cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Qualitative comparison of the bilayer-associated structures of diacylglycerol and a fluorinated analog based upon oriented sample NMR data

Abstract sn-1,2-Dimyristoylglycerol (DMDAG) and sn-1,2-dimyristoyl-3-fluoropropanediol (DMFPD) were synthesized in carbonyl 13C-labeled and acyl chain perdeuterated forms. These compounds were reconstituted at low levels into both randomly dispersed dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayers and magnetically orientable DMPC media. Samples were subjected to NMR analysis, leading to a substantial body of 2H quadrupolar splitting, 13C-13C and 13C-19F dipolar coupling and 13C chemical shift anisotropy data for both compounds. A number of measurements were also made for DMPC. The data acquired from magnetically oriented samples were found to be undesirably affected by the presence of artifacts related to the experimental use of the oriented lipid media. However, it was possible to draw a number of qualitative conclusions from the data and to correct the data so that they may ultimately prove useful in quantitative structural analyses of bilayer-associated DMDAG and DMFPD. Comparison of the DMDAG data with corresponding measurements for DMPC suggests a high degree of similarity between the two compounds within bilayers composed primarily of Lα phase phosphatidylcholine, consistent with previous work (S.O. Smith et al. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 11660–11664). Comparison of the data for DMDAG and DMFPD suggests that the hydroxyl proton of DMDAG is involved in hydrogen bonding interactions, which appear to be largely responsible for maintaining the orientational inequivalence of its two acyl chains. Bilayer-associated DMFPD also appears to exhibit a higher degree of whole-molecule disorder than DMDAG, again suggestive of an important structural role for the hydroxyl proton of DMDAG. Finally, comparison of 13C-NMR data for oriented DMPC in the presence and absence of low levels of DMDAG and DMFPD indicated that neither compound induces a significant change in the averaged conformational state of DMPC comprising the bilayer matrix of the oriented samples.
Corporate governance reforms: profiling at its worst

Purpose – Looks at modern guidelines for corporate governance as essentially an exercise in profiling. Sarbanes‐Oxley, oversight agencies, and self‐regulatory agencies focus on the adoption of certain board composition configurations in a purely subjective way and on the basis of factors not clearly linked to outcomes. This paper suggests that other behaviors can more accurately measure performance.Design/methodology/approach – Delineates the more salient behaviors and activities that inform whether boards are effectively meeting their responsibilities.Findings – The following characteristics are more predictive of board performance than those presently used: having an independent board budget; appointing lead independent directors; including emeritus directors; not including a retired CEO on the board; executive sessions for independent board members; elimination of executive committees; refraining from related party transactions.Practical implications – Provides managers with information on important fa...
VIBES: visualizing changing emotional states in personal stories

Online journals (blogs) provide not only an outlet for emotional self-expression, but also a space for social interaction and commiseration through the exchange of personal stories. However, the massive extent of the blogosphere can overwhelm users, restricting their ability to make meaningful connections to fellow bloggers. In this article, we present a system, VIBES, that extracts the important topics from a blog, measures the emotions associated with those topics, and generates a suite of visualizations of this information. Unlike previous research, which has focused on extracting global trends in opinion across the blogosphere, VIBES focuses on depicting the emotional trajectories of the storylines that persist throughout the life experiences of the individual. In user tests, a majority of participants agreed that the visualizations revealed the author's current emotional state and emotional development over time. VIBES has potential applications both in connecting users via shared emotional profiles on social networks, as well as facilitating self-reflection through private user status displays. It also offers a fresh perspective for studying emotions and modeling how they change over time, which has a number of applications in affective computing, including the creation of emotionally responsive interfaces.
The superprism effect using large area 2D-periodic photonic crystal slabs

Abstract The “superprism effect” is an effect observed in photonic crystal structures whereby the direction of light propagation is extremely sensitive to the wavelength and angle of incidence. To realize the superprism effect, new structures are presented which rely on the sensitivity of the phase velocity in a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal slab to observe angular magnification outside the photonic crystal medium. Constant frequency contour calculations for a photonic crystal slab of finite thickness are used to predict the phase velocity superprism effect. Further analysis using 2D finite-difference time-domain simulations indicate that a large area photonic crystal and wide excitation beam are necessary for clear observation of the superprism effect. A fabrication technique is demonstrated to achieve the structure's required nanometer-sized features over centimeter-scale areas.
Satisfying turns in folding transitions

Protein engineering studies show that conformations in the folding transition state ensemble can be structurally polarized. In two SH3 s-sheet domains, the formation of hydrophobic contacts goes hand in hand with the formation of the solvated distal loop s-turn, while large parts of the molecule remain unstructured in the ensemble.
Band structure and optical properties of wurtzite semiconductor nanotubes

We develop a comprehensive theoretical model for the band structure of single-crystal faceted nanotubes of wurtzite semiconductors based on the tight-binding approach. We focus on the GaN nanotube grown along the [0001] direction and surrounded by the equivalent surfaces ${1\overline{1}00}$. We first calculate the band structure of the wurtzite slab of finite thickness grown along the axis $[1\overline{1}00]$. We show that dangling bonds on two surfaces of the slab cause surface bands, which form the conduction and valence bands of the slab. Analyzing the symmetry of the single-crystal faceted nanotubes, we conclude that their band structure can be calculated from that of the slab with the help of cyclic boundary conditions. We show that the spectrum of the nanotubes depends both on the thickness of nanotube walls and on the radius. We further study the absorption coefficient of the nanotubes. We demonstrate that, with decreasing wall thickness, the contribution of surface states to the absorption spectrum becomes more pronounced.
Contesting global neoliberalism and creating alternative futures

Neoliberal policies, in spite of their considerable damage to economic equality, the environment, and education, remain dominant. In this paper, we suggest that neoliberalism has remained dominant in part because the power elite who benefit from the policies have gained control over both public debate and policy-making. By dominating the discourse and logic regarding economic, environmental, and education decision-making, neoliberal proponents have largely succeeded in marginalizing alternative conceptions. We then use critical theory and critical geography, or ‘historical geographic materialism’, to situate communities, cities, and countries within different scales and networks and analyse current neoliberal policies. Environmentally, neoliberalism elevates the market and profit above considerations of climate change and environmental sustainability. Educationally, learning is valued primarily in terms of its contribution to economic growth. Finally, we engage in the more complicated question of what kin...
A phenomenological model of global ionospheric electron density in the E-, F1- and F2-regions

Abstract A global phenomenological model of the large scale variations of ionospheric electron density with the annual, diurnal and solar activity cycles has been constructed from monthly-averaged hourly ionospheric sounding data from some 50 stations spanning the years 1957–1970 as provided by World Data Center (A), Boulder, Colorado. The model, summarizing the data in simple empirical formulae and thus requiring little computer storage, is specifically designed for global thermospheric and ionospheric dynamical calculations such as ion drag, Joule heating and atmospheric dynamo effects which require electron or ion densities as essential inputs. Extensive comparison of the model with data and with other models is discussed.
Pregnancy Intentions and Maternal and Child Health: An Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Oklahoma

Better understanding of the impact of unintended childbearing on infant and early childhood health is needed for public health practice and policy. Data from the 2004–2008 Oklahoma Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey and The Oklahoma Toddler Survey 2006–2010 were used to examine associations between a four category measure of pregnancy intentions (intended, mistimed <2 years, mistimed ≥2 years, unwanted) and maternal behaviors and child health outcomes up to age two. Propensity score methods were used to control for confounding. Births mistimed by two or more years (OR .58) and unwanted births (OR .33) had significantly lower odds than intended births of having a mother who recognized the pregnancy within the first 8 weeks; they were also about half as likely as intended births to receive early prenatal care, and had significantly higher likelihoods of exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy. Breastfeeding was significantly less likely among unwanted births (OR .68); breastfeeding for at least 6 months was significantly less likely among seriously mistimed births (OR .70). We find little association between intention status and early childhood measures. Measured associations of intention status on health behaviors and outcomes were most evident in the prenatal period, limited in the immediate prenatal period, and mostly insignificant by age two. In addition, most of the negative associations between intention status and health outcomes were concentrated among women with births mistimed by two or more years or unwanted births. Surveys should incorporate questions on the extent of mistiming when measuring pregnancy intentions.
Day-of-week trends in carbonaceous aerosol composition in the urban atmosphere

The chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter was measured at two sites near Los Angeles, California, over 3 weeks in July 2001, as part of the Gasoline/Diesel PM Split Study. Samples were composited for organic speciation analysis by day of week at each site to investigate weekly trends in chemical composition of the carbonaceous fraction of particulate matter. Observed weekly trends in elemental carbon (EC), hopanes, steranes, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) indicate increased impacts of motor vehicle traffic on carbonaceous particulate matter concentrations on weekdays relative to weekends. Ambient average EC was approximately 4 times higher in the Friday samples than in Sunday samples at each site. Levoglucosan, a tracer species for biomass burning, and cholesterol, monopalmitin, and monostearin, tracers for food cooking operations, were all highest on Friday and lowest on Sunday. Late-week increases in aliphatic and aromatic diacids present in the particulate phase were also observed. Diacids in particulate matter have been seen to be indicators of secondary organic aerosol formation, and the day-of-week trend observed may be due to weekday increases in volatile precursor species present in the atmosphere.
Real perturbation of complex analytic families: Points to regions

This study provides some connections between bifurcations of one-complex-parameter complex analytic families of maps of the complex plane C and bifurcations of more general two-real-parameter families of real analytic (or Ck or C∞) maps of the real plane ℛ2. We perform a numerical study of local bifurcations in the families of maps of the plane given by where z is a complex dynamic (phase) variable, its complex conjugate, C is a complex parameter, and α is a real parameter. For α=0, the resulting family is the familiar complex quadratic family. For α≠ 0, the map fails to be complex analytic, but is still analytic (quadratic) when viewed as a map of ℛ2. We treat α in this family as a perturbing parameter and ask how the two-parameter bifurcation diagrams in the C parameter plane change as the perturbing parameter α is varied. The most striking phenomenon that appears as α is varied is that bifurcation points in the C plane for the quadratic family (α=0) evolve into fascinating bifurcation regions in the C plane for nonzero α. Such points are the cusp of the main cardioid of the Mandelbrot set and contact points between "bulbs" of the Mandelbrot set. Arnold resonance tongues are part of the evolved scenario. We also provide sufficient conditions for more general perturbations of complex analytic maps of the plane of the form: to have bifurcation points for α=0 which evolve into nontrivial bifurcation regions as α grows from zero.
Effect of intracoronary nicardipine on cardiac enzymes after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background Elevation in cardiac enzymes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is common and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Hypothesis Administration of intracoronary nicardipine—a calcium channel blocker will reduce cardiac enzyme levels in patients undergoing elective PCI. Methods In a single center, prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 193 patients undergoing elective PCI (with or without stenting) for chronic stable angina and/or an abnormal stress test were randomized to receive 200 mcg of intracoronary nicardipine (n = 93) or saline solution (n = 100) prior to intervention. Cardiac enzyme levels were measured immediately and at 8 and 16 hours after the procedure. Major adverse clinical events (MACE) were assessed at 30 days and at 6 months. Results Incidence of periprocedural myonecrosis defined as elevation of troponin I levels > 1× the upper limit of normal was similar in both groups (placebo 15.4% vs drug 10.6%; P = 0.47). There was no significant difference in peak troponin I levels after PCI between the 2 groups (placebo 0.58 ng/mL ± 1.08 ng/mL vs drug 0.97 ng/mL ± 3.6 ng/mL; P = 0.35). Major adverse clinical events at 6 months were infrequent and not statistically different in the 2 groups (placebo 3.4% vs drug 1.2%; P = 0.52). Multivariate analysis revealed that pretreatment with nicardipine was not associated with reduction in the incidence of troponin I elevation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–1.6; P = 0.28). Conclusions In low-risk patients undergoing elective PCI, intracoronary nicardipine administration did not produce a significant cardioprotective effect in reducing postprocedural cardiac enzymes leakage. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interaction in the Language Curriculum: Awareness, Autonomy and Authenticity

Interaction in the Language Curriculum offers an innovative theory of language education integrating curriculum practice, research and teaching. It emphasises the interdependence of knowledge and values and stresses the central importance of learning as a social process.Leo van Lier argues that moral as well as intellectual and practical principles must underlie curriculum development and everyday teaching, captured in his triple focus on Awareness, Autonomy, and Authenticity. In addition to its rich grounding in language education practice, the book draws support for his position from diverse sources in sociology, philosophy and cognitive science, from the work of Bourdieu, Giddens, Wittgenstein, Peirce, Vygotsky, Bakhtin, and Dewey. In the current broadening context of language education this study makes an important contribution to research. It presents a coherent philosophical theory as well as considering practical issues in implementation of a new language curriculum. As such, it will be of great benefit to teachers, applied linguists and educationalists generally.
Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction for Annular Erosion Using a Polyester Graft

A technique is presented for treatment of annular erosion using a polyester tube graft that is sutured to the left ventricular outflow tract below the area of erosion. The graft is then everted and sutured to a composite graft. Interposition polyester grafts from the coronary arteries are attached to the composite graft above the valve.
DETERMINATION OF A BURIED OBJECT IN A TWO-LAYERED SHALLOW OCEAN

In this paper, a method for solving the unknown object problem is presented for a two-dimensional object buried in a fluid seabed lying over a rigid basement. The algorithm makes use of a regularized Born approximation. Several examples are provided which demonstrate the utility of the algorithm.
Noise and heating considerations in bridges for mesoscopic measurements

The measurement of electrical transport in mesoscopic samples requires the use of extremely sensitive bridge techniques. Existing discussions of such techniques in the literature are primarily aimed at the measurement of high resistance sensors for thermometry. Mesoscopic samples, on the other hand, are often characterized by a small resistance, particularly in the case of metallic systems. In addition, much of the physics of interest is extremely sensitive to the equilibrium (or lack thereof) between the electrons and the lattice. We present a discussion of bridge techniques in light of the noise, sensitivity and sample heating considerations appropriate to mesoscopic measurements, including a detailed analysis of and performance data on a simple 4-wire bridge.
Characterization of optical and mechanical modification of surface alignment layers for liquid crystal devices

Reliable performance of liquid crystal (LC) materials in display applications is critically dependent on the behavior of surface treatments that induce molecular alignment parallel to the cell windows. While general understanding of the nature of this effect has been available for some time, the detailed characteristics of the LC-surface interaction are not sufficiently well understood to enable reliable interface engineering. This is particularly true for new materials that might otherwise possess favorable qualities but cannot be reproducibly oriented in a device. Our work is concentrated on understanding optical and mechanical modification of organic monolayers that have been self- assembled on dielectric surfaces. We use vibrationally resonant sum-frequency generation and ellipsometry as well as non-optical techniques, such as contact angle testing, to evaluate the influence of these perturbations. We have been able to follow subtle conformation changes as well as more dramatic photochemical effects. The results help reveal the anchoring mechanisms and provide insight into ways of tailoring interfaces for new materials.
Transcription of bacteriophage φX174 in vitro: Analysis with restriction enzymes

The three phage φ X174 promotors (P A′ , P A and P G ) defined and mapped relative to one another by Axelrod (1976) have been mapped onto the bacteriophage genome. RNA chains were specifically initiated in vitro at each promotor with oligonucleotide primers, pulse-labeled with (α- 32 P)-labeled ribonucleoside triphosphates, chased into full-length molecules with an excess of unlabeled ribonucleoside triphosphates, and purified on polyacrylamide gels. The isolated RNA species were hybridized to a series of purified, unlabeled DNA fragments generated by cleavage of φ X174 RFI † DNA with restriction endonucleases from Hemophilus influenzae (endonuclease R) or H. aegyptius (endonuclease Z). The 32 P-labeled RNA sequences (approx. 100 to 400 bases) originating from promotors A′, A or G hybridized preferentially to DNA fragments R-4, R-8 and R-6 b /Z-3, respectively. The DNA fragments have previously been aligned with the bacteriophage genetic map by independent methods in other laboratories ( Chen et al. , 1973 ; Hutchison et al. , 1973; Lee and Sinsheimer, 1974a , Lee and Sinsheimer, 1974b ; Borrias et al. , 1976 ). Comparison of the above hybridization results to that fragment map shows that promotors A′, A and G lie near the starts of cistrons A, B and D .
DETECTION OF PLASMODIUM YOELII STAGE mRNA IN BALB/c MICE

Relatively little information is available concerning the expression of parasite genes during the liver stage of Plasmodium infection, mostly because of low-level infection of host hepatocytes and the lack of purification techniques for the liver stage parasites. We have determined the optimal dosage of Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite inoculum and routes of inoculation, which are intravenous tail vein and the intrahepatic portal circulation. To determine which route was optimal, BALB/c mice were inoculated via 1 of these routes, and parasitemia was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detecting both murine β-actin and P. yoelii-specific 28S ribosomal RNA in the liver samples. Murine β-actin was detected after 15 cycles of PCR, and its expression levels did not differ between treatment groups. However, P. yoelii-specific 28S ribosomal RNA gene product was detected after 15 cycles of PCR in animals inoculated via the tail vein but was not detected until 25 cycles in animals inoc...
Chronic inflammation and immunologic-based constraints in malignant disease

Acute inflammatory reactions benefit the host by supporting the effective clearance of pathogens and fostering wound healing, in addition to other self-preservative processes. However, when the inflammatory program is not resolved, becoming chronic in nature, it creates an environment conducive to cancer development and progression. Therefore, minimizing exposure to risk factors that contribute to chronic inflammation and reconditioning the host towards a state of (at least locoregional) acute inflammation would meaningfully impact cancer incidence and its treatment, respectively. Regarding cancer therapy, combinational treatments that both disrupt chronic inflammation and install specific adaptive type I immunity are predicted to enhance quality of life and extend the overall survival of patients.
Evaluation of commercial building demand response potential using optimal short-term curtailment of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning loads

Mismatches in power supply and demand due to infrastructure design and commercial development result in negative economic impacts and societal disruption. These impacts are exacerbated by unusually hot weather as well as energy infrastructure failures. Demand reductions by large commercial and industrial customers are increasingly sought by electrical utilities as a means to control severe supply–demand mismatches. Large electricity consumers have used thermal storage systems, on-site electricity generation, shifting of production processes, and short-term curtailment as means to manage and control their demand during peak demand times. Utility notification may be sent to request a reduction of load for a given duration when demand reaches a specified percent of available supply. This paper examines the interconnected nature of the building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems as they apply to short-term demand response (DR) by conducting a reference case investigation into optimal control o...
Chemical reaction at the Ge(111)-Ag and Si(111)-Ag interfaces for small Ag coverages

Abstract We present a detailed synchrotron radiation photoemission study of the elemental semiconductor-Ag interfaces for very small coverages (up to 2.5 monolayers). Our results provide the first evidence of a chemical reaction and intermixing between Ag and the (IV) semiconductors at room temperature.
Signs of the times: The governance of alphabetic print over ‘appropriate’ and ‘natural’ reading development:

This article investigates the ways in which alphabetic print concepts govern a sense of natural and appropriate early reading development, and juxtaposes the concepts found in early literacy curric...
Autotransfusion Following Open-Heart Surgery

Abstract Autotransfusion following cardiopulmonary bypass has been used infrequently. Certain patients are noted for the potential of serious hemorrhage following conclusion of bypass. A new auto-transfusion technique for use in such patients is described. The method involves a simple modification of the basic cardiopulmonary bypass setup and requires no separate autotransfusion unit. It can be utilized for several minutes after the administration of protamine. Blood salvage can be considerable and at times lifesaving.
Silica-on-silicon waveguide integrated polydimethylsiloxane lab-on-a-chip for quantum dot fluorescence bio-detection

Integration of microfluidics and optical components is an essential requirement for the realization of optical detection in lab-on-a-chip (LOC). In this work, a novel hybrid integration of silica-on-silicon (SOS) waveguide and polydymethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics for realizing optical detection based biochip is demonstrated. SOS is a commonly used platform for integrated photonic circuits due to its lower absorption coefficient of silica and the availability of advanced microfabrication technologies for fabricating complicated optical components. However, the fabrication of complex microfluidics circuits on SOS is an expensive process. On the other hand, any complex 3D and high-aspect-ratio microstructures for the microfluidic applications can be easily patterned on PDMS using soft lithography. By exploring the advantages of these two materials, the proposed hybrid integration method greatly simplifies the fabrication of optical LOC. Two simple technologies-namely, diamond machining and soft lithography-were employed for the integration of an optical microfluidic system. Use of PDMS for the fabrication of any complex 3D microfluidics structures, together with the integration of low loss silica-on-silicon photonic waveguides with a straight microfluidic channel, opens up new possibilities to produce low-cost biochips. The performance of SOS-PDMS-integrated hybrid biochip is demonstrated with the detection of laser induced fluorescence of quantum dots. As quantum dots have immense application potential for biodetection, they are used for the demonstration of biodetection.
Intermittency and variability of daily solar irradiation

Abstract This paper deals the study of variability and intermittency of solar irradiation using an analogy with the turbulence and thus making use of some methodologies used in the study of intermittency of the turbulence. An analysis of the shape of the PDFs corresponding to the increments in the clearness and transmittance indexes, for direct and global radiations, is presented. In addition a study of the relations between the scaling exponents of the structure functions of the clearness and transmittance indexes and the orders of these structure functions has been carried out. According to the study, the range of relative variability is due to changes in the atmospheric components that play a role in the attenuation of solar irradiation. This range of variability is higher in the case of the global irradiation than in the case of the direct. Moreover, the multifractality is showed more intense in sites where, due to local effects, sharper variations in the radiation can be expected, as the case of deserts.
ADAPTATION AND VERIFICATION OF THE RELOCATABLE GILL-THOMAS- COSMAN FRAME IN STEREOTACTIC RADIOTHERAPY

Abstract Purpose : Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) combines techniques of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with radiation therapy fractionation schemes. Fractionation in SRT necessitates a relocatable immobilization system to precisely reproduce the patient's position at each treatment. The Gill-Thomas-Cosman (GTC) head frame is such an immobilization device compatible with the Brown-Roberts-Wells (BRW) stereotactic system. We describe this device, our modifications to the original design, the repeat position accuracy, and the daily verification procedure. Methods and Materials : The original GTC frame was tested on volunteers. This testing led to an improved strapping system, the decision to construct the oral fixation appliance at our dental clinic, and the construction of a depth confirmation helmet to rapidly confirm the position of the frame on a daily basis. The GTC frame, at our institution, is not acceptable for children requiring anesthesia, and a new frame, the “Boston Childrens' Hospital” frame, was designed. This device uses the base ring of the GTC frame. Airway access is maintained through fixation on the nasal-glabellar region and the ear canal rather than the hard palate and upper gingiva. Results : The modifications of the GTC frame and the verification protocol result in repeat positioning of the frame with respect to the patient anatomy, with a standard deviation of 0.4 mm for both the modified GTC frame and the Boston Childrens' Hospital frame. The relocatibility of the frames has been established in over 2,000 patient setups in over 60 patients to date. Discussion : The GTC frame is a noninvasive and versatile fixation system that provides patient comfort, as well as accurate relocatibility for SRT. The frame is not appropriate for single fraction radiosurgery, as a large setup error (> 2 mm) for a single treatment cannot be excluded. The GTC frame is compatible with the BRW system, and treatment planning for SRT and SRS patients is identical. We currently treat 10–13 SRT patients per day with intracranial neoplasms on a dedicated stereotactic therapy unit. In addition, the Boston Childrens' Hospital frame allows the use of stereotactic therapy in the treatment of children under 6 years of age. This population will benefit especially from precise and highly focal cranial irradiation.
Interview with Merzak Allouache

The interview transcribed below took place on 30 April 2005 and is part of a conversation that I had with Merzak Allouache over several days. Our discussions centred on the topics of Islam, politics and sexuality in his films, but the segment of the interview reproduced for this publication focuses on censorship in Algeria. In my introductory comments I argue that there are several contradictions that permeate Allouache's interpretation of censorship in Algeria. He explains that, in the past, political imperatives were imposed on artistic production, but that the content of his films was never affected. The current repression of free speech and expression is completely passed over in silence in this interview. The implementation of a new image of ‘openness’, according to Allouache, is not a coercive or repressive measure and his films continue to elude official repression. Allouache continues to be one of the most innovative Algerian filmmakers, producing films that touch the most sensitive nerves running...
Effects of Micelle Properties on the Conformation of Oligocholates and Importance of Rigidity of Foldamers

The conformation of a cholate hexamer with a clicked tether in between two tricholate units and pyrene groups at the chain ends was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. In contrast to the parent cholate hexamer that folded in all micelles investigated, the folding of the clicked hexamer was highly dependent on the type of surfactant used to solubilize the compound. The clicked oligocholate folded in the Brij 35 micelle, possibly due to the latter’s small size and strong internal hydrophobicity. The oligocholate formed intermolecular aggregates in SDS solutions below the CMC of the surfactant. The aggregates were dissociated by the SDS micelles but the individual oligocholate stayed unfolded. In Triton X-100 and sodium cholate solutions, the aggregated, unfolded, and folded oligocholates coexisted and gradual unfolding occurred with an increasing concentration of the surfactant. The conformation of the clicked oligocholate was sensitive to the nonideal mixing of ionic/nonionic micelles and to the unconven...
Critical materials assessment program

Abstract The large-scale deployment of advanced design photovoltaic cells requires that adequate materials be available at affordable prices. The impact of materials shortages can be reduced if these shortages are identified in advance of full-scale commercialization. A tool to assist in this identification process is the interactive Critical Materials Assessment Program methodology. The use of this methodology together with the advice of materials industry experts can alert new technology managers of potential commercialization barriers.
Oxidative stress-driven mechanisms of nordihydroguaiaretic acid-induced apoptosis in FL5.12 cells

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a general lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme inhibitor, induces apoptosis independently of its activity as a LOX inhibitor in murine pro-B lymphocytes (FL.12 cells) by a mechanism that is still not fully understood. Glutathione depletion, oxidative processes and mitochondrial depolarization appear to contribute to the apoptosis induced by NDGA. The current data demonstrate that NDGA (20 μM)-induced apoptosis in FL5.12 cells is partially protected by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (10 mM) and dithiothreitol (DTT) (500 μM) pretreatment, confirming a role for oxidative processes. In addition, the treatment of FL5.12 cells with NDGA led to an increase in phosphorylation and activation of the MAP kinases ERK, JNK and p38. Although pretreatment with ERK inhibitors (PD98059 or U0126) abolished ERK phosphorylation in response to NDGA, neither inhibitor had any effect on NDGA-induced apoptosis. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, did not have any effect on NDGA-induced phosphorylation of JNK nor apoptosis. Pretreatment with the p38 inhibitor SB202190 attenuated NDGA-induced apoptosis by 30% and also abolished p38 phosphorylation, compared to NDGA treatment alone. NAC, but not DTT, also decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK supporting a role for oxidative processes in activating these kinases. Neither NAC nor DTT blocked the phosphorylation of ERK suggesting that this activation is not related to oxidative stress. The release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 induced by NDGA were inhibited by NAC. SB202190 slightly attenuated caspase-3 activation and had no effect on the release of cytochrome c. These data suggest that several independent mechanisms, including oxidative reactions, activation of p38 kinase and cytochrome c release contribute to NDGA-induced apoptosis.
Neutralizer for radioactive francium beam

In order to trap francium atoms in a magneto-optical trap, a beam of singly charged francium ions must be neutralized and reduced to thermal energies. Vacuum requirements prevent the use of a gas-filled charge exchange cell. The simple alternative is to implant the ion beam into a hot catcher foil where the ions neutralize within the foil and then diffuse out. The fraction of ions which neutralize depends upon the work function of the foil and first ionization potential of the ion beam. In order to produce such a neutralizer several suitable materials were tested in a variety of different mechanical designs to determine the most effective and robust system.
Accuracy of dip-slide for processing urine specimens obtained by catheter, cystoscopy, and percutaneous bladder aspiration

Abstract The accuracy of the dip-slide for processing of urine specimens obtained by invasive procedures was evaluated. The data show that the dip-slide is a suitable alternate for qualitative and quantitative processing of these specimens. Its advantages are discussed.
TR1.3 Viral Pathogenesis and Syncytium Formation Are Linked to Env-Gag Cooperation

Infection with murine leukemia virus (MLV) TR1.3 or the related molecular construct W102G causes severe neuropathology in vivo. Infection is causally linked to the development of extensive syncytia in brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC). These viruses also induce cell fusion of murine cell lines, such as SC-1 and NIH 3T3, which are otherwise resistant to MLV-induced syncytium formation. Although the virulence of these viruses maps within the env gene, the mechanism of fusion enhancement is not fully determined. To this end, we examined the capacity of the syncytium-inducing (SI) TR1.3 and W102G MLVs to overcome the fusion inhibitory activity inherent in the full-length Env cytoplasmic tail. These studies showed that the TR1.3 and W102G Envs did not induce premature cleavage of p2E, nor did they override p2E fusion inhibition. Indeed, in the presence of mutations that disrupt p2E function, the TR1.3 and W102G Envs significantly increased the extent of cell fusion compared to that with the non-syncytium-inducing MLV FB29. Surprisingly, we also observed that TR1.3 and W102G Envs failed to elicit syncytium formation in these in vitro assays. Coexpression of gag-pol with env restored syncytium formation, and accordingly, mutations within gag-pol were used to examine the minimal functional requirements for the SI phenotype. The results indicate that both gag-dependent particle budding and cleavage of p2E are required to activate the SI phenotype of TR1.3 and W102G viruses. Collectively, these data suggest that the TR1.3 and W102G viruses induce cell fusion by the fusion-from-without pathway.
Robust H/sub 2/ performance of uncertain linear systems with bounded parameter variations

In this paper, the robust H/sub 2/ performance analysis problem was addressed for uncertain linear systems with structured time-varying uncertainties, which have bounded variation rates specified by an integral quadratic constraint (IQC). The analysis condition for robust H/sub 2/ performance was first formulated as a matrix inequality with multipliers. Consequently, a computational scheme with mixed features of basis function parameterization and gridding has been proposed to convert the analysis condition into linear matrix inequalities (LMI), which can be solved efficiently.
Long-term Impact of Androgen-deprivation Therapy on Cardiovascular Morbidity After Radiotherapy for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

Objective To characterize the impact of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) on the incidence of cardiovascular events (CE) in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy (RT). Materials and Methods There were 2211 patients with localized prostate cancer treated with RT from 1988 to 2008 at our institution. There were 991 patients (44.8%) who received ADT at the time of RT for a median of 6.1 months. Salvage ADT was initiated prior to CE in 365 men (16.5%) at a median of 5.5 years (range: 0.6 to 18.4 years) after RT and continued for a median of 4.3 years. A nomogram was constructed to predict the 10-year risk of CE "post-RT" (i.e., after RT). Results Patients receiving ADT at the time of RT exhibited significantly higher 10-year incidence of CE (19.6%, 95% CI 17.0%-22.6%) than those not receiving ADT (14.3%, 95% CI 12.2%-16.7%, P = .005). On multivariate analysis, both ADT at the time of RT ( P = .007) and the time of salvage ( P = .0004) were associated with increased CE risk, as were advanced age ( P = .02), smoking ( P = .0007), history of diabetes ( P = .0007), and history of CE before RT ( P Conclusion While ADT is often an essential part of prostate cancer treatment, patients should be counseled regarding increased risks of CE and prophylactic efforts should be considered to mitigate that risk.
Execution Driven Simulation of Shared Memory Multiprocessors

Execution driven simulation [7] is a technique for building fast instruction level computer simulators. It is applicable when the instruction set of the simulation host machine is the same as, or very similar to, that of the machine being simulated. In this chapter we examine three execution driven simulators designed to study shared memory multiprocessors using a uniprocessor as the simulation host machine.
A missed injury leading to delayed diagnosis and postoperative infection of an unstable thoracic spine fracture - case report of a potentially preventable complication.

Background Patients suffering from polytrauma often present with altered mental status and have varying levels of examinability. This makes evaluation difficult. Physicians are often required to rely on advanced imaging techniques to make prompt and accurate diagnoses. Occasionally, injury detection on advanced imaging studies can be challenging given the subtle findings associated with certain conditions, such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). Delayed or missed diagnoses in the setting of spinal fracture can lead to catastrophic neurological injury.
The Men's Domestic Abuse Check-Up A Protocol for Reaching the Nonadjudicated and Untreated Man Who Batters and Who Abuses Substances

Batterer intervention programs primarily work with individuals mandated to participate. Commonly, attrition is high and outcomes are modest. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET), most widely studied in the substance abuse field, offers a potentially effective approach to improving self-referral to treatment, program retention, treatment compliance, and posttreatment outcomes among men who batter and who abuse substances. A strategy for using a catalyst variant of MET (a “check-up”) to reach untreated, nonadjudicated perpetrators is described in detail. Unique challenges in evaluating the success of this approach are discussed, including attending to victim safety and determining indicators of increased motivation for change.
Metabolic and perfusion responses to recurrent peri-infarct depolarization during focal ischemia in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat: dominant contribution of sporadic CBF decrements to infarct expansion

Peri-infarct depolarizations (PIDs) contribute to the evolution of focal ischemic lesions. Proposed mechanisms include both increased metabolic demand under conditions of attenuated perfusion and overt vasoconstrictive responses to depolarization. The present studies investigated the relative contributions of metabolic and perfusion effects to PID-associated infarct expansion during middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat. The initial distribution of ischemic depolarization (ID) was established within minutes after MCA occlusion at a cerebral blood flow threshold of ∼40 mL/100 g per minute, with expansion of the depolarized territory during 3 hours detected in half of the animals. Peri-infarct depolarizations were associated with transient metabolic responses, comparable to those observed after spreading depression, with no evidence of cumulative energy failure after multiple transient depolarizations during 1 hour. Speckle contrast imaging of PID-associated flow transients documented prominent distal hyperemic flow responses that became progressively attenuated in regions of already impaired perfusion, with modest propagated flow decreases more proximal to the ischemic core. However, sporadic PIDs were associated with persistent decrements in perfusion, increasing tissue volume below the threshold for energy failure, ID and infarction. These latter, comparatively rare, events can account for the pattern of stepwise infarct expansion in this model.
HIV-1 gp120 Determinants Proximal to the CD4 Binding Site Shift Protective Glycans That Are Targeted by Monoclonal Antibody 2G12

HIV-1 R5 envelopes vary considerably in their capacities to exploit low CD4 levels on macrophages for infection and in their sensitivities to the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) monoclonal antibody (MAb) b12 and the glycan-specific MAb 2G12. Here, we show that nonglycan determinants flanking the CD4 binding loop, which affect exposure of the CD4bs, also modulate 2G12 neutralization. Our data indicate that such residues act via a mechanism that involves shifts in the orientation of proximal glycans, thus modulating the sensitivity of 2G12 neutralization and affecting the overall presentation and structure of the glycan shield.
GROWTH, PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY, AND NITROGEN FIXATION POTENTIAL OF NODULARIA SPP. (CYANOPHYCEAE) IN WATER FROM A SUBTROPICAL ESTUARY IN THE UNITED STATES .

Nodularia is a halotolerant, filamentous, dinitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium that forms massive blooms in some coastal oceans, estuaries, and saline lakes worldwide. Although the genus is globally distributed, its blooms are sporadic and appear to be confined to certain water bodies. Blooms are frequently associated with phosphorus enrichment; therefore Nodularia may benefit from increased anthropogenic nutrient loading to coastal waters. We studied the potential for Nodularia to grow in the nitrogen-limited Neuse River Estuary (North Carolina, U.S.A.) with laboratory growth experiments in Neuse River Estuary water and by examining physico-chemical data from the estuary. Analysis of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), salinity, and temperature data from the Neuse River Estuary between 1994 and 1998 revealed that suitable conditions for Nodularia prevailed during the summer of each of these years for time spans ranging from 1.5 to 5 months. Growth of two laboratory strains in Neuse River Estuary water was as fast or slightly slower than in artificial growth medium, as long as the culture inoculum had phosphorus reserves. Phosphorus addition did not stimulate growth of already phosphorus-sufficient inocula. Phosphorus starvation of the inoculum before the experiment decreased growth rates in the estuarine water unless additional phosphorus was supplied. Although phosphorus addition had a stimulatory effect on dinitrogen fixation and productivity, the effect differed for the two Nodularia strains. Results suggest that growth of Nodularia in North Carolinian estuaries is possible, and that such growth would be phosphorus-limited at times. Phosphorus availability may determine the times and locations for potential establishment of Nodularia in this and similar estuarine ecosystems.
The NEGF method: capabilities and challenges

This general model has been applied by different authors to all kinds of devices like semiconductor nanowires, carbon nanotubes, molecular wires having different kinds of contacts, both normal and superconducting. Many issues still need to be clarified such as the best choice of basis functions in different problems, but according to the author this approach provides a suitable framework for a wide variety of problems involving nanoscale quantum transport. The objective this paper is to present a simple intuitive description of the NEGF method and draw attention to some areas where important conceptual issues remain to be sorted out. An outstanding feature of this approach is the partitioning of the system into a channel described by an Hamiltonian [H] and "contacts" represented by a self-energy [/spl Sigma/]. This includes not only the obvious metallurgical contacts, but also phonons and other "contact-like" entities.
Analysis of landscape‐scale insect pest dynamics and pesticide use: an empirical and modeling study

Diverse agricultural landscapes help support many ecosystem services, including insect pest suppression. Yet questions remain about how landscape diversification affects insects with differing life histories, and how interactions between pest management and land use alter insect population dynamics. Here we introduce empirical data illustrating how population dynamics and pest management of two economically important insect pests in maize (Zea mays), the European corn borer (ECB; Ostrinia nubilalis) and the western corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera), may vary with land use. We then explore the role of landscape in agricultural pest suppression with a spatially explicit computational model of herbivore population dynamics that includes pest management measures and insect life-history parameters (diet breadth, dispersal distance, and reproductive rate). While field results showed that WCR densities were lower in diverse than in simple agricultural landscapes, ECB damage to maize appeared unrelated to...