cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfectable and transplantable postmitotic human neurons: a potential "platform" for gene therapy of nervous system diseases.

Abstract We have characterized a human embryonal carcinoma cell line (NTera-2 or NT2 cells) that is transfectable and capable of differentiating into postmitotic neuron-like cells (NT2N cells) following treatment with retinoic acid in order to identify a human neuronal cell line that might serve as a “platform” for gene therapy of human neurological diseases. Studies of NT2N cells transplanted into the brain or spinal cord of immune-competent and immunodeficient rodents show that NT2N cells integrate into the host central nervous system (CNS) and establish the molecular and structural polarity of authentic neurons in vivo. Further, grafted NT2N cells acquire the molecular phenotype of fully mature neurons within 6 months postimplantation and the grafts survive >1 year in immunodeficient mice without reverting to a neoplastic state. Although grafts of the retinoic acid-naive NT2 cells can form lethal tumors in the CNS, these cells differentiate into postmitotic neuron-like cells and do not form tumors when the grafts are confined to the caudoputamen. Based on the studies reviewed here, we conclude that grafted NT2N cells could serve as a suitable platform for the delivery of exogenous proteins into the CNS for gene therapy of human nervous system diseases.
Health status of the oldest adult survivors of cancer during childhood.

BACKGROUND: Young adult survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk for treatment-related morbidity and mortality. In this study, the authors assessed how treatment for childhood cancer affects older-adult health and health practices. METHODS: One hundred seven adults treated for childhood cancer between 1947 and 1968, known to have survived past age 50 years, were identified from a single-institution cohort established in 1975. Updated vital status on eligible cases was obtained from public records. Survivors and a control group of their age-matched siblings and cousins completed a mailed survey to assess physical and social function, healthcare practices, and the prevalence of common adult illnesses. RESULTS: Of the 107 survivors known to be alive at age 50 years, 16 were deceased at follow-up; 7 deaths could be associated with prior treatment (second malignancy in radiation field [3], small bowel obstruction after abdominal radiation [2], and cardiac disease after chest irradiation [2]). The 55 survivors (median age, 56 years; range, 51-71 years), and 32 family controls (median age, 58 years; range, 48-70 years), reported similar health practices, health-related quality of life, and social function. However, survivors reported more frequent visits to healthcare providers (P < .05), more physical impairments (P < .05), fatigue (P = .02), hypertension (P = .001), and coronary artery disease (P = .01). An increased risk of hypertension was associated with nephrectomy during childhood (odds ratio, 18.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-118.8). CONCLUSIONS: The oldest adult survivors of childhood cancer continue to be at risk for treatment-related complications that potentially decrease their life expectancy and compromise their quality of life. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Effect of False Vocal Fold Geometry on Glottal Flow

The false vocal folds are hypothesized to affect the laryngeal flow during phonation. This hypothesis is tested both computationally and experimentally using rigid models of the human larynges. The computations are performed using an incompressible Navier-Stokes solver with a second order, sharp, immersed-boundary formulation, while the experiments are carried out in a wind tunnel with physiologic speeds and dimensions. The computational flow structures are compared with available glottal flow visualizations and are employed to study the vortex dynamics of the glottal flow. Furthermore, pressure data are collected on the surface of the laryngeal models experimentally and computationally. The investigation focuses on three geometric features: the size of the false vocal fold gap; the height between the true and false vocal folds; and the width of the laryngeal ventricle. It is shown that the false vocal fold gap has a significant effect on glottal flow aerodynamics, whereas the second and the third geometric parameters are of lesser importance. The link between pressure distribution on the surface of the larynx and false vocal fold geometry is discussed in the context of vortex evolution in the supraglottal region. It was found that the formation of the starting vortex considerably affects the pressure distribution on the surface of the larynx. The interaction of this vortex structure with false vocal folds creates rebound vortices in the laryngeal ventricle. In the cases of small false vocal fold gap, these rebound vortices are able to reach the true vocal folds during a time period comparable with one cycle of the phonation. Moreover, they can create complex vorticity patterns, which result in significant pressure fluctuations on the surface of the larynx.
Optical Kerr nonlinearity in a high-Q silicon carbide microresonator

We demonstrate a high-Q amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) microresonator with optical Q as high as 1.3 × 10(5). The high optical quality allows us to characterize the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of a-SiC. The Kerr nonlinearity is measured to be n2 = (5.9 ± 0.7) × 10(−15) cm(2)/W in the telecom band around 1550 nm. The strong Kerr nonlinearity and high optical quality render a-SiC microresonators a promising platform for integrated nonlinear photonics.
Overall and local movement speeds during fire drill evacuations in buildings up to 31 stories

The time that it takes an occupant population to reach safety when descending a stairwell during building evacuations is typically described by measureable engineering variables such as stairwell geometry, speed, density, and pre-evacuation delay. In turn, engineering models of building evacuation use these variables to predict the performance of egress systems for building design, emergency planning, or event reconstruction. As part of a program to better understand occupant movement and behavior during building emergencies, the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been collecting stairwell movement data during fire drill evacuations of office buildings. These data collections are intended to provide a better understanding of this principal building egress feature and develop a technical foundation for future codes and standards requirements. To date, NIST has collected fire drill evacuation data in eight office building occupancies ranging from six to 62 stories in height that have included a range of stairwell widths and occupant densities.
Comparison of helium and argon in ionization detectors.

Abstract Sensitive detection of atmospheric gases and organic vapors using ionization detectors has been accomplished with either helium or argon carrier gas. Addition of permanent gases in low concentration increased the electrical conductivity of an electric discharge excited in helium, while addition of higher concentrations of the same gases decreased it. Addition of permanent gases to an argon discharge reduced its conductivity. Addition of small concentrations of organic vapors to either an argon or a helium discharge increased its conductivity. The sensitivity of both helium and argon discharges to compounds with different functional groups varied. The variation in sensitivity of the helium discharge, although somewhat less than that of the argon discharge, was found to be still pronounced.
Effect of eliminating machine stripping of dairy cows on milk production, residual milk, and mastitis.

Abstract Eighteen cows of three breeds were divided into pairs according to breed and previous milk production. One member of each pair was milked and machine-stripped in the usual manner. The udder of the second member was not handled after machine application, nor was pressure exerted on the teat cups. The machine was removed when milk flow stopped, as observed through a plastic sight glass attached to the milker pail lid. The treatments were reversed at the end of four weeks and again at the end of eight weeks. No significant differences were found in the daily milk production or the milk fat percentage (P > 0.05) between the two treatments. A negative regression coefficient (P
14N nuclear quadrupole resonance in ferroelectric guandines

Abstract The nitrogen- 14 nuclear quadrupole resonance spectrum of several ferroelectric guanidines has been observed. From a study of the temperature dependence of the resonance frequencies the onset of rotational motion of the guanidium ion at low temperature can be deduced.
A phenomenological model of size-dependent hardening in crystal plasticity

A phenomenological model of plastic deformation is proposed, which captures the size-dependence of plastic flow strength and work-hardening in pure FCC crystalline materials. Guided by discrete dislocation dynamics analyses, the treatment is based on two structural variables determining the mechanical state of the material. A complete description of plastic behaviour is achieved, giving two inherently different statements for the evolution of structure, supplemented by a new kinetic equation, which specifies the hardening law in differential form at fixed structure. Evolution of the first state variable is set by phenomenology; it accounts for the cardinal bulk phenomena of athermal hardening and dynamic recovery, in addition to geometric storage. The second state variable is kinematically determined so that an evolution equation need not be formulated explicitly in rate form. The model formulation leaves the classical treatment of dynamic recovery unaltered. However, since there is virtually no experimen...
WHAT WAS EVERYTHING HE TOLD HER SHE DID? (JOHN 4.17-18, 29, 39)

Twice (John 4.29, 39), the Samaritan woman is said to have reported to her townspeople that a man had told her ‘everything’ she did. One may surmise that those whom she told knew rather well precisely what the things were that she had done, for they followed her urging to see this remarkably perceptive stranger. Precisely what did Jesus tell her that so moved her and others, and how did he go about it?
Vascular Remodeling in Autogenous Arterio-Venous Fistulas by MRI and CFD

Hemodynamic parameters play an important role in regulating vascular remodeling in arterio-venous fistula (AVF) maturation. Investigating the changes in hemodynamic parameters during AVF maturation is expected to improve our understanding of fistula failure, but very little data on actual temporal changes in human AVFs is available. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of using a noncontrast-enhanced MRI protocol combined with CFD modeling to relate hemodynamic changes to vascular remodeling following native AVF placement. MR angiography (MRA) and MR velocimetry (MRV) data was acquired peri-operatively, 1 month, and 3 months later in three patients. Vascular geometries were obtained by segmentation of the MRA images. Pulsatile flow simulations were performed in the patient specific vascular geometries with time-dependent boundary conditions prescribed from MRV measurements. A principal result of the study is the description of WSS changes over time in the same patients. The disturbed flow observed in the venous segments resulted in a variability of the WSS distribution and could be responsible for the non-uniform remodeling of the vessel. The artery did not show regions of disturbed flow upstream from the anastomosis, which would be consistent with the uniform remodeling. MRI use demonstrated the ability to provide a comprehensive evaluation of clinically relevant information for the investigation of upper extremity AVFs. 3D geometry from MRA in combination with MRV provides the opportunity to perform detailed CFD analysis of local hemodynamics in order to determine flow descriptors affecting fistula maturation.
Single-device “XOR” and “AND” gates for high speed, very low power LSI mechanical processors

Abstract Here we demonstrate the feasibility of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) functional devices where a single device functions as a logic gate. This novel approach reduces the number of MEMS devices needed to implement a mechanical processor by a factor of 10. MEMS processors are suitable for operation in harsh environment in engines and in the presence of ionizing radiations inside nuclear reactors or in space applications. MEMS devices have overall lower speed and are less reliable than the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. By reducing the number of devices needed for a given operation, our approach improves yield, reproducibility, speed and simplifies implementation of MEMS circuits such as adders and multiplexers. Specifically, we discuss XOR and AND gates fabricated on Si 3 N 4 and polysilicon as bridge materials using W electrodes. The XOR gates with ∼1.5 V turn-on voltage at 50 MHz with >10 9 cycles of reliable operations and low operational power consumption (leakage current −9 A at V ∼ 0.5 V, and power
Methods of effective information exchange in the virtual world

A 3D virtual world can be used to facilitate the exchange of information within an organization. Regardless of the type of information, users may collaborate amongst their peers, deliver company organizational updates to a large group of people, and document research. Researchers at the Air Force Research Labs Discovery Lab, a year round research and STEM internship program, have set precedence for using the virtual world for these applications. The Discovery Lab focuses research on engineering problems that are relevant to the United States Air Force, and has two major components: the physical Discovery Lab, and the Virtual Discovery Center. The Virtual Discovery Center uses the open source 3D application server, called OpenSimulator, and has acted as a capstone for the organization. The Virtual Discovery Center is home for much of the Discovery Lab's collaboration, innovation, and research documentation. Researchers may meet and discuss via voice and text, and may share graphics to report project accomplishments. Since at times the Discovery Lab hosts more than one hundred researchers and collaborators, the virtual world serves as a medium for delivering important programmatic updates, as well as holding virtual group meetings. The Virtual Discovery Center is additionally used for research, professional training, and data visualization by utilizing the virtual worlds unique 3D object building and scripting techniques. The methods used by the Discovery Lab are proposed as an effective system for provoking collaboration and the exchange of information.
Relation of Emotional Intelligence to Emotional Recognition and Mood Management

Summary This study replicated Petrides and Furnham's 2000 test of the multidimensional nature of the Emotional Intelligence Scale by Schutte, et al. A survey of 153 college students (M age = 25.0, SD = 4.4, 54.2% women) was performed. Four factors which closely resembled previous ones were found although there were some differences in item loadings. The factors were Optimism, Mood Management, Nonverbal, and Empathy. Then, the total and factor scores were examined for their relationship to scores on the Emotional Recognition and Mood Management Inventories developed by Wells and Hakanen in 1991 for the purpose of testing predictive validity and developing measures with high internal validity.
Dietary and allergic associations with rheumatoid arthritis: Self‐report of 704 patients

A survey of 704 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients was performed to analyze responses of patients reporting favorable or unfavorable effects of specific foods on clinical status. Overall, 28% of patients reported some association between a specific food and clinical status. Patients reporting food associations tended to report higher levels of allergies and family history of allergies, but did not differ importantly in clinical status or demographic variables from patients reporting no associations of foods and clinical status. These data suggest that a subset of RA patients might have food sensitivity as a component of clinical activity, but most patients find no associations between foods and clinical status.
Total Hip Arthroplasty with the Anterior Surgical Approach Using One or Two Incisions

Although a variety of incisions and approaches are available for performing total hip arthroplasty, the anterior approach achieves excellent results using a muscle-sparing technique. Over more than three decades of experience with this technique by the senior author (K.J.K.), data collected prospectively have demonstrated a very low overall incidence of complications and a rapid return to function for patients. The approach can be used in all types of patients with an accessory second incision if necessary and lends itself to a wide variety of prosthetic implant designs.
Hydrophobic nature of organo-clays as a Lewis acid/base phenomenon

The surface thermodynamic properties of a series of n-alkylammonium and quaternary ammonium treated clay films were determined by contact angle measurement of drops of test liquids using the Young equation for polar materials. The two clays were a Wyoming montmorillonite (SWy-1) and Laponite RD. For a series of primary n-alkyl (6 ≤ n ≤ 15) and several quaternary organic cations, the organo-clay (both SWy-1 and Laponite RD) showed very little change in the value of γLW compared to the equivalent ammonium-saturated clay. Also, γ⊕ remained small or increased slightly compared to the ammonium-saturated clay. For SWy-1 exchanged by both quaternary ammonium and primary n-alkylammonium cations, the value of γ⊖ was smaller (0.1 ≤ γ⊖ ≤ 15.8 mJ/m2) than for the ammonium-saturated clay (γ⊖ = 36.2 mJ/m2) and decreased linearly with the number of carbon atoms. The γ⊖ values for the organic cation-exchanged Laponite RD samples (24.2 ≤ γ⊖ ≤ 31.2 mJ/m2) were smaller than or comparable to the ammonium saturated clay (γ⊖ = 30.7 mJ/m2), and were relatively insensitive to the number of carbon atoms in the organic cation. Thus, for both clays the increased adsorption of organic molecules resulting from replacement of inorganic cations by organic cations is due primarily to the decrease in the value of the Lewis base parameter, γ⊖.
An organic self-regulating microfluidic system

In this paper we present an organic feedback scheme that merges microfluidics and responsive materials to address several limitations of current microfluidic systems. By using in situ fabrication and by taking advantage of microscale phenomena (e.g., laminar flow, short diffusion times), we have demonstrated feedback control of the output pH in a completely organic system. The system autonomously regulates an output stream at pH 7 under a range of input flow conditions. A single responsive hydrogel component performs the functionality of traditional feedback system components. Vertically stacked laminar flow is used to improve the time response of the hydrogel actuator. A star shaped orifice is utilized to improve the flow characteristics of the membrane/orifice valve. By changing the chemistry of the hydrogel component, the system can be altered to regulate flow based on hydrogels sensitive to temperature, light, biological/molecular, and others.
Spermatogonial Stem Cells Derived from Infertile Wv/Wv Mice Self-Renew In Vitro and Generate Progeny Following Transplantation

Loss-of-function mutation of the Kit gene causes a severe defect in spermatogenesis that results in infertility due to the inability of its cognate ligand, KIT ligand (KITL), to stimulate spermatogonial proliferation and differentiation. Although self-renewal of mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) depends on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), there is no unequivocal evidence that SSCs with a KIT deficiency can self-renew in vivo or in vitro. In the testis of Wv/Wv mice, in which the KIT tyrosine kinase activity is impaired, spermatogonia with SSC phenotype were identified. When Wv/Wv spermatogonia were cultured in an SSC culture system supplemented with GDNF in a 10% O2 atmosphere, they formed clumps and proliferated continuously. An atmosphere of 10% O2 was better than 21% O2 to support SSC self-renewal. When Wv/Wv clump-forming germ cells were transplanted into testes of infertile wild-type busulfan-treated mice, they colonized the seminiferous tubules but did not differentiate. However, when transplanted into the testes of infertile W/Wv pups, they restored spermatogenesis and produced spermatozoa, and progeny were generated using microinsemination. These results clearly show that SSCs exist in Wv/Wv testes and that they proliferate in vitro similar to wild-type SSCs, indicating that a functional KIT protein is not required for SSC self-renewal. Furthermore, the results indicate that a defect of KIT/KITL signaling of Wv/Wv SSCs does not prevent spermatogonial differentiation and spermatogenesis in some recipient strains.
Sisterhood May Be Powerful for Reducing Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence: An Evaluation of the Bringing in the Bystander In-Person Program with Sorority Members

Sorority members may be at greater risk than other college women for sexual violence and intimate partner violence (IPV). We evaluated the Bringing in the Bystander in-person program with sorority members who participated in the program (n = 30) compared with those who did not (n = 18). Results indicate that program participants showed increased bystander efficacy, likelihood to help, and responsibility for ending violence without unintended "backlash" effects. Implications include a call for future programming with more diverse sorority members over longer time. In addition, we discuss what the findings might mean for formal campus policies and practices for preventing sexual violence and IPV.
Listeria monocytogenes Infection and Activation of Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Listeria monocytogenes invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) and its role as a stimulus for endothelial cell activation were studied. Binding and invasion of intact BMEC monolayers were independent of the L. monocytogenes inlAB invasion locus. Cytochalasin D abrogated invasion of BMEC, whereas genistein effected only a 53% decrease in invasion, indicating a requirement for rearrangement of actin microfilaments but less dependence on tyrosine kinase activity. L. monocytogenes stimulated surface expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and to a lesser extent, VCAM-1, whereas L. monocytogenes prfA- and Deltahly mutants were severely compromised in this respect. Other experiments showed that BMEC infection stimulated monocyte and neutrophil adhesion and that CD18-mediated binding was the predominant mechanism for neutrophil adhesion to infected BMEC under static conditions. These data suggest that invasion of BMEC is a mechanism for triggering inflammation and leukocyte recruitment into the central nervous system during bacterial meningitis.
A practical scan re-use scheme for system test

This paper presents the work at Texas Instruments for achieving an efficient scan test and IC failure analysis at system level with the advanced scan compression technology. Unlike other approaches that are associated with longer test time, difficult implementation or limited failure analysis capability, the proposed system scan scheme is simply an add-on with ad-hoc scan technologies. The result shows that an ATE-like scan test coverage, including both StuckAt and TFT, was delivered, a more accurate failure diagnostics was achieved.
A dynamic decentralized sequential multi-hypothesis testing problem under uniformly distributed nonstationary observations

A dynamic team of multiple communicating decision makers perform Bayesian sequential multi-hypothesis testing with nonstationary observations. A member-by-member optimal decision rule is derived under the conditions that the observations are independent and uniformly distributed conditioned on each hypothesis, that the observation costs are adapted to the quality of observations, and that the cost for decision errors is sufficiently large and does not impose additional penalty for "vague" terminal decisions. The "vague" terminal decisions can be made "clear" by performing a finite number of member-by-member optimal sequential decisions successively.
Identification of the unknown diffusion coefficient in a linear parabolic equation by the semigroup approach

In this article, we study the semigroup approach for the mathematical analysis of the inverse coefficient problems of identifying the unknown coefficient k(x) in the linear parabolic equation ut(x,t)=(k(x)ux(x,t))x, with Dirichlet boundary conditions u(0,t)=ψ0, u(1,t)=ψ1. Main goal of this study is to investigate the distinguishability of the input–output mappings Φ[⋅]:K→C1[0,T], Ψ[⋅]:K→C1[0,T] via semigroup theory. In this paper, we show that if the null space of the semigroup T(t) consists of only zero function, then the input–output mappings Φ[⋅] and Ψ[⋅] have the distinguishability property. Moreover, the values k(0) and k(1) of the unknown diffusion coefficient k(x) at x=0 and x=1, respectively, can be determined explicitly by making use of measured output data (boundary observations) f(t):=k(0)ux(0,t) or/and h(t):=k(1)ux(1,t). In addition to these, the values k′(0) and k′(1) of the unknown coefficient k(x) at x=0 and x=1, respectively, are also determined via the input data. Furthermore, it is shown that measured output data f(t) and h(t) can be determined analytically, by an integral representation. Hence the input–output mappings Φ[⋅]:K→C1[0,T], Ψ[⋅]:K→C1[0,T] are given explicitly in terms of the semigroup. Finally by using all these results, we construct the local representations of the unknown coefficient k(x) at the end points x=0 and x=1.
Spirochaeta aurantia Has Diacetyl Chloramphenicol Esterase Activity

The free-living spirochete Spirochaeta aurantia was nearly as susceptible to diacetyl chloramphenicol, the product of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, as it was to chloramphenicol itself. This unexpected susceptibility to diacetyl chloramphenicol was wholly or partly the consequence of intrinsic carboxylesterase activity, as indicated by high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and microbiological assays. The esterase converted the diacetate to chloramphenicol, thus inhibiting spirochete growth. The esterase activity was cell associated, reduced by proteinase K, eliminated by boiling, and independent of the presence of either chloramphenicol or diacetyl chloramphenicol. S. aurantia extracts also hydrolyzed other esterase substrates, and two of these, α-napthyl acetate and 4-methylumbelliferyl acetate, identified an esterase of approximately 75 kDa in a nondenaturing gel. Carboxylesterases occur in Streptomyces species, but in this study their activity was weaker than that of S. aurantia. The S. aurantia esterase could reduce the effectiveness of cat as either a selectable marker or a reporter gene in this species.
Status of the Radio Ice Cherenkov Experiment (RICE)

Abstract The Radio Ice Cherenkov Experiment (RICE) is designed to detect ultrahigh energy (≥100 TeV) neutrinos from astrophysical sources. RICE will consist of an array of compact radio (100 to 1000 MHz) receivers buried in ice at the South Pole. The objective is an array of greater than one cubic kilometer effective volume, complementary to TeV optical neutrino telescopes. The effective volume using the radio technique increases faster with energy than the optical technique, making the method more efficient at PeV energies. During the 1995–96 and 1996–97 austral summers, a pilot experiment consisting of several receivers and transmitters was deployed in bore holes drilled for the AMANDA project, at depths of 141 to 260 m. This was the first in situ test of radio receivers in deep ice for neutrino astronomy.
Src-like adaptor protein down-regulates T cell receptor (TCR)–CD3 expression by targeting TCRζ for degradation

Src-like adaptor protein (SLAP) down-regulates expression of the T cell receptor (TCR)–CD3 complex during a specific stage of thymocyte development when the TCR repertoire is selected. Consequently, SLAP−/− thymocytes display alterations in thymocyte development. Here, we have studied the mechanism of SLAP function. We demonstrate that SLAP-deficient thymocytes have increased TCRζ chain expression as a result of a defect in TCRζ degradation. Failure to degrade TCRζ leads to an increased pool of fully assembled TCR–CD3 complexes that are capable of recycling back to the cell surface. We also provide evidence that SLAP functions in a pathway that requires the phosphorylated TCRζ chain and the Src family kinase Lck, but not ZAP-70 (ζ-associated protein of 70 kD). These studies reveal a unique mechanism by which SLAP contributes to the regulation of TCR expression during a distinct stage of thymocyte development.
The Gold Mailer

The Gold Mailer, a system that provides users with an integrated way to send and receive messages using different media, efficiently store and retrieve these messages, and access a variety of sources of other useful information, is described. The mailer solves the problems of information overload, organization of messages and multiple interfaces. By providing good storage and retrieval facilities, it can be used as a powerful information processing engine covering a range of useful office information. The Gold Mailer's query language, indexing engine, file organization, data structures, and support of mail message data and multimedia documents are discussed. >
The Superconformal Master Equation

We obtain the superconformal master equation, which collects the superconformal solutions of the Virasoro master equation on gx × SO(p, q)1. The associated super C-function and super C-theorem are also obtained. A high-level expansion of the superconformal ansatz {SO(n)diag × SO[dim SO(n)]1}N=1 shows a large class of new, generically irrational superconformal field theories with a three-form living on the signed graphs of order n. The extension to general N = 2 superconformal symmetry is also given.
Ventricular pre-excitation: symptomatic and asymptomatic children have the same potential risk of sudden cardiac death.

Aims Children and adolescents with ventricular pre-excitation (VPE) are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although antiarrhythmic therapy and catheter ablation are well established temporary or definitive treatments for patients with Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome, the optimal management of children with asymptomatic VPE remains to be clearly defined. On the basis of the most recent guidelines and recommendations, the aim of this study was to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of young patients with VPE and WPW syndrome to assess and compare their potential risk of SCD. Methods and results We retrospectively investigated 124 consecutive young patients with VPE (51 with WPW syndrome and 73 asymptomatic) who underwent transoesophageal electrophysiological study. At baseline, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) was induced in 13 WPW vs. 10 asymptomatic patients (25.5 vs. 13.7%, P = NS). Atrial fibrillation (AF) was induced in 13 WPW vs. 15 asymptomatic patients (25.5 vs. 20.5%, P = NS). A shortest pre-excited R–R interval (SPERRI) ≤250 ms during AF was found in four WPW vs. six asymptomatic patients (30.8 vs. 40%, P = NS). During isoproterenol infusion or stress testing, AVRT was induced in 31 of 44 WPW vs. 33 of 69 asymptomatic patients (70.4 vs. 47.8%, P = 0.018). Atrial fibrillation was induced in 12 of 44 WPW vs. 21 of 69 asymptomatic patients (27.3 vs. 30.4%, P = NS). A SPERRI ≤ 210 ms was found in 6 of 12 WPW vs. 10 of 21 asymptomatic patients (50 vs. 47.6%, P = NS). No statistically significant correlation was observed between accessory pathway location and symptoms, AVRT/AF inducibility, or mean APERP/SPERRI values. Conclusion Children and adolescents with WPW syndrome have a higher rate of AVRT inducibility than asymptomatic patients. However, no differences between the two groups were found in atrial vulnerability and parameters related to the risk of SCD.
Temperatures From Spectroscopic Studies of Hot Gas and Flame Fronts in a Railgun

High-speed video (143 kframes/s) and optical spectroscopy (1-ms integration, 188-1100 nm) recorded light-emission events occurring at a railgun by aiming directly down the bore or at the backside of the breech. Blowback was marked by a wave of high-intensity light, smoke, a flame front, and glowing particles traveling back up the bore from the muzzle and lasting up to or beyond 60 ms after launch. Spectra taken down bore and during blowback had signature peaks for alkali metals, AlO, and CuO. Estimated radiation temperatures TER were determined by fitting a Planck distribution to the spectral backgrounds. In the bore, TER was between 3700 K and 3000 K at the start of travel and cooler (2500 K) at the muzzle blast. During blowback, TER ranged from 2400 K to almost 4000 K, the combustion temperature of Al particles. Some shots showed TER consistently around 3600 K during the entire blowback period.
Learning by demonstration with critique from a human teacher

Learning by demonstration can be a powerful and natural tool for developing robot control policies. That is, instead of tedious hand-coding, a robot may learn a control policy by interacting with a teacher. In this work we present an algorithm for learning by demonstration in which the teacher operates in two phases. The teacher first demonstrates the task to the learner. The teacher next critiques learner performance of the task. This critique is used by the learner to update its control policy. In our implementation we utilize a 1-Nearest Neighbor technique which incorporates both training dataset and teacher critique. Since the teacher critiques performance only, they do not need to guess at an effective critique for the underlying algorithm. We argue that this method is particularly well-suited to human teachers, who are generally better at assigning credit to performances than to algorithms. We have applied this algorithm to the simulated task of a robot intercepting a ball. Our results demonstrate improved performance with teacher critiquing, where performance is measured by both execution success and efficiency.
Dynamic expression of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid synthesizing and metabolizing enzymes in the primate corpus luteum.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EpETrEs), produced from arachidonic acid via cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases, regulate inflammation, angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, ion transport and steroidogenesis. EpETrE actions are regulated through their metabolism to diols (dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids; DiHETrE) via the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2). We set out to determine, therefore, whether EpETrE generating (epoxygenases CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2J2, 1A2 and 3A4) and metabolizing (EPHX2) enzymes are expressed in the primate corpus luteum (CL). CL were isolated from rhesus macaques during the early (day 3‐5 post-LH surge), mid (day 6‐8), mid-late (day 10‐12), late (day 14‐16) and very-late (day 17‐19: menses) luteal phase of natural menstrual cycles. EPHX2 mRNA levels peaked in mid-late CL (5-fold when compared with early CL, P< 0.05) and remained elevated in the late CL. Ablation of pituitary LH secretion and luteal steroid synthesis significantly reduced ( P< 0.05) EPHX2 mRNA levels in the mid-late CL, with progestin replacement being insufficient to restore its level of expression to control values. EPHX2 protein was localized to large and small luteal cells, as well as vascular endothelial cells. The EpETrE-generating CYP epoxygenase 2J2, 2C9 and 3A4 genes were also expressed in the macaque CL. While CYP2J2 mRNA levels did not significantly change through the luteal phase, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 levels were significantly ( P< 0.05) higher in the mid-late phase when compared with the early phase. CYP2C9, 2J2 and 3A4 proteins were each localized to the large luteal cells, with 2C9 and 2J2 also being present in the small luteal, stromal and endothelial cells. These studies demonstrate for the first time that an EpETrE generating and metabolizing system exists in the primate CL, with the latter being regulated by LH and steroid hormone(s).
Development of Tonal Quality in Birdsong: Further Evidence from Song Sparrows

Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) songs are composed largely of pure-tone notes. Song sparrows raised in acoustic isolation (i.e. never hearing conspecific songs) tend to produce half of their notes with harmonic overtones, an atypical tonal structure, suggesting that exposure to pure tones is necessary for the development of normal tonal quality. The experiment presented here directly investigated the influence of early exposure to songs with different tonal qualities on subsequent production. Seven young song sparrow males were exposed to 16 normal, pure-tone song sparrow songs and 6 males were exposed to the same 16 song types with added harmonic overtones. Birds in both groups leamed equally well, confirming an earlier finding that tonal quality does not influence selection of models during the sensitive period for song acquisition. Birds exposed exclusively to harmonic song models, however, produced over 85% of their leamed notes in a pure-tone fashion, even though they had never heard pure-tone sounds. Thus, pure tones do not need to be experienced directly by song sparrows, but exposure to some features of species-typical song models appears to facilitate the reproduction of models in a pure-tone fashion.
The effect of plant spacing, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation on the appearance of symptoms and spread of virus yellows in sugar-beet crops

Satisfactory comparisons of the incidence of virus yellows in sugar-beet fields or experimental plots with different amounts of N fertilizer can be made from visual symptoms early in the growing season, but not later because dressings of N fertilizer may then mask or delay the appearance of symptoms. Sugar-beet plants in the field infected with beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) are less likely to show symptoms than those with beet yellows virus (BYV), and plants with BMYV in the glasshouse often fail to show clear symptoms.Crop yield will be affected by the spread of viruses and colonization of plants by aphids, which in turn are affected by such factors as plant density, nitrogen supply and irrigation. The presence or absence of virus diseases and of aphids should therefore be considered during studies on the effects of these agronomic factors on the growth and yield of sugar beet. Where ample rather than little N fertilizer is used a small increase in the percentage of plants infected with yellows can be expected, and aphids will be more numerous, if plants are not treated with insecticide. Irrigation may also increase yellows incidence (e.g. from 16% to 20% of plants at Broom's Barn in 1967), but any loss of potential yield from increased virus incidence will be small compared with that gained from the use of fertilizer or irrigation. However, plant density can appreciably affect yellows incidence. For example, at Broom's Barn in 1972, 51% of plants in crops with 17500 plants/ha contracted BMYV but only 15 % of plants in crops with 126500 plants/ha. The less dense crop lost 3–4% more of its potential yield due to yellows than the dense crop; this represents a difference due to virus of about 0·25 t sugar/ha.
BRICOLAGE AND THE PURITY OF TRADITIONS: Engaging the Stoics for Contemporary Christian Ethics

This essay is a response to C. Kavin Rowe's critique of my 2011 argument that certain dimensions of Roman Stoic ethics are at work in Jonathan Edwards's moral thought. Rowe raises questions about the act of selectively retrieving ideas from a philosophical tradition to support constructive work in another tradition. I argue for the importance of acknowledging how Christian thought has been shaped by what Jeffrey Stout describes as moral bricolage, the selective retrieval of ideas from various traditions, and I contend that this bricolage can continue to be a fruitful means through which Christian ethics engages external traditions. Moreover, the importance of Stoicism's retrieval in early modern philosophy makes the work of eighteenth-century theologians such as Edwards a particularly valuable resource for exploring the plausibility of Christian engagement with the Stoics.
Structural and Functional Relationships of Human Antithrombin III and Alpha1-Antitrypsin

One of the principal mechanisms for the control of blood coagulation in man is the interaction of serum inhibitors with proteolytically active clotting factors, with concomitant losses in thrombogenic activity. One of the inhibitors, antithrombin III, which migrates as an α2-globulin on gel electrophoresis (1, 9, 13, 20), has received considerable attention. It appears to be identical with heparin cofactor and factor xa inhibitor (21) and provides the major site of action of heparin in inhibiting thrombin formation. However, it should be noted that the inhibition of thrombin is not limited to antithrombin III. Two other plasma proteins, an α2- macroglobulin (1, 3, 4, 11, 17), and the a α1,-proteolytic inhibitor (2, 14, 17) also show such activity. The latter inhibitor is probably identical with α1-antitrypsin (14), the protein responsible for most of the inhibition of trypsin activity in human serum.
Third-harmonic modulated power electronics interface with three-phase utility to provide a regulated DC output and to minimize line-current harmonics

A novel approach to achieving nearly sinusoidal line current rectification of three-phase utility voltages is presented. The scheme incorporates two step-up DC-DC power converters to modulate the DC link currents at the third harmonic frequency. The modulated currents are then reinjected on the AC side of the diode bridge rectifier. Simulation results for a three-phase, 208 V (line-to-line), 3 kW system are presented. The sensitivity of the interface to unbalances in various system parameters is included. Results from experimental investigations on a small-scale laboratory model are presented. >
Umbilical cord haematoma and adrenal haemorrhage in a macrosomic neonate with anaemia.

A 32-year-old G2P1 female without a history of diabetes or infection vaginally delivered a full-term 4800 g (99th centile), large for gestation age male with complications of shoulder dystocia. On day 1, blood was noted to ooze from his clamped umbilical cord (UC) with a darkish bulge noted near its insertion site (figure 1), consistent with a UC haematoma. Platelet count and coagulation studies were normal. The haematocrit was initially 37%, but decreased to 32.1%. Figure 1 Umbilical cord haematoma. On day 2, a bluish discolouration was noted in the supraumbilical …
The Information Content of Analysts' Notes and Analysts' Propensity to Compliment Other Disclosures

This paper studies analysts' notes, which are written disclosures distributed to large institutional investors as part of the brokerage firms' daily sales process. Analysts' notes are issued three times more frequently than recommendations and forecast revisions, and represent the bulk of analyst disclosures. The tests in this paper represent the first systematic study of notes. I find that the capital markets react to notes consistent with the idea that notes provide an economically significant amount of new information to investors. I also show that notes are less (but continue to be) informative after implementation of Regulation FD. My analysis of the timing of different types of analysts' disclosures - recommendations, forecasts and notes - shows that they tend to occur at the same time. These two results suggest that notes are a valid proxy for analyst disclosures. Last, a content analysis of randomly-selected notes enables me to identify analysts' sources of information and create a direct measure of analysts' information acquisition and interpretation activities. I find that analysts primarily "add value" from an investors perspective by interpreting information.
The influence of race on attitudes about college athletics

The questions of whether college student-athletes should be paid and/or allowed to unionize have generated a wide-ranging national debate. Public opinion on these issues is starkly divided along ra...
Investigations of Surface-Catalyzed Recombination Reactions in the Mars Atmosphere

In the design of a thermal protection system (TPS) for a planetary entry vehicle, accurate modeling of the trajectory aero-heating poses a significant challenge owing to large uncertainties in chemical processes taking place at the surface. Even for surface-catalyzed reactions, which have been investigated extensively, there is no consensus on how they should be modeled; or, in some cases, on which reactions are likely to occur. Current TPS designs for Mars missions rely on a supercatalytic boundary condition, which assumes that all dissociated species recombine to the free stream composition. While this is recognized to be the the most conservative approach and leads to an increased TPS mass, discrepancies in aero-heating measurements in ground test facilities preclude less conservative design options. The present work is aimed at providing more information about surface catalyzed reactions for Mars exploration missions. Measurements of dissociated species above a catalytic surface are obtained using two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) implemented in a new 30 kW inductively coupled plasma torch facility.
A Monte Carlo calculation model of electronic portal imaging device for transit dosimetry through heterogeneous media

Purpose: To develop and evaluate a fast Monte Carlo(MC)dose calculation model of electronic portal imaging device(EPID) based on its effective atomic number modeling in the XVMC code. Methods: A previously developed EPIDmodel, based on the XVMC code by density scaling of EPID structures, was modified by additionally considering effective atomic number (Zeff) of each structure and adopting a phase space file from the EGSnrc code. The model was tested under various homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms and field sizes by comparing the calculations in the model with measurements in EPID. In order to better evaluate the model, the performance of the XVMC code was separately tested by comparing calculated dose to water with ion chamber (IC) array measurement in the plane of EPID. Results: In the EPID plane, calculated dose to water by the code showed agreement with IC measurements within 1.8%. The difference was averaged across the in-field regions of the acquired profiles for all field sizes and phantoms. The maximum point difference was 2.8%, affected by proximity of the maximum points to penumbra and MC noise. The EPIDmodel showed agreement with measured EPIDimages within 1.3%. The maximum point difference was 1.9%. The difference dropped from the higher value of the code by employing the calibration that is dependent on field sizes and thicknesses for the conversion of calculated images to measured images. Thanks to the Zeff correction, the EPIDmodel showed a linear trend of the calibration factors unlike those of the density-only-scaled model. The phase space file from the EGSnrc code sharpened penumbra profiles significantly, improving agreement of calculated profiles with measured profiles. Conclusions: Demonstrating high accuracy, the EPIDmodel with the associated calibration system may be used for in vivodosimetry of radiation therapy. Through this study, a MCmodel of EPID has been developed, and their performance has been rigorously investigated for transit dosimetry.
Mathematical Analysis Of A Robotized Production Cell

AbstractIn this paper a production cell consisting of a robot which tends to three processing stations is mathematically analyzed. Several cases of the problem of sequencing operations of a robot to tend to these machines are studied and mathematical models are developed to determine the loading of work orders on the processing stations. A loading policy is then analyzed using these models.