cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carcinogen-induced colon tumors in mice are chromosomally stable and are characterized by low-level microsatellite instability

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 1521 The azoxymethane (AOM)-induced mouse colon tumor model recapitulates many of the features associated with the multistage progression of human sporadic colorectal cancers (CRCs). To better define the genetic events associated with tumorigenesis in this murine model, we analyzed tumors from A/J mice for chromosomal (CIN) and microsatellite (MSI) instabilities, two important pathways of genomic instability that play a critical role in the pathogenesis of human CRCs. Six week-old male A/J mice were injected with either AOM (n=5) (10mg/kg b.w., ip) or vehicle (n=5) (0.9% NaCl solution) once a week for six weeks. Thirty-two weeks after the last dose, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed on 16 tumors harvested from five animals. While 25% of the tumors displayed either a gain of chromosome 2 or loss of Y, the majority (75%) showed no genomic imbalances. However, 81% of the tumors revealed low-level microsatellite instability (MSI-L) when analyzed using mono- and di-nucleotide repeat markers. Further analysis of chromosomal aberrations and MSI was performed in our recently established A/J colon tumor cell line (SP2u). While data from CGH showed loss of chromosomes 4, 14 and Y, spectral karyotyping (SKY) analysis revealed pseudo-tetraploidy with a loss of the Y chromosome. More importantly, high-level instability (MSI-H) was evident in SP2u cells, suggesting a potential role for the MSI pathway in this tumor model. In addition, each sample was analyzed for mutational changes in the K-ras and Apc genes, two key players in colon tumor progression. A very low frequency (6%) of K-ras mutations, together with the absence of truncation mutations in Apc, was observed. However, a nuclear localization of β-catenin observed in these tumors may indicate a dysregulated Wnt pathway in these mice. In conclusion, our findings suggest a minimal role for CIN and K-ras and Apc-mutations in AOM-induced tumors in mice. However, there remains the possibility that the MSI-L, or mild mutator pathway, may have a potential role in promoting tumor development in this model.
Measuring Individual Cell Cyclic di-GMP: Identifying Population Diversity and Cyclic di-GMP Heterogeneity

Cyclic di-GMP is a second messenger used by bacteria to regulate motility, extracellular polysaccharide production, and the cell cycle. Recent advances in the measurement of real time cyclic di-GMP levels in single cells have uncovered significant dynamic heterogeneity of second messenger concentrations within bacterial populations. This heterogeneity results in a wide range of phenotypic outcomes within a single population, providing the potential for population survival and adaptability in response to rapidly changing environments. In this chapter, we discuss some of the measurement technologies available for single-cell measurement of cyclic di-GMP concentrations, the resulting discovery of heterogeneous cyclic di-GMP populations, the mechanisms bacteria use to generate this heterogeneity, and the biochemical and functional consequences of heterogeneity on cyclic di-GMP effector binding and the bacterial population.
Lineability of the functions that are Sierpiński–Zygmund, Darboux, but not connectivity

Assuming that continuum $$\mathfrak {c}$$ is a regular cardinal, we show that the class $${{\,\mathrm{PES}\,}}{\setminus }{{\,\mathrm{Conn}\,}}$$ of all functions from $$\mathbb {R}$$ to $$\mathbb {R}$$ that are perfectly everywhere surjective (so Darboux) but not connectivity is $$\mathfrak {c}^+$$ -lineable, that is, that there exists a linear space of $$\mathbb {R}^\mathbb {R}$$ of cardinality $$\mathfrak {c}^+$$ that is contained in $$({{\,\mathrm{PES}\,}}{\setminus }{{\,\mathrm{Conn}\,}})\cup \{0\}$$ . Moreover, assuming additionally that $$\mathbb {R}$$ is not a union of less than $$\mathfrak {c}$$ -many meager sets, we prove $$\mathfrak {c}^+$$ -lineability of the class $${{\,\mathrm{SZ}\,}}\cap {{\,\mathrm{ES}\,}}{\setminus }{{\,\mathrm{Conn}\,}}$$ of Sierpinski-Zygmund everywhere surjective but not connectivity functions.
The Meaning of James H. Cone and the Significance of Black Theology: Some Reflections on His Legacy

For many critics, James H. Cone, “The Father” of Black liberation theology, was America’s most important (Black) theologian in the twentieth-century who had energetically engaged the urgent issues ...
Lyα Emission from Green Peas: The Role of Circumgalactic Gas Density, Covering, and Kinematics

Author(s): Henry, A; Scarlata, C; Martin, CL; Erb, D | Abstract: We report Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph observations of the Lyα emission and interstellar absorption lines in a sample of 10 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 0.2. Selected on the basis of high equivalent width optical emission lines, the sample, dubbed "Green Peas," make some of the best analogs for young galaxies in an early universe. We detect Lyα emission in all ten galaxies, and 9/10 show double-peaked line profiles suggestive of low H i column density. We measure Lyα/Hα flux ratios of 0.5-5.6, implying that 5%-60% of Lyα photons escape the galaxies. These data confirm previous findings that low-ionization metal absorption (LIS) lines are weaker when Lyα escape fraction and equivalent width are higher. However, contrary to previously favored interpretations of this trend, increased Lyα output cannot be the result of a varying H i covering: the Lyman absorption lines (Lyβ and higher) show a covering fraction near unity for gas with NH i ≥ 1016 cm-2. Moreover, we detect no correlation between Lyα escape and the outflow velocity of the LIS lines, suggesting that kinematic effects do not explain the range of Lyα/Hα flux ratios in these galaxies. In contrast, we detect a strong anticorrelation between the Lyα escape fraction and the velocity separation of the Lyα emission peaks, driven primarily by the velocity of the blue peak. As this velocity separation is sensitive to H i column density, we conclude that Lyα escape in these Green Peas is likely regulated by the H i column density rather than outflow velocity or H i covering fraction.
Hip arthroscopy by the lateral approach

Performing hip arthroscopy with the patient in the lateral decubitus position is advantageous in aiding in visualization of the hip joint, in maneuvering instruments in obese patients, and in facilitating entry to the hip joint in patients with spurs on the anterolateral aspect of the acetabulum. The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position with the hip on which the surgery is being performed on the top. The leg is placed in traction and a well-padded perineal post is applied for countertraction. An image intensifier is placed around the hip to help direct the instruments into the hip joint. Traction is necessary to reach the depths of the hip joint. After traction is applied, two portals are made over the greater trochanter and one directly anterior to the greater trochanter. A capsulotomy is performed at each portal site to maintain the portals and to aid in maneuvering the arthroscope and instruments. Traction is released and the hip is flexed to allow visualization of the intracapsular area around the femoral neck. An additional, ancillary portal (made anterior and distal to the first direct anterior portal) may be required to reach the intracapsular portion around the femoral neck. A regular traction table requires adjustments of the perineal and traction posts to apply traction to the leg of a patient in the lateral decubitus position. Special traction devices make setup easier. The lateral approach to hip arthroscopy provides a safe and consistent method of entering, visualizing, and performing surgical procedures on the hip.
Taking Responsibility – Securities Regulation Reform and the Global Financial Crisis: The United States, United Kingdom, and East Africa

This paper is a comparative look at the relationship between the securities regulatory regimes of Western Developed capital markets (US and UK), the Global Financial Crisis, and East African capital markets.
A class of identifiable birth-death models

Abstract In a striking result, Louca and Pennell (2020) recently proved that a large class of birth-death models are statistically unidentifiable from lineage-through-time (LTT) data. Specifically, they showed that any pair of sufficiently smooth birth and death rate functions is “congruent” to an infinite collection of other rate functions, all of which have the same likelihood for any LTT vector of any dimension. This fact has distressing implications for the thousands of studies which have utilized birth-death models to study evolution. In this paper, we qualify their finding by proving that an alternative and widely used class of birth-death models is indeed identifiable. Specifically, we show that piecewise constant birth-death models can, in principle, be consistently estimated and distinguished from one another, given a sufficiently large extant time tree and some knowledge of the present day population. Subject to mild regularity conditions, we further show that any unidentifiable birth-death model class can be arbitrarily closely approximated by a class of identifiable models. The sampling requirements needed for our results to hold are explicit, and are expected to be satisfied in many contexts such as the phylodynamic analysis of a global pandemic.
Emerging Sustainable Real Estate: Trends Opportunities and Obstacles in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Excerpt] As real estate professionals confront the current economic downturn, they are devoting more attention to interpreting evolving demographics, consumer preferences, and public policy in order to identify emerging trends and opportunities in real estate. Trends frequently cited include sustainability revolving around infill strategies like smart growth, and transit oriented-development (TOD).1 While analysts often cite smart growth and transit oriented development as new strategies for sustainable real estate development, they are not new concepts.
In vivo activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor during viral infection up-regulates immunoregulatory factors in dendritic cells (IRC10P.411)

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) substantially dampens host resistance to infection with influenza A viruses. We previously reported that AHR activation negatively regulates the expansion and differentiation of CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and reduces the ability of dendritic cells (DC) to prime naive CD8 T cells. However, the mechanism by which AHR activation dampens DC function in vivo is unknown. Given that AHR is a ligand inducible transcription factor, we used unbiased gene expression profiling to identify DC specific pathways modulated by in vivo AHR activation. Lung DCs from mice that were exposed to the prototype AHR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) or control were sorted and used for unbias transcriptome analysis with RNA-seq. This approach revealed multiple gene targets of AHR in DCs, which may play a role in modulating DC function. For example, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase ( Ido1 ) was highly induced. Accompanying increased Ido1 expression were significant increases in the proportion of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and regulatory T cells. Expanding our findings into an in vitro human system, monocyte-derived DCs from healthy human donors exposed to TCDD and influenza A virus presented a similar suite of altered genes, including elevated Ido1 . This is further evidence that AHR activation in DCs intrinsically changes gene expression, inducing an immunoregulatory phenotype that exerts strong influence on the antiviral immune response.
Ultimate response time of high electron mobility transistors

We present theoretical studies of the response time of the two-dimensional gated electron gas to femtosecond pulses. Our hydrodynamic simulations show that the device response to a short pulse or a step-function signal is either smooth or oscillating time-decay at low and high mobility, μ, values, respectively. At small gate voltage swings, U0 = Ug − Uth, where Ug is the gate voltage and Uth is the threshold voltage, such that μU0/L < vs, where L is the channel length and vs is the effective electron saturation velocity, the decay time in the low mobility samples is on the order of L2/(μU0), in agreement with the analytical drift model. However, the decay is preceded by a delay time on the order of L/s, where s is the plasma wave velocity. This delay is the ballistic transport signature in collision-dominated devices, which becomes important during very short time periods. In the high mobility devices, the period of the decaying oscillations is on the order of the plasma wave velocity transit time. Our analysis shows that short channel field effect transistors operating in the plasmonic regime can meet the requirements for applications as terahertz detectors, mixers, delay lines, and phase shifters in ultra high-speed wireless communication circuits.
The direct pituitary effect of testosterone to inhibit gonadotropin secretion in men is partially mediated by aromatization to estradiol.

In men, administration of exogenous testosterone (T) exerts direct negative feedback effects at the pituitary as well as at the hypothalamic level. This study was undertaken to determine whether T itself causes the inhibitory effects on the pituitary, or whether conversion to estradiol (E2) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is required. We assessed the biological activity of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as immunoactivity. Blood samples were drawn before, during, and after a continuous, 72-hour i.v. infusion of T (15 mg/day), E2 (90 micrograms/day), or DHT (500 micrograms/day). Each of these doses is twice the daily production rate of the steroid. Each man received each of the three steroid infusions. We studied four men, ages 23-35, with idiopathic hypothalamic hypogonadism (IHH), who were treated with pulsatile gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) until their gonadotropins reached the normal range. Serum levels of T, E2, DHT, and levels of immunologically active and biologically active LH and FSH were measured. We found that administration of each steroid increased serum levels of the infused steroid to the upper physiologic range. Administration of T or E2 resulted in decreased mean levels of biologically and immunologically active LH and FSH; administration of DHT did not alter gonadotropin secretion. These data suggest that some of the direct effect of T at the pituitary level in men is mediated by E2, whereas peripherally formed DHT may not play an important role in this process.
Differential Host Immune Responses after Infection with Wild-Type or Lab-Attenuated Rabies Viruses in Dogs.

Rabies virus (RABV) induces encephalomyelitis in humans and animals. One of the major problems with rabies is that the infected individuals most often do not develop virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA). In this study we have investigated the host immune response to RABV infection in dogs, using a live-attenuated (TriGAS) or a wild-type (wt) (DRV-NG11) RABV isolated from a rabid dog. Methodology/Principal Findings The experimental infection of dogs with TriGAS induced high levels of VNA in the serum, whereas wt RABV infection did not. Dogs infected with TriGAS developed antibodies against the virus including its glycoprotein, whereas dogs infected with DRV-NG11 only developed rabies antibodies that are presumably specific for the nucleoprotein, (N) and not the glycoprotein (G). We show that infection with TriGAS induces early activation of B cells in the draining lymph nodes and persistent activation of DCs and B cells in the blood. On the other hand, infection with DRV-NG11 fails to induce the activation of DCs and B cells and further reduces CD4 T cell production. Further, we show that intrathecal (IT) immunization of TriGAS not only induced high levels of VNA in the serum but also in the CSF while intramuscular (IM) immunization of TriGAS induced VNA only in the serum. In addition, high levels of total protein and WBC were detected in the CSF of IT immunized dogs, indicating the transient enhancement of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, which is relevant to the passage of immune effectors from periphery into the CNS.
Theoretical Foundations of Equitability and the Maximal Information Coefficient

The maximal information coecient (MIC) is a tool for nding the strongest pairwise relationships in a data set with many variables [1]. MIC is useful because it gives similar scores to equally noisy relationships of dierent types. This property, called equitability, is important for analyzing high-dimensional data sets. Here we formalize the theory behind both equitability and MIC in the language of estimation theory. This formalization has a number of advantages. First, it allows us to show that equitability is a generalization of power against statistical independence. Second, it allows us to compute and discuss the population value of MIC, which we call MIC . In doing so we generalize and strengthen the mathematical results proven in [1] and clarify the relationship between MIC and mutual information. Introducing MIC also enables us to reason about the properties of MIC more abstractly: for instance, we show that MIC is continuous and that there is a sense in which it is a canonical \smoothing" of mutual information. We also prove an alternate, equivalent characterization of MIC that we use to state new estimators of it as well as an algorithm for explicitly computing it when the joint probability density function of a pair of random variables is known. Our hope is that this paper provides a richer theoretical foundation for MIC and equitability going forward. This paper will be accompanied by a forthcoming companion paper that performs extensive empirical analysis and comparison to other methods and discusses the practical aspects of both equitability and the use of MIC and its related statistics.
Speaking Out: Science Anxiety

(1987). Speaking Out: Science Anxiety. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 60, No. 5, pp. 202-205.
High Energy Pulsed Power by Inductively Driven Imploding Liner Flux Compression

The use of electromagnetically driven imploding liner flux compression techniques coupled with high energy inertial-inductive storage systems is investigated theoretically. Basic flux compression generator operation is reviewed and two techniques are discussed for obtaining high power, high energy electrical pulses. Power levels of several terawatts, involving tens and hundreds of megajoules of electrical energy in a few microseconds appear possible with overall efficiencies of 7–10%.
Where Do Third Parties Intervene? Third Parties’ Domestic Institutions and Military Interventions in Civil Conflicts

Do democracies and autocracies intervene militarily in different types of civil conflict? In contrast to the existing literature that makes no distinction between military interventions undertaken by democracies and those by autocracies, I argue that democracies and autocracies are likely to intervene in different types of civil conflict. Specifically, I find that an increase in the rebel capabilities and the existence of an ethnic tie between the rebel group and the third-party state will increase the probability of a military intervention favoring the rebel group only when a third-party state is democratic. The evidence also shows that an autocracy is more likely to intervene when there are lootable natural resources such as secondary diamonds in a civil conflict, but there is no effect of lootable resources on a democracy’s intervention decision. The analytical framework in this paper can apply to other types of military behaviors and would provide a more accurate picture of the effect of regime type on foreign policy choices.
Hacia dónde va la economía política en México

En las ultimas dos decadas, la investigacion de la economia politica en Mexico ha transitado de estudios amplios y comprensivos hacia investigaciones sobre temas cada vez mas especificos. Este documento presenta las principales aportaciones al tema que en anos recientes han hecho economistas y politologos, y que se destacan por haber producido un rico debate a nivel nacional e internacional. La observacion de esta resena se dirige a los patrones politicos en regimenes democraticos, la dependencia y el desarrollo, la formacion del Estado y el Estado de derecho, desigualdad y politica social, recaudacion y gasto, y vinculos internacionales
Some exact results for the two-point function of an integrable quantum field theory

The two point correlation function for the quantum nonlinear Schroedinger (delta-function gas) model is studied. An infinite series representation for this function is derived using the quantum inverse scattering formalism. For the case of zero temperature, the infinite coupling (c ..-->.. infinity) result of Jimbo, Miwa, Mori and Sato is extended to give an exact expression for the order 1/c correction to the two point function in terms of a Painleve transcendent of the fifth kind.
An Early Application of the Average Total Cost Concept

E BEGAN to conceptualize average total cost functions during the early decades of the twentieth century. But a century before, a German music publishing firm calculated and used in its internal decision making output-dependent average cost estimates for two methods of printing sheet music. This note describes that early experience and juxtaposes against it the relatively late emergence of the ATC curve in the formal literature of economics.
Production of spinal cord growth inhibitor by nonneuronal cells

Abstract Separation of chick embryo spinal cord cells into cell cultures of glial-enriched and neuronal-enriched elements by the method of selective adhesiveness indicated a greater production of growth inhibitor by the glial-enriched cultures. Glial-enriched cultures produced 177.2% more inhibitor per microgram cell protein than did unseparated spinal cord cell cultures, whereas neuronal-enriched cultures produced less. The glial-enriched cultures contained 28% of the choline acetyltransferase of neuronal-enriched cultures, few or no discernible neurons, and no cells binding dopamine or containing catecholamines by cytofluorescence. The predominant cell of the glial-enriched cultures was large, phase-light with ruffled borders, with parallel streak-like processes, and fibrillar cytoplasm. Cultures produced by serial passage of unseparated spinal cord cells also were found to be depleted in neurons and dopamine-binding cells, as well as in choline acetyltransferase activity, to 19% of control values. These serially passaged cultures, however, retained the ability to produce inhibitor as well as did primary cultures. Serially passaged cultures of spinal cord cells were composed of cells similar to those predominant in glial-enriched cultures. Nerve growth factor had no effect on inhibitor production. We suggest that the growth inhibitor of spinal cord cultures was not produced by neuronal cells but may be of glial origin.
Nanocomposites with increased energy density through high aspect ratio PZT nanowires

High energy storage plays an important role in the modern electric industry. Herein, we investigated the role of filler aspect ratio in nanocomposites for energy storage. Nanocomposites were synthesized using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) with two different aspect ratio (nanowires, nanorods) fillers at various volume fractions dispersed in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The permittivity constants of composites containing nanowires (NWs) were higher than those with nanorods (NRs) at the same inclusion volume fraction. It was also indicated that the high frequency loss tangent of samples with PZT nanowires was smaller than for those with nanorods, demonstrating the high electrical energy storage efficiency of the PZT NW nanocomposite. The high aspect ratio PZT NWs showed a 77.8% increase in energy density over the lower aspect ratio PZT NRs, under an electric field of 15 kV mm − 1 and 50% volume fraction. The breakdown strength was found to decrease with the increasing volume fraction of PZT NWs, but to only change slightly from a volume fraction of around 20%–50%. The maximum calculated energy density of nanocomposites is as high as 1.158 J cm − 3 at 50% PZT NWs in PVDF. Since the breakdown strength is lower compared to a PVDF copolymer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-tertrifluoroethylene-terchlorotrifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TreEE-CTFE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) P(VDF-HFP), the energy density of the nanocomposite could be significantly increased through the use of PZT NWs and a polymer with greater breakdown strength. These results indicate that higher aspect ratio fillers show promising potential to improve the energy density of nanocomposites, leading to the development of advanced capacitors with high energy density.
Experimental studies of the distribution of rare earths as trace elements among silicate minerals and liquids and water

Abstract The distribution of the REE between synthetic diopside, forsterite, enstatite, and gaseous water and between natural plagioclase, 2 rhyolite obsidian melts and gaseous water have been measured. Values for distribution coefficients ( D ) for the REE between the minerals and aqueous fluid vary significantly over the temperature range of 550°C to 850°C, but little variation was found for the values of D between the silicate liquids and aqueous fluid over a temperature range of 100°C. By assuming that the values of D for the silicate liquids are independent of major element composition and temperature, it is possible to calculate values of D for REE between silicate minerals and silicate liquid. The values obtained for diopside, forsterite, enstatite and plagioclase compare favorably with those obtained for the natural materials clinopyroxene, olivine, orthopyroxene and plagioclase (except for Eu). The values of D for diopside were found to increase and those for forsterite and enstatite to decrease with increasing temperatuie. Values of temperature of equilibration for natural minerals obtained by extrapolation of graphs for experimental data of In D against 1/ T for the systems diopside-silicate liquid, forsterite-silicate liquid, and forsterite-diopside fall within a reasonable range, suggesting the possibility of geothermometry using REE concentrations of minerals.
Sex differences in anti-allodynic, anti-hyperalgesic and anti-edema effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the rat

Cannabinoid agonists such as Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are more potent and/or efficacious antinociceptive agents in female than male rats using acute pain models. We tested the hypothesis that THC is more effective in females than males using a model of longer-lasting, inflammatory pain. THC's anti-allodynic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-edema effects were examined 1, 3, and 7 days after injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw. Systemically administered THC (0.32-3.2mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.], same dose each day) was significantly more effective in females than males in attenuating CFA-induced thermal hyperalgesia, but was also more sedative in females. When administered locally into the inflamed hind paw, THC (250-500 μg intraplantar, i.pl.) did not affect locomotor activity in either sex, yet produced greater anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects in females than males. Despite THC's greater anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects in females, both i.p. and i.pl. THC reduced hind paw thickness (edema) more in males. The anti-hyperalgesic effect of i.p. THC was blocked by the CB1 receptor-selective antagonist rimonabant in both sexes. Similarly, i.pl. rimonabant antagonized i.pl. THC's effects in both sexes; in contrast, the CB2 antagonist SR144528 significantly attenuated i.pl. THC's anti-allodynic effect only in females. Intraplantar SR144528 also antagonized i.pl. THC's anti-edema effect in males. This study suggests that cannabinoids may be better at reducing edema in males while being more effective against inflammatory pain in females. Furthermore, sex differences in THC's peripheral effects against inflammatory pain may be a result of activation of both types of cannabinoid receptors in females, in contrast to predominantly CB1 receptors in males.
GLUCOSE UPTAKE BY HELA CELLS AS INFLUENCED BY INSULIN.

Abstract A simple system has been described in which insulin stimulation of glucose uptake by HeLa cells can be measured after a three hour incubation in a solution of bicarbonate buffered saline. The glucose uptake of HeLa cells in the presence and absence of insulin in the above medium was compared to that occurring in more complex media. The influence of temperature and osmotic pressure on glucose uptake and insulin effect in this simple medium was also studied. In these experiments, there did not appear to be any relationship between the insulin stimulation of glucose uptake and the amount of glucose uptake occurring in the absence of insulin. These findings are best explained in terms of two independent pathways of glucose utilization, one insulin dependent and the other non-responsive to insulin.
Determination of the temperature for mixing aggregates with polymer-modified asphalts

Mixing of aggregates and asphalt has to be done at an appropriately selected temperature. The mixing temperature controls the dryness of the aggregates, the quality of the mixture, the time it takes for the mix to cool down during laying and the ease of compaction during paving. A number of critical factors are to be considered when determining the mixing temperature. For unmodified asphalts, the procedure for determining the adequate mixing temperature is available. This is not the case for polymer-modified asphalts. In case the procedure recommended for unmodified asphalts is extended to polymer-modified asphalts, then unrealistically high mixing temperatures result. In the present work, a procedure is outlined for the determination of temperature for mixing aggregates with polymer-modified asphalts using a thermoplastic -modified asphalt (Novophalt) and a thermoplastic elastomer - modified asphalt (Styrelf) as case study materials.
Dendrimeric Aβ1–15 is an effective immunogen in wildtype and APP-tg mice

Immunization of humans and APP-tg mice with full-length -amyloid (A) results in reduced cerebral A levels. However, due to adverse events in the AN1792 trial, alternative vaccines are required. We investigated dendrimeric A1–15 (dA1–15), which is composed of 16 copies of A1–15 peptide on a branched lysine core and thus, includes an A-specific B cell epitope but lacks the reported T cell epitope. Immunization by subcutaneous, transcutaneous, and intranasal routes of B6D2F1 wildtype mice led to anti-A antibody production. Antibody isotypes were mainly IgG1 for subcutaneous or transcutaneous immunization and IgG2b for intranasal immunization, suggestive of a Th2biased response. All A antibodies preferentially recognized an epitope in A1–7. Intranasal immunization of J20 APP-tg mice resulted in a robust humoral immune response with a corresponding significant reduction in cerebral plaque burden. Splenocyte proliferation against A peptide was minimal indicating the lack of an A-specific cellular immune response. Anti-A antibodies bound monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar A. Our data suggest that dA1–15 may be an effective and potentially safer immunogen for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) vaccination.
A study of multi-site brain dynamics during limbic seizures

Neuronal populations in the brain achieve levels of synchronous electrophysiological activity as a consequence of both normal brain functions as well as during pathological states such as in epileptic seizures. Understanding the nature of this synchrony and the dynamics of neuronal oscillators in the brain is a critical component towards decoding such complex behaviors. We have sought to achieve a more in-depth understanding of the dynamics underlying the evolution of seizures in limbic epilepsy by analyzing recordings of local field potentials from three subcortical nuclei that are part of the circuit of Papez in a kainic acid rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy using the empirical mode decomposition technique. The empirical mode decomposition allows for an adaptive and nonlinear decomposition of the local field potentials into a series of finite oscillatory components. We calculated the frequencies, power, and measures of phase synchrony of these oscillatory components as seizures evolve in the brain and discovered patterns of phase synchrony that varies between the different stages of the seizures.
On defining a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language to address complex Multi-Modeling activities

With the increase use of Multi-Modeling platforms, in which multiple models interoperate to complement/supplement each other, a number of challenges are still to be addressed. Although a major challenge exists in providing the technical means for the interconnections between models through their supporting tools, there is also a need to make such platforms usable for non-technical users. In this paper, we propose the development and use of a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language to address complex Multi-Modeling activates for a domain of interest. The first step of our approach is domain identification including the characterization of modeling techniques used in the domain. Then, a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language is developed to allow for capturing Multi-Modeling activities in the form of workflows. These workflows define interoperations between models. In our approach we also propose the use of a Domain Specific Ontology to capture the semantic concepts of the domain and then to guide the workflow creation process. The approach is illustrated using a case study from the Drug Interdiction and Intelligence domain. JIATF-South, an agency well known for interagency cooperation and intelligence fusion, receives huge amounts of disparate data regarding drug smuggling activities. Analysis of such data using various modeling techniques is essential in identifying best Courses of Action (COAs). We apply our approach to this case study by showing how a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language is developed and then used to create workflows of model interoperations. Models of Social Networks, Timed Influence Nets, Organization Structures and Geospatial Data are utilized in this example.
Femtosecond ellipsometry and surface second-harmonic probes of Ge, Si1-xGex, Si, and diamond

We demonstrate two complementary techniques: femtosecond ellipsometry and surface second harmonic generation, for characterization and diagnostics of semiconductor epilayers using unamplified femtosecond laser sources. Through femtosecond ellipsometry, we obtained the time-resolved change in the real and imaginary parts of the index of refraction in relaxed and strained Si1-xGex alloys. Through surface second harmonic generation in conjunction with the Kerr Lens mode-locked (KLM) Ti:Sapphire laser, we obtained surface second harmonic signals in Si(100) and Diamond(111) with an unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ray tracing simulation of 1-BM beamline at the Advanced Photon Source for polarization analyses of synchrotron optics

In this paper, we present recent progress on polarization optics using the 1-BM beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Beamline 1-BM was recently repurposed for optics and detector testing. SHADOW software, a ray-tracing program for the simulation of optical systems of synchrotron radiation beamlines, is used to model the beamline. In this paper, we present optical ray-tracing studies for test set-ups that take advantage of the polarization variation of the bending magnet radiation above and below the horizontal plane of the beamline.
Intraosseous infusions: a usable technique

Intraosseous infusions were widely used in pediatric patients during the 1930s and 1940s. Recent reports have re-introduced this concept and confirmed its safety and ready accessability for fluid and drug administration. However, these reports have not addressed the difficulties encountered during insertion of the intraosseous needle. Spinal needles, standard metal intravenous (IV) needles, and bone marrow biopsy needles have been suggested for intraosseous infusion. These needles were tested for ease of insertion on a pediatric cadaver leg. The site for needle placement was also evaluated during the study. It was found that the 13-gauge Kormed/Jamshidi® disposable bone marrow/aspiration needle was the easiest to insert and did not plug with bone or tissue during insertion. An area proximal to the medial malleolus was found to provide a stable, relatively flat, and easily penetrable location for needle placement. This method was successfully utilized in ten pediatric and five adult patients. Intraosseous needle placement is a safe, rapid method to gain access to the venous circulation. By utilizing these techniques, a stable, usable fluid line can be established in even the most dehydrated pediatric patients.
Design and baseline characteristics from the KAN-QUIT disease management intervention for rural smokers in primary care.

Objective To describe the design, implementation, baseline data, and feasibility of establishing a disease management program for smoking cessation in rural primary care.
ANEURYSM AND DISSECTION IN FIBROMUSCULAR DYSPLASIA: FINDINGS FROM THE UNITED STATES REGISTRY FOR FMD

The clinical phenotype and prognosis in Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) patients (pts) with Dissection (D) and Aneurysm (A) are poorly defined. Clinical features, locations and therapeutic procedures were reviewed in 732 pts enrolled in the United States Registry for FMD. Aneurysm (A) was present in
Stable grasping under pose uncertainty using tactile feedback

This paper deals with the problem of stable grasping under pose uncertainty. Our method utilizes tactile sensing data to estimate grasp stability and make necessary hand adjustments after an initial grasp is established. We first discuss a learning approach to estimating grasp stability based on tactile sensing data. This estimator can be used as an indicator to the stability of the current grasp during a grasping procedure. We then present a tactile experience based hand adjustment algorithm to synthesize a hand adjustment and optimize the hand pose to achieve a stable grasp. Experiments show that our method improves the grasping performance under pose uncertainty.
Experiences with the design and application of wildland-use models

Describes a computerized planning system useful for examining the physical, economic, and environmental consequences of alternative wildland use decisions. The system consists of a set of simulation models linked to a geographic data base by an information Storage and retrieval subsystem. System structure is discussed in the context of an integrated system model developed to facilitate an evaluation of the environmental consequences of alternative land uses and manipulations at varying scales of space-time resolution. Applications of the system are briefly discussed. While the models performed satisfactorily it is clear that decisionmakers consider much more than that which can ever be incorporated into a model structure at the present. Further, results demonstrate that often there is little incentive for decision makers to utilize models unless they are tailor made, easy to use and compatible with existing institutional patterns.
Epidermal stem cells: The cradle of epidermal determination, differentiation and wound healing

The field of epidermal stem cells has dramatically advanced in the last decade, leading to a better understanding of the molecular factors, signalling pathways and cellular events that identify and characterize stem cells, thus revealing their immense potential for therapeutic use. Furthermore, multipotent epidermal stem cells present the major advantage of easy accessibility with the discovery of their specific location within the bulge of the hair follicle. This review focuses on the most recent findings on epidermal stem cells, and their potential role in initial epidermal commitment, differentiation and wound healing processes in the skin.
ABILITY OF A FISH CELL LINE TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF MAMMALIAN VIRUSES.

SummaryA fish cell line derived from rainbow trout gonads (RTG) has been shown to support the proliferation of 2 arboviruses, Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, at 22°C. EEE virus was more cytopathogenic for RTG cultures than VEE virus, thus making it feasible to distinguish between the two. A persistent infection was obtained with VEE virus for as long as cultures were carried, but not with EEE virus. Both viruses multiplied in chick fibroblast (CF) cells at 22°C to slightly higher titers than in the fish cell line and both viruses caused a cytopathogenic effect in CF cells. L cells failed to support the growth of either virus at 22°C.
Coal-Ash Agglomeration Mechanism and Its Application in High Temperature Cyclones

Abstract The increase of particulate removal efficiency in a high-temperature cyclone is being examined analytically. A simple and effective approach is presented to view the coal-ash agglomeration phenomenon near its softening/fusion temperature. The probability of adhesion of the neighboring particles when coupled with the number of collisions of particles in a high-temperature cyclone appears to demonstrate that the high-temperature/pressure cyclone dust collector is capable of meeting the challenge of hot-gas cleanup problems. The effect of momentum of particles, surface tension, and viscosity of molten boundary layer enclosing a core particle is investigated for the enhancement of particle adhesion. Analytical computations and laboratory experience of a high-temperature cyclone are presented.
Lichens of Burden Research Plantation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Abstract. Lichens and lichenicolous fungi were collected on the 40-acre Burden Research Plantation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana over a period of 27 years. A total of 304 lichen species (including eight lichenicoles) have been found on the property, and an additional 72 species have been found at nearby locations in Baton Rouge, for a total of 376 in Baton Rouge. In accord with the humid, subtropical climate, 27 foliicolous species are included. The list includes 72 new state records (51 from Burden Plantation, and 21 from other parts of Baton Rouge).
Implementation of a novel framework for assessing species plasticity in biological invasions: responses of Centaurea and Crepis to phosphorus and water availability

Summary 1 It is widely considered that phenotypic plasticity is important to species invasiveness. However, few empirical studies have expressly assessed the relationship between species invasiveness and their responses to environmental variability. Thoughtfully incorporating phenotypic plasticity into studies of invasiveness requires explicit links among appropriate environmental variables, traits relevant to invasion success, and comparison groups of species, populations or genotypes (competitors or close relatives) that place focal species in context. 2 We examine trait responsiveness in introduced species of Crepis and Centaurea (Asteraceae) that have been characterized by different degrees of success. Specifically, we assess the extent to which species are robust in the face of harsh environments and opportunistically responsive to favourable conditions. 3 We exposed all species to water and phosphorus availability treatments in a common glasshouse experiment and report the responses of phenological, architectural, size and fitness traits. We predicted that, compared with less invasive congeners, invasive species would more often display robust fitness in harsh environments (here, drought and no phosphorus addition) and would also be more responsive to favourable conditions (no drought and phosphorus additions). 4 In both Crepis and Centaurea we found evidence of greater stress tolerance to low phosphorous among the more invasive congeners, albeit for different components of fitness. Contrary to expectations, we observed no relationship between invasiveness and opportunism. Overall, trait responses were highly variable and largely idiosyncratic with respect to invasive categorization. 5 Consistent with basic expectations, across-environment species performance largely corresponded to degree of invasiveness. 6 Our results suggest that, even among closely related species, relationships between invasiveness and phenotypic plasticity do not necessarily reveal consistent patterns, nor do they conform to simple theoretical expectations. We suspect that phenotypic plasticity may indeed play an important role in many species invasions, but the breadth of relevant factors (which genotypes, which populations, which traits, which environments) reduces the likelihood of detecting robust general patterns.
Stress corrosion cracking of alpha-beta brass in distilled water and sodium sulfate solutions

Specimens of a Cu-42 wt pct Zn alpha-beta alloy have been tested to failure in uniaxial tension at constant extension rates in a variety of environments. Testing in distilled H25O and 1 N Na2SO4 solutions over a range of potential-pH conditions results in large ductility losses and an interfacial + transgranular cleavage-like fracture mode. The electrochemical potentials of the specimens have been monitored and/or controlled during testing, and a shift to significantly more active open circuit potentials on straining is observed in environments which cause large ductility losses. The appearance of the transgranular beta fracture surfaces and the effects of potentiostatic polarization on the observed SCC behavior are similar to those seen for alpha phase Cu-Zn, which suggests that SCC of alpha and beta phase Cu-Zn are mechanistically similar. It is concluded that the observed behavior is most consistent with an SCC mechanism based upon the adsorption of a damaging species from the environment.
Leaf litterfall, leaf area index, and radiation transmittance in cypress wetlands and slash pine plantations in north-central Florida

The seasonal dynamics of leaf litterfall and leaf area index (LAI, all-sided basis), light penetration and the vertical distribution of surface area index, and the feasibility of estimating LAI from radiation transmittance were studied from April 1993 to March 1994 in the canopies of three cypress (Taxodium ascendens) wetlands and their surrounding slash pine (Pinus elliottii) uplands in Florida flatwoods. Annual leaf litterfall ranged from 324 to 359 g m−2 in the wetlands, which was very close to the average for 11 sites throughout Florida of 340±26 g m−2. The seasonal pattern of the normalized LAI obtained for the dominant tree species in the ecosystems could be used to construct the seasonal dynamics of LAI at the ecosystem scale. The vertical distribution of surface area index in the wetlands was significantly different from that in the surrounding pine uplands. The maximum LAI of cypress wetlands in this area was about 8 m2 m−2, which was higher than the maximum of slash pine plantations of 6 m2 m−2. Cypress leaves were strongly erectophile in space. Results showed that the LAI-2000 canopy analyzer could generally be used to estimate forest LAI, whether the forest canopy was closed or not, if an overall clumping index of 2.00 was applied. However, as LAI decreased, the relative error contained in the radiation-based LAI estimates increased. This indicated that foliage clumping at the stand scale was more important than that at the tree or branch scale.