cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bending and shear moduli of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Elastic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) obtained experimentally and computationally are reviewed. Attention is paid particularly on the evaluation of Young's and shear moduli of SWCNT. A finite element method (FEM) previously presented by Li and Chou is modified with the Poisson's ratio effect included in the determination of Young's modulus and shear modulus of SWCNT. It is pointed out that within the linear regime, the Young's and shear moduli of SWCNT have been estimated to be constant. This is in contrast to those appeared in the literature in which a wide range of Young's moduli of SWCNT has been reported. The important implications are that the classical theory of elasticity can be employed in the determination of Young's and shear moduli of elasticity of SWCNT, and that nanosensors, nanodevices, and advanced materials embedded with SWCNT can be designed without resort to adopting the uncertain Young's and shear moduli of SWCNT. The modified FEM of treating the SWCNT as a spatial cylindrical frame structure is very simple to use, very economical, and efficient computationally compared with those based on particle or molecular dynamics (MD) methods, simulation and continuum mechanics (CM) methods where huge computational resources are necessary.
Effect of nitrogen on the electronic band structure of group III-N-V alloys

We have studied optical transitions at the \ensuremath{\Gamma} and L points of the Brillouin zone of ${\mathrm{GaN}}_{x}{\mathrm{As}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{y}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}{\mathrm{As}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ alloys using photomodulation spectroscopy. For ${\mathrm{GaN}}_{x}{\mathrm{As}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ with N contents between 0% and 2%, the N-induced shift of the conduction-band L minima is found to be only a fraction of the conduction-band edge shift at the \ensuremath{\Gamma} point. The measurements of ${\mathrm{Al}}_{y}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}{\mathrm{As}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ further show that there is no correlation between the location of the X conduction-band minima and the observed ${E}_{+}$ and ${E}_{\ensuremath{-}}$ transitions. The results demonstrate that the N-induced interactions between extended \ensuremath{\Gamma}, L, and X conduction-band states do not play a significant role in modification of the conduction-band structure of III-N-V alloys. The N-induced change of the conduction-band structure is predominantly influenced by the anticrossing interaction between the extended states of the \ensuremath{\Gamma} conduction band and the localized states of nitrogen.
Enhanced expression of “muscle-specific” actin in glomerulonephritis

Increased expression of "muscle-specific" actin can be correlated with mesangial cell injury and proliferation in the rat. We performed similar immunohistochemical studies using two monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to "muscle-specific" actins (HHF-35, a MoAb to pan muscle actin and alpha-SM-1, a MoAb to alpha-smooth muscle actin) on methyl Carnoy's fixed human renal biopsies which demonstrated a wide variety of inflammatory, proliferative, and non-proliferative glomerular diseases. Most glomerular diseases were associated with increased "smooth-muscle" actin expression. Exceptions almost invariably were disease settings without prominent cellular proliferation. As in the rat, there was a correlation of induced actin expression with increased glomerular cell proliferation, as detected by staining with a MoAb to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Double immunolabeling studies with an antibody to the leukocyte common antigen showed the great majority of PCNA+ proliferating cells to be intrinsic glomerular cells rather than infiltrating leukocytes. These studies demonstrate that phenotypic changes of mesangial cells occur in both human and experimental glomerulonephritis, and are identifiable in fixed tissue sections. These studies also suggest that markers of mesangial cell injury or activation and proliferation, such as immunostaining of renal biopsies for "muscle-specific" actins, might be useful diagnostic and/or prognostic indicators in proliferative or sclerosing glomerular diseases.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Pathways in Stomachs of Mice

Background & Aims Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)4 is a mesenchymal peptide that regulates cells of the gastric epithelium. We investigated whether BMP signaling pathways affect gastric inflammation after bacterial infection of mice. Methods We studied transgenic mice that express either the BMP inhibitor noggin or the β- galactosidase gene under the control of a BMP-responsive element and BMP4 βgal/+ mice. Gastric inflammation was induced by infection of mice with either Helicobacter pylori or Helicobacter felis . Eight to 12 weeks after inoculation, gastric tissue samples were collected and immunohistochemical, quantitative, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analyses were performed. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure cytokine levels in supernatants from cultures of mouse splenocytes and dendritic cells, as well as from human gastric epithelial cells (AGS cell line). We also measured the effects of BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7, and the BMP inhibitor LDN-193189 on the expression of interleukin (IL)8 messenger RNA by AGS cells and primary cultures of canine parietal and mucus cells. The effect of BMP-4 on NFkB activation in parietal and AGS cells was examined by immunoblot and luciferase assays. Results Transgenic expression of noggin in mice increased H pylori– or H felis –induced inflammation and epithelial cell proliferation, accelerated the development of dysplasia, and increased expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and activation-induced cytidine deaminase. BMP-4 was expressed in mesenchymal cells that expressed α-smooth muscle actin and activated BMP signaling pathways in the gastric epithelium. Neither BMP-4 expression nor BMP signaling were detected in immune cells of C57BL/6, BRE–β-galactosidase, or BMP-4 βgal/+ mice. Incubation of dendritic cells or splenocytes with BMP-4 did not affect lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of cytokines. BMP-4, BMP-2, and BMP-7 inhibited basal and tumor necrosis factor α–stimulated expression of IL8 in canine gastric epithelial cells. LDN-193189 prevented BMP4-mediated inhibition of basal and tumor necrosis factor α–stimulated expression of IL8 in AGS cells. BMP-4 had no effect on TNFα-stimulated phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, or on TNFα induction of a NFκβ reporter gene. Conclusions BMP signaling reduces inflammation and inhibits dysplastic changes in the gastric mucosa after infection of mice with H pylori or H felis .
Catalytic cracking of the 280–350°C fraction of Upper Cretaceous oil of the Checheno-Ingush autonomous Republic on a zeolite catalyst

1. Cracking of the 280–350°C fraction of Upper Cretaceous Checheno-Ingush petroleum on a zeolite catalyst is characterized by an increased degree of conversion of the feedstock and a higher yield of the naphtha fraction in comparison with cracking on an aluminosilicate catalyst. 2. At 400–500°C and a volumetric flow rate of 0.7 h−1, a zeolite catalyst is 6–10 wt.% more active and 11–15 wt.% more selective than an aluminosilicate catalyst at a degree of conversion equal to 65–75 wt.%. 3. Stable gases obtained by cracking on a zeolite catalyst contain 6.0–7.3 wt. % of the ethane-ethylene fraction (56–64 wt.% of ethylene), 27.5–29.0 wt.% of the propane-propylene fraction (60–68 wt.% of propylene), 60–62 wt.% of the butane-butylene fraction (59–62% of isobutane, 13.5–15.6% of n-butane, and 22–28% of butylenes). 4. The C5-150°C naphtha fraction, obtained at 450°C and a volumetric flow rate of 1.2 h−1 on a zeolite catalyst, contains 41.0 wt. % of isoparaffins, 28.0 wt. % of aromatic hydrocarbons, 13.3 wt.% of naphthenes, 10.4 wt.% of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and 7.0 wt. % of normal paraffins. 5. The diesel fractions obtained contain 40–58 wt.% of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Investigation of failed tubes from ‘B’ steam generator of the R. E. Ginna nuclear power plant☆

Abstract An investigation was performed on various steam generator tubes from the R. E. Ginna nuclear power plant (Rochester Gas and Electric). These tubes were involved in the loss of coolant accident of January 1982. The report concludes that the loss of coolant accident was the result of a purely mechanical mechanism caused by an adjacent severed tube rubbing the outer surface of tube R42-C55 until its cross-section was insufficient to withstand the primary to secondary side pressure differential. The initial severing of the adjacent tubes is considered to have been caused by the impacting of one or more carbon steel foreign objects on the outer periphery tubes in the ‘B’ steam generator.
Two-Year-Olds' Search Strategies and Visual Tracking in a Hidden Displacement Task.

Children younger than 3 years have difficulty with search tasks that involve hidden displacement. Partial visual information was provided about a ball's path as it moved toward a hiding place. Children (2.0 and 2.5 years old) saw a ball rolling down a ramp placed behind a transparent screen with 4 opaque doors. A wall, placed on the ramp and directly behind 1 of the doors, protruded above the screen and stopped the ball. Children were asked to find the ball. The transparency of the screen permitted visual tracking of the ball between the doors, but its final resting place was obscured. Both age groups were equally proficient at tracking the ball as it rolled behind the screen, but the 2.5-year-olds were more likely to reach to the correct door. Looking behavior was related to errors in the younger group in that tracking that stopped short or continued past the correct door was associated with incorrect choices.
Simulation and Testing of Multi-Channel Electron Multiplier Using LTCC/Thick Silver Cofired Structures

A novel multi-channel electron multiplier for high power applications has been developed in LTCC technology. The dynode structure has been fabricated using alternating layers of cofired LTCC and thick (.2-.6 mm) Ag layers. The secondary electron emitter (SEE) material is sol gel processed nano-size (20 nm) MgO, which has been applied to the interior wall of the channel and fired to obtain the highest SEE emission. Micro (25-50 microns) cooling channels are fabricated into the thick Ag layer, allowing the Ag layer to provide both conduction and convective cooling. Resistors are integrated into the structure to provide the impedance drop between the applied voltage and each dynode plate. Monte Carlo simulation has been performed for box and grid and chevron-shaped structures. For a two dynode multiplier we have measured an electron multiplication factor of 1.6, although a bias is observed between the measurement and the simulation method.
Binary and multifragment decay of very hot nuclei

Abstract Compound binary emission of complex fragments is illustrated for a variety of reactions. Complex fragment emission from 35 and 40 MeV/N 139La + 12C, 27Al, 40Ca and 51V reactions has been studied. Multifragment events from these reactions were assigned to sources characterized by their energy and mass through the incomplete-fusion-model kinematics. Excitation functions for the various multifragment channels appear to be nearly independent of the system and bombarding energy. Preliminary comparisons of the data with sequential-statistical-decay calculations are discussed.
Exploring Job Satisfaction by Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Marital Status

The authors use US data to explore the relationship between job satisfaction and sexual orientation. The results indicate that gay men and lesbians who are married experience lower job satisfaction compared with similar heterosexual men and women. The authors propose the following reasons for this finding: (1) married gay men and lesbians may be more visible as sexual minorities and therefore more susceptible to discrimination and harassment; (2) strong opposition to same-sex marriage may intensify that adverse treatment; and (3) the failure of employers to provide benefits for same-sex spouses may further reduce job satisfaction.
Synthesis and luminescence of lanthanide ions in nanoscale insulating hosts

This review summarizes recent work in nanostructured insulating materials that contain optically active lanthanide ions. These materials find applications in lasers, optical amplifiers, and optical-display phosphors. This review concentrates on the synthesis and luminescence spectroscopy of lanthanide-containing nanostructured particles, films, and composites. Spectroscopic studies range from basic luminescence spectroscopy and quantum efficiency measurements to high-resolution spectroscopic studies that investigate the phonon dynamics and electron−phonon interaction as a function of particle size. This review identifies several areas for further study, including the location, distribution, or segregation of dopants in nanoparticles; the efficiency of energy transfer across interfaces; and the effects of quantum confinement or changes in phonon dynamics and electron−phonon interactions on the radiative and nonradiative relaxation rates in localized luminescent dopants.
Aluminous orthopyroxene: Order-disorder, thermodynamic properties, and petrologic implications

Orthopyroxene has two tetrahedral sites, designated A and B, and two octahedral sites, M1 and M2. Crystallographic studies of synthetic and natural orthopyroxenes (opx) suggest that the tetrahedral Al is ordered nearly completely in the B site, but the octahedral Al disorders between M1 and M2 sites with a preference for M1. If the ‘aluminum avoidance’ principle is obeyed, then the tetrahedral Si-Al ordering limits the Al substitution in opx to 25 mol%, thus leading to an end-member stoichiometry of Mg3Al2Si3O12 instead of MgAl2SiO6. The enthalpy of formation of these two components has been deduced from the available phase equilibrium data. The thermodynamic properties of the opx solid solution approximates ideal solution behavior more closely when treated in terms of the components Mg4Si4O12(QEn)-Mg3Al2Si3O12(Py) than when expressed in terms of the components Mg2Si2O6-MgAl2SiO6. A model has been developed for the octahedral disordering of Al as function of temperature and composition. These data enable calculation of the configurational entropy and molar entropy of Al-opx; distinction has been made between the cases of completely random mixing of Al and Si in the tetrahedral B site, and of random mixing without violation of the ‘aluminum avoidance’ principle. The second model yields entropy of the Mg3Al2Si3O12 end member which agrees almost exactly with the value derived from phase equilibrium data. The partial molal entropies of the Orthopyroxene components ‘QEn’ and ‘Py’ can be derived from these data; their implications with respect to the P-T slopes of Al2O3 isopleths for the equilibrium of Orthopyroxene with forsterite and spinel/garnet have been discussed.
Multiple myeloma - current issues and controversies

The outcome of patients with multiple myeloma has dramatically improved in the past decade, due to the introduction of new, more effective treatments, wider use of high-dose therapy, and better appreciation of potential complications and their management. Increasing treatment options have also raised several important questions regarding the optimal use of novel therapies such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib to realise their full potential and to maximise the survival of patients with myeloma. The high response rates seen with the new regimens have led to increasing debate about the goal of therapy for this disease, including the concept of cure. While we still lack definitive data answering some of these questions, we have attempted to interpret the current state of knowledge, and provide a perspective on the current issues and controversies in this disease.
TuneTrain: Incidental learning through interactive music creation

Inspiring children who may be new to music composition can set them on a rewarding path of discovery and lifelong learning. Composing music however, can be daunting and challenging for anyone who has not received formal music education. TuneTrain is an app that addresses both of these concerns by aiding exploratory learning through interactive music creation. TuneTrain is an iPad game-like application for children 8-years-old and up; the goal of the application is for children to experience fun gameplay, music creation, while working within real musical harmonic structures. This paper describes the design, visual style, and technological challenges of developing TuneTrain to be interesting to play while also integrating musical rules. Playtesting with 45 children ages 8 to 12 has revealed how TuneTrain arouses curiosity and inspires through rewarding moments of self-directed creation.
c-Fos induction in response to saccharin after taste aversion learning depends on conditioning method

Increases in c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) in the intermediate nucleus of the solitary tract (iNTS) have been seen consistently as a correlate of the expression of a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) when conditioning occurs using taste delivery through intraoral (I/O) infusions. The present study examined whether a similar FLI response would occur when conditioning was accomplished by presenting the taste solution in a bottle. I/O and bottle methods generated aversions that were comparable, when judged by the behavioral response of solution rejection. However, elevations in FLI were seen only in animals conditioned with the I/O method. This finding adds to evidence that the neural pathways underlying CTA learning differ as a function of the type of conditioning method used.
Protection of aluminum alloys from filiform corrosion by low-temperature plasma interface engineering

Abstract This study investigates the filiform corrosion resistance of chromate-free coating systems fabricated on aluminum alloys by low-temperature plasma interface engineering. The aluminum alloys investigated include AA2024-T3 ([2B]), AA7075-T6 ([7B]), Alclad AA2024-T3 ([2A]), plate stock AA2124-T851([2P]), plate stock AA7050-T7451 ([7P]), and ion vapor deposition (IVD) Al-coated AA2024-T3 ([2I]), IVD Al-coated plate stock AA2124-T851([2PI]), IVD Al-coated plate stock AA7050-T7451 ([7PI]). Direct current (DC) cathodic plasma processes including plasma treatment and plasma deposition were used to create the water-insensitive adhesion of organic coatings to aluminum alloys. With appropriate application to aluminum alloys, DC cathodic plasma coatings of trimethylsilane (TMS) combined with argon plasma post-treatment provided tenacious and water-insensitive adhesion between the water-borne, chromate-free spray primers and aluminum substrates. These chromate-free coating systems, when tested by filiform corrosion test, showed superb resistance to filiform corrosion. Filiform corrosion test was found to be a good measure of water sensitivity of the coating interfaces.
Quantitative immunoanalysis of promutagenic 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in oxidized DNA

The modified DNA base 8-hydroxyguanine has been implicated in spontaneous mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and cellular aging. Polyclonal antibodies specific for the 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine moiety in oxidized DNA were used for sensitive detection and quantitation of this biomarker of oxidative damage to cellular DNA. The analysis was performed with immunoslot blot assay (ISB) of oxidized DNA modified in vitro with methylene blue plus light and upon H2O2 treatment of cultured human cells. The level of 8-OHdG in DNA exposed to 90 and 120 min light in the presence of 100 microM methylene blue showed 15.96 +/- 2.4 and 22.65 +/- 3.65 pmol/micrograms DNA compared to 0.107 +/- 0.024 pmol/micrograms in commercial calf thymus DNA control. Inherent damage, due to cellular endogenous oxidation of DNA, increased significantly upon inhibition of catalase activity in human cells with 10 mM azide. The damage increased further on exposure of azide-treated cells to H2O2. The amounts of 8-OHdG following treatment of cells with 10 and 100 microM H2O2 were determined to be 205 +/- 42 and 333 +/- 17.5 pmol/micrograms DNA respectively. Very low but quantifiable antibody binding was seen with the 'control unoxidized' human nuclear DNA. This DNA, obtained under controlled conditions to restrict the induction of 8-OHdG during isolation, provides a background level of 0.022 +/- 0.005 pmol 8-OHdG/micrograms DNA. The quantitative assessment of 8-OHdG by ISB assay, with fmol sensitivity and direct analysis using unhydrolyzed DNA, should prove a highly valuable alternative to currently used approaches to detecting 8-OHdG in enzymatic DNA hydrolysates.
Freeman Dyson: Some early recollections

The author has known Freeman Dyson since they were both at school in Winchester, England. The friendship has continued ever since.
Thrombin-stimulated cell division involves proteolysis of its cell surface receptor

A cell-surface component of molecular weight 43,000 is cleaved by thrombin on cells that divide after thrombin treatment, but is not cleaved on cells that are unresponsive to its mitogenic action. Studies with a photoreactive derivative of thrombin showed that its cell surface receptor has a molecular weight of 43,000. This indicates that thrombin must cleave its receptor to stimulate cell division.
Free energy and the Fokker-Planck equation

Abstract We establish a new and intriguing connection between the Fokker-Planck equation with gradient drift term and an associated free energy functional. Namely, we demonstrate that such a Fokker-Planck equation may be interpreted as a gradient flux, or a steepest descent, of a free energy functional with respect to a certain metric. This is accomplished through the construction of a time-discrete iterative variational scheme whose solutions converge to the solution of the Fokker-Planck equation. The time step in this scheme is governed by the Wasserstein metric on probability measures.
The effects of promoters in carbon monoxide hydrogenation on cobalt foil model catalysts

Carbon monoxide hydrogenation has been studied on polycrystalline cobalt foils, using a combination of UHV studies and atmospheric pressure reactions at 525 and 575 K and the effects of different promoters (K and Mg) have been investigated. The selectivity towards methane was decreased due to both promoters. The main effect with potassium was, however, the suppression of carbon deposition at higher reaction temperatures.
PR55α, a Regulatory Subunit of PP2A, Specifically Regulates PP2A-mediated β-Catenin Dephosphorylation

A central question in Wnt signaling is the regulation of β-catenin phosphorylation and degradation. Multiple kinases, including CKIα and GSK3, are involved in β-catenin phosphorylation. Protein phosphatases such as PP2A and PP1 have been implicated in the regulation of β-catenin. However, which phosphatase dephosphorylates β-catenin in vivo and how the specificity of β-catenin dephosphorylation is regulated are not clear. In this study, we show that PP2A regulates β-catenin phosphorylation and degradation in vivo. We demonstrate that PP2A is required for Wnt/β-catenin signaling in Drosophila. Moreover, we have identified PR55α as the regulatory subunit of PP2A that controls β-catenin phosphorylation and degradation. PR55α, but not the catalytic subunit, PP2Ac, directly interacts with β-catenin. RNA interference knockdown of PR55α elevates β-catenin phosphorylation and decreases Wnt signaling, whereas overexpressing PR55α enhances Wnt signaling. Taken together, our results suggest that PR55α specifically regulates PP2A-mediated β-catenin dephosphorylation and plays an essential role in Wnt signaling.
A method to improve the speed and sensitivity of constant-capacitance voltage transient measurements

Abstract A method is described that improves the speed and sensitivity of Constant Capacitance Voltage Transient measurements. Experimental results show that the method is suitable not only for the investigation of a high density of imperfection levels in semiconductor materials, but also that it allows the same sensitivity and speed available in conventional Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy.
Cell association increases RPE outgrowth from primary explant

PURPOSE. Most studies of cell growth of the RPE employ cultures which have been previously passaged, but here we investigated freshly-explanted RPE cells, which may have been growth-quiescent for years, within the eye to determine whether co-culture affects initial outgrowth in primary culture. METHODS. Bovine or human RPE were co-cultured in primary culture with several cell types to test the effects of homologous or heterologous cell association. For bovine RPE, cell number was measured over 14 days in cultures of RPE alone, or RPE in co-culture with irradiated living cells, with fixed-killed cells, with cells separated from the RPE by a semipermeable membrane, or in medium conditioned by the cell types used for co-culture. For human RPE, isolates from all donors were randomized, over a 13-month period, to co-culture or to culture alone. The number of cultures attaining a cell number at one month that was sufficient for further propagation was compared. RESULTS. Co-culture with irradiated living cells i...
Comparison of Sanchez-Lacombe and SAFT model in predicting solubility of polyethylene in high-pressure fluids

Sanchez–Lacombe and SAFT (statistical associating fluid theory) models are used to describe phase behavior of polyethylene solutions (Mw = 2,150, 16,400, 108,000, and 420,000, and MwMn = 1.14, 1.16, 1.32, and 2.66, respectively) in n-pentane and in n-butane at high pressures. In order to test the predictive capability of the two models, all the predictions were conducted without any adjustment of the binary interaction parameter. Even though both models correctly predict the general trends of the phase envelopes and the LCST (lower critical solution temperature) nature of the systems, SAFT gives predictions that are much closer to the experimental data than the Sanchez–Lacombe model. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Accuracy of three different techniques for automatically estimating innervation zone location

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the estimated innervation zone (IZ) locations obtained from cross-correlation, the minimum amplitude, and maximum center frequency criteria. Eight healthy men (mean+/-SD age=23.0+/-4.3 yrs) performed isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors, and 15 separate bipolar surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were detected from the vastus lateralis. A custom software program was used to estimate the location of the IZ based on: (1) the EMG channel that demonstrated the lowest amplitude, (2) the EMG channel that showed the highest mean frequency, and (3) the EMG channel that demonstrated the lowest peak cross-correlation between the signals from adjacent channels. The IZ location estimates from the lowest amplitude and highest mean frequency criteria were accurate in only 43.75% and 7.5% of the cases, respectively. The accuracy of the cross-correlation-based method was 90%. The cross-correlation-based method was much more accurate for estimating IZ location than were the lowest amplitude and highest mean frequency criteria. Cross-correlation could potentially be used for estimating the location of the IZ without the need for visual inspection of EMG signals.
A Scalable Pricing Model for Bandwidth Allocation

In this paper, we present a scalable pricing model for dynamic bandwidth allocation. Using simulation we demonstrate that service providers can achieve increased revenue as well as better resource utilization without compromising user specified levels of Quality of Service (QoS). Our model allows for increasing the revenue while maintaining an acceptable level of QoS, this is done by selecting an appropriate bandwidth allocation policy, to reduce the number of blocked users.
Chromate reduction is expedited by bacteria engineered to produce the compatible solute trehalose

The toxicity and solubility of chromium(VI) can be decreased by certain microbes that reduce chromium(VI) to chromium(III). However, these bacteria do not escape unscathed from this process. Chromium(VI) reduction damages the essential macromolecules of living systems. Trehalose protects organisms from chemical stress but has not been tested in the context of bioremediation. We engineered bacteria to produce trehalose and found that they then reduced 1 mM chromium(VI) to chromium(III), whereas wild-type cells were only able to reduce half that amount. Thus, by providing bacteria with a biochemical defense against the side-effects of chromate reduction may be a new approach to cleaning up sites that are contaminated with high levels of chromate.
Optimal Control of Catalytic Methanol Conversion to Formaldehyde

An optimal control methodology is applied to find the heat and oxygen flux profiles, distributed along the length of a plug flow reactor, for the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde. The calculations use models for the gas-phase and catalytic [MoO3−Fe2(MoO4)3] reactions. The reactor designs show that a distributed heat flux improves formaldehyde yields, but an oxygen flux does not affect the results. Formaldehyde mass fractions of over 90% have been achieved in the simulations. The solutions obtained, although not proven to be globally optimal, are of very high quality. A fully nonlinear robustness analysis of the formaldehyde production with respect to the catalyst model variables is performed by the use of a high dimensional model representation. This representation is similar to the ANOVA decomposition used in statistics but does not require an increase in the number of data points as the dimensionality of the variable space increases. The most important variables are the catalyst surface area and t...
Escherichia coli B cobalamin methyltransferase: ability of diaphorases and lipoamide dehydrogenases to function as reducing agents.

Abstract An FAD containing diaphorase and lipoamide dehydrogenase were purified as by-products in the isolation of cobalamin methyltransferase from extracts of Escherichia coli B. In the presence of 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT) and/or NADH these two flavoproteins, as well as pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase, were shown to replace substantially the requirement for free FMNH2 (or FADH2) by the bacterial methyltrausferase. Assay systems containing each of these three flavoproteins, respectively, differed in their dependencies on DTT and NADH. The differences were attributed, in part, to the ability of E. coli B lipoamide dehydrogenase to use DTT as a substrate in comparison to the bacterial diaphorase and pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase. In addition, a preliminary incubation of the cobalamin protein with DTT markedly increased its activity in the presence of two of the NADH-reduced flavoproteins. For each of the three flavoproteins 1 mμmole of added, bound FAD could be shown to support the synthesis of 10 mμmoles of 14CH3−-methionine. With the use of NADH + iodoacetamide-treated pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase, it was demonstrated that both the semiquinoid (FADH·) state and the fully reduced (FADH2) form of a single flavoprotein can function as reductants for the cobalamin enzyme.
AIDS policy and politics: East Africa in comparative perspective.

Very little is known about the policy process in developing countries. The authors use the AIDS issue as a case study in their effort to shed light upon the policy process in Kenya Tanzania and Uganda countries in which AIDS is prevalent. AIDS is not a typical policy issue but in choosing an extreme case the authors felt that they could more effectively highlight the problems which can exist in performing good policy analysis in developing countries. The first part of the paper provides background information on the spread of disease in Africa and its potential future implications. The second section provides a sense of the challenges of performing policy analysis in non-Western cultural contexts while the policy and political dimensions of AIDS in East Africa and the related conclusions are considered in the closing segment. One conclusion of the study is that applying scientific norms in other cultures on the assumption that they are objective or nonpolitical tends to produce serious backlash effects which hamper necessary social action. Another conclusion is that the policy analyst must consider the whole policy process as well as the prevailing political culture.
Synthesis and reactions of rhenium enyne, and vinylalkenylidene complexes

Abstract Reaction of Cp★Re(CO) 2 (THF) with HCCC(CH 3 )CH 2 produced the conjugated enyne complex Cp★(CO) 2 Re[η 2 -HCCC(CH 3 CH 2 ] ( 1 ). Attempted preparation of an η 3 -propargyl complex by protonation of 1 with HBF 4 failed. Thermolysis of 1 led to the corresponding alkenylidene complex Cp★(CO) 2 ReCCHC(CH 3 )CH 2 ( 2 ), which reacted with HBF 4 to give the cationic alkylidyne complex [Cp★(CO) 2 ReCCHC(CH 3 ) 2 ][BF 4 ] ( 3 ). Nucleophiles including NaCH(CO 2 C 2 H 5 ) 2 , PMe 3 , and NaBH 4 attack regioselectively at the γ-carbon of the alkylidyne ligand of 3 . Both the conjugated enyne complex 1 and vinylalkenylidene complex 2 underwent reaction with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), eventually producing dimethyl 4-methylphthalate ( 9 ).
Multidimensional traction force microscopy reveals out-of-plane rotational moments about focal adhesions

Recent methods have revealed that cells on planar substrates exert both shear (in-plane) and normal (out-of-plane) tractions against the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the location and origin of the normal tractions with respect to the adhesive and cytoskeletal elements of cells have not been elucidated. We developed a high-spatiotemporal-resolution, multidimensional (2.5D) traction force microscopy to measure and model the full 3D nature of cellular forces on planar 2D surfaces. We show that shear tractions are centered under elongated focal adhesions whereas upward and downward normal tractions are detected on distal (toward the cell edge) and proximal (toward the cell body) ends of adhesions, respectively. Together, these forces produce significant rotational moments about focal adhesions in both protruding and retracting peripheral regions. Temporal 2.5D traction force microscopy analysis of migrating and spreading cells shows that these rotational moments are highly dynamic, propagating outward with the leading edge of the cell. Finally, we developed a finite element model to examine how rotational moments could be generated about focal adhesions in a thin lamella. Our model suggests that rotational moments can be generated largely via shear lag transfer to the underlying ECM from actomyosin contractility applied at the intracellular surface of a rigid adhesion of finite thickness. Together, these data demonstrate and probe the origin of a previously unappreciated multidimensional stress profile associated with adhesions and highlight the importance of new approaches to characterize cellular forces.
Systematic review of piperacillin-induced neutropenia.

Because penicillin agents are implicated in granulopoiesis inhibition, healthcare professionals frequently consider discontinuation of such therapy in patients with decreasing white blood cell counts. No systematic review to date has described piperacillin and the patient population at risk for this adverse drug reaction (ADR).
The new view of hydrophobic free energy

In the new view, hydrophobic free energy is measured by the work of solute transfer of hydrocarbon gases from vapor to aqueous solution. Reasons are given for believing that older values, measured by solute transfer from a reference solvent to water, are not quantitatively correct. The hydrophobic free energy from gas–liquid transfer is the sum of two opposing quantities, the cavity work (unfavorable) and the solute–solvent interaction energy (favorable). Values of the interaction energy have been found by simulation for linear alkanes and are used here to find the cavity work, which scales linearly with molar volume, not accessible surface area. The hydrophobic free energy is the dominant factor driving folding as judged by the heat capacity change for transfer, which agrees with values for solvating hydrocarbon gases. There is an apparent conflict with earlier values of hydrophobic free energy from studies of large-to-small mutations and an explanation is given.
A comparison of providers' and consumers' perceptions of facial-profile attractiveness.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception of facial attractiveness in profile digital photographs that were incrementally altered to produce different combinations of mandibular anteroposterior positions and lower anterior facial heights. The specific aims were to determine whether there is concordance between providers and consumers in their perceptions of facial attractiveness, and to evaluate whether interactions of the anteroposterior and vertical dimensions and the magnitude of these interactions influence perception of facial attractiveness. Methods: Profile digital photographs and cephalograms of 3 men and 3 women were used. The position of the jaw was altered incrementally with Dolphin imaging equipment (Dolphin Imaging and Management, Chatsworth, Calif), and booklets were created. One hundred raters (50 laypersons, 25 oral surgeons, 25 orthodontists) scored the profiles on a visual analog scale. All images were duplicated to test intrarater reliability. Factorial ANOVA with repeated measures and the Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test for multiple comparisons were used to test for differences in facial attractiveness. The level of significance was set at .05 ( P = .05) for all analyses. Results: Intrarater reliability was good (ICC = 0.71), and general concordance was found between providers and consumers in their perceptions of facial attractiveness. Interactions of the anteroposterior and vertical dimensions and the magnitude of change in each dimension influence the perception of facial attractiveness. Conclusions: The results suggest that preferences of facial attractiveness by laypersons, orthodontists, and oral surgeons in central Ohio are generally in agreement. This information might assist clinicians in treatment planning and making recommendations.
Hepatocellular proliferation and changes in microarchitecture of right lobe allografts in adult transplant recipients.

Imaging studies show complete restoration of liver volume in adult recipients of right lobe allografts within 2–3 weeks of living donor transplantation (LDLT). However, it is not known if this growth is associated with restoration of hepatic microarchitecture. We compared 21 biopsies without significant pathology from LDLT recipients with 23 biopsies from adult recipients of cadaveric donor liver transplantation (CDLT) performed within 3 months of transplantation. The difference in the number of portal tracts per cm was statistically significant (P < .0001) between CDLT (9.08 ± 1.74) and LDLT recipients within 3 months (6.26 ± 1.62), as well as after 3 months following transplantation (6.56 ± 1.44). The coefficient of correlation between length of biopsy specimens and the number of portal tracts in these 3 groups was .94, .93, and .85, respectively. Proliferative activity demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining for MIB-1 was seen predominantly in hepatocytes in both groups; bile ducts only occasionally stained positive. The difference between labeling indices of hepatocytes was statistically significant (P = .00056) between CDLT and LDLT recipients within 3 months of transplantation (.82 ± .63 and 4.53 ± 3.72), and between LDLT recipients within 3 weeks and after 3 weeks of transplantation (5.97 ± 3.78 and 1.80 ± 1.37, P = .0074). In conclusion, restoration of liver volume following LDLT occurs by proliferation of hepatocytes in the immediate posttransplant period. There is a decrease in number of portal tracts in these volume-restored allografts. Volume restoration is therefore, not accompanied by restoration of hepatic microarchitecture. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:1461–1467.)
Stress Corrosion Cracking Testing of Inconel Alloys 600 and 690 under High-Temperature Caustic Conditions

Abstract The effects of heat treatment, carbon content, and microstructure on the resistance of Inconel Alloy 690 to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) under caustic conditions were studied. The resul...
Radiation exposure effects on the performance of an electrically trainable artificial neural network (ETANN)

The effects of radiation exposure on an analog neural network devices are examined. The neural network implements a fully parallel architecture integrating 10240 analog nonvolatile synapses fabricated in a CMOS process. Graceful degradation of forward propagation performance was observed in units that were exposed to absorbed doses of up to 26 krads (Si) of 10-MeV electrons. The units were exposed without bias, except for that due to the floating gates. Single-chip solutions to two pattern recognition problems representing two levels of difficulty are employed for testing. Over the weeks following exposure, postirradiation effects due to a latent charge trapping mechanism in the oxides of the nonvolatile floating gate structures are observed. It is shown that units with apparently permanent damage can be retrained to 100% recognition performance. >
Masses, centers-of-gravity, and moments-of-inertia of the body segments of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

Segmental parameters (mass, center-of-gravity, and moment-of-inertia) are necessary for biomechanical analyses of a species' locomotor behavior. Seven male and eight female adult rhesus monkey cadavers were dismembered in order to determine segmental parameters. Mean values for the segment masses and moments-of-inertia are presented for males and females, separately and together. Statistical tests revealed significant differences between the sexes for these parameters. Regression equations for predicting segment masses and moments-of-inertia were developed for the sexes separately and pooled. For most segments the male and female equations did not differ significantly in slope or y-intercept. The center-of-gravity for each segment is presented as a mean percentage of the distance between the proximal and distal joint centers. The regression equations and center-of-gravity locations presented here permit biomechanical investigations of rhesus monkey locomotion without the necessity of subsequent sacrifice. The segmental parameter values determined for the rhesus monkey are compared with available data for other primate and mammalian species and the biomechanical and adaptive implications of such comparisons are discussed.
Quantitative Image Analysis Of UV Rocket Plumes And Laboratory Images

Rocket plume images photographed with the AFGL UV imager on a video system have been analyzed with a video digitizer and an MS-DOS* computer. The analysis consists of distortion-free rotation of the images to align the plume axis with the horizontal pixel direction, smoothing the images with appropriate image filters, plotting contours and brightness slices of the images, measuring the size from knowledge of the rocket's ephemeris, and correcting for atmospheric absorption. Similar analysis techniques will be presented for laboratory images showing the diffusion of an optically absorbing gas in air.
1,2-Cyclohexanedione Dioxime

1,2-Cyclohexanedione dioxime intermediate: 1,2-cyclohexanedione product: 0.5 g. of nioxime (1,2-cyclohexanedione dioxime) Keywords: addition, to CO; oxidation, CH2 CO; selenium dioxide, recovery; catalysts, metal, Raney nickel W-6
Strategy exploration in empirical games

Empirical analyses of complex games necessarily focus on a restricted set of strategies, and thus the value of empirical game models depends on effective methods for selectively exploring a space of strategies. We formulate an iterative framework for strategy exploration, and experimentally evaluate an array of generic exploration policies on three games: one infinite game with known analytic solution, and two relatively large empirical games generated by simulation. Policies based on iteratively finding a beneficial deviation or best response to the minimum-regret profile among previously explored strategies perform generally well on the profile-regret measure, although we find that some stochastic introduction of suboptimal responses can often lead to more effective exploration in early stages of the process. A novel formation-based policy performs well on all measures by producing low-regret approximate formations earlier than the deviation-based policies.
Rapid publication-ready MS-Word tables for one-way ANOVA

Statistical tables are an important component of data analysis and reports in biological sciences. However, the traditional manual processes for computation and presentation of statistically significant results using a letter-based algorithm are tedious and prone to errors. Based on the R language, we present two web-based software for individual and summary data, freely available online, at https://houssein-assaad.shinyapps.io/TableReport/ and https://houssein-assaad.shinyapps.io/SumAOV/ , respectively. The software are capable of rapidly generating publication-ready tables containing one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) results. No download is required. Additionally, the software can perform multiple comparisons of means using the Duncan, Student-Newman-Keuls, Tukey Kramer, and Fisher’s least significant difference (LSD) tests. If the LSD test is selected, multiple methods (e.g., Bonferroni and Holm) are available for adjusting p-values. Using the software, the procedures of ANOVA can be completed within seconds using a web-browser, preferably Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, and a few mouse clicks. Furthermore, the software can handle one-way ANOVA for summary data (i.e. sample size, mean, and SD or SEM per treatment group) with post-hoc multiple comparisons among treatment means. To our awareness, none of the currently available commercial (e.g., SPSS and SAS) or open-source software (e.g., R and Python) can perform such a rapid task without advanced knowledge of the corresponding programming language. Our new and user-friendly software to perform statistical analysis and generate publication-ready MS-Word tables for one-way ANOVA are expected to facilitate research in agriculture, biomedicine, and other fields of life sciences.
How are family-responsive workplace arrangements family friendly? Employer accommodations, parenting, and children's socioemotional well-being

Family-responsive workplace arrangements, including schedule flexibility, reduced hours, and workplace social support, are often touted as important to employed parents' abilities to balance the simultaneous demands involved in work and childrearing. Empirical evidence regarding this supposition has most often focused on employed parents' perceptions of work-family incompatibility, leaving little understanding of (1) which arrangements are associated with parenting and children's well-being and (2) the process through which these arrangements may be related to these aspects of family life. A stress perspective on the work-family interface suggests that work-family arrangements might be related to parenting and children through the mechanisms of parents' psychological well-being. I use data from a regional sample of employed mothers to investigate this proposition. Findings from path models show that most relationships between arrangements and parenting are direct and unmediated by mothers' well-being and that work-family arrangements are only indirectly associated with children's socioemotional well-being.