to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
The influence of black orality on contemporary black poetry and its implications for performance

The Black oral tradition profoundly affects contemporary Black literature, especially poetry. Writers are influenced by Black Orality as it appears in language and music as well as in the nonverbal contribution of dance. An examination of Black poetry shows the influence of cultural orality binds poetic content and performance inextricably. This article explores the influence of Black Orality on Black literature and explains how it affects oral performance.
Evidence for retrograde degeneration of epinephrine neurons in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with a progressive loss of locus ceruleus neurons. These noradrenergic neurons receive a major afferent projection from epinephrine neurons in epinephrine cell groups in the brainstem. The epinephrine neurons have a specific enzymatic Marchker, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), which allows them to be identified chemically and immunohistochemically. We have previously reported a Decemberrease in PNMT in brains of patients with AD. We now report that the Decemberrease in PNMT activity in projections to the locus ceruleus is not due to the loss of epinephrine neurons, although up to 33% of these neurons are atrophic. The Decemberrease in presynaptic PNMT does, however, correlate with the loss of postsynaptic locus ceruleus neurons in brains from AD patients. The percentage of degenerating neurons in the epinephrine nuclei also correlates significantly with the amount of loss of locus ceruleus neurons in AD. In addition, there is a 55% Decemberrease in mitogen activity, a nonspecific measure of growth or maintenance factors, in dialysed locus ceruleus extracts from the AD patients compared to those from control subjects. The mitogen activity in the locus ceruleus was significantly correlated with PNMT activity and with the density of locus ceruleus neurons in all cases examined. These findings provide evidence for the hypothesis that retrograde degeneration is a mechanism of neuronal degeneration in AD and suggest that trophic factors may play a role in this process.
Dynamic state traversal for sequential circuit test generation

A new method for state justification is proposed for sequential circuit test generation. The linear list of states dynamically obtained during the derivation of test vectors is used to guide the search during state justification. State-transfer sequences that drive the circuit from the current state to the target state may already be known. Otherwise, genetic engineering of existing state-transfer sequences is required. In both cases, genetic-algorithm-based techniques are used to generate valid state justification sequences for the circuit in the presence of the target fault. This approach achieves extremely high fault coverages, and thus outperforms previous deterministic and simulation-based techniques.
Nek11, a new member of the NIMA family of kinases, involved in DNA replication and genotoxic stress responses.

Abstract DNA replication and genotoxic stresses activate various checkpoint-associated protein kinases, and checkpoint dysfunction often leads to cell lethality. Here, we have identified new members of the mammalian NIMA family of kinases, termed Nek11L and Nek11S (NIMA-related kinase11 Long and Short isoform) as novel DNA replication/damage stresses-responsive kinases. Molecular cloning and biochemical studies showed that the catalytic domain of Nek11 is most similar to Nek4 and Nek3, and substrate specificity of Nek11L is distinguishable from those of NIMA and Nek2. The expression ofnek11L mRNA increased through S to G2/M phase, and subcellular localization of Nek11 protein altered between interphase and prometaphase, suggesting multiple roles of Nek11. We found an activation of Nek11 kinase activity when cells were treated with various DNA-damaging agents and replication inhibitors, and this activation of Nek11 was suppressed by caffeine in HeLaS3 cells. The transient expression of wild-type Nek11L enhanced the aphidicolin-induced S-phase arrest, whereas the aphidicolin-induced S-phase arrest was reduced in the U2OS cell lines expressing kinase-negative Nek11L (K61R), and these cells were more sensitive to aphidicolin-induced cell lethality. Collectively, these results suggest that Nek11 has a role in the S-phase checkpoint downstream of the caffeine-sensitive pathway.