cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liquid-Crystal-Based Biosensor without Alignment Substrate

Liquid-crystal-based biosensors, based on a design by N. L. Abbott [1,2], are drawing increasing attention because of their dramatic optical response to minute changes at their surface, due, for example, to absorption of biomolecules [see figure.] In this work we simplify and improve the precision and reproducibility of such a biosensor. First, we show that the sensor may be used without separately prepared aligning substrate, which makes measurements more reproducible. Second, analyze the birefringence of the sensing liquid crystal with a spectrophotometer, which makes measurements more precise. Third, we observe the optical response and measure spectral output from every individual cell to account for distribution of liquid crystal thickness in the TEM grid, which makes measurement and analysis more consistent. We further study the response of the sensor both on an aqueous solution/air surface and immersed in the solution. These improvements will lead to building less expensive, simpler in operation, and more reliable liquid-crystal-based biosensors.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide[1] J.M. Brake, M.K. Daschner, Y.-Y. Luk, and N.L. Abbott, Science (New York, N.Y.) 302, 2094 (2003).[2] W. Iglesias, N.L. Abbott, E.K. Mann, and A. Jakli, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 4, 6884 (2012).
DNA oxidation in anionic reverse micelles: ruthenium-mediated damage at Guanine in single- and double-stranded DNA.

One-electron guanine oxidation in DNA has been investigated in anionic reverse micelles (RMs). A photochemical method for generating Ru3+ from the ruthenium polypyridyl complex tris(2-2‘-bipyridine...
The FAA's Postmortem Forensic Toxicology Self-Evaluated Proficiency Test Program: The Second Seven Years

During toxicological evaluations of samples from fatally injured pilots involved in civil aviation accidents, a high degree of quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) is maintained. Under this philosophy, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) started a forensic toxicology proficiency-testing (PT) program in July 1991. In continuation of the first seven years of the PT findings reported earlier, PT findings of the next seven years are summarized herein. Twenty-eight survey samples (12 urine, 9 blood, and 7 tissue homogenate) with/without alcohols/volatiles, drugs, and/or putrefactive amine(s) were submitted to an average of 31 laboratories, of which an average of 25 participants returned their results. Analytes in survey samples were correctly identified and quantitated by a large number of participants, but some false positives of concern were reported. It is anticipated that the FAA's PT program will continue to serve the forensic toxicology community through this important part of the QC/QA for laboratory accreditations.
ENERGY USE IN TOMATO PASTE EVAPORATION

The energy consumption of several tomato paste evaporators was monitored to provide baseline data for equipment selection or modification. Daily average performance data are given for single, double and triple effect evaporators. Average daily steam economies for the single effect evaporator ranged from 0.74 to 1.02 and averaged 0.84 compared to a theoretical average of 0.95. Two similar double effect evaporators had average daily steam economies which ranged from 0.79 to 2.03. The average daily steam economy measured was 1.45 while the theoretical average was 1.91. The average daily steam economies for the three triple effect evaporators ranged from 1.66 to 3.06.
Functional and morphological changes associated with the ageing of primary cultures of embryonic adrenal gland cells derived from the Pekin duck.

The morphological and functional changes associated with ageing were studied in adrenal steroidogenic cells derived from duck embryos. Cells grown for not more than three days had structural characteristics similar to their counterparts in vivo; they contained numerous lipid droplets and mitochondria, an abundant smooth edoplasmic reticulum, an even network of microtubules, and microfilaments that formed extensive and elaborate systems of parallel stress fibers. After the 3rd day of growth in culture, many of the cells started to decrease in size and become elongated; the older cells showed less well-defined actin filaments and contained elongated mitochondria, fewer lipid droplets, less smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and swollen cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The proliferative capacity of the cells was the same when they were cultured in either the presence or the absence of 1–24 ACTH. After the first day of growth in culture, the steroidogenic capacity of the cells declined and the addition of 1–24 ACTH to the growth medium did not prevent changes in their structure and function. The decline in steroidogenic capacity occurred both in terms of the amount of hormone released into the culture medium and in the ability of the cells to respond when incubated in buffer containing 1–24 ACTH. Since the basal unstimulated rates of corticosteroid production also declined as the cells aged, it is probable that the steroidogenic deficiency occurs at a site distal to the corticotropin receptor; this is also consistent with the ultrastructural observations that suggest a relationship between the morphological changes and the decline in steroidogenic capacity as the cells age.
Superior radiation-resistant nanoengineered austenitic 304L stainless steel for applications in extreme radiation environments

Nuclear energy provides more than 10% of electrical power internationally, and the increasing engagement of nuclear energy is essential to meet the rapid worldwide increase in energy demand. A paramount challenge in the development of advanced nuclear reactors is the discovery of advanced structural materials that can endure extreme environments, such as severe neutron irradiation damage at high temperatures. It has been known for decades that high dose radiation can introduce significant void swelling accompanied by precipitation in austenitic stainless steel (SS). Here we report, however, that through nanoengineering, ultra-fine grained (UFG) 304 L SS with an average grain size of ~100 nm, can withstand Fe ion irradiation at 500 °C to 80 displacements-per-atom (dpa) with moderate grain coarsening. Compared to coarse grained (CG) counterparts, swelling resistance of UFG SS is improved by nearly an order of magnitude and swelling rate is reduced by a factor of 5. M(23)C(6) precipitates, abundant in irradiated CG SS, are largely absent in UFG SS. This study provides a nanoengineering approach to design and discover radiation tolerant metallic materials for applications in extreme radiation environments.
Improving APA science translation amicus briefs

This commentary uses APA's brief inPrice Waterhouse v. Hopkins to examine a number of issues concerning such briefs submitted to appellate courts: What are the purposes of APA's science translation briefs? What role conflicts emerge between legal advocates and empirical scientists? In what ways are these exacerbated or lessened by the respective duties of advocates and scientists? In what ways may the conflicts be compelled by differences between legal and empirical questions? How adequate are Brandeis briefs as a tool for communicating empirical research findings to appellate courts? Are any of the usual adversarial protections maintained? What is the question the court might look to the brief, and to the field, to answer? What is the role for meta-analyses? For what interests might APA as an amicus advocate? In addition to organizational self-interest and the public interest, does it ever make sense to advocate, in a purported science translation brief, on behalf of an ultimate issue in the case or for one of the parties to the litigation? To these difficult problems, I suggest a potentially simple solution.
Attentional processing of “unattended” flankers: Evidence for a failure of selective attention

Results from research with the flanker task have been used to argue both that flankers are identified without attention and that flanker identificatin requires attention. In three experiments, we addressed this issue by examining flanker recall. In Experiment 1, we manipulated flanker redundancy, a variable that could influence attention to the flankers, in order to determine whether it affected the magnitude of the flanker effect, the magnitude of flanker recall, or both. Redundancy did not influence the flanker effect, and recall was high in both conditions, suggesting that the flankers were attended. The recall results contradicted those of Miller (1987), the only other study that we could find in which flanker recall was used. In Experiments 2 and 3, we examined differences between Miller’s procedure and ours. Although flanker recall was lower when open-ended rather than forced recall was used and when the flanker task was made more complicated, flanker recall remained well above chance in all conditions. The data strongly suggest that in the typical correlated flanker task there is a failure of selective attention at some point during processing such that flankers receive attentional processing.
Concluding remarks: astrochemistry of dust, ice and gas

In this closing article, we first introduce the topics of dust and ice chemistry and their role in astrochemistry. We then discuss the invited contributions and discussions concerning these topics, dividing the papers into groupings by subject: (i) astronomical sources, (ii) basic properties of dust, (iii) processes on bare grains, (iv) processes on and in ice mantles, and (v) complex organic molecules. A sample of poster contributions is included in the text, when they complement the discussion. The article ends with some suggestions for future research.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes: An Experiment in Materials Chemistry

Though a tremendous amount of research has recently been devoted to synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotubes, few students have been afforded the opportunity to study these species in a laboratory course setting. As a part of an introductory laboratory course in the Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP) graduate program at UC Irvine, a module was designed wherein students synthesized carbon nanotubes and performed characterization studies using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Methane gas was pyrolyzed at 1000 °C to generate nanotubes on alumina-supported Fe2O3 particles. The iron concentration of the catalyst particles was varied to determine the effect of catalyst composition on nanotube growth. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) indicated that an iron concentration greater than 1.6 atom % in the catalyst particles was necessary in order to produce nanotubes rather than amorphous carbon deposits. Further, as the iron concentration was increased in the range of 2.40...
Relation of troponin I levels following nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention to short- and long-term outcomes

Increases of creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB cardiac enzymes after nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events during follow-up. However, there are limited data about the incidence and prognostic significance of an isolated increase of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) without an increase in CK-MB after PCI. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an isolated cTnI increase on long-term survival in patients undergoing nonemergent PCI with normal CK-MB levels after PCI. Using the 2004/2005 Cornell Angioplasty Registry, we evaluated the clinical outcomes in 1,601 patients (undergoing elective or urgent PCI) with normal preprocedure cTnI and CK-MB and normal CK-MB levels after the procedure. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of cTnI increase after PCI. The mean follow-up period was 24.6 ± 7.6 months. An increase in cTnI was observed in 831 patients (51.9%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 87% of patients and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered in 48% of patients. Incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events was low, 0.1% versus 0% (p = 1.000), in patients with versus without cTnI increases, respectively. By 2 years of follow-up, Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 94.1% versus 96.4% (log-rank p = 0.020) in those with versus without cTnI increases, respectively. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, an increase in cTnI after PCI (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 2.59, p = 0.047) was an independent predictor of increased long-term mortality. In conclusion, an isolated increase in cTnI after nonemergent PCI is common, not associated with more frequent adverse in-hospital outcomes compared to patients with normal cTnI, and provides long-term prognostic information regarding mortality.
Brain structural abnormalities in young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: To explore the specific gross neuroanatomic substrates of this brain developmental disorder, the authors examine brain morphometric features in a large sample of carefully diagnosed 3- to 4-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with age-matched control groups of typically developing (TD) children and developmentally delayed (DD) children. Methods: Volumes of the cerebrum, cerebellum, amygdala, and hippocampus were measured from three-dimensional coronal MR images acquired from 45 children with ASD, 26 TD children, and 14 DD children. The volumes were analyzed with respect to age, sex, volume of the cerebrum, and clinical status. Results: Children with ASD were found to have significantly increased cerebral volumes compared with TD and DD children. Cerebellar volume for the ASD group was increased in comparison with the TD group, but this increase was proportional to overall increases in cerebral volume. The DD group had smaller cerebellar volumes compared with both of the other groups. Measurements of amygdalae and hippocampi in this group of young children with ASD revealed enlargement bilaterally that was proportional to overall increases in total cerebral volume. There were similar findings of cerebral enlargement for both girls and boys with ASD. For subregion analyses, structural abnormalities were observed primarily in boys, although this may reflect low statistical power issues because of the small sample (seven girls with ASD) studied. Among the ASD group, structural findings were independent of nonverbal IQ. In a subgroup of children with ASD with strictly defined autism, amygdalar enlargement was in excess of increased cerebral volume. Conclusions: These structural findings suggest abnormal brain developmental processes early in the clinical course of autism. Research currently is underway to better elucidate mechanisms underlying these structural abnormalities and their longitudinal progression.
Orthogonality in medium energy nuclear reactions

The kinematic range over which orthogonality appreciably changes single-nucleon ejection amplitudes is investigated. No simple prescription is found which can be applied to plane wave approximations to achieve the required modifications.
Canopy dynamics and carbon gain in response to soil water availability in Encelia frutescens gray, a drought-deciduous shrub.

The production and longevity of leaves of Encelia frutescens Gray, a drought-deciduous subshrub of the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts, were followed during the summer and fall of 1983 in an experimental field garden. The relationships between seasonally changing plant water status, extent of canopy development, and photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area were determined. Maximum leaf life spans during a summer activity period were between 3 and 4 months, with the great majority living between 1 and 3 months. Leaf production occurred synchronously in well defined cohorts triggered by precipitation events. Extensive leaf turnover occurred during the summer period even though the plants remained in continuous leaf. Turnover was most pronounced when precipitation triggered the production of new leaf cohorts.
Effect of phenylarsine oxide on fluid phase endocytosis: Further evidence for activation of the glucose transporter

We have shown previously that insulin stimulates fluid phase endocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (Gibbs et al., 1986). Using [14C]sucrose as an endocytotic marker, we show here that phenylarsine oxide, a trivalent arsenical which binds neighboring dithiols, blocked not only insulin-stimulated fluid phase endocytosis, but basal endocytosis as well. The Ki for this process was 6 microM in the presence or absence of insulin and the time required for inhibition was less than 2.5 min, the limit of detection in our assay system. These results can be compared with the inhibitory effect of phenylarsine oxide on insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Although the Ki for insulin-stimulated transport (7 microM) was similar to that for inhibition of endocytosis, basal glucose transport was not affected by the inhibitor. Further, when cells were prestimulated with insulin causing maximal stimulation of the glucose transport rate, phenylarsine oxide induced a time-dependent reduction to the basal rate (t 1/2 of 10 min), despite the fact that endocytosis was blocked immediately. This observation suggests that if the transporter is recycled by an exocytotic/endocytotic mechanism, it is distinct from fluid-phase endocytosis/exocytosis, which is a vesicle-mediated process, and provides further evidence that the transporter may undergo intrinsic activation/inactivation which does not require vesicle movement.
Disruption of ceruloplasmin and hephaestin in mice causes retinal iron overload and retinal degeneration with features of age-related macular degeneration.

Mechanisms of brain and retinal iron homeostasis have become subjects of increased interest after the discovery of elevated iron levels in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and retinas of patients with age-related macular degeneration. To determine whether the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin (Cp) and its homolog hephaestin (Heph) are important for retinal iron homeostasis, we studied retinas from mice deficient in Cp and/or Heph. In normal mice, Cp and Heph localize to Muller glia and retinal pigment epithelium, a blood–brain barrier. Mice deficient in both Cp and Heph, but not each individually, had a striking, age-dependent increase in retinal pigment epithelium and retinal iron. The iron storage protein ferritin was also increased in Cp–/–Heph–/Y retinas. After retinal iron levels had increased, Cp–/–Heph–/Y mice had age-dependent retinal pigment epithelium hypertrophy, hyperplasia and death, photoreceptor degeneration, and subretinal neovascularization, providing a model of some features of the human retinal diseases aceruloplasminemia and age-related macular degeneration. This pathology indicates that Cp and Heph are critical for CNS iron homeostasis and that loss of Cp and Heph in the mouse leads to age-dependent retinal neurodegeneration, providing a model that can be used to test the therapeutic efficacy of iron chelators and antiangiogenic agents.
The editing of picture segmentations using local analysis of graphs

A major problem in picture processing is the elimination of the large number of spurious regions that result from an initial segmentation by region growing techniques. Such regions have been eliminated either on the basis of semantic information or on the basis of size and contrast. A scheme is presented which performs eliminations on the basis of local properties of the region adjacency graph. The scheme is based on definitions of graph properties which are satisfied when a spurious region is present; then editing is equivalent to fast graph operations. A number of examples are shown.
Comparative alterations in extrahepatic drug metabolism by factors known to affect hepatic activity.

Abstract Various factors known to alter hepatic drug metabolism were examined for their effects on drug metabolism in certain extrahepatic organs, viz. lung and kidney. The prominent sex-related differences in drug metabolism in rat liver were not seen in either lung or kidney. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital produced the expected large increases in hepatic NADPH cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome P-450. aminopyrine demethylase and biphenyl hydroxylase activities without concomitant changes in any of these parameters in lung, and only scattered and smaller changes in kidney. 3-Methylcholanthrene (3-MC) pretreatment significantly increased cytochrome P-450 levels in all three organs. Pretreatment of rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) produced consistent inhibition of mixedfunction oxidation in hepatic microsomes. but the extrahepatic effects were less predictable and were both organ- and enzyme-specific. An increase in renal UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity was observed after CCl4 treatment that paralleled a similar but larger increase observed in liver. Extrahepatic NADPH cytochrome c reductase and N-methyl-p-chloroaniline demethylase values were unaffected by CCl4. Lung and kidney responded in a like manner to liver to the additions in vitro of β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate (SKF-525A). Losses in enzyme activities in lung and kidney microsomes roughly paralleled those of liver when stored as pellets for up to 14 days at −70°. Two or 4 days of starvation produced substrate-specific changes in enzyme-specific activity in liver and kidney, with lung appearing resistant to the effect. When enzyme activity was expressed on a whole organ basis, however, lung cytochrome P-450 values decreased significantly and parameters from liver and kidney increased or decreased in a substrate-specific manner. It is concluded that some physiological and pharmacological factors that influence hepatic drug metabolism produce similar effects in lung and kidney, while other factors produce organ-specific effects.
Inhibiting crystal swelling in MFI zeolite membranes

Abstract β-Cyclodextrin (CD), which is too large to fit into MFI pores, was deposited in the intercrystalline defects of MFI zeolite membranes in an effort to decrease flow through the defects and increase separation selectivity. The permeation behavior of molecules that swell MFI crystals (SF 6 , n-butane, i-butane) and those that do not (He, H 2 ), plus the permeation of i-octane, which only diffuses through membrane defects, were used to show that CD lodged in the defects and inhibited adsorbate-induced expansion of MFI crystals. As a result, the defect sizes decreased less with adsorption of molecules that swell MFI crystals. The CD blocked a fraction of the defect cross-section, and thus decreased the fluxes of H 2 , He, and i-octane through the defects. In contrast, the flux of molecules that swelled MFI crystals either increased (as much as a factor of seven for some membranes) or decreased, depending on the membrane and the amount of CD deposited. The fluxes increased because CD acted like a shim in the defects so they could not shrink as much, but the fluxes decreased at high CD loadings so that more defect cross-sectional area was blocked than had been decreased by swelling. These results provide direct evidence that defect sizes decrease when some molecules adsorb in MFI pores of MFI membranes. They also demonstrate the difficulty of characterizing MFI membranes because defect sizes change in the presence of many adsorbates. Most of the CD could be removed by calcination, but enough CD or its decomposition products remained that even after calcination, defects did not shrink as much due to adsorption as they had before CD deposition.
Expression of lambda and kappa genes can occur in all B cells and is initiated around the same pre-B-cell developmental stage.

Transgenic mice that carry a λ2 transgene under the control of the Vλ2 promoter and the Eλ2-4 enhancer (λ2Eλ mice) are described. A high proportion of B cells in the spleen and the bone marrow express the λ transgene on the cell membrane. λ2 protein is synthesized by all λ2Eλ-derived spleen B-cell hybridomas that have retained the transgene, suggesting that all B cells have the ability to express λ genes. Feedback inhibition of endogenous K-gene rearrangement is significant, but not complete. The results are similar to those with transgenic mice expressing the same λ2 transgene under the control of the heavy-chain enhancer (λ2EH mice). Although the λ2EH transgene is expressed before the λ2Eλ transgene, feedback inhibition seems to occur at about the same stage of B-cell development, regardless of the timing of expression of the λ transgenes. Apparently, feedback is not necessarily coincident with the assembly of a heavy-chain/light-chain complex in pre-B cells. Expression of λ in the normal fetal liver coincides with the expression of K; thus, it appears that λ-gene transcription is not delayed. The differential rearrangement of K and λ genes is discussed in the light of these findings.
Drugs into bodies: global AIDS treatment and activism

Drugs into bodies: global AIDS treatment and activism, by Raymond A. Smith and Patricia D. Siplon, Westport, CT, Praeger, 2006, 196 pp., including notes, US$44.95 (hardcover), ISBN 0-275-98325-0 Fo...
Colonic-duodenal fistula in Crohn's disease.

A fistula between the ascending colon and the duodenum occurs not uncommonly as a complication of Crohn's disease with primarily colonic involvement. Clinical and radiological findings in four cases are presented. In three instances the fistula served as an indication for surgical intervention; after ileosigmoidostomy, ileorectal anastomosis, and ileostomy alone, the patients improved clinically but x-ray evidence of patency of the fistula persisted. Recurrent activity of the Crohn's disease in two responded to medical treatment as it did in one patient without surgery at all. The internal fistula need not be a serious complication of Crohn's disease and should not serve as an indication for surgical correction for its own sake.
Progressive Changes in Cortical Water and Electrolyte Content at Three Stages of Rat Infantile Hydrocephalus and the Effect of Shunt Treatment

Abstract Infantile hydrocephalus causes injury to the developing brain and despite surgical treatment, neurological deficits persist. The H-Tx rat develops inherited hydrocephalus in late gestation. Rapid postnatal ventricular enlargement, results in severe hydrocephalus by 21 days after birth. This is accompanied by changes in cortical morphology and metabolite content that indicate possible changes in intracellular composition. This study has tested the hypothesis that tissue water and electrolyte content is altered in hydrocephalus. The objective was to gain further insight into the mechanisms leading to neuronal damage. Water and electrolyte content (Na+, Cl−, and K+) were measured in the cerebral cortex of control and hydrocephalic rats at 4, 11, and 21 days after birth, and at 21 days in rats that received alleviating shunt surgery at 4 or 11 days. At all ages, hydrocephalic tissue was significantly increased over control for cortical water, Na+, and Cl−content. Additionally, at the intermediate (11-day) and advanced (21-day) stages there were significant decreases in K+content, consistent with previous observations of decreases in organic osmolytes and energy metabolites. This suggests that by 11 days there are intracellular changes, probably through impaired membrane homeostatic mechanisms. In shunt-treated rats, the extracellular constituents were almost normal, although a small increase over control values persisted. The decrease in intracellular K+was not corrected in either group of shunt-treated rats. It is concluded that early hydrocephalus is characterized by extracellular edema that largely reverses with shunt treatment. Subsequently, as the hydrocephalus progresses, there is a breakdown of cell homeostasis and an irreversible loss of intracellular constituents.
Troubleshooting a Packing Maldistribution Upset

Abstract This paper describes troubleshooting poor performance of a packed distillation tower and a condition called ‘upset’ in which rapid heating up occurred near the top of the tower. The investigation combined surface temperature surveys, gamma scans and gamma CAT scans, simulation and a hydraulic analysis. Temperature surveys and gamma scans revealed severe maldistribution in the top bed with vapour flowing in the central regions and liquid in the peripheral regions. Both also showed severe spraying of liquid from the reflux distributor all the way to near the tower top tangent line. There were no indications of flooding. The investigation identified feed and reflux maldistribution as the major root causes for poor performance. A simulation of test data verified poor efficiencies in both top and bottom beds. The hydraulic analysis concurred with the field tests in identifying maldistribution of feed and reflux as the root causes of poor performance. The reflux, as well as the feed maldistribution, were caused by boiling and flashing in the distributors and distributor tubes. Neither distributor was designed to handle boiling nor vapour. A major contributor was the nature of the reflux mixture, which contained a large fraction of a volatile non-key component among higher boiling light key components. This volatile non-key component readily boiled in the reflux distributor. The ‘upset’ was zonal dryout due to the distributor boiling. The maldistribution and ‘upset’ were fully eliminated by new, well-designed distributors and flashing feed inlets.
A Stepwise "Micellization-Crystallization" Route to Oblate Ellipsoidal, Cylindrical, and Bilayer Micelles with Polyethylene Cores in Water

Micellar polymorphism from block copolymers has been well documented, but most attention has focused on noncrystalline hydrophobic systems. We have investigated the micellization in water of model diblock copolymers with semicrystalline polyethylene (PE) as the core-forming component. Poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)–polyethylene (AE) diblock copolymers were synthesized by a combination of anionic and RAFT polymerizations. The bulk nanostructures were probed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and AE diblock copolymers were found to be moderately segregated at 140 °C. Dispersions of AE amphiphiles in water were prepared by direct dissolution at 120 °C (i.e., above the melting transition of PE) followed by cooling to 25 °C. By manipulating the composition of AE diblock copolymers, discrete structures with oblate ellipsoidal, cylindrical, and bilayer morphologies were produced, as evidenced in cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The self-assembled aggregates were also studied by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and dilute solution rheology. The semicrystalline nature of the nanostructures was further revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). A stepwise “micellization–crystallization” process was proposed as the micelle formation mechanism, as supported by the existence of similar nanostructures at 120 °C using SANS. This strategy holds promise for a general protocol toward the production of giant wormlikemore » micelles and vesicles with semicrystalline polymeric cores.« less
Survival–Recovery Effect: Military Wives With Soldier–Husbands Deployed to the Operation Iraqi Freedom Conflict

Typical stressful emotions for wartime military wives have not changed since the Vietnam War. Given the catastrophic nature of the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) war of the 21st century, growing concerns have emerged from the public regarding this population's psychological and physical health. A qualitative phenomenological analysis explored an in-depth OIF deployment separation on eight military wives' psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being with soldier-husbands' indefinite deployment. From the dominant thematic findings emerged an overall experience for this population, named a “survival-recovery effect.” Results strikingly mirrored previous empirical research that confirmed the military wives have been unprepared to manage war-induced deployment separations. Implications suggested a critical need to develop intervention support services and programs aimed at addressing the unique wartime stressors for this population. Insights from these women have the potential to guide future military wives through a wartime crisis. Findings have wide benefits for the military wife population vital to soldier retention, segments of the military and civilian scientific communities, and the field of psychology. Future recommendations and limitations are outlined.
Adult satellite cells and embryonic muscle progenitors have distinct genetic requirements

Myogenic potential, survival and expansion of mammalian muscle progenitors depend on the myogenic determinants Pax3 and Pax7 embryonically, and Pax7 alone perinatally. Several in vitro studies support the critical role of Pax7 in these functions of adult muscle stem cells (satellite cells), but a formal demonstration has been lacking in vivo. Here we show, through the application of inducible Cre/loxP lineage tracing and conditional gene inactivation to the tibialis anterior muscle regeneration paradigm, that, unexpectedly, when Pax7 is inactivated in adult mice, mutant satellite cells are not compromised in muscle regeneration, they can proliferate and reoccupy the sublaminal satellite niche, and they are able to support further regenerative processes. Dual adult inactivation of Pax3 and Pax7 also results in normal muscle regeneration. Multiple time points of gene inactivation reveal that Pax7 is only required up to the juvenile period when progenitor cells make the transition into quiescence. Furthermore, we demonstrate a cell-intrinsic difference between neonatal progenitor and adult satellite cells in their Pax7-dependency. Our finding of an age-dependent change in the genetic requirement for muscle stem cells cautions against inferring adult stem-cell biology from embryonic studies, and has direct implications for the use of stem cells from hosts of different ages in transplantation-based therapy.
Bayes estimation for a bivariate survival model based on exponential distributions

Bayesian analysis of a bivariate survival model based on exponential distributions is discussed using both vague and conjugate prior distributions. Parameter and reliability estimators are given for the maximum likelihood technique and the Bayesian approach using both types of priors. A Monte Carlo study indicates the vague prior Bayes estimator of reliability performs better than its maximum likelihood counterpart.
Direct formation of H2O2 from H2 and O2 over a Pd/SiO2 catalyst: the roles of the acid and the liquid phase

Abstract The direct formation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 was carried out over a Pd/SiO 2 catalyst in a medium of ethanol or water acidified with either H 2 SO 4 or HCl. The H 2 SO 4 /ethanol system is the most favorable for peroxide formation. Both the proton and the anion, in the case of Cl − , promote the net formation of the peroxide. Protons inhibit the reduction of H 2 O 2 by H 2 , and chloride ions limit the direct reduction of O 2 to water, presumably by blocking Pd ensembles. Sulfate ions, being noncoordinating ligands, do not serve this function; therefore the H 2 SO 4 /water system is a poor medium for producing the peroxide. By contrast, the H 2 SO 4 /ethanol system is believed to be effective because in the presence of O 2 , acetate ions are formed from ethanol, and these ions block Pd ensembles in the same manner as chloride ions.
Treatment of placental site trophoblastic tumor with hysterotomy and uterine reconstruction.

Background Placental site trophoblastic tumor is an unusual variant of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia that is usually confined to the uterus, although 10% of patients have metastases. Because this tumor occurs in women of reproductive age, preservation of fertility may be relevant. Therefore, local excision of placental site trophoblastic tumor by hysterotomy may have a place in management. Case A 25-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, presented with irregular bleeding. Uterine curettage revealed intermediate trophoblasts that on immunostaining were positive for hCG and human placental lactogen, consistent with placental site trophoblastic tumor. Endovaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated tumor localized to the anterior fundal myometrium. The patient underwent local excision of the tumor by hysterotomy followed by uterine reconstruction. Pathologic examination confirmed that the surgical margins were free of tumor. The patient has had no recurrence. Two subsequent pregnancies resulted in two spontaneous abortions. A third pregnancy was carried to term. The patient was delivered by cesarean because of the hysterotomy. The hysterotomy scar was intact at cesarean. Conclusion Hysterectomy has been recommended by most authors for treatment for placental site trophoblastic tumor. In some patients with localized placental site trophoblastic tumor who desire preservation of fertility, more conservative surgical therapy may be considered.
Children and Adults Reading Interactively: The Social Benefits of an Exploratory Intergenerational Program.

This exploratory Intergenerational Program (IGP) focused on reading to determine whether it affects mood and communication in older adults with mild dementia and neurocognitive deficits, and if it influences school-aged children’s perceptions of older adults over time. Six older adults with cognitive-communication deficits and 12 school-aged children, identified with language and reading concerns, participated for 45 min weekly for 8 weeks in this IGP. The Mini-Mental State Exam, an adult mood and communication questionnaire, and a questionnaire about the children’s perceptions of older adult were administered. No significant findings were obtained from measures of the older adults. Significant findings were obtained for the school-aged children’s perceptions of older adults. Changes in reading behaviors were noted by the teacher and parents. Through observation and comments, the participants indicated mutual enjoyment of this IGP. This IGP is novel because it includes two populations with communication d...
International studies of the Indian Ocean, 1959–1965

Abstract An oceanographic exploration of much of the Indian Ocean took place during 1959–1965 in the framework of the International Indian Ocean Expedition. Organised and coordinated by international organisations, the Expedition involved 23 countries, many from outside the region. An analysis is made of the role of international organisations, the nature of planning and coordination, the relative importance of fundamental and applied research, the published products of the Expedition, and its benefits to developed and developing countries. Some lessons for the organisation of future cooperative ventures are suggested.
Ca2+/calmodulin disrupts AKAP79/150 interactions with KCNQ (M-Type) K+ channels.

M-type channels are localized to neuronal, cardiovascular, and epithelial tissues, where they play critical roles in control of excitability and K+ transport, and are regulated by numerous receptors via Gq/11-mediated signals. One pathway shown for KCNQ2 and muscarinic receptors uses PKC, recruited to the channels by A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)79/150. As M-type channels can be variously composed of KCNQ1-5 subunits, and M current is known to be regulated by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) and PIP2, we probed the generality of AKAP79/150 actions among KCNQ1-5 channels, and the influence of Ca2+/CaM and PIP2 on AKAP79/150 actions. We first examined which KCNQ subunits are targeted by AKAP79 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells heterologously expressing KCNQ1-5 subunits and AKAP79, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) under total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, and patch-clamp analysis. Donor-dequenching FRET between CFP-tagged KCNQ1-5 and YFP-tagged AKAP79 revealed association of KCNQ2-5, but not KCNQ1, with AKAP79. In parallel with these results, CHO cells stably expressing M1 receptors studied under perforated patch-clamp showed cotransfection of AKAP79 to “sensitize” KCNQ2/3 heteromers and KCNQ2-5, but not KCNQ1, homomers to muscarinic inhibition, manifested by shifts in the dose–response relations to lower concentrations. The effect on KCNQ4 was abolished by the T553A mutation of the putative PKC phosphorylation site. We then probed the role of CaM and PIP2 in these AKAP79 actions. TIRF/FRET experiments revealed cotransfection of wild-type, but not dominant-negative (DN), CaM that cannot bind Ca2+, to disrupt the interaction of YFP-tagged AKAP791-153 with CFP-tagged KCNQ2-5. Tonic depletion of PIP2 by cotransfection of a PIP2 phosphatase had no effect, and sudden depletion of PIP2 did not delocalize GFP-tagged AKAP79 from the membrane. Finally, patch-clamp experiments showed cotransfection of wild-type, but not DN, CaM to prevent the AKAP79-mediated sensitization of KCNQ2/3 heteromers to muscarinic inhibition. Thus, AKAP79 acts on KCNQ2-5, but not KCNQ1-containing channels, with effects disrupted by calcified CaM, but not by PIP2 depletion.
Hazard Initialized LOC Tests for TDF Undetectable CMOS Open Defects

Hazards have been known to have the potential to invalidate tests for stuck-open faults in CMOS circuits. In this paper we show that hazards can also predictably allow the detection of stuck-open faults that may be undetectable by traditional TDF launch-on-capture (LOC) scan delay tests. Importantly, the detected open faults are not redundant, and can in fact be activated in normal functional operation leading to functional errors. We identify such defects in benchmark circuits and present a LOC test selection method capable of predictably detecting the open defects through initialization by a hazard.
Organic acid exudation by mycorrhizal Andropogon virginicus L. (broomsedge) roots in response to aluminum

Elevated aluminum (Al) availability limits plant growth on acidic soils. Although this element is found naturally in soils, acidic conditions create an environment where Al solubility increases and toxic forms of Al impact plant function. Plant resistance to Al is often attributed to organic acid exudation from plant roots and the chelation of cationic Al in the rhizosphere. The association of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi with the roots of plants may alleviate Al toxicity by altering soil Al availability or plant exposure through the binding of Al to fungal structures or through the influence of fungi on exudation from roots. Diverse communities of AM fungi are found in soil ecosystems and research suggests that AM fungi exhibit functional diversity that may influence plant performance under varying edaphic environments. In the present study, we evaluated acidic isolates of six AM species in their responses to Al. Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge), a warm-season grass that commonly grows in a range of stressful environments including acidic soils, was used as a plant host for Acaulospora morrowiae, Glomus claroideum, Glomus clarum, Glomus etunicatum, Paraglomus brasilianum, and Scutellospora heterogama. Fungal spores were germinated and exposed to 0 or 100 μM Al on filter paper in sand culture or were grown and exposed to Al in sand culture in association with A. virginicus. Short- and long-term responses to Al were evaluated using direct measurements of fungal spore germination, hyphal elongation, and measurements of A. virginicus colonization and plant growth as a phytometer of AM function in symbio. Spore germination and hyphal elongation varied among AM species in response to Al, but patterns were not consistent with the influences of these AM species on A. virginicus under Al exposure. Exposure to Al did not influence colonization of roots, although large differences existed in colonization among fungal species. Plants colonized by G. clarum and S. heterogama exhibited the least reduction in growth when exposed to Al, produced the highest concentrations of Al-chelating organic acids, and had the lowest concentrations of free Al in their root zones. This pattern provides evidence that variation among AM fungi in Al resistance conferred to their plant hosts is associated with the exudation of Al-binding organic acids from roots and highlights the role that AM fungal diversity may play in plant performance in acidic soil environments.
Innovations in University Finance: A Growing Necessity, and Intelligent Too!.

In increasing numbers, public and particularly private colleges and universities are facing financing crunches associated with declining enrollments, cuts in federal aid programs, reduced grant pools, etc. These financing challenges are evident not only in terms of capital investment needs but also short-term operating demands. However, universities and colleges do have vehicles available to them to deal with both short-term and long-term needs—in the debt markets. Variable rate demand bonds and tax-exempt variable rate demand bonds are currently being marketed for just such purposes. In addition, the future appears bright for a currently unavailable instrument—real rate bonds which could further reduce the financing expenses for schools. The characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each are discussed along with some examples of their superiority to alternative financing.
A Study of undulator magnets characterization using the Vibrating Wire technique

Abstract The vibrating wire (VW) technique employs a stretched wire as a magnetic field sensor. Because of the wire’s small diameter (∼0.1 mm or smaller) and because the wire can be supported from outside the magnet, this technique is very appealing for field measurements in small gap/bore undulators with small good field regions and with limited access to the tested field. In addition, in the case of elliptical undulators, in which Hall probe (HP) measurements can be affected by the planar Hall Effect; VW technique can be used as an independent method to verify and supplement HP measurements. In this article, we studied the potential of the VW technique for measurement of magnetic field errors and for prediction of beam trajectories in undulator magnets, using a 3.8 m long LCLS undulator as a test bench. Introducing calibrated magnetic field distortion at various locations, we measured the sensitivity and spatial resolution of the method. The method demonstrated 0.9 mm precision in localizing of the field distortion at a distance up to a few meters as well as 0.37 G cm sensitivity to the variation of the local field and 2 G cm sensitivity to the total field integral. To compare Hall probe and Vibrating wire measurements side-by-side, we measured field errors in an LCLS undulator previously characterized by Hall probe measurements. The field errors found with the Vibrating Wire technique appeared to be in good agreement with errors measured with the Hall probe. Beam trajectory distortions calculated from both data sets are also in good agreement.
Advances in automated deception detection in text-based computer-mediated communication

The Internet has provided criminals, terrorists, spies, and other threats to national security a means of communication. At the same time it also provides for the possibility of detecting and tracking their deceptive communication. Recent advances in natural language processing, machine learning and deception research have created an environment where automated and semi-automated deception detection of text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC, e.g. email, chat, instant messaging) is a reachable goal. This paper reviews two methods for discriminating between deceptive and non-deceptive messages in CMC. First, Document Feature Mining uses document features or cues in CMC messages combined with machine learning techniques to classify messages according to their deceptive potential. The method, which is most useful in asynchronous applications, also allows for the visualization of potential deception cues in CMC messages. Second, Speech Act Profiling, a method for quantifying and visualizing synchronous CMC, has shown promise in aiding deception detection. The methods may be combined and are intended to be a part of a suite of tools for automating deception detection.