cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermionic Converters Based on Nanostructured Carbon Materials

Thermionic energy converters are based on electron emission through thermal excitation and collection where the thermal energy is directly converted into electrical power. Conventional thermionic energy converters based on emission from planar metal emitters have been limited due to space charge. This paper presents a novel approach to thermionic energy conversion by focusing on nanostructured carbon materials, sulfur doped nanocrystalline diamond and carbon nanotube films as emitters. These materials exhibit intrinsic field enhancement which can be exploited in lowering the emission barrier, i.e. the effective work function. Moreover, emission from these materials is described in terms of emission sites as a result of a non‐uniform spatial distribution of the field enhancement factor. This phenomenon can prove advantageous in a converter configuration to mitigate space charge effects by reducing the transit time of electrons in the gap due to an accelerated charge carrier transport.
Hierarchical thermal modeling for SOI technology

The thermal environment in VLSI circuits is characterized by the existence of both small and isolated heat sources near the channel region and a vast volume (e.g. substrate) serving as the heat conduction media. The presence of a buried oxide layer in Silicon on Insulator technology introduces an additional thermal barrier between the device and Si substrate. The modeling and simulation of such situations are usually handled with either element-based simulations (e.g. finite element methods, lumped element methods) or direct methods based on integral transform. In practice neither approach can maintain both accuracy and efficiency at the same time. We have developed a new methodology for the simulation of the thermal behavior of high-density integrated circuits at various levels of complexity. It treats the structured thermal conduction media hierarchically and thus is capable of relating thermal behaviors over a wide range of length scales. As a demonstration this methodology is applied to model heat conduction and self heating effects in SOI technology. Compared to the traditional element-based numerical method used to solve the Laplace equation, out method greatly reduces the number of nodes and the computing time while maintaining accuracy.
Libidinal object constancy and mental representation.

(1969). Libidinal Object Constancy and Mental Representation. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 9-47.
Graphical Methods of Exploratory Data Analysis

Orion I is a graphic system used to study applications of computer graphics — especially interactive motion graphics- in statistics. Orion I is the newest of a family of “Prim” systems whose most striking common feature is the use of real-time motion graphics to display three-dimensional scatterplots. Orion I differs from earlier Prim systems through the use of modern and relatively inexpensive raster graphics and microprocessor technology. It also delivers more computing power to its user; Orion I can perform more sophisticated real-time computations than were possible on previous such systems. We demonstrate some of Orion I’s capabilities in our film: “Exploring data with Orion I”
Graphic Design for Architects: A Manual for Visual Communication

Introduction: Architects for Graphic Design Part 1: Presenting Yourself 1. Portfolios 2. Resumes Part 2: Presenting to an Audience 3. Competitions 4. Presentations 5. Books Part 3: Architectural Communication 6. Diagrams 7. Information Graphics 8. Maps Part 4: Communication as Architecture 8. Signage and Wayfinding 9. Super Graphics
BEHAB, a new member of the proteoglycan tandem repeat family of hyaluronan-binding proteins that is restricted to the brain

Hyaluronan (HA) is a ubiquitous component of the extracellular matrix of all tissues. In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) HA is present throughout development and into adulthood. While the functions of HA are likely to be mediated by HA-binding proteins, no cell or tissue specific HA-binding proteins have been reported. In an effort to characterize the composition of the extracellular matrix of the CNS, we sought to identify neural HA-binding proteins. We report here the isolation and characterization of a cDNA with a high degree of sequence homology to members of the proteoglycan tandem repeat (PTR) family of HA-binding proteins. Unlike other HA-binding proteins, the expression of this cDNA is restricted to the CNS. We propose the name BEHAB, Brain Enriched HyAluronan Binding protein, for this gene. The expression of BEHAB mRNA is developmentally regulated; expression is first detected in the late embryonic period and peaks during the first two postnatal weeks. In the embryo, BEHAB is expressed at highest levels in mitotically active cells. The sequence of BEHAB has long stretches of identity between rat and cat, suggesting that the encoded protein is functionally important. The size and sequence of BEHAB are consistent with the possibility that it could serve a function like link protein, stabilizing interactions between HA and brain proteoglycans. These observations suggest that existence of other tissue specific HA-binding proteins.
The Galton–Watson Process

The Galton–Watson Process is the oldest, simplest and best known branching process. It can be described as follows.
Chapter 4. Immigration Federalism and Rights

This chapter undertakes a comparative analysis of the growing asymmetrical immigration federalism regimes that have surfaced in Australia, Canada, the European Union, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United States. The purpose of the study is to begin to trace whether the rise in immigration federalism — i.e., the diversity of laws and policies regulating immigration and immigrants — in these nations has improved or worsened the rights and treatment of immigrants in those respective nations. This chapter does not provide a conclusive answer to this question because federal structures help amplify both restrictive as well as inclusive possibilities and trends. There are, however, factors that appear to contribute to the outcomes of immigration federalism that are worth noting. Among these factors is the role of demographic and socio-economic factors, as well as political ones at the local level. The role of political divergence between national and local interests is another significant consideration of the implications of federalism for the rights of immigrants, although here whether the outcome is positive or negative depends very much on the relationship between local and national politics. The role of binding universal human rights law or domestic constitutional rights to protect the rights of immigrants also cannot be dismissed as a powerful argument, generally in favor of centralization. As the Chapter documents, however, centralization does not necessarily translate to greater legal rights for immigrants in systems that apply exceptionalism to the national immigration power. Decentralization also need not mean the non-application of human rights law or even potentially greater local rights under sub-national constitutional provisions. Finally, the Chapter takes up the extremely important consideration of what, if any lessons, can be gleaned from these comparative analysis on advocacy strategies on behalf of immigrants. Here too, the response is highly contextualized and cannot be generalized, as it will be dictated by the factors that influence the outcomes of immigration federalism.
Complement mediated release of histamine from human basophils. II. Biochemical characterization of the reaction

Release of histamine from human basophils was induced by activation of complement using zymosan. The histamine-releasing factor resembled C5a on the basis of m.w. (15,000) as well as previous studies showing inactivation by anti-C5. Complement-induced release of histamine was compared with allergic release of histamine which is mediated through appropriate allergens and reaginic IgE. Previously we demonstrated that the former reaction occurred more quickly. Both reactions were inhibited by drugs which increase intracellular concentrations of cAMP3 (theophylline, prostaglandin E1, and histamine) or which mimic the action of cAMP (its dibutyrly derivative). Calcium was required for complement-mediated release of histamine and an increasing response was observed up to physiologic concentrations (2 mM). Magnesium (0 to 1 mM) did not affect the amount of histamine released. Also, glycolysis was probably required for optimal release by complement, since both 2-deoxyglucose and iodoacetamide were inhibitory. When basophils were partly enriched by depletion of neutrophils and eosinophils, the percentage of histamine released by complement was unchanged. Finally, it was shown that activated complement desensitized basophils from responding to a second challenge by the same stimulus. Cross-desensitization was not observed between complement and pollen allergens.
Estimating signal loss in regularized GRACE gravity field solutions

SUMMARY Gravity field solutions produced using data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission are subject to errors that increase as a function of increasing spatial resolution. Two commonly used techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio in the gravity field solutions are post-processing, via spectral filters, and regularization, which occurs within the least-squares inversion process used to create the solutions. One advantage of post-processing methods is the ability to easily estimate the signal loss resulting from the application of the spectral filter by applying the filter to synthetic gravity field coefficients derived from models of mass variation. This is a critical step in the construction of an accurate error budget. Estimating the amount of signal loss due to regularization, however, requires the execution of the full gravity field determination process to create synthetic instrument data; this leads to a significant cost in computation and expertise relative to post-processing techniques, and inhibits the rapid development of optimal regularization weighting schemes. Thus, while a number of studies have quantified the effects of spectral filtering, signal modification in regularized GRACE gravity field solutions has not yet been estimated. In this study, we examine the effect of one regularization method. First, we demonstrate that regularization can in fact be performed as a post-processing step if the solution covariance matrix is available. Regularization then is applied as a post-processing step to unconstrained solutions from the Center for Space Research (CSR), using weights reported by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales/Groupe de Recherches de geodesie spatiale (CNES/GRGS). After regularization, the power spectra of the CSR solutions agree well with those of the CNES/GRGS solutions. Finally, regularization is performed on synthetic gravity field solutions derived from a land surface model, revealing that in some locations significant signal loss can result from regularization. This signal loss is similar in magnitude to estimated signal loss in post-filtered solutions. End-users of GRACE data can use this method to improve the error budgets of GRACE time-series, or to restore the power lost through regularization using a scaling technique.
Methods for clinical assessment of insulin sensitivity and β-cell function

The quantitative assessment of insulin sensitivity (IS) and beta-cell function (BCF) is fundamental in the study of metabolic disorders. The most relevant experimental tests and data analysis methods for assessing both IS and BCF are described and their characteristic features discussed. Advantages and limitations of each method are comparatively reviewed to help investigators choose the most suitable test for their needs. The problem of properly relating BCF to IS is also addressed. Particular attention is paid to the oral glucose tolerance test, which has recently received considerable interest. The role of mathematical models in IS and BCF assessment is also emphasized.
Determinants of use of outpatient rehabilitation services following upper extremity injury.

Abstract This study documents the utilization of outpatient therapy services following upper extremity injury and identifies factors that influence the use of services. One hundred twelve patients admitted to a hand center for treatment of upper extremity injury were followed prospectively for 7 months to determine their utilization of therapy services and their perceptions of unmet need. Eighty percent of the patients used therapy services following their injury. Those who were more severely injured, were female, had health insurance, or obtained disability compensation made more visits than other subjects. One third of the patients reported that they did not have an adequate number of therapy visits. Subjects cited various reasons (e.g., lack of insurance, transportation difficulties) for unmet need. These findings suggest that the variation in utilization of rehabilitation services depends on not only the severity of the injury but other patient characteristics and resources as well.
Continued studies of an electroconvective liquid membrane for gas separation

Abstract An electroconvective liquid membrane for gas separations was previously investigated with the liquid crystal N -(4-methoxybenzylidine)-4-butylaniline (MBBA), and polar liquids 2-ethylhexanol (2EH) and diethyl phthalate (DEP). Recently, propylene carbonate and N -methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) were investigated as candidate liquid mediums for the membrane. These two solvents have higher gas permeabilities and selectivities than the previously tested liquid mediums. Both propylene carbonate and NMP were successfully tested in electroconvective liquid membrane experiments following purification to reduce their conductivities. The CO 2 permeance with propylene carbonate increased from 5.8·10 −7 cm 3 (STP)/cm 2 ·s·cm Hg to 3.6·10 −6 cm 3 (STP)/cm 2 ·s·cm Hg when a 1400 volt/cm ac electric field was applied to the electrodes. A similar increase in the CO 2 permeance was observed when NMP was used as the liquid medium. In comparison, the CO 2 permeance with DEP increased from 2.0·10 −7 cm 3 (STP)/cm 2 ·s·cm Hg to only 1.4·10 −6 cm 3 (STP)/cm 2 ·s·cm Hg when a 6300 volt/cm ac electric field was applied to the electrodes. A disadvantage of using propylene carbonate or NMP is that the higher CO 2 permeances are obtained at the cost of a relatively high power usage compared to when DEP is used as the liquid medium. A visual observation technique was also developed to observe the electrohydrodynamic motion of candidate polar liquid mediums for the membrane. The observed threshold voltages for electrohydrodynamic motion were compared to threshold voltages calculated using electrohydrodynamic instability criteria available in the literature for conductive liquids. The observed threshold voltages for propylene carbonate, NMP, DEP, and 2EH were approximately two orders of magnitude lower than the predicted values.
Noninvasive Differentiation of Pulmonary Arterial and Venous Hypertension Using Conventional and Doppler Tissue Imaging Echocardiography

To determine whether pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH) can be differentiated noninvasively, we reviewed data on 44 patients with pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than or equal to 40 mm Hg by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization performed within 7 days of each other. Based on left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 20 patients were classified as having PVH and 24 as having PAH. Early (E) and late (A) diastolic mitral inflow velocities, deceleration time, early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E'), and E/A and E/E' ratios were remeasured in the two groups. Compared with patients with PAH, those with PVH had significantly higher E (107.8 +/- 27.3 vs 65.0 +/- 24.0 cm/s, P < .001), E/A (2.4 +/- 1.0 vs 0.9 +/- 0.4, P < .001), and E/E' (14.3 +/- 4.3 vs 5.1 +/- 1.9, P < .001), and significantly lower A (55.5 +/- 33.5 vs 74.1 +/- 20.8 cm/s, P < .001), E' (8.0 +/- 2.5 vs 13.1 +/- 3.6 cm/s, P = .001), and deceleration time (148.5 +/- 49.0 vs 192.3 +/- 41.9 milliseconds, P = .003). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 97% for E/E' and 91% for E/A. Optimal cutoff for diagnosing PVH was 9.2 for E/E' (sensitivity 95%, specificity 96%) and 1.7 for E/A (sensitivity 75%, specificity 91%). PAH and PVH may be differentiated by readily obtainable conventional and tissue Doppler parameters.
An unusually large nonadiabatic error in the BNB molecule.

The vibronic coupling model of Kouppel, Domcke, and Cederbaum in one dimension is introduced as a means to estimate the effects of electronic nonadiabaticity on the vibrational energy levels of molecules that exhibit vibronic coupling. For the BNB molecule, the nonadiabatic contribution to the nominal fundamental vibrational energy of the antisymmetric stretching mode is approximately −80 cm−1. The surprisingly large effect for this mode, which corresponds to an adiabatic potential that is essentially flat near the minimum due to the vibronic interaction, is contrasted with another model system that also exhibits a flat potential (precisely, a vanishing quadratic force constant) but has a significantly larger gap between interacting electronic states. For the latter case, the nonadiabatic contribution to the level energies is about two orders of magnitude smaller even though the effect on the potential is qualitatively identical. A simple analysis shows that significant nonadiabatic corrections to energy ...
On the capacity of UWB-based wireless sensor networks

Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a promising wireless communications technology and has great potential for emerging applications such as sensor networks. This paper studies the following fundamental problems for UWB-based sensor networks. For a given network instance, what is the maximum data rate (network capacity) that can be received at the base station (i.e., sink node)? What is the network capacity bound among arbitrary network instances? We show that these problems can be cast into a cross-layer formulation with joint consideration of routing, scheduling, power control, and rate assignment. For a given network instance, we find a closed-form network capacity as well as corresponding optimal routing, scheduling, power control, and rate assignment. We also find a network capacity bound among arbitrary network instances. Our results provide fundamental results for UWB-based sensor networks.
The molecular basis of histidase induction in Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis can be induced by l -histidine at 37°C in medium containing glutamate as source of carbon to form an enzyme, histidase, that converts l -histidine to urocanic acid. This enzyme was highly purified and characterized and appears in the cell 5 minutes following the addition of the inducer. Actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, and chloramphenicol, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, were used to elucidate the induction process. The capacity for histidase biosynthesis appears 2 min after the addition of the inducer. This capacity decays exponentially with a half-life of 2·4 min and its synthesis is inhibited by actinomycin D; the compound that endows the cell with the capacity to synthesize histidase is apparently a messenger RNA specific for this enzyme; the product of this messenger RNA is a precursor of histidase, an enzymically inactive protein whose rate of synthesis is proportional to the intracellular level of the specific messenger RNA. This precursor is converted with an initial delay of approximately 2 min to the active enzyme by a process which does not involve the synthesis of peptide bonds. When, approximately 9 min after addition of the inducer, the steady state of enzyme synthesis has been reached, each cell contains sufficient precursor to form approximately 100 molecules of histidase, and produces approximately 50 molecules of the enzyme per min ; the cell produces and loses every minute the capacity to make approximately 15 molecules of histidase per min. A fully induced cell contains approximately 15,000 molecules of histidase.
Acute Interstitial Nephritis With Renal Failure Associated With Propylthiouracil Therapy

Propylthiouracil therapy is associated with a variety of adverse reactions. Renal involvement, although rare, has occurred, but neither acute interstitial nephritis nor severe acute renal failure has been reported previously. We report a case of fulminant acute interstitial nephritis with renal failure following treatment with propylthiouracil.
Ordered surface phases of Au on Cu

Calculations using the embedded atom method show that Au forms ordered surface layers on the low index faces of Cu which exist in equilibrium with a bulk containing dilute amounts of Au. These surfaces have a mixed Au-Cu surface plane rather than Au adatoms on a Cu surface. The (100) and (110) ordered surfaces contain 1/2 monolayer of Au arranged in c(2×2) structures, though the ordering on the (110) surface is poor in the direction normal to the close packed rows. The (111) surface has 1/3 monolayer of Au in a (√3 ×√3)R30° structure. The surface layers of all three faces are found to be rippled with the Au atoms 0.13 to 0.21 A above the Cu atoms. The results for the (100) surface are in agreement with LEED results for the structure found for Au deposited on Cu.
Efficiency issues in Ce3+ doped YAG nanocrystals

Abstract Nanoparticles of Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ (YAG:Ce3+, 1%) were synthesized via the glycothermal method. The particle sizes were estimated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, surface area determination and by dynamic light scattering. We found primary particles of 10–14 nm in diameter, which form agglomerates of approximately 100 nm. For the 4f → 5d transition of Ce3+ an internal quantum efficacy of up to 46% was measured. The particles consist of 6–10% of 1,4-butanediol attached on the surface, as determined by carbon content measurements in combination with IR and absorption spectroscopy. In particular, limiting drawbacks due to inevitable surface coatings for glycothermal syntheses and nanoscale associated scattering are elucidated.
Contributions to-asymptotic theory in regression models with linear covariance structure 1

Asymptotic results are .presented- for estimating the parameters in variance-components models both with linear and with nonlinear regression functions.
“Maybe the communication between us was not enough”: Inside a dysfunctional advisor/L2 advisee relationship

Abstract Reporting findings from a 5-month qualitative study of an ESL graduate student as she worked on her master's thesis with the assistance of her advisor, this study offers a detailed portrait of the complicated challenges ESL learners and their advisors may face as they attempt to negotiate working relationships with one another. The study examines the ways the advisor/advisee relationship impacted the ESL learner as she participated in the knowledge-making practices of her academic discipline. The study also aims to enrich our understanding of ESL graduate students and the professors who advise them by exploring how they are situated in socially, culturally, and politically complex academic relationships.
Mitigation of chemical attacks in enclosed public transportation facilities

Public transportation facilities in the United States are vulnerable to attack by terrorists using chemical agents. This paper focuses on the problem of protecting the people in underground subway stations, which are among the most difficult facilities to protect. A nerve agent can produce symptoms in seconds to minutes, so immediate triggering of evacuation alarms and initiation of mitigation measures is necessary to minimize casualties in the station. The question of whether currently available chemical detectors are sufficiently capable and reliable to enable an automated response is addressed and augmentation possibilities are discussed. A number of concepts for mitigating chemical attacks are explored and their applicability to other transportation facilities is discussed. A possible near-term mitigation measure that is reviewed in some detail is the use of water sprays to scrub gasses and aerosols from the air. This technique may have applicability in the station at the point of agent release, as well as for detoxification of the air stream if selective venting is employed. Calculations show that with proper spray nozzle selection, the water pressure and flow rate available at some subway stations for fire suppression is sufficient for effective removal of Sarin from an air stream.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prostate-specific antigen testing among the elderly in community-based family medicine practices.

Background: Controversy surrounds prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer screening, especially among elderly men aged 75 and older. This study examines whether patient age results in differential use of PSA testing and if organizational attributes such as communication, stress, decision making, and practice history of change predict PSA testing among men aged 75 and older. Methods: Data came from chart audits of 1149 men ≥50 years old who were patients of 46 family medicine practices participating in 2 northeastern practice-based research networks. Surveys administered to clinicians and staff in each practice provide practice-level data. A stratified Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was applied to examine whether PSA testing decreased with age. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses determined characteristics associated with PSA testing for men ≥75 years old. Results: Comparable rates for annual PSA testing of 77.2% for men aged 50 to 74 years and 74.6% for men ≥75 years old were reported. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test indicated no significant change in trend. Hierarchical models suggest that practice communication is the only organizational attribute that influences PSA testing for men 75 years of age or older (odds ratio, 5.04; P = .022). Practices with higher communication scores (eg, promoted constructive work relationships and a team atmosphere between staff and clinicians) screened men aged 75 and older at lower rates than others. Conclusions: Elderly men in community settings receive PSA testing at rates comparable to their younger counterparts even though major clinical practice guidelines discourage the practice for this population. Intraoffice practice interventions that target PSA testing to the most appropriate populations and focus on communication (both within the office and with patients) are needed.
Dynamic collective model of photofission

Abstract A fissioning nucleus is described by a collective model with degrees of freedom which permit the nucleus to undergo internal oscillation, surface distension and rotation. Photoabsorption takes place primarily through the excitation of intrinsic charge density oscillations (as in the Steinwedel-Jensen model), but the nucleus is then unstable to fission, in that adiabatic distension of the surface may so drain the energy from the interior oscillation that the fission barrier effectively disappears. The same set of hydrodynamic assumptions are consistently applied to the system whether in a divided or coalesced state, and consequently the separation vector in the final state is continuously related to the collective variables of the parent nucleus. Calculation of the matrix element for photofission is then straightforward. Numerical calculations are confined to symmetric binary fission of 238 U.
Including Families' Spiritual Beliefs and Their Faith Communities in Systems of Care

SUMMARY System of care (SOC) philosophy and principles were developed and systems of care are designed and implemented to improve the mental health services that are delivered to children and families. The identification and effective use of resources to assist families in managing their concerns and difficulties are important considerations with SOC. Flexibility including the use of traditional and non-traditional services and resources is central to SOC philosophy and practice. In terms of resource identification and utilization, the family's spiritual beliefs and their faith community are often underutilized or overlooked. Reasons for this are described in this article, along with the advantages of and strategies for including them in SOC.
Almost sure and δmoment stability of jump linear systems

Abstract In this paper, we study the almost sure-stability and δmoment stability of discrete-time jump linear systems with a finite state form process. Criteria for almost sure and δ-moment stability, which are necessary and sufficient conditions for (scalar) one-dimensional systems, are derived. The relationship between almost sure and 6-moment stability for (scalar) one-dimensional systems is also presented. If the system matrices commute, necessary and sufficient conditions for almost sure stability are obtained.
Postsynaptic injection of Ca2+/CaM induces synaptic potentiation requiring CaMKII and PKC activity

Abstract Ca 2+ -regulated protein kinases play critical roles in long-term potentiation (LTP). To understand the role of Ca 2+ /calmodulin (CaM) signaling pathways in synaptic transmission better, Ca 2+ /CaM was injected into hippocampal CA1 neurons. Ca 2+ /CaM induced significant potentiation of excitatory synaptic responses, which was blocked by coinjection of a CaM-binding peptide and was not induced by injections of Ca 2+ or CaM alone. Reciprocal experiments demonstrated that Ca 2+ /CaM-induced synaptic potentiation and tetanus-induced LTP occluded one another. Pseudosubstrate inhibitors or high-affinity substrates of CaMKII or PKC blocked Ca 2+ /CaM-induced potentiation, indicating the requirement of CaMKII and PKC activities in synaptic potentiation. We suggest that postsynaptic levels of free Ca 2+ /CaM is a rate limiting factor and that functional cross-talk between Ca 2+ /CaM and PKC pathways occurs during the induction of LTP.
A preconcentration and subsequent gas liquid chromatographic analysis method for trace volatiles

A glass column containing a porous polymer was used to concen-trate headspace volatiles from enzymatically mediated reactions and inserted directly into the injection port of a gas liquid chromatog-raphy (GLC) for elution and separation of adsorbed volatiles. The polymer column was placed in an entrainment system attached to a water aspirator at 30 psi to collect volatiles produced by the en-zymatic reaction. A useful chromatogram was obtained from 1 g of raw material by this method. Volatiles collected in this manner could be stored on the polymer matrix at ambient temperatures without deleterious effects for subsequent GLC analysis. Multiple columns of the same or different trapping material could also be used in the entrainment system.
Titanium dioxide-coated nanofibers for advanced filters

This article reports on titanium dioxide (TiO2)-coated nanofibers deposited on a filter surface by the electrospinning process. After depositing a micrometer-thick film of polyamide 11 nanofibers on polypropylene fabric, TiO2 nanoparticles can be directly electrosprayed onto the nanofibers. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed minimal change in the phase composition (anatase and rutile) and no change in the particle size of nanocrystalline TiO2 after coating. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that nanofibers were uniformly coated by titanium dioxide nanoparticles without agglomeration. TiO2-coated filters showed excellent photocatalytic-bactericidal activity and photo-induced hydrophilicity.
A combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical potential for molecular dynamics simulations

A combined quantum mechanical (QM) and molecular mechanical (MM) potential has been developed for the study of reactions in condensed phases. For the quantum mechanical calculations semiempirical methods of the MNDO and AM1 type are used, while the molecular mechanics part is treated with the CHARMM force field. Specific prescriptions are given for the interactions between the QM and MM portions of the system; cases in which the QM and MM methodology is applied to parts of the same molecule or to different molecules are considered. The details of the method and a range of test calculations, including comparisons with ab initio and experimental results, are given. It is found that in many cases satisfactory results are obtained. However, there are limitations to this type of approach, some of which arise from the AM1 or MNDO methods themselves and others from the present QM/MM implementation. This suggests that it is important to test the applicability of the method to each particular case prior to its use. Possible areas of improvement in the methodology are discussed.
The West Coast experiment: An overview

The West Coast Experiment was conducted in the Southern California Bight during March-April 1977 for the purpose of investigating the mesoscale variability of waves, wind, and surface temperature and to demonstrate the validity and level of usefulness of airborne remote sensing techniques in the investigation of oceanographic processes. This paper presents the large-scale view of the West Coast Experiment and provides a summary of the major results.
The chromatographic isolation of the trihydroxymethylanthraquinones of cascara sagrada

The chromatographic isolation of the isomeric trihydroxymethylanthraquinones of Cascara Sagrada was investigated. It was found that under a given set of conditions the three isomers would separate into three distinct bands on the chromatographic tube. This isolation, in conjunction with spectrophotometry, was used as the basis for a method of quantitative analysis of Cascara Sagrada preparations.
Titania Nanotubes: Protein‐Enabled Layer‐by‐Layer Syntheses of Aligned, Porous‐Wall, High‐Aspect‐Ratio TiO2 Nanotube Arrays (Adv. Funct. Mater. 9/2011)

An aqueous, protein-enabled (biomimetic), layer-by-layer titania deposition process is developed, for the first time, to convert aligned-nanochannel templates into high-aspect-ratio, aligned nanotube arrays with thin (34 nm) walls composed of co-continuous networks of pores and titania nanocrystals (15 nm ave. size). Alumina templates with aligned open nanochannels are exposed in an alternating fashion to aqueous protamine-bearing and titania precursor-bearing (Ti(IV) bis-ammonium-lactato-dihydroxide, TiBALDH) solutions. The ability of protamine to bind to alumina and titania, and to induce the formation of a Ti–O-bearing coating upon exposure to the TiBALDH precursor, enables the layer-by-layer deposition of a conformal protamine/Ti–O-bearing coating on the nanochannel surfaces within the porous alumina template. Subsequent protamine pyrolysis yields coatings composed of co-continuous networks of pores and titania nanoparticles. Selective dissolution of the underlying alumina template through the porous coating then yields freestanding, aligned, porous-wall titania nanotube arrays. The interconnected pores within the nanotube walls allow enhanced loading of functional molecules (such as a Ru-based N719 dye), whereas the interconnected titania nanoparticles enable the high-aspect-ratio, aligned nanotube arrays to be used as electrodes (as demonstrated for dye-sensitized solar cells with power conversion efficiencies of 5.2 ± 0.4%).
p59fyn and pp60c-src modulate axonal guidance in the developing mouse olfactory pathway.

The Src-family tyrosine kinases p59fyn and pp60c-src are localized on axons of the mouse olfactory nerve during the initial stages of axonal growth, but their functional roles remain to be defined. To study the role of these kinases, we analyzed the trajectory of the olfactory nerve in E11.5 homozygous null mutant mice lacking single src or fyn genes and double mutants lacking both genes. Primary olfactory axons of single and double mutants exited the olfactory epithelium and projected toward the telencephalon, but displayed differences in fasciculation. The fyn-minus olfactory nerve had significantly more fascicles than the src-minus nerve. Most strikingly, the primary olfactory nerve of src/fyn double mutants showed the greatest degree of defasciculation. These defects, identified by NCAM labeling, were not due to apparent changes in the size of the olfactory epithelium. With the exception of the src-minus mice, which had fewer fascicles than the wild type, no obvious differences were observed in coalescence of vomeronasal axons from mutant mice. The mesenchyme of the double and single mutants exhibited only subtle changes in laminin and fibronectin staining, indicating that the adhesive environment of the mesenchyme may contribute in part to defects in fasciculation. The results suggest that signaling pathways mediated by p59fyn and pp60c-src contribute to the appropriate fasciculation of axons in the nascent olfactory system, and comprise partially compensatory mechanisms for axonal adhesion and guidance. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 36: 53–63, 1998
Isotopic signatures of black tektites from the K‐T boundary on Haiti: Implications for the age and type of source material

An isotopic study was carried out to characterize the type of black tektites from the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary on Haiti (the first reasonably well-preserved impact-derived material recovered from the K-T boundary), in order to help characterize the tektite source material (i.e., the type of rocks that were melted and ejected during the impact event(s) at around 64.5 Ma). Results show that the isotopic data and all of the element concentration data obtained are consistent with an andesitic-dacitic composition for the tektites and their source material. The Nd isotopic data suggest that the source rocks were not older than Silurian (T(chur) = 400 Ma) in age, and were composed largely of young (less than 1080 Ma) crustal material. Of the suspected K-T boundary impact sites, both the Manson (Iowa) and Chicxulub (Yucatan) structures occur in suitable lithologies to yield the Haitian black tektites.
Lead at 2.5 and 5.0 μM induced aberrant MH-II surface expression through increased MII exocytosis and increased autophagosome formation in Raw 267.4 cells.

Abstract Aberrant major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) surface expression on antigen presenting cells (APCs) is associated with dysregulated immune homeostasis. Lead (Pb) is known to increase MHC-II surface expression on murine peritoneal macrophages ex vivo at concentrations exceeding 25 μM. Little data exist examining this effect at physiologically relevant concentrations. To address this deficit, we examined the effects of Pb on MHC-II surface expression, secondary T-cell activation markers (CD80, CD86, CD40), cell viability, cellular metabolic activity, and β-hexosaminidase activity in RAW 267.4 macrophage cell lines, with changes in cell ultrastructure evaluated by electron and confocal microscopy. Pb induced an increase in MHC-II, CD86, and lysosome-associated LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 surface mean expression during one doubling cycle (17 h), which was mirrored by increased β-hexosaminidase activity. Although cell viability was unaffected, cellular metabolism was inhibited. Electron microscopy revealed evidence of lipid vacuolization, macroautophagy and myelin figure formation in cells cultured with either Pb or LPS. Confocal microscopy with antibodies against LC3B showed a punctate pattern consistent with the presence of mature autophagosomes. Collectively, these data suggest that 2.5–5.0 μM Pb increased MHC-II surface expression by inhibiting metabolic activity, inducing autophagy, and increasing MHC-II trafficking in a macrophage cell line.
TNF-α Injury to Pulmonary Artery Endothelium is not Blocked by Steroids. † 1510

Glucocorticoids have anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial in treating pulmonary edema associated with chronic lung disease and infection. We have shown that steroids affect bovine pulmonary artery endothelium by decreasing permeability to albumin. To test the hypothesis that steroids would block inflammatory mediated endothelial injury, we measured permeation of radiolabeled albumin across endothelial monolayers in the presence of the cytokine TNF-α. Monolayers were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium and had a 24 hr exposure to 20 ng/mL TNF with (n=29) and without (n=31) pretreatment with 1 μM dexamethasone or with 24 hr exposure to dex alone(n=105). Control monolayers (n=108) were not exposed to TNF or dex. The figure shows permeability p as a function of treatment. Monolayers exposed to TNF were significantly more permeable to albumin than controls (p<0.0001, rank sum test), and pretreatment with dexamethasone did not prevent the injury. Monolayers exposed to dex alone were significantly less permeable than controls (p<0.0001). We conclude that while dex is effective in decreasing endothelial permeability, dex does not block the increased endothelial permeability caused by the inflammatory mediator TNF-α in this preparation.
Perceived control and change in physical functioning after coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective study.

We determined if perceived general and health-related control predicted change in physical functioning after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 1,038 patients. Control and physical functioning were assessed prior to hospital discharge and physical functioning also was assessed 6 weeks and 6 months later. The repeated measures outcome was modeled using a one-way analysis of covariance with interaction terms for General and Health-Related Control x Time. The sample was primarily composed of Caucasian (94%) men (73%) with a mean age of 65 ± 11 years. Increasing health-related control was an independent predictor of positive change in physical functioning with a stronger effect in women. There was a nearly significant association between increasing general control and positive physical functioning change. Lack of significant interactions with time indicate that higher control has a beneficial impact on physical functioning change at 6 weeks and 6 months. Assessing control may help clinicians predict post-CABG physical functioning and may shape intervention efforts.
Obesity associated molecular forms of C-reactive protein in human.

Objective To describe novel C-reactive protein (CRP) molecular forms (mf) in human plasma. Design and Methods Five novel CRP-mfs, disctinct from the previously described native (nCRP) and modified (mCRP) C-reactive proteins, were separated from human plasma by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunodetected by western blot in subjects with or without increased BMI, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes (n = 1800). Results Three of the five CRP-mfs were present in all samples. One, CRPmf-4, was present in a subgroup of subjects and its presence was associated with elevated body mass index (BMI). CRP-mf-5 was present in about 2% of the subjects and was not associated with any other parameters. The presence or distribution of the 5 CRP-mfs were not Ca2+-dependent. Crossed immuno-localization experiments indicated that none of the CRP-mfs were complexed with any of the lipoprotein classes or with signature proteins of the complement-factor. Moreover, the distribution of CRP-mfs were not significantly correlated with plasma CRP levels. CRP-mf-4 was significantly associated with increased BMI, but not with other parameters of the metabolic syndrome (HDL-C and triglyceride levels, and diabetes). Conclusions We have identified five new CRP-mfs out of which CRP-mf-4 was significantly associated with obesity. We have shown that oligomerization of CRP was not calcium dependent. We hypothesize that adipose tissue produces a factor which influences the formation of CRP mf-4. CRP-mfs might be used as an obesity-associated inflammatory marker.
Bottom sensing device for use with STD systems

Abstract A bottom-sensing signal generator, compatible with single-conductor fm systems such as the STD, is described. It is similar to, but somewhat simpler than, the device of Holzkamm (1964).
Recent developments on the construction of spatio-temporal covariance models

This paper briefly surveys some recent advances on how to construct spatio-temporal covariance functions, with the emphasis on the methods which can be used to derive covariance functions but not on a summary list of particular closed-form covariance functions. The advantages and shortcomings of some methods are discussed, and a number of proposals for future research are also suggested.
Self-Efficacy, Self-Regulation, and Cognitive Style as Predictors of Achievement with Podcast Instruction:

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible factors that may affect academic achievement when instruction is delivered via podcast. Seventeen female Communication Sciences and Disorders s...
PostDOCK: a structural, empirical approach to scoring protein ligand complexes.

In this work we introduce a postprocessing filter (PostDOCK) that distinguishes true binding ligand−protein complexes from docking artifacts (that are created by DOCK 4.0.1). PostDOCK is a pattern recognition system that relies on (1) a database of complexes, (2) biochemical descriptors of those complexes, and (3) machine learning tools. We use the protein databank (PDB) as the structural database of complexes and create diverse training and validation sets from it based on the “families of structurally similar proteins” (FSSP) hierarchy. For the biochemical descriptors, we consider terms from the DOCK score, empirical scoring, and buried solvent accessible surface area. For the machine-learners, we use a random forest classifier and logistic regression. Our results were obtained on a test set of 44 structurally diverse protein targets. Our highest performing descriptor combinations obtained ∼19-fold enrichment (39 of 44 binding complexes were correctly identified, while only allowing 2 of 44 decoy comple...
The kinase TAK1 integrates antigen and cytokine receptor signaling for T cell development, survival and function

The kinase TAK1 is critical for innate and B cell immunity. The function of TAK1 in T cells is unclear, however. We show here that T cell-specific deletion of the gene encoding TAK1 resulted in reduced development of thymocytes, especially of regulatory T cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3. In mature thymocytes, TAK1 was required for interleukin 7-mediated survival and T cell receptor-dependent activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB and the kinase Jnk. In effector T cells, TAK1 was dispensable for T cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB activation and cytokine production, but was important for proliferation and activation of the kinase p38 in response to interleukins 2, 7 and 15. Thus, TAK1 is essential for the integration of T cell receptor and cytokine signals to regulate the development, survival and function of T cells.