cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The hall insulator in 2-dimensional sige hole gases

Magnetotransport measurements in p-SiGe quantum well samples show that the Landau levels are ferromagnetically polarised at filling factor v = 2. It is also shown that the insulating phase observed in some samples at v = 1.5 is suppressed when the ferromagnetic polarisation persists into the v = 1 integer quantum Hall state. Similarities and differences between p-SiGe and high mobility Si-MOSFETs are also discussed.
Impact of fiber design on polarization dependence in microbend gratings

Polarization dependence in microbend gratings is an inherent problem. We formulate simple analytical expressions to describe it, and demonstrate their effectiveness via a comparison with experimental results on a standard transmission fiber. The ability to control polarization dependence with fiber design potentially enables replacing UV-LPGs within low-cost, tunable microbend gratings.
An Analytical Mechatronic Model for Series DC Motors Using Manufacturer Test Data

Direct Current (DC) Motors are one of the most common mechatronic actuators. They are important for electromechanical servo systems, drivers for battery powered appliances and tools as well as electric vehicles. Both brushless DC motors and wound DC motors are common in electric and hybrid vehicles. The series wound DC motor is commonly used for high torque vehicle applications. The literature has many papers discussing permanent magnet DC motors but a very limited number of publications on analytical models for series wound DC motors, especially motor models that fit series wound DC motor test data available in the market place. An analytical model for a series wound DC motor is developed here based on physical principles including energy conservation. The model developed will be compared with models developed by other investigators. Available commercial test data for a series motor will be used to find model parameters for the analytical model and the accuracy of this model evaluated against the original test data. The model developed displays excellent accuracy well within the accuracy of the test data available. Typical model rms deviation from test data is under 2% for the commercial series wound DC motors evaluated.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Voltage Breakdown in RF Cavities, DC Vacuum Gaps, and Computer Simulations

Summary form only given. Results from DC breakdown experiments designed to imitate (to some extent) breakdown in microwave resonators will be presented. "Before" and "after" pictures demonstrate the dangers of contaminant particles, and post-breakdown surface analyses show the damage caused by the arc around the field emitter, including the extent of ion bombardment. A simple model can explain the initiation of breakdown at a field emitter around which a monolayer of neutral atoms suddenly desorbs. Computer simulations using OOPIC show in more detail how breakdown might be thus triggered, and confirm the model's predictions of a critical current and gas density necessary for breakdown
Reduced activity in rats with induced phenylketonuria

Hypoactivity was observed in the open field performance of 28 rats fed a diet containing 3% excess L-phenylalanine and .12% p-chlorophenylalanine between 21–51 days of age (PKU group) compared to both pair-fed and ad lib control groups. Open field testing was conducted 4–11 days following termination of the phenylalanine, p-chlorophenylalanine diet. While on the diet serum phenylalanine levels of the PKU group ranged between 16.6–38.0 mg%. Twenty-four to 48 hours following termination of the PKU diet serum phenylalanine levels had returned to normal (i.e., 2–10 days prior to open field testing). The reduced open field activity of the PKU group is not attributable to differences in food consumption or weight at the time of testing. Hypoactivity is consistent with previous investigations administering chronic doses of phenylalanine, but employing different induction techniques, treatment durations, and activity measures.
Modified photonic crystal D/sub 3/ laser cavity for improving side mode suppression ratio

We have demonstrated the ability to selectively modify the mode structure of multi-moded photonic crystal laser cavity. As a result, in this case an improved side-mode suppression ratio was obtained.
A comprehensive review of naloxone for the emergency physician

Naloxone has enjoyed long-standing success as a safe and effective opioid antagonist and has been invaluable in defining the role of endogenous opioid pathways in the response to pathological states such as sepsis and hypovolemia. We look forward to exciting research to further elucidate these pathways and to improve outcome by modulating the patient's physiological response to these stresses.
Building a wireless network infrastructure under budget constraints

This paper examines wireless networking and provides a case study of a wireless network infrastructure's development at an urban university of 11,000 students. The University of Houston Downtown (UHD) incorporated wireless technology to help users stay connected to the school's network for access to curricula-related products at any time and from any location.
Moral relativism and evolutionary psychology

I argue that evolutionary strategies of kin selection and game-theoretic reciprocity are apt to generate agent-centered and agent- neutral moral intuitions, respectively. Such intuitions are the building blocks of moral theories, resulting in a fundamental schism between agent-centered theories on the one hand and agent- neutral theories on the other. An agent-neutral moral theory is one according to which everyone has the same duties and moral aims, no matter what their personal interests or interpersonal relationships. Agent-centered moral theories deny this and include at least some prescriptions that include ineliminable indexicals. I argue that there are no rational means of bridging the gap between the two types of theories; nevertheless this does not necessitate skepticism about the moral—we might instead opt for an ethical relativism in which the truth of moral statements is relativized to the perspective of moral theories on either side of the schism. Such a relativism does not mean that any ethical theory is as good as any other; some cannot be held in reflective equilibrium, and even among those that can, there may well be pragmatic reasons that motivate the selection of one theory over another. But if no sort of relativism is deemed acceptable, then it is hard to avoid moral skepticism.
Wnt signal increases during postnatal skin repair and Wnt3a treatment increases pro-regenerative TGF-b3 in fetal but not in postnatal dermal fibroblasts

INTRODUCTION: Postnatal acute skin injury results in scar formation, while fetal injury does not. Multiple cellular differences occur between dermal fibroblasts derived from fetal and postnatal skin. In the present study, we localize canonical Wingless (Wnt) expression during postnatal repair and test the effects of Wnt treatment on fetal and postnatal fibroblasts. The effect of (r)Wnt-3a was compared to treatment with these wound-related cytokines:TGF-b1 and -b3,IGF-1,and PDGF-AA. METHODS: Genetically modified (BAT-gal) mice that localize Wnt signal underwent excisional wounding. Spatial and temporal expression profiles of canonical Wnt,IGF-1,PDGF,TGF-B 1&3 were demonstrated. Fetal and postnatal dermal fibroblasts were isolated and exposed to recombinant (r)Wnt-3a, IGF-1, TGF-b1,b3 & PDGFAA; Target gene (Axin2, HAS1, HAS2, Tg-fb1, Tgf-b3, FGF2, CTGF) modulation was examined by qRT-PCR and protein expression by western blot.
A tale of nine Internet exchange points: Studying path latencies through major regional IXPs

The Internet ecosystem comprising of thousands of Autonomous Systems (ASes) now include Internet eXchange Points (IXPs) as another critical component in the infrastructure. With the growth of peering worldwide, IXPs are playing an increasing role not only in the topology evolution of the Internet but also inter-domain path routing. In this work, we first motivate the need to monitor popular exchange points based on geographical locations. These major IXPs are responsible for transmitting 43% of the total IXP traffic and hence play a significant role in determining the effects of peering at IXPs on path latencies. Using the most important route performance metric of end to end latency we then propose and implement a measurement framework to carry out an in-depth comparison of paths traversing an IXP with other available alternate paths. We observe the presence of a significant percentage of alternate paths outperforming the default route through an IXP in all major regions. Even though IXPs are set up primarily with economic benefits in mind, we conclude that there is a huge potential for improvement with more efficient routing and better planning at the primary IXPs around the world.
On Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability during Very Slow Yogic Breathing

Very slow yogic breathing techniques provide valuable insights into mechanisms of autonomous nervous system regulation that are usually not available for human subjects. This paper presents results of eight sessions of Nadi Shodhana Pranayama practiced at rate of one breath per minute. We characterized statistic and spectral measures of heart rate variability before, during, and after exercises. Significant changes include increase of VLF frequencies caused by slow breathing and decrease in average interbeat interval from 959.3 to 904.1 ms (t(7) = -7.5, p<0.001). We present the results of HRV analysis and analyze origins of characteristic frequency components. The most prominent changes of the exercise include significant increase of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and LF/HF ratio, and decrease of breathing frequency after the exercise against the state before the exercise. The maximum LF frequency decreased from 0.0919 Hz to 0.07125 Hz (t(7) = -3.255, p < 0.01), indicating the decrease of average breathing rhythm from 5.5 breaths/min to 4.3 breaths/min. In addition, the state after the exercise is characterized by disappearance of VLF frequencies from the spectrum, and a significant increase of LF/HF from 14.33 to 50.93 (t(7) = 2.461, p < .05)
A flexural-plate-wave microbial sensor

Flexural-plate-wave sensors have been used for the monitoring of the metabolism of gel-immobilized yeast. In one configuration, gel layers directly on the sensor contain the microbes and also prevent non-specific adsorption of proteins and cells onto the sensor surface. In other experiments, sensors have measured the density of solution flowing into and out of a test tube filled with yeast-containing gel beads. From the theoretical sensitivity of flexural-plate-wave sensors to perturbations in liquid density, the authors have related observed frequency shifts to physiological variables. >
Genetic variation in the human α2B-ADRENERGIC receptor gene: Haplotypes and yohimbine response

Background/Aims An exaggerated increase in blood presssure by α2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) blockade produced by infusion of the antagonist yohimbine can predict increased risk for hypertension. We assessed α2-AR's as candidate genes influencing baseline and yohimbine-promoted increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methods/Results Infusion of yohimbine and genotyping of 173 healthy individuals for common polymorphisms within the three α2-AR subtypes identified a synonymous SNP in the α2B-gene (ADRA2B) as a determinant of yohimbine response. Sequencing of ADRA2B in 254 individuals identified 2 major haplotypes that differ by the presence of a 9-bp in-frame deletion (Del Glu301–303). Del/Del homozygotes were less frequent in older subjects (13.6% and 2.3% in individuals <age 40 and≥ age 40), had lower MAP at baseline and with yohimbine infusion, but had similar responses to yohimbine. Conclusion The observed decrease in frequency of Del/Del homozygotes in individuals≥ age 40 suggests that this genotype increases risk of cardiovascular mortality or morbidity, a hypothesis consistent with recent data associating the Del/Del genotype with acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P7–P7; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.028
Cross-cultural service delivery to minority communities.

Feasibility of cross-cultural prevention efforts hinges on extensive collaborative interaction. The State-wide Indian Drug Prevention Program (IDPP) emphasis on collaboration resulted in successful delivery of a culturally tailored drug abuse prevention program to six groups of Native American youth in urban and rural communities. Procedures used by IDPP staff are detailed, and process data including attendance, participant demographics, and consumer satisfaction indices are presented. Preliminary findings suggesting positive program effects on correlates of adolescent substance use are also reported.
A method for combining RNAscope in situ hybridization with immunohistochemistry in thick free-floating brain sections and primary neuronal cultures.

In situ hybridization (ISH) is an extremely useful tool for localizing gene expression and changes in expression to specific cell populations in tissue samples across numerous research fields. Typically, a research group will put forth significant effort to design, generate, validate and then utilize in situ probes in thin or ultrathin paraffin embedded tissue sections. While combining ISH and IHC is an established technique, the combination of RNAscope ISH, a commercially available ISH assay with single transcript sensitivity, and IHC in thick free-floating tissue sections has not been described. Here, we provide a protocol that combines RNAscope ISH with IHC in thick free-floating tissue sections from the brain and allows simultaneous co-localization of genes and proteins in individual cells. This approach works well with a number of ISH probes (e.g. small proline-rich repeat 1a, βIII-tubulin, tau, and β-actin) and IHC antibody stains (e.g. tyrosine hydroxylase, βIII-tubulin, NeuN, and glial fibrillary acidic protein) in rat brain sections. In addition, we provide examples of combining ISH-IHC dual staining in primary neuron cultures and double-ISH labeling in thick free-floating tissue sections from the brain. Finally, we highlight the ability of RNAscope to detect ectopic DNA in neurons transduced with viral vectors. RNAscope ISH is a commercially available technology that utilizes a branched or “tree” in situ method to obtain ultrasensitive, single transcript detection. Immunohistochemistry is a tried and true method for identifying specific protein in cell populations. The combination of a sensitive and versatile oligonucleotide detection method with an established and versatile protein assay is a significant advancement in studies using free-floating tissue sections.
In Vivo Modification of Phospholipid Polar Head Groups and Alterations in Membrane Activities and Cellular Events

Assesment of the functional role of the polar head group portion of membrane phospholipids has approached this problem by using lipid analog precursors to alter the composition of the polar head groups. We have shown that N-isopropyl-ethanolamine (IPE), a competitive inhibitor of choline, can be incorporated into 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoisopropylethanol (pohsphatidyl-IPE) of membranes from cultures L-M cells and rat liver. After IPE treatment, we observed profound inhibition of certain enzymatic activities (e.g., Δ9 acyl-desaturase and 5’-nucleotidase), but not in others (e.g., NADH-cytochrome c reductase, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and succinic dehydrogenas). The changes in enzyme activities do not appear to be directly related to membrane fluidity or the formation of phosphatidyl-IPE.
The European Union's role in networks on removal of fossil fuel subsidies and disclosure of climate change information

This article deals with newly emerging international collaborative initiatives around two issues connected to climate change: removal of fossil fuel subsidies and improving climate information disclosure practices in the business sector. While networked initiatives on the gradual removal of fossil fuel subsidies and a multi-actor network on disclosure of climate change information do not explicitly mobilize collective actions around climate change, they supplement and reinforce a wide array of other transnational initiatives and partnerships around climate change mitigation efforts. Analysed networks equip transnational policy processes around the climate change issue, initially formed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's member states, with new policy tools to mitigate human-induced climate change and hugely expand the membership of policy-making at the international level. Newly emerging transnational networks in the area of fossil fuel subsidies removal and improving climate c...
Let's Get Serious About Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care have been documented for over two decades in kidney disease, in a variety of other conditions, across settings, and for different medical and surgical interventions. We now have government reports that track progress on reducing racial disparities, but the pace of progress has been disheartening. The reasons for some of these disparities are known and include biologic, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors as well as system, patient, and provider factors that affect access and quality of medical services. For other disparities, they remain an enigma. Solutions have been slow incoming in large part because we have not held ourselves, and others, accountable for better results. It is time to get serious about equitable health care for all of us.
Equilibrium lines and barriers to phase transitions: the cubic diamond to beta-tin transition in Si from first principles.

The phase transition between the cubic diamond (cd) and beta-tin ( -Sn) phases of Si under pressure and the region of interaction of the two phases are studied by first-principles total energy calculations. For a non-vibrating crystal we determine the pressure of the thermodynamic phase transition ptD 96 kbar, the Gibbs free energy barrier at pt of 1GD 19:6 mRyd=atom that stabilizes the phases against a phase transition and the finite pressure range in which both phases are stable. We show that the phases in that pressure range are completely described by three equilibrium lines of states along which the structure, the total energy E, the hydrostatic pressure p that would stabilize the structure and the values of G all vary. Two equilibrium lines describe the two phases (denoted the ph-eq line, ph is cd or -Sn phase); a third line is a line of saddle points of G with respect to structure (denoted the sp-eq line) that forms a barrier of larger G against instability of the metastable ranges of the phase lines. An important conclusion is that the sp-eq line merges with the two ph-eq lines: one end of the sp-eq line merges with the cd-eq line at high pressure, the other end merges with the -Sn-eq line at low pressure. The mergers end the barrier protecting the metastable ranges of the two ph-eq lines, hence the lines go unstable beyond the mergers. The mergers thus simplify the phase diagram by providing a natural termination to the stable parts of all metastable ranges of the ph-eq lines. Although 96 kbar is lower than the experimental transition pressure, we note that phonon pressure raises the observed transition pressure.
Emerging area: biomaterials that mimic and exploit protein motion

Traditional dynamic hydrogels have been designed to respond to changes in physicochemical inputs, such as pH and temperature, for a wide range of biomedical applications. An emerging strategy that may allow for more specific "bio-responsiveness" in synthetic hydrogels involves mimicking or exploiting nature's dynamic proteins. Hundreds of proteins are known to undergo pronounced conformational changes in response to specific biochemical triggers, and these responses represent a potentially attractive toolkit for design of dynamic materials. This "emerging area" review focuses on the use of protein motions as a new paradigm for design of dynamic hydrogels. In particular, the review emphasizes early examples of dynamic hydrogels that harness well-known protein motions. These examples then serve as templates to discuss challenges and suggest emerging directions in the field. Successful early examples of this approach, coupled with the fundamental properties of nature's protein motions, suggest that protein-based materials may ultimately achieve specific, multiplexed responses to a range of biochemical triggers. Applications of this new class of materials include drug delivery, biosensing, bioactuation, and tissue engineering.
Enhanced speaker recognition based on intra-modal fusion and accent modeling

Speaker recognition systems, even though they have been around for four decades, have not been widely considered as standalone systems for biometric security because of their unacceptably low performance, i.e., high false acceptance and rejection. Research has shown that speaker recognition performance can be enhanced through hybrid fusion (HF) of likelihood scores generated by arithmetic harmonic sphericity (AHS) and hidden Markov model (HMM) techniques. Performance improvements of 22% and 6% true acceptance rate (TAR) at 5% false acceptance rate (FAR) were observed, when evaluated on two different datasets - YOHO and USF multi-modal biometric dataset respectively. In this paper, we present a model that combines accent information from an accent classification (AC) system with HF system in order to further increase the speaker recognition rate. The proposed system achieved performance improvements of 17% and 15% TAR at an FAR of 3% when evaluated on SAA and USF datasets. The accent incorporation method discussed in this work can also be applied to any other speaker recognition system.
Visuospatial perception, construction, and memory in alcoholism.

Objective: To analyze visuospatial cognition in recently detoxified alcoholics from the perspectives of three ways of conceptualizing spatial information processing: egocentric versus allocentric orientation, featural versus configural analysis, and categorical versus coordinate spatial judgements. Method: Twenty-eight chronic alcoholics (19 men, 9 women) were compared to 20 (10 men, 10 women) controls of comparable age and education on a battery of tests of visuospatial scanning, construction, mental imagery, and anterograde and remote spatial memory. Tests were administered 21-40 days after alcoholics entered treatment. Results: Alcoholics displayed impairment in visuospatial scanning, construction, utilizing and manipulating information from visual images and on three tests of anterograde spatial memory, but remote spatial memory was not significantly affected. Their deficits were evident on some measures of allocentric orientation, featural and configural analysis, but consistent deficits on egocentri...
Performance enhancement of adaptive beamforming algorithms based on a combination method

This paper proposes new two adaptive beamforming algorithms based on a combined method. The first proposal combination method includes merging pure Conjugate Gradient Method (CGM) with pure Normalized Least Mean Square (NLMS) algorithms, so that the first a new algorithm is called as CGM-NLMS. While the second proposed algorithm merges pure CGM with a Modified NLMS algorithm (MNLMS). The MNLMS algorithm is regarded as a variable regularization parameter that is fixed in the conventional NLMS algorithm. Then the new combination algorithm is called as CGM-MNLMS algorithm. Through simulation results of adaptive beamforming system using an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel model, the two new proposed algorithms provides fast convergence time, higher interference suppression capability and low level of MSD, and MSE at steady state compared with the pure CGM and pure NLMS algorithms.
The Unique Insert of Cellular and Viral FMS Protein Tyrosine Kinase Domains Is Dispensable for Enzymatic and Transforming Activities

The receptors for colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), platelet derived growth factor and the c-kit protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) contain within their catalytic domains a stretch of 60-100 residues, largely unrelated in sequence, with no counterpart in other PTKs. Of the 64 amino acids within this kinase insert, 58 were deleted from the mouse CSF-1 receptor by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The mutant CSF-1 receptor was not markedly affected in its kinase activity, post-translational processing or its ability to induce autocrine transformation of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Similarly, retention of kinase and transforming activities were observed following deletion of part or all of the kinase insert from the v-fms oncoprotein. The c- and v-fms kinase inserts were probed using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and were found to be highly antigenic. Two monoclonal antibodies raised to the v-fms cytoplasmic domain both recognized epitopes within the insert, and bound enzymatically active v-fms glycoproteins. These results indicate that the fms kinase insert is located on the surface of the protein and folds separately from the rest of the catalytic domain, but is not required for the biological activity of fms PTKs ectopically expressed in mouse fibroblasts. The insert may therefore play a specific function in cells such as monocytes and trophoblasts that normally express the CSF-1 receptor.
Use of an expanded-whole-wheat product in the reduction of body weight and serum lipids in obese females

To achieve weight reduction and alter serum lipid profiles, an air-expanded whole-wheat protein product (SNW) was used by moderately obese women as a meal substitute for 12 wk. Results were compared with those from a standard low-calorie diet (LCD). The SNW group lost 3.9 kg (means) over the first 6 wk and a further 1.6 kg between weeks 6 and 12. In contrast, the LCD group lost 2.8 kg during the initial 6 wk but failed to achieve weight loss during the second 6 wk. Consequently, the SNW group lost nearly twice as much weight over the 12-wk period as did LCD participants. A beneficial effect of SNW on serum cholesterol and triglycerides was noted; both measures declined in conjunction with the weight loss. Such alterations were greater in the SNW group than in LCD participants. Both schemes proved safe. SNW is safe and effective in weight reduction and serum lipid modification in moderately obese women.
Solutions documentation

In today's software environment, more and more products must be installed and configured in concert with one another. Unfortunately, most software is developed product-by-product and the approach to information development is in alignment with the individual development projects. In the end, a user may have to have as many as 20 publications open and 7 help systems up to understand how to implement the overall solution for his or her installation. This paper will discuss the need for cross-product, solutions-oriented documentation, the costs, benefits, and pitfalls of this type of documentation, and some ideas of how this type of documentation can be implemented.
Die digitale Volumentomografie in der kieferorthopädischen Praxis

In diesem Beitrag werden die Einsatzmoglichkeiten der Volumentomografie in der kieferorthopadischen Praxis erlautert und auf die diagnostischen Moglichkeiten, die Strahlenbelastung fur Patienten und auf Fragen der Haftung wird eingegangen. Des Weiteren wird ein Uberblick uber wichtige Forschungsergebnisse gegeben, von denen etliche in der Abteilung fur Kieferorthopadie der Universitat von Kalifornien in San Francisco (UCSF) durchgefuhrt wurden. Schlieslich wird ein systematisches Verfahren zur Beurteilung eines Volumentomogramms vorgestellt.
Maternal and neonatal herpes simplex virus infections.

Genital herpes infections are extremely common worldwide and ∼22% of pregnant women are infected with herpes simplex virus. Eighty percent of those affected with genital herpes are unaware of being infected. The most devastating consequence of maternal genital herpes is neonatal herpes disease. Fortunately, neonatal herpes simplex infections are uncommon but due to the morbidity and mortality associated with the infection are often considered in the differential diagnosis of ill neonates. The use of polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis of central nervous system infections and the development of safe and effective antiviral therapy have revolutionized the diagnosis and management of these infants. Most recently, the initiation of long-term antiviral suppressive therapy in these infants has led to significant improvement in morbidity. This review will summarize the epidemiology of maternal and neonatal herpes infections and discuss clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of infants with neonatal herpes disease.
Elm Spanworm: Contact Toxicity of Ten Insecticides Applied to the Larvae

Ten insecticides (carbamate, chlorinated hydrocarbon, organophosphate, and pyrethroid) were evaluated to find promising candidates for field testing against Ennomos subsignarius (Hubner). The decreasing order of toxicity at LD50 was NIA-24110 ((5-benzyl-3-furyl) methyl trans- (+) - 3-(eyclopentylidenemethyl) - 2, 2- dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), resmethrin, pyrethrins, mexicarbate, phoxim, Gardona® (2-chloro-1-(2, 4, 5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate), DDTpp, carbaryl, Imidan® ( O, O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N -(mercaptomethyl) phthalimide), and malathion. The decreasing order of toxicity at LD90 was: NIA-24110, resmethrin, pyrethrins, mexicarbate, phoxim, DDTpp, Gardona, Imidan, malathion, and carbaryl.
Genetic variation in Bromus tectorum (Poaceae): comparison between native and introduced populations

The amount and distribution of genetic variation in 51 native (Eurasian and northern African) populations of Bromus tectorum were assessed at 25 loci using starch gel electrophoresis and were compared with our previous results for introduced (North American) populations of this predominantly cleistogamous grass. More alleles and variable loci were detected across populations in the native range than in North American populations. Within populations, however, the level of polymorphism is higher in the introduced range than in the native range. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation among native populations is almost as severe as for introduced populations. Eurasian populations exhibit greater genetic differentiation than those in North America; populations from Southwest Asia are the most genetically differentiated. Comparison of single-locus genotypes suggests possible source populations in both Europe and Southwest Asia for the populations now so prominent in western North America. Genetic differences between introduced and native populations of B. tectorum stem from two opposing factors: the reduction in genetic variability across populations produced by founder effects combined with an increase in the within-population component of genetic variation from multiple introductions.
ICU management in hospital

The article discussed the organization and management model of ICU and differentiated the special ICU and general ICU. Several topics such as the ICU’s size, ICU staff training, intelligent use medical resource, admittance criteria and control criteria of ICU patient, ICU infection controlling were discussed. The author also gave some suggestions on ICU size and staff, such as the best beds was 8-10, the ICU staff should have good fit, strong responsibilities, good competence and selfless devotion.
An integrated robotic system for transporting surgical tools in hospitals

The performance of a hospital's sterile processing center (SPC) significantly impacts patient safety and overall productivity. Key to automating this process is to reliably transport instruments throughout the process. In this paper, we detail a robust integrated system for enabling mobile robots to autonomously perform manipulation of assets; specifically, transporting reusable surgical instrument trays in the SPC of a hospital. Our method is based on a cognitive decision making mechanism that plans and coordinates the motions of the robot base and the robot manipulator at specific processing locations. A vision-based manipulator control algorithm was developed for the robot to reliably locate and subsequently pick up surgical tool trays. Further, to compensate for perception and navigation errors, we developed a robust self-aligning end-effector that allows for improved error-tolerance in larger workspaces. We evaluated the developed integrated system using an Adept PowerBot mobile robot equipped with a 6-DOF Schunk PowerCube arm and our customized end-effector in an SPC-like environment. The experiment results validate the effectiveness and robustness of our system for handling surgical instrument trays in tight and constrained environments.
Mapping 'hydroscapes' along the iso- to anisohydric continuum of stomatal regulation of plant water status

The concept of iso- vs. anisohydry has been used to describe the stringency of stomatal regulation of plant water potential (ψ). However, metrics that accurately and consistently quantify species' operating ranges along a continuum of iso- to anisohydry have been elusive. Additionally, most approaches to quantifying iso/anisohydry require labour-intensive measurements during prolonged drought. We evaluated new and previously developed metrics of stringency of stomatal regulation of ψ during soil drying in eight woody species and determined whether easily-determined leaf pressure-volume traits could serve as proxies for their degree of iso- vs. anisohydry. Two metrics of stringency of stomatal control of ψ, (1) a 'hydroscape' incorporating the landscape of ψ over which stomata control ψ, and (2) the slope of the daily range of ψ as pre-dawn ψ declined, were strongly correlated with each other and with the leaf osmotic potential at full and zero turgor derived from pressure-volume curves.
Numerical analysis of theoretical flow in external gear machines

Abstract With their advantages of low-cost, high-reliability and simplicity, external gear machines (EGMs) are among the most common pumps or motors in high pressure applications. As all positive displacement machines, EGMs are characterized by a substantial flow non-uniformity, which is given by the gear meshing and results in vibrations and noises. Several analytical methods are available but require the knowledge of the tooth profile, involute or cycloidal, and are not directly applicable to unconventional gears. This paper presents a numerical approach for the analysis of the theoretical flow through spur gear EGMs which does not require a-priori knowledge of the gear profile. Starting from a CAD input, the proposed approach automatically determines control volumes for every angular position of the gears to describe the displacing action realized by the unit. After describing the method, the paper shows its application to different geometric morphologies for the gear profiles to calculate the theoretical flow rate. The verification of the numerical model is demonstrated by comparing its results with those provided by the analytical methods available in literature for the case of involute gears.
Abstract B087: HER-2/neu expression regulates the immune response and tumor senescence in breast cancer

Background: Over-expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2 (HER-2) has been widely implicated in malignant transformation, cell survival, motility and invasion in breast cancers. Intermediate expression of HER-2 has been identified in luminal breast cancer stem cells. HER-2 over-expression down regulates major histocompatibility complex class I molecules (MHCI) expression in breast cancer cells. Results: We investigated the expression of HER-2 in various HER-2 expressing cell lines and measured HLA A-2 MHC class I expression. High Her-2 expressing cell lines SKBR3 and SKOVA3 and intermediate expressing cell lines MCF7 demonstrated extremely low HLA A-2 expression, while low Her-2 expressing MDAMB231 demonstrated low HER-2 expression and high HLA A2 expression. Anti-HER-2 CD8 T cells recognize the latter cells but not high or intermediate expressing HER-2 expressing cells. Treatment of intermediate expressing cell lines but not high HER-2 expressing cells with interferon-gamma; (IFN- gamma) and TNF-alpha; result in markedly increased HLA A2 expression and 3 fold increase in CD8 T cell killing of the MCF7 cells. Treatment of high expressing HER-2 cells with trastuzumab but not lapatinib decreased HER-2 expression and combined with IFN-gamma; and TNF-alpha; result in increased HLA- A2 expression and dramatic increase in CD8 T cell recognition. In contrast, high and intermediate HER-2 expressing cells are sensitive to lysis and tumor senescence induction when treated with combinations of IFN-gamma; and TNF-alpha; in a dose dependent manner. Low HER-2 expressing cells are less sensitive to senescence induction. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results establish a potential role for HER-2 in regulating the immune response against breast cancer and suggest that CD8 T cells are more effective in eliminating low and intermediate HER-2 expressing cells while CD4 T cell derived IFN-gamma; and TNF-alpha; together with trastuzumab may be more effective in eliminating high expressing HER-2 breast cancer cells and inducing tumor senescence preventing recurrence. Citation Format: Cinthia Rosemblit, Jessica Cintolo-Gonzalez, Shuwen Xu, Brian J. Czerniecki. HER-2/neu expression regulates the immune response and tumor senescence in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; Oct 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2013;11(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B087.
HYPOTHETICAL EXPERIMENTATION WITH MONOMER SYSTEMS

This chapter presents hypothetical experiments with monomer systems. Solubility modulation in the chapter serves as an example and exercise in computer modeling. The chapter shows that a plausible model, one that does indeed lead to periodic precipitation, can be established. It is assumed that [A] represents the monomer. This convenient name is given to a substance, which may or may not be simple, but which can precipitate without undergoing chemical change. [B] represents the incoming solubility modulator, which could be a substance. However, it could alternatively be a “condition,” such as temperature. For plausible starting conditions, it can be assumed that that there is a supersaturated solution of [A], of uniform concentration A M0 , present in the diffusion medium, such that A M0 S AT , where S AT represents the saturation level. Regarding the K SP , it is assumed that there is a supersaturation limit, S SL .
Multi-Commodity Multi-Facility Network Design

We consider multi-commodity network design models, where capacity can be added to the arcs of the network using multiples of facilities that may have different capacities. This class of mixed-integer optimization models appears frequently in telecommunication network capacity expansion problems, train scheduling with multiple locomotive options, supply chain, and service network design problems. Valid inequalities used as cutting planes in branch-and-bound algorithms have been instrumental in solving large-scale instances. We review the progress that has been done in polyhedral investigations in this area by emphasizing three fundamental techniques. These are the metric inequalities for projecting out continuous flow variables, mixed-integer rounding from appropriate base relaxations and shrinking the network to a small $k$-node graph. The basic inequalities derived from arc-set, cut-set and partition relaxations of the network are also extensively utilized with certain modifications in robust and survivable network design problems.
Viral MicroRNAs Repress the Cholesterol Pathway, and 25-Hydroxycholesterol Inhibits Infection.

From various screens, we found that Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) viral microRNAs (miRNAs) target several enzymes in the mevalonate/cholesterol pathway. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase 1 (HMGCS1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR [a rate-limiting step in the mevalonate pathway]), and farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1 [a committed step in the cholesterol branch]) are repressed by multiple KSHV miRNAs. Transfection of viral miRNA mimics in primary endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs]) is sufficient to reduce intracellular cholesterol levels; however, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting only HMGCS1 did not reduce cholesterol levels. This suggests that multiple targets are needed to perturb this tightly regulated pathway. We also report here that cholesterol levels were decreased in de novo-infected HUVECs after 7 days. This reduction is at least partially due to viral miRNAs, since the mutant form of KSHV lacking 10 of the 12 miRNA genes had increased cholesterol compared to wild-type infections. We hypothesized that KSHV is downregulating cholesterol to suppress the antiviral response by a modified form of cholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC). We found that the cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) gene, which is responsible for generating 25HC, had increased expression in de novo-infected HUVECs but was strongly suppressed in long-term latently infected cell lines. We found that 25HC inhibits KSHV infection when added exogenously prior to de novo infection. In conclusion, we found that multiple KSHV viral miRNAs target enzymes in the mevalonate pathway to modulate cholesterol in infected cells during latency. This repression of cholesterol levels could potentially be beneficial to viral infection by decreasing the levels of 25HC.IMPORTANCE A subset of viruses express unique microRNAs (miRNAs), which act like cellular miRNAs to generally repress host gene expression. A cancer virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, or human herpesvirus 8 [HHV-8]), encodes multiple miRNAs that repress gene expression of multiple enzymes that are important for cholesterol synthesis. In cells with these viral miRNAs or with natural infection, cholesterol levels are reduced, indicating these viral miRNAs decrease cholesterol levels. A modified form of cholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, is generated directly from cholesterol. Addition of 25-hydroxycholesterol to primary cells inhibited KSHV infection of cells, suggesting that viral miRNAs may decrease cholesterol levels to decrease the concentration of 25-hydroxycholesterol and to promote infection. These results suggest a new virus-host relationship and indicate a previously unidentified viral strategy to lower cholesterol levels.
Resurrecting Material Persons

If a person does not have an immaterial soul, then how can she be resurrected from the dead? Confining my discussion to the Christian doctrine of the resurrection, I shall try to answer this question in terms of my constitution view, according to which human persons are constituted by bodies, but are not identical to the bodies that constitute them. The view that I will advocate can be summarized like this: “Same person, different body, no soul.”
Multi-Table Differential Correlation Analysis of Neuroanatomical and Cognitive Interactions in Turner Syndrome

Girls and women with Turner syndrome (TS) have a completely or partially missing X chromosome. Extensive studies on the impact of TS on neuroanatomy and cognition have been conducted. The integration of neuroanatomical and cognitive information into one consistent analysis through multi-table methods is difficult and most standard tests are underpowered. We propose a new two-sample testing procedure that compares associations between two tables in two groups. The procedure combines multi-table methods with permutation tests. In particular, we construct cluster size test statistics that incorporate spatial dependencies. We apply our new procedure to a newly collected dataset comprising of structural brain scans and cognitive test scores from girls with TS and healthy control participants (age and sex matched). We measure neuroanatomy with Tensor-Based Morphometry (TBM) and cognitive function with Wechsler IQ and NEuroPSYchological tests (NEPSY-II). We compare our multi-table testing procedure to a single-table analysis. Our new procedure reports differential correlations between two voxel clusters and a wide range of cognitive tests whereas the single-table analysis reports no differences. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that girls with TS have a different brain-cognition association structure than healthy controls.
The effects of infection on growth

Generalized infectious diseases have long been known to cause losses of body weight and muscle mass of magnitudes that are roughly proportional to the severity of illness. These losses of body mass are accompanied, in infant or pre-adult hosts, by a cessation of faltering of growth. Depending on the severity and duration of illness, or in instances of closely occurring infections, “catch-up” growth in the post-illness period may be lacking or inadequate. Infections accompanied by fever are characterized by a hypermetabolic state. Metabolism during infection is further influenced by an increased output of ACTH, growth hormone, adrenocorticoids, insulin, and glucagon. The greatest catabolic effects, however, are induced by Interleukin-l (IL-1), a hormone-like endogenous mediator produced by monocytes and other cells. Interleukin-l initiates fever, a catabolic breakdown of muscle protein, a broad reprograming of hepatocyte metabolism, shifts in trace element location, pancreatic secretion of insulin and glucagon, and the mobilization of neutrophiles. Interleukin-l also stimulates the immune system. While the many metabolic and physiologic effects of IL-l are presumed to aid in survival of the host, they also have important costs. Losses of body nutrients and energy stores caused by IL-l (and other hormones) result in the growth faltering seen in infection.
Chapter Eleven - Zebrafish Cilia

Zebrafish are ideally suited for analysis of genes required for ciliogenesis and cilia function. Combining genetic manipulation with high quality in vivo imaging, zebrafish embryos provide a high-throughput system for annotation of the cilia proteome. The specific advantages of the system are the availability of cilia mutants, the ability to target genes of unknown function using antisense methods, the feasibility of observing cilia in living embryos, and the ability to image fixed cilia in wholemount at high resolution. Techniques are described for analysis of mutants, gene knockdown using antisense morpholino oligos, visualizing cilia and cilia orientation in wholemount zebrafish embryos, live imaging cilia, and electron microscopy of zebrafish cilia.
When Do the Innocent Plead Guilty

The implications of a strategic model of plea bargaining are threefold. First, prosecutors induce the innocent to plead guilty when trial costs are high. Second, plea bargaining unequivocally increases wrongful convictions. Lastly, police share an important role in minimizing wrongful convictions. Law enforcement cannot rely on prosecutors to sort the guilty from the innocent.
Epitaxial growth and electrical properties of VO2 on [LaAlO3]0.3[Sr2AlTaO6]0.7 (111) substrate

The authors report the epitaxial growth and the electrical properties, especially the metal-to-insulator transition, of vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films synthesized on [LaAlO3]0.3[Sr2AlTaO6]0.7 (LSAT) (111) (LSAT) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction studies show that the epitaxial relationship between the VO2 thin films and LSAT substrate is given as VO2(020)||LSAT(111) and V O 2 [ 001 ] | | LSAT [ 11 2 ¯ ]. The authors observed a sharp 4 orders of magnitude change in the longitudinal resistance for the VO2 thin films around the transition temperature. The authors also measured distinct Raman spectra below and above the transition point indicating a concomitant structural transition between the insulator and metallic phases, in agreement with past investigations.