cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Viscous Heat Dissipation on Convective Heat Transfer in Small-Scale Slipping Gaseous Flows

The presence of slip in small-scale gaseous flows leads to shear work and dissipation at the boundary. This effect has been neglected in recent studies investigating the effect of viscous dissipation on convective heat transfer in small scale channels. In this paper we illustrate the effect of shear work at solid boundaries in small-scale gaseous flows through the solution of the constant-wall-heat-flux problem in the slip-flow regime. We show that dissipation at the boundary scales with the Brinkman number similarly to viscous heat dissipation inside the channel, and increases with increasing Knudsen number. As a result, it is incorrect to neglect this effect when viscous heat generation needs to be considered. An analytical expression for the fully developed slip-flow Nusselt number under constant-wall-heat-flux conditions in the presence of viscous heat dissipation is presented. This expression is verified by direct Monte Carlo solutions of the Boltzmann equation. An expression for the skin friction coefficient under fully developed flow conditions for arbitrary Knudsen numbers is presented. Simple approximate expressions for the skin friction coefficient in the ranges 0 ≤ Kn ⪝ 0 4 . and 0.4 ⪝ Kn ⪝ 3 are also presented. These expressions are in agreement with direct Monte Carlo solutions of the Boltzmann equation.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Experimental test of models of radio-frequency plasma sheaths

The ion current and sheath impedance were measured at the radio-frequency-powered electrode of an asymmetric, capacitively coupled plasma reactor, for discharges in argon at 1.33–133 Pa. The measurements were used to test the models of the radio frequency sheath derived by Lieberman [IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 17, 338 (1989)] and Godyak and Sternberg [Phys. Rev. A 42, 2299 (1990)], and establish the range of pressure and sheath voltage in which they are valid.
Mortality in a cohort of licensed pesticide applicators in Florida.

OBJECTIVES: Although the primary hazard to humans associated with pesticide exposure is acute poisoning, there has been considerable concern surrounding the possibility of cancer and other chronic health effects in humans. Given the huge volume of pesticides now used throughout the world, as well as environmental and food residue contamination leading to chronic low level exposure, the study of possible chronic human health effects is important. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, analysed by general standardised mortality ratio (SMR) of licensed pesticide applicators in Florida compared with the general population of Florida. A cohort of 33,658 (10% female) licensed pesticide applicators assembled through extensive data linkages yielded 1874 deaths with 320,250 person-years from 1 January 1975 to 31 December 1993. RESULTS: The pesticide applicators were consistently and significantly healthier than the general population of Florida. As with many occupational cohorts, the risks of cardiovascular disease and of diseases associated with alcohol and tobacco use were significantly lower, even in the subpopulations--for example, men, women, and licence subcategories. Among male applicators, prostate cancer mortality (SMR 2.38 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.83 to 3.04) was significantly increased. No cases of soft tissue sarcoma were confirmed in this cohort, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not increased. The number of female applicators was small, as were the numbers of deaths. Mortality from cervical cancer and breast cancer was not increased. Additional subcohort and exposure analyses were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous publications on farmers but at odds with current theories about the protective effects of vitamin D, prostate cancer was increased in these pesticide applicators. Female breast cancer was not increased despite theories linking risk of breast cancer with exposure to oestrogen disruptors--such as the organochlorines. The lack of cases of soft tissue sarcoma is at odds with previous publications associating the use of the phenoxy herbicides with an increased risk of these cancers.
On improving the accuracy of instrumented spatial linkage system.

Calibration is important for improving the accuracy of instrumented spatial linkage (ISL) in the application of biomechanical studies. The assumption of the linear performance of the potentiometer transducer has limited the improvement of the linkage accuracy. We present a non-linear numerical calibration procedure and double potentiometer design to improve the accuracy of ISL. Through the use of a three-degree-of-freedom linkage, the non-linear calibration procedure and the double potentiometer design were shown to be effective in reducing the ISL errors. The error, i.e. standard deviation for the angle decreased from +/-0.38 degree to +/-0.12 degree while the same for the translation decreased from +/-0.41 to +/-0.16 mm. A high-accuracy linkage system using low-cost potentiometers could be constructed by using our calibration method and double potentiometer design.
Event Detection And Correspondence

Many problems in motion can be approached by focusing attention on events in the motion of objects. Our concept of event is the very general one of any discontinuity in consistent motion. This paper addresses the use of low-level events comprising discontinuities in the regular consistent motions of feature points. For the experiments described here, events are changes in the parameters of uniformly accelerated motion: acceleration, velocity, and initial position. We then use the detected events and the concept of path coherence to achieve a correspondence that describes the motion of objects over many frames. The correspondence mechanism seeks to minimize the number of events.
Energy distributions of ions produced by electron-stimulated desorption

Abstract We have measured the initial kinetic energy distributions of ions produced by electron bombardment of various oxides and halides. The instrument used allows ions directly ejected from the sample surface to be distinguished from ions formed by electron impact in the gas phase. Singly and multiply charged positive ions of species present in the matrix as anions and cations were desorbed by high energy (∼ 11 keV) electron impact. Directly desorbed positive halogen ions show a narrow, low energy peak, consistent with conventional models of electron stimulated desorption (ESD). In addition, some of the cation species exhibited similar narrow energy spectra. Charge states up to +6 were observed for the halides; with the exception of F 2+ and Cl 2+ , multiple charge states were due to electron impact ionization of desorbed neutrals. Charge states up to +4 were seen for silicon from electron-bombarded SiO 2 ; energy distributions of Si + , Si 2+ and Si 3+ showed that these species were desorbed directly from the surface. The energy distributions of O + and O 2+ ions ejected from SiO 2 are relatively wide, compared to the energy distribution of Si + ions. In contrast, O + ions ejected from TiO 2 have a much narrower energy distribution, like those observed for the halogen ions.
Semiconservative strand-displacement transcription of the M2 dsRNA segment of Ustilago maydis virus.

Abstract The P1 strain of the Ustilago maydis virus (UmV) is a segmented dsRNA virus with segments designated H1, H2, M1, M2, and L. Incubation of purified virus with a mixture of nucleotides containing 32 P-UTP resulted in labeled dsRNA which was retained in the capsid and labeled ssRNA which was released from the capsid. This in vitro transcription reaction was dependent on Mg 2+ ion and the optimum concentration for maximum incorporation was 10 mM. The pH and temperature optima were 8.0 and 30° C, respectively. The ssRNA transcripts were precipitated from the supernatant solution of the reaction mixture after ultracentrifugation to separate the virus. Transcription products from supernatant solution hybridized with all five virion dsRNAs. Further studies of the M2 segment indicated that it was labeled within 2 h and the label was completely chased out in 2 h. Analysis of the labeled M2 dsRNA segment by strand-separation gel showed that only one strand (slow moving) was labeled. When both strands were tested in an in vitro translation system, only the slow-moving strand was translated to produce a 24 kDa product. Thus the M2 dsRNA segment of UmV P1 transcribes by a semiconservative strand-displacement mechanism.
AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION - A MECHANISM FOR RENAL FAILURE?

Familial dysautonomia, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by a complex clinical symptomatology related to widespread autonomic and sensory dysfunction. We have previously reported renal failure due to intra-renal vascular and glomerular sclerosis in one dysautonomic; in all, 9 patients whom we have followed up to 18 years of age or more have become uremic. In the present study, renal hemodynamcis were found to be consistently reduced in a group of dysautonomics who were studied at random. Among the 13 patients, aged 7 to 38 years, all had either persistent or episodic hypertension typical of dysautonomia. Glomerular filtration rates (CIN) ranged from 107 down to 20 ml/min/1.73m2 (x = 70). Renal plasma flows (CPAH) were reduced to levels ranging from 560 to 72 ml/min/1.73m2 (x = 350). Filtration fractions averaged 21%. Reductions in GFR and RPF increased with age. Decreased levels of PRA and aldosterone were found in 8 of 12 patients. We have documented depressed renal hemodynamics and progression to uremia in familial dysautonomia. Intermittent hypertension and failure of autoregulation resulting from renal denervation could expose the kidney to vascular and glomerular damage due to hydraulic stress. Dysautonomia may represent a model in man which depicts the key of hemodynamic factors in the causation of glomerular injury.
Transverse normal loading of a unidirectional composite.

Transverse normal loading of doubly periodic unidirectional elastic fiber reinforced infinite elastic matrix
The water-insoluble camptothecin analogues: Promising drugs for the effective treatment of haematological malignancies

After failing to exhibit benefits in clinical studies with cancer patients in the early 1970s, camptothecin (CPT) and its water-insoluble analogues are re-emerging as promising drugs with multiple actions in the treatment of human haematological malignancies. CPT analogues interfere with the mechanism of action of the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase I, while the cells progress through the S-phase of the cell cycle and this results in cell death by apoptosis. Modulations of topoisomerase I phosphorylation may indirectly modulate the cytotoxic activity of CPT analogues. In vitro, CPT analogues have exhibited increased or unaltered killing activity against leukaemia cells resistant to epipodophyllotoxins, anthracyclines, anthracenediones, and Vinca alkaloids, while development of resistance to CPT analogues renders leukaemia and lymphoma cells more sensitive to topoisomerase II-directed drugs, inducers of cell differentiation, and immunotoxins. Oral administration of the CPT analogues has circumvented the inconvenience of solubility of these drugs. Metabolic conversion of the CPT analogue 9-nitro-CPT to equally or more potent 9-amino-CPT practically makes unnecessary treatment of the patient with 9-amino-CPT, which, in addition, is costlier to prepare than 9-nitro-CPT. Considering the therapeutic, economic and handling viewpoints, the overall conclusion is that the water-insoluble CPT analogues are very promising antileukaemia/antilymphoma agents that warrant further preclinical and clinical studies.
Pulmonary function loss in diphenylhydantoin therapy.

Twenty-two women and 18 men, nonnative, longterm Denver residents* ranging in age from 11 to 56 years, who took diphenylhydantoin (DPH) for two or more years, underwent pulmonary function testing. Forty-five percent of the subjects had reduced steady-state diffusing capacities (D LCO ) and abnormal blood gas tension during exercise. In addition, half of the subjects studied had widened resting and exercise alveolar-arterial oxygen (A-aDO 2 ) tension differences, and/or failed to increase D LCO as expected with exercise. Macrocytosis and abnormal lung functions occurred together with remarkable frequency. However, lung function abnormalities persisted after the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) returned to normal, which suggests that macrocytosis and abnormal lung function are independent responses to DPH in a susceptible host. Subjects receiving DPH before eight years of age exhibited abnormalities twice as often as those beginning therapy fatter in life.
Effect of Gibberellin on Sunflower Tissue Culture

RECENTLY Nickell1 reported the effect of gibberellin on several plant tissues grown in vitro. The results were generally non-specific. Sunflower petiole crowngall tissue growth was inhibited rather drastically by 10 p.p.m. of gibberellin, whereas tobacco and sweet clover were somewhat enhanced by it. Schroeder and Spector2 showed marked increased effect of gibberellin on growth of mature citron explants in the presence of indoleacetic acid, but very limited growth in its absence. The accelerating influence or interaction of indoleacetic acid on other growth factors (for example, kinetin3) and gibberellin4,5 has been a well-observed fact in many experiments and observations relating to correlation of growth factors6.
UV irradiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ices : Production of alcohols, quinones, and ethers

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water ice were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation under astrophysical conditions, and the products were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Peripheral carbon atoms were oxidized, producing aromatic alcohols, ketones, and ethers, and reduced, producing partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, molecules that account for the interstellar 3.4-micrometer emission feature. These classes of compounds are all present in carbonaceous meteorites. Hydrogen and deuterium atoms exchange readily between the PAHs and the ice, which may explain the deuterium enrichments found in certain meteoritic molecules. This work has important implications for extraterrestrial organics in biogenesis.
Support group satisfaction: a comparison of minority and white families.

This chapter examines the support group experiences of minority families of persons with mental illness.
Kinetics of Ni(II) and Co(II) monocomplex formation with O-phospho-dl-serine

Abstract The complexation reactions of O-phospho-DL-serine with Ni(II) or Co(II) were studied at 25°C and ionic strength 0.2 M (KNO 3 ) by temperature-jump. The observed rate constants for formation of the Ni 2+ and Co +2 monocomplexes were (1.32 ± 0.09) × 10 5 and (1.73 ± 0.33) × 10 7 M −1 sec −1 , respectively. Complexation is postulated to involve formation of a monocoordinated steady state intermediate followed by rate-determining chelate ring closure.
Predicting and annotating catalytic residues: an information theoretic approach.

We introduce a computational method to predict and annotate the catalytic residues of a protein using only its sequence information, so that we describe both the residues' sequence locations (prediction) and their specific biochemical roles in the catalyzed reaction (annotation). While knowing the chemistry of an enzyme's catalytic residues is essential to understanding its function, the challenges of prediction and annotation have remained difficult, especially when only the enzyme's sequence and no homologous structures are available. Our sequence-based approach follows the guiding principle that catalytic residues performing the same biochemical function should have similar chemical environments; it detects specific conservation patterns near in sequence to known catalytic residues and accordingly constrains what combination of amino acids can be present near a predicted catalytic residue. We associate with each catalytic residue a short sequence profile and define a Kullback-Leibler (KL) distance meas...
A simian immunodeficiency virus nef peptide is a dominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope in Indian-origin rhesus monkeys expressing the common MHC class I allele mamu-A*02.

Abstract The precise measurement of epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)- and simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected or vaccinated rhesus monkeys has been important in the evaluation of potential HIV vaccine strategies. This quantitation of CTL has been limited to date by the identification of only one dominant SIV/SHIV epitope in these monkeys. We have recently defined a Nef CTL epitope p199RY (YTSGPGIRY) that is recognized by CD8 + T lymphocytes from all SIV/SHIV-infected Mamu-A*02 + rhesus monkeys that have been evaluated. We now measure the frequency of p199RY-specific CD8 + T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of these monkeys with quantitative precision, using MHC class I/peptide tetramer staining and peptide-stimulated interferon-γ Elispot assays. These epitope-specific CD8 + T lymphocytes are present at a very high frequency and represent a significant proportion of the entire SIV- or SHIV-specific CD8 + T lymphocyte population in SIV/SHIV-infected Mamu-A*02 + rhesus monkeys. Knowledge of this dominant CTL epitope should prove valuable in the evaluation of HIV vaccine strategies using this animal model.
A polymorphism in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter is associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common adverse outcome of prematurity, causing severe morbidity and mortality. The cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been recently shown to favor murine fetal lung development. In this prospective study, we evaluate the expression of MIF in the lung and in the serum of preterm infants (n = 50) and investigate whether the −173 G/C MIF promoter polymorphism is associated with the risk of BPD (n = 103). MIF was highly expressed in lung tissue from preterm infants. Serum MIF levels were measured by ELISA at d 1 after birth. MIF levels were increased [median (interquartile range), 71.01 (44.9–162.3) ng/mL], particularly in those infants with RDS [110.4 (59.4–239.2) ng/mL] compared with healthy adults [2.4 (1.2–5.0) ng/mL], (p < 0.001). The MIF −173*C allele, which predisposes to higher MIF production, was associated with a lower incidence of BPD (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04–0.93), independently from mechanical ventilation and oxygen exposure (p = 0.03). In conclusion, these data show that MIF expression is increased in lung and serum of preterm infants and suggest that the high producing MIF −173*C allele may be a protective factor for BPD.
Peers nip misconduct in the bud

A new survey shows that informal intervention can often avert much irresponsible scientific behaviour, and is not as risky as people might fear, say Gerald Koocher and Patricia Keith-Spiegel.
Formation of the peripheral-central transitional zone in the postnatal mouse cochlear nerve.

OBJECTIVES Determine the formation of peripheral and central nervous system (CNS and PNS) transitional zone (PCTZ) along the postnatal mouse cochlear nerve. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, basic science. SETTING Research laboratory. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A novel cryosection model of cochlea-cochlear nerve-brainstem was used in this study. The sections were harvested from a total of 45 mice in 9 groups of postnatal-day-0 to postnatal-day-60 mice (n = 5). Differential interference contrast microscopy and immunofluorescence were used to study the formation of PCTZ along the cochlear nerve of the postnatal mouse. RESULTS The CNS tissue extended peripherally along the cochlear nerve from postnatal-day-0 to postnatal-day-7 and then stably located at the level of the spiral lamina of the basal cochlear turn. The PCTZ reached a mature pattern along the cochlear nerve after postnatal-day-7. A long segment of the CNS tissue extended along the cochlear nerve in the postnatal mouse. CONCLUSION In the early postnatal days, the PCTZ extended peripherally toward the cochlea and obtains a mature pattern along the neonatal mouse cochlear nerve.
On non-elementary singular points

Abstract The various admissible configurations of trajectories near a singular point are fan, hyperbolic sector, elliptic sector, center and focus. Except for the elliptic sector all of these configurations occur in the linear case. The trajectories in the neighborhood of an isolated singularity, described by the equations ẋ = ax n + by n and ẏ = cx n + dy n , have been examined and it is shown that the index for this singularity is +1 or −1 for n odd, and is zero for n even. Further, it is shown that indices of −1 and 0 and +1 correspond to four, two and zero hyperbolic sectors, and that elliptical sectors do not occur for the class of singularities under consideration. The index of +1 corresponds to a node, focus or center. This shows that the qualitative behavior of trajectories in the neighborhood of singular point for n odd is similar to the linear case (n = 1).
Conformal direct-print of piezoresistive polymer/nanocomposites for compliant multi-layer tactile sensors

Abstract A conformal, compliant and multi-layer tactile sensor was built layer by layer using a hybrid manufacturing process including conformal Direct-Print (DP) technology and layer by layer soft molding process with a developed piezoresistive polymer/nanocomposite. A multi-layer conformal skin structure of the sensor was created using the soft molding process along with a highly flexible rubber material. Two layers of sensing elements were designed, where the sensing elements in the lower sensing layer were orthogonally placed against those in the upper sensing layer so that the sensing elements in two layers could cross each other with an insulating layer between them. A conformal printing algorithm was developed to advance the capability of DP technology. Thus, all the sensing elements were printed uniformly within the conformal skin structure. Several experiments on position detection were performed to evaluate the performance of the fabricated conformal sensor. The results showed that the sensor can detect locations of external forces applied on the sensor surface due to the multiple layers of sensing elements. It is concluded that the suggested manufacturing methods and developed materials are promising tools to develop conformal, compliant tactile sensors.
A fast-kinetic investigation of the redox chemistry of iridium chloride complexes using pulse radiolysis

Abstract Reactions initiated by OH radicals or e - aq in aqueous IrCl 3- 6 solutions were studied by electron pulse radiolysis using a 600 keV Febetron electron accelerator. Solutions of IrCl 3- 6 were made basic by adding Na 2 CO 3 ; using the carbonate competition method, we find the rate constant for the reaction of OH with IrCl 3- 6 to be 4.7 × 10 9 M -1 s -1 . The product IrCl 2- 6 disappears rapidly in N 2 O-saturated basic solution or in neutral N 2 -saturated solution (N 2 O absent) but is nearly inert in neutral solution with H 2 O present. We find that IrCl 2- 6 reacts rapidly with hydrogen peroxide in basic media, as confirmed on the benchtop and by stopped-flow kinetics. We therefore infer that reaction with HO - 2 may account for the loss of IrCl 2- 6 under basic conditions. Since e - aq reduces Ir(III) chloride to the Ir(II) state with a rate constant of 6.1 × 10 9 M -1 s -1 , we suggest that loss of Ir(IV) in neutral deaerated solution without added N 2 O may involve electron transfer from Ir(II). Loss of Ir(IV) in aerated solution is attributed to reduction by the superoxide ion, O - 2 . Kinetic simulation of the system on the model described gives good agreement with our experimental results.
A study of oxygen interaction with a LaB6(100) single crystal surface

The desorption of boron and lanthanum oxides from a LaB6(100) single crystal surface has been studied by standard surface analysis techniques. Measurements were made both on preadsorbed oxygen layers in vacuum and under steady-state conditions in fixed oxygen pressures. The observed oxide desorption products were BO, B2O2, B2O3 and LaO. Temperature and pressure dependencies of the boron oxide species have been studied in detail. The findings are discussed from the point of view of cathode applications.
A screening paradigm for the design of improved polymer-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Polymer-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for a variety of biomedical applications, including as MRI contrast agents, for the treatment of iron anemias, and for ex vivo labeling of the cells used in cell-based therapies so that they can be tracked by MRI. Here we describe a three-stage screening paradigm to develop high potency (i.e., high relaxivity), stable, polymer-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs. Each screen examined different facets of the interaction between iron oxides and polymers. First, an Ion Challenge Screen assessed whether a polymer interacted with the surface of the iron oxide. Second, a Synthesis Optimization Screen examined whether polymers that passed the Ion Challenge Screen were compatible with the synthetic method used to make NPs, and optimized the synthetic method for each polymer. Finally, a Heat Stress/Stability Screen assessed the stability of the optimized polymer-coated superparamagnetic iron oxides that passed the Synthesis Optimization Screen. A carboxymethyl dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (CMD-NP) with a transverse relaxivity (R2) of 271 mM−1 s−1 and a diameter of 47 nm by dynamic light scattering was obtained. A second NP, a carboxymethyl polyvinyl alcohol-coated nanoparticle (CMPVA-NP) had an R2 of 119 and diameter of 37 nm, but was less stable to heat stress than the CMD-NP. The CMD-NP is a polymer-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide NP with improved relaxivity and high stability achieved without the crosslinking procedure used in our cross-linked iron oxide (CLIO) NP.
Three-dimensional structures of dihydropyrans

The three-dimensional structures of alkyl- and aryldihydropyrans were studied by means of PMR spectroscopy. It is shown that the investigated compounds exist primarily in the half-chair conformation.
Complementary microscopy techniques applied for optimizing the structure and performance of graphene-based hybrids.

Abstract To improve the performance of graphene and to extend its potential applications, one of the most effective efforts is to hybridize graphene with one or more metal/metal oxide nanocrystals (NCs). In this paper, we demonstrate the complementary techniques of X-ray diffraction, high resolution electron microscopy (HREM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), which enables us to optimize the synthetic conditions, improve the quality of attached NCs, and tailor the performance of graphene-based hybrids for green energy related applications. Specifically, we explored the EFTEM technique to characterize two graphene-based composites. For the first sample of graphene/CoOx, we present how the oxygen elemental map can identify that the oxidization of attached cobalt NCs most likely occurred during post treatments, rather than during the solvothermal reaction; for the second sample of graphene/(Mn, Co, Ni)Ox, we demonstrate how two-dimensional elemental mapping can differentiate the distribution of Mn, Co, and Ni on the surface of graphene. The results indicate that the EFTEM technique can supply very valuable and indispensable information, which contributes to comprehensive evaluation of structure and performance of graphene based hybrids.
An Aggressive Approach to Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinomas Is Warranted: Margin Status Does Not Impact Survival after Resection

Background With cholangiocarcinoma, the only hope of a cure is resection. This study was undertaken to determine the impact of margin status, stage, tumor location, and adjuvant therapy on survival after resection of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Molecular modeling of the oxidized form of nuclear factor-κB suggests a mechanism for redox regulation of DNA binding and transcriptional activation

Abstract NF-κB is an important transcriptional regulator of numerous cellular genes, as well as viruses such as HIV-1. Oxidative stimuli in the cytosol are associated with nuclear translocation of NF-κB, whereas in the nucleus, reductive activation by thioredoxin is required for NF-κB to bind to DNA and activate target genes. Experimental structures of the reduced form of NF-κB bound to its DNA targets are available, from which we have modeled the oxidized form of NF-κB homodimer by removal of bound DNA, and modification via a hinge movement of a linker between the dimerization and DNA-binding domains of each subunit. These torsional motions enabled the formation of an inter-subunit disulfide bond between the Cys62 residues of each monomer; the resulting structure was refined using molecular dynamics simulation. The final model of oxidized, disulfide-bridged NF-κB is more compact than the open, reduced form. This may facilitate its nuclear translocation through small pores in the nuclear envelope, in response to oxidative stimuli in the cytosol. Furthermore, the inter-subunit disulfide blocks DNA from entering the active site of the oxidized dimer, explaining why subsequent reduction to the thiol form in the nucleus is essential for DNA binding and transcriptional activation to occur.
Measurements of internal conversion coefficients

Abstract Internal conversion coefficients of M1, M4 and E2 transitions from the Y87, Cs137, Au198 and Ir193 decays have been studied by using the internal-external conversion (IEC) method. For unhindered transitions of the 2+→0+ type we have found (α2)317 = 0.054± 0.003 for the 317 KeV transition from Ir192 and (α2)412 = 0.028 ± 0.0015 for the 412 KeV transition from Au198, the theoretical values being 0.054 and 0.030, respectively.
The role of hRev7, the accessory subunit of hPolζ, in translesion synthesis past DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE)

Background DNA polymerase zeta (Polζ) is a specialized DNA polymerase that, unlike classical replicative polymerases, is capable of replicating past DNA lesions, i.e. of performing translesion synthesis (TLS). The catalytic subunit of hPolζ, hRev3, has been shown to play a critical role in DNA damage-induced mutagenesis in human cells, but less is known about the role of hRev7, the accessory subunit of hPolζ, in such mutagenesis. To address this question, we recently generated human fibroblasts with very significantly reduced levels of hRev7 protein and demonstrated that hRev7 is required to protect cells from ultraviolet(254 nm) (UV) radiation-induced cytotoxicity and mutagenesis (McNally et al., DNA Repair 7 (2008) 597-604). The goal of the present study was to determine whether hRev7 is similarly involved in the tolerance of DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE), the reactive form of the widespread environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene.
Laser-Induced Mixing in Microfluidic Channels

We demonstrate a novel strategy for mixing solutions and initiating chemical reactions in microfluidic systems. This method utilizes highly focused nanosecond laser pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at λ = 532 nm to generate cavitation bubbles within 100- and 200-μm-wide microfluidic channels containing the parallel laminar flow of two fluids. The bubble expansion and subsequent collapse within the channel disrupts the laminar flow of the parallel fluid streams and produces a localized region of mixed fluid. We use time-resolved imaging and fluorescence detection methods to visualize the mixing process and to estimate both the volume of mixed fluid and the time scale for the re-establishment of laminar flow. The results show that mixing is initiated by liquid jets that form upon cavitation bubble collapse and occurs ∼20 μs following the delivery of the laser pulse. The images also reveal that mixing occurs on the millisecond time scale and that laminar flow is re-established on a 50-ms time scale. Thi...
The Min-Max Load Criteria as a Measure of Machining Fixture Performance

Spherical-tipped locators and clamps are often used for the restraint of castings during machining. For structurally rigid castings, contact region deformation and micro-slippage are the predominant modes of workpiece displacement. In turn contact region deformation and micro-slippage are heavily influenced by contact region loading. This paper presents a linear model for predicting the impact of locator and clamp placement on workpiece displacement throughout a series of machining operations. It illustrates how the continuum of external loads exerted on a workpiece during machining can be bounded within a convex hull, and how the extreme points of this hull are used within the model. Finally it describes the simulation experiments which were used for model validation.
Wet-Milling Characteristics of 10 Lines from Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project Compared with Five Corn Belt Lines

ABSTRACT The use of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids with high grain yield and starch extractability has steadily increased in the processing industry. In light of widespread corn seed industry participation in the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project (GEM), which seeks to enhance exotic germplasm, future hybrids may contain more exotic sources in genetic backgrounds. It is necessary to establish and monitor physical, compositional, and milling characteristics of the new exotic breeding materials to determine the processing value. The present study was conducted to determine the wet-milling characteristics of a set of GEM lines compared with typical Corn Belt lines. Ten GEM lines introgressed with exotic materials from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Florida, and Uruguay and previously identified as having different starch yields, three commercial inbred lines, and two public inbred lines (B73 and Mo17) were analyzed using both near-infrared transmittance (NIT) and a 100-g wet-milling procedure. There were statistica...
Algorithms for computing network coding rate regions via single element extensions of matroids

We propose algorithms for finding extreme rays of rate regions achievable with vector linear codes over finite fields Fq, q ∈ {2, 3, 4} for which there are known forbidden minors for matroid representability. We use the idea of single element extensions (SEEs) of matroids and enumeration of nonisomorphic matroids using SEEs, to first propose an algorithm to obtain lists of all non-isomorphic matroids representable over a given finite field. We modify this algorithm to produce only the list of all non-isomorphic connected matroids representable over the given finite field. We then integrate the process of testing which matroids in a list of matroids form valid linear network codes for a given network within matroid enumeration. We name this algorithm, which essentially builds all matroids that form valid network codes for a given network from scratch, as networkconstrained matroid enumeration.
NBDL: a CIS framework for NSDL

In this paper, we describe the NBDL (National Biology Digital Library) project, one of the six CIS (Core Integration System) projects of the NSF NSDL (National SMETE Digital Library) Program.
Application and limitations of current understanding to model failure modes in coatings

Building on prior work, some ideas are offered on further research that might provide better linkage between coating composition and durability. Further research may be particularly necessary in order to achieve future environmental goals as well as to adequately replace petrochemicals with renewable resources. Stochastic models have provided some understanding of how coating properties, such as gloss, toughness, corrosion protection, etc., deteriorate in service and have also helped in understanding why accelerated weathering has only a tenuous connection with natural exposure. Using these models and other observations, for example, of film formation and adhesion, one can see where the present knowledge is incomplete and where assumptions must be made, and where approximations must be inserted. Although the focus here is on durability, questions could equally arise in other aspects of coating science, e.g., on film formation, crosslinking chemistry, formulation science, etc.
Observations on Living Planktonic Foraminifera in Cultures: ABSTRACT

Planktonic Foraminifera collected in coastal waters off southern California were maintained in agnotobiotic cultures for periods up to 3 months. Culture techniques developed in this laboratory sufficed to ensure the survival of healthy, floating specimens of young Globigerina bulloides d'Orbigny and other plankton for extended observation and photography after collection. A standard routine was used at each collecting station. More than 1 gallon of sea water was pumped from a depth of 3 m. and the temperature recorded. Vertical plankton tows were made with coarse-(253-micron) and fine- (61-micron) mesh nets, using a slow return speed of about 5 m. per minute. The samples were diluted immediately in sea water and picked rapidly for Foraminifera and mixed planktonic algae onboard ship. The resulting specimens were placed in filtered sea water (five foraminifers per 4.5-ounce jar), packed in a basin with damp paper towels, sealed, and returned to the laboratory. There they were fed from established algal cultures, covered, refrigerated in constant light at 15° C., and changed the next day into filtered in situ sea water containing mixed algae. Cultures were limited to five or less specimens per 6-ounce dish, and were changed regularly. Squares of plastic film were used to cover cultures, in order to End_Page 603------------------------------ retain moisture and relatively constant water conditions. The Foraminifera were fed mixed planktonic algae from cultures started at each station and subcultured into filtered in situ sea water. Because G. bulloides was the most common species encountered in tows, it was predominant in the cultures. Young transparent specimens gave the best results. They commonly developed tenuous, elongate pseudopodia, measuring up to 10 times the test diameter in length, which supported the specimens in flotation for periods up to 3 months. Some specimens in culture developed into orbuline stages previously identified in the literature as Orbulina universa d'Orbigny. Other orbuline stages were collected in the tows. Most lived approximately 3 weeks, during which time they passed through a series of developmental stages. Changes in the morphology of the globigerinids and their orbuline phases were photographed. Bright orange-yellow zooxanthellae were present in most of the plankton studied. They were most obvious in newly formed orbuline phases, as well as in healthy globigerinids, and appeared to be related in numbers to metabolic activity of the host organism. Several radiolarian species from different families also were maintained floating for more than a month, and preliminary observations were made on their structures. End_of_Article - Last_Page 604------------
A General Equilibrium Perspective on Structural Change in the Rural Economy

A research study explored innovative methods for constructing computable general equilibrium (CGE) models for rural structural change and development policy analysis. These are the 'make' matrix, the personal consumption goods-industrial goods matrix, the occupation-industry matrix and the map distance matrix. Modeling the CGE for rural areas requires particular attention to the results of econometric tests on economics theories, especially since rural communities are demographically and economically different from urban regions.
Planning for women's health care services

Managed care organizations have an opportunity and an obligation to provide comprehensive health care services to women. The opportunity arises from the nature of the health insurance arrangements linking a woman, by contract, to one insurer for all her health care needs. As the sole-source provider for care, the managed care organization has the opportunity to plan for and to coordinate the implementation of the complete array of needed and desired services for women of all age groups. With this opportunity comes the obligation to try to provide not only what is medically appropriate but also what is preferred. In order to plan for needed health care services, our organizationHarvard Community Health Plan-used a process for clinical program planning. Harvard Community Health Plan (HCHP) is a mixed model, nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO) in New England, with a membership of more than 500,000. (At the time of this publication, a merger with Pilgrim, a New England-based independent practice association [IPA] model HMO, will be in process, resulting in an organization of more than l,OOO,OOO members named Harvard Pilgrim Health Care). Clinical program planning uses population-based approaches to guide the identification of improvement initiatives, focusing on best opportunities to improve clinical outcomes, customer satisfaction, and costs. This approach is being adopted increasingly by the larger, mature managed care organizations, with some early successes.1’2 Improvements are achieved through identifying and implementing optimal care processes and essential support programs. Measurement of key outcomes and overall program evaluation allows for assessment of effectiveness of current program and for identification of future opportunities. The vehicle used to oversee this process in our organization has been the development of steering committees, consisting of clinical leaders and managers from the various divisions of the organization. Steering committees have been established for the initial priority clinical areas of the organization: asthma, diabetes, pediatric prevention, mental health and substance abuse, and women’s health. The Women’s Health Steering Committee has met bimonthly over the past year with the goal of developing a mix of strategies to yield short-term, mid-term, and long-term improvements in health care for women.
Accelerated virtual switching with programmable NICs for scalable data center networking

Recently virtual switches in data center hosts have been employed to interconnect virtual machines (VMs) within data center networks. Such a virtual network layer, however, faces performance challenges when the number of VMs and the line rates scale up. Motivated by the performance and programmability of intelligent network interface cards (NICs), we propose to offload the virtual switching onto such programmable NICs (PNICs) to achieve scalable VM networking. We describe the design and advantages of a novel PNIC-oriented data center network architecture. We then present a prototype of a PNIC based virtual switch that supports virtual NICs, OpenFlow switching, clock synchronization and flow monitoring. We finally introduce an efficient packet buffering mechanism enabled by such PNICs and OpenFlow-capable top-of-rack switches for reducing the congestion on network fabric.
Guidelines for the Investigation of Mediating Variables in Business Research

Business theories often specify the mediating mechanisms by which a predictor variable affects an outcome variable. In the last 30 years, investigations of mediating processes have become more widespread with corresponding developments in statistical methods to conduct these tests. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines for mediation studies by focusing on decisions made prior to the research study that affect the clarity of conclusions from a mediation study, the statistical models for mediation analysis, and methods to improve interpretation of mediation results after the research study. Throughout this article, the importance of a program of experimental and observational research for investigating mediating mechanisms is emphasized.
Studies on the preparation and reactions of tritylsulfenimines

Preparation d'alkylidenaemides de l'acide triphenyl methanesulfenique (I), par reaction d'alcanals et d'alcanones avec le triphenyl methanesulfenamide. Etude des reactions d'alkylation, reduction, d'aldolisation a partir de (I)
Circular intermediates with missing nucleotides in the conversion of supercoiled or nicked circular to linear duplex DNA catalyzed by two species of BAL 31 nuclease.

Abstract The extracellular nucleases from Alteromonas espejiana BAL 31 can catalyze the endonucleolytic and/or exonucleolytic hydrolysis of duplex DNA in response to a variety of alterations, either covalent or noncovalent, in DNA structure. The nuclease can exist as at least two kinetically and molecularly distinct protein species. The two species that have been studied, called the ‘fast’ ( F ) and ‘slow’ ( S ) nucleases, both readily convert negatively supercoiled DNAs to linear duplex molecules and accomplish this conversion through the formation of a circular duplex intermediate containing usually a single interruption in one strand. It is further shown that most of these intermediates contain gaps arising from the removal in a processive manner of one or more nucleotide residues after the introduction of the initial strand break (nick). Considering only the intermediates with gaps, the average number of missing residues is 6.3 ± 0.5 and 2.8 ± 0.3, respectively, for DNA acted upon by the F and S enzymes independently of the extent of conversion of supercoiled DNA. The nicks and gaps are bounded by 3′-hydroxyl and 5′-phosphoryl termini. When singly nicked circular DNA is used as the substrate, conversion to the linear duplex form occurs predominantly through a gapped circular intermediate with the same average numbers, within experimental error, of missing nucleotides for the respective nuclease species as found when supercoiled DNA is the substrate. The conversion to linear duplex DNA is much slower when nicked circular DNA is the substrate compared to that found when supercoiled DNA is the starting material.
Evaluation of surface and upper air fine scale WRF meteorological modeling of the May and June 2010 CalNex period in California

Abstract Prognostic meteorological models such as Mesoscale Model (MM5) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) are often used to supply inputs for retrospective air quality modeling done to support ozone and PM2.5 emission control demonstrations. In this study, multiple configurations of the WRF model are applied at 4 km grid resolution and compared to routine meteorological measurements and special study measurements taken in California during May–June 2010. One configuration is routinely used by US EPA to generate meteorological inputs for regulatory air quality modeling and another that is used by research scientists for evaluating meteorology and air quality. Mixing layer heights estimated from airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) measurements of aerosol backscatter are compared with WRF modeled planetary boundary layer (PBL) height estimates. Both WRF configurations generally capture the variability in HSRL mixing height between days, hour-to-hour, and between surface features such as terrain and land–water interfaces. Fractional bias over all flights and both model configurations range from −38% to 32% and fractional error ranges from 22% to 58%. Surface and upper level measurements of temperature, water mixing ratio, and winds are generally well characterized by both WRF model configurations, often more closely matching surface observations than the input analysis data (12-NAM). The WRF model generally captures orographic and mesoscale meteorological features in the central Valley (bifurcation of wind flow from the San Francisco bay into the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys) and Los Angeles air basin (ocean-land flows) during this summer period.