cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Friction and wear characteristics of PVA/PVP hydrogels as synthetic articular cartilage

Many hydrogels have been tested as articular cartilage replacements and other tissue replacements. In the present study, the effect of load and lubricant on the tribological characteristics of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVA/PVT) hydrogels have been investigated in a pin-on-disk setup under physiologic loading conditions. Cobalt-chromium pins were articulated against PVA/PVT hydrogels under three different load levels 100 N, 125 N, 150 N in bovine serum and synovial fluid lubrication. Each test lasted 100,000 cycles. The average coefficient of friction for the tests conducted in bovine serum was 0.1 /spl plusmn/ 0.023, while it was 0.04 /spl plusmn/ 0.023 in the case of synovial fluid lubrication. Wear was quantified by comparing the dry polymer mass of the hydrogel samples before and after the wear tests. Wear was observed on the non-articulating surface of the PVA/PVP hydrogels with an average of 6.1% dry polymer loss for all the tests. The results also suggest a transition in the lubricating mechanism at the pin-hydrogel interface at the critical 125 N load.
Retracing Liberalism and Remaking Nature

The liberal theory that permeates our law and politics embodies an emancipatory vision of freedom that seeks to transcend arbitrary limits on how people choose to lead their lives. In the 17th century, John Locke defied the encroachment of religious and political authority; in the 19th century, John Stuart Mill resisted the hierarchical bonds of wealth and status; today, liberals like Ronald Dworkin urge us to transcend the biological limits on human freedom by refashioning nature and even ourselves. Liberal respect for individual autonomy at the same time requires that we make collective decisions about the genetic manipulation of animals and offspring without reference to formative ideals. This Article rejects the conventional account of public reason as it applies to advances in biotechnology. I argue that political deliberation about these practices cannot be reduced to the common denominator of liberal freedom. Whether it is reasonable to set aside metaphysical beliefs when we make law and decide cases about genetic engineering depends on how we answer the deeper questions it presupposes about why, if at all, animal integrity and the natural lottery are worthy preserving. Divisive though these concerns are in a pluralistic society, it is incoherent and undesirable to set them aside when we deliberate together about how to manage our emerging powers of biotechnology
Mars. Landing Site Geology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry

Abstract Seven spacecraft have landed successfully on Mars after intensive efforts using orbital data to select safe and scientifically interesting sites. Remote sensing data in the modern era have accurately predicted the important surface characteristics for safe landing. Observations from the surface and orbit show alteration minerals and erosion by water on early Mars and limited alteration and extensive eolian activity that are consistent with a dry and desiccating environment over the past 3 billion years. Analysis of rocks at the landing sites and comparison to orbital measurements suggests that most rocks, soils, and sediments are basaltic formed by partial melting of the mantle and eruption as lavas on the surface. Sulfates observed from orbit and by the Opportunity rover formed in extremely acidic waters before 3.6 billion years and even older clays and other alteration products observed from orbit formed in neutral aqueous conditions. Both these facts suggest that Mars was a habitable planet at a time when life started on the Earth and that a major climatic change led to the current conditions.
Means-ends analysis: a hardware implementation

The authors describe a hardware implementation for means-ends analysis (MEA), an artificial intelligence (AI) technique that involves comparing a given goal with a current task-domain situation to extract a difference between them. This general problem-solving technique had been implemented in software and used in certain planners such as STRIPS and ABSTRIPS. The authors discuss hardware alternatives for each software subfunction. A simple application of 'getting a cup of coffee' is presented as a test example. This hardware implementation is one alternative for implementing the MEA algorithm. The main goal is to illustrate the merging of AI with VLSI. The system is presented at the functional or logic design level and is technology-independent. Logic synthesis and some design optimization are done. >
Contested Hierarchies: A Collaborative Ethnography of Caste among the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Contested Hierarchies:. Collaborative Ethnography of Caste among the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. David N. Gellner and Declan Quigley. eds. Oxford University Press, 1999. 364 pp.
Decomposition of small diameter woody debris of red fir determined by nuclear magnetic resonance

Red fir (Abies magnifica A. Murr.) woody debris decomposing for 17 years in untreated (Control) and nitrogen‐fertilized plus widely thinned (NT2) plots was examined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonanc...
Chromatin of primitive erythroid cells from the chick embryo. I. Changes in acridine orange binding and the sensitivity to the thermal denaturation during maturation.

Differentiation of primitive erythroid cells derived from the yolk sac of the chick embryo is accompanied by changes in the morphology of and in the physicochemical properties of the nucleus. Microfluorimetry of individual nuclei stained with acridine orange was performed on thermally denatured cells. Measurements were made at 530 nm (green fluorescence) and 590 nm (redfluorescence). The ratio of these two measurements was used to monitor the susceptibility of chromatin to thermal denaturation. Differences were found (a) between mature erythrocytes and dividing erythroblasts, and (b) between dividing erythroblasts from successive cell generations of the erythroid series. There were differential characteristics of AO binding during thermal denaturation as signified by F530 and F590 measurements. The temperature at which the increase of the “α ratio” (F590/F530) was 50% of its maximum was approximately 70° C for erythroblasts from the fifth generation (day 4), 80–85° C for the sixth generation (day 5), and 85–90° C for the nondividing erythrocytes (day 8). Interpretation of these differences may be complicated by changes in the sensitivity of nuclear proteins to the interactive effects of 0.15 M NaCl and thermal denaturation.
Air-side particulate fouling of microchannel heat exchangers: Experimental comparison of air-side pressure drop and heat transfer with plate-fin heat exchanger

Abstract In this study, the air-side pressure drop and heat transfer performance of plate-fin and microchannel coils were tested under clean and fouled conditions. The heat exchangers were tested with two different types of dust, ASHRAE Standard Dust and Arizona Road Test Dust. The ASHRAE Standard Dust was found to have a very significant impact on the pressure drop of the microchannel heat exchanger, increasing the air-side pressure drop of the microchannel heat exchanger over 200% for a dust injection of 267 g (1612.5 g/m 2 ). Fouling of the microchannel heat exchanger with Arizona Road Test Dust was not found to increase the air-side pressure drop of the microchannel heat exchanger but was found to decrease the heat transfer rate by more than 10%. In addition, from studies of the evolution of the air-side pressure drop during the fouling process, it is seen that microchannel coils with louvered fins and fin pitches below 2.0 mm were significantly more prone to fouling than louvered heat exchangers with larger fin pitches. The wavy-plate-fin heat exchanger was significantly less sensitive to fouling with both types of dust. Furthermore, detailed macro photographs were obtained under all conditions tested to more fully characterize the particulate deposition.
Rapid measurement of insulin using the Abbott IMx: application to the management of insulinoma

BACKGROUND Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (type 1) often present with multiple pancreatic endocrine tumours, such as insulinomas. A major difficulty in the surgical treatment of such patients is identifying which tumours are functionally active and therefore need to be resected for a cure. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid insulin assay that could be used intraoperatively for identifying insulinomas from pancreatic aspirates. METHODS By reducing the incubation time and by increasing the sample volume, a rapid insulin assay was developed on the IMx analyser. This was used to measure insulin from tissue aspirates collected from suspected insulinomas under ultrasound guidance. RESULTS The rapid insulin assay (y) could be performed in 14 min and showed a good correlation with the standard IMx (x) insulin assay (y = 0.808x + 0.04; r(2) = 0.986). Using the rapid insulin assay on pancreatic tissue aspirates, insulinomas could be readily distinguished from normal pancreatic tissue or from non-functional adenomas based on a marked increase in insulin content. CONCLUSION In summary, a new rapid assay for insulin is described that compares favourably to the standard IMx insulin assay and can potentially be used intraoperatively on pancreatic aspirates for identifying functionally active insulinomas.
Dimeric samarium(III) alkoxides bearing N2O2 tetradentate Schiff bases and their utility for the catalytic epoxidation of trans-chalcone

Abstract Two anhydrous, dimeric samarium(III) complexes bearing a bulky μ-alkoxide (diphenylmethoxide) ligand and different “saturated” tetradentate Schiff bases {bis-5,5′-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato and bis-5,5′-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato} were synthesized and fully characterized. The complexes differ only in alkyl substitution at the three-carbon amino linker between the ketoiminato halves, with one having a CH2 group and the other a C(CH3)2 substituent along the free-ligand idealized mirror plane. Both metal-containing molecules were isolated in high-yields from direct alcoholysis of the corresponding 5-coordinate, mononuclear complexes and their catalytic activity for the epoxidation of 1,3-diphenyl propenone (trans-chalcone), an α,β-unsaturated ketone, investigated.
Observations on the oil droplets of the principal cone cells of the frog retina

The fine structure of the ellipsoids of the principal cones of the frog retina was studied by electron microscopy. The large oil droplet of the principal cone cell was in intimate contact with the surrounding ellipsoid mitochondria. This droplet had numerous irregular surface projections and several areas of increased electron density. One such area was a dense peripheral margin; another was present as dense granules scattered throughout the droplet. The oil droplet did not possess a limiting membrane. The mitochondria were disposed around the surface of the oil droplet and the droplet projections. These structures presented various degrees of surface contact with the droplet. The apparent continuity of the oil droplet and of the mitochondrial matrix in some micrographs was attributed to the plane of sectioning.
Multiclinic controlled trial of diltiazem for Prinzmetal's angina

To assess the efficacy of a new calcium entry blocker, diltiazem (Cardizem), for prophylaxis of Prinzmetal's angina, 48 patients were studied in randomized, multiple crossover multiclinic study (2 weeks single-blind, 8 weeks double-blind). Diltiazem dosage in one crossover phase was 120 mg per day; in the other, 240 mg per day. Therapeutic response was measured by patients' diary records of angina frequency and nitroglycerin tablet consumption. Treatment with 120 mg of diltiazem per day reduced angina by 41 percent from the entry placebo period and 20 percent from the paired placebo period (p less than 0.005). Treatment with 240 mg of diltiazem per day reduced angina frequency by 68 percent from the entry placebo period and 43 percent from the paired placebo period (p less than 0.01). There were similar reductions in nitroglycerin consumption. Adverse experiences that may have been related to the medication were noted in only 5 percent of patients. There were no alterations in blood pressure or heart rate. The PR interval increased 3 percent at the 240 mg dosage level. We conclude that diltiazem is an effective and safe agent for control of symptoms of Prinzmetal's angina.
Abstract 1078: PPM1A acts as a novel RelA phosphatase to negatively regulate NF-κB signaling

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Phosphorylation of RelA is required to fully activate NF-κB transcription activity and dephosphorylation of RelA can inhibit its activity. To date, Wip1 (PPM1D) and PP2A have been described as RelA phosphatases. The purpose of this study was to identify novel RelA phosphatase(s) and determine if they play a role in regulation of NF-κB activity related to tumorigenesis. PPM1A belongs to PP2C protein phosphatase family, the same family of Wip1. To begin exploring PPM1A activity toward RelA, serine 536 (S536) phosphorylation of RelA was determined with and without expression or knockdown of PPM1A. Expression of PPM1A in U2OS cells decreased RelA phosphorylation, whereas siRNA-mediated loss of PPM1A increased S536RelA phosphorylation. Luciferase assay using a κB responsive reporter with expression of either PPM1A or phosphatase-dead PPM1A (PPM1A-PD) revealed that wild-type, but not PPM1A-PD, inhibited RelA transcription. Furthermore, in vitro phosphatase assays using bacterially expressed PPM1A with substrate of either full length RelA or phosphorylated RelA peptides, suggest that PPM1A can function as a direct RelA phosphatase at residuesS536 and S276. We could not identify reports of additional phosphatases with activity toward the S276 residue of RelA. Using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) LZAP-associated proteins (LAPs) were sought with PPM1A being identified. LZAP (C53, CDK5RAP3) has tumor suppressor-like activity that is mediated at least partially through inhibition of RelA S536 phosphorylation and activity. PPM1A's ability to decrease RelA phosphorylation at S536 site was largely inhibited in cells with siRNA-mediated loss of LZAP. To determine if PPM1A has tumor suppressor activity, HeLa cells were infected with retrovirus directing shRNA-mediated knockdown of PPM1A and tumorigenic properties of these cells were determined. Preliminary xenograft tumor data suggest PPM1A has a negative effect on tumor initiation and proliferation and studies are underway to determine if PPM1A activity toward NF-κB plays a role. In summary, our data suggest that PPM1A is a novel RelA phosphatase with activity to dephosphorylate RelA at serines 536 and 276. PPM1A inhibits NF-κB transcriptional activity and that PPM1A activity toward RelA is at least partially dependent on LZAP. Our preliminary data also suggest PPM1A might have tumor suppressor-like activity that could be dependent on LZAP or RelA. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1078. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1078
Fabrication of polycrystalline diamond microtool using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm, 100 ns) was used to machine 2 × 1.5 × 0.5-mm rhombus-shaped tool inserts from a 60 × 0.5-mm circular disk of polycrystalline diamond. A systematic experimental study was undertaken to examine the effects of pulse repetition rate, feed rate, and number of laser passes on kerf, material removal rate, recast layer, surface morphology, and surface roughness. The optimal laser parameters for generating two-dimensional tool profiles were an average power of 3 W, a pulse repetition rate of 2 kHz, a feed rate of 1 mm/s, and a total of 45 laser passes. The beneficial results were a material removal rate of 0.02 mm3/min, kerf width of 27 μm, cutting edge radius of 6 μm, and surface roughness (Ra) of 0.625 μm. Recast layer formation, undulations, and striations were observed in the laser-cut regions. These features were attributed to the presence of a molten layer of cobalt binder, and amorphous carbon and graphite transitioned from diamond. An intriguing feature is the presence of fine particulate matter ranging in size from nanometers to a few micrometers in the laser-cut regions. It is believed that phase transition of diamond and cobalt during laser machining created thermal expansion mismatch stresses sufficient to fracture the solid into fine fragments.
Geochemistry and evolution of the fuego volcanic complex, Guatemala

Abstract Four closely spaced vents along a fissure make up the Fuego and Acatenango volcanic centers in western Guatemala. The Fuego complex is composed of the Fuego and Meseta vents, but historic activity has consisted exclusively of high-Al2O3 basalts from the Fuego vent. The Meseta vent is inactive and deeply exposed. Prehistoric lavas from Fuego and Meseta are generally more silicic than historic Fuego lavas, but all the rocks form a single coherent geochemical variation pattern. Major element chemistry of these rocks is consistent with plagioclase, olivine, augite, and magnetite (POAM) fractionating from high-Al2O3 basalt. Separate batches of magma can be recognized from trace-element data throughout the history of the Fuego complex. This suggests that closed-system, POAM fractionation of distinct magma bodies occurs at Fuego. Trace-element data requires that deep fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene, and perhaps magnetite from primary olivine tholeiite occurs before arrival of new magma into the shallow (8–16 km) magma chamber at Fuego. Migration of activity from Meseta to Fuego along the fissure is correlated with the change towards more mafic compositions at Fuego. The shift of the vents may have resulted in shorter repose periods and less time for fractionation before eruption. A minimum age of 17,000 years was required to build the Fuego complex. The andesitic rocks from the adjacent, larger composite volcanoes of Acatenango and Agua have higher incompatible element concentrations, different incompatible element ratios, and lower CaO, Na2O, and Al2O3 contents than Fuego's lavas. We believe the magmatic evolution of Acatenango and Agua is much more complex than Fuego.
Examining the C1-P1 pseudorange bias

Use of GPS tracking data from different dual-frequency receiver types (cross-correlating vs. codeless) has revealed satellite-dependent biases in pseudorange observables P1 (Y-code) and C1 (C/A, Clear Acquisition code). These biases can have a direct effect on clock estimates, carrier phase bias fixing, and other parameters estimated in GPS data processing. A set of satellite-specific compensatory pseudorange offsets is calculated, and each is applied to a wee of daily global network analyses in which satlellite, receiver, atmospheric, and Earth rotation parameters are estimated. Results from these analyses are then compared to those from corresponding baseline cases in which no biases were applied. There is also some evidence that suggests that the pseudorange biases differ even among codeless receiver models. Hence, a second set of offsets is computed on a different basis, and compared with the baseline model in a similar manner. A preliminary examination of C1-P1 variations over time is presented. Finally, recommendations are made for the use of the calculated offsets, and consideration is given to a future dissemination of updates to these values as necessary. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nonlinear photocarrier drift in hydrogenated amorphous silicon-germanium alloys.

We have studied nonlinear effects of an electric field on the transport of both electrons and holes in a series of undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon-germanium alloy specimens ({ital a}-Si{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}Ge{sub {ital x}}:H; 0{lt}{ital x}{lt}0.3). We measured the transient photocurrents in {ital p}-{ital i}-{ital n} diode structures as a function of electric field (10{sup 4}--2.6{times}10{sup 5} V/cm) and temperature (90--300 K). Time-of-flight and charge-collection measurements were also conducted, from which we concluded that the quantum efficiency for photocarrier generation varied less than 10% for all specimens in this temperature and electric-field range. In all cases, transport was dispersive, but we found no evidence for a field dependence in the dispersion itself. For the hydrogenated amorphous silicon specimen ({ital a}-Si:H) a field of 2{times}10{sup 5} V/cm increased the electron drift mobility by a factor of 8 at 130 K. The characteristic electric field for the onset of nonlinear electron transport increased with Ge concentration and light soaking. In {ital a}-Si:H we found slight evidence for nonlinear transport of holes.
Early sensory cortex is activated in the absence of explicit input during crossmodal item retrieval: evidence from MEG.

Abstract Crossmodal associations form a fundamental aspect of our daily lives. In this study we investigated the neural correlates of crossmodal association in early sensory cortices using magnetoencephalography (MEG). We used a paired associate recognition paradigm in which subjects were tested after multiple training sessions over a span of four weeks. Subjects had to learn 12 abstract, nonlinguistic, pairs of auditory and visual objects that consisted of crossmodal (visual–auditory, VA; auditory–visual, AV) and unimodal (visual–visual, VV; auditory–auditory, AA) paired items. Visual objects included abstract, non-nameable, fractal-like images, and auditory objects included abstract tone sequences. During scanning, subjects were shown the first item of a pair (S1), followed by a delay, then the simultaneous presentation of a visual and auditory stimulus (S2). Subjects were instructed to indicate whether either of the S2 stimuli contained the correct paired associate of S1. Synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAMspm), a minimum variance beamformer, was then used to assess source power differences between the crossmodal conditions and their corresponding unimodal conditions (i.e., AV–AA and VA–VV) in the beta (15–30 Hz) and low gamma frequencies (31–54 Hz) during the S1 period. We found greater power during S1 in the corresponding modality-specific association areas for crossmodal compared with unimodal stimuli. Thus, even in the absence of explicit sensory input, the retrieval of well-learned, crossmodal pairs activate sensory areas associated with the corresponding modality. These findings support theories which posit that modality-specific regions of cortex are involved in the storage and retrieval of sensory-specific items from long-term memory.
Optical microscopy and spectroscopy beyond the diffraction limit

A new approach to near-field optical microscopy is presented. The method relies on the highly enhanced fields at sharp metal tips under proper laser illumination. These fields are laterally confined to the tip size and can be used to locally excite the sample surface. Detection of nonlinear responses ensure sufficient background discrimination. The strong field gradients close to the tip give also rise to a trapping force towards the tip. Therefore, the proposed scheme is also promising for optical trapping and alignment of dielectric particles in aqueous environments at the nanometer scale. The paper presents the result of self-consistent 3D field calculations. Starting with a discussion of commonly used aperture probes, the field distributions for the novel scheme are presented.
Numerical Valuation of European and American Options under Kou's Jump-Diffusion Model

Numerical methods are developed for pricing European and American options under Kou's jump-diffusion model, which assumes the price of the underlying asset to behave like a geometrical Brownian motion with a drift and jumps whose size is log-double-exponentially distributed. The price of a European option is given by a partial integro-differential equation (PIDE), while American options lead to a linear complementarity problem (LCP) with the same operator. Spatial differential operators are discretized using finite differences on nonuniform grids, and time stepping is performed using the implicit Rannacher scheme. For the evaluation of the integral term easy-to-implement recursion formulas are derived which have optimal computational cost. When pricing European options the resulting dense linear systems are solved using a stationary iteration. For American options two ways to solve the LCPs are described: an operator slitting method and a penalty method. Numerical experiments confirm that the developed methods are very efficient, as fairly accurate option prices can be computed in a few milliseconds on a PC.
Sleep disordered breathing in the elderly: Review and methodological comment

Abstract In recent years, psychologists have demonstrated a growing interest in both basic research and clinical issues in the area of sleep and its disorders. One emerging topic in this field involves sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in the elderly. This paper reviews breathing disorders during sleep in the aged with an emphasis on identifying unresolved methodological issues, recommending improved technical approaches, detailing clinically relevant data, and suggesting key areas for future inquiry. Many important methodological issues remain to be clarified. The comparability and adequacy of several recording techniques are unknown. The validity and reliability of operational definitions of SDB events have not been demonstrated. Finally, the intensity at which SDB is pathological in the aged has not yet been determined. Clinically, although the exact prevalence rates of various levels of SDB in the aged have not yet been established, several lines of evidence suggest that low levels of SDB are virtually ubiquitous in this population, and that levels of SDB considered pathological in younger subjects may occur in as many as one-third of the aged. Risk factors predictive of SDB in younger subjects such as increasing age and weight, male gender, and snoring may predict nocturnal breathing dysfunction in geriatric sleep disorders center patients, although the utility of these predictors in the general aged population is still uncertain. Finally, mixed evidence concerning the impact of SDB on daytime parameters leaves uncertainty regarding the functional significance of the disorder on the aged. Further research is needed to fully document the characteristics and consequences of this extremely common disturbance of the elderly.
Perceived Discrimination and Interracial Contact: Predicting Interracial Closeness among Black and White Americans:

This research examines whether perceptions of discrimination moderate relationships between interracial contact and feelings of interracial closeness among black and white Americans, using survey r...
Prenatal cocaine exposure increases apoptosis of neonatal rat heart and heart susceptibility to ischemia–reperfusion injury in 1-month-old rat

1 Maternal cocaine administration during pregnancy increased apoptosis in near-term fetal rat heart. The present study tested the hypothesis that prenatal cocaine exposure increases the heart susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion injury in the offspring. 2 Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats received cocaine (30 mg kg−1 day−1) or saline from days 15 to 21 of gestational age. Maternal body weights were not significantly different at the end of cocaine treatment, but body weights of offspring were decreased slightly at ages of 1, 3, and 7 days. Although heart-to-body weight ratio was not affected at all ages examined, prenatal cocaine significantly increased left ventricular myocyte size at an age of 30 days. 3 Additionally, prenatal cocaine increased DNA fragmentation measured in the hearts isolated from offspring of 1, 3, 7, and 21 days, but not of 30 days, with the peak at 3-day neonates. Antiapoptotic (Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL) and proapoptotic (Bax and Bad) proteins were expressed in neonatal rat hearts of both groups. Prenatal cocaine exposure decreased levels of Bcl-2 in 21-day and increased Bax in 21- and 30-day rat hearts. 4 In addition, hearts of 30-day-old male progeny were studied using the Langendorff preparation, and were subjected to 25 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. Preischemic baseline values of left ventricular (LV) function were the same between the two groups. However, prenatal cocaine exposure significantly attenuated postischemic recovery of LV function, and significantly increased elevated LV end diastolic pressure during reperfusion. This was associated with a significant increase in ischemia/reperfusion-induced LV myocardial infarct size. 5 The results suggest that prenatal cocaine exposure induces abnormal apoptosis and myocyte hypertrophy in postnatal heart, leading to an increased heart susceptibility to ischemic insults in postnatal life. British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 900–907. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706129
Large fermion masses from extended technicolor interactions

Abstract Within the technicolor framework, realistically large fermion masses can be generated by the driving effect of the higher-energy (ETC) interactions that must be present in these theories. A study of this enhancement effect is reported here, assuming that the ETC interactions arise from a broken gauge theory. The full high energy theory is employed rather than an effective four-fermion description of the ETC interactions. The enhancement effect emerges only when the ETC gauge coupling is near a critical value, but a fermion mass above 100 GeV can be achieved without excessive fine tuning. Furthermore, large mass splittings can be generated by additional small gauge couplings. QCD effects, in particular, can split fermion masses by as much as two orders of magnitude.
Differences in Sequestration and Bioavailability of Organic Compounds Aged in Dissimilar Soils

Phenanthrene and atrazine were aged for 200 days in sterilized samples of 16 soils that differed greatly in physical and chemical properties. At regular intervals during the aging period, the extent of sequestration was determined by measurement of biodegradation of the compounds by bacteria and the amounts extracted by a mild extraction procedure. Both compounds became sequestered in each of the soils, but the rate and extent of sequestration varied markedly among the soils. Sequestration was largely complete in some soils in 120 days, but it extended for longer periods in others. The extent of sequestration of the two compounds in the 16 soils was not highly correlated. The declines in bioavailability in the soils were not highly correlated with the decreases in extractability or the amounts of unextracted compounds, although soils in which the declines in bioavailability were greatest showed the greatest declines in extractability. Because of the marked differences among soils, generalizations about th...
Compliant Joint Design Principles for High Compressive Load Situations

Buckling failure has been a major obstacle in designing compliant joints in high compression applications. This paper describes two principles, isolation and inversion, that can be successfully applied to many compliant joints to increase their ability to withstand high compressive loads by avoiding buckling-prone loading conditions. Isolation and inversion give rise to a new breed of compliant joints called high compression compliant mechanisms (HCCM). HCCMs have many of the inherent advantages of compliant mechanisms with the additional qualities of high load-bearing joints. This added robustness in compression can be achieved without adversely affecting the kinematic behavior of the joint.
Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) study of oxidation states of Ce and U in pyrochlore and uraninite – natural analogues for Pu- and U-bearing waste forms

Abstract EELS based on features of ELNES of M4 and M5 edges can provide information regarding oxidation states of Ce and U in proposed host phases of radioactive wastes (e.g., pyrochlore, uraninite, and zirconolite). M4 and M5 edges of Ce4+ have higher energy-loss than those of Ce3+. Intensity ratio between M4 and M5 edges and weak peaks after the M4 and M5 edges can be used for quantification of Ce3+ and Ce4+. EELS results from an unaltered area of pyrochlore from Inner Mongolia of China shows Ce3+ and other rare earth (RE) elements. However, EELS spectrum from the neighboring altered area shows Ce4+, Ba and other RE elements. The oxidation of Ce results in loss of RE elements, U, and daughter product of α-decay, Pb during the alteration of the pyrochlore. However, most RE elements were incorporated in to alteration product, the Ce4+-bearing pyrochlore. EELS spectra from a partially α-recoil damaged uraninite show that the ratio of U6+/U4+ is about 2/3. The alteration of uraninite and spent fuel (UO2) in relatively reducing geological fluid results in the formation of coffinite that is a stable secondary waste form at low temperature.
Kinetics of Carbon Dioxide Sorption on Perovskite-Type Metal Oxides

Kinetics of carbon dioxide sorption on perovskite-type metal oxides is important to the use of these materials as sorbents or membranes for air separation and methane conversion reaction. This paper reports an experimental and modeling study of the kinetics of carbon dioxide sorption on La0.1Sr0.9Co0.5Fe0.5O3-δ particulates in 700−900 °C. It was found that the perovskite-type metal oxide samples prepared from corresponding powders sintered at 900 and 1200 °C exhibit different sorption kinetics, due to different microstructures of the metal oxide samples. The samples sintered at the higher temperature have a denser structure with slow sorption kinetics, and those sintered at the lower temperature possess a porous structure with fast sorption kinetics. The fast carbon dioxide sorption process on the porous metal oxide samples can be well described by a homogeneous carbonation reaction model. For the dense metal oxide samples, the carbon dioxide sorption is accompanied with oxygen desorption at a similar rat...
237 Detection of Basal Ganglia Injury by Early use of Amplitude Integrated EEG in Neonatal Asphyxia

237 Detection of Basal Ganglia Injury by Early use of Amplitude Integrated EEG in Neonatal Asphyxia
Photomicrography of Corneal Endothelial Cells in vivo

WE have described the principles of operation for a microscope designed to examine objects embedded in highly reflecting or scattering biological materials1. We present here the first successful application of this device to the observation of endothelial cells lining the inside of the cornea.
In-Situ Growth Of High Temperature Superconducting Films By High Pressure Reactive Evaporation

We have developed a high pressure reactive evaporation (HPRE) process that has proven successful for the in-situ formation of the superconducting phase of YBa2Cu307 thin films at relatively low temperatures, T = 625 C. The process involves the evaporation of the three metallic components in a relatively high pressure oxygen atmosphere, P = 0.65 mTorr. When the deposition is followed by a cool-down anneal in a high pressure oxygen ambient, P~20 Torr, the result is a film with a relatively sharp superconducting transition. The best films, which have been obtained on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates, have a zero resistance Tc of 86 K. The HPRE process generally results in a highly oriented growth habit, usually with the c-axis of the film being predominantly normal to the substrate plane. This result has been obtained both for (100) zirconia and (100) MgO substrates. Measurements of critical current densities on 20 gm constrictions have yielded values greater than 105 A/cm2 at 77 K and greater than 106 A/cm2 at 4.2 K on zirconia substrates. The constrictions were formed by photolithography and ion beam etching.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Marine Mammal Monitoring on Guam

Data on marine mammals, specifically information on their stock numbers, seasonal migrations, population structure, habitat use, and behaviors is limited. This study of island associated resident pods of the long nosed spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was conducted near the island of Guam, part of the Mariana Archipelago, south of Japan. These spinner dolphins may be negatively impacted by an increased United States military presence on Guam which leads to expanded training activity, population growth, coastal development and associated tourism. This study compiles historical and current data on marine mammal sightings and behaviors to study possible impact of US military presence. The long nosed spinner dolphins (S. longirostris) are of particular interest because of their proximity to shorelines, their habitat use, and their daily activity schedule. Current data was collected from interviews and sighting events. Standard photo documentation and field survey protocols developed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) were used. This study created a preliminary marine mammal database for Guam and has expanded the limited information available. In addition, sighting information was used along with geographical information system (GIS) software to combine NOAA benthic habitat maps with multibeam bathymetry to gain a better understanding of the habitats occupied by documented species. Preliminary results suggest that S. longirostris populations in Guam have similar circadian and seasonal rhythms as Hawaiian S. longirostris populations. The results also demonstrate that Guam spinner dolphins show a preference for clear, relatively shallow open water bays with underlying, unconsolidated sediment (sandy bottoms). An increase in military use of shallow bays and dolphin-associated ecotourism could therefore negatively impact resident populations of the Guam spinner dolphins.
Design Shell for Parametric Design at Embodiment Stage

The embodiment design stage involves determination of geometric sizes, key parameter values, and matching of component variables to system requirements. This embodiment design stage can be parametrically represented as an iterative design-redesign problem. This paper presents a domain independent characterization of such problems; the characterization includes problem definition, design relations/procedures, and measures of goodness. The paper also discusses representation issues and solution techniques for design-redesign problems. Design tasks are differentiated as domain independent or problem specific and the scope of each design task with respect to the characterization is delineated. A Design Shell implemented on the basis of this characterization is described. This shell can be configured for evaluating designs in any domain. A case study illustrates the use of this Design Shell in characterizing a specific design problem and exploring its design space.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Complementarity, capabilities, and the boundaries of the firm: the impact of within‐firm and interfirm expertise on concurrent sourcing of complementary components

Theories of the firm raise conflicting arguments about how complementarities between two or more components affect firms' knowledge and production boundaries. Traditional arguments in the boundaries of the firm literature suggest that firms will tend to produce sets of complementary components internally, while more recent modularity studies argue that firms can outsource to gain flexibility. We resolve these views by examining concurrent sourcing, which arises when firms both make and buy the same components. We argue that concurrent sourcing of complementary components becomes more common in two cases: when firms have relevant knowledge about the components in conjunction with suppliers (interfirm expertise) and, perhaps more surprisingly, within the firm (within-firm shared expertise). The results suggest that firms often need to make in order to know, but can partially outsource if they possess sufficient expertise. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The human penis as a semen displacement device

Inanimate models were used to assess the possibility that certain features of the human penis evolved to displace semen left by other males in the female reproductive tract. Displacement of artificial semen in simulated vaginas varied as a function of glans/coronal ridge morphology, semen viscosity, and depth of thrusting. Results obtained by modifying an artificial penis suggest that the coronal ridge is an important morphological feature mediating semen displacement. Consistent with the view of the human penis as a semen displacement device, two surveys of college students showed that sexual intercourse often involved deeper and more vigorous penile thrusting following periods of separation or in response to allegations of female infidelity.
Quasi-Stationary, Extreme-Rain-Producing Convective Systems Associated with Midlevel Cyclonic Circulations

Abstract This study identifies and examines the common characteristics of several nocturnal midlatitude mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that developed near mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) or cutoff lows. All of these MCSs were organized into convective clusters or lines that exhibited back-building behavior, remained nearly stationary for 6–12 h, and produced locally excessive rainfall (greater than 200 mm in 12 h) that led to substantial flash flooding. Examination of individual events and composite analysis reveals that the MCSs formed in thermodynamic environments characterized by very high relative humidity at low levels, moderate convective available potential energy (CAPE), and very little convective inhibition (CIN). In each case, the presence of a strong low-level jet (LLJ) and weak midlevel winds led to a pronounced reversal of the wind shear vector with height. Most of the MCSs formed without any front or preexisting surface boundary in the vicinity, though weak boundaries were apparent...
A potentiometric method of monitoring methanol crossover through polymer electrolyte membranes of direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract Methanol crossover from the anode to the cathode through the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) has been one of the detrimental factors affecting the performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Extensive research work has been in progress for developing CH 3 OH crossover tolerant electrolyte membranes. The need for assessing CH 3 OH crossover by an easier and faster method than the conventional CO 2 analysis method has become significant. For this, a potentiometric method has been developed and tested using the Nafion membrane. By recording the potential ( E ) of a PtRu/C electrode in 0.2 M H 2 SO 4 supporting electrolyte during CH 3 OH crossover, it has been shown that the slope (d E /d t ), of E versus t (time) curve, is proportional to the crossover rate. From the time required to reach the equilibrium concentration of CH 3 OH on either side of the polymer electrolyte membrane, CH 3 OH crossover rate has been calculated. This method is expected to be useful in studying polymer electrolyte membranes and also in industry as a quality control technique. The method can also be used to sense methanol concentration.
Neural responses to relative speed in the primary visual cortex of rhesus monkey.

Relative motion information, especially relative speed between different input patterns, is required for solving many complex tasks of the visual system, such as depth perception by motion parallax and motion-induced figure/ground segmentation. However, little is known about the neural substrate for processing relative speed information. To explore the neural mechanisms for relative speed, we recorded single-unit responses to relative motion in the primary visual cortex (area V1) of rhesus monkeys while presenting sets of random-dot arrays moving at different speeds. We found that most V1 neurons were sensitive to the existence of a discontinuity in speed, that is, they showed higher responses when relative motion was presented compared to homogenous field motion. Seventy percent of the neurons in our sample responded predominantly to relative rather than to absolute speed. Relative speed tuning curves were similar at different center–surround velocity combinations. These relative motion-sensitive neurons in macaque area V1 probably contribute to figure/ground segmentation and motion discontinuity detection.
International space station

Abstract The International Space Station represents the largest scientific and technological cooperative program in history, drawing on the resources of thirteen nations. The early stages of construction will involve significant participation from the Russian Space Agency (RSA), numerous nations of the European Space Agency (ESA), and the space agencies of Canada (CSA), Japan (NASDA) and the United States Space Agency (NASA). Its purpose is to place a unique, highly capable laboratory in tower orbit, where high value scientific research can be performed in microgravity. In addition to providing facilities where an international crew of six astronaut-scientists can live and work in space, it will provide important laboratory research facilities for performing basic research in life science, biomedical and material sciences, as well as space and engineering technology development which cannot be accomplished on Earth. The Space Station will be comprised of numerous interlocking components which are currently being constructed on Earth. Space Station will be assembled in orbit over a period of time and will provide several experimentation modules as well as habitation modules and interfaces for logistic modules. Including the four extensive solar rays from which it will draw electrical power, the Station will measure more than 300 feet wide by 200 feet long. This paper will present an overview of the various phases of construction of the Space Station and the planned science thought will be performed during the construction phase and after completion.
MR Imaging of Congenital/Developmental and Acquired Disorders of the Pediatric Hip and Pelvis

Abstract This article reviews the MR imaging findings of some of the more common congenital and acquired disorders of the pediatric hip and pelvis,with the intent of increasing the awareness of radiologists and facilitating early and accurate diagnosis and treatment. The importance of MR imaging in the pediatric population is underscored by its ability to evaluate these disorders well and without the use of ionizing radiation.
Building capacity in school mental health

The article reviews the dimensions of capacity-building as applied to the development and growth of effective school mental health (SMH) programs and initiatives. There has been considerable growth of SMH in the US and internationally, and this growth is being fueled by conferences and partnerships at local, regional, national and international levels. However, more comprehensive SMH, involving provision of a full continuum of mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention and intervention services for young people in general and special education is a relatively new and emerging field, and numerous challenges are being confronted as communities attempt to build capacity for it. Ideas for building capacity in SMH, along with opportunities to advance global dialogue and collaboration on the field’s advancement, are presented.