cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Label-free tapered optical fiber plasmonic biosensor.

Abstract We designed and fabricated a novel label-free ultrasensitive tapered optical fiber (TOF) plasmonic biosensor that successfully detected a five panel of microRNAs with good selectivity. The biosensing platform integrates three different metallic nanoparticles: gold spherical nanoparticles (AuNPs), gold nanorods (AuNRs), and gold triangular nanoprisms (AuTNPs) laminated TOF to enhance the evanescent mode. The dip in the intensity profile of the transmission spectrum corresponded to the specific wavelength of the nanoparticle. The AuTNPs laminated TOF was found to exhibit the highest refractive index sensitivity and was therefore used to assay the panel of microRNAs. Single stranded DNA probes were self-assembled on the AuTNPs TOF plasmonic biosensors to achieve the highest sensitivity from the formation of hydrogen bonds between the ssDNAs and the target microRNAs. Experimentally, we observed that by measuring the spectral shifts, a limit of detection (LOD) between 103 aM and 261 aM for the panel of microRNAs can be achieved. Additionally, the ssDNA layer immobilized on the TOF plasmonic biosensor resulted in an extended dynamic range of 1 fM – 100 nM. In human serum solution, clinically relevant concentration of the panel of microRNAs were successfully detected with a LOD between 1.097 fM to 1.220 fM. This is the first report to demonstrate the applicability of our TOF plasmonic biosensor approach to detect a panel of microRNAs. This simple yet highly sensitive approach can provide a high-throughput and scalable sensor for detecting and quantifying large arrays of microRNAs, thereby expanding the applications of biosensors.
Additively Manufactured Dental Crown with Color Gradient and Graded Structure: A Technique Report

To assess the feasibility of manufacturing a dental crown with internal color gradient and graded structure design using additive manufacturing technology, a mandibular first molar was prepared and a monolayer dental crown with 1.5 mm uniform thickness was designed in a dental software (STLC1 ). The monolayer crown design was sliced into multiple layers of 0.1 mm thickness and a design for a multilayer crown was obtained (STLC2 ). A multilayer crown was manufactured with gradient color and graded structure using a material jetting printer. Different materials with different colors and properties were used and mixed in different ratios during manufacturing to achieve the prospected design. The feasibility of manufacturing such a crown was reported. This report confirms that multilayer dental crowns with internal gradient color and graded structure are possible when using a multimaterial jetting printer.
Examining the impact of carbon dioxide levels and modulation of resulting hydrogen peroxide in Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract The eukaryotic green alga Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 395 was cultured under carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations ranging from 0.04% to 15% in order to examine the effect of CO2 on algal growth, biomass composition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in the culture medium. Supplying 5% CO2 yielded the highest biomass growth rate (μ = 0.35 day−1) compared with 0.04% (μ = 0.15 day−1) and 15% (μ = 0.19 day−1) CO2 conditions. Experimental evidence showed that increasing CO2 levels from 0.04% to 2% and above did not alter overall protein content significantly but did enhance C16:1 and C18:1 monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) composition by 3.5 and 2 fold, respectively, reducing C18:3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels. Interestingly, bubbling 5% and 15% CO2 increased one type of ROS, H2O2 levels, in sterile medium by 1.8 to 2 μM while growing C. vulgaris substantially lowered these H2O2 levels. The ability to lower H2O2 levels, which was reduced for non-viable algal cells, was also observed with C. protothecoides UTEX 29 and C. sorokiniana UTEX 1230. In order to understand the impact of H2O2 directly, 10 μM and 25 μM H2O2 were added daily to 0.04% CO2-bubbled C. vulgaris cultures. Periodic H2O2 addition did not affect the growth of C. vulgaris or change its biomass composition. These findings demonstrate C. vulgaris can thrive at elevated concentrations of CO2 and also showed the capacity of microalgae to reduce the ROS level, specifically H2O2, present in a CO2 bubbling environment.
Goodbye Homo Economicus: Cognitive Dissonance, Brain Science, and Highly Effective Collaborative Practice

Collaborative Law (“CL”) began in 1990 as one person’s inspiration (“What if I just told my clients and colleagues I will serve as divorce counsel only so long as the matter remains out of court?”), and grew in only two decades to a worldwide movement of more than 20,000 family lawyers committed to offering clients a better alternative to the emotional and financial carnage that unfolds daily in divorce court. Recently, CL has been vetted and found to be an ethical and significant mode of practice by two important institutions in the American legal system: the American Bar Association, whose ethics committee confirmed in a 2007 opinion that collaborative legal practice falls well within the scope of the Model Rules, and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, which in July 2009 promulgated the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (“UCLA”). That recognition by our generally conservative profession was earned after a
Assessing the feasibility of incorporating phase change material in hot mix asphalt

Abstract This paper investigated the feasibility of using lightweight aggregate (LWA) as a medium for incorporating phase change material (PCM) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) in order to extend pavement life by reducing the magnitude of temperature fluctuations. First, evaporation and absorption tests were conducted to investigate the absorption properties of LWA and the loss of PCM during heating. Then, batches of samples with varying concentrations of PCM were created and the thermal properties were evaluated using a guarded longitudinal comparative calorimeter (GLCC). Data from thermal testing indicated that the incorporation of PCM slowed the rate of cooling and reduced low temperatures when compared to control samples. Further research should investigate PCM incorporation methods, improve the mix design, and experiment with different combinations of PCMs and thermal fluctuations.
Intellectual Property and Antitrust Limitations on Contract: Comment

In their chapter in Dynamic Competition and Public Policy (2001, Cambridge University Press), Burtis and Kobayashi never defined their model’s discount rate, making replicating their simulation results difficult. Through our own simulations, we were able to verify their results when using a discount rate of 0.10. We also identified two new types of equilibria that the authors overlooked, doubling the number of distinct equilibria in the model.
Evaluative Categories of Action and Identity in Non-Evaluative Human Studies Research: Examples from Ethnomethodology

Ethnomethodologists have emphasized the pragmatic and contextual nature of description as a variety of social practice, and have suggested the ramifications of this insight for the methodology and philosophy of the social sciences. However, ethnomethodologists have thereby invited difficult questions about the moral and analytic status of their own descriptions. Drawing on Atkinson’s study of suicide verdicts and Coulter’s writings on schizophrenia, ethnomethodological scholarship is shown to display the possibility and promise of disinterested description, even when the subject matter involves the evaluation of problematic actions and identities. The combination of Wittgensteinian logical grammar and empirical studies of natural language use, suggested by Coulter, is presented as especially relevant and remarkable for purposes of studying social practices including describing, naming, categorizing, classifying, labeling, diagnosing, reaching a verdict, and kindred practices of language use conceived as varieties of practical action.
Some frills for the modal tic-tag-toe of Davies and Isard: semantics of predicate complement constructions

Predicate complement constructions are a rich source of semantic problems. The semantics of these constructions is explored in the context of the tictac-toe game playing setting of Davies and Isard (1972). Even in this limited setting, the implementations of these constructions are quite nontrivial, suggesting that such restricted settings provide a good testing ground for many key linguistic problems.
Marine Natural Products

The difference between a harmful toxin and a beneficial drug is largely a matter of dose. Historically, toxins provided important leads towards drug discovery, as their purification could be followed by a readily available and unambiguous bioassay — death of a small rodent. Modern sensitive enzyme-based assays have made all natural products — organic compounds isolated from living organisms — a potential source for drug discovery. The oceans of the earth which cover 70% of its surface and are the habitat of a rich and diverse fauna and flora, much of it still to be discovered and described, offer a prime resource for new molecular structures with a broad spectrum of bioactivities.
A hybrid OTA with very wide gain adjustment range

A novel operating principle for CMOS operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) is presented. It is referred to as the hybrid OTA since the core of the transconductor operates in weak inversion while the shell operates in strong inversion. The technique allows very wide gain adjustment range, linearity improvement, and reduced quiescent power dissipation. Experimental results from a CMOS test chip are presented that verify the operating principle. >
Compactly Supported Correlation Functions

This article proposes compactly supported correlation functions, which parameterize the smoothness of the associated stationary and isotropic random field. The constructions are straightforward, and compact support is relevant for various ends: computationally efficient spatial prediction, fast and exact simulation, and appeal among practicioners.
The intrinsic temporal properties of alpha and beta retinal ganglion cells are equivalent.

Abstract Background: Mammalian retinal ganglion cells have been traditionally classified on the basis of morphological and functional criteria, but as yet little is known about the intrinsic membrane properties of these neurons. This study has investigated these properties by making patch-clamp recordings from morphologically identified ganglion cells in the intact retina. Results: The whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to assess the temporal tuning characteristics of alpha and beta cells, the two most extensively studied ganglion cell classes. Fourier analysis was used to examine discharge patterns in response to sinusoidal currents of different frequencies (1–50 Hz). With few exceptions, neurons responded in a stereotypic fashion to changes in temporal modulation, with their output initially increasing and then decreasing as a function of stimulus frequency. Moreover, peak responses in both cell classes were obtained at equivalent temporal frequencies. At high stimulus rates, response probability decreased, but the spikes remained phase-locked to the stimulus cycle, thereby enabling populations of cells to convey temporal information. A small number of ganglion cells did not show an appreciable decrease in output as a function of stimulus frequency, but these cells were not confined to either ganglion cell class. Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence that the intrinsic temporal properties of alpha and beta cells are alike. Furthermore, the responses obtained to direct current injections were strikingly similar to those described previously with temporally modulated visual stimuli, suggesting that intrinsic membrane properties may shape the visual responses of alpha and beta cells to a larger degree than has been commonly assumed.
The dynamics of exchange rate volatility: A panel VAR approach

Abstract This paper employs a panel vector autoregressive model (PVAR) to study the dynamics of the overall exchange rate volatility. PVAR estimation results, based on panel data for 29 economies, are used in simulating impulse response functions. Since economic shocks may affect high-frequency and low-frequency components of volatility differently, using a conventional time-domain approach to study volatility may lead to spurious results. Accordingly, the paper also studies the dynamics of the most destabilizing (high-frequency) components of exchange rate volatility, which are isolated using spectral methodology. While our investigation reveals interesting dynamic interrelationships between macroeconomic as well as financial variables and exchange rate volatility, we find little evidence of significant difference in the responses of macroeconomic and financial variables to the overall volatility vis-a-vis the high-frequency components thereof. The feedback effects from exchange rate volatility to macroeconomic and financial variables are found to be much stronger for developing countries relative to developed economies. These findings are confirmed by variance decompositions and are largely immune to several robustness checks.
Placental Insufficiency Is a Leading Cause of Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is a multifactorial syndrome with a variety of risk factors. Intra-amniotic infection is one risk factor, but accumulating evidence suggests it is an uncommon cause of preterm labor. Instead, most cases of spontaneous preterm labor appear to be caused by placental insufficiency, similar to preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. This review addresses the placental findings most commonly observed in preterm labor and discusses the prevalence of these features related to the gestational age at the time of delivery. The implications for clinical management and the long-term health of the infant may be profound.
Titration of Low Kd Binding Sites: Binding of Arginine Analogs to Nitric Oxide Synthases

Abstract Spectrophotometrically monitored ligand titration is an important method for the determination of equilibrium dissociation constants ( K d ) from nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Low K d sites such as the tetrahydrobiopterin and arginine binding sites present difficulties in that experiments often require enzyme concentrations of the same magnitude as the K d . An analytical method based on computer simulation is described that allows the estimation of K d values without an independent means of monitoring free ligand or without an accurate prior determination of the number of binding sites. The K d for arginine is approximately 0.5 μM for the tetrahydrobiopterin replete neuronal and inducible isoforms (nNOS and iNOS), while the endothelial isoform has a slightly higher K d (1.5 μM). N -OH-arginine (an intermediate) binds to nNOS with a K d of around 0.2 μM, while the inhibitors N -methyl-arginine and N -nitro-arginine bind more tightly; our best K d estimates are 100 nM or lower.
Similarity solution for a laminar, incompressible jet flowing along a curved surface.

Similarity transformation and perturbation solution for laminar two dimensional incompressible jet flow over curved surface of small curvature
The Polyprotein Precursor to the Euglena Light-harvesting Chlorophyll a/b-binding Protein Is Transported to the Golgi Apparatus Prior to Chloroplast Import and Polyprotein Processing

The major Euglena thylakoid protein, the light harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II (pLHCPII) is synthesized in the cytoplasm as a polyprotein precursor composed of a 141 amino acid presequence containing a signal peptide domain followed by eight mature LHCPIIs covalently linked by a decapeptide. To determine the transport route from cytoplasm to chloroplast and the site of polyprotein processing, Euglena was pulse labeled with [35S]sulfate, organelles separated on sucrose gradients, and pLHCPII and LHCPII immunoprecipitated and separated on SDS gels. After a 10-min pulse, the pLHCPII polyprotein was found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. LHCPII was undetectable after a 10-min pulse consistent with the 20-min half-life for pLHCPII processing. When pulse-labeled cells were chased for 20 or 40 min with unlabeled sulfate, the fraction of pLHCPII in the ER decreased, and the fraction in the Golgi apparatus increased. LHCPII appeared only in thylakoids and chloroplasts, never in the ER or Golgi apparatus. Na2CO3 extraction, a treatment that releases soluble but not integral membrane proteins, did not remove pLHCPII from ER and Golgi membranes. Trypsin digestion of ER and Golgi membranes produced 4 pLHCPII membrane protected fragments. The Euglena pLHCPII polyprotein is transported as an integral membrane protein from the ER to the Golgi apparatus and from the Golgi apparatus to the chloroplast. Polyprotein processing appears to occur during or soon after chloroplast import of the membrane-bound precursor.
Kinetics of CCR7 expression differ between primary activation and effector memory states of TH1 and TH2 cells

Abstract We explored the kinetics of CCR7 expression on TH1 and TH2 polarized cells as well as on antigen-specific T cell lines at various stages of differentiation. A striking pattern of early (days 7–14) inducible CCR7 expression was seen preferentially on primary TH1 cell lines, as compared to TH2 cells, and was dependent on the strength and duration of the T cell receptor signal. Upon repeated restimulation (days 21–28) and differentiation, a switch occurred in which TH2 cells had high CCR7 expression, whereas TH1 cells lost CCR7 expression. Chronic (8 weeks and later) effector memory cell lines were 95% CCR7 negative. These data demonstrate an ordered pattern of CCR7 expression that suggest more rapid priming of TH1 cells in the lymph node, and delayed priming with prolonged CCR7 expression during TH2 responses, and may have implications for tracking TH1 effector T cells ex vivo in autoimmune diseases.
Least-Squares Structuring, Clustering and Data Processing Issues

Approximation structuring clustering is an extension of what is usually called 'square-error clustering' onto various cluster structures and data formats. It appears to be not only a mathematical device to support, specify and extend many clustering techniques, but also a framework for mathematical analysis of interrelations among the techniques and their relations to other concepts and problems in data analysis, statistics, machirre learning, data compression and decompression and the design and use of multiresolution hierarchies. Based on the results found, a number of methods for solving data processing problems are described.
A mental health unit in a skilled nursing facility.

: An outline is given of the services available in a 44-bed Mental Health Unit of a skilled nursing facility. Statistics on 103 patients are presented. The majority of the patients in the Unit respond to treatment by some increase in then-activities and improved feelings of dignity and self-esteem. Concerns presented are: 1) adaptation of the staff in shifting focus from impairments of the patient (as needed for the problem-oriented record) to the abilities of the patient to function, 2) the requirement that patients can only receive Medicare benefits if they have been in a hospital for seventy-two hours, 3) the lack of nursing-home beds for the continued care of Medicaid patients, 4) the lack of adjunctive services (e.g., day-care center, workship, transportation), and 5) the tendency toward overspecialization and “buck-passing.” Physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, other therapists, patients, and their families must work together. Whether based in a Community Mental Health Center or elsewhere, a Geriatric Team gains expertise in providing service to the patients, consultation with other agencies, liaison with other medical facilities and in locating community resources.
An overview of the Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification

The Tactical Secure Voice Working Group was formed by the National Security Agency in 2008 to ensure that modernized tactical secure voice devices will be interoperable across the Department of Defense. The Naval Research Laboratory was tasked by the working group to develop the Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification (TSVCIS), which became an official National Security Agency (NSA) document in July of 2009. The TSVCIS consists of two documents, one classified and the other unclassified. These documents define the voice encoding, encryption, framing, synchronization, key management, and other functions for tactical secure voice and data radio communications. This paper describes the unclassified portion of the TSVCIS and explains some of the improvements over the legacy tactical secure voice systems. It also describes how the modernized secure voice modes can provide even wider benefits in the future.
Processing of Titanium Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Metal-Matrix Composites by the Induction Melting Method

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) reinforced titanium (Ti) matrix composites were produced by powder metallurgy (PM) and induction heating methods. It was found that nickel coating and a fast processing time associated with the induction heating method enabled nanotubes to survive the high-temperature (above 1950 K) processing conditions. The nanotubes were first covered with a nickel coating via the electroless plating method and then dispersed in the powder by ball milling. The powder was then cold pressed to make a PM preform which was melted by induction heating in an argon environment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations as well as Raman and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy verification indicate that the nanotubes survived the high-temperature melting. Testing demonstrated that the hardness of the composites, which is directly related to strength, is improved with increasing weight percent of SWCNTs.
Characterization of the membrane matrix derived from the microsomal fraction of rat hepatocytes.

Abstract A highly purified membrane preparation derived from the microsomal fraction of rat hepatocytes has been chemically characterized and fractionated by means of gel filtration. The preparation has been freed of ribosomes and intravesicular protein and has a composition on a w/w basis of 52.1% protein, 45.0% phospholipid, 2.9% carbohydrate and no RNA. 97 ± 2% of the total membrane phosphorus is accounted for as phospholipid phosphorus. Determination of the molecular weight distribution of the constituent polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave values ranging from 171 000 to 16 000 for the major classes of proteins. Although several membrane glycoproteins have been identified, the most prominent species has an apparent molecular weight of 171 000, 40% of the total microsomal protein is present' in the 49 000–60 000 molecular weight region. Examination of the intrinsic polypeptide composition of membranes obtained from smooth and degranulated rough endoplasmic reticulum revealed no detectable qualitative differences. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-solubilized microsomal membrane proteins were separated by gel filtration into much simplified molecular weight classes, some of which showed predominantly a single electrophoretic component. Amino acid analysis of individual fractions showed a noticeable trend toward a decreasing ratio of acidic to basic residues with decreasing molecular weight. Membrane phosphorus was distributed between two chromatographic fractions: one containing the membrane phospholipid (97% of the total) as well as essentially all the cholesterol, the other, at the inclusion volume of the gel filtration system, containing small molecular weight species (3% of the total phosphorus). The absence of a ribonuclease-resistant RNA component eluting near the void volume clearly distinguishes the microsomal membrane from the nuclear envelope.
Kaon photoproduction operator for use in nuclear physics

Using diagrammatic techniques we have obtained a new operator for the process p(\ensuremath{\gamma},${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$)${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{0}$ which includes the Born terms in addition to resonances in the s and u channel near threshold. The coupling constants are obtained by a least squares fit to cross section and polarization data for photon energies from threshold through 1400 MeV. We find a number of changes from the earlier operator obtained by Thom about twenty years ago when less data were available. To aid in comparing this operator to other work, we give its multipole decomposition in the center of mass frame, and to aid in its use in nuclear physics we write out the operator in a frame fixed in the nucleus and, further, take the nonrelativistic limit of the operator as Blomqvist and Laget did for the pion photoproduction case. Finally, we discuss the validity of the nonrelativistic limit of this operator.
Fair and robust circle splines

For many applications, such as aesthetic designs or camera paths, nicely rounded, smooth, interpolatory paths -- free of cusps and abrupt hairpin turns -- are most important. Such curves can be obtained from globally optimized minimum variation curves (MVC) [Moreton and Sequin 1992], but at high computational costs. We present a blending scheme between circles that robustly produces equally good-looking G2-continuous curves through very challenging sets of interpolation points. One basic method produces such curves in the plane, on a sphere, and in 3D space.
Bmi1 is expressed in vivo in intestinal stem cells

Eugenio Sangiorgi and Mario Capecchi use lineage tracing in mice to identify Bmi1 as a specific marker of a stem cell population located at the +4 position of the small intestinal crypt. Their findings address a long-standing debate in the field and support the existence of two distinct intestinal stem cell populations near the crypt base. Bmi1 plays an essential part in the self-renewal of hematopoietic and neural stem cells. To investigate its role in other adult stem cell populations, we generated a mouse expressing a tamoxifen-inducible Cre from the Bmi1 locus. We found that Bmi1 is expressed in discrete cells located near the bottom of crypts in the small intestine, predominantly four cells above the base of the crypt (+4 position). Over time, these cells proliferate, expand, self-renew and give rise to all the differentiated cell lineages of the small intestine epithelium. The induction of a stable form of β-catenin in these cells was sufficient to rapidly generate adenomas. Moreover, ablation of Bmi1+ cells using a Rosa26 conditional allele, expressing diphtheria toxin, led to crypt loss. These experiments identify Bmi1 as an intestinal stem cell marker in vivo. Unexpectedly, the distribution of Bmi1-expressing stem cells along the length of the small intestine suggested that mammals use more than one molecularly distinguishable adult stem cell subpopulation to maintain organ homeostasis.
Tainting of tobacco by a dichloropropene-dichloropropane soil fumigant.

ONE of the most serious pests of tobacco in Southern Rhodesia is the eelworm, Heterodera marioni. Control of this organism is effected by injecting the soil, by means of a plunger-type injector, with ethylene dibromide or a dichloropropene–diehloropropane mixture. During the 1951–52 growing season, it has been estimated that the latter fumigant has produced ‘off-odours’ in approximately five per cent of the tobacco crop. These odours first become apparent during the curing process, and persist through all subsequent stages of processing. Impurities in the fumigant mixture have been shown to be responsible for this tainting and have been isolated and characterized by the methods described below.
Comparison of the Ca+HF(DF) and Sr+HF(DF) reaction dynamics

A comparative study of the reaction family, Ca and Sr with rovibrationally selected HF or DF, has been carried out under single‐collision conditions. A thermal beam of the alkaline earth atoms, Ca or Sr, is fired into a low‐pressure gas of HF or DF in which the reagent molecules have been prepared in a selected vibration–rotation state by the use of a tunable infrared light source (optical parametric oscillator). The resulting alkaline earth monofluoride reaction products, CaF or SrF, are detected in a quantum‐state‐specific manner with a tunable visible light source (dye laser) using laser induced fluorescence. The HF molecule is aligned with its rotational angular momentum pointing preferentially either along or perpendicular to the metal atom beam. For both Ca+HF(v=1) and Sr+HF(v=1) the cross section and the product state distribution are found to be independent of the approach geometry, which is consistent with reaction through a bent transition state. The state‐to‐state reaction dynamics for Ca+HF(DF...
HPMA polymer-based site-specific delivery of oligonucleotides to hepatic stellate cells.

The objective was to determine whether bioconjugation of type I collagen specific triplex forming oligonucleotide (TFO) to N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) containing tetrapeptide Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly (GFLG) and mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) can provide their targeted delivery to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Following bioconjugation, M6P-GFLG-HPMA-GFLG-32P-TFO was characterized by PAGE, HPLC, and GPC, and then its biodistribution was determined. TFO was dissociated from the conjugate when incubated with papain and formed triplex with the target DNA duplex. Type 1 collagen gene expression was significantly inhibited when HSC-T6 cells were transfected with this conjugate. Following tail vein injection into rats, M6P-GFLG-HPMA-GFLG-32P-TFO was rapidly cleared from the circulation and accumulated mainly in the liver. The plasma concentration versus time profile was biphasic, with 12.37 min as t1/2 of distribution and 2886.48 min as t1/2 of elimination. A large proportion of the injected M6P-GFLG-HPMA-GFLG-3...
The ultrastructure of two distinct neuron populations in the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat.

An ultrastructural study of the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) in the rat has revealed two distinct neuronal populations. Hypoglossal motoneurons comprised the largest population of neurons in XII and were identified following injection of horseradish (HRP) into the tongue. Motoneurons were large (25–50 μ), multipolar in shape and distributed throughout XII. The nucleus was large, round and centrally located, and the cytoplasm was characterized by dense lamellar arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, a second population of small (10–18 μ), round to oval shaped neurons was found restricted to the ventral and dorsolateral regions of XII. The nucleus was markedly invaginated and eccentric, the cytoplasm scant and filled with free ribosomes, and the absence of lamellar arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum was conspicuous. Neurons of this type were never found to contain HRP reaction product. These results demonstrate that the hypoglossal nucleus does not consist solely of motoneurons, but includes a distinctly separate, presumably non-motoneuronal pool. Arguments are presented in favor of this second neuron population being interneurons. The functional significance of these findings in relation to tongue control is discussed.
Light amplification by coherence in a three-level laser

Abstract The steady-state gain and lasing in a closed, coherently and incoherently pumped three-level system, are analyzed and the conditions for the onset of lasing without population inversion are derived. Shown is that by adjusting the incoherent pumping rate, the functional dependence of the laser intensity on the atomic number N can be manipulated. Under suitable operating conditions, this three-level system may demonstrate a transition from lasing with inversion to lasing without inversion, and lasing without inversion may be as efficient as lasing with inversion.
InP-based 1.5 [micro sign]m vertical cavity surface emitting laser with epitaxially grown defect-free GaAs-based distributed Bragg reflectors

Room temperature pulsed operation of a novel 1.5 /spl mu/m vertical cavity surface emitting laser is reported. A GaAs-Al/sub 0.95/Ga/sub 0.05/As heterostructure is grown directly on the patterned InGaAsP-InP quantum well active region. Selective lateral oxidation of a lattice matched In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As layer is used for current confinement and, to create the top Al/sub x/O/sub y/-GaAs distributed Bragg reflector. The minimum threshold current is 12 mA.
Consistency of open superstring theories

Abstract The infinities and the anomalies in the G≠SO(32) open superstring arise from the same limit of the one-loop Riemann surfaces. The dilaton tadpole infinity is removable by an appropriate choice of background, as in the work of Fischler and Susskind. However, we find that the anomalies arise from the tadpole of an unphysical field, and cannot be removed by any choice of background. Thus, the spacetime anomalies are due to a world-sheet superconformal anomaly of topological origin. We also give a general discussion of the relation between anomalies and surface terms in moduli space, and point out several new applications.
Random and site-specific immobilization of catalytic antibodies

The effects of immobilization on the immunologic and catalytic activity of a catalytic antibody were compared for randomly immobilized (via glutaraldehyde) whole antibody and site-specifically immobilized (via the reactive sulfhydryl group at the base of the fragment) Fab' fragments. Upon immobilization, the specific binding capacity (n) and the catalytic activity decreased significantly for both systems. Increases in the Michaelis constant (KM) were accompanied by corresponding decreases in the equilibrium binding constant determined through immunoassays. For the immobilized Fab', n decreased dramatically with increased protein loading, suggesting that, despite the site-specific attachment and favorable orientation, molecular crowding denatured the Fab' fragments. These results also show that there is an optimal surface coverage, not necessarily at the maximum loading, for both immunologic and catalytic activity. Finally, the combining/active site conformation was probed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In all antibody samples, there was no spectral evidence of conformational changes in the antibody active site.
Mathematical modeling of the dynamics of the dehydroalkylation of methylcyclohexane with methanol

A dynamic model of a multi-layer adiabatic reactor which has intermediate heat exchangers and is designed for the dehydroalkylation of methylcyclohexane with methanol is identified. Transfer functions are obtained for the various channels of the model.
The effects of trans linoleic acid on the concentration of serum prostaglandin f2α and platelet aggregation

Abstract In order to determine the effects of dietary trans linoleate on the concentration of PGF2α and its precursor acid, and on platelet aggregation, four groups of rats were fed a diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO, treatment A); 9 trans, 12 trans linoleate (trans linoleate, treatment B); an equal mixture of 9 cis linoleate (cis linoleate) and trans linoleate (treatment C); and cis linoleate (treatment D); respectively for 12 weeks. The levels of arachidonic acid as a percent of total serum lipids were 5.8, 0.8, 25.2 and 30.0, respectively for treatments A, B, C, and D. The serum concentrations of PGF2α were 3.2, 0.31, 14.1 and 27.4 ng/ml, respectively for treatments A, B, C, and D. Thus, trans linoleate caused decreased biosynthesis of PGF2α probably resulting from decreased level of its precursor acid. The magnitude of the inhibition of the platelet aggregation by indomethacin was greater in treatment A than in treatment B. The difference in the magnitude of the inhibition between treatment C and D was not apparent at a high concentration of indomethacin, however, at a lower concentration (0.01 mM) the percent inhibition was 3 and 42 for treatments C and D, respectively. These results indicate that levels of dietary linoleate can affect physiological responses through an effect on the amount of PG synthesized in animal tissues.
MAINTENANCE OF OYSTER CELLS IN VITRO.

THE examination and control of oyster (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin) pathogens have received much impetus in recent years with the recognition of Haplosporidium costale Wood and Andrews, ‘MSX’ an undescribed haplosporidian, and Dermocystidium marinum Mackin, Owen and Collier along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Research in the problems of isolation, identification and control of oyster pathogens could bo facilitated if techniques for the culture of oyster cells were available.
Fluorescence and Fiber-Optics Based Real-Time Thickness Sensor for Dynamic Liquid Films

To overcome the limitations/disadvantages of many known liquid film thickness sensing devices (viz. conductivity probes, reflectance based fiber-optics probes, capacitance probes, etc.), a new liquid film thickness sensor that utilizes fluorescence phenomena and fiber-optic technology has been developed and reported here. Measurements from this sensor are expected to facilitate better understanding of liquid film dynamics in various adiabatic, evaporating, and condensing film flows. The sensor accurately measures the instantaneous thickness of a dynamically changing liquid film in such a way that the probe does not perturb the flow dynamics in the proximity of the probe’s tip. This is achieved by having the probe’s exposed surface embedded flush with the surface over which the liquid film flows, and by making arrangements for processing the signals associated with the emission and collection of light (in distinctly different wavelength windows) at the probe’s flush surface. Instantaneous film thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mm can accurately (with a resolution that is within +/− 0.09 mm over 0.5 to 1.5 mm range and within +/− 0.18 mm over 1.5 to 3.0 mm range) be measured by the sensor described in this paper. Although this paper only demonstrates the sensor’s ability for dynamic film thickness measurements carried out for a doped liquid called FC-72 (perfluorohexane or C6 F14 from 3M Corporation), the approach and development/calibration procedure described here can be extended, under similar circumstances, to some other liquid films as well.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Growth and crystal morphology of lead sulfide in the hydrothermal systems PbS-RbOH-H2O

Abstract The system PbS-RbOH-H2O has been investigated hydrothermally to determine the best growth conditions for cubic lead sulfide (galena) in steel vessels. At low pressures (below 0.1 to 0.7 kb depending on the temperature) blades, needles, columns, etc., are formed, while at higher pressures (above 0.8 to 2 kb depending on the temperature) hoppered cubes are produced. Cubic to cubo-octahedral crystals are produced at intermediate pressures. Increasing the temperature of the growth zone, the pressure, and the solvent concentration result in increased growth rates or rates of transportation. However, solvent concentrations greater than 1 N cause extreme corrosion and vessel failure. An attempt is made to understand the chemical reactions taking place during the dissolution and recombination of lead sulfide in the nutrient and growth regions of the vessel.
"Electrical microscopy" of test parameter inhomogeneities resulting from microdefects in processed silicon wafers

Experimental results are presented on reverse current (I R ) inhomogeneities in n+-p diode arrays fabricated on wafers selected from dislocation-free Czochralski-grown silicon crystals. The crystals are boron doped with a resistivity of 10 Ω.cm and a
Investigations of dehydroepiandrosterone. Part I: crystal structure of sublimed DHEA

The crystal structure of an orthorhombic polymorph of the title compound, crystallized by sublimation, has been determined. Dehydroepiandrosterone, C19H28O2, space groupP212121 witha=6.6408(4)b=11.4423(11)c=22.085(2)A,V=1678.2(4)A3,Z=4. The structure was refined toR=0.051 for 2645 observed reflections. The conformation of the molecule is similar to that found in other polymorphs and solvates, with a chair A ring, an 8β, 9α half-chair B ring, a chair C ring, and a 14α envelope D ring. Molecules are linked in chains by OH...O hydrogen bonds involving the carbonyl oxygen atom. The O...O distance is 2.855(3) A, and the angle about H is 171(2)o.
Esterification of 8,11,14‐eicosatrienoate and arachidonate into alkylacyl‐ and diacylglycerophosphocholine by vascular endothelial cells

Agonist-stimulated phospholipases release arachidonate, but not 8,11,14-eicosatrienoate, from human endothelial cells. One source of the arachidonic acid is deacylation of 1-alkyl-2-arachidonoyl-glycerophosphocholine, with subsequent conversion of some of the resultant lysophospholipid to platelet-activating factor. This study has compared the distribution of incorporated 8,11,14-[14C]-eicosatrienoate in alkylacyl-GPC and diacyl-GPC with that of [14C]arachidonate synthesized endogenously by desaturation of the 8,11,14-[14C]eicosatrienoate. Cells were incubated for 24 or 48 hr with 8,11,14-[14C]eicosatrienoate, and the resultant mixture of14C-fatty acids in the cellular lipids was characterized by gas chromatography. The choline phospholipids were then separated, hydrolyzed with phospholipase C and derivatized to diradylbenzoates. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated extensive incorporation of [14C]eicosatrienoate, as well as [14C]arachidonate, into alkylacyl-GPC. Although the ratio of esterified [14C]arachidonate to [14C]eicosatrienoate was greater in alkylacyl-GPC than in diacyl-GPC, the enrichment with [14C]arachidonate was far less than the ratio of arachidonate/eicosatrienoate released from these cells. These results thus support the hypothesis that the acyl specificity of polyunsaturated fatty acid release is provided by the agonist-stimulated phospholipase A2 rather than the composition of the alkylacyl-GPC.
Airborne measurements of atmospheric electricity

An experimental investigation of the variations of atmospheric electric quantities in space and time was conducted. A review of past measurements reveals several inaccuracies and inconsistencies which stimulated the investigation. The simultaneous measurement of both polar conductivities, of potential gradient, and of several meteorological quantities from a multi-engine airplane, and the derivation of other atmospheric electric variables, are described. Altitude ‘profiles’ of conductivity and potential gradient up to 6 km obtained on a representative sounding over the Chesapeake Bay show a secondary exchange layer above the more common surface exchange layer. The space-charge density profile exhibits positive charge concentrations at the tops of these layers, near the bases of the associated temperature inversions. Upward convection of positive space charge causes the computed conduction-current density within the exchange layers to be some 40 pct higher than its relatively constant value above the layers. The product of columnar resistance and current density, employed by previous workers to obtain atmospheric potential, provides erroneous values whether the conduction current near the Earth's surface or the average value over the entire altitude range is used. On the basis of a 6-km atmospheric potential of 327 kv obtained from the integrated potential gradient, the true extrapolated total potential of the high atmosphere is 341 kv at a time near the diurnal maximum.
Detecting tuberculosis in radiographs using combined lung masks

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health threat in many regions of the world, while diagnosing tuberculosis still remains a challenge. Mortality rates of patients with undiagnosed TB are high. Modern diagnostic techniques are often too slow or too expensive for highly-populated developing countries that bear the brunt of the disease. In an effort to reduce the burden of the disease, this paper presents an automated approach for detecting TB on conventional posteroanterior chest radiographs. The idea is to provide developing countries, which have limited access to radiological services and radiological expertise, with an inexpensive detection system that allows screening of large parts of the population in rural areas. In this paper, we present results produced by our TB screening system. We combine a lung shape model, a segmentation mask, and a simple intensity model to achieve a better segmentation mask for the lung. With the improved masks, we achieve an area under the ROC curve of more than 83%, measured on data compiled within a tuberculosis control program.
Workload Based Optimization Model for Parallel Disk Systems

Researchers are struggling for building high reliable and energy efficient parallel disk systems for years. With the times of high energy cost, conserving energy in parallel disk systems has large impact on reducing cost of disk systems and other related backup systems. In addition, it will conserve a lot of energy consumed by parallel disks in high performance computing systems. Moreover, Disk reliability is also significant for data integrity. While different reliability models and energy conservation techniques have been developed for parallel disk systems, most solutions do not consider two factors together in an optimization prospective and they do not consider the impact of disk workload. In this paper, we build a high reliable and energy-efficient parallel disk system using Markov chains. Specifically, we develop a quantitative reliability model for energy-efficient parallel disk systems which considers the impact of disk workload. With the new model, we can achieve the optimization between disk reliability and energy efficiency in parallel disk systems.
Interference mitigation via successive cancellation in heterogeneous networks

In this paper, we present practical interference management schemes in heterogeneous networks (HetNets) based on interference decoding and cancellation at the receivers. The underlying idea is based on Han-Kobayashi type message splitting (MS) technique [3]. We develop relatively low-complexity precoders that facilitate interference mitigation and maximize sum-throughput in the network. System-level simulation results for a general HetNet system are presented. It is shown that the proposed MS design along with interference coordination among the cells provides up to 57% cell average throughput gain compared with the rank-1 coordinated beamforming (CBF) scheme. The design also provides substantial throughput gain in particular for Macro cells compared with rank-adaptive CBF transmission.
Evaluation of twentieth-century Atlantic Warm Pool simulations in historical CMIP5 runs

State-of-the-art coupled global climate models are evaluated for their simulation of the Atlantic Warm Pool (AWP). Historical runs from 17 coupled climate models included in the Fifth Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) serve as the basis for this model evaluation study. The model simulations are directly compared to observations and reanalysis data to evaluate the climatological features and variability of the AWP within each individual model. Results reveal that a select number of models—namely the GISS-E2-R, CSIRO-Mk3.6, and MPI-ESM-LR—are successful at resolving an appropriately sized AWP with some reasonable climatological features. However, these three models exhibit an erroneously broad seasonal peak of the AWP, and its variability is significantly underestimated. Furthermore, all of the CMIP5 models exhibit a significant cold bias across the tropical Atlantic basin, which hinders their ability to accurately resolve the AWP.