cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flame stabilization using large flameholders of irregular shape

Measurements of blowoff velocity and drag coefficient are carried out on various two-dimensional flameholders, including flat plates and singleand double-sided vee-gutters. The vee-gutters are tested with and without slots cut in their trailing edges. The flat plates are tested at various inclinations to the flowstream, with cutouts in the leading edge, or trailing edge, or both. The test program covers wide ranges of effective pressure ratio obtained using the water injection technique, and it also includes variations in the size, blockage, and geometry of the flameholders. The results show that flameholder size is the most important parameter in determining aerodynamic blockage and that base-shaped modifications play only a minor role. However, base-shaped modifications do have a significant effect on flame stability. In particular, the random removal of material from a regular bluff body always has an adverse effect on its flameholding properties.
A Companion For NPV: The Generalized Relative Rate of Return

We show how to determine a unique rate, for a particular cash flow stream, that is used only whenever a project demands outside resources to compound the rates of the existing term structure precisely at those times. The net present value of the cash flow stream when discounted with the thus-modified term structure becomes zero. We therefore determine a vector of rates that belongs to the induced space of internal rates of return for that cash flow stream. The rate is applicable under discrete stochastic interest rate representations and provides maximum loan rates that may be contracted only when needed thus keeping a project financially autonomous. (Any investments required may be fully repaid by the project's own cash outflows).
Intestinal maturation: characterization of mitochondrial phosphate transport in the rat and its regulation by 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3.

ABSTRACT: The mitochondria play a major role in the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation within the cell. Despite the fact that the enterocytes receive the majority of absorbed phosphate and their high metabolic turnover rate, the role of the intestinal mitochondria in phosphate transport system during maturation is not known. Therefore, the current studies were designed to characterize phosphate transport by jejunal mitochondria of rats during maturation (suckling, weanling, and adolescent rats). The functional integrity of the intestinal mitochondria of suckling and adolescent rats was determined by oxygen consumption studies demonstrating respiratory control ratios of more than 3 when succinate was used as a test substrate. Phosphate uptake was significantly stimulated by the presence of 3 mM ATP at all age groups studied. Maximal phosphate uptake in the presence of 3 mM ATP and 2 mM succinate was 16.5 ± 1.0, 20.5 ± 1 and 28.7 ± 0.4 nmol/mg protein (mean ± SE) in suckling, weanling, and adolescent rats respectively. ATP-dependent phosphate uptake was inhibited by 80% with 100 µM p-MB. Kinetic parameters for ATP stimulated phosphate uptake at 10 s revealed a Km of 4 ± 0.9, 2.8 ± 0.4, and 0.9 ± 0.1 mM and Vmax of 5 ± 0.7, 9.5 ± 1, and 11 ± 0.7 nmol/mg protein per 10 s in suckling, weanling, and adolescent rats, respectively. Phosphate uptake was also stimulated by an inwardly directed pH gradient (pH out<pH inside) compared to no pH gradient condition suggesting the presence of PO4-/OH- exchange. The kinetic of the PO4-/OH- exchange showed a Km of 1.9 ± 0.4 and 2.2 ± 1 mM and a Vmax of 1.3 ± 0.4 and 4.4 ±1.5 nmol/mg protein/10 s for suckling and adolescent rats, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency decreased markedly the Vmax and Km of ATP-dependent phosphate uptake in adolescent rats to 1.6 ± 0.2 nmol/mg protein/10 s and 0.2 ± 0.1 mM, respectively. 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 administration, 8 h before death increased the Vmax to 3.06 ± 0.8 (p<0.01) without a significant change in the Km. These results indicate that phosphate uptake into the mitochondria occurs by a ATP-dependent and PO4-/OH- exchange mechanisms. The ATP-dependent mechanism is regulated by 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3.
Of ears and E-mails.

The news came via e-mail: “Well, the day has come. I am now profoundly deaf. … I'm O.K. with that—as much as one can be.” With that Internet message, Stacey informed us that our efforts to preserve...
Stock-Price Manipulation

It is generally agreed that speculators can make profits from insider trading or from the release of false information. Both forms of stock-price manipulation have now been made illegal. In this article, the authors ask whether it is possible to make profits from a different kind of manipulation, in which an uninformed speculator simply buys and sells shares. They show that in a rational expectations framework, where all agents maximize expected utility, it is possible for an uninformed manipulator to make a profit, provided investors attach a positive probability to the manipulator being an informed trader. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Idaho's Three-Tiered System for Speech-Language Paratherapist Training and Utilization

In Idaho, the support personnel providing speech-language services to learners with special communication needs in educational settings must obtain at least one of three levels of certification. These levels indicate the degree of education and scope of responsibility of the paratherapist. Beginning at the most basic level, these levels are: (1)speech-language aide, (2)associate degree speech-language assistant, and (3)bachelor's level speech-language associate. This article provides an historical perspective for the development and implementation of the speech-language paratherapist category in Idaho, a brief review of the rationale for and description of a 3-tiered system of speech-language paratherapists that incorporates an articulated career pathway for advancement and a discussion of the system's potential to address national concerns regarding the delivery of speech-language services in educational settings.
Effects of temperature and pressure on phonons in FeSi 1-x Al x

The effects of temperature and pressure on phonons in B20 compounds FeSi_(1−x)Al_x were measured using inelastic neutron scattering and nuclear-resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. The effect of hole doping through Al substitution is compared to results of alloying with Co (electron doping) in Fe_(1−x)Co_xSi. While the temperature dependence of phonons in FeSi is highly anomalous, doping with either type of carriers leads to a recovery of the normal quasiharmonic behavior. Density functional theory (DFT) computations of the electronic band structure and phonons were performed. The anomaly in the temperature dependence of the phonons in undoped FeSi was related to the narrow band gap, and its sensitivity to the effect of thermal disordering by phonons. On the other hand, the pressure dependence of phonons at room temperature in undoped FeSi follows the quasiharmonic behavior and is well reproduced by the DFT calculations.
In-service and in real-time optical channel performance analysis with combined noise and jitter

In modern WDM telecommunications, optical signals undergo an evolutionary degradation as a result of ultra-high data rates (>10Gbps), very long fiber links (800 km), attenuation, non-linear photon-matter interactions, noise and jitter. BER, Q-factor, SNR, NF and optical power level are among the key parameters that determine channel performance. Typical channel performance relies on EDC codes, which have a limited error detection capability and require several frames to estimate BER (only); EDCs detect up to sixteen errors and correct up to eight within a block of information. We present a method, which is based on statistical estimation of synchronous data sampling to construct two virtual statistical distributions from which all performance parameters (not BER only) and signal power levels are estimated in real-time and without service interruption.
Brothels, Bamu, and Tu Kina Bus in South Coast New Guinea: Human Rights Issues and Global Responsibilities

The paper describes the unfolding situation of prostitution on Daru Island, Western Province, Papua New Guinea, a practice that is also growing elsewhere on a worldwide scale. Owing to the seriousness of the problem and to the character of the fieldwork, understudied as it is in anthropology, the author claims that to set the field material merely within the context of the debate between relativism and ethnocentrism will not get us very far. He recommends intervention, holding that intervention in such cases is not ethnocentrism—intolerance of a feature of another culture—but a matter of global responsibility.
Accurate water delivery using a simplified automated farm turnout

Un deversoir simple et automatise a ete concu pour fournir a partir d'un canal un apport constant d'eau pour l'irrigation a la parcelle. Plusieurs composants facilement disponibles ont ete combins a cet effet. Le cout total de ces composants est inferieur a 2300 US$. Ces composants fonctionnent de maniere integree pour fournir un debit avec une precision de plus ou moins 3%. Ce deversoir est recommande pour les systemes ou les niveaux d'eau varient en cours de journee. Quatre de ces deversoirs automatises ont deja ete installes aux Etats-Unis, trois dans des exploitations situees pres de Boise dnas l'Idaho, un pres de Yuma dans l'Arizona.
Close-Die Embossing of Multichannel Waveguides

A combined punching and embossing process was developed for fabrication of 3-D multichannel waveguides. The close-die setup overcomes the lateral flow problem experienced by the standard hot embossing process, thereby allowing buildup of embossing pressure and replication of 3-D features. The embossing tool for this purpose includes a punching head and the to-be-replicated features in the socket behind the punching head. During the process, the embossing tool first punches out a billet from a large blank and then embosses this billet in the socket. The combined operation allows for accurate blanking and provides a close-die process for embossing pressure buildup. ABS and PMMA were chosen as two polymers for waveguide embossing. In both cases, cycle times around 7 minutes resulted. While ejection problems were experienced by PMMA, a relatively brittle polymer, 4-channel waveguides with crispy edges and accurate dimensions were successfully fabricated using ABS, the tougher polymer.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The influence of harvesting technique on endothelial preservation in saphenous veins.

To study optimal conditions of preparation of saphenous veins as coronary artery bypass grafts, segments of saphenous veins were obtained from 29 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The saphenous vein segments were divided into three groups. In Group I, 10 saphenous vein segments were harvested using a “no-touch” technique without any other preparation aids. In Group II, 10 saphenous vein segments were removed while distended at 70–120 mm Hg with a balanced pH electrolyte solution at 37°C. In Group III, consisting of 10 saphenous vein segments, nitroglycerine (1 μg/ml) was added to the distending solution used in Group II. Samples of saphenous vein were assessed in a blind study using light and scanning electron microscopy to estimate endothelial cell preservation by the three harvest techniques. Saphenous veins receiving only a no-touch dissection technique without distention solution (Group I) revealed significantly better endothelial preservation (P < 0.005). The administration of distention solution alone, or with nitroglycerine, to saphenous veins in in situ using our operative technique during harvest does not appear to protect endothelial-integrity and may be harmful.
Structure of STING bound to cyclic di-GMP reveals the mechanism of cyclic dinucleotide recognition by the immune system.

The crystal structures of human STING in the apo and c-di-GMP–bound states, supported by mutagenesis and biochemical data, reveal that c-di-GMP binds to preformed dimeric STING. c-di-GMP prolongs STING phosphorylation in vitro, which may contribute to downstream IFN signaling. These findings aid in understanding the innate immune response to bacterial infection. STING (stimulator of interferon genes) is an innate immune sensor of cyclic dinucleotides that regulates the induction of type I interferons. STING's C-terminal domain forms a V-shaped dimer and binds a cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) at the dimer interface by both direct and solvent-mediated hydrogen bonds. Guanines of c-di-GMP stack against the phenolic rings of a conserved tyrosine, and mutations at the c-di-GMP binding surface reduce nucleotide binding and affect signaling.
A theory of trade union development: The role of the “autonomous” workman

(1960). A theory of trade union development: The role of the “autonomous” workman. Labor History: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 141-163.
Chlortetracycline detoxification in maize via induction of glutathione S-transferases after antibiotic exposure.

Soil contamination with nonmetabolized antibiotics is an emerging environmental concern, especially on agricultural croplands that receive animal manure as fertilizer. In this study, phytotoxicity ...
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF CORTICAL STRUCTURES OF OPALINA OBTRIGONOIDEA

The pellicular framework of Opalina obtrigonoidea consists of numerous longitudinal ribs parallel to the kineties. These ribs lie erect on the cell surface, and each is composed of striated longitudinal fibers. A membrane covers the ribs and the ectoplasm between them. Flagella, of conventional structure, emerge from the ectoplasm between the ribs. The two central fibers of each flagellum end at the cell surface; the nine peripheral fibers continue for about 400 mµ into the cell to form an open tubular kinetosome. From the anterolateral curvature of each kinetosome arise two rows of fibrils, each fibril oriented perpendicular to the cell surface and about 150 A in diameter. The two rows converge anteriorly and probably meet the next adjacent kinetosome. Minute granules or tubules, arranged in oblique rows and at least sometimes accompanied by very fine fibers, lie at the surface of the ectoplasm but show no detectable connection with the kinetosomes. The whole flagellar apparatus of Opalina thus bears a general resemblance to the infraciliature of some holotrich ciliates, but the degree of evolutionary relationship between them remains uncertain.
Evaluation of commercial cracker flours by test baking and study of changes occurring during sponge fermentation

Commercial cracker flours were found to vary widely in baking performance and rheological properties. In general, strong flours gave crackers with less puffing or uneven puffing. None of the rheological tests studied predicted baking performance accurately. During the later stages of sponge fermentation, when pH was low, a proteolytic enzyme native to flour appeared to act. Protein extracts from sponges showed decreased viscosity after fermentation indicating cleavage of the proteins. However, much of the rheological change occurs during the early hours of fermentation at relatively high pH (above pH 5·2). Mixograms showed these changes clearly. Addition of Tenox, a commercial antioxidant containing butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene, gave a stronger sponge. This infers that the changes occurring early in the system are caused by a free radical reaction.
Cultural Origins and Environmental Implications of Large Technological Systems

This essay argues that a prime source of contemporary technological pessimism is the loss of place that accompanied the conquest of space through the construction of large technological systems of transportation and communication. This loss may involve physical destruction, or it may involve the more subtle withdrawal of economic, political, and cultural meaning and power from localities in favor of these far-flung systems.The argument proceeds in five stages. First, key terms are defined, notably “environmental damage” and “technological system.” Second, the origins of the modern ideology of circulation are traced in the development of a capitalist world-economy, and in the historical theories of Enlightenment philosophes (with special attention to Turgot and Condorcet). Third, possible relations between that ideology and nineteenth-century systems-building are briefly sketched. Fourth, the ambiguous political character of these systems — at once liberating and constraining — is noted. Finally, the cultural challenge of overcoming spatial alienation is described with reference to some late nineteenth-century writers who sought to trace new pathways both spatially and linguistically.
EPITHELIAL OUTGROWTH FROM SUSPENSION CULTURES OF HUMAN PROSTATIC TISSUE

The primary objective of this study was to obtain pure cultures of prostatic epithelium. Encapsulation by epithelial cells and hypocellularity in stroma occurred when explants of prostatic tissue were maintained in suspension cultures. Twenty per cent fetal bovine serum incorporated into the medium provided optimal conditions for encapsulation and preservation of epithelial cell viability and architecture. Horse serum at the same concentration was less effective. When encapsulated explants were allowed to attach to the substrate, 10 and 20% horse serum favored growth of epithelial cells while fetal bovine serum also stimulated fibroblastic growth. Mechanisms for the induction of hypocellularity, encapsulation, squamous metaplasia and central necrosis in explants were studied. Relationship between the type and concentration of serum and the nature and extent of outgrowth are discussed.
A case for compiler-driven superpage allocation

Most modern microprocessor-based systems provide support for superpages both at the hardware and software level. Judicious use of superpages can significantly cut down the number of TLB misses and improve overall system performance. However, indiscriminate superpage allocation results in page fragmentation and increased application footprint, which often outweigh the benefits of reduced TLB misses. Previous research has explored policies for smart allocation of superpages from an operating systems perspective. This paper presents a compiler-based strategy for automatic and profitable memory allocation via superpages. A significant advantage of a compiler-based approach is the availability of data-reuse information within an application. Our strategy employs data-locality analysis to estimate the TLB demands of a program and uses this metric to determine if the program will benefit from superpage allocation. Apart from its obvious utility in improving TLB performance, this strategy can be used to improve the effectiveness of certain data-layout transformations and can be a useful tool in benchmarking and empirical tuning. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this strategy with experiments on an Intel Core 2 Duo with a two-level TLB.
Automatic recognition of prosodic phrases

The authors report on the development of two algorithms to automatically detect prosodic phrases. The first algorithm uses simple frame-based likelihood classifiers to detect breaths and silences, which yields a large percentage of major phrase breaks. To label other levels of prosodic structure, a second algorithm is introduced that uses phoneme durations given by a speech recognizer in conjunction with a tree quantizer and hidden Markov model to label a hierarchy of prosodic phrase breaks. This second algorithm yields phrase break predictions that have good correlation with hand labels, and correctly detects more than 90% of the major phrase boundaries. >
Treatment of Giardiasis: Current Status and Future Directions

Giardiasis is a common yet neglected cause of diarrheal illness worldwide. Antimicrobial therapy is usually but not always effective and drug resistance has become an increasing concern. Several promising drug candidates have been recently identified that can overcome antibiotic resistance in Giardia. These include derivatives of 5-nitroimidazoles and benzimidazoles, as well as hybrid compounds created from combinations of different antigiardial drugs. High-throughput screening of large compound libraries has been a productive strategy for identifying antigiardial activity in drugs already approved for other indications, e.g. auranofin. This article reviews the current treatment of giardiasis, mechanisms of resistance, advances in drug and vaccine development, and directions for further research on this significant human pathogen.
Long range correlations in quantum gravity

Smolin has pointed out that the spin network formulation of quantum gravity will not necessarily possess the long range correlations needed for a proper classical limit; typically, the action of the scalar constraint is too local. Thiemann's length operator is used to argue for a further restriction on the action of the scalar constraint: it should not introduce new edges of color unity into a spin network, but should rather change preexisting edges by $\pm$ one unit of color. Smolin has proposed a specific ansatz for a correlated scalar constraint. This ansatz does not introduce color unity edges, but the [scalar, scalar] commutator is shown to be anomalous. In general, it will be hard to avoid anomalies, once correlation is introduced into the constraint; but it is argued that the scalar constraint may not need to be anomaly-free when acting on the kinematic basis.
Intramolecular and Fragmentation Dynamics of Van der Waals Complexes

The classical phase space dynamics of a simple two degree of freedom model for the vibrational predissociation (i.e. fragmentation) of van der Waals complexes is reviewed, with emphasis being placed on the role of transitions across intramolecular and intermolecular bottlenecks. A similar phase space picture is proposed to exist in van der Waals systems with three or more degrees of freedom. Evidence for this is presented with a 3D classical trajectory study of NeCl2 fragmentation. An approximate intermolecular bottleneck is explicitly constructed for this system.
Assessing the Role of Book Reading Practices in Indian Bilingual Children’s English Language and Literacy Development

The goal of this study was to examine the role of Indian bilingual parents’ book reading practices on the development of the children’s oral language, narrative and literacy skills in English, their second language. About 24 bilingual children from two preschools in Bangalore, India were tested in schools in English on receptive vocabulary, complex syntax, narrative expression, phonological awareness, and concepts about print. The findings suggest that exposure to book reading in English is associated with bilingual children’s oral language, narrative and literacy development in their second language.
Gideon Rosen on constructive empiricism

L'A. approuve l'article «What is Constructive Empiricism?» que G. Rosen lui a consacre, mais distingue sa propre these concernant l'empirisme constructif des premices hermeneutiques du travail de G. Rosen qui n'en gardent que l'esprit et non la stricte formulation
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication Principles A BiCMOS SiGe Direct-Conversion DBS Satellite TV Tuner with on-chip ADCs for SiP Integration with a CMOS Demodulator-on-Host

Partitioning a DBS satellite TV receiver in a front-end RF-to-digital tuner that includes the baseband ADC converters and a digital-only demodulator-on-host resulted in a low cost and a good isolation between the analog front-end and the digital back-end, having no interface components and noise coupling issues. The two ICs were assembled together achieving a system-in-package. A direct-conversion BiCMOS tuner benefits from the low 1/f noise and high ftau bipolar transistors resulting in a lower noise figure in comparison with CMOS implementations. The on-chip LNA noise was reduced by using a noise cancellation technique that rejects the noise contribution of the input devices, eliminating the need for an external LNA. The DC offset cancellation loop capacitors were integrated on-chip by combining multiple offset loops with a Miller capacitance multiplication. The die area was significantly reduced by replacing the multi-oscillator solution used at present with a single high frequency Colpitts oscillator followed by a ratiometric frequency divider that generates the local oscillator signals for the entire satellite TV L-band.
THE USE OF PARTIAL EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION (ETX) IN CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (SS)

THE USE OF PARTIAL EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION (ETX) IN CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (SS)
Forecast of CMOS Imagers Yield Learning by the Gompertz Model

This paper presents a novel approach to modeling yield using the Gompertz function, which is widely used in biology to model the growth processes of plants, tumors, etc. We demonstrate that the yield-learning process in a semiconductor fab follows the same behavior of the growth of biological systems. We start with a simple time series model, which describes the learning process in terms of defect density reduction. Then we obtain the Gompertz growth model, which also fits the experimental data better than more traditional learning models such as the Gruber' s general yield learning model [38] .
Preclinical Toxicology Studies with Acyclovir: Teratologic, Reproductive and Neonatal Tests

Five studies were done to define the potential of Acyclovir (ACV), a new nucleoside analog for antiviral chemotherapy, to produce adverse effects on reproduction and development in laboratory animals. ACV produced no adverse effects when given by gavage to F0 generation mice at 50, 150 and 450 mg/kg/day in a two generation reproduction/fertility study. Some mice were evaluated for teratologic effects and others for postnatal development, including behavior, with negative results. ACV was not embryotoxic and did not increase the incidence of fetal malformations when given by subcutaneous injection to pregnant rats and rabbits at dose levels of 12, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day during the periods of major organogenesis. A comparative LD50 study revealed that 3-day-old rats were not more sensitive to acute toxic effects of ACV than more mature rats. Finally, in a comprehensive multidose toxicity study ACV was given subcutaneously to neonatal rats at 5, 20 and 80 mg/kg/day for 19 consecutive days. There was minimal effect on body weight gain in neonates treated at 20 mg/kg/day and a significant decrease in body weight gain at 80 mg/kg/day. Minimal renal lesions occurred at 80 mg/kg/day but no other signs of adverse effects on developing organ systems were observed. Except for decreased body weight gain in neonatal rats treated at 80 mg/kg/day, ACV did not produce adverse effects on mammalian development when tested in a variety of preclinical toxicology studies.
Modeling and high-resolution-imaging studies of water-content profiles in a polymer-electrolyte-fuel-cell membrane-electrode assembly

Abstract Water-content profiles across the membrane electrode assembly of a polymer-electrolytefuel cell were measured using high-resolution neutron imaging and compared to mathematical-modeling predictions. It was found that the membrane held considerably more water than the other membrane-electrode constituents (catalyst layers, microporous layers, and macroporous gas-diffusion layers) at low temperatures, 40 and 60 °C. The water content in the membrane and the assembly decreased drastically at 80 °C where vapor transport and a heat-pipe effect began to dominate the water removal from the membrane-electrode assembly. In the regimes where vapor transport was significant, the through-plane water-content profile skewed towards the cathode. Similar trends were observed as the relative humidity of the inlet gases was lowered. This combined experimental and modeling approach has been beneficial in rationalizing the results of each and has given insight into future directions for new experimental work and refinements to currently available models.
The System PbO-Chromium Oxide in Air

Phase relations in the system PbO-chromium oxide were determined in air at high temperatures and are considered in terms of the PbO-Cr2O3−O2 ternary because of reactions with atmospheric oxygen. Although not necessarily binary at all temperatures, four established subsystems characterize the air equilibria and indicate oxidation-reduction of chromium. The PbO-PbCrO4 join contains the compounds Pb5CrO3 and Pb5CrO8 and consists of two portions, PbO-Pb2CrO6 and Pb2CrO5−PbCrO4 The former is binary at all temperatures studied, while the latter exists only below 753° C because of the decomposition of PbCrO4 at 753°C to Pb2CrO5 and Cr2O3 with oxygen evolution. Similarly, the join PbCrO4−Cr2O3 exists only below 753°C yielding to Pb2CrO3−Cr2O3 equilibria above this temperature.
Metal gaskets for the Berkeley 88-inch cyclotron†

The Berkeley 88-inch cyclotron uses metal gaskets in a number of places where rubber would normally be used, because rubber probably would fail due to radiation damage. There are several large openings sealed with metal gaskets. Steel serrations biting into copper make the seal between the magnet pole and the main vacuum tank. One of these seals has failed. Tin-plated iron wire is used extensively as the gasket material. By sanding with 120-grit paper, a suitable surface finish for sealing is provided. Metal gaskets work best when used between very rigid components. Care must be taken to place and hold the wire in the desired place while making a seal.
Altered Cell Mechanics from the Inside: Dispersed Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Integrate with and Restructure Actin

With a range of desirable mechanical and optical properties, single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are a promising material for nanobiotechnologies. SWCNTs also have potential as biomaterials for modulation of cellular structures. Previously, we showed that highly purified, dispersed SWCNTs grossly alter F-actin inside cells. F-actin plays critical roles in the maintenance of cell structure, force transduction, transport and cytokinesis. Thus, quantification of SWCNT-actin interactions ranging from molecular, sub-cellular and cellular levels with both structure and function is critical for developing SWCNT-based biotechnologies. Further, this interaction can be exploited, using SWCNTs as a unique actin-altering material. Here, we utilized molecular dynamics simulations to explore the interactions of SWCNTs with actin filaments. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy confirmed that SWCNTs were located within ~5 nm of F-actin in cells but did not interact with G-actin. SWCNTs did not alter myosin II sub-cellular localization, and SWCNT treatment in cells led to significantly shorter actin filaments. Functionally, cells with internalized SWCNTs had greatly reduced cell traction force. Combined, these results demonstrate direct, specific SWCNT alteration of F-actin structures which can be exploited for SWCNT-based biotechnologies and utilized as a new method to probe fundamental actin-related cellular processes and biophysics.
Enhanced nucleate boiling on copper micro-porous surfaces

Abstract Saturation boiling of PF-5060 dielectric liquid on Cu micro-porous surface layers (95, 139, 171, 197 and 220-μm thick) is investigated. These layers are deposited on 10 × 10 mm Cu substrates using two-stage electrochemical process. The basic micro-structure, obtained in the first stage using current density of 3 A/cm 2 for 15–44 s, depending on thickness, is strengthened by continuing electrochemical deposition using much lower current density for 10’s of minutes. For conditioned surface layers, after a few successive boiling tests, the pool boiling curves are reproducible and the temperature excursion prior to boiling incipience is either eliminated or reduced 2 ) and h MNB (2.05–13.5 W/cm 2 K) are ∼40–70% higher than and >17 times those reported on plane surfaces ( 2 and ∼0.8 W/cm 2 K). Best results are those of the 171-μm thick layer: CHF of 27.8 W/cm 2 occurs at Δ T sat of only 2.1 K and h MNB of 13.5 W/cm 2 K occurs at Δ T sat = 2.0 K.
High Energy BSE/SE/STEM Imaging of 8 um Thick Semiconductor Interconnects

High energy (100-400 keV) scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging of samples can be performed in the transmission electron microscope (TEM)/scanning TEM (STEM) when the system has secondary electron (SE) and/or backscattered (BSE) electron detector(s) installed. Previously, very high resolution SE imaging has been demonstrated at 200 keV in a STEM with a spherical aberration corrected condenser lens [1]. Additionally, imaging of semiconductor Cu interconnects in SiO2 dielectric located at distances > 3um below the surface has been accomplished using incident beam energies of 100-400 keV and a backscattered electron (BSE) detector [2]. In the high energy BSE analysis case, multilevel Cu interconnects are ideal structures to study because: 1) there is a large BSE yield difference between Cu and SiO2 so Cu can be easily detected and 2) Cu lines exist at multiple levels below the surface so multiple structures can be seen from different depths in one BSE image. In this paper, a semiconductor chip with 9 interconnect levels spanning 8 um in height was studied using SE, BSE and STEM imaging at incident beam energies of 300-400 keV in order to understand image content and quality versus the depth of the structure below the surface.
The Impact of Age for Asian, Hispanic, and Native American Teacher Candidates on Principals’ Screening Decisions as Viewed from a Social Distance Perspective*

Abstract A national random sample of senior high school principals evaluated the paper credentials of hypothetical teacher candidates varying both in national origin (Asian, Hispanic, or Native American) and in chronological age (control condition, 29 years old, or 49 years old) for a focal teacher position either in their building (proximal) or in their district (distal). Evaluations were cast in a 3x3x2 completely crossed factorial design and submitted to a MANOVA. Results lend partial support for social distance theory as a framework for explaining screening decisions for certain ethnic groups reporting their chronological age as being either 29 or 49 and increase current knowledge about the teacher selection process.
Heterosexual Men's Anger in Response to Male Homosexuality: Effects of Erotic and Non-Erotic Depictions of Male-Male Intimacy and Sexual Prejudice

The present study compared effects of erotic and non-erotic depictions of male-male intimacy on the experience of anger in heterosexual men. Data came from three independent laboratory studies designed to elicit anger in response to erotic or non-erotic depictions of male-male and male-female intimacy. All participants completed a measure of sexual prejudice and anger was assessed before and after viewing the erotic or non-erotic video. Among high-prejudiced men, viewing erotic and non-erotic intimate behavior between two men elicited significant increases in anger relative to viewing comparable behavior between a male-female dyad. In contrast, among low-prejudiced men, viewing erotic, but not non-erotic, intimate behavior between two men elicited significant increases in anger relative to viewing comparable behavior between a male-female dyad. Implications for understanding heterosexual men's anger, and aggression, toward gay men were discussed.
Improved detection of human enteric viruses in foods by RT-PCR

Human enteric viruses (including hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs)) are now recognized as common causes of foodborne disease. While methods to detect these agents in clinical specimens have improved significantly over the last 10 years, applications to food samples have progressed more slowly. In an effort to improve the sensitivity and speed of virus detection from non-shellfish food commodities by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we (i) evaluated multiple RNA extraction methods; (ii) compared alternative NLV primer sets; and (iii) developed a one-step RT-PCR method. Hamburger and lettuce samples, processed for virus concentration using a previously reported filtration-extraction-precipitation procedure, were inoculated with HAV or NV. Several RNA extraction methods (guanidinium isothiocyanate, microspin column, QIAshredder Homogenizer, and TRIzol) and primer pairs were compared for overall RNA yield (microg/ml), purity (A(260)/A(280)), and RT-PCR limits of detection. The use of TRIzol with the QIAshredder Homogenizer (TRIzol/Shred) yielded the best RT-PCR detection limits ( 10-fold) over the routinely used two-step method. HAV RNA was detected by RT-PCR at initial inoculum levels corresponding to <10 and <100 PFU per 300 microl sample concentrate (corresponding to 6 g food sample) for hamburger and lettuce, respectively. NV RNA was detected by RT-PCR at initial inoculum levels <5 and <50 RT-PCR amplifiable units per 300 microl concentrate (corresponding to 6 g food sample) for hamburger and lettuce, respectively. Residual RT-PCR inhibitors were effectively removed as evidenced by the ability to detect viral RNA in food concentrates without prior dilution. The methods reported here show promise for rapid, sensitive detection of human enteric viruses in foods.
Community service statistics projects

Abstract Statistics instructors know that interesting, real-world problems are crucial to motivate student learning. As an extension of our efforts to build student interest and ownership in applications, we recently incorporated service learning into our statistics courses. Service learning provides an active-learning experience associated with a community service application. In this article we describe our experiences using service learning in our statistics courses. We give examples of projects used at the University of Minnesota-Morris, a public, liberal arts college.
Microbial degradative activity in ground water at a chemical waste disposal site

This study was designed to examine the microbiological fate and effects of toxic organic chemicals at the ambient concentration in leachates derived from a waste disposal landfill site. Analyses revealed that ground water downslope from the burial site contained high levels of certain dissolved hazardous chemicals such as toluene, xylene, benzene, and methylene chloride. To study the fate of these compounds in such systems, the use of simplified laboratory studies of the biodegradation of individual compounds is often inappropriate in that complex interactions between and among the various chemicals can result in either enhancement or inhition of the biodegradation of particular compounds. 13 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Thermal and gamma-ray induced relaxation in As–S glasses: modelling and experiment

Enthalpy relaxation was measured in a series of As–S glasses irradiated with gamma rays and these samples are compared with a set of identical control samples kept in the dark. It is shown that gamma irradiation lifts the kinetic barrier for relaxation at room temperature and speeds up the enthalpy release. The measured values of thermal relaxation in the dark agree closely with modelling results obtained by fitting differential scanning calorimetry curves with the Tool–Narayanaswamy–Moynihan (TNM) equations. The measured values of activation energy for enthalpy relaxation are also in close agreement with that predicted by the TNM model, therefore lending credence to the fitting results. These measurements permit extraction of the effect of gamma irradiation on the glass structure for a series of As–S glasses with increasing structural coordination, and gamma irradiation is shown to reduce the structural relaxation time. It is also shown that lower coordination glasses exhibit greater radiation sensitivity but also greater thermal relaxation due to their lower Tg. On the other end, over-coordinated glasses show lower relaxation and almost no radiation sensitivity. This behaviour is similar to the glass response under sub-bandgap light irradiation.
Shared experiences and reflecting on what we teach

Abstract The ability to share the gains of one's life experiences is often restricted in the setting of a professional meeting where the emphasis tends to focus on presentations of research findings. The Shared Experiences initiative of the Teaching and Curriculum Section of the American Accounting Association provides venues in these settings for the creation of collegial dialogue, recognizing that senior faculty and administrators are a valuable, and perhaps underutilized, resource to its members. The Shared Experiences theme in the 2004/2005 academic year, Reflecting on What We Teach, provided opportunities for dialogue on ideal curricular models and on practical constraints that may affect how and what we teach.
Elementary Reactions in the Oxidative Coupling of Methane over Mn/Na2WO4/SiO2and Mn/Na2WO4/MgO Catalysts

Abstract Although it is possible to achieve 20% CH 4 conversion and 80% C 2+ selectivity during the oxidative coupling of CH 4 (OCM) over Mn/Na 2 WO 4 /SiO 2 and Mn/Na 2 WO 4 /MgO catalysts at 800°C, these materials are considerably less active than a Sr/La 2 O 3 catalyst. Similarly, the SiO 2 - and MgO-based catalysts are less active in the formation of CH 3 · radicals that emanate into the gas phase and in the secondary reaction of these radicals with the catalysts. During the OCM reaction, ethane is the primary product; ethylene is produced only in small amounts at short contact times. As a secondary product, however, ethylene competes with methane in the formation of carbon dioxide. The conversion of C 2 H 4 to CO 2 at 800°C is largely a result of a heterogeneous reaction, due to the inhibiting effect of CH 4 on the gas phase oxidation reaction. Pulse experiments demonstrated that the presence of gas phase O 2 is essential for obtaining an active catalyst. Presumably, an endothermic equilibrium reaction involving O 2 results in a form of surface oxygen that is capable of abstracting a hydrogen atom from CH 4 . The unusually large activation energy of ca. 63 kcal/mol for both catalysts may result, in part, from this oxygen equilibrium.
Acrylamide-induced depletion of microtubule-associated proteins (MAP1 and MAP2) in the rat extrapyramidal system

Acrylamide, an occupational neurotoxicant, reduced MAP1 and MAP2 distribution in different regions of rat brain. Different components of the extrapyramidal system (caudate-putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra and red nucleus) revealed differential distribution of MAP1 and MAP2 in acrylamide-treated animals. Rats were treated with acrylamide (estimated mean dose: 15 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks and MAP1 and MAP2 were localized according to Sternberger's peroxidase-anti-peroxidase technique. MAP1 labelled neuronal perikarya and dendrites almost with a similar intensity, but MAP2 immunostaining was more intense in dendrites than neuronal perikarya. Acrylamide caused a near-total loss of MAP1 and MAP2 immunoreactivity in caudate-putamen. Other components of the extrapyramidal system were relatively less affected by acrylamide. These results indicate that caudate-putamen is more susceptible to the action of acrylamide than other components of the extrapyramidal system studied. The depletion of MAP1 and MAP2 immunoreactivity by acrylamide appears to be an early biochemical event preceding peripheral neuropathy. The loss of MAPs immunoreactivity occurs first in dendrites and proceeds toward the perikarya. This study indicates that acrylamide not only causes axonal damage but may also induce dendritic degeneration.
Three-dimensional coded-aperture techniques in diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging

Coded aperture techniques based on a cyclic difference set uniformly redundant array (URA) can increase sensitivity of an imaging system without degrading the spatial resolution. In this paper, we discuss the pattern design and present its application for diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging with experimental results. Point-like, planar, and three- dimensional 140 keV gamma-ray sources are used in our experiments. We have experimentally demonstrated a three- dimensional coded aperture technique for nuclear medicine imaging and have compared it with conventional collimator systems.
Light scattering and parasitic absorption in thin film silicon solar cells containing metal nanoparticles

The efficiency of thin film silicon modules needs to further improve in the long term to stay competitive with other photovoltaic technologies. Advanced super light trapping designs can be implemented in thin film silicon devices for this purpose. Different approaches are possible and in this work we report on plasmonic back reflectors and intermediate layers designed to enhance optical reflection over conventional device structures. Metal nanoparticles are embedded in thin film single and tandem junctions with the purpose to increase light scattering back into the active layers of the solar cell. Results show that metal nanoparticles do not compromise the electrical solar cell parameters; however, the current increase proves to be elusive in most cases. The data suggest that a better control of the metal nanoparticle size and distribution might be needed in order to harness the full benefits of plasmonic effects in thin film silicon devices.
Our Many Ties to Feathered Fauna

Combining natural history and cultural study, Cocker surveys the wide range of interactions between humans and birds.
Multiple-target tracking in clutter with fuzzy logic

ABSTRACT A procedure for tracking multiple targets in clutter is presented. The procedure is similar in form to those that utilizeprobabilistic data association, but a fuzzy logic filter is utilized to provide weights and weighted innovations in a bank ofKalman filters adapted to the multiple target in clutter environmenL Specifically, fuzzy logic is employed to evaluate returnsfor processing by a Kalman filter modified to treat target source uncertainty. The method is developed and demonstrated witha noise driven simulation and in actual forward looking infrared sequences (FLIR). 1. INTRODUCTION Multiple target tracking in clutter can be formulated as one of state estimation in a noisy environment. The Kalman filter is utilized as the state estimator because of its appropriate optimal characteristics, and especially because of itsrobustness. We begin the filter definition with a definition of a target observer model. An object in track (target) can be modeled as a discrete dynamic system of the form
GADD34–PP1c recruited by Smad7 dephosphorylates TGFβ type I receptor

The cascade of phosphorylation is a pivotal event in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling. Reversible phosphorylation regulates fundamental aspects of cell activity. TGFβ-induced Smad7 binds to type I receptor (TGFβ type I receptor; TβRI) functioning as a receptor kinase antagonist. We found Smad7 interacts with growth arrest and DNA damage protein, GADD34, a regulatory subunit of the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) holoenzyme, which subsequently recruits catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1c) to dephosphorylate TβRI. Blocking Smad7 expression by RNA interference inhibits association of GADD34–PP1c complex with TβRI, indicating Smad7 acts as an adaptor protein in the formation of the PP1 holoenzyme that targets TβRI for dephosphorylation. SARA (Smad anchor for receptor activation) enhances the recruitment PP1c to the Smad7–GADD34 complex by controlling the specific subcellular localization of PP1c. Importantly, GADD34–PP1c recruited by Smad7 inhibits TGFβ-induced cell cycle arrest and mediates TGFβ resistance in responding to UV light irradiation. The dephosphorylation of TβRI mediated by Smad7 is an effective mechanism for governing negative feedback in TGFβ signaling.