cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Giant Phospholipid/Block Copolymer Hybrid Vesicles: Mixing Behavior and Domain Formation

Lipids and block copolymers can be individually assembled into unsupported, spherical membranes (liposomes or polymersomes), each having their own particular benefits and limitations. Here we demonstrate the preparation of microscale, hybrid "lipopolymersomes" composed of the common lipid POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine) and the commercially available copolymer PBd-b-PEO (polybutadiene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)) with the goal of incorporating the advantageous qualities of the unitary systems into mixed-membrane capsules. We investigate the lipopolymersomes using confocal fluorescence microscopy and demonstrate that these hybrid membranes are well mixed on nanoscopic length scales within the permittable compositional windows for hybrid vesicle formation. We measure the intramembrane dynamics and mechanical properties of these hybrid membranes by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and micropipet aspiration, respectively. For the first time, we demonstrate the demixing of lipid-rich and polymer-rich membrane domains within the same vesicle membrane. This is achieved by the biotinylation of one of the constituent species and cross linking with the protein NeutrAvidin. The resultant domain patterning is dependent upon which component carries the biotin functionality: cross linking of the copolymer species results in domains that ripen into a single, large, copolymer-rich island, and cross linking of the lipids yields many small, "spot-like", lipid-rich domains within a copolymer-rich matrix. We discuss these morphological differences in terms of the fluidity and mechanical properties of the membrane phases and the possible resultant interdomain interactions within the membrane. These heterogeneous hybrid lipopolymersomes could find applications in fields such as targeted delivery, controlled release, and environmental detection assays where these capsules possess the characteristics of biocompatible lipid membranes combined with enhanced mechanical strength and stability from the copolymer matrix.
A class of finitely generated groups with irrational translation numbers

In this paper we describe a class of examples of groups having word metrics with irrational translation numbers, namely groups of the form ℤ n ×φ, n ≥3 where $ {\mit\phi} \in {\rm \ GL} (n,{\Bbb Z}) $ is irreducible and has precisely two eigenvalues of unit modulus. These translation numbers can be computed explicitly. In addition, we prove that if the group G is of the form G=ℤ n ×γ where $ {\mit\gamma} \in {\rm \ GL} (n,{\Bbb Z}) $ , n ≥2 is irreducible and has an eigenvalue of unit modulus then G has a (indiscrete) cocompact faithful action by translations on $ {\Bbb R}^3 $ .
Dexel-based force-torque rendering and volume updating for 5-DOF haptic product prototyping and virtual sculpting

This paper presents new techniques of Dexel-based force-torque rendering and volume-updating for haptic virtual sculpting of complex surfaces with a developed 5-DOF (degree of freedom) haptic interface. In the proposed methodology, 5-axis tool motion and analytical tool swept volume are formulated for updating the virtual stock material, which is represented with the Dexel volume model. Based on the tool motion analysis, a Dexel-based collision detection method and a force-torque feedback algorithm are proposed for virtual sculpting. A lab-built 5-DOF force-torque output haptic interface system is developed for the proposed haptic sculpting system. With the proposed methodology, a user can virtually sculpt a volume stock to get an intuitive design by using the haptic interface. From the haptic sculpting system, both the corresponding tool motion of the creative process and the sculpted model can be recorded and output. The output STL models of the haptic sculpting system can be processed for machining planning. Based on the proposed techniques, hardware and software implementation of the haptic sculpting system as well as the illustrative examples are also presented in this paper.
Evaluation of EHD Film Thickness for Cryogenic Fluids

Some aerospace rocket engine applications require that bearings operate at high speeds with cryogenic rocket fuel as the only liquid lubricant. Analyses and field data on these bearings indicate that life would be limited to a few minutes if they operated unlubricated. The extent to which cryogenic fluids are capable of generating elastohydrodynamic films is, therefore, an area of concern and is investigated in this paper. Results from experimental and analytical work at the authors' laboratories indicate sufficient films are not generated to lubricate the bearing reliably. This conclusion is supported by experimental data and analysis which show liquid nitrogen, the cryogenic fluid tested, to be isoviscous.
Institutional Instability and the Credibility of Audience Costs: Political Participation and Interstate Crisis Bargaining, 1816-1992*

While considerable empirical evidence shows democratic dyads to be less prone to violence than other types of regime pairs, disagreement still exists on the causal factors inhibiting conflict among democratic states. Some scholars have concluded that increased attention needs to be given to identifying specific characteristics of democratic states that might mitigate or incite coercive foreign policy actions. This article begins to pull apart the Polity IIId regime index by assessing the role of political participation in crisis bargaining. If the ability of opposition groups to challenge government policies enables state leaders to communicate credibly their intentions and thus avoid conflict, increased attention needs to be given to the permanence of such structural features of the domestic political environment. What may facilitate efficient signaling is not only competitive political participation, but also the enduring nature of such participation. Regimes that oscillate between severe restrictions on political participation and regulated competition engage in more escalatory behavior because they fail to signal their preferences effectively. The results indicate that while democracy has little effect on MID reciprocation, factionalism among domestic political groups tends to be strongly associated with such a dispute response. Contiguity, military balance, and years at peace also appear to influence dispute reciprocation.
Studies on the application of a newly synthesized polymer for trypsin purification

A water soluble ligand bound polymer has been synthesized for the purpose of purification and stabilization of trypsin, an easily autodigestible enzyme. The affinity polymer was formed by copolymerizing N-acryloyl-m-aminobenzamidine and acrylamide in the absence of oxygen. The binding efficiency of trypsin to this polymer was dependent upon the ratio of acrylamide to the monomer N-acryloyl-m-aminobenzamidine used in the polymer synthesis. The amount of acrylamide present in the polymer solution also greatly affected the trypsin binding efficiency. The total binding capacity of trypsin molecules to ligand molecules approached the theoretical value of 120 : 1 which was considerably higher than that of insoluble gel matrices. Bound trypsin could be easily eluted by the trypsin inhibitor arginine in comparison to acid, salt and benzamidine. At low temperatures, the polymer solution was very stable and retained its high capacity for trypsin binding over a long period of time. The polymer could also be reused with trypsin binding close to 90% for three consecutive runs. This study provides a sufficient background for the development of a continuous and one-step process for trypsin purification.
Bis-spirolabdane diterpenoids from Leonotis nepetaefolia

Ten new bis-spirolabdane diterpenoids, leonepetaefolins A-E (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) and 15-epi-leonepetaefolins A-E (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), together with eight known labdane diterpenoids (11-18) as well as two known flavonoids, apigenin and cirsiliol, were isolated from the leaves of Leonotis nepetaefolia. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments including (1)H, (13)C, DEPT, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY. The absolute configuration of an epimeric mixture of 1 and 2 was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The compounds isolated were evaluated for their binding propensity in several CNS G-protein-coupled receptor assays in vitro.
Role of hydrogen in SiH 2 adsorption on Si(100)

When disilane (Si{sub 2}H{sub 6}) is used in the homoepitaxial growth of Si by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the fragment SiH{sub 2} is believed to be the basic unit adsorbed on the surface. The bonding site of SiH{sub 2} on Si(100) has been proposed in the literature to be either on top of a dimer (the on-dimer site) or between two dimers in the same row (the intrarow site). Since the pathway of SiH{sub 2} combination is dependent on the adsorption site, a first-principles calculation will shed light on the underlying process. We have performed self-consistent pseudopotential density-functional calculations within the local-density approximation. On the bare Si(100) surface, the on-dimer site is found to be more stable than the intrarow site, even though the former has unfavorable Si-Si bond angles. This is ascribed to the extra dangling bond created in the latter geometry when the weak dimer {pi} bonds are broken. However, the presence of hydrogen adatoms eliminates this difference and makes the intrarow site more favorable than the on-dimer site. It is therefore revealed in this theoretical study that hydrogen, an impurity unavoidable in the CVD process, plays an important role in determining the stable configuration of adsorbed SiH{submore » 2} on Si(100) and hence affects the growth mechanism. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Mobility performance with a pixelized vision system.

Abstract A visual prosthesis, based on electrical stimulation of the visual cortex, has been suggested as a means for partially restoring functional vision in the blind. The prosthesis would create a pixelized visual sense consisting of punctate spots of light (phosphenes). The present study investigated the feasibility of achieving visually-guided mobility with such a visual sense. Psychophysical experiments were conducted on normally sighted human subjects, who were required to walk through a maze which included a series of obstacles, while their visual input was restricted to information from a pixelized vision simulator. Walking speed and number of body contacts with obstacles and walls were measured as a function of pixel number, pixel spacing, object minification, and field of view. The results indicate that a 25 × 25 array of pixels distributed within the foveal visual area could provide useful visually guided mobility in environments not requiring a high degree of pattern recognition.
Induction of tyrosine aminotransferase by pyridoxine in Drosophila hydei.

Salivary glands incubated in various concentrations of pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) show increasing tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity at concentrations up to 10−5 M and then decreasing activity up to 10−2 M but in all cases the activity is greater than that of the controls. This increase in activity is demonstrable for up to 6 h, the longest period tested, and is dependent on the synthesis of new mRNA. A similar increase in TAT activity is observed in salivary glands subjected to heat shock. Antibodies prepared against purified tyrosine aminotransferase precipitate a peptide of the same molecular weight (40 KD) as that induced by pyridoxine.
Far-infrared observations of a star-forming region in the Corona Australis dark cloud

A high-resolution far-IR (40-250-micron) survey of a 0.9-sq-deg section of the core region of the Corona Australis dark cloud (containing very young stellar objects such as T Tauri stars, Herbig Ae and Be stars, Herbig-Haro objects, and compact H II regions) is presented. Two extended far-IR sources were found, one associated with the Herbig emission-line star R CrA and the other with the irregular emission-line variable star TY CrA. The two sources have substantially more far-IR radiation than could be expected from a blackbody extrapolation of their near-IR fluxes. The total luminosities of these sources are 145 and 58 solar luminosity, respectively, implying that the embedded objects are of intermediate or low mass. The infrared observations of the sources associated with R CrA and TY CrA are consistent with models of the evolution of protostellar envelopes of intermediate mass. However, the TY CrA source appears to have passed the evolutionary stage of expelling most of the hot dust near the central source, yielding an age of about 1 Myr.
Efficient stockpiling and shipping policies for humanitarian relief: UNHCR's inventory challenge

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) establishes and maintains refugee camps to meet the needs of 34.5 million people affected by disaster or war worldwide. Like other international humanitarian organizations, UNHCR maintains central stockpiles which supply these refugee operations. Management at UNHCR seeks to improve the timeliness and quality of its disaster response subject to its budget constraints. We develop an inventory model to analyze the interaction between a stockpile and a downstream refugee camp or relief operation. We consider two inventory decisions: first, how to partition a fixed budget between stockpiling and shipping costs in order to best meet the needs of beneficiaries; and second, given the shipping budget determined by the budget partition, how to ship relief items from the stockpile to a downstream relief operation in an efficient manner. We solve for the shipment policy using dynamic programming, then determine the optimal stockpile size given knowledge of the optimal shipment policy. The optimization balances a key tradeoff: a larger stockpile is costly to procure and maintain, but enhances a humanitarian organization's ability to respond to relief operation demands. We provide insights into shipment strategies and stockpile size. We also develop a spreadsheet model to help humanitarian organizations in their operational decision-making, leading to improved response to beneficiaries. Humanitarian organizations must use their financial resources wisely to carry out their mandates, and models of this type can help them make the best use of their limited response resources.
Cyclic voltammetric and scanning electrochemical microscopic study of menadione permeability through a self-assembled monolayer on a gold electrode

Menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) reduction and menadiol oxidation at octadecanethiol (C18SH) monolayer modified gold electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The modified electrode acts as a better barrier toward the ferrocyanide transport than toward the menadione species. This difference is attributed to permeation of the organic substrates into the hydrophobic monolayer. A simple model is proposed and applied to extract the rate constant of the kinetically limiting permeation step from the cyclic voltammograms. However, a better estimate of the transport properties is obtained by SECM. The same trends are observed with CV and SECM, and a similar pH dependence shows the loss of an intermediate formed during menadione reduction from the monolayer with increasing pH. This loss can probably be assigned to the rapid expulsion of the more hydrophilic reduced species from the monolayer.
Persistent organic pollutants in two dolphin species with focus on toxaphene and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Assessing trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine mammals is difficult due to age, gender, and metabolism influences on accumulation. To help elucidate these effects in dolphins, POP concentrations were determined in the Atlantic white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus acutus, a pelagic delphinid inhabiting North Atlantic waters, and in the rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis, a pelagic delphinid inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters. The specific objectives of this study were to determine baseline POP concentrations in L. acutus and S. bredanensis blubber samples and to examine the effects of age, gender, and metabolism on POP concentrations in dolphin blubber. Focus was aimed at contaminants of emerging concern, specifically, toxaphene and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Samples collected from L. acutus (n = 47) stranding events in Massachusetts (1993−2000) and S. bredanensis samples (n = 15) were analyzed for PCBs, toxaphene, and other organic pesticides by gas chromatogr...
Impact of structural heart disease on the selection of class III antiarrhythmics for the prevention of atrial fibrillation and flutter

Antiarrhythmic agents may be beneficial or harmful. Among the harmful effects, or risks, is proarrhythmia. One of several factors that underlie proarrhythmic risk is the presence and nature of any underlying structural heart disease at the time of antiarrhythmic drug administration. The structural disease-antiarrhythmic drug interaction has been best studied and clearly delineated for class I antiarrhythmics. This review provides information to suggest that structural disease can enhance proarrhythmic risk with class III drugs as well, although this is least evident with amiodarone. Particularly pertinent are disorders that prolong action potential duration (such as ventricular hypertrophy or chronic dilatation), inhomogeneous dispersion of refractoriness (including conditions with cellular uncoupling), and reduced ventricular fibrillation threshold. These issues must be considered when choosing an antiarrhythmic drug for atrial and for ventricular arrhythmias and when selecting the dosing and monitoring protocol to be used.
Infrared spectroscopic techniques for quantitative characterization of dielectric thin films on silicon wafers

Abstract Dielectric thin films are critical components of microelectronic devices, and for proper device function their properties must be carefully controlled. Rapid and efficient quality control techniques are needed for characterizing these films. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the mid-IR region (400–4000 cm−1) has been widely used for qualitative characterization of solid, dielectric thin films in the microelectronics industry. The IR spectra of these films on silicon exhibit overlapping spectral bands, solid—solid molecular interactions, and nonlinear behavior of spectral bands arising from a variety of sources. Conventional univariate analysis of such spectra did not yield reliable quantitative predictions of the dielectric thin-film properties. The relatively recent appearance of quantitative IR studies of dielectric thin films has followed progress in chemistry toward multivariate analysis of IR spectral data. This article reviews some of the processing and non-IR characterization methods for dielectric thin films currently used in the production of integrated circuits, and it reviews univariate quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses that have used IR spectroscopy. It stresses recent developments in IR techniques and multivariate calibration that together permit rapid, precise, nondestructive, and quantitative determinations of various critical dielectric thin-film properties. Results from the application of quantitative IR techniques to the analysis of dielectric thin films are drawn from a review of the authors' work in the field.
The challenge–skill balance and antecedents of flow: A meta-analytic investigation

Flow is an intrinsically motivating state of consciousness characterized by simultaneous perception of high challenge and skill. The position that challenge–skill balance is the primary antecedent for achieving a flow state is unclear, and more research is needed to examine its impact on flow within multiple domains. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted on 28 studies examining the challenge–skill balance related to flow and intrinsic motivation in a variety of contexts. The results indicated that the relationship between challenge–skill balance and flow was moderate, and smaller with intrinsic motivation. Moderator analyses revealed weaker correlations when individuals were from an individualistic culture, in work or education contexts, using experience sampling method, and self-reporting state flow vs. trait. Compared to other theorized antecedents, challenge–skill balance was a robust contributor to flow along with clear goals and sense of control.
Classical Self-Consistent Nuclear Model

The Thomas-Fermi method in simplest form is applied to find the radial distribution of nucleons in a spherical nucleus in the absence of Coulomb forces. Saturation is obtained by hypothesizing a two-body force quadratically dependent on relative momentum. The effective one-nucleon potential energy is therefore velocity dependent. Solving the basic integral equation and imposing generally accepted values for the average and Fermi kinetic energies in the nuclear matter limit ($A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$) gives a solution exhibiting surface and saturated interior regions. Fixing one more parameter (the force range, taken to be $\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}}{{m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}c}$) determines all numerical features (e.g., surface thickness, interaction strength) at reasonable values.
Primary Nonfunction in Liver Transplantation : A Single-Center Experience

Primary nonfunction (PNF) after liver transplantation is life threatening. In recent review of data from Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients on liver transplantations between 2002 and 2004, the rate of PNF was 5.8%. In this study, our aim was to review the incidence and outcome of PNF at our transplant center. From February 1998 through December 2007, 1679 liver transplants were performed. There were 24 PNF (1.4%) in 22 patients. The 6- and 12-month patient survival rates were 72.2% and 63.3%, respectively. Our results demonstrate a low incidence of PNF at our center. However, the patient survival outcome remains poor. Future investigations to improve survival among liver transplant recipients with PNF are essential.
Subunit interface selective toxins as probes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor structure

The pentametric assembly of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with two of the five subunit interfaces serving as a ligand binding sites offers an opportunity to distinguish features on the surfaces of the subunits, and their ligand specificity characteristics. The receptor from mammalian muscle, with its circular order of homologous subunits (αγαδβ), assembles in a unique arrangement. The residues governing assembly can be ascertained through mutagenesis. Selectivity of certain natural toxins is sufficient to distinguish between sites at the αγ and αδ subunit interfaces. By interchanging residues on the γ and δ subunits through mutagenesis, and ascertaining how they interact with the α subunit, determinants forming the binding sites can be delineated. The α-conotoxins show a 10,000-fold preference for the αδ over αγ subunit interface with αɛ falling in between. The waglerins show a 2,000-fold preference for αɛ over the αγ and αδ interfaces. Finally, the α-neurotoxin from N. mossambica mossambica shows a 10,000-fold preference for the αγ and αδ interfaces over αɛ. Identification of interactive residues through mutagenesis, when coupled with homology modeling of domains and site-directed residue modification, has revealed important elements of receptor structure.
Design, syntheses, and pharmacological characterization of 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6α-(isoquinoline-3'-carboxamido)morphinan analogues as opioid receptor ligands.

Abstract A series of 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6α-(isoquinoline-3′-carboxamido)morphinan (NAQ) analogues were synthesized and pharmacologically characterized to study their structure–activity relationship at the mu opioid receptor (MOR). The competition binding assay showed two-atom spacer and aromatic side chain were optimal for MOR selectivity. Meanwhile, substitutions at the 1′- and/or 4′-position of the isoquinoline ring retained or improved MOR selectivity over the kappa opioid receptor while still possessing above 20-fold MOR selectivity over the delta opioid receptor. In contrast, substitutions at the 6′- and/or 7′-position of the isoquinoline ring reduced MOR selectivity as well as MOR efficacy. Among this series of ligands, compound 11 acted as an antagonist when challenged with morphine in warm-water tail immersion assay and produced less significant withdrawal symptoms compared to naltrexone in morphine-pelleted mice. Compound 11 also antagonized the intracellular Ca2+ increase induced by DAMGO. Molecular dynamics simulation studies of 11 in three opioid receptors indicated orientation of the 6′-nitro group varied significantly in the different ‘address’ domains of the receptors and played a crucial role in the observed binding affinities and selectivity. Collectively, the current findings provide valuable insights for future development of NAQ-based MOR selective ligands.
Involvement of IFN-γ and perforin, but not Fas/FasL interactions in regulatory T cell-mediated suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Autoaggressive, myelin-reactive T cells are involved in multiple sclerosis and its prototype experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. A peripheral negative feedback mechanism involving regulatory CD4+ and CD8+T cells (Treg) operates to suppress disease-mediating T cell responses. We have recently characterized a novel population of Qa-1a-restricted, TCR-peptide-reactive CD8αα+TCRαβ+ Treg that induce apoptotic depletion of the encephalitogenic Vβ8.2 cells in vivo and provide protection from EAE. Here we have used mice deficient in perforin, Fas/FasL and IFN-γ molecules to investigate their role in Treg-mediated regulation of EAE. Data show that Fas/FasL interactions are not involved, but regulation mediated by Treg is dependent on the presence of IFN-γ and the perforin pathway. These data provide a molecular mechanism of Treg-mediated killing of the pathogenic T cells and have important implications in the design of immune interventions for demyelinating disease.
The neurofibromatosis type 1 gene and its protein product, neurofibromin.

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis, or neurofibromatosis type 1 (NFI), affects approximately 1 in 3500 individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease and is manifested clinically by abnormalities that predominantly affect tissues which derive from the neural crest (Riccardi, 1981,199l; Riccardi and Eichner, 1986). Affected individuals are often noted to have multiple cafeau-lait spots during the first year of life. These pigmented birthmarks contain melanocytes harboring macromelanosomes, but have noclinical significance other than as a diagnostic clue. Similarly, another important clinical feature, the presence of Lisch nodules of the iris, has no associated morbidity. However, these hamartomas appear during childhood and are eventually present in close to 100% of affected adults. Neurofibromas, which give the disease its name and usually make their appearance just before or during adolescence, are benign cutaneous tumors consisting of Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and other cellular elements. They increase in size and number with age, but at an unpredictable rate. More deeply placed neurofibromas, called plexiform lesions, usually appear in childhood and can lead to significant complications due to associated overgrowth of nearby tissues. Furthermore, such plexiform lesions have a modest but significant risk of degenerating into malignant neurofibrosarcoma, a highly invasive soft tissue tumor that is frequently fatal. This potential, plus the risk of optic glioma (which affects 2%-S% of all individuals with NFI) justifies placing this disease on the list of familial cancer syndromes (Bader, 1986). Other features of NFI arevariable but can be significant in a given patient. Approximately half of affected individuals have at least some degree of learning disability, and a small percentage have frank mental retardation (Riccardi, 1981). Seizures are present in about 5% of individuals, and megalencephaly is a typical finding. The diagnosis is usually not difficult to make in an adolescent or adult, but can occasionally present difficulties in a very young child. NFI is characterized by extreme variability, even among individuals within the same family who carry the same mutation. Approximately two-thirds of individuals with NFI lead relatively normal lives, with occasional interruptions for surgical management of their disease, often to remove neurofibromas that are causing cosmetic or physical distress. About one-third of individuals suffer a severe complication sometime during their lifetime. NFI has occasionally been erroneously referred to as “the elephant man disease”; while the gross facial distortion and other deformities present in Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, in some ways resemble the most severe end of the spectrum of NFI, subsequent evaluation of Merrick’s skeleton indicates that he probably had another disorder known as Proteus syndrome (Tibbles and Cohen, 1986).
Limiting efficiencies of intermediate band solar cell assisted with multiple exciton generation

We propose the hybrid thermodynamic model using the intermediate band solar cells assisted with multiple exciton generation. We have calculated this thermodynamic model under blackbody radiation and standard AM1.5 spectrum and changed concentration to compare the conventional intermediate band solar cells. Because of multiple electron and hole pair at the conduction band edge, its maximum efficiencies and optimum bandgaps have been enhanced compared to conventional intermediate band solar cells. The maximum efficiencies of this solar cell are both 47.31 (Blackbody Radiation) and 49.85 (AM1.5G) percent for one sun and 65.07 (Blackbody Radiation) and 67.83 (AM1.5D) percent for maximum concentration. And its corresponding overall bandgap energies are also reduced because of multiple electron and hole pairs.
Dark inhibition of egg hatching of the marine copepod Acartia clausi Giesbr

Abstract Darkness completely and immediately suppresses hatching of the eggs of the marine copepod Acartia clausi Giesbr. When eggs are exposed to light after having been held in darkness past the time when they should have hatched, there is a semi-synchronous burst of hatching after a lag time of ≈ 15 min. This synchrony is carried through the first instar molt. Dark inhibition of hatching may possibly explain the large numbers of viable copepod eggs found in marine sediments.
Routing optimization in wireless mesh networks under uncertain traffic demands

In this paper, we investigate the routing optimization problem in wireless mesh networks. While existing works usually assume static and known traffic demand, we emphasize that the actual traffic is time-varying and difficult to measure. In light of this, we alternatively pursue a stochastic optimization framework where the expected network utility is maximized. For multi-path routing scenario, we propose a stochastic programming approach which requires no priori knowledge on the probabilistic distribution of the traffic. For the single-path routing counterpart, we develop a learning-based algorithm which provably converges to the global optimum solution asymptotically.
On fuzzy cliques in fuzzy networks

A definition of fuzzy clique in social networks is suggested which overcomes five limitations of current definitions. This definition is based on the networks in which the 0–1 strengths, the weighted strengths, and fuzzy strengths are all allowed. The fuzzy distance in such a network is defined. The node‐clique and clique‐clique coefficients are suggested. The core and the periphery of fuzzy cliques are discussed formally. A “cone like” property of the cores is discovered. The network structures are discussed using the new definition. A “no circle” property of networks is found. Basic fuzzy tools and the related algorithms are also discussed. Some examples are analyzed to demonstrate the theory.
Proposed test for a hidden variables theory

A hidden variables model for quantum mechanics is proposed and a possible test for its validity is described.
Notch signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular targeting in an advanced disease

The use of alternative therapeutic approaches in advanced carcinogenesis is a growing investigative base. One such cancer, primary liver cancer, is one of the most commonly occurring cancers worldwide and often presents in late stage disease consequently preventing traditional curative modalities. As a result, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), representing the majority of primary liver cancer, is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Survival rates are linked to stage of presentation as well as concomitant cirrhosis limiting the 5-year survival in these patients to < 20%. Alternative strategies are in dire need as patients in this cohort have limited palliative options. Currently, sorafenib is the only approved systemic therapy; however, it has a limited survival advantage and low efficacy prompting the empirical need for further evaluation. Understanding of cancer therapy has led to an enhanced focus on the Notch pathway as a potential target for advanced HCC. Notch signaling is a critical component of development and cell fate and has been linked to various modalities including liver regeneration and as a key driver in carcinogenesis. In this review, we will provide a review of the current status of the Notch signaling in liver cancer and of Notch as an alternative potential strategy for advanced HCC.
The silicon that moves and feels small living things

The silicon microelectronic chips that make today's computers possible are emerging as powerful tools for rapid and sensitive analysis of small biological objects, including cells, proteins, DNA, and viruses. Major new and exciting developments in the interface of solid-state circuits and biological entities are discussed in this article.
Reflective nonlinear transmission lines for single-antenna non-self-jamming RFID

Summary form only given, as follows. We present a harmonic radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder based on reflective nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs), where the tag size is significantly reduced with single antenna configuration. To show the feasibility and design procedure, two open-ended NLTLs are fabricated in IBM 0.13 µm CMOS process. Both of the 0.35 mm by 0.95 mm open-ended NLTLs show around −11 dBm reflected second harmonic by 0 dBm small signal input. Distance of wireless transmission is characterized by single dualband/broadband antenna connection.
Cortical integration of bottom-up, top-down and horizontal information in biological motion recognition

We propose a cortical architecture for integrating top-down, bottom-up and horizontal inputs, and apply this architecture to the problem of biological motion recognition. The mechanism makes use of spike-based computation in order to represent the relative phases of limb motion in terms of precise neuronal spike times. We propose that information regarding spatial relations between features is represented in the system of precise horizontal connections in cortex, whereas the feedforward and feedback pathways are chiefly concerned with the statistics of feature distributions. The architecture allows cellular biophysical-level integration mechanisms to carry out probabilistic inference on streams of afferent input.
An Assessment of Education Quality beyond Dinner Table Discussions

News media often publish comparative studies that report U.S. student performance in a global context. The school quality concern seems so simplistic that anyone who had compulsory education can chime into the discussion. In this article, the condition of U.S. education is further disentangled across the boundary of K-12 and higher education. Core program features are examined to reveal profound factors behind student performance in mathematics and science. These findings are grounded on triangulation of the interrelated observations that are typically obscured from test score comparisons across nations.
PMOS input merged bipolar/sidewall MOS transistors (PBiMOS transistors)

A concept of merging vertical n-p-n bipolar and sidewall PMOS transistors into merged PBiMOS transistors is described. This concept allows device structures which perform more complex functions to be integrated into a given area. The feasibility of this concept is demonstrated by fabricating and DC characterizing PBiMOS transistor structures which occupy approximately 1.1 times the area of a single n-p-n bipolar transistor. The PMOS sidewall transistor characterization results suggest that a reasonable control of the key device parameters may be achieved. These results also suggest that, for the 23-nm gate oxide thickness, the doping requirements for the n/sup -/ collector of the n-p-n bipolar and the channel of the sidewall PMOS transistors are similar. >
Competitive strategies of US fluid milk processors: A case study

Competitive strategies emphasized by the case firms will shape the restructuring of the US fluid milk industry. Case firms profited from employing the Beatrice Model for plant acquisitions. Dean Foods and Prairie Farms Dairy emerged from the 1980s as highly profitable finns and Borden's strategic moves promise to make that firm a formidable competitor in the dairy business in the 19905. Cooperatives will have incentives to merge to countervail market power gained by investor­ owned firms and develop replacements for joint ventures entered into during the 1980s. Federal milk orders may require revisions to reflect expanded milk plant sales areas and cope with instability stemming from asset redeployment. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc,
Comments on Marcus Kreuzer's Article

MARCUS Kreuzer's vigorously-argued essay on the progress of par? liamentarization in Imperial Germany is an innovative interven? tion into a long-running scholarly debate about a central assertion of the Sonderweg thesis, namely the power or powerlessness of the democratically elected Reichstag of Imperial Germany. Plausibly dividing historians who have studied the topic into three groups: "optimists," who perceive a steady increase in parliamentary power and a move toward democratic and parliamen? tary government, particularly in the Wilhelmian Era; "pessimists," who deny the power ofthe Reichstag vis-a-vis the executive increased at any point in the his? tory of the empire; and "skeptics" who point toward an increase in the power of the Reichstag, once again primarily in the Wilhelmian era, but deny that such an increase in power was leading toward democratic or parliamentary gov? ernment. Kreuzer points out that underlying aU three arguments is an implicit assumption of what a powerful parliament should be. Blinded by the "Westminster model" of British parHamentary government, he suggests, pes? simists and skeptics have condemned the imperial Reichstag for not resembling the House of Commons. Yet the British governmental system represented just one possible form of parliamentarization. By systematicaUy comparing the powers of the Reichstag with those of today s West European and North American legislatures, Kreuzer ascertains that the Reichstag was a politicaUy influential parliament, thus demonstrating that the optimists have had the better of the argument about parliamentarization. Kreuzer's systematic comparison demonstrates the potential of universalizing social science approaches to disputed historical questions. His account of significant, but little considered (by historians at least) aspects of parliamentary proceedings, such as the Reichstag's right to set the legislative agenda, offers new perspectives on the functioning of government in the German Empire. At certain points, though, Kreuzer's argument seems to be carried along by a num? ber of empirically questionable statements, dubious comparisons, and contradictory assertions. These weak points can be grouped together under three broader rubrics: (1) the powers ofthe Reichstag; (2) the role and position ofthe
Double-porosity modeling in elastic wave propagation for reservoir characterization

To account for large-volume low-permeability storage porosity and low-volume high-permeability fracture/crack porosity in oil and gas reservoirs, phenomenological equations for elastic wave propagation in a double porosity medium have been formulated and the coecien ts in these linear equations identied. The generalization from single porosity to double porosity modeling increases the number of independent inertial coecien ts from three to six, the number of independent drag coecien ts from three to six, and the number of independent stress-strain coecien ts from three to six for an isotropic applied stress and assumed isotropy of the medium. The analysis leading to physical interpretations of the inertial and drag coecien ts is relatively straightforward, whereas that for the stress-strain coecien ts is more tedious. In a quasistatic analysis of stress-strain, the physical interpretations are based upon considerations of extremes in both spatial and temporal scales. The limit of very short times is the one most relevant for wave propagation, and in this case both matrix porosity and fractures are expected to behave in an undrained fashion, although our analysis makes no assumptions in this regard. For the very long times more relevant for reservoir drawdown, the double porosity medium behaves as an equivalent single porosity medium. At the macroscopic spatial level, the pertinent parameters (such as the total compressibility) may be determined by appropriate eld tests. At the mesoscopic scale pertinent parameters of the rock matrix can be determined directly through laboratory measurements on core, and the compressiblity can be measured for a single fracture. We show explicitly how to generalize the quasistatic results to incorporate wave propagation eects and how eects that are usually attributed to squirt o w under partially saturated conditions can be explained alternatively in terms of the double-porosity model. The result is therefore a theory that generalizes, but is completely consistent with, Biot’s theory of poroelasticity and is valid for analysis of elastic wave data from highly fractured reservoirs.
The role of plant species in biomass production and response to elevated CO2 and N

In an experiment that factorially manipulated plant diversity, CO2, and N, we quantified the effects of the presence of species on assemblage biomass over 10 time points distributed over 5 years. Thirteen of the 16 species planted had statistically significant effects on aboveground and/or belowground biomass. Species differed dramatically in their effects on biomass without any relationship between aboveground and belowground effects. Temporal complementarity among species in their effects seasonally, successionally, and in response to a dry summer maintained the diversity‐biomass relationships over time and may be the cause behind higher diversity plots having less variation in biomass over time. The response of plant biomass to elevated N, but not CO2, was at times entirely dependent on the presence of a single species.
Monetizing the Internet: Surely There Must be Something other than Advertising

Almost all attempts to monetize internet applications targeted at individuals to date have focused on natural extensions of traditional media or traditional retailing. Most are either some form of consumerfocused advertising or of consumer-focused eCommerce. And yet the net is far more powerful and liberating than traditional media on the one hand, and far more liberating and thus inappropriate as an alternative to traditional media on the other; use of the net as an advertising medium not only does not play to its strengths, but actually works in an area where the net is surprisingly inappropriate. We explore eight other areas profitable business models that can be implemented online, and explore experience with them. We conclude with strategic recommendations for corporations as well as with suggestions for further research.
Optimal design of sub-wavelength dielectric gratings as broad band mirrors

We have developed an efficient and rigorous design tool for optimal design of broad band mirrors (BBMs) based on sub-wavelength dielectric gratings. Various grating BBMs for TM, TE and both polarizations have been designed.
A two-stage neural net for segmentation of range images

A two-stage neural network is proposed for segmentation of range images. Emphasis is placed on a neural network (NN) based system that integrates edge and surface information to generate robust surface maps in the range data. The proposed architecture has two stages. The first stage extracts the surface information through self-learning least-squares surface fitting along a set of nonorthogonal basis functions. Daugman's projection NN stage locally computes the surface normals in the image. In the second stage, the surface and edge information complete with each other to perform region growing. The edge information is obtained using a set of Zernike moment-based operators. Kohonen's self-organizing NN is used to implement the competitive region-growing. Experimental results with real images demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed NN architecture. >
Gasoline exhaust emissions induce vascular remodeling pathways involved in atherosclerosis.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that environmental air pollutants are positively associated with the development of chronic vascular disease; however, the mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. In the present study we examined molecular pathways associated with chronic vascular disease in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E–deficient (ApoE � /� ) mice, including markers of vascular remodeling and oxidative stress, in response to exposure to the ubiquitous environmental pollutant, gasoline engine emissions. ApoE � /� mice, on a high-fat diet, were exposed by inhalation to either filtered air; 8, 40, or 60 mg/m 3 particulate matter whole exhaust; or filtered exhaust with gases matching the 60-mg/m 3 concentration, for 7 weeks. Aortas and plasma were collected and assayed for changes in histochemical markers, real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and indicators of oxidative damage. Inhalational exposure to gasoline engine emissions resulted in increased aortic mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), MMP-7, and MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2, endothelin-1 and heme oxygenase-1 in ApoE � /� mice; increased aortic MMP-9 protein levels were confirmed through immunohistochemistry. Elevated reactive oxygen species were also observed in arteries from exposed animals, despite absence of plasma markers. Similar findings were also observed in the aortas of ApoE � /� mice exposed to particle-filtered atmosphere, implicating the gaseous components of the whole exhaust in mediating the expression of markers associated with the vasculopathy. These findings demonstrate that exposure to gasoline engine emissions results in the transcriptional upregulation of factors associated with vascular remodeling, as well as increased markers of vascular oxidative stress, which may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis and reduced stability of vulnerable plaques.