cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examination of the nonlinear dynamics of a chaotic acousto-optic Bragg modulator with feedback under signal encryption and decryption

An acousto-optic Bragg cell with first-order feedback, which exhibits chaotic behavior past the threshold for bistability, was recently examined for possible chaotic encryption and recovery of simple messages (such as low-amplitude periodic signals) applied via the bias input of the sound cell driver. We carry out a thorough examination of the nonlinear dynamics of the Bragg cell under intensity feedback for (i) dc variations of the feedback gain () and the phase shift parameter (0) and (ii) ac variations of 0,total under signal encryption, investigating both from two different perspectives: (i) examining chaos in view of the so-called Lyapunov exponent derived recently by Ghosh and Verma and (ii) examining chaos in terms of the familiar bifurcation maps of intensity plotted against the feedback gain and the effective bias. It is shown that overall, the nonlinear dynamical results using the two approaches broadly agree, both for dc (fixed-parameter) analyses and, more importantly, when applied to the case of ac signal encryption cases. This affirms the effectiveness of the nonlinear dynamical theory in predicting and tracking the actual physical behavior of this system for message signal transmission and recovery under complex chaotic encryption.
Social and economic implications of family connections to prisoners

Research about incarceration has moved beyond studies of the individual prisoner to examine how incarceration impacts prisoners' families and neighborhoods. Much of the family-centered work highlights the potential benefits for the prisoner of maintaining ties to family during the incarceration period, and particularly after release. Less thoroughly considered is the potential benefits and costs to families of maintaining a relationship with an incarcerated individual. This article addresses this topic with a qualitative study of prisoners' families, as well as a review of census data in one high incarceration neighborhood. Research findings suggested that there were significant costs, both social and economic, to a prisoner's family if they desired to maintain the most basic level of connection with him. The study further suggested that families and prisoners were put in a position requiring constant negotiation of competing interests.
Endoscopic transnasal transethmoid ligation of the anterior ethmoid artery.

Background The current otolaryngologic literature is lacking in basic science investigation regarding endoscopic anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) ligation as part of the armamentarium for epistaxis control. This investigation provides the anatomic rationale for endoscopic ligation of the AEA in the surgical treatment of epistaxis. In addition, it provides tools for identification of this vessel during routine endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods This descriptive cadaver study investigates the feasibility of endoscopic transnasal transethmoid dissection; anatomic description; and clip ligation within the periorbital space of 16 AEA specimens. A careful assessment for skull base penetration and disruption was performed. Results All 16 anterior ethmoid arteries were readily identified and successfully clipped. The anatomy was carefully observed and described for each specimen, and no inadvertent skull base penetration occurred. Conclusion This study confirms that endoscopic ligation of the AEA is a safe and feasible technique for the control of epistaxis. Additionally, this anatomic knowledge is beneficial during routine endoscopic sinus surgery if AEA injury should occur. Further evaluation is necessary for clinical application of this technique in the treatment of epistaxis.
Artificial ventilation in infants and young children using a new ventilator with the t-piece

A comparison has been made between the Ohio DeLuxe ventilator with paediatric bellows, and manual control of respiration with the T-piece technique in infants and small children undergoing surgery. Although rebreathing is common when controlled respiration is used with the T-piece in this way, hyper-ventilation can still be achieved by raising minute volume. Rebreathing is less with slower respiratory rates and significantly less with the ventilator than the hand.
Efficient Prolog memory management for flexible control strategies

A Prolog interpreter can be viewed as a process that searches a tree in order to produce the sets of terms at certain successful leaves. It does this by constructing the set of terms for each node in the tree. Moving from one node to another requires (re)construction of the set of terms at that node. The choice of representation of sets of terms influences the kind of tree search that can be supported.
Adaptive timing in neural networks: the conditioned response

A conditioned response not only reflects knowledge of an association between two events, a CS and a US, it also reflects knowledge about the timing of these events. A neural network and set of learning rules that generates appropriately timed conditioned response waveforms is presented. The model is capable of simulating some of the basic temporal properties of conditioned responses exhibited in biological systems, including (1) decreasing onset latency during acquisition training, (2) peak amplitude accurring at the temporal locus of the US, (3) inhibition of delay, and (4) trace conditioning. The model is also capable of simulating complex CR waveforms under certain conditions, and these simulations are compared with the results of behavioral experiments. The temporally adaptive responses are achieved by virtue of stimulus trace processes that are built into the network architecture.
Representation of random processes by complete orthonormal sequences

For a random process x(t) with autocorrelation function R(s, t) satisfying ∫ I R(t, t) dt 2 functions on I converges to x(t) in an integral mean-square sense on I. This generalizes a result due to Young, on the use of orthonormalized exponentials in representing random processes.
Neutron Form Factors from Inelastic Electron-Deuteron Scattering

The electromagnetic form factors of the neutron have been measured in the ${q}^{2}$ range from 1.0 to 30.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. It is found that for values of ${q}^{2}$ greater than about 6.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ the square of the neutron's charge form factor ${({G}_{\mathrm{En}})}^{2}$ is consistent with zero to within an error of the order of 5% in the existing theoretical cross section. For values of ${q}^{2}$ less than 6.0 ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ it is concluded that meaningful values of the neutron form factors cannot be given until the necessary corrections to the theory are better understood. The present results on the neutron form factors are combined with recent measurements of the proton form factors to provide experimental determinations of the isotopic nucleon form factors. It is found that the $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and $\ensuremath{\phi}$ mesons provide a good approximation to the observed isoscalar form factors but that it is difficult to understand the behavior of the isovector form factors in terms of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson alone.
Myelodysplastic syndromes associated with interstitial deletion of chromosome 5q: Clinicopathologic correlations and new insights from the prelenalidomide era

To better estimate prognosis for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with clonal interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 5 (del(5q)), we reviewed the medical records of 130 adults with del(5q) MDS seen at our institution over a 15-year period. Overall median survival of this cohort was 9.5 months, shorter than reported in earlier series. The least favorable outcomes are associated with complex cytogenetics, lack of any normal metaphases, normocytic rather than macrocytic erythrocyte indices, and low baseline lymphocyte counts. Lymphopenia but not neutropenia at the time of diagnosis appears to be a new adverse prognostic indicator. Cytogenetic breakpoints defined by G-banded karyotyping correlate poorly with particular disease features. Surprisingly, survival of patients with treatment-related MDS was equivalent to that of de novo MDS with del(5q) in this series. Morphologic features associated with del(5q) are diverse. Most patients with del(5q) MDS do not meet criteria for WHO-defined 5q-syndrome, and the presence of del(5q) does not appear to modify the clinical phenotype otherwise risk-stratified by the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). Additional important prognostic factors not taken into account by the IPSS include the baseline erythrocyte indices, lymphocyte count, and clonal burden.
Linear restoration of bilinearly distorted images

Wiener filters are determined for the restoration of images that undergo bilinear distortion (i.e., nonzero-spread quadratic) in the presence of additive noise. Results are applied to partially coherent diffraction-limited imaging systems. The roles of coherence, diffraction, and a priori information are assessed, and an explanation of the limitation on restorability imposed by nonlinearity is provided. Performance of the restoration filter is measured by the reduction in mean-square error and the improvement in two-point resolution.
A note on equilibrium points of Green’s function

We answer a question raised by Ahmet Sebbar and Therese Falliero (2007) by showing that for every finitely connected planar domain Ω there exists a compact subset K C Ω, independent of w, containing all critical points of Green's function G(z,w) of Ω with pole at w ∈ Ω.
Size-Dependent Plasmonic Resonances from Large-Scale Quantum Simulations

For metallic nanoparticles less than 10 nm in diameter, localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) become sensitive to the quantum nature of conduction electrons. In this regime, experimental probes of size-dependent LSPRs are particularly challenging, and contradictory results are often reported. Unfortunately, quantum mechanical simulations based on time-dependent Kohn–Sham density functional theory (TD-KSDFT) are computationally too expensive to tackle metal particles larger than 2 nm. Herein, we present a time-dependent orbital-free density functional theory (TD-OFDFT) that accurately captures the dynamic response of electrons in the presence of realistic ionic potentials. The TD-OFDFT method offers a comparable accuracy as TD-KSDFT but with a much lower computational cost. Using TD-OFDFT, we study size-dependent LSPRs on Na nanoparticles with diameters from 0.7 to 12.3 nm. The optical absorption spectra exhibit a nonmonotonic behavior from blue shift to red shift and back to blue shift as the parti...
Measures for a Multidimensional Multiverse

We explore the phenomenological implications of generalizing the causal patch and fat geodesic measures to a multidimensional multiverse, where the vacua can have differing numbers of large dimensions. We consider a simple model in which the vacua are nucleated from a $D$-dimensional parent spacetime through dynamical compactification of the extra dimensions, and compute the geometric contribution to the probability distribution of observations within the multiverse for each measure. We then study how the shape of this probability distribution depends on the time scales for the existence of observers, for vacuum domination, and for curvature domination (${t}_{\text{obs}},{t}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}$, and ${t}_{c}$, respectively.) In this work we restrict ourselves to bubbles with positive cosmological constant, $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$. We find that in the case of the causal patch cutoff, when the bubble universes have $p+1$ large spatial dimensions with $p\ensuremath{\ge}2$, the shape of the probability distribution is such that we obtain the coincidence of time scales ${t}_{\text{obs}}\ensuremath{\sim}{t}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}\ensuremath{\sim}{t}_{c}$. Moreover, the size of the cosmological constant is related to the size of the landscape. However, the exact shape of the probability distribution is different in the case $p=2$, compared to $p\ensuremath{\ge}3$. In the case of the fat geodesic measure, the result is even more robust: the shape of the probability distribution is the same for all $p\ensuremath{\ge}2$, and we once again obtain the coincidence ${t}_{\text{obs}}\ensuremath{\sim}{t}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}\ensuremath{\sim}{t}_{c}$. These results require only very mild conditions on the prior probability of the distribution of vacua in the landscape. Our work shows that the observed double coincidence of time scales is a robust prediction even when the multiverse is generalized to be multidimensional; that this coincidence is not a consequence of our particular Universe being ($3+1$)-dimensional; and that this observable cannot be used to preferentially select one measure over another in a multidimensional multiverse.
Differential responsiveness to replacement therapy of pre- and postpubertally castrated mice with respect to intermale aggression

Abstract Male mice castrated before Day 6 of postnatal life differ from adult castrates in that they do not exhibit normal patterns of intermale aggression following replacement therapy as adults. Two experiments sought to determine the effect castration after Day 6, but before puberty, would have on this response to adult replacement therapy. It was found that adult castrates showed some increases in fighting as early as six hr after a subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 2 mg testosterone propionate (TP). At 30 hr after treatment 14/15 mice fought, while at 72 hr 15/15 fought and the number of fights in 10 min was significantly higher than at 30 hr. In the second experiment, the response to adult treatment with 2 mg TP (s.c.) in mice castrated in Day 10 or Day 50 was compared. Different groups were tested at 16, 40, 64, and 88 hr after TP treatment. The latency to respond to TP was significantly less and the level of fighting obtained was significantly greater in Day 50 castrates than in Day 10 castrates at each time of testing. The proportion of Day 10 (14/15) and Day 50 (15/15) castrates fighting was equal by 88 hr, while the mean fighting frequency was significantly lower in Day 10 castrates (M = 4.93 ± 4.78) than in Day 50 castrates (M = 8.06 ± 1.63). Day 50 castrates fought significantly more often than controls at 40 hr, whereas the level of fighting attained by Day 10 castrates was not significant until 64 hr. These results suggest that even after the organizational period for aggression, testosterone is necessary for maintenance and/or preparation of the substrate essential to the elicitation of aggression.
Acute hepatic injury by vinyl chloride in rats pretreated with phenobarbital.

LITTLE is known about the biological effects of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) despite its wide industrial use. In 1973, thousands of workers were involved in producing, processing and moulding VCM into 15 billion pounds of its polymer (PVC)1. Angiosarcoma, a rare liver cancer, has recently been linked to occupational exposure in man2 and long term inhalation of low doses in animals3. Occupational vinyl chloride exposure has also been associated with increased incidence of hepatic cirrhosis, splenomegaly, decreased bromosulphalein clearance from blood and acro-osteolysis4,5. Reports of acute hepatic injury after vinyl chloride inhalation are limited and the findings relatively nonspecific6,7.
ATOMIC-SCALE FRICTION AND WEAR OF MICA

The frictional behavior of mica surfaces with silicon nitride tips has been investigated systematically with the AFM as a function of load, tip geometry, mica lattice orientation and humidity. Frictional forces are found to be proportional to loads between 10 and 80 nN. The friction coefficient is quite reproducible for different samples, tip radii, scanning speed and direction. At low loads, however, a non-linear behavior of the friction versus load is observed. At high (> 70%) relative humidity and in water, friction is reduced. Repeated scanning of mica surfaces shows layer-by-layer wear processes.
Cytologic criteria for the brush diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND The cytologic diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma often is difficult, and the role of gastric brushing in the detection of gastric malignancy is controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify the key cytologic criteria that are most useful for establishing a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in gastric brushing specimens. METHODS One hundred gastric brushings were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty of the specimens were obtained from patients with histologically confirmed benign lesions. The other 50 specimens were obtained from patients with histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma. All 100 brushing specimens were reviewed without knowledge of the histologic diagnosis. Each specimen was assessed for the presence or absence of 16 different cytologic features that have been identified in the published literature as being useful for separating benign conditions from malignancy. A multiple logistic linear regression analysis was performed to determine which combination of criteria was the most useful for diagnosing gastric adenocarcinoma. RESULTS Three key cytologic criteria were identified as being the most useful for diagnosing gastric adenocarcinoma: single atypical cells with intact cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei, and atypical naked nuclei. When at least 2 of these cytologic criteria were present, the sensitivity and specificity for detecting adenocarcinoma were 88% and 100%, respectively. Two minor cytologic criteria also were identified: nuclear hyperchromasia and nuclear molding. CONCLUSIONS Our statistical analysis demonstrates that gastric adenocarcinoma can be diagnosed with a high degree of accuracy using gastric brushing specimens when specific cytologic criteria are applied. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1998;84:289-294. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Amine- and ether-chelated aryllithium reagents-structure and dynamics.

Chelation and aggregation in phenyllithium reagents with potential 6- and 7-ring chelating amine (2, 3) and 5-, 6-, and 7-ring chelating ether (4, 5, 6) ortho substituents have been examined utilizing variable temperature 6Li and 13C NMR spectroscopy, 6Li and 15N isotope labeling, and the effects of solvent additives. The 5- and 6-ring ether chelates (4, 5) compete well with THF, but the 6-ring amine chelate (2) barely does, and 7-ring amine chelate (3) does not. Compared to model compounds (e.g., 2-ethylphenyllithium 7), which are largely monomeric in THF, the chelated compounds all show enhanced dimerization (as measured by K = [D]/[M]2) by factors ranging from 40 (for 6) to more than 200 000 (for 4 and 5). Chelation isomers are seen for the dimers of 5 and 6, but a chelate structure could be assigned only for 2-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)phenyllithium (2), which has an A-type structure (both amino groups chelated to the same lithium in the dimer) based on NMR coupling in the 15N, 6Li labeled compound. Unlik...
Rapid expansion of cytomegalovirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by artificial antigen-presenting cells expressing a single HLA allele

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major threat in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The adoptive transfer of CMV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) expanded from the blood of CMV-seropositive donors has been shown to effectively control CMV infection. However, the requirement for safe and effective antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for each patient precludes broad applicability of this successful form of therapy. Here we analyze the ability of artificial APCs (AAPCs) to activate and expand CMV-specific CTLs from peripheral blood of seropositive HLA A2.1+ donors. We demonstrate that AAPCs expressing the CMV P495 peptide or the full-length pp65 protein stimulate P495-specific CTLs at least as effectively as autologous, peptide-pulsed, peripheral blood mononuclear cells or EBV-transformed B cells. Starting from 100 mL of blood, the AAPCs reliably yield clinically relevant CTL numbers after a single stimulation. CTLs activated on AAPCs effectively kill CMV-infected fibroblasts and have a Tc1 memory effector phenotype identical to that of CTLs generated with autologous APCs. AAPCs thus offer a rapid, controlled, convenient, and highly reproducible system for expanding CMV-specific CTLs. Furthermore, the CTL expansion obtained with AAPCs encoding full-length pp65 indicates that AAPCs may be used to present known as well as unknown CTL epitopes in the context of the AAPC's HLA. (Blood. 2003;102:2498-2505)
TREM-1 Is Induced in Tumor Associated Macrophages by Cyclo-Oxygenase Pathway in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

It is increasingly recognized that the tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. In particular interaction of cancer cells, macrophages, and inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment has been shown to facilitate cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The specific molecular pathways in macrophages that immunoedit tumor growth are not well defined. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) is a member of the super immunoglobulin family expressed on a select group of myeloid cells mainly monocyte/macrophages. Recent studies suggest that expression of TREM-1 in tumors may predict cancer aggressiveness and disease outcomes in liver and lung cancer however the mechanism of TREM-1 expression in the setting of cancer is not defined. In this study we demonstrate that tumor tissue from patients with non-small cell lung cancer show an increased expression of TREM-1 and PGE2. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence confirmed that the expression of TREM-1 was selectively seen in CD68 positive macrophages. By employing an in vitro model we confirmed that expression of TREM-1 is increased in macrophages that are co-cultured with human lung cancer cells. Studies with COX-2 inhibitors and siCOX-2 showed that expression of TREM-1 in macrophages in tumor microenvironment is dependent on COX-2 signaling. These studies for the first time define a link between tumor COX-2 induction, PGE2 production and expression of TREM-1 in macrophages in tumor microenvironment and suggest that TREM-1 might be a novel target for tumor immunomodulation.
The tensile behavior of a silicon carbide fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composite

This paper summarizes the results of a study on the effects of composite microstructure and test temperature on tensile deformation and fracture behavior of a symmetric [0/90]2s titanium alloy metal-matrix composite. Matrix microstructure is controlled by heat treatment, which is used to produce metastable β or Widmanstatten α+β microstructures. The sequence of damage initiation and evolution at both room and elevated temperature (650°C) is identified using ex-situ scanning electron microscopy observations during incremental monotonic loading to failure. The nature, sequence and complexity of damage during uniaxial loading is presented and discussed in light of competing and mutually interactive influences of load level and deformation characteristics of the microstructure.
A high throughput dimer screening assay for monoclonal antibodies using chemical cross-linking and microchip electrophoresis

A high throughput screening assay was developed to determine the total dimer level in antibody samples. This method utilizes high speed microchip electrophoresis separation following chemical cross-linking. Upon reacting with homobifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimide-esters (NHS-esters), covalent linkages can be established between the primary amines of two neighboring antibody molecules. The reaction conditions are optimized to achieve quantitative cross-linking of only physically associated monomers within an antibody dimer. The resulting cross-linked dimers, originating from either covalent or non-covalent antibody dimers, can then be separated from monomers by SDS electrophoresis. A commercial microchip electrophoresis instrument is used for high speed separation, allowing each sample to be analyzed in about 1 min. This approach was applied to crude mammalian cell culture samples. Using a 96-well gel filtration spin column format, interfering species in the cell culture media were efficiently removed from the samples. This method is well suited to the purpose of high throughput antibody dimer quantitation during cell culture expression, including clone selection and cell culture development. The total dimer content, both covalent and non-covalent, can be determined for hundreds of crude samples in a few hours. The effects of different cross-linking conditions on the determined dimer levels, as well as of different antibody pI values, are discussed.
High-resolution manometry in clinical practice: utilizing pressure topography to classify oesophageal motility abnormalities

High-resolution manometry capable of pressure monitoring from the pharynx to the stomach together with pressure topography plotting represents an unquestionable evolution in oesophageal manometry. However, with this advanced technology come challenges and one of those is devising the optimal scheme to apply high-resolution oesophageal pressure topography (HROPT) to the clinical evaluation of patients. The first iteration of the Chicago classification was based on a systematic analysis of motility patterns in 75 control subjects and 400 consecutive patients. This review summarizes the analysis process as it has evolved. Individual swallows are analysed in a stepwise fashion for the morphology of the oesophagogastric junction (OGJ), the extent of OGJ relaxation, the propagation velocity of peristalsis, the vigour of the peristaltic contraction, and abnormalities of intrabolus pressure utilizing metrics that have now been customized to HROPT. These results are then synthesized into a comprehensive diagnosis that, although based on conventional manometry criteria, is also customized to HROPT measures. The resultant classification objectifies the identification of three unique subtypes of achalasia. Additionally, it provides enhanced detail in the description of distal oesophageal spasm, nutcracker oesophagus subtypes, and OGJ obstruction. It is our expectation that modification of this classification scheme will continue to occur and this should further clarify the utility of pressure topography plotting in assessing oesophageal motility disorders.
Temporal variations in the deep-water colonization rates of small benthic foraminifera: the results of an experiment on Cross Seamount

Abstract Modern benthic foraminifera are important remineralizers of organic matter and a link between surface-ocean production and life in the deep sea. Assemblages of benthic foraminifera are preserved in the fossil record, providing clues to paleoceanographic conditions. These clues can be fully interpreted only when our knowledge of the biology and ecology of modern species is more complete. To study factors influencing foraminiferal colonization rates, artificial substrates were placed on Cross Seamount (18°40′N, 158°17′W) for 1 to 42 months between 1989 and 1994. The colonization rates of benthic foraminifera onto different substrates (five mineral types were used) at four water depths (800, 975, 1285 and 2000 m) were determined. Both calcareous and agglutinated foraminifera inhabited these artificial substrates at different rates. Many of the agglutinated forms colonized at a uniform rate through time. The colonization rates of other foraminifera, primarily calcareous forms, were not constant through time, nor could the variability be attributed to the controlled variables (water depth and substrate composition). Instead, these temporal variations in colonization rate corresponded with shifts in surface ocean conditions and export fluxes in the central Pacific. Other ecological observations are also presented, including size- and spatial-distributions.
The relevance of long-range dependence in disk traffic and implications for trace synthesis

Accurate disk workloads are crucial for storage systems design, but I/O traces are difficult to obtain, unwieldy to work with, and unparameterizable. I/O traces are often bursty and difficult to characterize. Although good models of I/O workloads would be extremely useful, such bursty traces cannot accurately be modeled using exponential or Poisson arrival times. Much experimental evidence suggests that I/O traces are self-similar, which researchers have hoped might help to model bursty traces. In this paper, we show that self-similarity at large time scales does not significantly affect disk behavior with respect to response times. This allows us to generate synthetic arrival patterns at relatively small time scales, improving the accuracy of trace generation. The relative error of our method, with input parameters suitable for the workload, ranges from approximately 8% to 12%.
The Screen-Grid Tube

Radio-frequency amplification by means of the three-electrode tube is usually disappointing. With resistance coupling the feedback through the tube is in such a phase relation to the input voltage as to reduce the amplification below that given by the simple equation for voltage amplification. With impedance coupling the feed-back causes self-oscillations when the circuit conditions are such as might be expected to give large amplification. In the shielded grid tube the feed-back is reduced to a negligible amount and the current through the tube is very nearly independent of the plate voltage over the working range. Under these conditions, the voltage amplification becomes the product of the mutual conductance and the load impedance. High impedance in the plate circuit is obtained by using a sharply tuned parallel circuit. With proper shielding such a circuit may be used without producing self-oscillation. At a frequency of 700,000 cycles per second, amplifications of 80 fold per stage may be obtained.
Systems biology of virus-host signaling network interactions

Viruses have evolved to manipulate the host cell machinery for virus propagation, in part by interfering with the host cellular signaling network. Molecular studies of individual pathways have uncovered many viral host-protein targets; however, it is difficult to predict how viral perturbations will affect the signaling network as a whole. Systems biology approaches rely on multivariate, context-dependent measurements and computational analysis to elucidate how viral infection alters host cell signaling at a network level. Here we describe recent advances in systems analyses of signaling networks in both viral and non-viral biological contexts. These approaches have the potential to uncover virus- mediated changes to host signaling networks, suggest new therapeutic strategies, and assess how cell-to-cell variability affects host responses to infection. We argue that systems approaches will both improve understanding of how individual virus-host protein interactions fit into the progression of viral pathogenesis and help to identify novel therapeutic targets.
The Moderating Effect of Within-Group Similarity on Change in a Strengths-Based Programme for Incarcerated Young Men

Many youth who are incarcerated within juvenile correctional facilities experience mental health disorders, histories of victimization and suicide ideation. Strengths-based intervention programmes are intended to enhance participants' resilience against such challenges. However, little is known about how the composition of intervention groups contributes to programmes' efficacy. This study addresses the impact of within-group similarity on the success of a strengths-based intervention for incarcerated young men (n = 141). Similarity was assessed in terms of self-reported demographics and behaviours and belief systems. Youths' masculine ideology, caring and cooperative behaviours, ethnic pride and respect for differences, self-efficacy regarding education and non-violence, and attitudes about criminal behaviour were measured before and after intervention. Results indicate that participants' caring and cooperative behaviour increased during the intervention. However, their education-related self-efficacy was reduced, and the perceived benefits of criminal activity increased. These changes were moderated by group composition: less similarity between participants and their group members was associated with less negative change. In the context of juvenile corrections facilities, where staying the same may be a relatively positive outcome, perhaps the more relevant question is not which processes and characteristics of others better enable youth to change but which experiences help them retain positive aspects of themselves. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted blocking of gene expression for CGRP receptors elevates pulmonary artery pressure in hypoxic rats.

We previously described the protection by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Here, we examine the roles of its putative receptor RDC-1 and receptor activ...
Silicon Gate CMOS on Bulk Silicon for Ionizing Radiation Environments

A silicon gate CMOS process on bulk silicon has been developed which can normally be applied to any production circuit and raise its intrinsic hardness to ionizing radiation environments to at least 5 × 104 Rads-Si. This is an order of magnitude above the failure level of most commercial CMOS integrated circuits. Dry oxidation of the silicon along with heavy P-well surface concentration is used to obtain this result, with the only penalty being a small increase in gate propagation delay. Both circuit upset and latchup levels are also improved with this radiation-hardened silicon gate CMOS process.
Analysis of mouse brain peptides using mass spectrometry-based peptidomics: implications for novel functions ranging from non-classical neuropeptides to microproteins

Peptides are known to play many important physiological roles in signaling. A large number of peptides have been detected in mouse brain extracts using mass spectrometry-based peptidomics studies, and 850 peptides have been identified. Half of these peptides are derived from secretory pathway proteins and many are known bioactive neuropeptides which activate G protein-coupled receptors; these are termed “classical neuropeptides”. In addition, 427 peptides were identified that are derived from non-secretory pathway proteins; the majority are cystosolic, and the remainder are mitochondrial, nuclear, lysosomal, or membrane proteins. Many of these peptides represent the N- or C-terminus of the protein, rather than internal fragments, raising the possibility that they are formed by selective processing rather than protein degradation. In addition to consideration of the cleavage site required to generate the intracellular peptides, their potential functions are discussed. Several of the cytosolic peptides were previously found to interact with receptors and/or otherwise influence cellular activity; examples include hemorphins, hemopressins, diazepam binding inhibitor, and hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide. The possibility that these peptides are secreted from cells and function in cell–cell signaling is discussed. If these intracellular peptides can be shown to be secreted in levels sufficient to produce a biological effect, they would appropriately be called “non-classical neuropeptides” by analogy with non-classical neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide and anandamide. It is also possible that intracellular peptides function as “microproteins” and modulate protein–protein interactions; evidence for this function is discussed, along with future directions that are needed to establish this and other possible functions for peptides.
Intergenerational Transmission Attributions in Relationships With Parents and Intimate Others

This study examined the attributions of young adults about their relationships with their parents and intimate others. In addition to their attributional reports, participants also provided information about the quality of their intimate relationships. The findings indicated that higher relationship quality was related to attributions in ways that were consistent with attributional theory. In addition, attributional differences between current and past relationships suggested relationship-sustaining versus relationship-terminating attributional patterns. Attributions about intimate relationships also were associated with attributions about relationships with parents. Specifically, (a) the attributions that individuals made about the positive aspects of their relationships with their mothers and (b) and the attributions about the negative aspects of their relationships with their fathers were related to their attributions in their intimate relationship. The findings suggest some refinements in attribution ...
Rapid characterization of polyalcohols by silylation and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method for rapidly enumerating hydroxyl groups in analytes is described, and applied to some common polyalcohols (erythritol, mannitol and xylitol). Polyalcohols were derivatized with trimethylsilylimidazole (TMSI) either separately or as mixtures, and were analyzed, without chromatographic separation or purification. The mass spectra revealed consecutive peaks that are separated by 72 m/z units as a consequence of displacement of one hydroxyl hydrogen atom by one TMS group. The number of observed peaks was used to confirm the number of hydroxyl groups in each analyte.
TRANSTHORACIC LUNG ULTRASOUND IN NORMAL DOGS AND DOGS WITH CARDIOGENIC PULMONARY EDEMA: A PILOT STUDY

Pulmonary edema is the most common complication of left-sided heart failure in dogs and early detection is important for effective clinical management. In people, pulmonary edema is commonly diagnosed based on transthoracic ultrasonography and detection of B line artifacts (vertical, narrow-based, well-defined hyperechoic rays arising from the pleural surface). The purpose of this study was to determine whether B line artifacts could also be useful diagnostic predictors for cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs. Thirty-one normal dogs and nine dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema were prospectively recruited. For each dog, presence or absence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema was based on physical examination, heartworm testing, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiography. A single observer performed transthoracic ultrasonography in all dogs and recorded video clips and still images for each of four quadrants in each hemithorax. Distribution, sonographic characteristics, and number of B lines per thoracic quadrant were determined and compared between groups. B lines were detected in 31% of normal dogs (mean 0.9 ± 0.3 SD per dog) and 100% of dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema (mean 6.2 ± 3.8 SD per dog). Artifacts were more numerous and widely distributed in dogs with congestive heart failure (P < 0.0001). In severe cases, B lines increased in number and became confluent. The locations of B line artifacts appeared consistent with locations of edema on radiographs. Findings from the current study supported the use of thoracic ultrasonography and detection of B lines as techniques for diagnosing cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs.
The Effects of Fishing, Climate Change, and Other Anthropogenic Disturbances on Red Grouper and Other Reef Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

In this article, we consider the potential effects of anthropogenic disturbances on marine fish species known or suspected to be habitat engineers. The three species of interest inhabit different marine habitats at different life stages, and therefore can have significant influences across the sea floor at broad spatial scales. The primary species include the shallow-water Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), which inhabits mangrove root systems as juveniles, and caves, shipwrecks, and rocky reefs as adults; red grouper (E. morio), which excavates habitat throughout its benthic life in Karst regions of the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic, from the coast to the shelf-edge; and tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps), a species that lives on the continental slope and constructs elaborate, pueblo-esque burrows. The anthropogenic disturbances of greatest interest in the Gulf of Mexico include fishing, hypoxia, red tide, oil and gas exploration, and climatic change. We suggest that to understand the broader effects of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances on biomass and productivity in these species requires that we first understand the strength of interactions between them and the other species residing within their communities (e.g., predators, prey, commensals, and mutualists).
HDL modification by secretory phospholipase A2 promotes scavenger receptor class B type I interaction and accelerates HDL catabolism

During inflammatory states plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) are reduced. Secretory group IIa phospholi- pase A 2 (sPLA 2 ) is a cytokine-induced acute-phase enzyme associated with HDL. Transgenic mice overexpressing sPLA 2 have reduced HDL levels. Studies were performed to define the mechanism for the HDL reduction in these mice. HDL isolated from sPLA 2 transgenic mice have a signifi- cantly lower phospholipid content and greater triglyceride content. In autologous clearance studies, 125 I-labeled HDL from sPLA 2 transgenic mice was catabolized significantly faster than HDL from control mice (4.24 6 1.16 vs. 2.84 6 0.1 pools per day, P , 0.008). In both sPLA 2 transgenic and control mice, the cholesteryl ester component of HDL was more rapidly catabolized than the protein component, indi- cating a selective uptake mechanism. In vitro studies using CHO cells transfected with scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) showed that sPLA 2 -modified HDL was nearly twice as efficient as a substrate for cholesteryl ester transfer. These data were confirmed in in vivo selective uptake experiments using adenoviral vector overexpression of SR-BI. In these studies, increased hepatic selective uptake was associated with increased 125 I-labeled apolipoprotein uptake in the kid- ney. We conclude that during inflammation sPLA 2 hydrol- ysis of HDL phospholipids alters the lipid composition of the particle, allowing for more efficient SR-BI-mediated se- lective cholesteryl ester uptake. This enhanced SR-BI activ- ity generates HDL remnants that are preferentially catabo- lized in the kidney. — de Beer, F. C., P. M. Connell, J. Yu, M. C. de Beer, N. R. Webb, and D. R. van der Westhuyzen. HDL modification by secretory phospholipase A 2 promotes scavenger receptor class B type I interaction and acceler- ates HDL catabolism . J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 1849-1857.
Seasonal change in radar backscatter from mixed conifer and hardwood frorests in northern Michigan

A test site in northern Michigan, located near the ecotone between the boreal forest and northern mixed hardwood and conifer forest was overflown on a seasonal basis by the JPL (P-, L- and C-band) AIRSAR. Externally calibrated imagery obtained in early spring with partial snowcover and prior to foliation of the deciduous species is compared to imagery obtained midsummer for two conditions: (1) within 30 minutes of heavy rainshowers and (2) after two days of drying. Comparisons of calibrated backscatter data show profound differences between forest communities for any given date as well as between dates primarily due to the effects of foliation and precipitation events.
Action Principle for the Generalized Harmonic Formulation of General Relativity

An action principle for the generalized harmonic formulation of general relativity is presented. The action is a functional of the spacetime metric and the gauge source vector. An action principle for the Z4 formulation of general relativity has been proposed recently by Bona, Bona-Casas, and Palenzuela. The relationship between the generalized harmonic action and the Bona, Bona-Casas, and Palenzuela action is discussed in detail.
Visual languages for human-machine interaction

Summary form only given, as follows. A survey of recent advance in visual languages and the formal theory of icons is presented, which provides a unified methodology for visual language design as well as icon-oriented system design. >
ANAEROBIC DIGESTED DAIRY MANURE AS A NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT FOR CULTIVATION OF OIL-RICH GREEN MICROALGAE CHLORELLA SP

Abstract The present study was to investigate the effectiveness of using digested dairy manure as a nutrient supplement for cultivation of oil-rich green microalgae Chlorella sp. Different dilution multiples of 10, 15, 20, and 25 were applied to the digested manure and algal growth was compared in regard to growth rate, nutrient removal efficiency, and final algal fatty acids content and composition. Slower growth rates were observed with less diluted manure samples with higher turbidities in the initial cultivation days. A reverse linear relationship (R2 = 0.982) was found between the average specific growth rate of the beginning 7 days and the initial turbidities. Algae removed ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and COD by 100%, 75.7–82.5%, 62.5–74.7%, and 27.4–38.4%, respectively, in differently diluted dairy manure. COD in digested dairy manure, beside CO2, proved to be another carbon source for mixotrophic Chlorella. Fatty acid profiles derived from triacylglyceride (TAG), phospholipid and free fatty acids showed that octadecadienoic acid (C18:2) and hexadecanoic acid (C16:0) were the two most abundant fatty acids in the algae. The total fatty acid content of the dry weight increased from 9.00% to 13.7% along with the increasing dilution multiples. Based on the results from this study, a process combining anaerobic digestion and algae cultivation can be proposed as an effective way to convert high strength dairy manure into profitable byproducts as well as to reduce contaminations to environment.
Quantitative PCR analysis of house dust can reveal abnormal mold conditions

Indoor mold concentrations were measured in the dust of moldy homes (MH) and reference homes (RH) by quantitative PCR (QPCR) assays for 82 species or related groups of species (assay groups). About 70% of the species and groups were never or only rarely detected. The ratios (MH geometric mean ∶ RH geometric mean) for 6 commonly detected species (Aspergillus ochraceus, A. penicillioides, A. unguis, A. versicolor, Eurotium group, and Cladosporium sphaerospermum) were >1 (Group I). Logistic regression analysis of the sum of the logs of the concentrations of Group I species resulted in a 95% probability for separating MH from RH. These results suggest that it may be possible to evaluate whether a home has an abnormal mold condition by quantifying a limited number of mold species in a dust sample. Also, four common species of Aspergillus were quantified by standard culturing procedures and their concentrations compared to QPCR results. Culturing underestimated the concentrations of these four species by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude compared to QPCR.