cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implied Filtering Densities on the Hidden State of Stochastic Volatility

AbstractWe formulate and analyse an inverse problem using derivative prices to obtain an implied filtering density on volatility’s hidden state. Stochastic volatility is the unobserved state in a hidden Markov model (HMM) and can be tracked using Bayesian filtering. However, derivative data can be considered as conditional expectations that are already observed in the market, and which can be used as input to an inverse problem whose solution is an implied conditional density on volatility. Our analysis relies on a specification of the martingale change of measure, which we refer to as separability. This specification has a multiplicative component that behaves like a risk premium on volatility uncertainty in the market. When applied to SPX options data, the estimated model and implied densities produce variance-swap rates that are consistent with the VIX volatility index. The implied densities are relatively stable over time and pick up some of the monthly effects that occur due to the options’ expiratio...
Alkali metal-wax micropackets for chip-scale atomic clocks

We report a novel methodology for fabrication of vapor cells for chip-scale atomic clocks (CSAC) using wafer-scale micromachining processes. Alkali metals are enclosed in a chemically inert wax to preform alkali metal-wax micropackets, keeping the alkali metals from reacting with the ambient during the vapor cell fabrication. Apart from the high level of purity of the alkali metals in the resulting vapor cells, this method holds promise for inexpensive and flexible manufacturing of vapor cells, as well as easy handling of alkali metals used for a variety of applications other than for CSAC. The optical absorption on fabricated rubidium-87 (Rb/sup 87/) vapor cells over the D2 transitions of Rb/sup 87/ shows a contrast of more than 65%, important to the frequency stability of CSAC.
Tumor-suppressive Pathways in Pancreatic Carcinoma

During tumorigenesis, positive selection is exerted upon those tumor cells that alter rate-limiting regulatory pathways. A corollary of this principle is that mutation of one gene abrogates the need for alteration of another gene in the same pathway and also that the coexistence in a single tumor of mutations in different genes implies their involvement in distinct tumor-suppressive pathways. We studied 42 pancreatic adenocarcinomas for genetic alterations in the K-ras oncogene and the p16, p53, and DPC4 tumor suppressor genes. All of them had the K-ras gene mutated. Thirty-eight % of the tumors had four altered genes, another 38% had three altered genes, 15% had two altered genes, and 8% of the tumors had one altered gene. Interestingly, we noted a high concordance of DPC4 and p16 inactivations (P = 0.007), suggesting that the genetic inactivation of p16 increases the selective advantage of subsequent mutation in DPC4. No statistically significant association was identified between the alteration of these cancer genes and pathological or clinical parameters. This type of multigenic analysis in human tumors may serve to substantiate experimental tumor models and thus increase our understanding of the truly physiologically relevant tumor-suppressive pathways that are abrogated during human tumorigenesis.
High heat flux cooling solutions for thermal management of high power density gallium nitride HEMT

A package (base plate) level thermal management of high power density GaN High-Electron-Mobility-Transistors (HEMTs) is carried out by liquid micro-jet impingement and its subsequent phase change. Implemented on a 64-gate (9.6 mm gate periphery) device, the cooling technique demonstrates a 43% improvement in power density compared to the traditional air-cooling. Performance improvement could be significantly higher in a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) where the internal thermal resistance (junction to case) of the device is much lower. In parallel, a high fidelity computational model is developed to explore the thermal field within the device and the peak device junction temperature. Practical methods to reduce the device temperature, such as variation of substrate thickness, are established through numerical simulation. For example, a 24% reduction in junction temperature or a 33% gain in power density is shown by reducing the SiC substrate thickness from 400 /spl mu/m to 75 /spl mu/m. Temperature rise due to local micro-scale hot spots (gate), gate-to-gate thermal interaction, and their combined effect towards peak junction temperature are investigated at various power levels.
Drug Interactions and Polypharmacy

Over the past 20 years the number of psychotropic medications has increased dramatically. As a result, the use of psychotropic polypharmacy has rapidly expanded. One outcome of psychotropic polypharmacy has been an increase in the number of drug interactions that occur in routine clinical practice. Although drug interactions resulting in death are rare, the effects of drug interactions are often misinterpreted as drug inefficacy or toxicity. Therefore an understanding of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug interactions is essential when using polypharmacy. This chapter reviews the mechanisms of drug interactions, describes the most commonly seen drug interactions and offers suggestions for addressing drug interactions in clinical practice. Given polypharmacy is common in psychiatry; clinicians must routinely assess which medication combinations are safe to prescribe, require dose adjustments and are best avoided. Future research should focus on the role of genetics and interventions to decrease adverse drug reactions related to drug interactions.
Adaptive cluster expansions and redox-dependent atomic ordering

Abstract An adaptive cluster expansion (ACE) methodology is presented which enables exploration of atomic ordering interactions in solids as a function of the redox environment. A previously developed cluster expansion methodology is augmented via inclusion of explicit effective charge dependence within the topological cluster basis. This augmentation produces an enhanced fit precision across a wide composition range and the ability to directly control the model’s redox state during Monte Carlo system equilibrations. The approach is validated in applications to yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and the perovskite (La 0.8 , Sr 0.2 )(Cr 0.8 , Ru 0.2 )O 2.9 (LSCR), where significant variability in atomic ordering is seen across redox space. A locally adaptive lattice Monte Carlo sampling, utilizing the ACE methodology, is developed and validated in applications to determine the 0 K ground state configurations of YSZ and LSCR supercells with varying redox conditions. These equilibrations have direct relevance to solid-oxide fuel cell applications, whose components are subject to widely varying redox environments. The superior convergence of ACE results in a smaller number of numerically significant expansion terms, not only speeding the analysis but also permitting a physical interpretation of their meaning.
Recent Perspectives in Ocular Drug Delivery

Anatomy and physiology of the eye makes it a highly protected organ. Designing an effective therapy for ocular diseases, especially for the posterior segment, has been considered as a formidable task. Limitations of topical and intravitreal route of administration have challenged scientists to find alternative mode of administration like periocular routes. Transporter targeted drug delivery has generated a great deal of interest in the field because of its potential to overcome many barriers associated with current therapy. Application of nanotechnology has been very promising in the treatment of a gamut of diseases. In this review, we have briefly discussed several ocular drug delivery systems such as microemulsions, nanosuspensions, nanoparticles, liposomes, niosomes, dendrimers, implants, and hydrogels. Potential for ocular gene therapy has also been described in this article. In near future, a great deal of attention will be paid to develop non-invasive sustained drug release for both anterior and posterior segment eye disorders. A better understanding of nature of ocular diseases, barriers and factors affecting in vivo performance, would greatly drive the development of new delivery systems. Current momentum in the invention of new drug delivery systems hold a promise towards much improved therapies for the treatment of vision threatening disorders.
Applying neural networks to the solution of forward and inverse heat conduction problems

This paper employs the continuous-time analogue Hopfield neural network to compute the temperature distribution in forward heat conduction problems and solves inverse heat conduction problems by using a back propagation neural (BPN) network to identify the unknown boundary conditions. The weak generalization capacity of BPN networks is improved by employing the Bayesian regularization algorithm. The feasibility of the proposed method is examined in a series of numerical simulations. The results show that the proposed neural network analysis method successfully solves forward heat conduction problems and is capable of predicting the unknown parameters in inverse problems with an acceptable error.
Measurement of gel water-binding capacity of gelatin, potato starch, and carrageenan gels by suction pressure

Abstract The water-binding capacities of gelatin, potato starch, and carrageenan gels were measured by the use of a filter paper suction pressure method. It was found that the gelatin and potato starch behaved similarly over a wide range of concentration but had poor water binding compared with carrageenan. The de Boer-Zwikker-Bradley equation did not describe the behavior of water in the gels, whereas the Flory-Huggins model was more suitable. Gelatin and potato starch behave like solutions up to a breakpoint in the shape of the suction pressure isotherm, which suggests extensive internal binding or clustering. Above this point the water-binding capacity is not gel-concentration dependent. Carrageenan, on the other hand, behaves more like a solution, with water a good solvent. The technique of using suction pressure allows for comparison of the water-binding strengths of the gels.
From Lineage to Wiring Specificity: POU Domain Transcription Factors Control Precise Connections of Drosophila Olfactory Projection Neurons

Axonal selection of synaptic partners is generally believed to determine wiring specificity in the nervous system. However, we have recently found evidence for specific dendritic targeting in the olfactory system of Drosophila: second order olfactory neurons (Projection Neurons) from the anterodorsal (adPN) and lateral (lPN) lineages send their dendrites to stereotypical, intercalating but non-overlapping glomeruli. Here we show that POU domain transcription factors, Acj6 and Drifter, are expressed in adPNs and lPNs respectively, and are required for their dendritic targeting. Moreover, misexpression of Acj6 in lPNs, or Drifter in adPNs, results in dendritic targeting to glomeruli normally reserved for the other PN lineage. Thus, Acj6 and Drifter translate PN lineage information into distinct dendritic targeting specificity. Acj6 also controls stereotypical axon terminal arborization of PNs in a central target, suggesting that the connectivity of PN axons and dendrites in different brain centers is coordinately regulated.
Fabrication of organic photonic crystals for optical wavelengths

We present a novel method for making 2D photonic crystal structures. The method relies on different dissolution rates of various organic materials in the developer. Thus, placing a layer of high dissolution rate material under a layer of low dissolution rate material yields a membrane released from the substrate where the photonic crystal has been patterned. This allows for creation of the entire structure in a single chemical development step. We present structures fabricated with this method.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reproducing and Transgressing Masculinity: A Rhetorical Analysis of Women Interacting With Digital Photographs of Thomas Beatie

This article rhetorically analyzes the interaction between American women of childbearing age and digital photographs of Thomas Beatie. I argue that these ideological, emotional, and physical interactions reproduced and transgressed traditional masculinity, as well as reproduced a “pregnant (transgender) man” and “happy family,” in part through the digital photographic processes of cropping, circulating, and conversing. This study differs from existing feminist scholarship that suggests images of pregnant men propagate patriarchal control over procreation and overlook reproduction by women.
Auditing Subsequent Events: Perspectives from the Field

SUMMARY: A research synthesis team formed by the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association recently authored a paper (Chung et al. 2013) addressing the audit of subsequent events (SEs). The audit of SEs is a difficult audit area, as approximately one-third of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's inspection reports and numerous Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement releases identify deficiencies in this area (Chung et al. 2013). Chung et al. (2013) developed a model and proposed a series of research questions encouraging future academic research in this area. In this paper, we address several of these questions by surveying 76 practicing auditors. We summarize the auditors' responses and present recommendations that may be useful in improving audits of SEs.
Thinking About Data, Research Methods, and Statistical Analyses: Commentary on Sijtsma’s (2014) “Playing with Data”

We comment on Sijtsma's (2014) thought-provoking essay on how to minimize questionable research practices (QRPs) in psychology. We agree with Sijtsma that proactive measures to decrease the risk of QRPs will ultimately be more productive than efforts to target individual researchers and their work. In particular, we concur that encouraging researchers to make their data and research materials public is the best institutional antidote against QRPs, although we are concerned that Sijtsma's proposal to delegate more responsibility to statistical and methodological consultants could inadvertently reinforce the dichotomy between the substantive and statistical aspects of research. We also discuss sources of false-positive findings and replication failures in psychological research, and outline potential remedies for these problems. We conclude that replicability is the best metric of the minimization of QRPs and their adverse effects on psychological research.
Gene structure and minimal promoter of mouse rdh1

Abstract Mouse rdh1 encodes retinol dehydrogenase type 1 (RDH1), a short-chain dehydrogenase, which recognizes as substrates all- trans -retinol, 9- cis -retinol, 5α-androstan-3,17-diol and 5α-androstan-3-ol-17-one. RDH1 is the most efficient known mouse short-chain dehydrogenase that catalyzes dehydrogenation of all- trans -retinol, and contributes to a reconstituted path of all- trans -retinoic acid biosynthesis, when coexpressed in reporter cells with any one of three retinal dehydrogenases. Rdh1 shows widespread, if not ubiquitous, mRNA expression in the mouse beginning no later than embryo day 7. Here we report genomic organization, chromosomal localization and analysis of a minimum promoter of mouse rdh1 . Rdh1 consists of four exons and three introns and spans ∼14412 bp. Rdh1 is a single copy gene that maps to chromosome 10D3 with rdh5–9 , but no known disorder maps precisely to rdh1 . Rdh1 has three transcription start sites in kidney and one start site in liver. The rdh1 5′-region between −424 and +43 induces transcription maximally in COS7, mouse kidney RAG, and mouse liver NMu3Li cells. This section has no TATA box, but has a CCAAT box beginning 65 bp upstream of the major transcription start site, which is required for transcription of transfected reporter constructs. An AP1 binding site at −119 also activates transfected reporter constructs, and mediates 2- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced transcription. All- trans -retinoic acid antagonizes the TPA affect; however, no RARE or RXRE was found in the proximal promoter region, consistent with indirect regulation by all- trans -retinoic acid.
Hydrograph separation for karst watersheds using a two-domain rainfall–discharge model

Highly parameterized, physically based models may be no more effective at simulating the relations between rainfall and outflow from karst watersheds than are simpler models. Here an antecedent rainfall and convolution model was used to separate a karst watershed hydrograph into two outflow components: one originating from focused recharge in conduits and one originating from slow flow in a porous annex system. In convolution, parameters of a complex system are lumped together in the impulse-response function (IRF), which describes the response of the system to an impulse of effective precipitation. Two parametric functions in superposition approximate the two-domain IRF. The outflow hydrograph can be separated into flow components by forward modeling with isolated IRF components, which provides an objective criterion for separation. As an example, the model was applied to a karst watershed in the Madison aquifer, South Dakota, USA. Simulation results indicate that this watershed is characterized by a flashy response to storms, with a peak response time of 1 day, but that 89% of the flow results from the slow-flow domain, with a peak response time of more than 1 year. This long response time may be the result of perched areas that store water above the main water table. Simulation results indicated that some aspects of the system are stationary but that nonlinearities also exist.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE TERMINAL CLASSIC TO POSTCLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL LANDSCAPE AT CAYE COCO, BELIZE

In this paper, we analyze the distribution of Late Postclassic (A.D. 1250–1500) architecture and associated artifacts of the Maya site of Caye Coco, Belize. Artifact density and distribution suggest that different buildings served different functions and reflect a range of domestic and non-domestic activities at the island. An assessment of the labor investment required to build the seventeen structures at Caye Coco provides evidence of the degree of social hierarchy at this site, as many more people would have been required to build its elite residences than could have lived in them. The shift in the focus of architectural construction to the island at Progresso Lagoon in the Late Postclassic contrasts with the predominance of construction on the west shore during the Terminal Classic period. This trend reflects the emergence of a new political center among the lagoon settlements. It also may suggest an increased concern with aquatic transportation of trade goods during the Postclassic period, as Caye Coco is the most prominent island of the lagoon, which connects directly to the Caribbean Sea. The architecture at Caye Coco suggests that Late Postclassic political organization of northeastern Belize was more hierarchical than has been previously documented. This paper is the first systematic effort to quantify architectural labor investment and size distribution at a southern lowland Postclassic Maya site in order to address the issue of sociopolitical hierarchy.
A multiple objective integer programming approach for planning franchise expansion

The number and configuration of franchise outlets in a market defines the distribution strategy of a franchise company. The introduction of new franchise outlets contributes to conflict between the franchisee and franchisor over the degree of market penetration. The selection of sites for new franchises is an important factor in the long-term profitability of many types of franchises. This selection process requires consideration of objectives of the franchisee and franchisor which are often conflicting in nature. This paper deals with the problem of locating new franchises in an existing franchise network using multiple objective integer programming models and methods.
Chronic Ethanol Feeding Suppresses β-Adrenergic Receptor-Stimulated Lipolysis in Adipocytes Isolated from Epididymal Fat

Chronic ethanol consumption disrupts G protein-dependent signaling pathways in rat adipocytes. Because lipolysis in adipocytes is regulated by G protein-mediated cAMP signal transduction, we hypothesized that cAMP-regulated lipolysis may be vulnerable to long-term ethanol exposure. Male Wistar rats were fed a liquid diet containing ethanol as 35% of total calories or pair-fed a control diet that isocalorically substituted maltose dextrins for ethanol for 4 wk. Lipolysis was measured by glycerol release over 1 h with or without agonists in adipocytes isolated from epididymal fat. Chronic ethanol feeding decreased β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated lipolysis, but had no effect on basal lipolysis. In response to β-adrenergic activation, the early peak of cAMP accumulation was suppressed after ethanol feeding, although the basal cAMP concentration in adipocytes did not differ between pair- and ethanol-fed rats. The suppression in cAMP accumulation caused by ethanol feeding was associated with increased activity of phosphodiesterase 4. Chronic ethanol feeding also decreased β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated protein kinase A activation and phosphorylation of its downstream proteins, perilipin A and hormone-sensitive lipase, the primary lipase-mediating lipolysis. In conclusion, these data suggest that chronic ethanol feeding increased phosphodiesterase 4 activity in adipocytes, resulting in decreased accumulation of cAMP in response to β-adrenergic activation and a suppression of β-adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis.
Effect of Layer and Film Thickness and Temperature on the Mechanical Property of Micro- and Nano-Layered PC/PMMA Films Subjected to Thermal Aging

Multilayered polymer films with biomimicking, layered structures have unique microstructures and many potential applications. However, a major limitation of polymer films is the deterioration of mechanical properties in working environments. To facilitate the design and development of multilayered polymer films, the impact of thermal aging on the mechanical behavior of micro- and nano-layered polymer films has been investigated experimentally. The composition of the polymer films that have been studied is 50 vol% polycarbonate (PC) and 50 vol% poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The current study focuses on the effect of film and layer thickness and temperature on the mechanical properties of the materials subjected to thermal aging. To study the effect of film and layer thickness, films with the same thickness, but various layer thicknesses, and films with the same layer thickness, but various film thicknesses, were thermally aged at 100 °C in a constant temperature oven for up to six weeks. The results show that as the layer thickness decreases to 31 nm, the film has a higher stiffness and strength, and the trend of the mechanical properties is relatively stable over aging. The ductility of all of the films decreases with aging time. To study the effect of temperature, the films with 4,096 layers (31 nm thick for each layer) were aged at 100 °C, 115 °C and 125 °C for up to four weeks. While the 100 °C aging results in a slight increase of the stiffness and strength of the films, the higher aging temperature caused a decrease of the stiffness and strength of the films. The ductility decreases with the aging time for all of the temperatures. The films become more brittle for higher aging temperatures.
Left main coronary artery reconstruction after radiation therapy

Abstract We report the case of a patient with radiation-induced left main coronary stenosis in whom an internal mammary artery bypass graft failed at 5 years and necessitated direct left main reconstruction.
JPSSM – Ethical Issues in Sales Decision Making

Most leading organizations no longer debate the legitimacy of a strong role for ethics in guiding their sales organizations’ activities. Successful and sustained sales organizations share a univers...
Intracisternal administration of Angiotensin II AT1 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides protects against cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Pharmacological blockade of peripheral and brain Angiotensin II (Ang II) AT 1 receptors protects against brain ischemia. To clarify the protective role of brain AT 1 receptors, we examined the effects of specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) targeted to AT 1 receptor mRNA administered intracisternally to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), 4 and 7 days before middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, and we determined the infarct size and tissue swelling 24 h after surgery. A single intracisternal injection of AT 1 mRNA receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides reduced systemic blood pressure for 5 days and AT 1 receptor binding for at least 4 days in the area postrema and the nucleus of the solitary tract. A similar injection of scrambled oligodeoxynucleotides (SC-ODN) was without effect. Both blood pressure and AT 1 receptor binding returned to normal 7 days after antisense receptor mRNA administration. Both the infarction size and the tissue swelling after middle cerebral artery occlusion were reduced when the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide was administered 7 days, but not 4 days, before the operation. We conclude that 4 to 5 days of decrease in brain AT 1 receptor binding by a single administration of an AT 1 receptor mRNA oligodeoxynucleotide are sufficient to significantly protect the brain against ischemia resulting from total occlusion of a major cerebral vessel.
Preface---New Directions for Operations Management Research

In the summer of 1992, we announced a special issue on “New Directions for Operations Management Research.” The objective of the special issue was to broaden the range of research articles published in Operations Research in the operations management field. We were particularly interested in identifying new problem contexts and new research paradigms for this rapidly evolving field. Traditional, model-based research associated with operations management is being augmented by a wide range of interdisciplinary and empirical approaches. For example, economic models which are typically more parsimonious than engineering models have been applied to areas such as global manufacturing strategy and new product development. Similarly, survey research and benchmarking studies, focusing on operations performance metrics concerned with quality, time, and flexibility, have emerged in studies with significant managerial impact.
Gender differences in nigrostriatal dopaminergic innervation are present at young-to-middle but not at older age in normal adults.

Gender differences in brain dopaminergic activity have been variably reported in the literature. We performed an evaluation for gender effects on striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding in a group of normal subjects. Community-dwelling adults (n = 85, 50F/35M, mean age 62.7 +/- 16.2 SD, range 20-85) underwent DAT [(11)C]2-beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane (beta-CFT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Gender effects for DAT binding were compared using ANCOVA for two subgroups; young-to-middle aged adults and older adults, using an age threshold of 60 years. There were 54 subjects (24M/30F; mean age 72.9 +/- 7.3) 60 years and older and 31 (11M/20F; mean age 45.0 +/- 11.4) subjects younger than 60. Age-adjusted striatal DAT gender effects were present in the young-to-middle (F = 10.4, P = 0.003) but not in the elderly age group (F = 0.5, ns). Gender differences in nigrostriatal dopaminergic innervation are present, with higher levels of DAT binding in young-to-middle age women compared to men, but not present in the elderly.
Epileptogenesis in the Developing Brain: What Can We Learn from Animal Models?

Knowledge of the processes by which epilepsy is generated (epileptogenesis) is incomplete and has been a topic of major research efforts. Animal models can inform us about these processes. We focus on the distinguishing features of epileptogenesis in the developing brain and model prolonged febrile seizures (FS) that are associated with human temporal lobe epilepsy. In the animal model of FS, epileptogenesis occurs in approximately 35% of rats. Unlike the majority of acquired epileptogeneses in adults, this process early in life (in the febrile seizures model as well as in several others) does not require "damage" (cell death). Rather, epileptogenesis early in life involves molecular mechanisms including seizure-evoked, long-lasting alterations of the expression of receptors and ion channels. Whereas transient changes in gene expression programs are common after early-life seizures, enduring effects, such as found after experimental FS, are associated with epileptogenesis. The ability of FS to generate long-lasting molecular changes and epilepsy suggests that mechanisms, including cytokine activation that are intrinsic to FS generation, may play a role also in the epileptogenic consequences of these seizures.
Local delivery of photosensitizing drugs in arteries: a novel approach to photodynamic therapy for the prevention of intimal hyperplasia

The long-term benefit of coronary or peripheral vascular interventions is limited by restenosis, due to intimal hyperplasia (IH). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with systematic delivery of the photosensitizing drug, performed either at the time or shortly after vascular injury, has been demonstrated to effectively inhibit the development of experimental IH. However, in order to deliver large quantities of the photosensitizer, but avoid systematic photosensitization, local delivery of the drug appears to be an advantageous option. An experimental model was therefore developed to deliver benzporphyrin derivative (BPD-MA) directly into isolated segments of balloon-injured rat common carotid arteries, and to study the uptake in serum and arterial tissue by means of spectrofluorometry. Furthermore, early effects of local versus systematic drug delivery and subsequent PDT treatment, were investigated with light microscopy and morphometric analysis. Local delivery of BPD lead to effective drug concentrations in the artery with complete depletion of endothelial and smooth muscle cells, already 24 h after PDT. The media appeared compacted and acellular. No thrombosis or occlusion were observed. Serum concentrations of BPD, after local delivery, were at the detection threshold, whereas systematic application resulted in significantly higher serum but equivalent tissue drug concentrations. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that local delivery of BPD results in tissue concentrations, appropriate to perform an efficient vascular PDT treatment of the arterial wall.
Teratogenic antibody internalization by rat visceral yolk‐sac endoderm in vitro: An ultrastructural colloidal gold tracer study

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that specific rabbit immunoglobulins G (IgG) against a glycoprotein antigen of rat kidney proximal tubule or a cross-reacting visceral yolk-sac endodermal cell antigen will induce abnormal embry- onic development when they are injected into pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis. It has been proposed that these antibodies may induce embryopa- thy by interfering with functions of the visceral yolk- sac placenta, an important organ providing nutrients to the embryo at this stage of development. In order to gain some insight into the underlying pathogenic mech- anism(s) in which specific teratogenic I& may inter- fere with visceral yolk-sac functions, we examined the uptake of these teratogenic IgG by the visceral yolk-sac endodermal cells at the electron microscopic level. microscopic level. The results demonstrated that teratogenic rabbit IgG specifically localized on the fuzzy coat of the external apical cell membrane of the visceral yolk-sac endoderm at the intermicrovillous region. Within 5 min, the IgG were rapidly internalized via coated pits and micropi- nocytic vesicles. Within 30 min, an increasing propor- tion of gold particles appeared within uncoated vesicles or vacuoles of various sizes; most of the gold particles were in close proximity to the inner membranous lining of the vesicles. Similar findings were observed after 1- or 2-hr incubation. After 24- to 48-hr culture, however, the gold particles appeared to have dissociated from the inner surface of the vesicle membrane. For all the time points studied, gold particles were not observed in close association with the basal or lateral plasmalemma of the endodermal cells or in the connective tissue spaces and blood vessels of the visceral yolk-sac placenta. We interpret the results as follows: 1) the teratogenic rabbit IgGs interacted with their antigen on the apical plasma membrane of the visceral yolk-sac endodermal cells; 2) the teratogenic IgGs (coupled to their antigen) were internalized by endocytosis via coated pits; 3) the IgGs were later either hydrolyzed or dissociated from their antigen in uncoated vesicles or vacuoles; and 4) there was little or no evidence to indicate that the IgGs were transported between or across the endodermal cells to reach the embryo. It is postulated that the responsible antigen may be a receptor which plays an important role in transporting nutrient($ to the embryo. Specific polyclonal terato- genic
Taking culture (and race) beyond dichotomies: a reply to Gans

Gans' (2012; Against culture versus structure. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power, 19 (2), 125–134) indictment of cultural sociology (CS) and his anointment of structural sociology would have us believe the two are incommensurate paradigms. I do not agree. I deconstruct this binary with theory and empiricism from the intersection of CS and the sociology of race and ethnicity (SRE). First, I redefine the project of CS, contra Gans' interpretation. Second, I refute Gans' assumption that ‘CS is not much interested in cultural processes' by demonstrating how CS is concerned with the process and action of the material and symbolic aspects of social life. Third, I examine why well-placed trepidation over ‘culture of poverty’-style explanations may influence a negative view of CS/SRE. Fourth, I map advances birthed from the CS/SRE connection that contest Gans' assertion that ‘CS has not paid much attention to policy’. And fifth, I show how CS avoids tautological arguments in which culture would be ‘...
Nitrification and denitrification in a passive on-site wastewater treatment system with a recirculation filtration tank.

Groundwater contamination due to the failure of septic tank systems is a vital concern in environmental health. Active on-site wastewater treatment counts on the use of pumps to sustain the aerobic condition in the process and promote the nitrification which might not be sustainable in terms of energy saving. In current practice, passive on-site wastewater treatment processing is deemed a cost-effective option to improve the nutrient removal. The recirculation filtration tank (RFT) is an intermediate process installed to trigger or promote the proper nitrification/denitrification process between the septic tank and the drain field. However quantification of the nitrification remains difficult. To explore the structure and function of the microbiological community in the RFT, two types of sands—fine and coarse—were used in two consecutive phases for elucidating the nitrification and denitrification effects. With the aid of real-time PCR, the growth of nitrifiers and denitrifiers in sand was monitored in the RFT without adding any external carbon source to the sand. Further, phosphorus removal from the wastewater and the ability of limestone for phosphorus removal were also confirmed in the RFT. Fine sand with limestone mixture performed better in nutrient removal if clogging was overcome by using a grinder pump for dosing. On average, removal efficiencies of 60.54% ammonium, 49.48% total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), 42.57% total nitrogen (TN), 92.06% soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and 87.16% total phosphorus (TP) were achieved by the RFT with fine sand. The E. Coli removal efficiency by the RFT was 99.9% in both phases.
40Ar/39Ar ages of lunar impact glasses: Relationships among Ar diffusivity, chemical composition, shape, and size

Abstract Lunar impact glasses, which are quenched melts produced during cratering events on the Moon, have the potential to provide not only compositional information about both the local and regional geology of the Moon but also information about the impact flux over time. We present in this paper the results of 73 new 40Ar/39Ar analyses of well-characterized, inclusion-free lunar impact glasses and demonstrate that size, shape, chemical composition, fraction of radiogenic 40Ar retained, and cosmic ray exposure (CRE) ages are important for 40Ar/39Ar investigations of these samples. Specifically, analyses of lunar impact glasses from the Apollo 14, 16, and 17 landing sites indicate that retention of radiogenic 40Ar is a strong function of post-formation thermal history in the lunar regolith, size, and chemical composition. This is because the Ar diffusion coefficient (at a constant temperature) is estimated to decrease by ∼3–4 orders of magnitude with an increasing fraction of non-bridging oxygens, X(NBO), over the compositional range of most lunar impact glasses with compositions from feldspathic to basaltic. Based on these relationships, lunar impact glasses with compositions and sizes sufficient to have retained ∼90% of their radiogenic Ar during 750 Ma of cosmic ray exposure at time-integrated temperatures of up to 290 K have been identified and are likely to have yielded reliable 40Ar/39Ar ages of formation. Additionally, ∼50% of the identified impact glass spheres have formation ages of ⩽500 Ma, while ∼75% of the identified lunar impact glass shards and spheres have ages of formation ⩽2000 Ma. Higher thermal stresses in lunar impact glasses quenched from hyperliquidus temperatures are considered the likely cause of poor survival of impact glass spheres, as well as the decreasing frequency of lunar impact glasses in general with increasing age. The observed age-frequency distribution of lunar impact glasses may reflect two processes: (i) diminished preservation due to spontaneous shattering with age; and (ii) preservation of a remnant population of impact glasses from the tail end of the terminal lunar bombardment having 40Ar/39Ar ages up to 3800 Ma. A protocol is described for selecting and analyzing lunar impact glasses.
Implant Position Estimation Via Wireless Power Link

Wireless power transmission is widely used in implantable medical devices (IMDs). Surgical placement of IMDs has limited precision, and after implantation, the device can move over time. Accurate knowledge of the IMD's position enables better interpretation of data sensed by the device and may allow wireless power to be focused on the IMD, thereby increasing power transfer efficiency and enabling greater implant depth. Existing positioning methods require device sizes and/or power consumption that exceed the limits of in vivo millimeter-sized IMD applications. We have previously proposed a novel implant positioning scheme by sensing the backscattered electromagnetic (EM) field to overcome those disadvantages, which is hence considered ideal for power- and area-constrained IMDs and suitable for wearable devices. This paper briefly reviews the previously proposed localization scheme and reports the progress of this research. Specifically, different approaches to realize this scheme are discussed and compared. Localization experiments in free space are then demonstrated, and the accuracy is shown on the order of millimeters. Different on-chip implementation procedures of measuring the backscattered EM field and their tradeoffs are described. Finally, conclusions and the future plan are presented.
Vertical Variation of the Steady-State Drop Spectrum in a One-Dimensional Rain Shaft

Abstract Past work has provided thorough analysis of the coalescence/breakup process in a “box model” setting in which the drop size distribution is assumed invariant with height. In this work, the analysis is extended to examine the coalescence/breakup process in a one-dimensional shaft model setting that allows vertical variation of the drop size distribution due to sedimentation. The objectives are to gain a better understanding of the rain process and to acquire the knowledge necessary to parameterize the shaft model solutions. When vertical variation is taken into account, the steady-state form of the model equation describes the rate of change in the drop size distribution with fall distance for a fixed input condition at the shaft top. This equation is formally quite similar to the box model equation describing temporal evolution of the drop spectrum, and many characteristics of the box model solutions carry over to the steady-state, shaft model solutions, but with fall distance replacing time as t...
Isolation of preresonance and out-of-phase dual circular polarization Raman optical activity

Abstract We report the first isolation of preresonance Raman scattering behavior in Raman optical activity (ROA) and first measurement of out-of-phase dual circular polarization (DCPII) ROA. Using a series of molecules of increasing delocalized electronic structure, we observe a correlated increase in the degree to which the DCPI and ICPu ROA backscattering spectra differ from one another. Through this comparison, ROA is shown to be a sensitive way of detecting the presence of presonance Raman scattering intensity using a single Raman excitation wavelength.
Specific binding of a somatomedin-like polypeptide in rat serum depends on growth hormone.

SOMATOMEDINS are growth hormone-dependent polypeptides that have been proposed as the mediators of the peripheral actions of growth hormone on skeletal tissue1. Several polypeptides with somatomedin activity in vitro, including somatomedins A, B and C and non-suppressible insulin-like activity soluble in acid ethanol (NSILA-s)2–4, have been isolated from human plasma. Unique among polypeptide hormones, the somatomedins circulate in human blood complexed to binding proteins of larger molecular weight2,4–7. We report here the specific binding of a somatomedin-like polypeptide to distinct protein fractions in rat serum and further demonstrate that the pattern and level of this binding is dependent on growth hormone. We postulate that specific binding of somatomedin modulates the peripheral effects of somatomedin activity.
Analysis of Arc-Welding Reactors

It is the purpose of this paper to examine the need and design of arc-welding reactors for d-c arc-welding sets. The inductance useful in stabilizing welding arcs is defined, and methods for calculating and measuring this quantity are suggested. Further, criteria for designs which make most effective use of material are established. Finally, a recent development in reactor design is described.
Subnormal cytokine profile in the tear fluid of keratoconus patients

Keratoconus, historically viewed as a non-inflammatory disease, is an ectatic corneal disorder associated with progressive thinning of the corneal stroma. Recently, a few inflammatory mediators have been reported to be elevated in the tear fluid of keratoconus patients. Consequently, we investigated a wide range of inflammation regulating cytokines in the tears and sera of keratoconus and control subjects. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, chemokine C-C motif ligand 5 (CCL5) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were tested in tear samples and sera of keratoconus and control individuals by multiplex immuno-bead assays. Selected cytokines were further tested by standard ELISA on pooled tear samples. All cytokines in the sera were generally low, with no significant changes between keratoconus and control subjects. However, in tear fluids, clear differences were detected between the two groups. These differences include increased IL-6, and decreased IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-13 and CCL5 in keratoconus compared to control tear fluids. The decreases in IL-12, TNF-α and CCL5 were statistically significant, while the IL-13 decrease was statistically significant in the severe keratoconus group only. IL-17 could not be detected by multiplex immuno-bead assay, but showed an increase in keratoconus by conventional ELISA on a limited number of pooled tear samples. Our findings confirm increased IL-6, but dispute earlier reports of increased TNF-α, and suggest a cytokine imbalance in keratoconus disrupting corneal homeostasis. Moreover, an increase in IL-17 suggests tissue degenerative processes at work, contributing to the thinning and weakening of the corneal connective tissue in keratoconus.
Performance differences among the intervals in forced-choice tasks.

Listeners were tested on a variety of three-interval, forced-choice auditory detection and discrimination tasks. Differences in performance were frequently found among the three intervals, with best performance in the third interval, and worst in the first. This result is at odds with the common assumptions of Signal Detection Theory that signals are equally detectable no matter which interval they are presented in, and that a decision is simply made by picking the interval with the largest likelihood ratio. An experimental technique is described by which central and peripheral determinants of the interval effect might be distinguished.
Electrification of carbon black by contact with a metal surface

Abstract A measured quantity of carbon black was allowed to slide down a steep surface of nickel (presumably oxidized) which was electrically grounded and the charge acquired by the carbon black was determined. Blacks were selected whose oxygen content varied from 0.4 to 11.6 per cent. It was found that a black of low oxygen content acquired a large positive charge and that the charge decreased with increasing oxygen content, becoming zero for 4 per cent oxygen and negative for larger oxygen contents. It thus appears that the electron affinity of carbon black increases with increasing oxygen content of the black. The positive charge acquired by a black of low oxygen content was found to decrease as the black was heated to higher temperatures, presumably because of increasing oxygen content of the black. The oxidation of certain blacks is not permanent if the temperature reaches only 400°C. but is permanent if it reaches 600°C. The oxygen content at a particular temperature ceases to increase after the first 30 seconds at that temperature. The oxidized surface of carbon black which is responsible for its high electron affinity cannot be produced by prolonged exposure of a black to atmospheres of CO, CO 2 , or C 3 O 2 . Cigarette smoke is usually negatively charged, but if the cigarette is heated to 300°C., the smoke is positively charged, as though the electron affinity of the tobacco had been increased by oxidation.
Deformation substructures and fracture behavior of CuSi alloys subjected to dynamic loading conditions

Abstract The microstructures and fracture surfaces of dynamically loaded CuSi alloys were examined by means of transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The features of the deformation and fracture processes are interpreted in terms of the microstructural damage resulting from dynamic loading. The occurrence of a strain-induced phase transformation in dynamically loaded solution-treated alloys was confirmed by the results of both transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The deformation substructure after dynamic loading exhibits a profusion of microtwins in the matrix and the preferred nucleation of microvoids along α–κ interfaces. A ductile fracture mode characterizes the failure under both static and dynamic loading conditions, but a lesser ductile mode associated with smaller dimple sizes was evident in dynamically loaded alloys that had been aged to produce the κ phase.