cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational fluid-dynamics modeling of the hydrodynamics of fluidization in the sand surrounding a lost-foam casting pattern

In many modern industries, complex shapes arise which require advanced metal casting processes to produce a component. The problem with these cast parts is the empiricism required to develop the casting process and the accompanying time and expense involved. There has been interest in using a fluidized bed to allow molding sand to better encapsulate the complicated surface geometries of lost-foam patterns. Fluidization, coupled with a single mixing jet of much greater magnitude than the minimum fluidization velocity, helps to homogenize the sand through stirring and may improve the integrity of the casting. At the bottom of the bed is an array of fluidizing jets distributed through a porous plate, which maintain the bed at minimum fluidization. Superimposed upon these smaller jets is a large mixing jet, which serves to mix and homogenize the sand. At issue is the hydrodynamics of the sand and air surrounding the foam pattern. The PHOENICS commercial software package was amended to simulate the flow around the precasting foam geometry. Employing a two-fluid approach, each phase was considered a fluid that interpenetrates the other phase. The modification required that the kinetic theory of granular flow for the sand phase be incorporated into the recompilable PHOENICS code. The results of this study consisted of time-averaged voidage patterns, with voidage being defined as the volume fraction of air in the mixture, around the foam pattern submerged in a two-dimensional fluidized bed. The model was benchmarked against fluidized-bed experiments performed by previous investigators. In order to elucidate the dependence of the voidage around the lost-foam pattern, selected physical parameters were varied, and the resultant void-fraction maps were predicted with the model. Physical parameters such as the aspect ratio of the width to length of the foam pattern, the placement of the mixing jet, and different mixing-jet velocities were varied to illustrate the dependence of the time-averaged void fraction on those variables. The simulations identified the presence of channeling around the lost-foam pattern, with the extent of the channeling and void formation reliant to a greater degree upon the placement of the mixing jet and, to a lesser degree, on the mixing-jet velocity and aspect ratio. The placement of the mixing jet halfway between the internal foam pattern and the right wall had the desirable benefit of granting the sand-churning benefits of a penetrating jet. With this optimal jet placement, more of the excess jet air was allowed to disperse through the molding sand and to homogenize the sand. The degree of channeling of the excess air input by the penetrating jet was minimized.
Comparison of larval bioenergetics of two marine gastropods with widely differing lengths of planktonic life, Thais haemastoma canaliculata (Gray) and Crepidula fornicata (L.)

Abstract Larvae of many shallow-water near-shore tropical gastropod species appear to have planktonic durations of several months or more and therefore may have great dispersal capabilities. To investigate physiological factors possibly related to length of planktonic life, this study documented the larval bioenergetics and carbon budgets for one such teleplanic (long-distance) species, Thais haemastoma canaliculata (Gray), in comparison with the relatively short-lived larvae of the temperate species, Crepidula fornicata (L.). Growth, ingestion, and respiration rates were measured in the laboratory during the first 4 wk of larval life for T.h. canaliculata and the first week of larval life of C. fornicata , up to shell lengths of ≈900 and 700 μm, respectively. Larvae of both species were reared at 24°C on a diet of Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO) at 18 × 10 4 cells · ml −1 . Tissue growth increased at a constant rate for C. fornicata , but at an exponential rate for T.h. canaliculata . Ingestion rates (cells eaten · larva −1 · h −1 ) for C. fornicata were ≈1.25× higher than rates for T.h. canaliculata at equivalent shell lengths. Respiration rates (μl O 2 consumed · larva −1 · h −1 ) for T.h. canaliculata were generally 1.25 × higher than rates for C. fornicata at similar shell lengths. Estimated assimilation efficiencies were similar for both species and declined during development (from 44 to 28% for C. fornicata and from 33 to 25% for T.h. canaliculata ). However, while gross and net growth efficiencies (growth · ingestion − · 100% and growth (growth + respiration) −1 100%) declined during larval development for C. fornicata , growth efficiencies were constant or increased during early development for T.h. canaliculata .
Cellular Immune Competence of Spleen Bursa and Thymus Cells

IN the chicken there are two central lymphoid organs, the thymus and the bursa of Fabricius. Recognition of the roles of these two organs in the ontogeny of immunological responsiveness permits definition of two functionally and morphologically distinct lymphoid cell lines1–4. The avian thymus, like the mammalian thymus, is essential to the normal development of a population of small lymphocytes and cellular immunity, while the bursa of Fabricius plays a similar part in the ontogeny of the plasma cell line and humoral immunity4. In addition, the thymus may contribute towards full development of humoral immune responsiveness4–6. A bursa equivalent has not been identified in all species, but evidence indicates that lymphoid tissues associated with organized gut exercise these functions in rabbits. These lymphoid tissues include Peyer's patches, sacculus rotundus and appendix3,7.
New directions in the Bartol PIXE system for studies in archaeometry

Abstract This paper describes, firstly, the physical processes of PIXE that underly its advantages as an analytical tool and the practical limitation met in the compositional patterning of ancient bronzes, irons and glasses. Controlled variation of the energy of the proton beam and the use of selective filters in the X-ray detection system allows certain background effects from the X-ray output of the dominant elements to be significantly reduced. Secondly, plans for a new beam line for the Bartol PIXE facility are described. This system will provide for a beam diameter as small as 20 μm with a laser-based optical system that will allow for the precise location of the proton beam on the artifact's surface. This system will enable one to study inhomogeneous materials, such as metal residues trapped in smelted slag, solder joints in classical jewelry and islands of metal in heavily corroded artifacts.
Clinical and radiologic features of cerebral edema in fulminant hepatic failure.

Objective To describe a series of consecutive patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and to present a new classification system for brain edema, an important cause of mortality in such patients. Design We reviewed 22 computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain in 12 patients with FHF and classified the severity of cerebral edema by using predefined criteria. Results No cerebral edema was detected on CT scans in four patients with stage 1 or 2 hepatic encephalopathy at the time of admission, but it was noted in seven of eight patients with stage 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy. The severity of brain edema on CT scans was significantly correlated (P Conclusion Stage 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy is associated with cerebral edema that can be detected on CT scans. The clinical and radiologic signs of cerebral edema in patients who have progression to stage 3 hepatic encephalopathy can be reversed with conventional treatment of increased intracranial pressure. Whether early recognition and treatment of cerebral edema result in increased survival of patients with FHF remains to be determined.
Rangeland Monitoring: Water Quality and Riparian Systems

Ecological concepts serve as a foundation for developing a monitoring program to evaluate water quality and associated riparian systems. Ecological concepts used for developing a monitoring plan must be supported by scientific literature and related to streamflow dynamics and channel interactions. These interactions help determine natural or background habitat quality within and along river longitudinal and environmental gradients from mountains through basins in the western United States. In addition stream size, position in the watershed, and flow are related to sediment sorting, channel bank strength, and channel configuration. These relationships determine channel substrate habitat for aquatic organisms and population diversity. These habitat features may be modified by a channel's ability to store and transport sediment and associated pollutants within a watershed's drainage pattern. Sediment supply, delivery, and timing are altered by differences in snowmelt along elevation gradients, runoff from co...
Metals in pond sediments as archives of anthropogenic activities: a study in response to health concerns

Abstract An environmental geochemistry approach was applied in response to health concerns about present day and past exposure to pollutants within Broome County, New York by determining historical records of anthropogenic activities as preserved in sediment cores. Sediment was collected from a stormwater retention pond adjacent to a warehouse complex in the urban community of Hillcrest as well as from 3 other ponds in rural locations in Broome County. Metal concentrations and decay products of 210Pb and 137Cs were measured to determine the timing of source specific differences in the distribution of metals in the sediment cores. Concentrations of Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd and As were elevated in the retention pond sediments when compared to sediment from other locations. Topography influenced atmospheric transport and deposition of pollutants within incised river valleys and enhanced runoff from impervious surfaces within an urban watershed contributed to the elevated metal concentrations at Hillcrest. Temporal changes in Pb deposition within retention pond sediment mimic the rise and fall in use of leaded gasoline. Arsenic concentrations decreased following placement of emission controls on nearby coal-fired power plant sources. Superimposed over the temporal trends of Pb and As are co-varying Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd concentrations; a suite of metals commonly used in metal plating processes by local industries. Analysis of sediment in stormwater retention ponds in other urban areas may provide opportunities for detailed records of pollution history to be obtained in many communities. Residents in urban communities located in incised river valley locations similar to Hillcrest may be particularly prone to enhanced exposure to metals from anthropogenic sources.
Structural Studies of the Human PBAF Chromatin-Remodeling Complex

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling is one of the central processes responsible for imparting fluidity to chromatin and thus regulating DNA transactions. Although knowledge on this process is accumulating rapidly, the basic mechanism (or mechanisms) by which the remodeling complexes alter the structure of a nucleosome is not yet understood. Structural information on these macromolecular machines should aid in interpreting the biochemical and genetic data; to this end, we have determined the structure of the human PBAF ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex preserved in negative stain by electron microscopy and have mapped the nucleosome binding site using two-dimensional (2D) image analysis. PBAF has an overall C-shaped architecture--with a larger density to which two smaller knobs are attached--surrounding a central cavity; one of these knobs appears to be flexible and occupies different positions in each of the structures determined. The 2D analysis of PBAF:nucleosome complexes indicates that the nucleosome binds in the central cavity.
Millimetre-wave active probe frequency-multiplier for on-wafer characterisation of GaAs devices and ICs

A millimetre-wave active probe quintupler with an output frequency range of 60 to 100 GHz has been developed. The frequency multiplier circuit was implemented in a coplanar waveguide. Using this probe along with the electro-optic sampling technique, on-wafer millimetre-wave vector measurement up to 100 GHz and time-waveform measurement at 77 GHz of test structures on a GaAs substrate have been demonstrated.
Analysis of conduction in fully depleted SOI MOSFETs

The conduction characteristics of fully depleted SOI MOSFETs studied by theoretical analysis and computer simulation are discussed. In these devices the ideal inverse subthreshold slope of 59.6 mV/decade is obtained if the interface-state capacitances are much smaller than the gate-oxide and silicon-film capacitances. For above-threshold conduction, with decreasing silicon film thickness the inversion charges penetrate more deeply into the film and the transconductance increases because of the decreasing fraction of surface conduction. >
A small‐angle X‐ray scattering study of an aromatic polyimide

The morphology of isotropic films of poly[N,N'-bis(phenoxyphenyl)-pyromellitimide] was investigated by means of small-angle x-ray scattering. A significantly different morphology was found to develop in these films as compared to that in films possessing as in-plane molecular orientation. It was found that morphology could be described by a damped periodic modulation in the electron density characteristic of a chain segment aggregation. An increase in the initial imidization temperature resulted in an overall increase in the lateral packing of the chains and a reduction in the amplitude of the density modulation. Evidence was also found for segmental aggregation in the precursor polyamic acid which contained up to 35% solvent.
1211 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESPIRATOR WAVEFORM AND OXYGENATION-VENTILATION IN RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (RDS)

Because of high airway resistance and low lung compliance in severe RDS, it has been suggested that a respirator able to produce a square pressure waveform may provide better oxygenation & ventilation. To test this hypothesis we made a study of 15 neonates with severe RDS. Two most commonly used infant respirators, one a time-cycled, continuous flow, generating modified sine ware with slow ascending inspiratory limb and slow descending expiratory limb (I), and a second, generating a square wave with rapid inspiratory and expiratory limb (II) were used. Neonates were stabilized for a period of 6-8 hrs on respirator I when pH, PaO2 and PaCO2 were determined before switching to respirator II. Respirators were matched for FiO2, Peak Inspiratory Pressure, End Expiratory Pressure, I:E ratio and Duration of Positive Pressure (DPP) or the area under the curve of respiratory waveform. After 20 minutes on respirator II pH and blood gases were done before switching back to respirator I, and again, after 20 min, pH and blood gases were obtained. Values were compared for the two variables of equal DPP and equal area under the curve. Statistically significant differences were found for PaO2 (71±16vs62±16 Torr, p<0.05 for equal DPP; and 71±16vs52±14 Torr, p< 0.005 for equal area under the curve) but not for pH or PaCO2 for either variable. This study reveals that respirators generating modified sine wave respiratory waveform provide better oxygenation in severe RDS. This may be due to an increase in alveolar recruitment when low compliant lungs are gradually inflated and deflated
Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of a Multiparticulate Matrix Sustained-Release Theophylline Preparation

AbstractA novel multiparticulate matrix sustained-release theophylline preparation was evaluated in comparison with a reference product, Neulin-SR®, in a multiple-dose administration study, conducted according to a randomized, two-way crossover design involving 12 healthy volunteers. Comparison was made using the parameters, area under the serum concentration-time curve from time 0 to 12 hr (AUC0-12), time to reach peak serum concentration (Tmax), peak serum concentration (Cmax), trough serum concentration (Cmin), average drug concentration (Cav), degree of fluctuation (DF), percentage of time serum drug concentrations lie within the therapeutic range (occupancy time) and time for 50% of dose absorbed (T50%). The parameters, Cmax, Cmin, AUC0-12 Cav, and DF were logarithmic transformed prior to statistical analysis. A statistically significant difference was obtained between the values of the two preparations in the Tmax, Cmin, DF, and T50%; but not in the Cmax, AUC0-12, Cav, and occupancy time. These find...
Effects of finite size on critical phenomena: The resistivity anomaly in Ni films

The electrical resistivity of Ni films ranging in thickness from 250 to 24000 \AA{} has been measured precisely near the Curie point. A shift in the temperature of the point where $\frac{d\ensuremath{\rho}}{\mathrm{dT}}$ is maximum is observed which goes as ${n}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, where $n$ is the number of atomic layers and the shift exponent $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is found to be 1.01\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10. The amplitude of the $\frac{d\ensuremath{\rho}}{\mathrm{dT}}$ anomaly is observed to go as $\mathrm{ln}(n)$. Moreover, the shape of the anomaly is observed to broaden as one decreases $n$. Attempts to scale the data for all films along the lines suggested by Fisher and Barber are only partially successful and gave a rounding exponent $\ensuremath{\theta}$ of about 0.6. This value of $\ensuremath{\theta}$ is not considered to be reliable.
Load balancing and data placement for multi-tiered database systems

A materialized view or Materialized Query Table (MQT) is an auxiliary table with precomputed data that can be used to significantly improve the performance of a database query. A Materialized Query Table Advisor (MQTA) is often used to recommend and create MQTs. The state-of-the-art MQTA works in a standalone database server where MQTs are placed on the same server as that in which the base tables are located. The MQTA does not apply to a federated or scaleout scenario in which MQTs need to be placed on other servers close to applications (i.e. a frontend database server) for offloading the workload on the backend database server. In this paper, we propose a Data Placement Advisor (DPA) and load balancing strategies for multi-tiered database systems. Built on top of the MQTA, DPA recommends MQTs and advises placement strategies for minimizing the response time for a query workload. To demonstrate the benefit of the data placement advising, we implemented a prototype of DPA that works with the MQTA in the IBM^(R) DB2^(R) Universal Database(TM) (DB2 UDB) and the IBM WebSphere^(R) Information Integrator (WebSphere II). The evaluation results showed substantial improvements of workload response times when MQTs are intelligently recommended and placed on a frontend database server subject to space and load characteristics for TPC-H and OLAP type workloads.
Iron(III) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin(FeTMPP) as methanol tolerant electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in direct methanol fuel cells

Carbon supported iron (III) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (FeTMPP) heat treated at 800°C under argon atmosphere was used as catalysts for the electroreduction of oxygen in direct methanol polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer electrolyte fuel cells that were operated at 150°C. The electrode structure was optimized in terms of the composition of PTFE, polymer electrolyte and carbon-supported FeTMPP catalyst loading. The effect of methanol permeation from anode to cathode on performance of the FeTMPP electrodes was examined using spectroscopic techniques, such as on line mass spectroscopy (MS), on line Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and conventional polarization curve measurements under fuel cell operating condition. The results show that carbon supported FeTMPP heat treated at 800°C is methanol tolerant and active catalyst for the oxygen reduction in a direct methanol PBI fuel cell. The best cathode performance under optimal condition corresponded to a potent ial reached of 0.6V vs RHE at a current density of 900 mAcm−2.
Blood collection technique: No effect on in vitro protein binding of prednisolone

The effect of the blood collection vessel and systemic heparin administration on in vitro protein binding of prednisolone was examined in blood collected from human subjects. No differences in the fractional binding of prednisolone were found in plasma from plain glass culture tubes, heparinized culture tubes, and two types of red- and green-top commercial vacuum tubes. Thus, these blood collection techniques do not alter serum or plasma albumin and transcortin binding of prednisolone.
Molecular modeling of four stereoisomers of the major B[a]PDE adduct (at N(2)-dG) in five cases where the structure is known from NMR studies: molecular modeling is consistent with NMR results.

The potent mutagen/carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is metabolically activated to (+)-anti-B[a]PDE, which is known to induce a variety of mutations (e.g., GC --> TA, GC --> AT, etc.). One hypothesis for this complexity is that different mutations are induced by different conformations of its major adduct [+ta]-B[a]P-N(2)-dG when bypassed during DNA replication (perhaps by different DNA polymerases). Our previous molecular modeling studies have suggested that conformational complexity might be extensive in that B[a]P-N(2)-dG adducts appeared capable of adopting at least sixteen potential conformational classes in ds-DNA [e.g., Kozack and Loechler (1999) Carcinogenesis 21, 1953], although only eight seemed likely to be relevant to base substitution mutagenesis. Such molecular modeling studies are only likely to be valuable for the interpretation of mutagenesis results if global minimum energy conformations for adducts are found and if the differences in the energies of these different conformations can be computed reasonably accurately. One approach to assessing the reliability of our molecular modeling techniques is considered herein. Using a five-step molecular modeling protocol, which importantly included a molecular dynamics version of simulated annealing, eight conformations are studied in each of five cases. (The five cases are listed below, and were chosen because in each case the preferred solution conformation is known from a NMR study.) Of the eight conformations studied, the one computed to be lowest in energy is the same conformation as the one observed by NMR in four of the five cases: 5'-CGC sequence with [+ta]-, [-ta]-, and [+ca]-B[a]P-N(2)-dG, and 5'-TGC sequence with [+ta]-B[a]P-N(2)-dG. In the fifth case (5'-CGC sequence with [-ca]-B[a]P-N(2)-dG), the known NMR conformation is computed to be second lowest in energy, but it is within approximately 1.7 kcal of the computed lowest energy conformation. These results suggest that molecular modeling is surprisingly accurate in computing lowest energy conformations and that it should be useful in assessing the relative energies of different conformations. This is especially important given that currently molecular modeling is the only means available to study the energetics of minor conformations of DNA adducts.
Proximity effects and VLSI design

The authors have presented the data illustrating several proximity effects - layout variations that affect transistor characteristics. Some of these proximity effects may be best avoided by layout groundrules (polysilicon doping, butted junction proximity). Others (well and halo proximity, isolation size) are accommodated by including the effect in the compact model. None of these effects is likely to be completely eliminated in principle, so designers should become familiar with the nature of these effects, and be prepared to take them into account in circuit layouts.
Inhibition of IGFBP‐5 binding to extracellular matrix and IGF‐I–stimulated DNA synthesis by a peptide fragment of IGFBP‐5

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) is synthesized and secreted by smooth muscle cells (SMC). IGFBP-5 synthesis is stimulated five- to sixfold by IGF-I, and IGFBP-5 has been shown to augment IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis in this cell type. The ability of IGFBP-5 to augment the SMC response to IGF-I is dependent upon its binding to extracellular matrix. A highly charged region of IGFBP-5 that contains amino acids in positions 201-218 has been shown to mediate binding of IGFBP-5 to human fibroblast extracellular matrix (ECM), and a synthetic peptide containing this sequence inhibits IGFBP-5 binding to fibroblast ECM. In this study we show that exposure of SMC cultures that are constitutively synthesizing IGFBP-5 to a synthetic peptide (termed peptide A) containing this sequence has no effect on its synthesis but reduces its abundance within the ECM. The addition of increasing concentrations of the peptide to SMC cultures resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in ECM-associated IGFBP-5. In contrast, a control peptide (peptide B), which contained the region of amino acids in positions 131-141 and had a similar charge-to-mass ratio, caused a minimal decrease in ECM binding. This effect was functionally significant since the addition of 10 microg/ml of peptide A inhibited the cellular replication response to 10 ng/ml IGF-I by 51%, and peptide B had no effect. The effects of peptide A were not due to nonspecific cytotoxicity since it had no inhibitory effect on the response of these cells to human serum and was associated with only minimal inhibition of the cellular response to platelet-derived growth factor. The findings suggest that inhibiting IGFBP-5 binding to porcine SMC ECM results in reduced cellular responses to IGF-I.
Progesterone: Inhibition of rodent sexual behavior

Abstract The inhibitory effects of progesterone can be observed in many vertebrates of either sex. In female rodents, progesterone may act to terminate the period of receptivity and to prevent postestrus reinduction of receptivity at times when plasma progesterone is minimal (immediately postestrus) or maximal (during the luteal phase). Inhibition is probably accomplished via an interaction with estrogen although progesterone does have profound general anesthetic properties. Inhibition of receptive behavior has been induced by progesterone implanted in the rodent midbrain, but not by implants in other regions of the CNS. This correlates with the observation that rodent midbrain concentrates progesterone more than other brain regions. Modes of progesterone-estrogen interaction are discussed.
Grain growth in porous olivine aggregates

Grain growth experiments have been performed at 1 atm on fine grain size (<10 μm) synthetic olivine (Fo91) aggregates at various temperatures (1200° to 1400° C), oxygen fugacities (10-4 to 10-11 atm) and total anneal times (10, 30, 60, 100 and 200 h). The rate of grain growth increased with increasing temperature and with increasing oxygen fugacity. The presence of a second phase (residual porosity), introduced during sample fabrication, has a significant effect on grain growth, with evolution in grain size paralleled by changes in the size and frequency of the pores. When the grain growth data were fit to a growth law G n −G O =κ0 tf 0 2e−Q/RT, the growth exponents fall in the range of n=4 to 5, suggesting that grain growth may be controlled by the coalescence of the second phase. The evolution in pore size and frequency may occur either by the transport of the ionic species constituting olivine between the pores or by the movement of the pores themselves along the grain boundaries and edges. Thus, the rate of growth of the pores and grains is probably limited by diffusion of the slowest ionic species constituting olivine (magnesium, iron, silicon, or oxygen) moving along the fastest path for that species (through the lattice, along the grain boundaries, around the surface of the moving pores, or through the vapor phase in the pores). Activation energies for grain growth of Q=290 ± 20 kJ/mol and 345 ± 25 kJ/mol were calculated from our results for n=4 and 5, respectively. These activation energies preclude vapor-phase transport and iron diffusion along grain boundaries but do not otherwise permit a discrimination between the rate limiting species or path. The oxygen fugacity exponent of m ≈0.12 suggests that lattice diffusion does not control the grain growth. However, the lack of data for magnesium, iron, silicon and oxygen surface and grain boundary diffusion in olivine makes definitive determination of the mechanism controlling grain growth difficult.
Perceived discrimination experiences and mental health of Latina/o american persons.

With a sample of 128 Latina/o persons, the present study examined a model that tested direct, indirect, and mediated relations among perceived discrimination, psychological distress, self-esteem, sense of personal control, and acculturation to Latina/o and U.S. cultures. Path analysis of the model indicated that (a) perceived discrimination was related to greater psychological distress, with personal control partially mediating this link; (b) perceived discrimination was also related, indirectly through personal control, to lower self-esteem; (c) self-esteem partially mediated the relation between personal control and distress; (d) Latina/o and U.S. acculturation were related, indirectly through personal control, to greater self-esteem and lower distress; and (e) U.S. acculturation was related directly to greater distress.
Endothelial cells isolated from caveolin-2 knockout mice display higher proliferation rate and cell cycle progression relative to their wild-type counterparts.

The goal of this study was to determine whether caveolin-2 (Cav-2) is capable of controlling endothelial cell (EC) proliferation in vitro. To realize this goal, we have directly compared proliferation rates and cell cycle-associated signaling proteins between lung ECs isolated from wild-type (WT) and Cav-2 knockout (KO) mice. Using three independent proliferation assays, we have determined that Cav-2 KO ECs proliferate by ca. 2-fold faster than their WT counterparts. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry of propidium iodide-stained cells showed a relatively higher percentage of Cav-2 KO ECs in S and G2/M and lower percentage in Go/G1 phases of cell cycle relative to their WT counterparts. Furthermore, an over 2-fold increase in the percentage of S phase-associated Cav-2 KO relative to WT ECs was independently determined with bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay. Mechanistically, the increase in proliferation/cell cycle progression of Cav-2 KO ECs correlated well with elevated expression levels of predominantly S phase- and G2/M phase-associated cyclin A and B1, respectively. Further mechanistic analysis of molecular events controlling cell cycle progression revealed increased level of hyperphosphorylated (inactive) form of G1 to S phase transition inhibitor, the retinoblastoma protein in hyperproliferating Cav-2 KO ECs. Conversely, the expression level of the two cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16INK4 and p27Kip1 was reduced in Cav-2 KO ECs. Finally, increased phosphorylation (activation) of proproliferative extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was observed in hyperproliferating Cav-2 KO ECs. Overall, our data suggest that Cav-2 negatively regulates lung EC proliferation and cell cycle progression.
The Dangerous Thirteenth Amendment

Through most of its history, the Thirteenth Amendment has been interpreted extremely narrowly, especially when we compare it to the Fourteenth Amendment and the Bill of Rights. Modern lawyers would never read the Fourteenth Amendment in the way that they read the Thirteenth — as limited to close analogies to specific historical practices. The Thirteenth Amendment has been read in this way because it is “dangerous.” The demand that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude . . . shall exist within the United States,” taken seriously, potentially calls into question too many different aspects of public and private power, ranging from political governance to market practices to the family itself. Our contemporary association of “slavery” with a very limited set of historical practices is anachronistic and the result of a long historical process. The language of the Thirteenth Amendment is taken from the 1787 Northwest Ordinance. Yet at the time of the founding the concept of “slavery” was far broader than we currently understand it. ”Slavery” meant illegitimate domination, political subordination, and the absence of republican government; “chattel slavery” was only the most extreme and visible example of slavery. For example, American colonists repeatedly argued that the British Empire had made them slaves because they lacked political freedoms and representation in Parliament. The broader, anti-republican concept of slavery was narrowed during the fight for the abolition of chattel slavery for political and strategic reasons. Abolitionists wanted to avoid awkward comparisons to the economic and political subordination of wage laborers and women. Once chattel slavery was abolished, labor activists and suffragists sought to revive the older, broader concept of “slavery.” But emancipation allowed defenders of the status quo to insist that American society was now “free.” Everyday aspects of economic and family life could not be “slavery,” which was by definition the worst of evils and had already been eradicated by law. Even today, calling an injustice “slavery” is generally seen as overheated hyperbole and even a presumptuous insult to the memory of the victims of African American chattel slavery. This essay concludes by asking how our political imagination has been limited as a result of this history.
Effect of microstructure and Sn/C ratio in SnO2–graphene nanocomposites for lithium-ion battery performance

Sn based nanocomposite anodes with a pristine graphene matrix were synthesized in order to investigate the performance improvements that are related to the microstructure variation. Four nanocomposites with varying SnO2 contents (25, 43, 60, and 82 wt%) were prepared with a controlled hydrothermal synthesis route. TEM measurements indicated that the 25/75 wt% SnO2–graphene nanocomposite had the highest dispersivity with a 2–3 nm particle size and ∼2 nm inter-particle spacing. Increasing SnO2 content led to increasing particle size and decreasing inter-particle spacing. For the anode with more dispersed and smaller nanoparticles, the capacity retention and rate capability were noticeably improved compared with anodes that have clusters of SnO2 nanoparticles. The 25/75 wt% SnO2–graphene nanocomposite exhibited enhanced specific capacity of 662 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles when discharged–charged at 50 mA g−1. It also demonstrated an outstanding rate capability of 525, 445 and 230 mA h g−1 at higher current densities of 300, 500 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. TEM and EIS studies revealed that after 100 electrochemical cycles, the nanoparticles retained the original size of 2–3 nm and cell's charge transfer resistance decreased by 52%.
Comments on "Spurious signals generated by electron tunneling on large reflector antennas"

In the above paper,’ Higa attempted to explain nonlinear conduction in metal contacts by appealing to electron-tunneling theory. He interpreted the sublinear slope (d31/dV3 < 0) of his current-voltage plot for an aluminum-toaluminum contact on the basis of tunneling through a 4 to 7.5 A aluminumaxide film. Such an interpretation is unsatisfactory. His conclusions are based upon equations for electron tunneling that are incorrect when used to calculate nonlinear effects across ultrathin gaps. For some parameters, these equations predict sublinear tunneling currents only because they have been inconsistently expanded. As a result, these -equations predict nonphysical results when used for extreme values. Higa’s (17), except for a factor of 4, was originally given by Holm [ 11 who described it as approximate. Forlani and Minnaja [2] have shown this equation to be equivalent to the lowest order expandon in (A lp:I2)-’, although higher order terms are implicitly included in the exponentials. In Higa’s notation, A is proportional to oxide thickness and L~O is the interface work function. Simmons (31 expanded the exponentials of the Holm equation to third order in the applied voltage and retained coefficients to third order in (A ppbI2)-l. He thereby saved terms of the same order as terms previously discarded. This expansion constitutes Higa’s (18). To obtain a consistent result, we will expand Forlani and Minnaja’s [2, eq. (18)]. This equation neglects the effect of a f~te Fermi energy and also contains three typographical errors. The result for a symmetric barrier is very simply given in Higa’s notation as This equation is correct to fourth order in V and all orders of (A lph12)-’ resulting from the usual expansion of the WKB exponential. Each coefficient of this equation is necessarily positive, thus guaranteeing superlinear behavior. Hence tunneling mot be used to explain Higa’s experiment. It is difficult to comment on Higa’s experiment because of a lack of details. Such experiments do need to be satisfactorily explained to better understand the contact problem. We suggest that possible explanations of his observed sublinear behavior may be a) temperature dependent conductivity in narrow contact filaments, [4] b) space charge effects (either in the oxide or included voids) or c) charge buildup in the metal filaments due to current variations on the scale of the electron mean free path. A possible cause of the wideband noise may be the already observed [SI dielectric breakdown or electroforming in relatively thick oxide films.
Final height and IGF1 in adult survivors of Wilms tumour.

Objective: One-sided nephrectomy is followed by increased levels of IGF1, associated with linear growth during childhood. The aim was to evaluate final height and IGF1 levels in nephrectomized Wilms tumour survivors when compared with healthy Dutch references and survivors of other cancer types. Design: Cross-sectional retrospective study. Methods: Data of 575 adult childhood cancer survivors were analysed. Median follow-up time was 17.8 (range 5.0-48.8) years. Analysis of (co)variance was performed to evaluate differences between subgroups: nephrectomized Wilms survivors treated with or without abdominal irradiation (nZ41 and nZ36) and survivors of other cancer types treated with or without irradiation involving the cranium, abdomen or total body (nZ149 and nZ349). Main outcome measures were IGF1 and height, expressed as SDS. Results: After adjustment for age at diagnosis, former corticosteroid treatment and renal impairment, height SDS in non-irradiated nephrectomized Wilms survivors was significantly higher than that in non-irradiated survivors of other cancer types (estimated mean SDS K0.09 vs K0.49, PZ0.044), abdominal irradiated survivors (SDS K0.70, PZ0.015) and other irradiated survivors (SDS K1.47, P!0.001). Non-irradiated nephrectomized Wilms tumour survivors had significantly higher IGF1 SDS than other irradiated survivors (estimated mean SDS K0.05 vs K1.36, P!0.001 and 0.11 vs 1.37, P!0.001), while there was no significant difference with the other two subgroups. Conclusions: Adult survivors of Wilms tumour showed better attainment of final height and relatively higher IGF1 levels than those of other cancer types who had significantly shorter stature and lower IGF1 levels than Dutch references.
Discussion: On the Pricing of Preferred Stock

Professors Sorensen and Hawkins (hereafter SH) have utilized regression analysis to examine the pricing of preferred stocks both before and after a particular event. This event, the NAIC event, occurred in 1979 when the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted a rule permitting insurance companies to carry sinking fund preferred issues at book value rather than at the market value required before. SH results indicate nine to 12 variables have a significant effect on the pricing of preferred stock.
Scaling of the longitudinal electric field and transformer ratio in a nonlinear plasma wakefield accelerator

The scaling of the two important figures of merit, the transformer ratio $T$ and the longitudinal electric field ${E}_{z}$, with the peak drive-bunch current ${I}_{p}$, in a nonlinear plasma wakefield accelerator is presented for the first time. The longitudinal field scales as ${I}_{P}^{0.623\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.007}$, in good agreement with nonlinear wakefield theory ($\ensuremath{\sim}{I}_{P}^{0.5}$), while the unloaded transformer ratio is shown to be greater than unity and scales weakly with the bunch current. The effect of bunch head erosion on both parameters is also discussed.
A Web in the Patriarchal Clan System Tactics of Intimate Partners in the Japanese Sociocultural Context

Only recently has Japanese society come to realize the magnitude of domestic violence as a serious social problem. Using focus group methodology, this study investigated the function and the sociocultural reinforcements of male partner violence. The analysis of the participants' accounts of various types of violence their partners perpetrated, which were accompanied by an elaborate collection of tactics to reinforce the effects of the violence, has led to the conceptualization of partners' violence as a spider web. The Japanese patriarchal clan system and underlying ideology of male superiority fosters the maintenance of this web.
Linking the group II intron catalytic domains: tertiary contacts and structural features of domain 3

Despite its importance for group II intron catalytic activity, structural information on conserved domain 3 (D3) is extremely limited. This domain is known to specifically stimulate the chemical rate of catalysis and to function as a ‘catalytic effector'. Of all the long-range tertiary contacts that have been identified within group II introns, none has included D3 residues. Furthermore, little is known about the atoms and functional groups in D3 that contribute to catalysis. Using a nucleotide analog interference mapping assay with an extended repertoire of nucleotide analogs, we have identified functional groups in D3 that are critical for ribozyme activity. These data, together with mutational analysis, suggest the formation of noncanonical base pairs within the phylogenetically conserved internal loop at the base of D3. Finally, a related nucleotide analog interference suppression study resulted in the identification of a direct tertiary interaction between D3 and catalytic domain 5, which sheds new light on D3 function in the group II intron structure and mechanism.
Seed dormancy patterns in Epipactis palustris (Orchidaceae): Requirements for germination and establishment of mycorrhiza

Some terrestrial orchid species, including Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz, are considered extremely difficult to germinate and cultivate in vitro. Observations of orchids germinating in nature are very few, and the timing and requirements for seedling establishment are unknown for most species. Seeds of E. palustris were incubated in vitro with an appropriate fungus, but germination was poor unless several other conditions were also met: scarification of the testa in Ca(OCL)2, an initial incubation for several weeks at 27°C, and a subsequent cold stratification for 8–12 weeks at 4–8°C, With these pretreatments, germnation responses exceeded 50% after incubation for 4 weeks at 20°C. Healthy protocorms with normal organ development were only produced by symbiotic culture following this lengthy seed preparation. The findings suggest that under natural conditions the seeds need some after-ripening, and the testa needs to be partially decomposed before germination. The requirement for chilling suggests that germination of seeds in situ occurs in spring.
Actions speak louder than words: An elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of self-injury and other harmful behaviors

The question of why some people do things that are intentionally harmful to themselves continues to puzzle scientists, clinicians, and the public. Prior studies have demonstrated that one fairly extreme, direct form of self-harm, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is maintained by both automatic (i.e., intrapersonal) as well as social (i.e., interpersonal) reinforcement. However, the majority of theoretical and empirical papers on this topic focus almost exclusively on the automatic functions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the social functions of NSSI. Evidence is presented supporting the notion that NSSI is maintained by social reinforcement in at least a substantial minority of instances. Moreover, an elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of NSSI is outlined that proposes that this behavior represents a high intensity social signal used when less intense communication strategies fail (e.g., speaking, yelling, crying). The model further proposes that NSSI can serve not only as a signal of distress that is reinforced primarily by the caregiving behavior it elicits from others, but that it also can serve as a signal of strength and fitness that is reinforced by warding off potential threats (e.g., peer victimization), and in some cases can strengthen affiliation with others. Support for this theoretical model is drawn from diverse literatures including psychology, evolutionary biology, and cultural anthropology. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for empirical tests of the proposed model of the social functions of NSSI, as well as other harmful behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.
Energetics of osmoregulation: II. water flux and osmoregulatory work in the euryhaline fish, Fundulus heteroclitus

Teleost fish experience passive osmotic water influx in fresh water (FW) and water outflux in salt water, which is normally compensated by water flow driven by active ion transport mechanisms. Euryhaline fish may also minimize osmotic energy demand by "behavioral osmoregulation", seeking a medium isotonic with their body fluids. Our goal was to evaluate the energy requirement for osmoregulation by the euryhaline fish Fundulus heteroclitus, to determine whether it is of sufficient magnitude to favor behavioral osmoregulation. We have developed a method of weighing small fish repetitively for long periods without apparent damage, which was used to assess changes in water content following changes in external salinity. We found that cold (4 degrees C) inhibits osmoregulatory active transport mechanisms in fish acclimated to warmer temperatures, leading to a net passive water flux which is reversed by rewarming the fish. A sudden change of salinity at room temperature triggers a transient change in water content and the initial slope can be used to measure the minimum passive flux at that temperature. With some reasonable assumptions as to the stoichiometry of the ion transport and ATP-generating processes, we can calculate the amount of respiration required for ion transport and compare it to the oxygen uptake measured previously under the same conditions. We conclude that osmoregulation in sea water requires from 6% to 10% of the total energy budget in sea water, with smaller percentages in FW, and that this fraction is probably sufficient to be a significant selective driving force favoring behavioral osmoregulation under some circumstances.
Effect of the Shape of T–δ Cohesive Zone Curves on the Fracture Response

ABSTRACT Cohesive Zone Models (CZMs) are increasingly being used to simulate fracture and fragmentation processes in metallic, polymeric, ceramic materials, and composites thereof. A key feature of this approach is to represent the micromechanics of the fracture processes through a unique load-displacement relation. Most researchers consider magnitude of the energy, in addition to one of the two parameters (cohesive strength or critical displacement), to define the cohesive zone characteristics, ignoring the actual form (shape) of the relationship. Some of our recent work [1–3] and the work of others [17] has clearly shown that the energetics of the fracture process not only depends on the inelastic constitutive equation of the bounding material, but also on the choice of the cohesive zone model. CZM represents the embodiment of different inelastic micromechanisms active in the fracture process zone (FPZ). Since the micromechanisms are fundamental material characteristics, the choice of the CZM should dep...