cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface Modification of Colloidal Gold by Chemisorption of Alkanethiols in the Presence of a Nonionic Surfactant

Surface modification of colloidal gold with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid or 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid was performed in the absence or in the presence of the nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20). The stability of the colloidal systems was assessed with optical absorption spectroscopy. The surface-modified nanoparticles were stable only within a narrow range of intermediate pH values when chemisorption of alkanethiols was performed in the absence of Tween 20. This was explained in terms of partial ionization of the surface carboxylic groups and charge neutralization at high pH values by counterions present in the buffer solutions. Formation of a physisorbed monolayer of Tween 20 onto the nanoparticles prior to chemisorption of alkanethiols resulted in surface-modified colloidal gold that was stable over a broader range of pH values. Parallel experiments demonstrated that self-assembled monolayers could form on flat substrates in the presence of Tween 20. Therefore, possi...
Psychotropic medication and sexual function in women: an update

Summary Sexual side effects of antidepressants and other psychotropic medications are a growing concern for women and those who treat them. Understanding the biochemical actions of medications has helped elucidate how sexual function may be compromised or enhanced.
Scripting a holistic Rx for process improvement at Palmetto Health imaging centers

Constrained by the technical nature of patient treatment, the special physician-patient relationship, and the general lack of broader perspectives of performance improvement, the health-care sector has generally lagged behind the manufacturing industry and other service sectors, such as banking, in the systematic application of process-improvement approaches. This article details a systemwide project to improve Palmetto Health Richland's network of imaging centers in the Columbia, South Carolina, metropolitan area. Begun as a narrowly focused, internal process-improvement project, it concluded with strategic decisions affecting the hospital's marketing and capacity management. The lessons from this case should alert hospital administrators and process-improvement specialists about the critical importance of identifying the correct goals and scope of a specific project; listening to the voice of the customer, the business, the process, and the resources; encouraging fact-based solutions through holistic and creative thinking; and using the right analytic tools to gauge and ensure real performance improvements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Life Prediction of Fretting Fatigue of Ti-6Al-4V

The present study was aimed towards improving the prediction capability of fretting fatigue life of Ti-6Al-4V. Incremental and interrupted fretting fatigue tests were conducted. Based on the crack propagation pattern observed on the fractured surface fretting fatigue life was predicted. The disappearance of contact stresses was evidenced by the change in crack growth direction from oblique to perpendicular path to the loading direction. Thus, fatigue crack initially propagated under the influence of the contact stress, and then it grew due to the applied stress amplitude to the substrate. The transition crack length between these two conditions varied between 20 to 30 μm and depended on the contact load. This enabled the prediction of short and long crack propagation life. There was good correlation between the predicted fretting fatigue life and the experimental life.
The Effect of Total Ionizing Dose Degradation on Laptop Hard Disks

A series of total ionizing dose (TID) measurements were performed on commercial hard drives to explore the possible uses of the devices for the high radiation mission, and to help the understanding of the reliability of current hard drive technology. Three different models from three major manufacturers were tested with the aid of a commercial hard drive test system.
An assumed pdf approach for the calculation of supersonic mixing layers

In an effort to predict the effect that turbulent mixing has on the extent of combustion, a one-equation turbulence model is added to an existing Navier-Stokes solver with finite-rate chemistry. To average the chemical-source terms appearing in the species-continuity equations, an assumed pdf approach is also used. This code was used to analyze the mixing and combustion caused by the mixing layer formed by supersonic coaxial H2-air streams. The chemistry model employed allows for the formation of H2O2 and HO2. Comparisons are made with recent measurements using laser Raman diagnostics. Comparisons include temperature and its rms, and concentrations of H2, O2, N2, H2O, and OH. In general, good agreement with experiment was noted.
Live-cell video-rate single-molecule switching nanoscopy

We have developed an ultra-fast fluorescence photoactivation localization microscopy (FPALM/PALM/STORM) instrument capable of live-cell super-resolution imaging at up to video-rate. I will present the underlying principles and applications.
Experimental Identification of Linear and Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics of a Foam Aircraft Model for Morphing Applications

The genesis of so-called morphing aircraft has been mandated by the need for an expanded flight envelope to fulfill a variety of flight objectives. In order to address the need for expanded flight envelopes, researchers must consider the possibility of dynamic instability due to morphing associated with complex aero-structural interactions during design, development, and flight. The linear and nonlinear dynamic response characteristics of a model aircraft structure are examined in this paper. To identify the linear modal characteristics, impact testing was conducted and the nominal frequency response functions were extracted. Nonlinear characteristics are identified using time-frequency, restoring force, and higher-order frequency response analysis of swept sine response data. The scale-model aircraft with reconfigurable pre-stressed components exhibits strong nonlinearity in the 20-40 Hz frequency range. A cubic stiffness nonlinearity is identified in one portion of the aircraft. In the 40-60 Hz frequency range, stiffness nonlinearities dominate and damping characteristics are primarily linear in nature. Effective characterization of the nonlinearity is a prerequisite for efficient reduced-order models that accurately predict dynamic instability.© 2006 ASME
Genetic Data and the Listing of Species Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Genetic information is becoming an influential factor in determining whether species, subspecies, and distinct population segments qualify for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, there are currently no standards or guidelines that define how genetic information should be used by the federal agencies that administer the act. I examined listing decisions made over a 10-year period (February 1996-February 2006) that relied on genetic information. There was wide variation in the genetic data used to inform listing decisions in terms of which genomes (mitochondrial vs. nuclear) were sampled and the number of markers (or genetic techniques) and loci evaluated. In general, whether the federal agencies identified genetic distinctions between putative taxonomic units or populations depended on the type and amount of genetic data. Studies that relied on multiple genetic markers were more likely to detect distinctions, and those organisms were more likely to receive protection than studies that relied on a single genetic marker. Although the results may, in part, reflect the corresponding availability of genetic techniques over the given time frame, the variable use of genetic information for listing decisions has the potential to misguide conservation actions. Future management policy would benefit from guidelines for the critical evaluation of genetic information to list or delist organisms under the Endangered Species Act.
Role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in angiogenic–osteogenic coupling

Angiogenesis and osteogenesis are tightly coupled during bone development and regeneration. The vasculature supplies oxygen to developing and regenerating bone and also delivers critical signals to the stroma that stimulate mesenchymal cell specification to promote bone formation. Recent studies suggest that the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are required for the initiation of the angiogenic-osteogenic cascade. Genetic manipulation of individual components of the HIF/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway in mice has provided clues to how coupling is achieved. In this article, we review the current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for angiogenic-osteogenic coupling. We also briefly discuss the therapeutic manipulation of HIF and VEGF in skeletal repair. Such discoveries suggest promising approaches for the development of novel therapies to improve bone accretion and repair.
Novel miniaturised wideband baluns for MIC and MMIC applications

Very compact novel planar broadband baluns are described. Each balun consists of two Lange couplers. Less than 0.3 dB and 2.5 deg for the amplitude and phase balances, respectively, have been measured over the 1.0-2.2 GHz bandwidth for a microstrip balun. As compared with other reported baluns, these baluns are simpler, more compact, easier to design, and fabricated on only one side of the substrate. They are thus very attractive for microwave integrated and monolithic integrated circuit applications.
CiteSearch: next-generation citation analysis

The coverage of citations in citation databases of today is disjoint and incomplete, which can result in conflicting quality assessment outcomes across different data sources. Fusion approach to quality assessment that employs a range of citation-based methods to analyze data from multiple sources is one way to address this limitation. The paper discusses a citation analysis pilot study that measured the impact of scholarly publications based on the data mined from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
US Social Work Students' Attitudes Shift Favorably Towards a Harm Reduction Approach to Alcohol and Other Drugs Practice: The Effectiveness of Consequence Analysis

Given the increasing numbers of people in need of treatment for problems associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) problems and the concomitant likelihood that social worker caseloads currently reflect this increase, a critical analysis of social work student attitudes towards different approaches to AOD treatment is warranted. Our study examined United States' social work students' (n = 100) attitudes towards treatment approaches to practice with people who misuse/abuse AOD and enlisted a Consequence Analysis (CA) intervention designed to shift attitudes towards considering a harm reduction approach. The Harm Reduction Acceptability Scale (HRAS), as well as a two-item response measure, measured pretest and posttest attitudes. Findings demonstrate that at pretest both intervention and comparison groups were willing to consider a goal of moderation (a proxy for the acceptability of a harm reduction approach and a client-centered perspective), and neutral on the effectiveness of an abstinence-oriented a...
Writing About the Psychoanalytic Process

The written description of psychoanalytic process is basic to our professional communication. It underlies our study, teaching, research, and the way we evaluate aspects of our training. We have been hampered by a lack of an accepted method for translating our clinical work into written form. Each analyst has needed to devise, sometimes with great difficulty, an individual method for describing analytic process, but often the resulting description has hidden the analyst or the process. Recent efforts to teach about clinical writing show that this skill can be readily learned and can add to the analyst's growth. This article presents a method for writing about the clinical interchange. A repeating three-part structure provides an experiencing section of several paragraphs, in which the writer describes the experience-near analytic interaction over a relatively circumscribed time period; a reflecting section, in which the writer draws back for an overview of this material; and a transitional narrative secti...
Age Increase of Estrogen Receptor-α (ERα) in Cortical Astrocytes Impairs Neurotrophic Support in Male and Female Rats

Rodent models show decreased neuronal responses to estradiol (E2) during aging (E2-desensitization) in association with reduced neuronal estrogen receptor (ER)-α, but little is known about age changes of E2-dependent astrocytic neurotrophic support. Because elevated expression of astrocyte glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is associated with impaired neurotrophic activity and because the GFAP promoter responds to ERα, we investigated the role of astrocytic ERα and ERβ in impaired astrocyte neurotrophic activity during aging. In vivo and in vitro, ERα was increased greater than 50% with age in astrocytes from the cerebral cortex of male rats (24 vs 3 months), whereas ERβ did not change. In astrocytes from 3-month-old males, experimentally increasing the ERα to ERβ ratio induced the aging phenotype of elevated GFAP and impaired E2-dependent neurite outgrowth. In 24-month-old male astrocytes, lowering ERα reversed the age elevation of GFAP and partially restored E2-dependent neurite outgrowth. Mixed glia (astrocytes to microglia, 3:1) of both sexes also showed these age changes. In a model of perimenopause, mixed glia from 9- to 15-month rats showed E2 desensitization: 9-month regular cyclers retained young-like ERα to ERβ ratios and neurotrophic activity, whereas 9-month noncyclers had elevated ERα and GFAP but low E2-dependent neurotrophic activity. In vivo, ERα levels in cortical astrocytes were also elevated. The persisting effects of ovarian acyclicity in vitro are hypothesized to arise from steroidal perturbations during ovarian senescence. These findings suggest that increased astrocyte ERα expression during aging contributes to the E2 desensitization of the neuronal responses in both sexes.
Reengineering and infection control programs: commentary and a case study

Transformation of the health care system has been an ongoing process for generations, but many changes in the past 2 decades have focused on reducing costs in concert with rapidly changing technologies and demands for high quality care. Many cost-containment efforts in the 1990s are characterized by attempts to apply the business model for "reengineering the corporation" to health care systems. This commentary reviews principles of reengineering and how strategies to reduce costs through market forces, competition, and downsizing can result in substantial problems for bureaucratic organizations unaccustomed to rapid change and innovation. A case study drawn from experiences of a large metropolitan academic health care system is presented, with specific focus on lessons that will be helpful to infection control professionals (ICPs) confronted with similar situations.
Role of the azinomycin naphthoate and central amide in sequence-dependent DNA alkylation and cytotoxicity of epoxide-bearing substructures.

Studies report a strong correlation between duplex DNA alkylation and in vitro cytotoxicity for a series of azinomycin partial structures 2−6 bearing the biologically relevant epoxide. Compounds lacking the naphthoate ester (e.g., 5 and 6) were poorly reactive toward DNA and were biologically inactive, as were compounds bearing the naphthoate but lacking the terminal carboxamide (e.g., 2). Compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against two breast cancer cell lines.
The Role of Hydrodynamic Interactions in Self-Organization of Biological Molecules

Self-organization is one of the most fundamental phenomena in biology. Elucidating the mechanisms of the self-assembly of biological molecules, such as protein folding/binding and formation of lipid bilayer membranes, have been a fascinating topic over decades in biological field. Hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) give rise to collective motions between molecules. Therefore, they may play an important role on dynamics of self-assembly. Although there are significant advances in theoretical and computational studies on thermodynamics and kinetics of self-assembling systems recent years, analysis on effects of HIs to the reactions are limited due to their high complexity. Here, by using a Brownian dynamics (BD) simulation technique, we evaluate the importance of HIs on kinetic of self-assembly in a set of examples, formation of lipid membrane and actin polymerization reaction. We first built coarse-grained models of lipid and actin monomer. A cluster of lipid molecules was represented by two particles, one is hydrophilic head group and the other is hydrophobic tail group, and attractive interaction between tail groups was applied. For actin polymerization system, each monomer was represented by two particles and an angle-dependent attractive interaction was applied to form long filaments. In BD simulations, the Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa tensor was used to account for HIs between particles. In the early stage of self-assembly, HIs between inter-monomer particles decelerated the association rate of monomers to form oligomers compared with that in the simulations without inter-monomer HIs in both systems. On the other hand, the HIs accelerate the reaction of oligomers to form a fully-assembled state or much longer polymers. This phenomenon could be explained by the Kirkwood-Riseman theory. Those results clearly suggest that HIs greatly affect kinetics of self-assembly reactions and considering the interactions is crucial for studying dynamics of biological systems.
Neural models of motion integration and segmentation

A neural model is developed of how motion integration and segmentation processes compute global motion percepts. Figure-ground properties, such as occlusion, influence which motion signals determine the percept. For visible apertures, a line's extrinsic terminators do not specify true line motion. For invisible apertures, a line's intrinsic terminators create veridical feature tracking signals, which are amplified before they propagate across space and are integrated with ambiguous motion signals within line interiors. This integration process is the result of several processing stages: directional transient cells respond to image transients and input to a directional short-range filter that selectively boosts feature tracking signals. Competitive interactions further boost feature tracking signals and create speed-selective receptive fields. A long-range filter gives rise to true directional cells by pooling signals over multiple orientations and opposite contrast polarities. A distributed population code of speed tuning realizes a size-speed correlation, whereby activations of multiple spatially short-range filters of different sizes are transformed into speed-tuned cell responses. These mechanisms use transient cell responses, output thresholds that covary with filter size, and competition. The model reproduces empirically derived speed discrimination curves and simulates data showing how visual speed perception and discrimination are affected by stimulus contrast.
Effect of anionic molecular assembly environments on fluorescence quenching by electron transfer

Abstract The quenching of the excited state of [tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II)][Ru(bpy) 2+ 3 ] by cationic quenchers [methylviologen, diquat, copper(II) and thallium(I)] in molecular assemblies such as polyelectrolytes, polysoaps and micelles have been investigated by steady-state and time-resolved luminescence techniques. The emission quenching of photoexcited positively charged sensitizers was greatly enhanced in anionic molecular assemblies in comparison to neat water. The quenching in poly(styrenesulfonate)—(PSS) solution is found to be dynamic in nature. In the absence of a quencher, the emission decay ∗ Ru(bpy) 2+ 3 in polyelectrolyte solution is single exponential. Upon addition of cationic quencher the emission decay is clearly nonexponential. The detailed studies showed that emission decay of ∗ Ru(bpy) 2+ 3 over the whole range of cationic quencher concentration, is well described by a general model of dispersed kinetics, in which there is a Gaussian distribution of the logarithm of the rate constants about some mean. The distribution can be characterized by a mean rate constant, k , and parameter γ—the width of the Gaussian distribution. Laser flash photolysis was used to study the yield of electron transfer as well as the rate of the back reaction. Addition of the polyelectrolyte markedly decreases the efficiency of charge separation in the organized system as compared to the aqueous solution. Steady-state spectroscopic and pulsed laser techniques have been used to investigate electron transfer from excited Ru(bpy) 2+ 3 to methylviologen in the PSS film. The kinetics of luminescence quenching are consistent with electron-tunneling mechanism where the rate constant k ( r ) has an exponential dependence on the reactant separation distance, r , with the matrix vibration, and is shown to be quite temperature dependent. No quenching of ∗ Ru(bpy) 2+ 3 by methylviologen was observed in glassy solutions or polymer films at 77 K.
TNFα Induces and Insulin Inhibits Caspase 3-Dependent Adipocyte Apoptosis

Abstract Regulation of fat cell number by apoptosis is proposed to be part of a normal physiological cycle in adipose growth and development. To investigate this process, cultured rat adipocytes were treated with various concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and/or insulin to determine the roles of these factors in adipocyte apoptosis. The cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using a TUNEL assay. TNFα increased adipocyte apoptosis in a dose-dependent fashion. TNFα-mediated apoptosis was detectable within 6 h of treatment and continued to increase with time. Decreasing media insulin concentration from 8.5 to 0.85 nM resulted in increased adipocyte apoptosis, whereas high doses of insulin protected adipocytes from TNFα-induced apoptosis. TNFα-activated apoptosis was accompanied by an increase in caspase 3 activity and could be inhibited by a caspase 3-specific inhibitor. These data suggest that adipose tissue cell number is regulated, in part, by an apoptotic signaling pathway that involves TNFα, insulin, and caspase 3.
Comparison of extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal augmentation enterocystoplasty for neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury patients.

Objectives Augmentation enterocystoplasty is the standard treatment for patients with neurogenic bladder who have failed medical management. Our “extraperitoneal” approach involves a small peritoneotomy to obtain the segment of bowel for augmentation, and a standard “clam” enterocystoplasty. We compared operative and postoperative parameters and clinical outcomes of this technique with the standard intraperitoneal technique.
Identifying Carriers of Mild Haemophilia

Summary. The problems of carrier identification in mild haemophilia were examined by studying a large kindred transmitting VIII:C levels which averaged 17 u/dl in affected males. Fifteen obligatory carriers and 13 normal women from this kindred were used as reference groups to produce a set of linear discriminants. The utility of these discriminants in identifying carriers of mild haemophilia was compared with that of a similar set of discriminants which had been prepared for use with carriers of severe haemophilia, each set of discriminants being tested against both data bases. It was found that both sets of discriminants had large error rates when applied to the mild data base, and that both had much smaller error rates when applied to the severe data base. This outcome resulted from the greater overlap between the factor VIII-related activities of mild carriers and normal women than the overlap of these activities between severe carriers and normal women. Our conclusions were that (i) correct classification of many but not all women from families of mild haemophilia would be difficult, (ii) discriminants prepared using obligatory carriers of severe haemophilia were not more inefficient in mild haemophilia than those prepared using obligatory carriers of mild haemophilia, (iii) a single set of discriminants prepared from reference groups of normal women and obligatory carriers of severe haemophilia may be used for identifying potential carriers of all grades of haemophilia, and (iv), statistically speaking, VIIIR:Ag assays provide a limited amount of information for this purpose.
A Technique for Detecting a Tropical Cyclone Center Using a Doppler Radar

Abstract A ground-based Doppler radar technique is developed for detecting a tropical cyclone center position. Accurate determination of the cyclone center position, based on Doppler velocity measurements, will become essential for the issuance of hurricane advisories, forecasts, and warnings once a network of WSR-88D Doppler radars is deployed on the United States coastlines, islands, and military bases during the 1990s. This will allow high-resolution detection and tracking of hurricanes nearing land for the first time. Simulated Doppler velocity data, which were reconstructed from wind field data collected by reconnaissance aircraft during Hurricanes Alicia (1983) and Gloria (1985), were used to test the concept of using ground-based Doppler radar data to estimate cyclone center location. The center range and azimuth estimates of a hurricane signature were calculated from the simulated coastal Doppler radar velocity data. Preliminary results indicate that the technique performed well for estimating cen...
Identifying semantic roles using Combinatory Categorial Grammar

We present a system for automatically identifying PropBank-style semantic roles based on the output of a statistical parser for Combinatory Categorial Grammar. This system performs at least as well as a system based on a traditional Treebank parser, and outperforms it on core argument roles.
A 39-year-old woman with lupus, myositis, and a recalcitrant vasculopathy.

History of the present illness The patient had been given the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 10 years before presentation when she developed a malar rash, Raynaud’s phenomenon, arthralgias, alopecia, and sicca symptoms. She was treated with hydroxychloroquine alone until 6 months before presentation, when she developed digital ulcerations and leukopenia. Hydroxychloroquine was discontinued by her primary rheumatologist and prednisone 60 mg daily was initiated. Over the next 3 months, the patient was admitted to an outside hospital several times and treated with intravenous methylprednisolone for recurrent hand vasculopathy, digital ulcers, and progressive anemia. Three months before presentation to our center, the patient developed intermittent fevers and severe proximal lower extremity myalgias associated with weakness. Her hand lesions were only partially responsive to intravenous glucocorticoids, and the lower extremity pain and weakness persisted despite this therapy. Extensive evaluation of her fevers, including routine blood, urine, and sputum cultures as well as viral and fungal serologies, determined no infectious etiology. Additional evaluation included computed tomography of the chest, which demonstrated scattered bilateral pulmonary nodules measuring up to 8 mm in size. Malaria smears were negative. A tuberculin skin test was negative, and a QuantiFERON assay (Cellestis Limited) was indeterminate. Acid-fast and fungal stains from induced sputum were negative. The patient was treated empirically with broadspectrum antibiotics, but her symptoms persisted. Thoracolumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate her lower extremity pain and weakness. There was no evidence of transverse myelitis, paravertebral abscess, or malignancy. Muscle enzymes, including creatine kinase (CK), aldolase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, were within normal limits. However, an MRI study of the thighs displayed scattered enhancement in the bilateral quadriceps. This was believed to be consistent with inflammatory myositis. The patient was transferred for further evaluation and management. Upon transfer, the patient reported severe fatigue, diffuse myalgias that primarily affected the thighs, and pain and swelling in the joints of her hands and knees. She noted some healing of her hand ulcerations, but patchy cyanosis of her fingertips persisted. She denied any other skin lesions or photosensitivity. She reported weakness in both legs but felt that the strength in her upper extremities and neck was normal. She denied dysphagia, dysphonia, and dyspnea.
MULTIWIRE-PROPORTIONAL-COUNTER MEASUREMENT OF THE M/L ORBITAL-ELECTRON- CAPTURE RATIO IN $sup 71$Ge DECAY.

The $\frac{M}{L}$ orbital-electron-capture ratio in $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$ decay has been measured in a wall-less multiwire proportional counter containing the gaseous radioactive compound $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$. The counter was filled to 6 atm with argon containing 15 cm Hg propane. Recent advances in proportional-counter spectrometry below 500 eV have extended the sensitivity for precision measurement to the detection of single- and few-electron events down to essentially zero energy, even in the presence of high intensities of more energetic radiation. These improvements are the result not only of the sophistication of the low-noise electronic system, but also of the present investigation of the degradation spectrum (low-energy tails and afterpulses) from spectral peaks, and of the resolution from each other of single- and few-electron spectra by using computer analysis. A fully transistorized electronic system was developed which includes a special dc-coupled logic unit with zero-time recovery (updating) to perform the following operations: (i) to ensure proper anticoincidence functioning of the ring counter; (ii) to provide paralysis pulses necessary to block possible afterpulses following an ionizing event in either the ring or central counter; and (iii) to eliminate the phenomenon of front- and backedge clipping of large pulses into small ones by the action of the anticoincidence gate. Measurements were made of the $K$, $L$, and $M$ peaks, having mean energies of 10.37 keV, 1298, and 158 eV, respectively, and the resulting orbital-electron-capture ratios were determined to be $\frac{{P}_{L}}{{P}_{K}}=0.117\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$ and $\frac{{P}_{M}}{{P}_{L}}=0.162\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$. These ratios are compared with theoretical results. Whereas the present $\frac{L}{K}$ capture ratio is in closer agreement with theory corrected for exchange according to Bahcall, the theoretical prediction of the $\frac{M}{L}$ ratio by Bahcall with correction for exchange lies approximately 7% above the present value, which agrees well with a recent theoretical calculation by Vatai. The half-life of $^{71}\mathrm{Ge}$ was found by least-squares fitting to be 11.15 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.15 days, by following the decay of $K$ x rays from a solid source with a Ge(Li) x-ray detector.
Mechanical Properties of Primary and Immortal Fibroblasts in Cell Bi-Layers

Immortalized cells are commonly used as analogs for primary cells in many cell mechanics, tissue engineering, and biochemical assays. However, it is not well-established whether immortal cell lines can mimic the behavior of primary cells in more physiological (three-dimensional) environments. For this project, we investigate the mechanical properties of primary cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and 3T3 transformed fibroblasts when cultured in cell bi-layers by comparing the cells’ viscoelastic properties.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A physics-based fretting model with friction and integration to a simple dynamical system

Dynamical modeling and simulations of structures containing joint interfaces require reduced-order fretting models for efficiency. The reduced-order models in the literature compromise accuracy and physical basis of the modeling procedure, especially in regards to interface contact and friction modeling. Recently, physics-based fretting models for flat-on-flat contacts, including roughness effects have been developed and tested on individual (isolated) mechanical lap joints [1]. These models follow a “bottom up” modeling approach; utilizing the micromechanics of sphere-on-flat fretting contact (asperity scale), and statistical summation to model flat-on-flat contact (macroscale). Since these models are derived from first principles, the effects of surface roughness, contact conditions, and material properties on fretting and dynamical response of the jointed interfaces can be studied. The present work illustrates an example of how the physics-based models can be incorporated in dynamics of jointed structures. A comparison with the friction models existing in the literature is also provided.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Investigating the associations between work hours, sleep status, and self-reported health among full-time employees

The extent to which work hours and sleep are associated with self-rated health (SRH) was investigated in full-time employees of small- and medium-scale businesses (SMBs) in a suburb of Tokyo. A total of 2,579 employees (1,887 men and 692 women), aged 18–79 (mean 45) years, in 296 SMBs were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire from August to December 2002. Work hours, sleep, and SRH were evaluated. Compared with those working 6–8 h/day, participants working >8 to 10 h/day and >10 h/day had significantly higher odds of suboptimal SRH [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.36 and 1.87, respectively]. Similarly, compared with those sleeping 6+ h/day and sufficient sleep, participants with short sleep (<6 h/day) and insufficient sleep had increased odds of suboptimal SRH (aOR 1.65 and aOR 2.03, respectively). Combinations of the longest work hours with short sleep (aOR 3.30) or insufficient sleep (aOR 3.40) exerted synergistic negative associations on SRH. This study suggests that long work hours and poor sleep and its combination are associated with suboptimal SRH.
Ethnicity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in the U.S.; however, few data are available about racial and ethnic variation. We investigated relationships between ethnicity, NAFLD severity, metabolic derangements and socio-demographic characteristics in a well-characterized cohort of adults with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Data were analyzed from 1026 adults (≥18 years) in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN) from 2004–2008 for whom liver histology data were available within 6-months of enrollment. Associations between ethnicity (Latino versus Non-Latino White) and NAFLD severity (NASH versus Non-NASH histology; and mild versus advanced fibrosis) were explored with multiple logistic regression analysis. We also investigated effect modification of ethnicity on metabolic derangements for NAFLD severity. Within the NASH CRN, 77% (N=785) were Non-Latino White and 12% (N=118) Latino. Sixty-one percent (N=668) had NASH histology and 29% (N=291) had advanced fibrosis. Latinos with NASH were younger, performed less physical activity and had higher carbohydrate intake compared to Non-Latino Whites with NASH. Gender, diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), platelets, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly associated with NASH. Age, gender, AST, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, platelets, total cholesterol, hypertension and HOMA-IR, but not ethnicity, were significantly associated with advanced fibrosis. The effect of HOMA-IR on risk of NASH was modified by ethnicity: HOMA-IR was not a significant risk factor for NASH among Latinos (Odds Ratio, OR=0.93 [95% Confidence Interval, CI, 0.85–1.02]), but was significant among Non-Latino Whites (OR 1.06, [95%CI 1.01–1.11]). Conclusion Metabolic risk factors and socio-demographic characteristics associated with NASH differ by ethnicity. Additional insights into NASH pathogenesis may come from further studies focused on understanding ethnic differences in this disease.
A generalized factorization principle for energy conservation analysis

Abstract The factorization principle is generalized to express energy consumption associated with any activity in terms of seven generic factors. The validity of this approach is demonstrated via examples involving three diverse activities. Guidelines are provided which permit systematic selection of the seven factors for any other activity. One of the seven factors describes the technical characteristics of the energy consuming device while the other six describe various aspects of the activity and the manner in which the device is utilized.
Inhibition of lipoxygenase activity: implications for the treatment and chemoprevention of prostate cancer.

Commentary to:Zyflamend®-Mediated Inhibition of Human Prostate Cancer PC3 Cell Proliferation: Effects on 12-LOX and Rb Protein PhosphorylationPeiying Yang, Carrie Cartwright, Diana Chan, Mary Vijjeswarapu, Jibin Ding and Robert A. Newman
Science Fair Participation by Public School Student In Minnesota

This article is a major extract from a position paper addressed to the Executive Director, Governor's Task Force on Public Education Policy, State of Minnesota. The author shows a real and significant underrepresentation by public school students as compared with their private and parochial school counterparts, an impression previously voiced by the Twin Cities Chapter.2 Recommendations are made primarily with an eye to the Minnesota scene, but certain of them may be applicable to other areas of the country.
Regional Classification to Enhance Efficiency and Equity in Energy Policy: The Case of Energy Conservation in China

Energy conservation is a critical policy for China to achieve its economic growth objective within its resource and environmental constraints. I develop a nonlinear programming model to simulate a promising policy instrument—an interregional energy-conservation-quota trading system. A multivariate statistical approach is applied to identify an appropriate regional classification to aggregate provinces of China into trading regions. As with most energy and environmental policies in large countries, implementation will have to take place at the regional level. I show that delineating regions on the basis of socioeconomic and energy-environment characteristics would enable the conservation-quota trading system to function in a more efficient and equitable manner.
False Belief vs. False Photographs: A Test of Theory of Mind or Working Memory?

Theory of Mind, the ability to reason about other people’s thoughts and beliefs, has been traditionally studied in behavioral and neuroimaging experiments by comparing performance in ‘false belief’ and ‘false photograph’ (control) stories. However, some evidence suggests that these stories are not matched in difficulty, complicating the interpretation of results. Here, we more fully evaluated the relative difficulty of comprehending these stories and drawing inferences from them. Subjects read false belief and false photograph stories followed by comprehension questions that probed true (‘reality’ questions) or false beliefs (‘representation’ questions) appropriate to the stories. Stories and comprehension questions were read and answered, respectively, more slowly in the false photograph than false belief conditions, indicating their greater difficulty. Interestingly, accuracy on representation questions for false photograph stories was significantly lower than for all other conditions and correlated positively with participants’ working memory span scores. These results suggest that drawing representational inferences from false photo stories is particularly difficult and places heavy demands on working memory. Extensive naturalistic practice with ToM reasoning may enable a more flexible and efficient mental representation of false belief stories, resulting in lower memory load requirements. An important implication of these results is that the differential modulation of right temporal-parietal junction (RTPJ) during ToM and ‘false photo’ control conditions may reflect the documented negative correlation of RTPJ activity with working memory load rather than a specialized involvement in ToM processes.
A zeta function for flows with positive templates

Abstract A zeta function for a map f : M → M is a device for counting periodic orbits. For a topological flow however, there is not a clear meaning to the period of a closed orbit. We circumvent this for flows which have positive templates by counting the “twists” in the stable manifolds of the periodic orbits.
One factor underlies individual differences in auditory informational masking within and across age groups.

Masked threshold for a pure-tone signal can be substantially elevated whenever the listener is uncertain about the spectral or temporal properties of the masker, an effect referred to asauditory informational masking. Individual differences in the effect are large, with young children being most susceptible. When masker uncertainty is introduced by randomizing the frequencies of a multitone masker on each presentation, the function relating a child’s pure-tone signal threshold to the number of masker components is found to be substantially elevated above that of most adults. The age effect and the individual differences among adults are not well understood, though a difference in the shapes of the masking functions suggests that different detection strategies may be involved. The present study reports results from a principal components analysis of informational masking functions obtained from 38 normal-hearing children ranging in age from 4 to 16 years and 46 normal-hearing adults ranging in age from 19 to 38 years. The premise underlying the analysis is that if different detection strategies are involved, they should add independent sources of variance to the masking functions. Hence, more than one principal component (PC) should be required to account for a substantial proportion of the variance in these functions. The results, instead, supported the operation of a single underlying strategy with all but 17% of the variance accounted for by the first PC within and across age groups. An analysis of variance on the first two PCs showed that only the first changed with age, and a cluster analysis of the masking functions showed complete separation of clusters along this PC for all but 1 listener. The results are taken to suggest that large individual differences in informational masking at all ages reflect differences in the extent to which masker uncertainty adds variance to the decision variable of an otherwise optimal decision strategy.
Conservation and variation of gene regulation in embryonic stem cells assessed by comparative genomics

We have examined the gene structure and regulatory regions of octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 (Oct 3/4), sex determining region Y box 2 (Sox2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), embryonal stem cell-specific gene 1 (ESG), nanog homeobox (Nanog), and several other genes highly expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells across different species. Our analysis showed that ES cell-expressed Ras (ERAS) was orthologous to a human pseudogene Harvey Ras (HRASP) and that the promoter and other regulatory sequences were highly divergent. No ortholog of (ES) cell-derived homeobox containing gene (Ehox) could be identified in human, and the closest paralogs PEPP gene subfamily 1 (PEPP1), PEPP2, and extraembryonic, spermatogenesis, homeobox 1 (Esx1) were not expressed by ES cells and shared little homology. The Sox2 promoter was the most conserved across species and the Oct3/4 promoter region showed significant homology particularly in the distal enhancer active in ES cells. Analysis suggested common and divergent pathways of regulation. Conserved Oct3/4 and Sox2 co-binding domains were identified in most ES expressed genes, highlighting the importance of this transcriptional pathway. Conserved fibroblast growth factor response element sites were identified in regulatory regions, suggesting a potential parallel pathway for regulation by FGFs. A central role of Stat3 activation in self-renewal and in a regulatory feedback loop was suggested by the identification of the conserved binding sites in most pathways. Although most pathways were evolutionarily conserved, promoters and genomic structure of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) pathway components were divergent, likely explaining the differential requirement of LIF for human and rodent cells. Our analysis further suggested that the Nanog regulatory pathway was relatively independent of the LIF/Oct pathway and may interact with the Nodal/transforming growth factor-β pathway. These results provide a framework for examining the current reported differences between rodent and human ES cells and define targets for future perturbation studies.
Strategies for crop improvement for drought-prone regions

Abstract Simulation models for sorghum and wheat were used to predict grain yield resulting from specific modifications to the plant or in how the plant reacts to its environment. Model predictions were made for Lubbock, TX, Temple, TX and Manhattan, KS using daily weather data for the 30-year period between 1 January 1949 and 31 December 1978. Sorghum modifications included maturity, deep rooting, and enhanced osmoregulation, but only deep rooting was tested for wheat. Simulated yields for an early maturing sorghum hybrid, assumed to reach anthesis 6 to 7 days earlier than the standard hybrids, were in general lower than the standard. A yield advantage due to early maturity was predicted only in years when yields were reduced at least 40% by low water supply. At Manhattan, the early hybrid outyielded the standard in 17% of the years and at Temple in about 33% of the years, but earliness was not favored at Lubbock. Substantial increases in grain yield were simulated for sorghum and wheat crops capable of deeper rooting. Yields of the deeper rooted crops exceeded those of the normal rooted crop by at least 20% in 20 to 38% of the years across locations. The water use efficiency of deep rooted sorghum, expressed as grain yield/total crop water use, was significantly greater at Temple and Manhattan than the normal rooted crop, because the additional water was available later in the season when a high fraction of the total evapotranspiration occurs as transpiration. As simulated, enhanced osmoregulation resulted in 20% higher yields only 1 year in ten at Lubbock, but additional quantitative data are needed to accurately simulate benefits from this mechanism.
Autonomous requirements for the segment polarity gene armadillo during Drosophila embryogenesis

Abstract Embryos hemizygous for armadillo produce a "segment polarity" phenotype in which the naked posterior two-thirds of each segment is replaced by denticles with reversed polarity. Small patches of homozygous arm cells induced by mitotic recombination also form such denticles, indicating that the changes in cellular fate observed in homozygous arm embryos are autonomous at the level of single cells. Clonally derived arm patches do not, however, show the characteristic arm polarity reversals, arguing that this feature of the phenotype depends on cell interactions in fully mutant embryos. Few, if any, clones were found in the posterior-most regions of the naked cuticle, and none were found in the posterior compartments of the thorax.