cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The low frequency vibrations of the nucleosides: Uridine, cytidine and inosine. Determination of vibrations associated with the ribose ring

Abstract The room temperature far i.r. spectra of the nucleoside cytidine and its deuterated analog cytidine- d 3 have been measured from 200 to 100 cm −1 . Several spectral features involving hydroxyl deformations have been identified. Between 200 and 400 cm −1 the spectra of the nucleosides cytidine, uridine and inosine have been compared to those of the respective bases cytosine, uracil and hypoxanthine thereby allowing the identification of several bands associated with deformations of the furanose ribose unit. These frequencies are common among the nucleosides investigated and have been compared to calculated frequencies for “ribose” modes in polynucleotides. Upon cooling to 7 K the cytidine and cytidine- d 3 spectra below 200 cm −1 exhibit a remarkable narrowing resembling a “gas-like” spectra, revealing more spectral features than expected from a group theoretical analysis of the unit cell. The low temperature spectra also exhibit an apparent periodicity. Two equally possible explanations are given; one accounts for the observed periodicity via a vibrational exciton-like theory, while the alternative explanation treats the periodicity as accidental.
Electron Spin Resonance Study of the Dangling Bond in a-Si:H and Porous Silicon

We compare the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal of the dangling bond in porous silicon films, produced by electrochemical etching, to the ESR signal from hydrogenated amorphous Si (a-Si:H). The anisotropy of the ESR signal in porous Si showed g values varying as for the Pb Si/SiO 2 interface dangling bond. The g value varies from g || − 2.0020 to gL − 2.0080 with an inhomogeneously broadened line width increasing from 1.8 to 3.8 G. A porous Si ESR powder line, with superhyperfine and strain broadening intrinsic to porous Si, is compared to the a−Si:H dangling bond line. The result is more inhomogeneous broadening of line widths parallel and perpendicular to the dangling bond axis in a-Si:H, and less anisotropy in g || − gL- No evidence was seen for light-induced metastability on a H-passivated porous Si film.
An adaptive grid method for Navier-Stokes flow computation II: Grid addition

Abstract This paper is in two parts. In the first part, we presented a unified approach for deriving and dealing with the formal series that arise when studying the convergence of numerical integrators for systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and differential algebraic equations (DAEs). This general approach was applied for systems of ODEs. The particular case of Hamiltonian systems was studied in some detail. In this the second part, we study in a unified way convergence of a general class of Runge-Kutta type methods (the partitioned Runge-Kutta methods) for systems of index 2 DAEs in Hessenberg form, using tools developed in the first part to handle the relevant formal expansions, the DA2-series. Our approach allows us to obtain sharp estimates for the global errors, even in cases where the method does not satisfy the algebraic constraints, the errors for the algebraic variables affect the approximations to the differential variables, and inconsistent initial values are used.
Setting events in social networks: Ally or enemy in child behavior therapy?

This paper addresses some current procedural and conceptual problems in child behavior therapy. Recent studies indicate that the production and maintenance of improvements to child behavior problems are not always guaranteed by dealing with the immediate environmental contingencies of these behaviors. In some cases, environmental events temporally distant from the child behaviors and their stimulus contingencies appear to exert control over these stimulus-response interations. These environmental events, called “setting events,” are discussed and principles of their operation are examined. Finally, a possible means of reducing setting event control is outlined.
Limiting forms for surface singularity distributions when the field point is on the surface

Scalar and vector mathematical identities involving an integral of singularities distributed over a surface and sometimes over a field can be employed to define field values of a quantity of interest. As the volume excluding the singular point from the field tends to zero, the field value is derived. The expressions that result become singular as the point of interest in the field approaches the boundary. Derivation of limiting integral expressions as the field point tends to the surface having a distribution of first and second degree singularities is the main task reported. The limiting expressions for vector values require evaluation as generalized Cauchy Principal-Value Integrals for which some aspect of symmetry in a local region excluding the singularity is required. A contribution from the integral over the local region doubles the value of the identities at a point on the boundary. For a doublet distribution, a singular term arises from the local-region integration that cancels a similar singularity in the integral over the remaining surface. This local contribution for doublets depends explicitly upon the shape of the local region as well as non-orthogonality of the surface coordinate axes. The resulting expressions for surface integrals reproduce known relations for line integrals in two-dimensional fields.
MMPP-2 approximation of aggregate IPPs with application to expedited forwarding class in ipbased networks

In this paper, we investigate the suitability of a two state Markov Modulated Poisson Process (MMPP-2) approximation to the superposition of n homogeneous Interrupted Poisson Process (IPP) streams which pass through a series of m homogeneous network nodes. Earlier, such approximations have been attempted with the following restrictions: a) only a single node, b) deterministic service rate and c) at most a few hundred streams. We compare the performance of an MMPP-2 approximation to superposed IPPs for increased number of nodes (5, 7, 10), for exponential service rates and for 500 to 2500 IPP streams, each of which is better reflective of a real IP network scenario. Detailed simulation results show that the MMPP-2 approximation works exceedingly well with less than 4% average relative error and less than 6% maximum error. Furthermore, the approximation improves as the number of arriving IPPs, i.e., n increases. A subsequent example shows that this model can be utilized to calculate bandwidth bounds to ensure QoS for aggregate VoIP calls using the Expedited Forwarding class in the IP network.
Permutation polynomials on symmetric matrices

Abstract This paper contains a general characterization for the permutation polynomials of the symmetric matrices over any field. Specific characterizations are for symmetric matrices over algebraically closed fields, principal axis fields, and finite fields. In the latter case enumeration formulas are established as well. More general results concerning permutation polynomials on sets other than the symmetric matrices are sometimes stated.
Radioimmunoassay of Plasma Estradiol During the Breeding Cycle of Ring Doves (Streptopelia risoria)1,2

Estradiol (E2) levels in systemic plasma of both female and male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) were determined with a radioimmuoassay during periods of isolation, courtship, nest building and the incubation of eggs. In isolated females the plasma levels of E2 are low (averaging less than 40 pg⁄ml). Upon introduction to a male E2 levels in females rise significantly during courtship (mean 85 pg⁄ml ± 11 SEM) are high during nest building (mean 67 pg⁄ml ± 9 SEM) and are not detectable during incubation (less than 25 pg⁄ml). In contrast E2 is not detectable in the plasma of males at any of these stages of the breeding cycle. Therefore, in females, endogenous plasma estrogen is available to support the increase in nest soliciting display during courtship and to play a role in the transition to nest building behavior. However, in males it seems highly unlikely that endogenous estrogen could be important in the support of nest soliciting or nest building as has been proposed by others on the basis of systemi...
Stimulation of Phospholipid Methylation and Thyroid Hormone Secretion by Thyrotropin

Synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) by S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine has previously been associated with receptor-mediated histamine and pituitary hormone secretion. We investigated stimulation of phospholipid methylation by TSH and its possible role in thyroid hormone secretion. Rat hemithyroids were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit-glucose-BSA buffer and the effect of various treatments on the incorporation of [3H-methyl]L-methionine into PC and T4/T3 secretion was studied. TSH treatment elevated thyroid phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase activity, the incorporation of [3H-methyl]methionine into PC, and T4/T3 secretion. The increase in PC synthesis was linear up to 6 h in a dose-dependent fashion (half-maximal stimulation at 2.5 micrograms TSH/ml). Stimulation required protein synthesis, because cycloheximide inhibited the increase in PC synthesis by 77%. Inhibitors of phospholipid methylation (100 microM adenosine + 10 microM L-homocysteine thiolactone + 10 microM erythro-9[2-hydroxy-3-nonyl]adenine) significantly decreased TSH-stimulation of phospholipid methylation but not T3/T4 secretion. In conclusion, stimulation of thyroid phospholipid methylation by TSH is not required for stimulated secretion of thyroid hormones.
Performance Comparison of Long-Wavelength Infrared Type II Superlattice Devices with HgCdTe

The InAs/GaSb family of type II superlattices (T2SL) is the only known infrared (IR) detector material having a theoretically predicted higher performance than HgCdTe. The Auger lifetime has been predicted to be much longer, offering the possibility of much lower dark currents. In this paper the present state of the technology for long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) applications is evaluated by examining the dark current density in LWIR T2SL diodes at 78 K as a function of device cutoff wavelength, and comparing it with the HgCdTe benchmark known as Rule 07. The dark current density remains greater than Rule 07, but it has rapidly decreased in recent years with advancing technology, particularly due to innovative barrier structures.
Overexpression of the Type 1 Adenylyl Cyclase in the Forebrain Leads to Deficits of Behavioral Inhibition

The type 1 adenylyl cyclase (AC1) is an activity-dependent, calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclase expressed in the nervous system that is implicated in memory formation. We examined the locomotor activity, and impulsive and social behaviors of AC1+ mice, a transgenic mouse strain overexpressing AC1 in the forebrain. Here we report that AC1+ mice exhibit hyperactive behaviors and demonstrate increased impulsivity and reduced sociability. In contrast, AC1 and AC8 double knock-out mice are hypoactive, and exhibit increased sociability and reduced impulsivity. Interestingly, the hyperactivity of AC1+ mice can be corrected by valproate, a mood-stabilizing drug. These data indicate that increased expression of AC1 in the forebrain leads to deficits in behavioral inhibition.
The effect of temperature on metal mobility in subseafloor hydrothermal systems: constraints from basalt alteration experiments

Abstract Crystalline basalt was reacted with a Na—Ca—K—Cl fluid of seawater chlorinity at 400, 350 and 300°C, 400 bar and a fluid/rock mass ratio of 1, to assess the effect of temperature on metal mobility in ridge-crest hydrothermal systems. Basalt alteration at 400°C yielded a fluid chemistry characterized by high Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, SiO 2 , H 2 S and H 2 concentrations. Lowering temperature to 350 and then to 300°C, caused dissolved metal concentrations to decrease drastically. “Black smoker” vent fluids generally have measured temperatures ≤ 355°C. The dissolved concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn observed in these fluids, however, could only be achieved or exceeded during the 400°C phase of the experiment indicating that hot-spring fluids have lost heat and possibly dissolved Fe and base metals on ascent to the seafloor from a high-temperature reaction zone. The relative rates at which Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn achieve new steady-state concentrations in response to temperature reduction during basalt alteration are Cu>Fe>Zn>Mn . Thus, dissolved Zn and especially Mn concentrations are more likely to record accurately temperatures characterizing subseafloor reaction zones, while Fe and Cu, which respond rapidly to changes in temperature, are likely to precipitate along fluid flow paths, especially in near-seafloor locations. This trend is confirmed by the relative abundance of dissolved metals in hot-spring fluids variably influenced by heat loss processes. Calculations suggest that hot-spring fluids may lose heat by conduction through sulfide mounds and chimney walls at flow rates observed for many vent systems. Since heat loss processes influence the chemistry, especially dissolved metals, as well as measured temperatures of axial hot-springs fluids, these effects must be taken into account to model accurately phase relations and fluid-mineral equilibria in deeply seated subseafloor reaction zones.
Comparison of work required by normal children and those with congenital heart disease to participate in childhood activities.

Radio-electrocardiography permits the transmission of accurate electrocardiograms during athletics. When the relationship of heart rate to workload has been established for an individual, the workload for any activity can be approximated when the heart rate is known. This principle was applied to a group of normal children and one of children with congenital cardiac disease during physical education classes in a junior high school. No significant difference between the two groups was noted with respect to the work required to participate in various events, but the children with heart disease fatigued earlier than did the normal ones.
A long term trend in tooth size in the Eastern Mediterranean

Posterior occlusal tooth areas were measured for a sample of Greek and Turkish populations spanning a 8500 year period. Rates of reduction of 2% per 1000 years for maxillary teeth and 1% per 1000 years for the mandibulary teeth were found. These rates are shown to be greater than those for earlier populations from Western Europe.
Thresholding approaches for extracting optic disc in digital fundus image

In this paper, thresholding approaches are analyzed to locate the optic disc in colour fundus image. The approaches used in the system are the well known Otsu thresholding and iterative thresholding technique. As green plane in the fundus image provides best contrast, it is used to extract the Region of Interest (ROI). Before extracting ROI, it is necessary to de-noise the image. Median filtering is applied for this purpose. Then ROI is extracted based on the intensity value of the optic disc. To locate the optic disc region Otsu and iterative techniques are applied. Results show that the location of optic disc identified by iterative thresholding technique is better than the Otsu method.
Extensive and Intimate Association of the Cytoskeleton with Forming Silica in Diatoms: Control over Patterning on the Meso- and Micro-Scale

Background The diatom cell wall, called the frustule, is predominantly made out of silica, in many cases with highly ordered nano- and micro-scale features. Frustules are built intracellularly inside a special compartment, the silica deposition vesicle, or SDV. Molecules such as proteins (silaffins and silacidins) and long chain polyamines have been isolated from the silica and shown to be involved in the control of the silica polymerization. However, we are still unable to explain or reproduce in vitro the complexity of structures formed by diatoms. Methods/Principal Finding In this study, using fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, we were able to compare and correlate microtubules and microfilaments with silica structure formed in diversely structured diatom species. The high degree of correlation between silica structure and actin indicates that actin is a major element in the control of the silica morphogenesis at the meso and microscale. Microtubules appear to be involved in the spatial positioning on the mesoscale and strengthening of the SDV. Conclusions/Significance These results reveal the importance of top down control over positioning of and within the SDV during diatom wall formation and open a new perspective for the study of the mechanism of frustule patterning as well as for the understanding of the control of membrane dynamics by the cytoskeleton.
Photonic integrated circuits for optical routing and switching applications

We report on the latest advances in implementation of integrated photonic components required for optical routing and switching: tunable wavelength converters, mode-locked lasers, active optical switches and optical buffers.
Adolescent Mothering: Child-Grandmother Attachment

This study explored the involvement of maternal grandmothers with children of adolescent mothers and child-grandmother attachment. In a sample of 32 children whose grandmothers were involved in child care, 44% were securely attached to mothers and 72% securely attached to grandmothers. Of the 18 children insecurely attached to mothers, 82.4% were securely attached to grandmothers. A significant relationship existed between attachment security and the time the child was with grandmother, sleeping time excluded. In contrast, time with mother was not related. Based on attachment theory, findings are presented and implications for nursing practice are made.
Web-Based Inquiry Learning: Facilitating Thoughtful Literacy with WebQuests

Diane looked up, put her pen in her mouth and thoughtabout the question for some seconds, and then lookedat me. “Well...mmm...I will encourage the citizens inmy city to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. I can prob-ably carry out a campaign to educate citizens about thedangers of polluting the environment. I think...I willmake companies and individuals receive a penalty forenvironmental pollution and I will encourage the useof computers. I will study the successful programs thatother cities are using and see how I can do it in mycity....” (Interview transcript, June 8, 2004)
Family patterns of relationship in normative and dysfunctional families

The relation among family relationships was explored for (a) couple pairings and (b) parent-child dyads. In S3 maltreating and adequate families, mothers' and male partners' quality of attachment (drawn from interviews) was compared with each other and with child quality of attachment (drawn from the Strange Situation). The notion of internal representational models, drawn from attachment theory, provided the basis for seeking continuity, that is, matches and meshes between partners and coherence from parent to child. Both concordance and discordance were found; in particular, a hypothesis of meshed adult relationships and parent-child transformations was supported. The conditions leading to meshed partnerships and transformed parent-to-child patterns require further study. In addition, the results suggest the need for greater incorporation of regulation of affect in assessment procedures, greater theory development, and precision in validation and application of assessment procedures. Finally, this study highlights the advantages of using atypical samples to explore aspects of normative development that are obscured in normative samples.
FlyPrimerBank: An Online Database for Drosophila melanogaster Gene Expression Analysis and Knockdown Evaluation of RNAi Reagents

The evaluation of specific endogenous transcript levels is important for understanding transcriptional regulation. More specifically, it is useful for independent confirmation of results obtained by the use of microarray analysis or RNA-seq and for evaluating RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene knockdown. Designing specific and effective primers for high-quality, moderate-throughput evaluation of transcript levels, i.e., quantitative, real-time PCR (qPCR), is nontrivial. To meet community needs, predefined qPCR primer pairs for mammalian genes have been designed and sequences made available, e.g., via PrimerBank. In this work, we adapted and refined the algorithms used for the mammalian PrimerBank to design 45,417 primer pairs for 13,860 Drosophila melanogaster genes, with three or more primer pairs per gene. We experimentally validated primer pairs for ~300 randomly selected genes expressed in early Drosophila embryos, using SYBR Green-based qPCR and sequence analysis of products derived from conventional PCR. All relevant information, including primer sequences, isoform specificity, spatial transcript targeting, and any available validation results and/or user feedback, is available from an online database (www.flyrnai.org/flyprimerbank). At FlyPrimerBank, researchers can retrieve primer information for fly genes either one gene at a time or in batch mode. Importantly, we included the overlap of each predicted amplified sequence with RNAi reagents from several public resources, making it possible for researchers to choose primers suitable for knockdown evaluation of RNAi reagents (i.e., to avoid amplification of the RNAi reagent itself). We demonstrate the utility of this resource for validation of RNAi reagents in vivo.
Multiscale Modeling of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic inherited hematological disorder mainly characterized by three biophysical hallmarks: heterogeneous cell morphology, abnormal rheology and vaso-occlusion crisis. The major challenge for numerical investigation of this disease is to model the dynamic processes over the wide range of length scales incorporated (sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization to vaso-occlusion). In this chapter, we present a multi-scale computational framework of sickle red blood cell (SS-RBC), based on dissipative particle dynamics, to investigate the above three hallmarks. We first predict the heterogeneous SS-RBC morphological transition by coupling a RBC model with a stochastic coarse-grained model representing the intracellular HbS polymerization. We then quantify the abnormal rheology and hemodynamics of SS-RBC suspensions with a multi-scale SS-RBC model accounting for heterogeneous cell rigidity and the previously predicted cell morphologies. Finally, we employ the present model to quantify the mechanism of vaso-occlusion crisis associate with SCA. The heterogeneous cell adhesivity among the different cell groups and their specific contribution to occlusion crisis, as well as the role of inflammation-stimulated leukocyte are discussed.
Signatures of positive selection apparent in a small sample of human exomes

Exome sequences, which comprise all protein-coding regions, are promising data sets for studies of natural selection because they offer unbiased genome-wide estimates of polymorphism while focusing on the portions of the genome that are most likely to be functionally important. We examine genomic patterns of polymorphism within 10 diploid autosomal exomes of European and African descent. Using coalescent simulations, we show how polymorphism, site frequency spectra, and intercontinental divergence in these samples would be influenced by different modes of positive selection. We examine putatively selected loci from four previous genome-wide scans of SNP genotypes and demonstrate that these regions indeed show unusual population genetic patterns in the exome data. Using a series of conservative criteria based on exome polymorphism, we are able to fine-scale map signatures of selection, in many cases pinpointing a single candidate SNP. We also identify and evaluate novel candidate selection genes that show unusual patterns of polymorphism. We sequence a portion of one novel candidate locus, IVL, in 74 individuals from multiple continents and examine global genetic diversity. Thus, we confirm, narrow, and supplement existing catalogs of putative targets of selection, and show that exome data sets, which are likely to soon become common, will be powerful tools for identifying adaptive genetic variation.
Integral form of the skin friction coefficient suitable for experimental data

An integral method to evaluate skin friction coefficient for turbulent boundary layer flow is presented. The method replaces streamwise gradients with total stress gradients in the wall-normal direction and is therefore useful in cases when measurements at multiple streamwise locations are not available or feasible. It is also shown to be especially useful for experimental data with typical noisy shear stress profiles such as rough-wall boundary layer flows for which there are limited ways by which skin friction can be determined.
Abbildungen und Vektorfelder

Wenn jedem Wert von z innerhalb eines gewissen Bereiches B der z-Ebene nach einem bestimmten Gesetze ein komplexer Zahlenwert w zugeordnet ist, so heist w eine Funktion von z. Es sind zwei geometrische Darstellungen des funktionalen Zusammenhanges besonders nutzlich. Die eine benutzt eine Ebene, die andere zwei Ebenen. Man kann sich den, dem Punkt z zugeordneten Wert w (oder wenn zweckmasiger, w) als Vektor, der in dem Punkt z wirkt, vorstellen; auf diese Weise wird in dem Bereiche B ein Vektorfeld definiert. In einer anderen Darstellung fast man den Wert w, welcher dem in der z-Ebene gelegenen Punkt z zugeordnet ist, als Punkt einer anderen komplexen Zahlenebene (w -Ebene) auf; auf diese Weise wird eine Abbildung des Bereiches B auf gewisse Punkte der w-Ebene definiert.
Requirements that handle IKIWISI, COTS, and rapid change

In the good old days, dealing with software requirements was relatively easy. Software requirements were the first order of business and took place before design, cost estimation, planning, or programming. Of course, it wasn't simple. Certain straightforward criteria required satisfaction: completeness; consistency; traceability; and testability. The recent developments of IKIWISI (I'll know it when I see it), COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) software, and the increasingly rapid change in information technology have combined to unsettle the foundations of the old airtight requirements approach. These complicating factors are examined.
Distributed Loss Compensation for Low-latency On-chip Interconnects

The use of distributed loss compensation for on-chip interconnects is discussed. Results are presented for a 14mm 3Gb/s on-chip link in 0.18mum CMOS with a measured latency of 12.1ps/mm and an energy dissipation of 2pJ/b with a BER<10-14. A 3times improvement in power consumption and a 1.5times improvement in latency over an optimally-repeated RC line is demonstrated
PENTANE PRODUCTION AS AN INDEX OF. RANCIDITY IN FREEZE‐DRIED PORK

Levels of hydrocarbon in the headspace over freeze-dried pork was measured to evaluate rancidity. At the same time, the pork was given to a sensory panel to describe the degree of rancid odor. When the pentane level in the headspace reached about 0.05 μ1, 100% of the. panel described the pork as rancid. In the early stage of rancidity, the pentane production levels were not correlated with the rancid odor scores. However, overall pattern of the pentane production was significantly correlated with that of the rancid scores. The correlation coefficient (0.88) was significant at the 99% level. Serum rubber caps used for sealing the sample containers to facilitate headspace gas sampling absorbed hydiocarbons significantly. The extent of the hydrocarbon absorption increased with increasing chain length of the hydrocarbons, i.e., hexane > pentane > butane > propane. Teflon tape-covered silicone rubber septa could alleviate this problem.
Calpain Activation in Huntington's Disease

Huntington9s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion that results in elongation of the polyglutamine tract at the N terminus of huntingtin (Htt). Abnormal proteolytic processing of mutant Htt has been implicated as a critical step in the initiation of HD. The protease(s) involved in this process has not been fully characterized. Here we report that activated calpain was detected in the caudate of human HD tissue but not in age-matched controls. In addition, one of the major N-terminal Htt proteolytic fragments found in human HD tissue appears to be derived from calpain cleavage. Htt fragments in HD lysates were similar in size to those produced by exposure of in vitro -translated Htt to exogenous calpain. Incubation of in vitro -translated Htt with calpain generated a cascade of cleavage events with an initial intermediate cleavage product at 72 kDa and a final cleavage product at 47 kDa. The rate of cleavage of Htt by calpain was polyglutamine-length-dependent. These results suggest that cleavage of Htt in human HD tissue is mediated in part by the Ca 2+ -activated neutral protease, calpain.
Creating School and Community Partnerships for Substance Abuse Prevention Programs

The article reviews the scope and scale of the problem, explores a transactional view of etiology, and summarizes the prevailing approaches to prevention, exemplary and promising approaches, and standards for research and practice. The authors stress the importance of addressing the complexity of the problem through creation of comprehensive, multifaceted approaches to reduce substance abuse. Effective intervention frameworks are presented that weave together the resources of school, home, and community.
To a middle ground: praxis and ideology in adult education

Whether we are lost to flagrant and groundless subjectivism or whether we can actually sustain and support our actions by appealing to discovered, transcendental truths is perhaps the chief angst of the modern and postmodern ages. In this paper it is argued that by seeking a middle ground through praxis, a ground neither lured by false foundationalism nor racked by relativism, we can sustain our social practices as educators only by critical encounters with the traditions and ideologies from which those practices emerge. To pursue this argument, it is suggested that because science does not well ground our practices we must therefore seek a sounder basis. To that end, a revitalized form of praxis is proposed, one that retrieves its central concerns with the moral dimensions of human action. Thus, in opposition to dominant interests in technical forms of educational practice based on empirically ‘discovered’ regularities, it is suggested that ‘practical’ reasoning provides a more useful understanding of ho...
Electromagnetic modeling of massively coupled through silicon vias for 3D interconnects

This article presents a full-wave electromagnetic approach for analyzing the electrical performance of massively coupled through silicon vias (TSV). The TSVs are modeled with SiO2 insulation coating and are placed in the sandwiched SiO2-Si-SiO2 substrate. The planar guided wave is analyzed to determine the fundamental mode and high order modes in stratified media. Cylindrical wave expansions and Foldy-Lax equations for multiple scattering techniques are adapted to the TSV problems. The effect of SiO2 coating around the via is modeled by the general expression of T-matrix coefficients. Both dispersive silicon loss and copper loss are included in this approach. Numerical simulation of a 4-by-4 TSV array is demonstrated to show the signal performance and crosstalk. It shows that the coupling issues among the TSVs will become significant beyond 15 GHz. The results are in excellent agreement with general purpose field solver. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:1204-1206, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/ mop.26021
Asian Motivators for Health Promotion

Change in health behaviors requires motivation on the part of the individual. The aim of this article is to compare elements of the motivation process across cultures. A secondary aim is to determine whether a Western model of behavior change for health promotion, such as the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, can be applied to Asian populations. An integrative review and critical analysis of research literature was done by reviewing 20 studies with observational survey design and 6 integrative literature reviews. Findings show that the motivation process is similar for Eastern and Western cultures, but the motivators are different. The findings identify 10 motivators, congruent with Asian culture, that would allow the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to be used in Asian settings.
A Passive Upper Limb Exoskeleton for Macaques in a BMI Study: Kinematic Design, Analysis, and Calibration

Integrating an exoskeleton as an external apparatus for a brain-machine interface has the advantage of providing mul tiple contact points to determine body segment postures and allow ing control to and feedback from each joint. When using macaques as subjects to study neural control of movement, a singulari tyfree upper limb exoskeleton is required to guarantee safe an d accurate tracking of joint angles over all possible range ofmotion. In addition, the compactness of a design is of more impo rtance considering macaques’ significantly smaller body dim ensions than humans’. Proposed in this paper is a 6-degree-offreedom (DOF) passive upper limb exoskeleton with 4 DOFs at the shoulder complex. System kinematic analysis is investi gated in terms of its singularity and manipulability. A real-timedata acquisition system is set up, and system kinematic calibrat ion is conducted.
Taking the Pulse of PyroCumulus Clouds

Large forest fires are a known natural and dominant disturbance factor in high northern latitudes, and form pyrocumulus (pyroCu), and occasionally pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) clouds. These clouds can transport emissions into the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UT/LS) and produce significant regional and even global climate effects, as is the case with some volcanoes. However, the lack of observational data within pyroCu or pyroCb complicates our ability to investigate pyro-convection and to understand the vertical and cross-isentropic transport mechanisms responsible for UT/LS injection. Here, we report detailed airborne radiation measurements within strong pyroCu taken over boreal forest fires in Saskatchewan, Canada during the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) summer field campaign in 2008. We find a prominent smoke core within the pyroCu, which is defined by strong extinction in the UV, VIS and NIR, and high gas-particle concentrations. We also find that the angular distribution of radiance within the pyroCu is closely related to the diffusion domain in water clouds, which is dominated by multiple scattering processes. The radiation field of pyroCu can be described by diffusion approximations that are comprised of simple cosine functions, which can be used to calculate the spatial and temporal characteristics of the radiance field, and applied in cloud resolving models. We demonstrate with Monte Carlo simulations that radiation transport in pyroCu is inherently a 3D problem and must account for particle absorption.
Controlling neurite outgrowth with patterned substrates

In vivo, neurons form neurites, one of which develops into the axon while others become dendrites. While this neuritogenesis process is well programmed in vivo, there are limited methods to control the number and location of neurite extension in vitro. Here we report a method to control neuritogenesis by confining neurons in specific regions using cell resistant poly(oligoethyleneglycol methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid (OEGMA-co-MA)) or poly(ethyleneglycol-block-lactic acid) PEG-PLA. Line patterned substrates reduce multiple extension of neurites and stimulate bi-directional neurite budding for PC12 and cortical neurons. PC12 cells on 20 and 30 μm line patterns extended one neurite in each direction along the line pattern while cortical neuron on 20 and 30 μm line patterns extended one or two neurites in each direction along the line pattern. Statistical analysis of neurite lengths revealed that PC12 cells and cortical neurons on line patterns extend longer neurites. The ability to guide formation of neurites on patterned substrates is useful for generating neural networks and promoting neurite elongation.
Development of solar fuels photoanodes through combinatorial integration of Ni–La–Co–Ce oxide catalysts on BiVO4

The development of an efficient photoanode remains the primary materials challenge in the establishment of a scalable technology for solar water splitting. The typical photoanode architecture consists of a semiconductor light absorber coated with a metal oxide that serves a combination of functions, including corrosion protection, electrocatalysis, light trapping, hole transport, and elimination of deleterious recombination sites. To date, such coatings have been mostly limited to simple materials such as TiO_2 and Co-Pi, with extensive experimental and theoretical effort required to provide an understanding of the physics and chemistry of the semiconductor-coating interface. To provide a more efficient exploration of metal oxide coatings for a given light absorber, we introduce a high throughput methodology wherein a uniform BiVO_4 thin film is coated with 858 unique metal oxides covering a range of metal oxide loadings and the full Ni–La–Co–Ce oxide quaternary composition space. Photoelectrochemical characterization of each photoanode reveals that approximately one third of the coatings lower the photoanode performance while select combinations of metal oxide composition and loading provide up to a 14-fold increase in the maximum photoelectrochemical power generation for oxygen evolution in pH 13 electrolyte. Particular Ce-rich coatings also exhibit an anti-reflection effect that further amplifies the performance, yielding a 20-fold enhancement in power conversion efficiency compared to bare BiVO4. By use of in situ optical spectroscopy and comparisons between the metal oxide coatings and their extrinsic optical and electrocatalytic properties, we present a suite of data-driven discoveries, including composition regions which form optimal interfaces with BiVO4 and photoanodes that are suitable for integration with a photocathode due to their excellent power conversion and solar transmission efficiencies. The high throughput experimentation and informatics provides a powerful platform for both identifying the pertinent interfaces for further study and discovering high performance photoanodes for incorporation into efficient water splitting devices.
Abstract 87: KLF2 Regulates Aortic Aneurysm Morphology via Matrix Endopeptidase Regulation During Aneurysm Formation

Objective: Kruppel-like Factor 2(KLF2) is known to play an athero-protective role in the endothelium following statin treatment; however, its role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation remains unknown. We hypothesized that KLF2 is critical in aneurysm formation through IL-6 and matrix endopeptidase activation. Methods: 8-12 wk male(n=6/group) C57/B6 mice underwent abdominal aortic elastase perfusion and were harvested at 3, 7, and 14 days for qPCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC) for KLF2. 8-12 wk male(n=6/group) MyH Cre+ KLF2 flx/flx (tamoxifen conditional smooth muscle(SMC) KLF2 KO) and MyH Cre+ KLF2 wt/wt mice underwent elastase perfusion following tamoxifen administration and harvested at 14 days. These mice were also bred to ApoE-/- and administered Angiotensin II for 28 days via osmotic pump(n=8/group). Separately, Angiotensin II treated KLF2 flx/wt ApoE-/- ERT Cre+ and KLF2 flx/wt ApoE-/- ERT Cre- mice(n=8/group) were also examined. Aortas were harvested at 14 and 28 days and evaluated by IHC. KLF2 was knocked down in vitro using siRNA in SMCs and macrophages and exposed to elastase, IL-1β or elastin degradation products(EDP). Results: KLF2 was elevated via qPCR and IHC 7 and 14 days following elastase-perfusion. 14 days following elastase perfusion, aortic dilation was significantly reduced in SMC specific KLF2 KO mice versus controls(49.5±5.76% vs. 99±5.72%, p<0.05) with reduced macrophage, T-cell, and neutrophil staining and greater elastin preservation and α-actin expression. In the Angiotensin II model, there was greater survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis in Klf2 flx/wt ERT Cre+ mice(Chi2=4.215, p=0.0453) and in SM-MHC Klf2 flx/flx mice(Chi2=4.342, p=0.0413) compared to their WT controls. In vitro studies demonstrated KLF2 siRNA transfection of SMCs during elastase exposure resulted in an attenuation of the matrix endopeptidase Astl1 and Ssc5d while knock-down of KLF2 in macrophages during IL-1β exposure resulted in an attenuation of IL-6 up-regulation. KLF2 binds astl1 and Ssc5d following elastase treatment in SMCs. Conclusions: Endogenous KLF2 activity is critical for AAA formation and SMCs appear to be an important source for KLF2. KLF2 could represent a putative therapeutic target to prevent aneurysm formation.
Validity of Single-Item Screening for Limited Health Literacy in English and Spanish Speakers.

Objectives. To evaluate 3 single-item screening measures for limited health literacy in a community-based population of English and Spanish speakers.Methods. We recruited 324 English and 314 Spanish speakers from a community research registry in Dallas, Texas, enrolled between 2009 and 2012. We used 3 screening measures: (1) How would you rate your ability to read?; (2) How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself?; and (3) How often do you have someone help you read hospital materials? In analyses stratified by language, we used area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves to compare each item with the validated 40-item Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults.Results. For English speakers, no difference was seen among the items. For Spanish speakers, “ability to read” identified inadequate literacy better than “help reading hospital materials” (AUROC curve = 0.76 vs 0.65; P = .019).Conclusions. The “ability to read” item performed the best, supporting use as a...
Triplet–Triplet Excitation Transfer in Palladium Porphyrin–Fullerene and Platinum Porphyrin–Fullerene Dyads

Covalently linked donor–acceptor dyads involving palladium(II) and platinum(II) porphyrins as triplet sensitizers and fullerene as an acceptor have been newly synthesized. These dyads were characterized by optical absorbance, emission, and electrochemical methods. In contrast to the earlier reported zinc(II) porphyrin and free-base porphyrin-based dyads of similar structures, photoinduced electron transfer from the short-lived singlet and long-lived triplet excited metalloporphyrin to the fullerene was not observed, although these processes are energetically possible according to the energy level diagrams. That is, diagnostic transient bands corresponding to MP•+ [M = Pd(II) or Pt(II)] in the 600–650-nm range and C60•– in the 1000-nm range were absent in the femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectra. Interestingly, excited energy transfer from the triplet excited metalloporphyrin to the fullerene was witnessed in both palladium and platinum porphyrin-derived dyads by nanosecond transient abs...
Intrinsic advantages of packed capillaries over narrow-bore columns in very high-pressure gradient liquid chromatography.

Abstract 250 μm × 100 mm fused silica glass capillaries were packed with 1.8 μm high-strength silica (HSS) fully porous particles. They were prepared without bulky stainless steel endfittings and metal frits, which both generate significant sample dispersion. The isocratic efficiencies and gradient peak capacities of these prototype capillary columns were measured for small molecules (n-alkanophenones) using a home-made ultra-low dispersive micro-HPLC instrument. Their resolution power was compared to that of standard 2.1 mm × 100 mm very high-pressure liquid chromatography (vHPLC) narrow-bore columns packed with the same particles. The results show that, for the same column efficiency (25 000 plates) and gradient steepness (0.04 min−1), the peak capacity of the 250 μm i.d. capillary columns is systematically 15–20% higher than that of the 2.1 mm i.d. narrow-bore columns. A validated model of gradient chromatography enabled one to predict accurately the observed peak capacities of the capillary columns for non-linear solvation strength retention behavior and under isothermal conditions. Thermodynamics applied to the eluent quantified the temperature difference for the thermal gradients in both capillary and narrow-bore columns. Experimental data revealed that the gradient peak capacity is more affected by viscous heating than the column efficiency. Unlike across 2.1 mm i.d. columns, the changes in eluent composition across the 250 μm i.d. columns during the gradient is rapidly relaxed by transverse dispersion. The combination of (1) the absence of viscous heating and (2) the high uniformity of the eluent composition across the diameter of capillary columns explains the intrinsic advantage of capillary over narrow-bore columns in gradient vHPLC.
Alcoholic Liver Disease and Liver Transplantation

Excessive alcohol use is a common health care problem worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Alcoholic liver disease represents the second most frequent indication for liver transplantation in North America and Europe. The pretransplant evaluation of patients with alcoholic liver disease should aim at identifying those at high risk for posttransplant relapse of alcohol use disorder, as return to excessive drinking can be deleterious to graft and patient survival. Carefully selected patients with alcoholic liver disease, including those with severe alcoholic hepatitis, will have similar short-term and long-term outcomes when compared with other indications for liver transplantation.
Entropy Information and Optics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the relationship between entropy information and optics. Recent development of optical communication, signal processing, and computing, among other discoveries, the relationship between optics and entropy information has grown more profound. From the viewpoint of mathematic formalism, entropy information is basically a probabilistic concept. In other words, without probability theory there would be no entropy information. Information transmission can be in fact represented by spatial and temporal information. Information channels are described according to the type of input/output ensemble and are considered discrete or continuous. In practice, all communication channels are band limited. An information channel can be a low-pass, bandpass, or discrete bandpass channel. A problem of considerable importance in signal processing is the extraction of signal from random noise and distortion. There are, however, two major approaches to this issue; the extraction of signals that have been lost in random noise as examples, called signal detection, and the reconstruction of unknown signals that have been distorted as examples, called signal recovery or restoration.
El club privado y su leve paso por la Corte Suprema

El articulo trata sobre la sentencia de la Corte Suprema a la accion de proteccion interpuesta por la presidenta del sindicato de trabajadoras de casa particular y de un diputado de la Republica en contra de un Club privado, cuyo reglamento impedia el acceso a dichas trabajadoras a ciertos espacios y exigia ciertos signos en su vestimenta para poder identificarlas y controlar la eficacia de su reglamento. En la sentencia considera que los denunciantes carecen de legitimidad activa y que no hay actos discriminatorios acreditados en el proceso. De ser la primera asercion correcta, se pone a la vista la consecuente falta de una accion adecuada para proteger el derecho a no ser discriminado por parte de estas trabajadoras. Mas relevante todavia, devela una cuestionable concepcion del derecho a no ser discriminado, provenientes del Tribunal que configuro recientemente las actuaciones calificadas de discriminatorias - en contra de una funcionaria del poder judicial - por parte de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.