cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U-Junction Ge(Li) Drift Detectors

A U-junction drifting configuration has been used which permits the fabrication of large volume, low-capacitance detectors in much less time than previously required. For example, it is now possible, with good material, to fabricate in approximately one week an 18-cm3 diode with 3-pF capacitance. The U-junction structure is partially wrapped around three sides of a parallelepiped of the desired dimensions. The drifting then proceeds toward the remaining side of the detector. At the completion of the drift, only a narrow strip of P-type material remains along one edge. The portion of the lithium junction used for the rapid drift is now lapped off, leaving the low-capacitance junction structure for the collection of the charge. No further processing is required, and the diode is ready for mounting. Initial tests on two 6-cm3 U-junction detectors indicate that the diodes have the expected capacitance of about 2 pF and a relatively thin window. A resolution of 705 eV for the 60-keV gamma ray of Am241 has thus far been obtained, and the measured Fano factor of 0.157 is consistent with the currently accepted value.
Creating collaboration and training opportunities for IT staff

Have you ever had a computer project and didn't think you had enough staff to implement on time? Ever tried to get IT staff from different campuses or departments to work together? Ever tried to find innovative ways to provide training opportunities for the IT staff? Pima Community College developed a couple of different plans to address the needs of the institution and offer training opportunities to IT technicians and specialists.At any one time, one or more campuses may be have a staff vacancy making it difficult or impossible to meet the demands of supporting computers, printers, projectors and all of those other pieces of equipment in classrooms, labs and offices. One location may struggle to configure and install new computer systems in a timely manner, while another has staff to deploy new systems as they are needed. We needed to find a way to encourage collaboration among campus IT staff to help their peers when these issues take place. We also needed a method to build current skill levels, which were not consistent across the district.This presentation will demonstrate a couple of different methods we used at Pima Community College to provide cross-training opportunities to staff from different campuses and departments. These activities helped build relationships among the staff and provided extra hands to help departments and campuses manage technology at their respective locations
Multifunctional wax valves for liquid handling and incubation on a microfluidic CD

Recently, several biological assays have become available on the centrifugal microfluidic platform. Despite many innovative solutions developed for on-disc fluid handling for these assays, certain challenges, including liquid incubation and simplification of a multi-step assay on a plastic device, still need to be further addressed. Incubating fluids that require downstream processing, which we call “midstream incubation”, can often be difficult on the microfluidic disc platform due to surface tension changes induced by varying temperatures, thus causing operating instability. We describe here strategies for liquid reagent storage, release, incubation, and transfer, all of which utilize a single combination of actuation methods—wax valving and heat actuation by halogen lamp—on a centrifugal microfluidic device made using pristine materials. The strategies that we use to perform these steps, termed multifunctional wax valves, enable manipulation of a microlitre range fluid volume without the need for complex fabrication steps or hardware. This technology’s reliability and ease of use will hopefully allow for more powerful fluidics-based diagnostic tools to be created.
E Pluribus Unum: Challenges of Diversity in the Future of Mathematics Education Research.

Our task in preparing this article on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (JRME) was to look ahead to the future of research in the field and to identify and discuss issues that might be important for the next decade or two in the life of the journal. Rather than merely offering our own opinions and speculations, we decided to interview a number of other researchers, some from the United States and some from other countries, to sample their views regarding the current state of research in mathematics education, the issues that may affect the future of the field, and the role of the JRME in the current and future scene. In particular, we asked these researchers to identify examples of work they considered significant and to comment on its important characteristics. We probed their definitions of the field by asking them to identify the types of work (e.g., empirical studies, historical or theoretical analyses) they judged could legitimately be called research in mathematics education. We explored their visions of the future of research over the next few decades. And we questioned them about the role and place of the JRME in the research community and about its impact on the field. In addition, we participated in a conference on Research in Mathematics Education and Its Results in May 1994 that was part of a study conducted by the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI). The discussion document framing the study (Sierpinska et al., 1993) and many of the presentations and conversations at the ICMI Research Conference should be acknowledged as sources of ideas for the article. Naturally, we have included our own opinions, analyses, and perspectives. The article is organized around two major themes that emerged from our analysis of the interviews we conducted: the nature and role of research
The hyperfine structure anomaly of 241Pu and 239Pu and the nuclear moment of 241Pu

Abstract The hfs anomaly of an s electron for the 241, 239 Pu isotopes is shown to be 241 Δ 239 = −6.3 ± 0.2%. The value for μ N ( 241 Pu) is found to be −0.718 ± 0.017 nm.
The advantage of standing up to fight and the evolution of habitual bipedalism in hominins.

Background Many quadrupedal species stand bipedally on their hindlimbs to fight. This posture may provide a performance advantage by allowing the forelimbs to strike an opponent with the range of motion that is intrinsic to high-speed running, jumping, rapid braking and turning; the range of motion over which peak force and power can be produced. Methodology/Principal Findings To test the hypothesis that bipedal (i.e., orthograde) posture provides a performance advantage when striking with the forelimbs, I measured the force and energy produced when human subjects struck from “quadrupedal” (i.e., pronograde) and bipedal postures. Downward and upward directed striking energy was measured with a custom designed pendulum transducer. Side and forward strikes were measured with a punching bag instrumented with an accelerometer. When subjects struck downward from a bipedal posture the work was 43.70±12.59% (mean ± S.E.) greater than when they struck from a quadrupedal posture. Similarly, 47.49±17.95% more work was produced when subjects struck upward from a bipedal stance compared to a quadrupedal stance. Importantly, subjects did 229.69±44.19% more work in downward than upward directed strikes. During side and forward strikes the force impulses were 30.12±3.68 and 43.04±9.00% greater from a bipedal posture than a quadrupedal posture, respectively. Conclusions/Significance These results indicate that bipedal posture does provide a performance advantage for striking with the forelimbs. The mating systems of great apes are characterized by intense male-male competition in which conflict is resolved through force or the threat of force. Great apes often fight from bipedal posture, striking with both the fore- and hindlimbs. These observations, plus the findings of this study, suggest that sexual selection contributed to the evolution of habitual bipedalism in hominins.
Synthesis and crystal structures of two thallium vanadium phosphates: TIVO2(HPO4) and TI3V2O3(VO)(PO4)2(HPO4)

Abstract Two thallium vanadium phosphate compounds have been crystallized hydrothermally and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The first, a hydrogen phosphate containing only vanadium(V), crystallizes at 450°C and is orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with a = 9.257(2) A, b = 17.518(4) A, and c = 6.810(2) A; V = 1104.4(5) A3; Z = 8; Dx = 4.610 g/cm3; R = 0.048; and Rw = 0.048 for 564 independent observed reflections with I ≥ 3σ(I). The structure can be described as chains of corner-sharing distorted square pyramids. Adjacent square pyramids are bridged by the phosphate groups. The chains are linked together by hydrogen bonds to form puckered layers stacked along the b axis. The thallium(I) atoms are approximately 7-coordinated by oxygen atoms in sites between the layers. The compound is isostructural with the MVO2(HPO4) (M = K, Rb, and NH4) compounds whose structures were recently determined by powder X-ray diffraction (1). The second compound, prepared at 200°C, has the composition Tl3V2O3(VO)(PO4)2(HPO4) and contains both V(V) and V(IV). The structure is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, with a = 7.160(2) A, b = 13.378(2) A, and c = 14.422(1)A; V = 1381.4(7) A3; Z = 4; Dx = 5.378 g/cm3; R = 0.041; and Rw = 0.054 for 1093 independent observed reflections with I ≥ 3σ(I). The structure contains vanadium atoms in two independent sites. The vanadium atom V2 is octahedrally coordinated by six oxygen atoms and forms a OVOVOchain of composition VO(PO4)2 along the crystallographic a direction. The second vanadium atom (V1) is coordinated by five oxygen atoms in a square pyramidal arrangement and is found as a dimeric unit with composition V2O3(HPO4). The two different units are joined to form the complete vanadium phosphate framework structure by sharing the oxygen atoms of one phosphate group. Bond valence calculations indicate that the vanadium atom in the chain is V4+ and that the dimer contains equal amounts of V4+ and V5+. The two thallium atoms occupy distorted 8-coordinate sites in the framework.
Snare Mediated Fusion with Membrane Tension Control

Fusion of membranes is ubiquitous in life. It is essential for neurotransmitter and hormone release, intracellular vesicular trafficking, fertilization, and viral infection. SNARE proteins constitute a highly conserved minimal fusion machinery mediating intracellular membrane merger from slow fusion of large yeast vacuoles (minutes) to extremely fast neurotransmitter release (<1 ms). While membrane tension was suggested to inhibit fusion by suppressing dimpling of membranes by viral fusion proteins (Markosyan et al., Biophys J, 1999), it was suggested to promote fusion pore opening and dilation in other studies (Shillcock and Lipowsky, Nat Mater, 2005; Nikolaus et al., Biophys J, 2010; Warner and O'shaughnessy, Biophys J, 2012). Thus, membrane tension may affect distinct stages of the fusion process differentially. To resolve how tension affects fusion, we established a fusion assay in which membrane tension is precisely controlled. Our approach is based on a previously established bulk assay in which v-SNARE reconstituted small liposomes (vSUVs) fuse to t-SNARE containing giant unilamellar vesicles (tGUVs, ∼10-30 micrometers in diameter) (Malsam et al., EMBO J, 2012). Using a micropipette, a single GUV is picked up, whose membrane tension is controlled by the aspiration pressure. Another pipette is maneuvered nearby to puff a suspension of vSUVs. Fusion is monitored as an increase of the GUV tongue projection in the aspiration pipette whose position can be determined with sub-pixel resolution. Because the micromanipulation setup is mounted on a spinning disc confocal microscope, simultaneous monitoring of fluorescence from labeled membranes can also be used to probe vesicle docking and fusion. Our preliminary results show increasing membrane tension increases the fusion rate.
Enabling local actions by global consensus

Presented is an algorithm for determining whether total global consensus exists for a process to execute a local action that has interaction constraints. The algorithm assumes a virtual ring of processes each of which possesses a token. Multiple processes can simultaneously attempt and succeed in performing actions that do not constrain each other, thus exploiting the available parallelism. The algorithm can be tailored to handle any situation in which the action of one process is constrained by actions of other processes and where total global consensus is required. The use of execution time estimates and information concerning the attempts and activities of other processes reduces the number of failed attempts and hence unnecessary communication.
Investigation and application of all-fiber frustrated-total-internal-reflection sensors

The objective of this paper is to present a detailed investigation of the frustrated-total-internal-reflection (FTIR) phenomenon in silica-glass-based optical fibers and its application to simple intensity-modulated strain and pressure sensors. Such sensors may be readily fabricated using silica-based fibers and can be easily modified using sapphire fibers for high temperature industrial applications where conventional silica-based fiber sensors are not feasible. In this paper we present the all-fiber FTIR sensor and show good correlation between theory and experiment. We also present results for the design and implementation of a prototype FTIR-based fiber pressure sensor.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Delayed frost growth on jumping-drop superhydrophobic surfaces.

Self-propelled jumping drops are continuously removed from a condensing superhydrophobic surface to enable a micrometric steady-state drop size. Here, we report that subcooled condensate on a chilled superhydrophobic surface are able to repeatedly jump off the surface before heterogeneous ice nucleation occurs. Frost still forms on the superhydrophobic surface due to ice nucleation at neighboring edge defects, which eventually spreads over the entire surface via an interdrop frost wave. The growth of this interdrop frost front is shown to be up to 3 times slower on the superhydrophobic surface compared to a control hydrophobic surface, due to the jumping-drop effect dynamically minimizing the average drop size and surface coverage of the condensate. A simple scaling model is developed to relate the success and speed of interdrop ice bridging to the drop size distribution. While other reports of condensation frosting on superhydrophobic surfaces have focused exclusively on liquid–solid ice nucleation for i...
Relationship between thiosulfinates and pink discoloration in onion extracts, as influenced by pH

Abstract The influence of immediate and delayed pH control, and added S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (MCSO) on the progress of pink discoloration in relation to the fate of thiosulfinates in extracts of yellow onion (Allium cepa) bulbs was evaluated over an incubation period of about 3 weeks at 21–24°C. Greatest discoloration occurred in extracts prepared with immediate pH control at 6.1, and least discoloration occurred at pH 3.2, over the pH range of 3.2–6.1. Initial thiosulfinate levels, in descending order of abundance, occurred at pH 6.1 > 5.0 > 4.2 > 3.2 for extracts subject to immediate pH control. However, over 21 days incubation, the lowest residual levels (ranging 20–60% of maximum levels) were observed for extracts adjusted to pH 3.2 and 6.1. Extracts subject to delayed (10 min after tissue disruption) pH control (initial extract pH of 5.2–5.4) displayed the greatest extent of discoloration, in descending order, at pH 4.0 > 5.0, 6.0 > 3.0. In these samples, initial thiosulfinate levels were similar and the greatest residual thiosulfinate levels over the 21-day incubation period were observed at pH 3.0 and 4.0 (about 50% of maximum levels), with the lowest residual levels observed for extracts adjusted to pH 6.0 (about 20% of maximum levels). Tissue extracts supplemented with 9- to 18-fold excess MCSO were subject to modest increases in both extent of discoloration and thiosulfinate levels.
Solving Problems in Genetics

Few subjects have the dual reputation among students of being both intriguing and scary. Learning genetics is one of them. Students find the subject intriguing, because it offers the ability to explore and even explain some of the most fundamental aspects of an organism's makeup and biological history. But it is also scary, because its quantitative precision and problem-solving approaches mean that one cannot simply memorize facts. One must actually understand the principles to apply them successfully. A book like Richard Kowles' guide to problem solving is an excellent way to help students bridge this divide.
Stereo Matching with Energy Minimizing Snake Grid for 3D Face Modeling

An energy minimizing snake algorithm that runs over a grid is designed and used to reconstruct high resolution 3D human faces from pairs of stereo images. The accuracy of reconstructed 3D data from stereo depends highly on how well stereo correspondences are established during the feature matching step. Establishing stereo correspondences on human faces is often ill posed and hard to achieve because of uniform texture, slow changes in depth, occlusion, and lack of gradient. We designed an energy minimizing algorithm that accurately finds correspondences on face images despite the aforementioned characteristics. The algorithm helps establish stereo correspondences unambiguously by applying a coarse-to-fine energy minimizing snake in grid format and yields a high resolution reconstruction at nearly every point of the image. Initially, the grid is stabilized using matches at a few selected high confidence edge points. The grid then gradually and consistently spreads over the low gradient regions of the image to reveal the accurate depths of object points. The grid applies its internal energy to approximate mismatches in occluded and noisy regions and to maintain smoothness of the reconstructed surfaces. The grid works in such a way that with every increment in reconstruction resolution, less time is required to establish correspondences. The snake used the curvature of the grid and gradient of image regions to automatically select its energy parameters and approximate the unmatched points using matched points from previous iterations, which also accelerates the overall matching process. The algorithm has been applied for the reconstruction of 3D human faces, and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the reconstruction.
Demonstration by S-100 protein staining of increased numbers of nerves in the papillary dermis of patients with prurigo nodularis

Background: We hypothesized that hyperplasia of papillary dermal nerves was a constant feature of prurigo nodularis. Objective: We tested this hypothesis by examining sections from 25 cases of prurigo nodularis, 25 cases of skin lesions characterized by epidermal hyperplasia without clinical pruritus, and 22 cases of clinically pruritic dermatoses with variable degrees of epidermal response for the presence of papillary dermal nerves. Methods: We used a standard immunohistochemical assay with an antibody to S-100 protein as a means of identification of nerves. Results: In 24 of 25 cases of prurigo nodularis, papillary dermal nerves were identified by immunostaining. Cutaneous nerves were present in 1 of 22 cases of epidermal hyperplasia with pruritus and were absent in the papillary dermis in nonpruritic cases. Conclusion: We conclude that hypertrophy of Cuaneous papillary dermal nerves is a relatively constant feature of prurigo nodularis. The presence of papillary dermal nerves suggests a neurocutaneous component in the pathogenesis of prurigo nodularis.
Green light-emitting diodes with p-InGaN:Mg grown onc-plane sapphire and GaN substrates

We report the structural, electrical, and optical characteristics of green light emitting diodes (LEDs) using InGaN:Mg as a p-type layer grown on a (0001) bulk GaN substrate in comparison to the LEDs grown on a sapphire substrate. The density of nano-pits of LEDs on the bulk substrates is significantly lower than that on the sapphire substrate by 2 orders of magnitude, resulting from the reduced dislocation density in bulk GaN substrates. As a result, the reverse current of LEDs grown on the bulk GaN substrates is significantly reduced as compared to that on the sapphire substrate. In contrast to the substantial improvement in electrical properties, the emission intensity of the LEDs on the bulk GaN substrate is similar to that of the LEDs on the sapphire substrate. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Flo-and-Mac problem: a tool for encouraging undergraduate research

It has historically been difficult to persuade undergraduates to become involved in research, in part due to the difficulty of making meaningful research problems accessible to such students. This paper describes the Flo-and-Mac problem, an open-ended research problem specifically designed to be accessible to undergraduates, and to enable them to make a meaningful contribution to a scientifically interesting investigation. Perspectives from which the Flo-and-Mac problem can be investigated are examined, and the use of the problem as a pedagogical tool and tournament problem is discussed. It is concluded that Flo-and-Mac problem is a viable tool for these purposes, and further investigation is recommended.
The Effect of Whole Body Gamma Irradiation on Survivors’ Egg Production in the White Leghorn, Coturnix coturnix japonica, and Bobwhite Quail

Abstract THE effects of X-irradiation or gamma irradiation on subsequent egg production have been reported by many investigators. X-irradiation administered to embryos or subsequent to hatching results in delaying sexual maturity and a decrease in subsequent egg production (Essenberg, 1935 a, b; and Muller and Moreng, 1960, 1961). The reduction egg production in these studies seemed to be related to the total dose level of exposure. Chickens subjected to X-irradiation or gamma irradiation at onset of sexual maturity exhibited very little change in egg production when irradiation was administered at levels below 400 R or at the rate of 5 R per minute (Essenberg and Karrasch, 1940; Lesher et al., 1955; Krueger et al., 1963; and Banks, 1966). Krueger et al. (1963) and Banks (1966) reported that the greatest reduction in egg production of irradiated birds occurred between the 11th and 20th day following exposure. These authors also reported that the…
When an amide is more like histidine than imidazole: the role of axial ligands in heme catalysis

Of the many subtle protein-cofactor interactions which facilitate oxidative catalysis by heme enzymes, the role of the axial ligand has for some time appeared to be fairly well understood. Recent studies from several laboratories, however, have provided good reason to reemphasize the importance of secondary interactions between the axial ligand and protein, as the results suggest that simple ligand identity is neither necessary nor sufficient for function. It has been widely proposed that the strong hydrogen bond between a proximal carboxylate and the histidine ligand of peroxidases assists O–O bond heterolysis and stabilizes the Fe(IV)=O center that is produced. Recent replacements of the axial ligand in a number of heme proteins have produced a few surprises, suggesting that the subtle interactions between the ligand and protein may in some cases be more important than the actual identity of the ligand.
On-Off Kinetics of Engagement of FNI Modules of Soluble Fibronectin by β-Strand Addition.

Intrinsically disordered sequences within bacterial adhesins bind to E-strands in the β-sheets of multiple FNI modules of fibronectin (FN) by anti-parallel β-strand addition, also called tandem β-zipper formation. The FUD segment of SfbI of Streptococcus pyogenes and Bbk32 segment of BBK32 of Borrelia burgdorferi, despite being imbedded in different adhesins from different bacteria, target the same FNI modules, 2–5,8–9FNI, in the N-terminal 70-kDa region (FN70K) of FN. To facilitate further comparisons, FUD, Bbk32, two other polypeptides based on SfbI that target 1–5FNI (HADD) and 2–5FNI (FRD), and mutant Bbk32 (ΔBbk32) were produced with fluorochromes placed just outside of the binding sequences. Unlabeled FUD competed ~1000-fold better for binding of labeled Bbk32 to FN than unlabeled Bbk32 competed for binding of labeled FUD to FN. Binding kinetics were determined by fluorescence polarization in a stopped-flow apparatus. On-rates for FUD, Bbk32, HADD, and FRD were similar, and all bound more rapidly to FN70K fragment than to full length FN. In stopped-flow displacement and size exclusion chromatographic assays, however, koff for FUD or HADD to FN70K or FN was considerably lower compared to koff of FRD or Bbk32. FUD and Bbk32 differ in the spacing between sequences that interact with 3FNI and 4FNI or with 5FNI and 8FNI. ΔBbk32, in which 2 residues were removed from Bbk32 to make the spacing more like FUD, had a koff intermediate between that of Bbk32 and FUD. These results indicate a “folding-after-binding” process after initial association of certain polypeptide sequences to FN that results in formation of a stable complex and is a function of number of FNI modules engaged by the polypeptide, spacing of engagement sites, and perhaps flexibility within the polypeptide-FN complex. We suggest that contributions of SfbI and BBK32 adhesins to bacterial pathogenicity may be determined in part by stability of adhesin-FN complexes.
Hydrolysis in Pharmaceutical Formulations

This literature review presents hydrolysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as the effects on dosage form stability due to hydrolysis of excipients. Mechanisms and measurement methods are discussed and recommendations for formulation stabilization are listed.
Iterated Brownian motion in bounded domains in Rn

Let τD(Z) be the first exit time of iterated Brownian motion from a domain D⊂Rn started at z∈D and let Pz[τD(Z)>t] be its distribution. In this paper we establish the exact asymptotics of Pz[τD(Z)>t] over bounded domains as an extension of the result in [R.D. DeBlassie, Iterated Brownian motion in an open set, Ann. Appl. Probab. 14 (3) (2004) 1529–1558], for z∈D: Pz[τD(Z)>t]≈t1/2exp(−32π2/3λD2/3t1/3),as t→∞. We also study asymptotics of the life time of Brownian-time Brownian motion (BTBM), Zt1=z+X(Y(t)), where Xt and Yt are independent one-dimensional Brownian motions.
On Behalf of Their Animal Friends: Involving Children in Animal Advocacy--Since Time Immemorial, Animals Have Been Serving Human Society in at Least Three Broad Roles--As Teachers, as Healers, and as Companions and Friends.

(2004). On Behalf of Their Animal Friends: Involving Children in Animal Advocacy. Childhood Education: Vol. 81, No. 2, pp. 95-100.
Campus climates for sexual minorities

Sexual minorities encounter unique challenges due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression that often prevents them from achieving their full academic potential or participating fully in the campus community.
VDL—a Definition system for all levels

The VDL system for the description of programming languages which was originally used for the definition of PL/I is extended to the description of processors. This paper shows the relationship between the language of definition and the abstract machine over which the semantics of the language are specified. It is demonstrated that the level of description can be chosen to suit the various needs of the computing community, each level being well nested within its outer level, whilst using only one language of definition. From the point of view of processor design, indications are given of the means by which a description can be transformed into an implementable system of data paths, registers and drivers.
High-resolution separation of tubulin monomers on polyacrylamide minigels

High-resolution separation of alpha- and beta-tubulin by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) on minigels can be performed rapidly using simple modifications of the standard Laemmli procedure. Separation of the subunits can be observed even in high-protein loads (up to 40microg of protein).
Evaluation of the MI82 Corn Line as a Source of Resistance to Aflatoxin in Grain and Use of BGYF as a Selection Tool.

ABSTRACT Our objectives were to determine if the corn (Zea mays) inbred MI82 has alleles for resistance to Aspergillus ear rot (caused by Aspergillus flavus) and aflatoxin accumulation in grain that can be transferred to commercially used inbreds, and to determine the types and magnitudes of gene action, heritabilities, and gain from selection for low levels of bright greenish-yellow fluorescence (BGYF), aflatoxin, and ear rot with MI82. Also, we hoped to determine if selection against BGYF would substantially reduce the concentration of aflatoxin in grain. Primary ears and ground grain from inbred MI82 (P1), the susceptible inbred B73 (P2), and the F1, F2, F3, BCP1S1, and BCP2S1 generations developed from these inbreds were evaluated for BGYF, concentration of aflatoxin in grain, and severity of Aspergillus ear rot in 2000 and 2001. Dominance was the most important gene action associated with low levels of BGYF and a low concentration of aflatoxin in grain. Heritabilities for low levels of BGYF (83.5%), ...
Depletion of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts and Fibrosis Induces Immunosuppression and Accelerates Pancreas Cancer with Reduced Survival.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with marked fibrosis and stromal myofibroblasts, but their functional contribution remains unknown. Transgenic mice with the ability to delete αSMA(+) myofibroblasts in pancreatic cancer were generated. Depletion starting at either noninvasive precursor (pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia) or the PDAC stage led to invasive, undifferentiated tumors with enhanced hypoxia, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cells, with diminished animal survival. In PDAC patients, fewer myofibroblasts in their tumors also correlated with reduced survival. Suppressed immune surveillance with increased CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs was observed in myofibroblast-depleted mouse tumors. Although myofibroblast-depleted tumors did not respond to gemcitabine, anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy reversed disease acceleration and prolonged animal survival. This study underscores the need for caution in targeting carcinoma-associated fibroblasts in PDAC.
An Update on Granulomatous diseases of the oral tissues

With new insights into the pathogenesis of specific granulomatous diseases, and with the advent of high-throughput genetic screening and availability of next-generation biological therapies, clinicians have several options at their disposal to help ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. This article highlights some of the current knowledge about the more common granulomatous systemic diseases that may be encountered in clinical practice.
Field experiments on solar geoengineering: report of a workshop exploring a representative research portfolio

We summarize a portfolio of possible field experiments on solar radiation management (SRM) and related technologies. The portfolio is intended to support analysis of potential field research related to SRM including discussions about the overall merit and risk of such research as well as mechanisms for governing such research and assessments of observational needs. The proposals were generated with contributions from leading researchers at a workshop held in March 2014 at which the proposals were critically reviewed. The proposed research dealt with three major classes of SRM proposals: marine cloud brightening, stratospheric aerosols and cirrus cloud manipulation. The proposals are summarized here along with an analysis exploring variables such as space and time scale, risk and radiative forcing. Possible gaps, biases and cross-cutting considerations are discussed. Finally, suggestions for plausible next steps in the development of a systematic research programme are presented.
Designing Underfill Material in Resolving Package High Coplanarity Issues

In recent years, chipsets are doing more functions as compared to few years ago. As a result, the package form factor has to increase to accommodate the added functions. During the development of flip chip ball grid array generation X (FCBGA-x), high coplanarity yield loss was observed on test vehicle of die size 550 sq mils and form factor of 42.5 sq mm. Aside from the coplanarity yield loss, it also posed a reliability concern especially post motherboard reflow. This has raise concern to the platform. Few options were proposed to mitigate this yield loss. Amongst the options being explored include tightening the technology target specifications (TTS) envelope, variable solder resist opening (VSRO), restrainer, using head spreader lids, alternative underfill (UF) material or process and also combination options, i.e. VSRO. The ideal case is to improve coplanarity without any cost adder, either from material or process, standpoint. In order to minimize the coplanarity yield loss, a breakthrough solution is needed. Through empirical data collected from previous platforms, one of the key contributors that increased the package coplanarity was during epoxy cure. With strong understanding of materials and process interactions, a team was formed to march towards formulating an innovative underfill material. There is a balancing act required during the development process. By reformulation of the underfill material and change of the cure recipe, an improvement of package coplanarity is anticipated. At the same time, there will be also unknown reliability risks die level and die crack performance. Hence, there is a need to consider all the tradeoffs when selecting the underfill formulation. With a strong team work within Intel & with Supplier, 4 underfill iterations were successfully put to the test. An underfill has successfully made an improvement of 1 mil to the coplanarity, bringing down the yield loss significantly based on 4 DOEs. This paper documents the challenges in enabling this underfill to mitigate coplanarity yield loss, as well as the reliability data.
Motor imagery classification by means of source analysis for brain-computer interface applications

We report a pilot study of performing classification of motor imagery for brain–computer interface applications, by means of source analysis of scalp-recorded EEGs. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used as a spatio-temporal filter extracting signal components relevant to left or right motor imagery (MI) tasks. Source analysis methods including equivalent dipole analysis and cortical current density imaging were applied to reconstruct equivalent neural sources corresponding to MI, and classification was performed based on the inverse solutions. The classification was considered correct if the equivalent source was found over the motor cortex in the corresponding hemisphere. A classification rate of about 80% was achieved in the human subject studied using both the equivalent dipole analysis and the cortical current density imaging analysis. The present promising results suggest that the source analysis approach could manifest a clearer picture on the cortical activity, and thus facilitate the classification of MI tasks from scalp EEGs.
Using Organizational Economics to Study Organizational Capability Development and Strategy

There is a consensus among strategy scholars that heterogeneous firm capabilities are at the root of firms' competitive advantages. Organizational economics does not address such capabilities directly, and some have suggested that it therefore offers little insight into them. In this essay, I argue that organizational economics can shed light on how firm capabilities are developed and sustained.
Reducing distribution transformer losses through the use of Smart Grid monitoring

Environmental concerns have resulted in distribution companies becoming more cognitive of the amount of carbon emissions they produce. Research has shown that distribution transformer losses comprise a significant amount of the overall losses on a distribution and transmission system. Although some of the losses are considered the cost of operations, it may be possible to reduce the total losses associated with overloaded transformers depending upon the amount of overload and the efficiency of the replacement transformer. Through the use of a Smart Grid monitoring system, overloaded distribution transformers can be identified for replacement as soon as loads become sufficient to shorten the expected life of a transformer. This paper examines how to utilize a Smart Grid monitoring system in conjunction with loss of life calculations to identify overloaded transformers. Also described in the paper are the necessary input requirements, algorithm requirements, notification threshold levels, and an economic analysis that is specific to a Smart Grid overloaded transformer replacement program.
Toll-Like Receptor 5 Stimulation Protects Mice from Acute Clostridium difficile Colitis

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that infects the lower intestinal tract of humans and is the most common known cause of diarrhea among hospitalized patients. Clostridium difficile colitis is mediated by toxins and develops during or following antibiotic administration. We have used a murine model of C. difficile infection, which reproduces the major features of the human disease, to study the effect of innate immune activation on resistance to C. difficile infection. We found that administration of purified Salmonella-derived flagellin, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist, protects mice from C. difficile colitis by delaying C. difficile growth and toxin production in the colon and cecum. TLR5 stimulation significantly improves pathological changes in the cecum and colon of C. difficile-infected mice and reduces epithelial cell loss. Flagellin treatment reduces epithelial apoptosis in the large intestine, thereby protecting the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier during C. difficile infection. We demonstrate that restoring intestinal innate immune tone by TLR stimulation in antibiotic-treated mice ameliorates intestinal inflammation and prevents death from C. difficile colitis, potentially providing an approach to prevent C. difficile-induced pathology.
An efficient genetic algorithm for predicting protein tertiary structures in the 2D HP model

Given the amino acid sequence of a protein, predicting its tertiary structure is known as the protein folding problem. This problem has been widely studied under the HP model in which each amino acid is classified, based on its hydrophobicity, as an H (hydrophobic or non-polar) or a P (hydrophilic or polar). Conformation of a protein in the HP model is embedded as a self-avoiding walk in either a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional lattice. The protein folding problem in the HP model is to find a lowest energy conformation. This problem is known to be NP-hard in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional square lattices. In this paper, we present an efficient genetic algorithm for the protein folding problem under the HP model in the two-dimensional square lattice. A special feature of this algorithm is its usage of secondary structures, that the algorithm evolves, as building blocks for the conformation. Experimental results on benchmark sequences show that the algorithm performs very well against existing evolutionary algorithms and Monte Carlo algorithms.
A high-density field reversed configuration plasma for magnetized target fusion

We describe a program to demonstrate the scientific basis of magnetized target fusion (MTF). MTF is a potentially low-cost path to fusion which is intermediate in plasma regime between magnetic (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). MTF involves the compression of a magnetized target plasma and pressure times volume (PdV) heating to fusion relevant conditions inside a converging flux conserving boundary. We have chosen to demonstrate MTF by using a field-reversed configuration (FRC) as our magnetized target plasma and an imploding metal liner for compression. These choices take advantage of significant past scientific and technical accomplishments in MFE and defense programs research and should yield substantial plasma performance (n/spl tau/>10/sup 13/ s-cm/sup -3/ T>5 keV) using an available pulsed-power implosion facility at modest cost. We have recently shown the density, temperature, and lifetime of this FRC to be within a factor of 2-3 of that required for use as a suitable target plasma for MTF compression for a fusion demonstration.
Control of a large flexible space structure with moving-bank multiple model adaptive algorithms

The development and performance of moving-bank multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) algorithms for quelling vibrations induced in the SPICE 2 space structure are presented. The structure consists of a large platform and a smaller platform connected by three legs in a tripod fashion. Deviations of the line-of-sight vector from the center of the large platform to the center of the smaller platform are used for linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller performance evaluation. The parameter estimator implements the maximum entropy with an identity covariance (ME/I) algorithm, the moving-bank logic employs parameter position monitoring, and the controller uses the modified MMAC method. Whereas parameter variations of two percent caused instabilities in the single filter/controller design, the MMAC algorithm provides an excellent method to estimate a wide range of parameter variations and to quell oscillations in the structure. >
Evaluation of online promotion of mobile communication devices: An empirical study

As mobile communication becomes the future of people's daily communication, for job or in life, the competition for mobile device market has been intensified during recent years. This paper is an attempt to investigate the current issues and development of online promotion and marketing in the mobile device industry, specifically the mobile phones in a specific market - China. The primary data for this research are collected through a comprehensive website evaluation by a pre-designed observation sheet. Fuzzy TOPSIS is employed to evaluate the current online promotion implemented by all major mobile phone manufacturers in China. The managerial implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Genes and Enzymes Involved in Bacterial Oxidation and Reduction of Inorganic Arsenic

The human use of toxic heavy metals is here to stay. In addition to intentional poisoning with arsenic ([40][1]) (arsenic levels in the hair of Napoleon Bonaparte approached 40 ppm, more than 1,000 times above allowable levels), medical, agricultural, and industrial uses of arsenic present major
Core content survey of undergraduate education in emergency medicine

One hundred forty-one medical schools were surveyed to determine the emergency medicine core content topics and skills being taught in the curricula. Responses were obtained from 96 schools through two mailings and a telephone followup. Most topics surveyed were offered in the vast majority of medical schools (>92%) with the exception of emergency medical services (offered in 79% of schools). Emergency medicine topics were a required part of the curriculum in a much smaller percentage of schools. No subtopics in toxicology, ophthalmologic emergencies, or emergency medical services were required in more than 30% of schools. The survey showed a similar pattern of these skills being offered in most schools, but required in a smaller number. For example, while C-spine immobilization is taught in 90% of schools, it is required in only 46%. Educators must consider a coherent, interdisciplinary knowledge base and skills list for their medical school curricula.
ERYTHROBLASTOSIS DUE TO ANTI-RH6.

A case of erythroblastosis fetalis is described in which the sole demonstrable antibody was anti-Rh6. The mother is the third reported example of the phenotype Rh:1,2,3,4,5,-6 who has produced anti-Rh6.
Effect of mineral host on surface acidity of hydroxy-Cr intercalated clays

TERESA J. BANDOSZ,t JACEK JAGIELLO~ AND JAMES A. SCHWARZ Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-1190 INTRODUCTION The speciation of hydroxychromium complexes in solution has been extensively studied and the acidi- ties of various polymer species reported (Baes and Mesmer 1976; Stunzi and Marty 1983). In Table 1, we present the values of pKa (where K, is acidity constant) of Cr In oligomers according to Stunzi and Marty (1983). When incorporated between clay lay- ers, these species can change the total acidity of the material. Depending on the nature of the clay surface and the treatment of the intercalated material, the pK a of Cr polymers may change when compared to their counterparts present in solution (Drljaca et al. 1992). Moreover, the hydroxy-chromium interlayers may consist of 1 or more polymeric complexes, depending on preparation conditions and clay material used as the host (Carr 1985). The objective of this study is to assess the acidity of hydroxychromium intercalated clays of natural and synthetic origin in terms of the distribution of species characterized by their pKa values. Such characteriza- tions have been recently reported in the literature for various solids such as activated carbons, pillared clays or soils (Bandosz et al. 1993, 1994, 1995; Jagieito et al. 1995; Nederlof et al. 1993). Our laboratory analy- ses are based on a comparison of the pKa values ob- tained for our pillared Cr sorbents to the pK, values of polymeric species present in solution. EXPERIMENTAL Materials Hydroxychromium solutions of composition OH/Cr = -2 were prepared by slowly titrating 400 mL of 0.1 t Present address: Department of Chemistry, City College of New York, 138 St. at Convent Ave., New York, New York 10031. :~ Permanent address: Faculty of Fuels and Energy, Uni- versity of Mining and Metallurgy, 30-059 Krakow, Poland. M
Predelli's threatening note: contexts, utterances, and tokens in the philosophy of language

In this paper, I discuss some issues about the concept of context in the philosophy of language. The focus of discussions of context in this field is in the topic of indexicals and demonstratives. The classic account is due to David Kaplan. Lately, Stefano Predelli has developed examples that threaten Kaplan's account, and suggested some amendments to it. Here, I discuss Predelli's cases, and relate them to the theory I have recently developed in my book (Perry, John, 2001. Reference and Reflexivity. CSLI Publications, Stanford).