cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3D dynamic MRI of the vocal tract during natural speech.

Purpose To develop and evaluate a technique for 3D dynamic MRI of the full vocal tract at high temporal resolution during natural speech. Methods We demonstrate 2.4 × 2.4 × 5.8 mm3 spatial resolution, 61-ms temporal resolution, and a 200 × 200 × 70 mm3 FOV. The proposed method uses 3D gradient-echo imaging with a custom upper-airway coil, a minimum-phase slab excitation, stack-of-spirals readout, pseudo golden-angle view order in kx -ky , linear Cartesian order along kz , and spatiotemporal finite difference constrained reconstruction, with 13-fold acceleration. This technique is evaluated using in vivo vocal tract airway data from 2 healthy subjects acquired at 1.5T scanner, 1 with synchronized audio, with 2 tasks during production of natural speech, and via comparison with interleaved multislice 2D dynamic MRI. Results This technique captured known dynamics of vocal tract articulators during natural speech tasks including tongue gestures during the production of consonants "s" and "l" and of consonant-vowel syllables, and was additionally consistent with 2D dynamic MRI. Coordination of lingual (tongue) movements for consonants is demonstrated via volume-of-interest analysis. Vocal tract area function dynamics revealed critical lingual constriction events along the length of the vocal tract for consonants and vowels. Conclusion We demonstrate feasibility of 3D dynamic MRI of the full vocal tract, with spatiotemporal resolution adequate to visualize lingual movements for consonants and vocal tact shaping during natural productions of consonant-vowel syllables, without requiring multiple repetitions.
Simulation of Heavy-Duty Vehicles in Platooning Scenarios

Connectivity and automation provide the potential to use information about the environment and future driving to minimize energy consumption. In order to achieve this goal, the designers of control strategies need to simulate a wide range of driving situations that can interact with other vehicles and the infrastructure to account for the specific powertrain characteristics of each automated vehicle. We present here a simulation framework called RoadRunner, which aims to facilitate the design of powertrain-aware eco-driving algorithms and a better understanding of the interactions between automation and powertrain technology. RoadRunner allows users to simulate both powertrain and longitudinal dynamics within a simulated environment. The user defines the scenario to be simulated by providing a route profile, intersection control types, number of vehicles, vehicle class, powertrain technology, connectivity, and automation level. RoadRunner then builds a Simulink diagram of the scenario, including the information flows between vehicles, and between vehicles and the road. After the simulation, the user can analyze the driving, component operations, and detailed energy consumption rates for each simulated vehicle. We present a case study on heavy-duty vehicles platooning. Using RoadRunner and detailed road data from digital maps, we quantify the impact of gap setting on fuel consumption, for a real-world route.
Public Employee Speech Rights: Survey of Recent Trends:

Public employees have the right to free speech in their personal capacities, but that right is tempered in many instances by the interests of their governmental employers. This piece provides an ov...
Continuous vs. cyclic combined hormonal contraceptives for treatment of dysmenorrhea: a systematic review.

Abstract Objective This systematic review aims to evaluate the benefits of oral continuous combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in managing dysmenorrhea by comparing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of continuous vs. cyclic CHC use for the following outcomes: (a) reducing dysmenorrhea duration and frequency, (b) severity, (c) recurrence and (d) interference with daily activity. Study design Cochrane, PUBMED and Popline databases were searched from 1934 to 2018 for all relevant studies evaluating CHC for treatment of dysmenorrhea. A study was selected if it (a) compared continuous regimen vs. cyclic regimen of oral CHC, (b) measured dysmenorrhea as a primary or secondary outcome, (c) was an RCT and (d) was published in English. Due to differences in CHC used and outcome measurement, a systematic analysis of individual study results and a limited meta-analysis were conducted. Results Of 780 studies that were screened by title and abstract, 8 were included in the final analysis; 6 evaluated cyclic vs. continuous CHC, and 2 evaluated cyclic vs. extended/flexible CHC use. Quality of evidence was low for all outcome measures. Overall, compared to cyclic use, flexible/extended CHC resulted in 4 fewer days of dysmenorrhea. Studies revealed conflicting results for interference with daily activity, pain severity and pain recurrence. Side effects were few in both comparison groups. Conclusions Continuous or extended/flexible CHC use may reduce dysmenorrhea duration compared to cyclic regimen; however, more rigorous research is needed. Implications This systematic review shows that continuous CHC use may reduce dysmenorrhea duration compared to cyclic regimen, although the quality of evidence is low. Future double-blinded RCTs with more rigorous study design, consistent outcome measures and comprehensive outcome reporting are needed.
Aerosol Assisted Vapor Synthesis of Spherical Boron Nitride Powders

Spherical morphology BN powders have been produced in a two-step process. The first step involves drying and partial nitridation of a H3BO3/H2O aerosol at 1000 °C with an ammonia/nitrogen gas stream followed by final nitridation at 1700 °C with ammonia.
Flexible FSK Learning Demodulator

Frequency Shift Key (FSK) modulation formats have been widely used in wireless personal area networks such as Bluetooth LE and IEEE 802.15.4. FSK demodulation often involves nonlinear processing to recover phase or frequency information from the carrier. This complicates analysis and derivation of optimum detectors, but it is well suited to learning-based approaches such as neural networks. In this paper, we propose a neural network approach for the design of FSK Learning demodulators, or simply FSKL demodulators. FSKL demodulators offer several potential benefits, including adaptability to non-Gaussian, non-stationary, or non-linear channels. Their performance relative to conventional FSK demodulators is attractive for low-cost, low-power, wireless Internet-of-Things applications, and the flexible topology is a step toward more general, reconfigurable IP that supports multiple standards and allows performance updates as modeling and techniques improve.
"We Don't Need a Swab in Our Mouth to Prove Who We Are": Identity, Resistance, and Adaptation of Genetic Ancestry Testing among Native American Communities.

Genetic ancestry testing (GAT) provides a specific type of knowledge about ancestry not previously available to the general public, prompting questions about the conditions whereby genetic articulations of ancestry present opportunities to forge new identities and social ties but also new challenges to the maintenance of existing social structures and cultural identities. The opportunities and challenges posed by GAT are particularly significant for many indigenous communities—whose histories are shaped by traumatic interactions with colonial powers and Western science—and for whom new applications of GAT may undermine or usurp long-standing community values, systems of governance, and forms of relationality. We conducted 13 focus groups with 128 participants and six in-depth, semistructured interviews with a variety of community leaders examining the perceptions of GAT within indigenous communities across Oklahoma. Our interviews and focus groups suggest that participants—through the articulation of indigeneity as experiential and relational in nature and inherently distinct from genetic notions of ancestry—resist much of the challenge presented by GAT in usurping traditional forms of identity while at the same time recognizing the utility of the technology for tracing unknown ancestry and identifying health risks in the community.
Data Mining and the Challenges of Protecting Employee Privacy Under U.S. Law

Concerns about employee privacy have intensified with the introduction of data mining tools in the workplace. Employers can now readily access detailed data about workers’ online behavior or social media activities, purchase background information from data brokers, and collect additional data from workplace surveillance tools. When data mining techniques are applied to this wealth of data, it is possible to infer additional information about employees beyond the information that is collected directly. As a consequence, these tools can alter the meaning and significance of personal information depending upon what other information it is aggregated with and how the larger dataset is analyzed. With data mining, individual privacy may be threatened not by the types of information actually collected, but because of what can be inferred from it. This poses a challenge for the law, which often conceptualizes the harm of privacy intrusions in terms of the sensitivity or highly personal nature of information collected or disclosed. This article explores this dilemma by examining three examples of employee privacy protection under US law: anti-discrimination law’s protection of medical and genetic information, the common law privacy tort’s protection of embarrassing or humiliating intrusions or disclosures, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s protection against erroneous data. These laws all rest on the assumption that particular information can be identified as problematic and protected. However, because data mining techniques can infer new information, this approach will be largely ineffective in addressing the privacy threats posed by these technologies.
Applying a Critical and Peace Education Lens to the American Revolution in the Social Studies Classroom

The American Revolution is central to the identity of citizens of the United States. It is, therefore, rarely critiqued in the U.S. social studies classroom. This article examines how teachers can ...
2D Range Flow-based Odometry fusing LiDAR and IMU

This paper describes a 2D odometry method fusing LiDAR and IMU data to estimate ground vehicle motion and performing better in long corridor scenarios and moving objecting scenarios. The method builds on range flow constraint for every scanned point and rejects moving objects by fusing IMU data. Besides, our method applies the graphical model to solve the optimization problem that adds IMU constraint to the odometry system. Experiment results demonstrate that our approach is able to perform as well as other state-of-art approaches and better than these approaches in long corridor scenarios and moving objecting scenarios. Besides we test our approach on an embedded system which makes it suitable for those low-cost robotic applications that require planar odometry.
Transplant-Related and Metastatic Malignancies

The advances in surgical techniques and the introduction of more effective and less toxic immunosuppression regimens have resulted in increased rate of successful transplantation with extended survival of the recipients. Histologic assessment continues to play an essential role in the diagnosis of complications secondary to therapy in this population. In this chapter we discuss the most common cutaneous diseases that may result from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Metastatic diseases involving the skin are also discussed.
Multivariable Proportional Hazards-Based Probabilistic Model for Bridge Deterioration Forecasting

AbstractDuration-based deterioration modeling approaches have been investigated over the past two decades with a view toward utilizing their prognostic capabilities in accurately identifying mainte...
The Absurd: Postwar Reception and Wartime Echoes at Yale French Studies

This article traces how postwar reception of existentialism shaped an American understanding of the absurd and the theater of the absurd. It focuses on a series of postwar issues of Yale French Studies (YFS), one of the foremost publications for discussion of existentialism in America at this time: from the inaugural 1948 issue of YFS on existentialism (no. 1), to the 1955 issue that was devoted to the theme Foray Through Existentialism (no. 16), and finally to the 1959 issue on humor that includes the first articles in YFS on the theater of the absurd (no. 23). In the very first issue, the absurd is connected to the memory of the Second World War. However, in subsequent issues, in addition to linking the absurd to the war, contributors to the journal see the absurd as the catalyst to the question of the role of language in existentialism and in the theater of the absurd. This reception reveals how the theater of the absurd not only began to be seen as part of existentialism in its earliest reception in America, but furthermore, it reveals how looking at existentialism through the lens of the theater of the absurd can actually distort the teachings of existentialism. Articles by Henri Peyre, Jacques Guicharnaud, and Serge Doubrovsky, as well as unpublished texts in Guicharnaud’s personal papers, show a concretization of reading the absurd as one of the central concepts of existentialism, and one that anchors or even fixes the idea of France of the Second World War as the absurd world. They reveal how a moment in time can be read into a movement.
A Review of the Performance Measurement of Long-Term Mutual Funds

We review the major models of mutual fund performance: (1) using return data to evaluate equity funds—from single to multi-index models, (2) measuring passive portfolio performance, (3) using holdi...
Polarization-Dependent Theory of Two-Wave Mixing in Nonlinear Media, and Application to Dynamical Polarization Control

A new proposal for dynamically manipulating the polarization of a light wave brings this ability to various nonlinear optical media and high-power lasers.
Pyrrophens: Pyrrole-Based Hexadentate Ligands Tailor-Made for Uranyl (UO22+) Coordination and Molecular Recognition.

Derivatives of a novel pyrrole-containing Schiff base ligand system (called "pyrrophen") are presented which feature substituted phenylene linkers (R1 = R2 = H (H2L1); R1 = R2 = CH3 (H2L2)) and a binding pocket modeled after macrocyclic species. These ligands bind neutral CH3OH in the solid state through pyrrolic hydrogen-bonding. The interaction of the uranyl cation (UO22+) and H2L1-2 yields planar hexagonal bipyramdial uranyl complexes, while the Cu2+ and Zn2+ complexes were found to self-assemble as dinuclear helicate complexes (M2L2) with H2L1 under identical conditions. The favorable binding of UO22+ over Zn2+ provides insight into the molecular recognition of uranyl over other metal species. Structural features of these complexes are examined with special attention to features of the UO22+ coordination environment which distinguish them from other related salophen and porphyrinoid complexes.
The effects of PEGylation on LNP based mRNA delivery to the eye

Gene therapy is now an effective approach to treat many forms of retinal degeneration. Delivery agents that are cell-specific, allow for multiple dosing regimens, and have low immunogenicity are needed to expand the utility of gene therapy for the retina. We generated eight novel lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) ranging in size from 50 nm to 150 nm by changing the PEG content from 5% to 0.5%, respectively. Subretinal injections of LNP-mRNA encoding luciferase revealed that 0.5% PEG content within nanoparticles elicits the highest expression. Similar injections of LNP delivered cre mRNA into Ai9 mice revealed cell-specific protein expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), confirmed by fundus photography and immunohistochemistry of whole globe cross-sections. To investigate mechanisms of LNP delivery to the eye, we injected mCherry mRNA using the subretinal approach in apoE-/- and Mertk-/- mice. RPE transfection was observed in both mouse models suggesting that LNP intracellular delivery is not solely dependent on apolipoprotein adsorption or phagocytosis. To investigate LNP penetration, particles were delivered to the vitreous chamber via an intravitreal injection. The 0.5% PEG particles mediated the highest luciferase activity and expression was observed in the Muller glia, the optic nerve head and the trabecular meshwork, but failed to reach the RPE. Overall, particles containing less PEG (~150 nm in size) mediated the highest expression in the eye. Thus far, these particles successfully transfect RPE, Muller cells, the optic nerve head and the trabecular meshwork based on route of administration which can expand the utility of LNP-mediated gene therapies for the eye.
Rapid Power System Operation Risk Assessment Considering the Correlation of Wind Generation

With the increasing penetration of wind power generation, the operation reliability of the power system would be significantly impacted due to the uncertainty and volatility of wind generation. Therefore, this paper proposes a method of rapid power system operation risk assessment considering the correlation of wind generation. Firstly, a wind power scenario-constructing approach is presented. The proposed approach employs the Latin hypercube sampling to construct wind power generation scenarios while considering the correlation of wind generation. Then, the risk-oriented benefit function is adopted to evaluate the risk indices of the constructed scenarios. In order to improve the computation performance, a searching method based on the steady-state security region is applied to avoid redundant calculation of a large number of secure scenarios. The method is validated on a modified IEEE 30-bus system, and the simulation results verify that the proposed method is feasible and applicable. The computational performance of the method is also examined.
Potential, field, and interactions of multipole spheres: Coated spherical magnets

Abstract We show that the energy, force, and torque between two spherically symmetric multipole density distributions are identical to those between two point multipoles, and apply this point-sphere equivalence to coated spherical dipole magnets. We also show that the potential and field of such a distribution are equivalent to those due to point multipoles located at the center of the distribution. We expand the inverse-distance potential in terms of harmonic (Hermite irreducible) tensors, whose properties enable us to express the potential energy, force, and torque for two arbitrary source distributions in a series of point-multipole interactions. This work generalizes recent work on interactions between uniformly magnetized dipole spheres [B. F. Edwards, D. M. Riffe, J.-Y. Ji, and W. A. Booth, Am. J. Phys. 85, 130 (2017)] to interactions between spherically-symmetric multipole spheres.
Providing seamless mobility using the FOCALE autonomic architecture

Existing wireless networks have little in common, as they are designed around vendor-specific devices that use specific radio access technologies to provide particular functionality. Next generation networks seek to integrate wired and wireless networks in order to provide seamless services to the end user. Seamless Mobility is an experiential architecture, predicated on providing mechanisms that enable a user to accomplish his or her tasks without regard to technology, type of media, or device. This paper examines how autonomic mechanisms can satisfy some of the challenges in realizing seamless mobility solutions.
The Musicality of Stimming: Promoting Neurodiversity in the Ethnomusicology of Autism

In the symptomatology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), the practice of “odd, unusual, or repetitive behaviors” such as hand flapping and body rocking is referred to as stimming (Hammel and Hourigan 2013: 75). Stimming is routinely cast as problematic and targeted for reduction or elimination in therapeutic modalities for autistic individuals, including music therapy. In an alternate frame of reference grounded in the epistemological foundations of neurodiversity, however, stimming is subject to a very different kind of interpretation in which such behaviours are embraced as productive, communicative, pleasurable and even socially valuable for those who perform them—as manifestations of difference, not symptoms of deficit. This mode of interpretation forms the basis of the present article, which highlights the words and views of a 10-year-old girl on the autism spectrum who plays music and stims, and which more broadly draws upon theoretical and methodological premises of ethnomusicology to advance a neurodiverse perspective on autism.
Strained silicon MOSFET technology

Mobility and current drive improvements associated with biaxial tensile stress in Si n- and p-MOSFETs are briefly reviewed. Electron mobility enhancements at high channel doping (up to 6 /spl times/ 10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/) are characterized in strained Si n-MOSFETs. For low inversion layer carrier concentrations, channel-dopant ionized impurity scattering does reduce the strain-induced mobility enhancement, but the enhancement is recovered at higher inversion charge concentrations, where screening is efficient. Mobility enhancement in strained Si p-MOSFETs is also discussed. There are process integration challenges and opportunities associated with this technology. Dopant diffusion, and its impact on profile engineering in strained Si CMOS structures, is one example. While the slower diffusion of B in Si/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ enables improved doping profile control, the diffusivity of the n-type dopants is dramatically enhanced in Si/sub 0.8/Ge/sub 0.2/.
Differences in simple morphological variables in ruptured and unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms

Object Management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms remains controversial in neurosurgery. The contribution of morphological parameters has not been included in the treatment paradigm in a systematic manner or for any particular aneurysm location. The authors present a large sample of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms that were assessed using morphological variables to determine the parameters associated with aneurysm rupture. Methods Preoperative CT angiography (CTA) studies were evaluated using Slicer software to generate 3D models of the aneurysms and their surrounding vascular architecture. Morphological parameters examined in each model included 5 variables already defined in the literature (aneurysm size, aspect ratio, aneurysm angle, vessel angle, and size ratio) and 3 novel variables (flow angle, distance to the genu, and parent-daughter angle). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine statistical significance. Results Between 2005 and 2008, 132 MCA aneu...
Parents and Drugs

This article examines three hypotheses about the relationship between attachment to parents and children's drug use when parents are perceived by their children as having used drugs. Hirschi's hypothesis that attachment to parents inhibits delinquency regardless of parental behavior is rejected in favor of hypotheses that predict variation in that relationship. In contrast to attachment to straight parents, attachment to drug-using parents does not inhibit drug use significantly and there are occasional hints at reversals in the relationships.
Evidence that GCD6 and GCD7, translational regulators of GCN4, are subunits of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for eIF-2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Starvation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for an amino acid signals increased translation of GCN4, a transcriptional activator of amino acid biosynthetic genes. We have isolated and characterized the GCD6 and GCD7 genes and shown that their products are required to repress GCN4 translation under nonstarvation conditions. We find that both GCD6 and GCD7 show sequence similarities to components of a high-molecular-weight complex (the GCD complex) that appears to be the yeast equivalent of translation initiation factor 2B (eIF-2B), which catalyzes GDP-GTP exchange on eIF-2. Furthermore, we show that GCD6 is 30% identical to the largest subunit of eIF-2B isolated from rabbit reticulocytes. Deletion of either GCD6 or GCD7 is lethal, and nonlethal mutations in these genes increase GCN4 translation in the same fashion described for defects in known subunits of eIF-2 or the GCD complex; derepression of GCN4 is dependent on short open reading frames in the GCN4 mRNA leader and occurs independently of eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation by protein kinase GCN2, which is normally required to stimulate GCN4 translation. Together, our results provide evidence that GCD6 and GCD7 are subunits of eIF-2B in S. cerevisiae and further implicate this GDP-GTP exchange factor in gene-specific translational control.
Demonstration of cytomegalic inclusions in autolyzed fetal tissue.

Abstract 1. A case of a 2,100 gram, third degree, macerated fetus is reported in which cytomegalic inclusions were demonstrated in autolyzed tissue, demonstrating the persistence of the affected cells. 2. More careful examination of the lost products of conception is strongly urged to throw more light on a sadly neglected field.
Psychological Challenges and Adaptation in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer

While the majority of childhood cancer survivors will have successful psychosocial adaptation after treatment, childhood cancer and its associated late-effects increase the risk for adaptive challenges and psychological symptoms later in life. In this chapter we focus on understanding the psychological and adaptive challenges that arise in this population in the areas of psychological symptoms, quality-of-life (QOL), and social adaptation. Risk factors for poor psychosocial and QOL outcomes, as well as high-risk survivor groups, and the role of professionals in identifying and addressing survivors with poor adaptive outcomes are also presented. Results of research studies, particularly studies of large cohorts of survivors are presented to frame the prevalence and types of problems common in this group, and information and case examples drawn from clinical experience are presented to complement this research and to illuminate the effects of cancer on individual survivors.
bands and clans: political functions of voluntary associations in the Swiss Alps1

Many of the voluntary associations and kinship groups of the Swiss Alps express underlying factionalism within the political system. They serve to control and defuse conflict and opposition. This paper examines in detail the political significance of brass bands and “family clans” in the Canton of Valais.
Fluorocarbon Aerosol Propellants V: Binding Interaction with Human Albumin

Abstract Binding of trichloromonofluoromethane, dichlorodi‐fluoromethane, and dichlorotetrafluoroethane was studied in aqueous 5% human albumin solution, using the partition coefficient method in sealed serum bottles. The partition coefficient and the fraction of fluorocarbons bound were highly dependent on fluorocarbon concentrations. The average binding sites per molecule of albumin were 2.17, 0.30, and 0.42 and the binding association constants were 1.11 × 10 3 , 1.73 × 10 3 , and 5.06 × 10 3 M −1 , respectively. At the lowest concentration studied, 62.3, 25.5, and 65.6% were found bound to albumin, respectively. This appears to represent the first extensive study on any gas‐albumin interaction.
Vibration analysis and finite element modeling for determining shear modulus of pultruded hybrid composites

An impulse-frequency response vibration technique was employed for determining the shear modulus of glass/epoxy, graphite/epoxy and hybrid (glass-graphite/epoxy) pultruded cylindrical composite rods in torsion. The distribution of the fibers and matrix in the shell-core regions were examined microscopically and the volume fractions of the various constituents determined using the stereology point counting technique. Based on the examined cross-section finite element meshes were generated and analyzed for predicting the shear modulus of such composite rods. It was observed that there was close agreement between the finite element predictions and the experimentally obtained data for only some of the hybrid configurations. The nature of the pultrusion manufacturing process which causes variations in the fiber packing geometry in the shell and core regions of hybrids has been found to significantly influence the accurate prediction of shear modulus, using either analytical or finite element methods.
Experimental electron density distribution of molecular chlorine

The electron density distribution of solid chlorine is determined from high resolution X-ray diffraction intensity measurements at 90 K. Deformation densities are calculated from the observed X-ray data and parameters obtained from a high order refinement of data with sin ϑ/λ > 0·65 A-1. Refinements including the population of multipole density functions are used to calculate model deformation densities and the asymmetry of the electric field gradient. Inclusion of third and fourth cumulant thermal parameters results in a significant improvement in the fit to the experimental data. The deformation density reveals a torus of non-bonding density at 0·31–0·37 e/A3 encircling the Cl-Cl bond somewhat in the back of each of the Cl atoms. A double peak of 0·22 e/A3 is found in the bonding region of the experimental deformation density similar to the bonding density found in S8. This feature is not properly reproduced in density maps based on the atom-centred multipole functions. The calculated distribution of er...
Rotameric transformations in the photochemistry of (η5-C5H5)Ru(CO)(η3-C3H5) and (η3-C3H4R)Fe(CO)2NO, where R = H or Me

Abstract Photolysis of exo-(η5-C5H5)Ru(CO)(η3–C3H5) in frozen Nujol matrices results in formation of the endo isomer as well as a band assigned to the η1-allyl species that appears to be the likely intermediate in these transformations. The photochemistry of (η3-C3H4R)Fe(CO)2NO, where R = H or Me, is dominated by the rotational isomerism of the allyl ligand. In the case of the 2-methylallyl ligand bands are observed upon visible light photolysis that may be assigned to the isonitrosyl linkage isomer. The behavior of these “open” allyl compounds is in contrast to that of (η3-t-Bu3C3)Fe(CO)2NO where both NO linkage isomerism and CO-loss is observed.
Of research questions and literature reviews: A reply to Lorenz et al.

Abstract This reply is in response to Lorenz et al.’s commentary on our original article, “Deja vu or something new? The adaptation concept in the climate change literature.” Their commentary criticizes our literature review method for not being sufficiently systematic. They do not dispute our conclusions yet call them “biased.” We believe the claim of bias is unfounded and we stand by the methods and conclusions in our article. In this reply to their commentary we review 40 articles in a journal they suggest would have led us to a different set of conclusions. The results of that review demonstrate the limitations of the authors’ proposed “systematic literature review” to the social sciences. We similarly contend that the authors’ recommendation to expand the search terms (e.g. risk management) would confine analysis to just one branch of the climate change adaptation literature. We utilize the more inclusive term “adaptation” to chart the degree of continuity and change in this keyword’s meanings and politics.
Different Regions in Activation Function-1 of the Human Estrogen Receptor Required for Antiestrogen- and Estradiol-dependent Transcription Activation

The human estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that contains two transcriptional activation functions, one located in the NH2-terminal region of the protein (AF-1) and the second in the COOH-terminal region (AF-2). Antiestrogens, such as trans-hydroxytamoxifen (TOT), have partial agonistic activity in certain cell types, and studies have implied that this agonism is AF-1-dependent. We have made progressive NH2-terminal and other segment deletions and ligations in the A/B domain, and studied the transcriptional activity of these mutant ERs in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer and HEC-1 human endometrial cancer cells. Using several estrogens and several partial agonist/antagonist antiestrogens, we find that estrogens and antiestrogens require different regions of AF-1 for transcriptional activation. Deletion of the first 40 amino acids has no effect on receptor activity. Antiestrogen agonism is lost upon deletion to amino acid 87, while estrogen agonism is not lost until deletions progress to amino acid 109. Antiestrogen agonism has been further defined to require amino acids 41-64, as deletion of only these amino acids results in an ER that exhibits 100% activity with E2, but no longer shows an agonist response to TOT. With A/B-modified receptors in which antiestrogens lose their agonistic activity, the antiestrogens then function as pure estrogen antagonists. Our studies show that in these cellular contexts, hormone-dependent transcription utilizes a range of the amino acid sequence within the A/B domain. Furthermore, the agonist/antagonist balance and activity of antiestrogens such as TOT are determined by specific sequences within the A/B domain and thus may be influenced by differences in levels of specific factors that interact with these regions of the ER.
Incidental Experiences of Affective Coherence and Incoherence Influence Persuasion

When affective experiences are inconsistent with activated evaluative concepts, people experience what is called affective incoherence; when affective experiences are consistent with activated evaluative concepts, people experience affective coherence. The present research asked whether incidental feelings of affective coherence and incoherence would regulate persuasion. Experiences of affective coherence and incoherence were predicted and found to influence the processing of persuasive messages when evoked prior to receipt of such messages (Experiments 1 and 3), and to influence the confidence with which thoughts generated by persuasive messages were held when evoked after presentation of such messages (Experiments 2 and 3). These results extend research on affective coherence and incoherence by showing that they exert a broader impact on cognitive activity than originally assumed.
Argonaute-2 Expression Is Regulated by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling and Correlates with a Transformed Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells

Argonaute (Ago) 2 is the catalytic engine of mammalian RNA interference, but little is known concerning the regulation of Ago2 by cell-signaling pathways. In this study we show that expression of Ago2, but not Ago1, Ago3, or Ago4, is elevated in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha-negative (ERalpha(-)) vs. ERalpha-positive (ERalpha+) breast cancer cell lines, and in ERalpha(-) breast tumors. In MCF-7 cells the low level of Ago2 was found to be dependent upon active ERalpha/estrogen signaling. Interestingly, the high expression of Ago2 in ERalpha(-) cells was severely blunted by inhibition of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor/MAPK signaling pathway, using either a pharmacological MAPK kinase inhibitor, U0126, or a small interfering RNA directed against EGF receptor. Half-life studies using cycloheximide indicated that EGF enhanced, whereas U0126 decreased, Ago2 protein stability. Furthermore, a proteosome inhibitor, MG132, blocked Ago2 protein turnover. The functional consequences of elevated Ago2 levels were examined by stable transfection of ERalpha+ MCF-7 cells with full-length and truncated forms of Ago2. The full-length Ago2 transfectants displayed enhanced proliferation, reduced cell-cell adhesion, and increased migratory ability, as shown by proliferation, homotypic aggregation, and wound healing assays, respectively. Overexpression of full-length Ago2, but not truncated forms of Ago2 or an empty vector control, reduced the levels of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and beta-actin, as well as enhanced endogenous miR-206 activity. These data indicate that Ago2 is regulated at both the transcriptional and posttranslational level, and also implicate Ago2 and enhanced micro-RNA activity in the tumorigenic progression of breast cancer cell lines.
An Efficient, General-Purpose Technique for Identifying Storm Cells in Geospatial Images

Abstract Existing techniques for identifying, associating, and tracking storms rely on heuristics and are not transferrable between different types of geospatial images. Yet, with the multitude of remote sensing instruments and the number of channels and data types increasing, it is necessary to develop a principled and generally applicable technique. In this paper, an efficient, sequential, morphological technique called the watershed transform is adapted and extended so that it can be used for identifying storms. The parameters available in the technique and the effects of these parameters are also explained. The method is demonstrated on different types of geospatial radar and satellite images. Pointers are provided on the effective choice of parameters to handle the resolutions, data quality constraints, and dynamic ranges found in observational datasets.
Dendritic cells and their involvement in atherosclerosis.

Dendritic cells constitute a unique family of cells able to induce primary immune responses. Over the past decade, immunologists have been increasingly preoccupied with dendritic cells and dendritic cells are now seen as a panacea for vaccine development, tumour immunotherapy and a host of other imm
Novel dry powder preparations of whole inactivated influenza virus for nasal vaccination

The purpose of these studies was to enhance mucosal and systemic antibody production in response to increased local residence time of a whole inactivated influenza virus administered as a dry powder nasal vaccine formulation. Spray-freeze-drying (SFD) particles suitable for nasal delivery were characterized for physico-chemical properties and stability. Mucoadhesive compounds (MA) were characterized for their effects on nasal residence time of vaccine powders in rats compared with published in vitro data and elicited immune responses. SFD particles (D50=26.9µm) were spherical with a specific surface area of 1.25 m2/g. Thermal analysis indicated SFD powders were amorphous and demonstrated improved stability with respect to liquid formulations under various storage conditions. In vitro physico-chemical studies and in vivo scintigraphic imaging experiments indicated sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethylcellulose-high molecular weight (CMC-HMW) powder formulations most significantly increased residence time in Brown Norway rats. Intramuscular delivery provided equivalent serum antibody titers to intranasal (IN) powder without MA, in the presence of CMC-HMW, SA, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC-HMW) after initial dosing and all formulations except IN powder with chitosan after boosting. IN liquid provided equivalent serum antibody titers to all IN powders after the initial vaccination and significantly greater serum antibody titers than IN powder with chitosan after boosting. Trends were consistent between residence time studies and immune response; however, no statistically significant differences between powder and liquid formulations were observed. It was concluded that enhanced serum and mucosal antibody responses were elicited by a dry powder nasal vaccine, specifically, administered in the presence of sodium alginate.
Modeling partial harvesting in intensive shrimp culture: A network-flow approach

Despite the promising laboratory results and theoretical arguments on the potential of partial harvesting in enhancing the productivity and profitability of intensive shrimp growout facilities, the implementation of partial harvesting in practical operation is rather difficult due to its complex nature. In this paper, we developed a practical model of partial harvesting using the network-flow approach so that it can be readily implemented and solved in MS EXCEL. We demonstrated the use of this spreadsheet model with data from a commercial shrimp farm in Hawaii. The results indicate that the model is capable of identifying the efficient harvest policy as well as assessing the viability of partial harvesting under a variety of managerial conditions and objectives.
Plant-based torsional actuator with memory

A bundle of a few loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) cells are moisture-activated torsional actuators that twist multiple revolutions per cm length in direct proportion to moisture content. The bundles generate 10 N m kg−1 specific torque during both twisting and untwisting, which is higher than an electric motor. Additionally, the bundles exhibit a moisture-activated, shape memory twist effect. Over 70% of the twist in a wetted bundle can be locked-in by drying under constraint and then released by rewetting the bundle. Our results indicate that hemicelluloses dominate the shape fixity mechanism and lignin is primarily responsible for remembering the bundle’s original form. The bundles demonstrate proof of a high specific torque actuator with large angles of rotation and shape memory twist capabilities that can be used in microactuators, sensors, and energy harvesters.
Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Other Natural Enemies as Mortality Factors for Larvae of Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Parasitism and persistence of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema riobrave, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, and H. indica, were evaluated as biopesticides against larvae of Diaprepes abbreviatus in a mature citrus grove using different soil sampling methods. In three separate tests, commercial formulations of different nematode species were applied with herbicide delivery equipment at rates from 11 to 216 infective juveniles (IJs)/cm 2 to the soil beneath the tree. The prevalence of parasitism and/or predation by either commercially applied nematodes or indigenous natural enemies associated with weevil larvae in the soil was measured using larvae-baited screened cages placed in the soil before and after nematode application. The results showed that ant predation and nematode parasitism were the dominant mortality factors of caged, 6th instar D. abbreviatus during 7 days exposure to field soil. Entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria were incidental. Inundative applications of different rates of entomopathogenic nematodes showed a positive quadratic relationship between number of nematodes applied per given area (log scale) and parasitism of caged larvae. Higher rates (>54 IJs/cm 2 ) were required to achieve levels of parasitism significantly greater than that in the controls. Nematode parasitism of D. abbreviatus larvae was similar in caged versus no-cage comparisons conducted in the greenhouse. Nematode numbers in the soil declined over time, reaching pretreatment levels at 14 days posttreatment based on a modified Baermann sampling procedure. © 2000 Academic Press
Cellular defense processes regulated by pathogen-elicited receptor signaling

Vertebrates are constantly threatened by the invasion of microorganisms and have evolved systems of immunity to eliminate infectious pathogens in the body. Initial sensing of microbial agents is mediated by the recognition of pathogens by means of molecular structures expressed uniquely by microbes of a given type. So-called 'Toll-like receptors' are expressed on host epithelial barrier cells play an essential role in the host defense against microbial pathogens by inducing cell responses (e.g., proliferation, death, cytokine secretion) via activation of intracellular signaling networks. As these networks, comprising multiple interconnecting dynamic pathways, represent highly complex multi-variate "information processing" systems, the signaling activities particularly critical for governing the host cell responses are poorly understood and not easily ascertained by a priori theoretical notions. We have developed over the past half-decade a "data-driven" computational modeling approach, on a 'cue-signal-response' combined experiment/computation paradigm, to elucidate key multi-variate signaling relationships governing the cell responses. In an example presented here, we study how a canonical set of six kinase pathways combine to effect microbial agent-induced apoptotic death of a macrophage cell line. One modeling technique, partial least-squares regression, yielded the following key insights: {a} signal combinations most strongly correlated to apoptotic death are orthogonal to those most strongly correlated with release of inflammatory cytokines; {b} the ratio of two key pathway activities is the most powerful predictor of microbe-induced macrophage apoptotic death; {c} the most influential time-window of this signaling activity ratio is surprisingly fast: less than one hour after microbe stimulation.
A Rapid in Vivo Assay for SV40 Tumor Immunity in Hamsters

SummaryHamsters immunized with either SV40 tumor cell material or with SV40 virus possessed a diffusable factor in the peritoneal cavity which destroys or inhibits the proliferation of homologous SV40 tumor cells in diffusion chambers. The diffusable factor had no activity against hamster muscle cells from homologous hamsters and its activity was dependent, to some degree, on the target cell concentration and on the number of immunizations. The diffusion chamber environment was free from lymphoid cell penetration under the conditions employed and the immunity detected is believed to result from humoral antibody.
Self-treatment of hypoglycemia while driving.

Abstract Objective: While it is clear that progressive diabetic hypoglycemia leads to neuroglycopenia, which impairs driving, it is not clear what contributes to patients' detection and subsequent self-correction of hypoglycemia/driving impairments. Drivers with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) who did and did not engage in self-treatment during experimental hypoglycemia driving are compared physiologically and psychologically. Method: 38 drivers with T1DM drove a sophisticated driving simulator during euglycemia and progressive hypoglycemia. Subjects were continually monitored for driving performance, EEG activity and whether they self-treated with a glucose drink. Every 5 min measures were taken of blood glucose (BG) and epinephrine levels, perceived neurogenic and neuroglycopenic symptoms and driving ability. For the four weeks prior to this hospital study, subjects participated in a field study. Using a hand-held computer just prior to routine self-measurements of BG, subjects rated neurogenic and neuroglycopenic symptoms and made judgements about BG level and ability to drive as they did in the hospital. Results: Drivers who did and did not self-treat did not differ in terms of their pre-hospital exposure to hypoglycemia, their depth and rate of BG fall during experimental testing, or their epinephrine response to hypoglycemia. Subjects who self-treated detected more neurogenic and neuroglycopenic symptoms than those who did not self-treat. They also experienced less EEG defined neuroglycopenia during the progressive hypoglycemic drive as compared to those who did not self-treat. Perceived need to self-treat and EEG parameters correctly classified 88% of those who did treat from those who did not self-treat. Further, subjects who self-treated were more aware of hypoglycemia and when not to drive while hypoglycemic in the field study. Conclusion: There is a narrow window between a patient's detection of hypoglycemic symptoms and the need to self-treat, and neuroglycopenia, which impairs self-treatment. Consequently, drivers with T1DM should be vigilant for signs of hypoglycemia and driving impairment (e.g. trembling, uncoordination, visual difficulties) and encouraged to treat themselves immediately when they suspect hypoglycemia while driving.