cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wideband co-site interference cancellation based on hybrid electrical and optical techniques

A wideband co-site co-channel interference cancellation system (ICS), based on hybrid electrical and optical techniques, is proposed and is experimentally demonstrated. The demonstrated cancellation system subtracts the in-band wideband interfering signal from the received signal, such that the weak signal of interest (SOI) can be recovered. Our system utilizes a broadband radio frequency (RF) Balun transformer to invert the phase of the interfering signal, while electro-absorption modulated lasers are used for converting the RF signals into the optical domain to enable fine adjustment with the hybrid ICS. We experimentally achieve 45 dB of cancellation over a 220 MHz bandwidth, and over 57 dB of cancellation for a 10 MHz bandwidth, at a center frequency of 900 MHz. The proposed system also experimentally shows good cancellation (30 dB) over an enormously wide bandwidth of 5.5 GHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such a wide bandwidth cancellation with good cancellation depth. This property is extremely useful when there are multiple interference signals at various frequency bands. The proposed hybrid ICS has a spurious-free dynamic range of 93.2 dBm/Hz(2/3). Moreover, a 10 Gb/s SOI is recovered from a strong interfering signal, sweeping over 3 GHz bandwidth. A widely open eye diagram, as well as error-free bit-error rate measurements, is experimentally achieved, with the use of the hybrid ICS. The approach also works well for various frequency bands that are within the bandwidth of the Balun transformer and electro-absorption modulated lasers.
The interaction of polynucleotides with metal ions, amino acids, and polyamines.

Abstract The formation of the two-stranded complex between the sodium salts of polyadenylic acid and polyuridylic acid requires the presence in solution of additional cations. It is found that the effect of magnesium ion is characteristic of a strong interaction between metal ion and polynucleotide, while the effect of sodium ion is characteristic of weak interaction. It is also found that the formation of the two-stranded structure requires neutralization of the charge on the phosphate backbone. This information makes it possible to use the extent of the poly A-poly U interaction as a measure of binding of cations to polynucleotide. The method is applied to charged amino acids and polyamines. It is shown that the amino acids are weakly bound and the polyamines strongly bound to polynucleotides.
Hemoglobin-based blood substitutes and the hazards of blood radicals

Cell-free hemoglobins, chemically altered or genetically expressed in microbial host systems, have been developed as oxygen-carrying therapeutics. Sitedirected modifications are introduced and serve to stabilize the protein molecules in a tetrameric and/or a polymeric functional form. Animal studies, as well as recent clinical studies, have suggested these proteins probably deliver oxygen to tissues. However, concerns still persist regarding the interference of hemoglobin and its oxidation products with the vascular redox balance, potentially impeding its clinical usefulness. This article reviews our current understanding of heme-mediated toxicities and some of the emerging protective strategies used to overcome hemoglobin side reactions.
Electrical characteristics of sputtering-induced defects in n-type silicon

The electrical characteristics of the sputtering induced defects have been studied using the DLTS measurements. A band of defect states located at Ec-0.3 eV to Ec-0.5 eV was found. The measured capture cross-section for majority carriers at this band is 1.3 × 10−19 cm2. The concentration profile of this band of defects decreases exponentially from the surface. This initial concentration of the defects near the surface of a sputtered platinum silicide diode is extrapolated to 7 × 1017 cm−3. The defects anneal out after 10 min of annealing time at 400 °C.
Poliovirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (3Dpol): Kinetic, Thermodynamic, and Structural Analysis of Ribonucleotide Selection†

We have performed a kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of 3Dpol derivatives containing substitutions in the ribose-binding pocket with ATP analogues containing correct and incorrect sugar configurations. We find that Asp-238, a residue in structural motif A that is conserved in all RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, is a key determinant of polymerase fidelity. Alterations in the position of the Asp-238 side chain destabilize the catalytically competent 3Dpol−primer/template−NTP complex and reduce the efficiency of phosphoryl transfer. The reduction in phosphoryl transfer may be a reflection of increased mobility of other residues in motif A that are required for stabilizing the triphosphate moiety of the nucleotide substrate in the active conformation. We present a structural model to explain how Asp-238 functions to select nucleotides with a correct sugar configuration and a correct base. We propose that this mechanism is employed by all RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. We discuss the possibility that all nucl...
Strategies to advance vaccine technologies for resource-poor settings

New vaccine platform and delivery technologies that can have significant positive impacts on the effectiveness, acceptability, and safety of immunizations in developing countries are increasingly available. Although donor support for vaccine technology development is strong, the uptake of proven technologies by the vaccine industry and demand for them by purchasers continues to lag. This article explains the challenges and opportunities associated with accelerating the availability of innovative and beneficial vaccine technologies to meet critical needs in resource-poor settings over the next decade. Progress will require increased dialog between the public and private sectors around vaccine product attributes; establishment of specifications for vaccines that mirror programmatic needs; stronger encouragement of vaccine developers to consider novel technologies early in the product development process; broader facilitation of research and access to technologies through the formation of centers of excellence; the basing of vaccine purchase decisions on immunization systems costs rather than price per dose alone; possible subsidization of early technology adoption costs for vaccine producers that take on the risks of new technologies of importance to the public sector; and the provision of data to purchasers, better enabling them to make informed decisions that take into account the value of specific product attributes.
Membrane-Bound Domain of HMG CoA Reductase Is Required for Sterol-Enhanced Degradation of the Enzyme

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase) is a single polypeptide chain with two contiguous domains: a soluble domain (548 amino acids) that catalyzes the rate-controlling step in cholesterol synthesis and a membrane-bound domain (339 amino acids) that anchors the protein to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). HMG CoA reductase is degraded at least 10-fold more rapidly than other ER proteins; degradation is accelerated in the presence of cholesterol. To understand this controlled degradation, we transfected reductase-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with a plasmid expression vector containing a reductase cDNA that lacks the segment encoding the membrane domain. The plasmid produced a truncated reductase (37 kd smaller than normal) that was enzymatically active with normal kinetics; most of the truncated enzyme was found in the cytosol. The truncated enzyme was degraded one-fifth as fast as the holoenzyme; degradation was no longer accelerated by sterols. We conclude that the membrane-bound domain of reductase plays a crucial role in the rapid and regulated degradation of this ER protein.
Mitoskelin: a mitochondrial protein found in cytoskeletal preparations

A 70 kD protein, which we have named mitoskelin, is highly enriched in cytoskeletal preparations from bovine cardiac muscle. Mitoskelin has three main variants with isoelectric points between 5.6 and 5.8. Immunoblotting with polyclonal antibodies directed against mitoskelin shows that, like intermediate filament proteins, the majority of mitoskelin resists solubilization from a myocardial homogenate by a series of extraction solutions ranging from very low salt to 0.6 M KI buffers and by 0.1-1% Nonidet P-40 detergent. By double-label immunofluorescence on cells and tissues, mitoskelin is colocalized with the mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase. Mitoskelin is associated with the inner membranes of mitochondria as shown by immunoelectron microscopy and immunoblotting. Immunological cross-reactivity and similarities of molecular weight, pI, distribution, and chromatographic properties indicate that mitoskelin is the 70 kD component of complex I (NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase), a portion of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system. No function or activity has yet been demonstrated for the 70 kD component of the 25-polypeptide complex I. Dialysis against physiological buffers allows purified, urea-solubilized mitoskelin to form 10 nm wide filamentous structures that do not closely resemble intermediate filaments. These results suggest the exciting possibility that mitochondria may contain a membrane-associated filamentous skeleton.
Neurally Mediated Syncopal Syndromes: Pathophysiological Concepts and Clinical Evaluation

The neurally mediated syncopal syndromes encompass a number of apparently related disturbances of reflex cardiovascular control characterized by transient inappropriate bradycardia and/or vasodilation of various arterial and venous beds. Certain of these syndromes (e.g., carotid sinus syndrome, postmicturition syncope) are encountered occasionally in clinical practice, whereas others are quite rare (e.g., swallow syncope). On the other hand, vasovagal syncope occurs so frequently, that as a group, the neurally mediated syncopal syndromes are among the most important causes of syncope. The pathophysiology of the neurally mediated syncopal syndromes is incompletely understood, but can be considered in terms of four basic elements: (1) the afferent limb; (2) central nervous system (CNS) processing; (3) the efferent limb; (4) feedback loops. The afferent limb consists of several peripheral and CNS trigger sites and the associated connections to medullary cardiovascular centers. CNS processing and efferent signals result in both bradycardia, which may be marked or relative, and vasodilatation. Failure of baroreceptor feedback controls to prevent hypotension is important in facilitating development of symptomatic hypotension. Head-up tilt table testing has become the diagnostic technique of choice for clinically assessing susceptibility to neurally mediated syncope, particularly of the vasovagal type. Most studies suggest that such testing discriminates relatively well between symptomatic patients and asymptomatic control subjects, of whom 10%-15% have a false-positive test results. Sensitivity of tilt table testing is more difficult to evaluate because there is no accepted diagnostic gold standard. However, sensitivity (measured against a classic presentation) has been estimated to range from 32%-85%, with most reports favoring the higher end of this range. Treatment strategies for neurally mediated syncope remain controversial. Many single episodes do not warrant treatment unless physical injury has occurred, or a high risk occupation or avocation is involved. Tilt test exposure alone may prove beneficial in educating patients with recurrent syncope to recognize warning signs of an imminent faint. Large controlled clinical studies have not been performed to test the efficacy of pharmacological therapy (e.g., beta-adrenergic blockers, disopyramide, serotonin reuptake blockers, vasoconstrictors) or pacing therapy. Such studies may be difficult to undertake due to the variable frequency of spontaneous symptoms and apparent long periods of remission. Nonetheless, many investigators and clinicians have come to rely on these agents, and on tilt testing to guide treatment decisions. Studies employing careful correlation of long-term clinical follow-up with results of early and perhaps later repeat tilt studies are still needed.
Islamic law in contemporary states

The position of Islamic law in contemporary Muslim states is thoroughly different from that which it occupied well into the nineteenth and, in some Islamic countries, well into the present century.-As a result of the rapid political, social, and economic development of the Islamic part of the world in the present generation, questions are being asked of Islamic law which have hardly ever been put to it before, and I should like to discuss in this paper some of these questions with their answers. Islamic law has always claimed absolute validity for Muslims, and however much the full import of this claim may have to be qualified in theory and has, in fact, been restricted in practice for more than a thousand years, it can be and has been rejected openly and on principle only by a secular state, such as modern Turkey.' The idea that law ought to be ruled by religion, or in other words that Islamic law, however defined and interpreted, ought to be the ideal to which the positive legislation of an Islamic state ought to aspire, has on the contrary gained the firmest possible hold on the public opinion of the Muslims, even of those most inclined towards modernism, in the Arab states of the Near East. Islamic law withholds legislative power from the ruler, the government, the state; it only allows him to make administrative regulations within the limits which it itself assigns to him and on the subjects which it itself refers to him, regulations which by definition must never come into conflict with its own enactments. Islamic rulers in the past have often given little heed to this restriction, but they have always been careful to pay lip-service to it. The qualified interpreters of Islamic law, on the other hand, have never hesitated to blame the rulers for their neglect of the sacred law, in fact, the blame of "the rulers of this world" has become a commonplace in Islamic religious writings, but some of them were also not averse to tempering their fulminations against princes who provided them with material benefits and/or manifested their religious zeal in other ways. In addition, Islamic law from its very beginnings has always had to accommodate itself, without abandoning its claim to absolute validity, with practice, a practice based in part on the enactments of the rulers, and in part on custom pure and simple. This led to a precarious balance, an uneasy
Evaluation of the pulmonary vasculature and dynamics with intravascular ultrasound imaging in children and infants

The ability to assess the pulmonary vasculature in pulmonary vascular disease by hemodynamic or histologic evaluation is limited. We sought to determine the feasibility of intravascular ultrasound techniques in infants and children and to assess simultaneously the morphology and dynamics of pulmonary arteries. Patients were seen in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. We performed intravascular ultrasound imaging in 11 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac catheterization. Luminal diameter, area, and pulsatility were determined at two to five sites in the pulmonary branches. Pulmonary vascular reaction to 100% oxygen inhalation was studied. Patients weighed 4.1-51.0 kg (21.8 + 16.3 kg, mean + SD). Luminal diameters, areas, and pulsatilities could be determined reproducibly in arteries with diameters from 1.6 to 9.3 mm. In total 39 sites were studied in 11 patients. Pulsatility was related to vessel size (r = 0.81), although a substantial interindividual variation was present. After 100% oxygen inhalation, pulsatility increased in all arteries (from 20.0 2 3.3% to 25.9 + 2.9%,p < 0.05), and vasodilatation could be directly visualized, most prominently in the smallest arteries (percentage change in diameter, mean 7.4 + 2.8% versus -2.8 2 3.1% in the largest arteries, p < 0.001). Measurement of wall thickness was not feasible, but specific changes in the appearance of the wall structure could be recognized in a patient with severely elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. The specific advantages of intravascular ultrasound in assessing pulmonary vascular disease are discussed. We conclude that intravascular ultrasound imaging of the pulmonary vasculature is feasible in infants and children and provides a unique opportunity to assess directly pulmonary dynamics in vivo. Therefore, it may be a valuable tool in evaluating the pulmonary vasculature and its responses to normal and pathologic conditions. (Pediatr Res 38:
Nine-Year Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors with Weight Maintenance in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Cohort

Many types of weight loss programs have shown some success in reducing body weight in the short term but little success in maintaining weight loss in the long term. In recognition of the importance of weight maintenance, investigators are now developing and testing interventions designed specifically to promote weight maintenance (1–4). Weight maintenance is important, not just for individuals who have lost weight, but also for adults in general. On average, Americans gain weight throughout early and middle adulthood, and this trend may continue through the sixth or seventh decade (5–10). It is reasonable to hypothesize that maintenance of an obese weight might be associated with less favorable changes in risk factors than maintenance of a leaner weight. The presence of excessive amounts of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue could drive deleterious changes in risk. On the other hand, changes in risk factors with weight maintenance could be more favorable in obese individuals if their risk factors had reached a threshold level beyond which further increases over time were attenuated. Either way, the effects of weight maintenance could differ depending on baseline weight status. We know of only one study that has examined the influence of baseline weight on changes in risk factors among individuals who have maintained their weight (11). That study, conducted in young adults, did not examine changes with and without medications. Risk factor levels are less favorable in obese than in normal weight individuals, and obese adults are more likely to be taking medications designed to control or lower risk factors. This could complicate comparisons among weight status groups. In addition, types and usage of medications change over time, and responses to medications could be associated with body weight. The primary objective of this study was to describe changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors in individuals who maintained their weight over a 9-year interval. We also examined whether changes in risk factors differed by baseline weight status (normal weight, overweight, or obese) in individuals who maintained their weight. We focused separately on individuals who did not use medications in order to estimate changes that were unaffected by pharmaceutical interventions and also compared patterns in risk factor changes with medications. The cardiovascular disease risk factors examined were fasting glucose; triglycerides; total, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Recursive predictor design for linear systems with time delay

This paper presents a recursive control design method for multi-input, block-feedforward linear systems with delays in the input and in the interconnections between the state blocks. The controller is of predictor type, which means that it contains finite integrals over past state values. This design method is a generalization of the well known model reduction approach for systems with input delay. A recursive procedure replaces delay terms with non-delay ones step-by-step from the top of the cascade structure down. Controller gains are computed for the proxy system without delays, while the construction guarantees the same closed loop poles for the delay system and the proxy one.
A Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD52 Allele Expressing a C-Terminal Truncation Protein: Activities and Intragenic Complementation of Missense Mutations

A nonsense allele of the yeast RAD52 gene, rad52-327, which expresses the N-terminal 65% of the protein was compared to two missense alleles, rad52-1 and rad52-2, and to a deletion allele. While the rad52-1 and the deletion mutants have severe defects in DNA repair, recombination and sporulation, the rad52-327 and rad52-2 mutants retain either partial or complete capabilities in repair and recombination. These two mutants behave similarly in most tests of repair and recombination during mitotic growth. One difference between these two alleles is that a homozygous rad52-2 diploid fails to sporulate, whereas the homozygous rad52-327 diploid sporulates weakly. The low level of sporulation by the rad52-327 diploid is accompanied by a low percentage of spore viability. Among these viable spores the frequency of crossing over for markers along chromosome VII is the same as that found in wild-type spores. rad52-327 complements rad52-2 for repair and sporulation. Weaker intragenic complementation occurs between rad52-327 and rad52-1.
Eyelashes divert airflow to protect the eye

Eyelashes are ubiquitous, although their function has long remained a mystery. In this study, we elucidate the aerodynamic benefits of eyelashes. Through anatomical measurements, we find that 22 species of mammals possess eyelashes of a length one-third the eye width. Wind tunnel experiments confirm that this optimal eyelash length reduces both deposition of airborne particles and evaporation of the tear film by a factor of two. Using scaling theory, we find this optimum arises because of the incoming flow's interactions with both the eye and eyelashes. Short eyelashes create a stagnation zone above the ocular surface that thickens the boundary layer, causing shear stress to decrease with increasing eyelash length. Long eyelashes channel flow towards the ocular surface, causing shear stress to increase with increasing eyelash length. These competing effects result in a minimum shear stress for intermediate eyelash lengths. This design may be employed in creating eyelash-inspired protection for optical sensors.
Differential mechanisms of inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by S-nitrosothiols and NO in cellular and cell-free conditions

S-nitrosothiols are nitric oxide (NO)-derived molecules found in biological systems. They have been variously discussed as both NO reservoirs and as major actors in NO-dependent, but cGMP-independent, signal transduction. Although S-nitrosation of specific cysteine residues has been suggested to represent a novel redox-based signaling mechanism, the exact mechanisms of S-nitrosothiol formation under (patho)physiological conditions and the determinants of signaling specificity have not yet been established. Here we examined the sensitivity of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) to inhibition by S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) and NO both intracellularly and in isolation. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and purified GAPDH preparations were treated with CysNO or NO, and enzymatic activity was monitored. Intracellular GAPDH was irreversibly inhibited upon CysNO administration, whereas treatment with NO resulted in a DTT-reversible inhibition of the enzyme. Purified GAPDH was inhibited by both CysNO and NO, but the inhibition pattern was diametrically opposite to that observed in the cells; CysNO-dependent inhibition was reversed with DTT, whereas NO-dependent inhibition was not. In the presence of GSH, NO inhibited purified GAPDH in a DTT-reversible way. Our data suggest that in response to CysNO treatment, cellular GAPDH undergoes S-nitrosation, which results in an irreversible inhibition of the enzyme under turnover conditions. In contrast, NO inhibits the enzyme via oxidative mechanisms that do not involve S-nitrosation and are reversible. In summary, our data show that GAPDH is a target for CysNO- and NO-dependent inhibition; however, these two agents inhibit the enzyme via different mechanisms both inside the cell and in isolation. Additionally, the differences observed between the cellular system and purified protein strongly imply that the intracellular environment dictates the mechanism of inhibition.
Civilian Response Corps Force Review: The Application of Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis to Prioritize Skills Required for Future Diplomatic Missions

Created by the State Department’ sO ffice of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, the Civilian Response Corps (CRC) contains a diverse pool of qualified and ready-to-deploy civilian professionals that support conflict prevention and response efforts in countries or regions that are at risk of, are currently in, or are transitioning from conflict or civil strife. As such, it is vital to optimize the CRC’s skill groupings to maximize adaptability and responsiveness to highly uncertain and trying political conditions and crises across the globe. The nature of the CRC value proposition is such that determining which skill set compositions deliver the greatest benefit requires a multi-faceted perspective that looks at a number of attributes and factors, both tangible and intangible. To meet these needs, an organizational decision-making approach utilizing multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was applied to ensure that skill-grouping allocations were determined in a logical and robust manner. The MCDA analysis allowed for a wide range of worldviews and perspectives, drawn from select members of academia and partner agencies of the CRC who provided their expert opinions on the expected demand for skill groupings commonly identified as most necessary in a civilian ‘surge’ capacity. These skills were assessed with reference to a values hierarchy of representative country scenarios, missions and sub-missions identified by the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization. Of particular interest was the use of the MCDA method to prioritize CRC skill groupings and to help inform the Department of State’s understanding of the ‘ideal’ proportion and types of civilian skills for inclusion in the CRC. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cilia-Associated Respiratory Bacillus Infection and Pneumonia in a Pig

Capillaria aerophila, which is found commonly in the respiratory tract of many carnivores,1 has not been reported in raccoons. Capillaria sp. have frequently been described in epithelia of the alimentary tract of raccoons.6,9,10 A recent histopathological survey of Capillaria sp. in alimentary and urinary epithelia of raccoons has revealed a variable prevalence, from a low of 24% in South Carolina to a high of 71% in parts of Pennsylvania.6 The life cycle of Capillaria in raccoons is unknown; therefore, it is difficult to explain this geographic difference. The authors of the survey did not examine the animals’ anal sacs. It appears that capillariasis of raccoons’ anal sacs is common in Oregon, and the sacs get impacted only in isolated cases. This finding may also be true for raccoons in other parts of North America. Further investigations are required to elucidate the extent of infection by Capillaria sp. in the anal sacs of raccoons and to positively identify the species of the nematode. Acknowledgements. I thank Michael Schadt and Sarah Miller for their technical assistance. This project was funded by the Dean’s Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Trust, Perceived Importance of Praise and Criticism, and Work Performance: An Examination of Feedback in the United States and England

This article describes two studies which examined the usefulness of performance feedback in shaping American and English workers' behaviors. In thefirst study, an in-basket task was used to assess the importance of praise or criticism concerning work performance for 36 American and 36 English workers from a traditional, heavy-manufacturing industry in the United States and England. A second study was conducted (n = 86 for the U.S., n = 74 for England) to examine the relations among a worker's trust in a supervisor, perceived importance of praise and criticism, a worker's perceived amount of praise and criticism received, and performance. Results suggest that American and English workers valued and responded to praise and criticism differently, and that the influence of the feedback was partially mediated by a worker's trust in thefeedback source and perceived importance of the feedback.
Effects of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) at Age 8 Years: Preliminary Data

The current study reports the effects of NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) at 8 years of age for a randomized controlled trial of 38 very early born (< or =29 weeks postmenstrual age), high-risk preterm infants. It was hypothesized that the experimental group at school age in comparison with the control group would perform significantly better neuropsychologically and neuroelectrophysiologically. Twenty-two (11 control, 11 experimental) children of the original 38 (18 control, 20 experimental) participants were studied at school age with a detailed neuropsychological battery and with EEG spectral coherence measures. Results indicated significantly better right hemisphere and frontal lobe function in the experimental group than the control group, both neuropsychologically and neurophysiologically. Neurobehavioral and physiological results in the newborn period successfully predicted the beneficial brain function effects at age 8 years. Results support the conclusion that the NIDCAP intervention has lasting effects into school age.
A cross-referencing-based droplet manipulation method for high-throughput and pin-constrained digital microfluidic arrays

Digital microfluidic biochips are revolutionizing high-throughput DNA sequencing, immunoassays, and clinical diagnostics. As high-throughput bioassays are mapped to digital microfluidic platforms, the need for design automation techniques for pin-constrained biochips is being increasingly felt. However, most prior work on biochips CAD has assumed independent control of the underlying electrodes using a large number of (electrical) input pins. The authors propose a droplet manipulation method based on a "cross-referencing" addressing method that uses "row" and "columns" to access electrodes. By mapping the droplet movement problem to the clique partitioning problem from graph theory, the proposed method allows simultaneous movement of a large number of droplets on a microfluidic array. This in turn facilitates high-throughput applications on a pin-constrained biochip. The authors use random synthetic benchmarks and a set of multiplexed bioassays to evaluate the proposed method
Antidiabetic Medications and Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, is a serious concern for providers who care for older adults, as polypharmacy is associated with medication nonadherence, drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, and adverse drug events. Multiple medications, high chronic disease burden, and age-related physiologic changes make management of older adults with diabetes increasingly difficult. Given high medication burden and potential for increased medication sensitivity in this patient population, it is prudent that providers are aware of potential risks and benefits of antidiabetic medications and implement shared decision-making practices to ensure appropriate care for older adults with diabetes.
Inhibition of Prostaglandin Synthesis and Effects of Ethanol and Pentobarbital in Humans

Results from animal research suggest that pretreatment with prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (PGSIs) may inhibit physiological and behavioral effects of moderate ethanol ingestion. We examined the effects of ethanol and pentobarbital in humans with and without pretreatment with indomethacin, a potent PGSI. Ten male subjects with histories of recreational use of ethanol and sedative/hypnotics participated in this inpatient study. The effects of indomethacin alone (0.66 mg/kg), indomethacin (0, 0.17, 0.33, 0.66 and 1.33 mg/kg) in combination with ethanol (0 and 1 g/kg) and indomethacin (0 and 0.66 mg/kg) in combination with pentobarbital (0, 1.33 and 4 mg/kg) were tested. On test days, subjects swallowed capsules containing indomethacin or placebo. One hour later, they swallowed capsules that contained pentobarbital or placebo and a large drink (500 ml) of tonic water that contained ethanol or placebo (tonic water with 2 ml of ethanol floated on top). Both ethanol and pentobarbital affected subjective ratings, performance measures and heart rate. However, indomethacin pretreatment had no influence on drug-induced changes to ethanol and pentobarbital. The results of this study illustrate the relationship between depressant drugs and human performance, but they do not support the hypothesis that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis diminishes the effects of ethanol and pentobarbital in humans.
Does teachers' confidence with CALL equal innovative and integrated use?

This paper examines the relationship between confidence and CALL – specifically the use of audio and video technology among language teachers. Through logged usage of CALL, the authors tracked seven teachers at two large universities in the United States over a term. These teachers were also interviewed periodically in order to gain insight into their confidence with and use of CALL. Upon data analysis, the authors identified the teachers as less confident, contextually confident and highly confident. Highly confident teachers used technology less often with less integration than the contextually confident teachers. Less confident teachers integrated CALL only in prescribed ways. The authors conclude that CALL teacher preparation may benefit from a focus on developing contextualized confidence within certain teaching domains or types of technology rather than expecting teachers to develop a high level of confidence with technology across domains.
Dolerite Dikes of the New Jersey Highlands: Probable Comagmatic Relation with the Mesozoic Palisades Sill and Dolerite Dikes of Eastern United States

Five dolerite dikes emplaced in the Precambrian New Jersey Highlands show little variation in major-element content either within or between them. Based on normative mineralogy, four dikes are quartz tholeiite and one is an olivine tholeiite. Although the Highlands dikes are higher in TiO 2 content than has previously been reported for dolerite dikes of eastern United States, the dikes conform to chemical variation trends established for the Palisades Sill and are approximately equivalent in composition to titanium-rich Palisades Sill dolerite which formed when approximately 60 percent of the Palisades magma had solidified. This finding is interpreted to indicate that both the Highlands dikes and Palisades Sill magmas were fractionation products of a more mafic parent magma. Separation of the Palisades Sill magma occurred at an earlier stage in the differentiation process of the parent magma than did the dike magma. Other dolerite dikes of eastern United States with compositions similar to Palisades dolerite were probably also derived from a similar parent magma.
Perclene-based routes to HFC-134a (CF3CH2F): an environmentally friendly replacement for CFC-12

Abstract The reaction of tetrachloroethylene with HF and Cl 2 or HF to either CFC-114a (CF 3 CFCl 2 ) or HCFC-124 (CF 3 CFHCl) represent potential intermediates to HFC-134a, a key replacement for CFC-12 in refrigeration and air-conditioning applications: The initial reaction of perclene with HF over Cr 2 O 3 and AlF 3 -based heterogeneous catalysts to a mixture of HCFC-123 and HCFC-124 has been studied. The selectivity is highly dependent on the method of catalyst preparation. Mechanistic aspects of the perclene hydrofluorination chemistry will be discussed. Conversion of the HCFC- 124 with hydrogen to HFC-134a proceeds smoothly over a variety of catalysts in high selectivity.
Reliability analysis and design considering disjointed active failure regions

Failure of practical engineering systems could be induced by several correlated failure modes, and consequently reliability analysis are conducted with multiple disjointed failure regions in the system random input space. Problems with disjointed failure regions create a great challenge for existing reliability analysis approaches due to the discontinuity of the system performance function between these regions. This paper presents a new enhanced Monte Carlo simulation (EMCS) approach for reliability analysis and design considering disjointed failure regions. The ordinary Kriging method is adopted to construct surrogate model for the performance function so that Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) can be used to estimate the reliability. A maximum failure potential based sampling scheme is developed to iteratively search failure samples and update the Kriging model. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Activity Retention after Nisin Entrapment in a Polyethylene Oxide Brush Layer

The cationic, amphiphilic peptide nisin is an effective inhibitor of gram-positive bacteria whose mode of action does not encourage pathogenic resistance, and its proper incorporation into food packaging could enhance food stability, safety, and quality in a number of circumstances. Sufficiently small peptides have been shown to integrate into otherwise nonfouling polyethylene oxide (PEO) brush layers in accordance with their amphiphilicity and ordered structure, including nisin, and we have recently shown that nisin entrapment within a PEO layer does not compromise the nonfouling character of that layer. In this work we test the hypothesis that surface-bound, pendant PEO chains will inhibit displacement of entrapped nisin by competing proteins and, in this way, prolong retention of nisin activity at the interface. For this purpose, the antimicrobial activity of nisinloaded, PEO-coated surfaces was evaluated against the gram-positive indicator strain, Pediococcus pentosaceous. The retained antimicrobial activity of nisin layers was evaluated on uncoated and PEO-coated surfaces after incubation in the presence of bovine serum albumin for contact periods up to 1 week. Nisin-loaded, uncoated and PEO-coated samples were withdrawn at selected times and were incubated on plates inoculated with P. pentosaceous to quantify nisin activity by determination of kill zone radii. Our results indicate that nisin activity is retained at a higher level for a longer period of time after entrapment within PEO than after direct adsorption in the absence of PEO, owing to inhibition of nisin exchange with dissolved protein afforded by the pendant PEO chains.
Studies on hyphomycetes from the Pacific North-west-IV

A new species ofBisporaCorda. (i.e.)B. herbicola with 1–3 septate conidia having truncate ends produced on long conidiophores and growing saprophytically on unidentified herbaceous stems, has been described.Chalara cylindrosperma (Corda)Hughes is also reported. These fungi have been collected and described first time from the Pacific North-west.
Hapticity-Dependent Charge Transport through Carbodithioate- Terminated (5,15-Bis(phenylethynyl)porphinato)zinc(II) Complexes in Metal−Molecule−Metal Junctions

Single molecule break junction experiments and nonequilibrium Green's function calculations using density functional theory (NEGF-DFT) of carbodithioate- and thiol-terminated [5,15-bis(phenylethynyl)-10,20-diarylporphinato]zinc(II) complexes reveal the impact of the electrode-linker coordination mode on charge transport at the single-molecule level. Replacement of thiolate (-S(-)) by the carbodithioate (-CS2(-)) anchoring motif leads to an order of magnitude increase of single molecule conductance. In contrast to thiolate-terminated structures, metal-molecule-metal junctions that exploit the carbodithioate linker manifest three distinct conductance values. We hypothesize that the magnitudes of these conductances depend upon carbodithoate linker hapticity with measured conductances across Au-[5,15-bis(4'-(dithiocarboxylate)phenylethynyl)-10,20-diarylporphinato]zinc(II)-Au junctions the greatest when both anchoring groups attach to the metal surface in a bidentate fashion. We support this hypothesis with NEGF-DFT calculations, which consider the electron transport properties for specific binding geometries. These results provide new insights into the origin of molecule-to-molecule conductance heterogeneity in molecular charge transport measurements and the factors that optimize electrode-molecule-electrode electronic coupling and maximize the conductance for charge transport.
FEMALE CHOICE AND SEXUAL SELECTION OF MALE WING MELANIN PATTERN IN PIERIS OCCIDENTALIS (LEPIDOPTERA).

Using field experiments, I examined the role of 13 melanin-pattern elements in mate choice by female Pieris occidentalis butterflies. Males that mated successfully differed significantly from unsuccessful males in the extent of marginal forewing melanization but not on the basis of the entire forewing pattern. Deletion of the marginal forewing melanin characters significantly reduced the mating success of manipulated males relative to controls under field conditions. Female choice in P. occidentalis may act to maximize divergence of male color pattern from that of its close relative Pieris protodice. Sexual selection for increased melanization of the marginal dorsal forewing is generated by the strong preference of females for males with such wings and may be constrained by correlations between forewing melanin characters that have different functional roles.
Porous CdTe nanocrystal assemblies: ligation effects on the gelation process and the properties of resultant aerogels.

Highly porous CdTe nanoarchitectures (aerogels) were prepared by sol–gel assembly of discrete nanocrystals followed by supercritical CO2 drying. CdTe nanocrystal surface functionalization (either phosphine oxide or thiolate) is found to be immaterial to oxidation induced gel formation suggesting that the standard thiolate capping procedure is not a necessary step in the gelation process. On the basis of this observation, and reduction induced dispersion of the gel network, the exposure of reactive sites and the subsequent surface oxidation reaction to form polychalcogenide linkages are key steps in the gelation mechanism. Consequently, CdTe aerogels exhibit similar physicochemical properties, regardless of original ligating functionality. The aerogels are mesoporous, with surface area >100 m2/g, and exhibit an optical bandgap of 1.92 eV, consistent with quantum confinement within the 3-D linked network. Photoluminescence is suppressed in the aerogels, but can be partially recovered upon heating.
Downstream Comovement: Evidence from S&P 500 Index-Addition Announcements

I examine comovement in the returns of firms added to the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index and their downstream customers. I find that a firm’s announcement of inclusion into the S&P 500 is associated with lower value for its downstream customers. On average, when S&P announces the inclusion of a firm into the 500 Index, its customers experience cumulative abnormal returns of -0.8%. This result suggests that S&P 500 inclusion announcements contain information about the downstream customers of firms added to the Index. In addition, further results may suggest information leakage prior to inclusion announcements.
Investigation of environmental radiation level and residents' exposure dose in Huangshan

Objective To estimate the environmental radiation levels and exposure dose of residents in Huangshan,and provide background information for radiation protection and economic construction.Methods Type FD-71 scintillation radiometer was used to measure γ radiation dose rate indoor,outdoor and over road.The low-background scintillation detector of radon was used to measure the radon concentration.226 Ra,232Th and 40K contents in building materials were measured using γ-ray spectra analysis method.Results The mean γ radiation dose rates indoor,outdoor and over road were 12.2×10-8Gy·h-1,8.5×10-8Gy·h-1,8.6×10-8Gy·h-1,respectively.Compared to outdoor earth γ radiation level,indoor level was higher,with an average ratio of 1.45:1.There was no significant difference between earth γ radiation level over road and outdoor.Indoor and outdoor cosmic radiation dose rates were 2.7×10-8Gy·h-1 and 3.0×10-8Gy·h-1respectively.The mean indoor and outdoor radon concentrations were 27.3 Bq·m-3 and 13.2 Bq·m-3 respectively.The internal and external exposure indices in building materials except for carbide brick and some sampling,were all lower than the national standards.Conclusion The average annual effective dose equivalent(per capita) of external environmental radiation was 0.92 mSv,which was falling into a range normal background levels.The average annual effective dose equivalent(per capita) of indoor and outdoor radon concentration was 1.88 mSv.The radionuclide contents in the traditional building materials was similar to ones of world typical building materials.The values of some other building materials were higher than the world typical building materials',which should be paid more attention to.
Moral foundations and obsessive-compulsive symptoms: A preliminary examination

Abstract Research suggests a link between morality and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. However, morality is best conceptualized as a multidimensional construct and it remains unclear which moral domains are most relevant to these symptoms. In this two-part study, we examined which moral domains represented in moral foundations theory (harm/care, fairness/reciprocity, ingroup/loyalty, authority/respect, and purity/sanctity) clustered strongest with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. In Study 1, a sample of 577 American adults completed self-report measures of the moral foundations and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Study 1 results found that purity/sanctity shared the most robust association with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Study 2 extended Study 1 results by examining associations between the moral foundations and in vivo reactions to an intrusive thought following a thought-induction task among a sample of 177 undergraduate students who endorsed belief in God or a higher power. Study 2 results found that purity/sanctity shared the most robust association with a desire to neutralize following the thought-induction task. The present results indicate that purity/sanctity is the moral domain most relevant to obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Clinical implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.