cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of DDT and PCB on lipid metabolism in E. coli and B. fragilis.

Escherichia coli andBacteroides fragilis, principal human enteric aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, were cultured with suitable controls in the presence of.01 and.1 ppm of DDT and PCB. The bacteria were assayed for dry weight and total lipids. DDT increased the growth ofE. coli at the.01 ppm level but had no detectable effect at.1 ppm. Total lipid content was not significantly altered by either DDT or PCB.
The Dynamic Behavior of Plasmas Observed near Geosynchronous Orbit

The plasmas observed in the geosynchronous region of the earth's magnetosphere are complex and dynamic. Hot plasmas coexist with cold plasmas. These different populations interact, but each in general occupies its own niche in phase space depending on its source, and each experiences its own distinct scattering, energization, and loss processes. Although the plasma behavior is so variable that it is difficult to characterize, two predominant features are the sudden appearance of hot plasma, called injections, and the presence of marked magnetic field-aligned structure. Injections occur at least daily, more frequently during magnetic activity, with variable spectra, and frequently with field-aligned structure. The injection phenomenon is the geosynchronous manifestation of the global acceleration process that produces the aurora. Field-aligned fluxes can be as much as two orders of magnitude larger than perpendicular fluxes, but lower field-aligned fluxes are also common as a result of precipitation losses. Ions and electrons often display different field-aligned structure which changes with energy, indicating field-aligned acceleration processes. Other frequently observed phenomena are wave activity in both particles and fields, ion clusters bouncing between hemispheres, separate patches of low-energy plasma, and various kinds of plasma heating. Hot plasma can charge spacecraft to kilovolt potentials in eclipse and to hundreds of volts in sunlight. This kind of complex and dynamic plasma behavior cannot be unique to the earth's magnetosphere. Such behavior must predominate in other astrophysical regimes. Theoretical treatments which assume thermodynamic equilibrium and quasi-static behavior are probably far removed from reality.
Developmentally Programmed 3′ CpG Island Methylation Confers Tissue- and Cell-Type-Specific Transcriptional Activation

During development, a small but significant number of CpG islands (CGIs) become methylated. The timing of developmentally programmed CGI methylation and associated mechanisms of transcriptional regulation during cellular differentiation, however, remain poorly characterized. Here, we used genome-wide DNA methylation microarrays to identify epigenetic changes during human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation. We discovered a group of CGIs associated with developmental genes that gain methylation after hESCs differentiate. Conversely, erasure of methylation was observed at the identified CGIs during subsequent reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), further supporting a functional role for the CGI methylation. Both global gene expression profiling and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) validation indicated opposing effects of CGI methylation in transcriptional regulation during differentiation, with promoter CGI methylation repressing and 3′ CGI methylation activating transcription. By studying diverse human tissues and mouse models, we further confirmed that developmentally programmed 3′ CGI methylation confers tissue- and cell-type-specific gene activation in vivo. Importantly, luciferase reporter assays provided evidence that 3′ CGI methylation regulates transcriptional activation via a CTCF-dependent enhancer-blocking mechanism. These findings expand the classic view of mammalian CGI methylation as a mechanism for transcriptional silencing and indicate a functional role for 3′ CGI methylation in developmental gene regulation.
Potential and pitfalls of applying theory to the practice of financial education

Researchers are increasingly using interdisciplinary theory to bring rigor to the practice of financial education. Practitioners often do not see the value of the theory because it does not coincide with their observations of how people behave, and researchers do not yet have enough experience with interdisciplinary theory to demonstrate its usefulness to practitioners. If carefully applied, theory can be used to set appropriate financial goals and to positively change consumers’ financial behaviors. Better communication can bridge the gap between theory and practice to the benefit of the consumer.
A method to separate plant roots from soil and analyze root surface area

Analysis of the effects of soil management practices on crop production requires knowledge of these effects on plant roots. Much time is required to wash plant roots from soil and separate the living plant roots from organic debris and previous years’ roots. We developed a root washer that can accommodate relatively large soil samples for washing. The root washer has a rotary design and will accommodate up to 24 samples (100 mm diam. by 240 mm long) at one time. We used a flat-bed scanner to digitize an image of the roots from each sample and used a grid system with commercially-available image analysis software to analyze each sample for root surface area. Sensitivity analysis and subsequent comparisons of ‘dirty’ samples containing the roots and all the organic debris contained in the sample and ‘clean’ samples where the organic debris was manually removed from each sample showed that up to 15% of the projected image could be coveredwith debris without affecting accuracy and precision of root surface area measurements. Samples containing a large amount of debris may need to be partitioned into more than one scanning tray to allow accurate measurements of the root surface area. Sample processing time was reduced from 20 h, when hand separation of roots from debris was used, to about 0.5 h, when analyzing the image from an uncleaned sample. The method minimizes the need for preprocessing steps such as dying the roots to get better image contrast for image analysis. Some information, such as root length, root diameter classes and root weights, is not obtained when using this technique. Root length measurements, if needed, could be made by hand on the digital images. Root weight measurement would require sample cleaning and the advantage of less processing time per sample with this method would be lost. The significance of the tradeoff between information not obtained using this technique and the ability to process a greater number of samples with the time and personnel resources available must be determined by the individual researcher and research objectives.
Self-regulatory failure: A review with clinical implications.

Abstract Empirical evaluations of therapies designed to improve self-regulatory skills have not as yet demonstrated their success as methods of ensuring long-lasting behavior change. The clinical use of concepts and procedures derived more from assumptions about the nature of self-regulation than from empirical evidence may be responsible for some of these outcomes. This paper demonstrates that a fine-grained, empirically-based, analysis of the active elements of “self-regulatory failure” is both possible and useful. Based on an examination of three literatures (successful vs. unsuccessful self-regulation; the relapse process; attention in self-regulation), eight components of self-regulatory failure are identified: depressogenic cognitions; difficulties coping with emotional Stressors; disengagement from habit change; social pressure; initial relapse episode; physiological pressure; problematic attentional focusing; and disengagement from self-monitoring. It is noted that further empirical work is necessary to specify probable patterns of interaction between these elements. One exception is discussed: it appears that many of the proposed elements can lead to disengagement of self-monitoring which, in turn, often precipitates a rapid failure to sustain effective self-regulation. Finally, a general strategy to prevent self-regulatory failure is discussed that accords well with this conceptualization—engaging in “obsessive-compulsive self-regulation.”
Synthesis of precordial potentials from the SVEC III vectorcardiographic system.

Precordial potentials were synthesized from the components of the SVEC III vectorcardiographic system as an application of the Becking-Burger technic for testing the validity of the single dipole concept. The data was further utilized to construct Burger image loops from living subjects. Discrepancies from pure dipole theory and from the applicability of the SVEC III system are quantified. Limitations of even a perfect vectorcardiographic lead system are defined and discussed.
Control current and relative stability of peak current-mode controlled pulse-width modulated dc-dc converters without slope compensation

General equation for the control current for the inner-current loop of pulse-width modulated (PWM) dc-dc power converters with peak current-mode control without slope compensation is derived. Derivations of expressions for the control current as functions of duty cycle and phase margin at power stage specifications for buck, boost and buck-boost dc-dc converters in continuous conduction mode (CCM) are presented. Relative stability of the inner-current loop without slope compensation was analysed. Experimental and Saber simulation results for a buck converter with the inner-current loop are presented to validate the theory presented. The results obtained can be used to determine the range of control voltage required by the inner loop, to select a proper value of sense resistance, and to design the control circuit in the outer-voltage loop of peak current-mode controlled PWM DC-DC converters. It is shown that the phase margin of the inner loop is 0- at a duty cycle value of 0.5 and increases as the duty cycle decreases.
SU-E-J-58: Lens Exposure During Percutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Radiofrequency Rhizotomy Guided by Computed Tomography with Three-Dimensional Image Reconstruction

Purpose: The eye lens is one of the most radiosensitive tissues; it is an issue to estimate the lens dose during the percutaneous trigeminal nerve radiofrequency rhizotomy guided by computed tomography. The purpose of this abstract was to prove the CTDI(computed tomography dose index) peripheral (CTDIp) could be provided a reference value for the eye lens dose. Methods: There are two methods for estimate the eye lens dose in this study. The first is CTDIp calculated and second is ImPACT software which is common used in CT dose calculation. We Collected the CTDIv in dose report which create from CT scanner automatically. Ten patients who performed the trigeminal neuralgia underwent computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy was included. In order to find out the factor of CTDIv and CTDIp, we measured the CTDIv and CTDIp using ion‐chamber and 16‐cm diameter CTDI dose phantom. On the other hand, we also apply the ImPACT software to estimate the eye lens dose, and compare the two values, CTDIp and the eye lens dose from ImPACT. Results: The factor of CTDIv to CTDIp is 1.02. The average CTDIp in 10 patients is 116.65 mGy, and the average lens dose from ImPACT is 124 mGy. It is only 6% error. Conclusion: CTDIp can be provided a reference value for the eye lens dose. And the CTDIv can display in modern CT scanner in time, the radiologist can monitor the radiation dose during the exam. However,how to reduce the lens dose in this process would be next important issue foe us.
Diagnostics In H 2 Discharges Using A Tunable 193nm Excimer Laser

ABSTRACT An H' source for high brightness H° beams should have the lowest possible internal temperature T, because the beam-power density at a distance scales as 1/T. We determine local T inside a discharge with the use of a tunable ArF excimer laser that measures the populations of the lowest four rotational states of H2 by means of (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). The number of laser- created ions causes a proportional change of the discharge's electrical impedance* A calibration in room temperature H2 (without a discharge) showed that the REMPI works well. Another objective is to develop a monitor for the vibrationally excited molecules, H2(v), that are believed to be the primary origin of H" within volume-type ion sources. We use the same apparatus and approach, but add a Raman shifter to change the laser wavelengths to those appropriate for (2+1) REMPI of H2(v). 1 . PRINCIPLE OF TFMPKKATTTRE MEASTTKKMKNTS Our approach is to measure a rotational T in various locations within a discharge via (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization [i.e., (2+1) REMPI] in H2-1* 2 The (2+1) here means a two-photon excitation from a rotational level i in the ground (X) electronic and vibrational (v=0) states to levels of the E,F electronic state and an additional photon that ionizes from the E,F state. A given state yields a number of ions that is proportional to the density of i, n^. Therefore in a neutral gas only a simple current measurement is needed. In a discharge these ions produce a proportional impedance change that can be easily measured: this is an optogalvanic effect.For two different i, that have energies E^ and rotational quantum numbers j^, we convert the corresponding n^ to T by means of the Boltzmann equation. This assumes local thermal equilibrium.If the experimental ion signals S^ are proportional to the n^, then Si/S2 - [(2j1+l)(2T1+l)]/(2J2+l)(2T2+l)]exp-[(E1-E2)/kT], orT = [(E2-E1)/k] ln{[S2(2j1+l)(2T1+l)]/[S1(2j2+l)(2T2+l)]},where T^ is the nuclear spin degeneracy and is 1 and 3 for even and odd values of Ji, respectively.This example used only two states. The use of more rotational states improves the accuracy and provides a consistency check.Two-photon excitation occurs only where the light is focussed, and at the time of the laser pulse. The result is that temperature is measurable at desired locations within a discharge as well as at specific times (e.g., relative to the ion source pulse times). The measured rotational temperatures should be in equilibrium with the H" temperature that is of direct interest. Even if there were
A 1-GHz signal bandwidth 6-bit CMOS ADC with power-efficient averaging

A 2-GS/s 6-bit ADC with time-interleaving is demonstrated in 0.18-/spl mu/m one-poly six-metal CMOS. A triple-cross connection method is devised to improve the offset averaging efficiency. Circuit techniques, enabling a state-of-the-art figure-of-merit of 3.5 pJ per conversion step, are discussed. The peak DNL and INL are measured as 0.32 LSB and 0.5 LSB, respectively. The SNDR and SFDR have achieved 36 and 48dB, respectively, with 4 MHz input signal. Near Nyquist input frequencies, the SNDR and SFDR maintain above 30 and 35.5dB, respectively, up to 941 MHz. The complete ADC, including front-end track-and-hold amplifiers and clock buffers, consumes 310 mW from a 1.8-V supply while operating at 2-GHz conversion rate. The prototype ADC occupies an active chip area of 0.5 mm/sup 2/.
Surlyn®/silicate hybrid materials. I. Polymer in situ sol–gel process and structure characterization

We report the creation of a new organic/inorganic hybrid material that results from sol–gel reactions for tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) within poly[ethylene-co-methacrylic acid], as well as within a Zn+2 partially neutralized form of this copolymer (Surlyn®). FTIR and 29Si solid-state NMR spectroscopic probes yield information regarding molecular connectivity within the in situ grown silicate structures. FTIR analyses of Surlyn® matrix bands suggest that strong molecular level interactions between the organic and inorganic phases are not present, although there is other evidence that these phases are mechanically coupled on a larger dimensional scale. The 29Si solid-state NMR analyses indicate mainly Q3 and Q4 coordination states about the SiO4 substructures, regardless of silicate content, which is in general agreement with the interpretation of the FTIR results that show incomplete condensation. Environmental scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis results reinforce the conclusion that a significant silicate component is incorporated deep within TEOS-treated films. Differential scanning calorimetry studies of Surlyn®-Zn+2/silicate hybrids suggest that silicate incorporation essentially does not disrupt crystallinity. Thermogravimetric analyses show practically no change in the degradation onset temperature, which is consistent with organic/inorganic phase separation. The general conclusion is that a silicate phase can indeed be incorporated within this acid copolymer, as well as its Zn+2 ionomeric form, via in situ sol–gel processes. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2832–2844, 2000
The effects of angiotensin II and norepinephrine on afferent arterioles in the rat.

The effects of angiotensin II and norepinephrine on afferent arterioles in the rat. Perfusion–fixation and vascular casting were used to determine if angiotensin II and norepinephrine cause constriction of afferent arterioles, and if so, whether or not the constriction is principally attributable to a secondary (autoregulatory) response to elevated pressure in the renal circulation. Rats were divided into six groups, and were given five minute infusions of angiotensin II, norepinephrine, or normal saline before perfusion–fixation. Angiotensin II infusions were given to animals in Groups 1 and 2; in Group 1 the renal circulation was exposed to elevated blood pressure, but in Group 2 intrarenal pressure was maintained at normal levels by partial ligation of the aorta above the renal arteries. Groups 3 and 4 were comparable to Groups 1 and 2 respectively, except that norepinephrine was infused instead of angiotensin II. Groups 5 and 6 received infusions of normal saline instead of vasopressor substances. In Group 5, renal vessels were perfusion–fixed at elevated pressures, while in Group 6 renal vessels were perfusion–fixed at normal pressures. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine and measure vascular casts of 40 to 50 afferent arterioles from each rat. In Groups 1 through 4, casts of afferent arterioles showed severe, focal, and irregularly distributed constriction. In Groups 5 and 6 there was no qualitative evidence of afferent arteriolar constriction or irregularities in vessel caliber. Vessel diameter measurements were significantly smaller in Groups 1 to 4 when compared to Groups 5 and 6, and arteriolar constriction in the juxtamedullary and cortical regions was quantitatively comparable in Groups 1 to 4. Arteriolar diameters in Group 5 were somewhat, but not significantly smaller than those in Group 6, suggesting that perfusion–fixation at elevated pressure alone may have made a minor contribution to afferent vasoconstriction. However, this constriction was clearly not of the same pattern or magnitude as that produced by angiotensin II or norepinephrine infusions. The results indicate that both angiotensin II and norepinephrine cause severe focal constriction of afferent arterioles, and that this constriction cannot be attributed primarily to a pressure–induced autoregulatory response in the renal vasculature.
Simultaneous optimization by simulation of iterative deconvolution and noise removal for non-negative data

This paper introduces a method by which one can find the optimum iteration numbers for noise removal and deconvolution of sampled data. The method employs the mean squared error, which is the square of the difference between the deconvolution result and the input, for optimization. As an example of the iterative methods of noise removal and deconvolution, the always convergent method of Ioup is used for the simultaneous optimization by simulation research presented in this paper. This method is applied to achieve optimization for two Gaussian impulse response functions, one narrow (rapidly converging) and the other wide (slowly converging). The input function used consists of three narrow peaks selected to give some overlap after convolution with the Gaussian impulse response function. Normal distributed noise is added to the convolution of the input with the impulse response function. A range of signal-to-noise ratio is used to optimize the always convergent iterations for both of these Gaussians. For the narrow Gaussian 15 signal-to-noise ratio cases are studied while for the wide Gaussian 11 signal-to-noise ratios cases are considered. To achieve statistically reliable results 50 noisy data sets are generated for each signal-to-noise ratio case. For a given signal-to-noise ratio case the optimum deconvolution and noise removal iteration numbers are found and tabulated. The tabulated results are given in tables one through three. Once these optimum numbers are found they can be used in an equivalent window in the Fourier transform domain, although the non-negativity constraint can only be applied in the function domain.
Definitions of compactness and the axiom of choice

Abstract. We study the relationships between de nitions of compactness in topologicalspaces and the roll the axiom of choice plays in these relationships. 1. Introduction and DefinitionsWe have found several de nitions of compactness which have been used in the literatureand our goal is to nd the relationships between these de nitions in various types oftopological spaces. In this article we use three basic forms of set theory: ZF, which usesthe axioms of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory (and does not include AC); ZF 0 ,whichisaweaker version of ZF in which the axiom of extensionality is modi ed to allow the presenceof atoms, objects which have no elements but are not equal to each other or to the emptyset; and ZFC which is Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory with the addition of the Axiom ofChoice. ZF 0 is relevant in our study because there is a well-known method for producingmodels of ZF 0 + :AC, namely, Fraenkel-Mostowski permutation models.The notion of compactness is meant to capture, in the context of general topology,the properties that characterize spaces which are closed and bounded subsets of a Eu-clidean space (see [th]). However, several topological properties that characterize closedand bounded subsets of Euclidean spaces (for example: the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem,(Every in nite bounded subset (sequence) of R
Effect of thermolysis on resid droplet vaporization in fluid catalytic cracking

Abstract Heavy feed cracking is certain to play an increasingly important role in oil refining. Against this backdrop, this work aims to gain some understanding of how thermolysis affects the manner in which a heavy Arabian vacuum resid droplet vaporizes in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). Specifically, we study the vaporization history of the droplet under two limiting conditions that bracket the actual vaporization process. One is a high-temperature environment in which the catalyst heats up only the resid droplet. Another is a low-temperature environment in which the catalyst vaporizes a gas oil before heating the resid droplet. Key findings are as follows: (1) Droplet life can go through one, two, or three stages, depending on the drop size and environment. A large droplet in the high-temperature environment goes through the heat-up, thermolysis and evaporation stages. A small droplet at low temperatures goes through only the heat-up stage. (2) The effect of thermolysis increases with temperature and the initial drop size. (3) Thermolysis can significantly lower the drop’s steady-state temperature—the larger the drop, the greater the effect and, hence, the longer the drop lifetime and (4). During the evaporation stage, the drop’s surface area decrease can be approximated by the classical D2-law.
Comparison between Model-Predicted and Field-Measured Stream Habitat Features for Evaluating Fish Assemblage-Habitat Relationships

The use of model-predicted, local-scale habitat data as inputs in analyses intended to evaluate multiscale fish assemblage-habitat relationships in streams has become increasingly common as the scale at which such studies are conducted has increased. We used fish assemblage and habitat data from 208 wadeable streams in Wisconsin and Michigan to determine whether model-predicted habitat data would yield results similar to those of field-measured data in multiscale analyses of fish assemblage-habitat relationships. Predictions of local habitat features from landscape variables were generated by means of generalized additive modeling with likelihood-based boosting. Relationships between fish assemblage measures and landscape and local habitat features were studied via partial constrained multivariate ordination analyses. The total variation explained in the fish assemblage data sets was similar for model-predicted local habitat features and field-measured data, as was the proportion of variation explained that was due independently to local and regional (i.e., landscape) habitat features. We observed dissimilar results in the magnitude of ordination scores for local habitat features and the directional relationships between local habitat ordination scores and individual species and assemblage metric scores. Our findings indicate that model-predicted, local-scale habitat data can be useful for evaluating the relative strengths of local and regional habitat features in structuring fish assemblages, but caution may be necessary when evaluating species-habitat or assemblage metric-habitat relationships.
Consistent global responses of marine ecosystems to future climate change across the IPCC AR5 earth system models

We analyze for the first time all 16 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models with explicit marine ecological modules to identify the common mechanisms involved in projected phytoplankton biomass, productivity, and organic carbon export changes over the twenty-first century in the RCP8.5 scenario (years 2080–2099) compared to the historical scenario (years 1980–1999). All models predict decreases in primary and export production globally of up to 30 % of the historical value. We divide the ocean into biomes using upwelling velocities, sea-ice coverage, and maximum mixed layer depths. Models generally show expansion of subtropical, oligotrophic biomes and contraction of marginal sea-ice biomes. The equatorial and subtropical biomes account for 77 % of the total modern oceanic primary production (PP), but contribute 117 % to the global drop in PP, slightly compensated by an increase in PP in high latitudes. The phytoplankton productivity response to climate is surprisingly similar across models in low latitude biomes, indicating a common set of modeled processes controlling productivity changes. Ecological responses are less consistent across models in the subpolar and sea-ice biomes. Inter-hemispheric asymmetries in physical drivers result in stronger climate-driven relative decreases in biomass, productivity, and export of organic matter in the northern compared to the southern hemisphere low latitudes. The export ratio, a measure of the efficiency of carbon export to the deep ocean, decreases across low and mid-latitude biomes and models with more than one phytoplankton type, particularly in the northern hemisphere. Inter-model variability is much higher for biogeochemical than physical variables in the historical period, but is very similar among predicted 100-year biogeochemical and physical changes. We include detailed biome-by-biome analyses, discuss the decoupling between biomass, productivity and export across biomes and models, and present statistical significance and consistency across models using a novel technique based on bootstrapping combined with a weighting scheme based on similarity across models.
Macroscopic etch anisotropies and microscopic reaction mechanisms: a micromachined structure for the rapid assay of etchant anisotropy

Abstract A new technique for the rapid quantification of orientation-dependent etch rates, which uses micromachined test patterns and optical microscopy, has been developed. The etching of silicon in KOH etchants with and without isopropanol was studied. Etch rates measured with this technique are in good agreement with conventionally measured rates. In most cases, the etch rate anisotropies are well described by a simple model that is based on step-flow etching. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of etching were used to test the simple model and to generate approximate morphologies of the etched surfaces. Vicinal Si(110) surfaces display unusual, orientation-dependent etch rates in some etchants; the functional form of the etch rate anisotropy suggests that a morphological transition occurs on these highly reactive faces. In moderately concentrated KOH solutions where isopropanol is readily soluble, the measured etch rate anisotropies suggest that isopropanol stabilizes step-flow etching.
Morphology and mechanical properties of surfactant aggregates at water-silica interfaces: molecular dynamics simulations.

Dilute and concentrated surfactant systems at the solid−liquid interface are examined using classical molecular dynamics simulations. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how surfactants aggregate and form the micellar structure, how micelles change shape at high concentrations in aqueous media and in the presence of hydrophilic surfaces, and at what force this micellar structure breaks apart during indentation of micelle-covered surfaces with a proximal probe microscope tip. The specific system of interest is C12TAB (n-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) surfactant in an aqueous medium that is modeled with empirical potentials. The simulations predict that the micelle structure in water is compact and either spherical or elliptical in shape. In the presence of a hydrophilic surface of silica, the structure evolves into a flat elliptical shape, in agreement with experimental findings. The simulated indentation of the micelle/silica system causes the micelle to break apart at an indentation force o...
What Is This “Post-” in Postracial, Postfeminist… (Fill in the Blank)?

The events of the 2008 election continue to spark prognostications that we live in a world that is postracial/feminist, and so on. At the 2009 NCA (National Communication Association) convention, a panel of communication scholars discussed how to approach questions of identity and communication over the next 5 years. Participants suggested ways to be critical of assertions of “post” and elaborated ways to encounter new dimensions of identification in an era of immense sociopolitical challenges. This forum revisits the exchanged dialogues among the participants at the roundtable and further explores the meaning of post- in post-America.
The pathways from perceived discrimination to self-rated health: An investigation of the roles of distrust, social capital, and health behaviors

Although there has been extensive research on the adverse impacts of perceived discrimination on health, it remains unclear how perceived discrimination gets under the skin. This paper develops a comprehensive structural equation model (SEM) by incorporating both the direct effects of perceived discrimination on self-rated health (SRH), a powerful predictor for many health outcomes, and the indirect effects of perceived discrimination on SRH through health care system distrust, neighborhood social capital, and health behaviors and health conditions. Applying SEM to 9880 adults (aged between 18 and 100) in the 2008 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, we not only confirmed the positive and direct association between discrimination and poor or fair SRH, but also verified two underlying mechanisms: 1) perceived discrimination is associated with lower neighborhood social capital, which further contributes to poor or fair SRH; and 2) perceived discrimination is related to risky behaviors (e.g., reduced physical activity and sleep quality, and intensified smoking) that lead to worse health conditions, and then result in poor or fair SRH. Moreover, we found that perceived discrimination is negatively associated with health care system distrust, but did not find a significant relationship between distrust and poor or fair SRH.
Delayed post-operative cardiac tamponade manifesting as cardiogenic shock.

We describe the case of a 32-year-old woman with a history of cardiac surgery two weeks previously who presented with an upper gastrointestinal bleed. She also had symptoms of syncope and abdominal pain, as well as elevated liver enzymes. She had cool, clammy extremities, bilateral lower extremity edema, and oliguria. An echocardiogram was obtained, which revealed a large posterior pericardial effusion with evidence of tamponade physiology, and an emergent pericardiocentesis was performed with insertion of a drainage catheter, which drained bloody fluid, with subsequent hemodynamic improvement. 7 days after open-heart surgery, a challenging diagnosis given its vague symptoms and signs not classically associated with the condition.>.
Validation of an instrument to measure older adults' expectations regarding movement (ERM).

Background Many individuals with Parkinson's disease are not diagnosed and treated. Attitudes about aging and related help-seeking may affect the timely diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Our objectives were to develop measures of older adults' expectations regarding movement with aging, specifically related to parkinsonism, and their beliefs about seeking healthcare for the diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism. Methods We established content and face validity from interviews with experts, review of the literature, and pre-testing with key informants. Two 9-item instruments resulted: Expectations Regarding Movement (ERM) and Healthcare Seeking Beliefs for parkinsonism (HSB). These instruments were administered to 210 older adults at senior centers to investigate internal consistency and construct validity. Results 192 (91%) of the older adults completed more than 90% of the survey. The mean age was 76; 17 (9%) reported parkinsonism. Both scales demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.90). Factor analysis supported construct validity of the ERM and HSB scores. Older age, lower education, worse self-reported health and African American race each were associated with lower ERM scores, but not HSB scores. Conclusion The ERM, a brief measure of expectations regarding movement with aging, shows reliability and validity. This scale may be useful in identifying older adults at increased risk for under-identification of Parkinson's disease. Further work is needed to measure healthcare seeking for parkinsonism.
Organizational and Individual Factors Affecting Consumer Outcomes of Care in Mental Health Services

The impact of organizational and individual factors on outcomes of care were assessed for 424 adult consumers with chronic mental illness who were receiving services from one of 14 Community Mental Health Organizations (CMHOs) in Colorado over a 30-month period, as part of a larger statewide evaluation of the impact of Medicaid capitation on mental health services. Data on organizational culture and climate were aggregated from surveys of staff and administrators conducted within CMHOs over a two-year period corresponding to the collection of consumer outcome and service utilization data. Growth curve analyses were conducted on consumer perceptions of physical and mental health, and on quality of life (QOL). Analyses indicated a significant cross-level effect of organizational culture and climate on improvements in consumer perceptions of physical and mental health, but not on a “quasi-objective” index of QOL. Individual characteristics, such as age, diagnosis, gender, and ethnicity, were significant predictors of outcomes. Being older, female, an ethnic minority, and having a diagnosis of schizophrenia all predicted poorer outcomes among consumers. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy and future research.
Cycling of lithium/metal oxide cells using composite electrolytes containing fumed silicas

Abstract The effect on cycle capacity is reported of cathode material (metal oxide, carbon, and current collector) in lithium/metal oxide cells cycled with fumed silica-based composite electrolytes. Three types of electrolytes are compared: filler-free electrolyte consisting of methyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) oligomer (PEGdm, Mw=250)+lithium bis(trifluromethylsufonyl)imide (LiTFSI) (Li:O=1:20), and two composite systems of the above baseline liquid electrolyte containing 10-wt% A200 (hydrophilic fumed silica) or R805 (hydrophobic fumed silica with octyl surface group). The composite electrolytes are solid-like gels. Three cathode active materials (LiCoO2, V6O13, and LixMnO2), four conducting carbons (graphite Timrex® SFG 15, SFG 44, carbon black Vulcan XC72R, and Ketjenblack EC-600JD), and three current collector materials (Al, Ni, and carbon fiber) were studied. Cells with composite electrolytes show higher capacity, reduced capacity fade, and less cell polarization than those with filler-free electrolyte. Among the three active materials studied, V6O13 cathodes deliver the highest capacity and LixMnO2 cathodes render the best capacity retention. Discharge capacity of Li/LiCoO2 cells is affected greatly by cathode carbon type, and the capacity decreases in the order of Ketjenblack>SFG 15>SFG 44>Vulcan. Current collector material also plays a significant role in cell cycling performance. Lithium/vanadium oxide (V6O13) cells deliver increased capacity using Ni foil and carbon fiber current collectors in comparison to an Al foil current collector.
Taming the Wilderness in Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Ireland and Virginia

AbstractIn the past thirty years, historians have examined many aspects of England's western expansion in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; however, the environmental history of the English ...
On the semimartingale property via bounded logarithmic utility

This paper provides a new version of the condition of Di Nunno et al. (2003); Di Nunno, G., Meyer-Brandis, T., Oksendal, B., Proske, F.: Optimal portfolio for an insider in a market driven by Levy processes. Quant. Financ. 6, 83–94 (2006). Ankirchner and Imkeller Annales de l’Institut Henri Poincare (B) Probabilites et statistiques 41, 479–503 (2005) and Biagini and Oksendal Appl. Math. Optim. 52, 167–181 (2005) which ensures the semimartingale property for a large class of continuous stochastic processes. Unlike our predecessors, we base our modeling framework on the concept of portfolio proportions. This yields a short self-contained proof of the main theorem, as well as a counter example which shows that analogues of our results do not hold in the discontinuous setting.
Availability and Metabolism of Various Substrates in Ruminants. I. Absorption and Metabolism of Acetate

Summary Two experiments were conducted in which K-acetate-1-C 14 was either injected or infused intravenously into a mature dairy steer to obtain measurements of pool size, turnover rate, and turnover time of blood acetate. Estimates were made of the amount of acetate absorbed and metabolized to carbon dioxide following feeding. It was shown that a single injection of K-acetate-1-C 14 is not applicable to the measurement of acetate pool size or turnover rate because of its apparent rapid metabolism before complete mixing with the unlabeled acetate in the pool is effected. However, the turnover time of the acetate pool was calculated to be 83min. The amount of acetate entering the pool after the consumption of 4.3lb. of grain was estimated to be 67.24g. per hour. Of this amount, 50% was oxidized to CO 2 and 50% was metabolized via other routes. The acetate oxidized accounted for 50% of the expired carbon dioxide.
Catechins protect neurons against mitochondrial toxins and HIV proteins via activation of the BDNF pathway.

Currently, there is no effective treatment for neurological complications of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus that persists despite the use of combination antiretroviral therapy. A medium throughput assay was developed for screening neuroprotective compounds using primary mixed neuronal cells and mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid. Using this assay, a library of 2,000 compounds was screened. Out of 256 compounds that showed variable degrees of neuroprotection, nine were related to epicatechin, a monomeric flavonoid found in cocoa and green tea leaves that readily crosses the blood–brain barrier. Hence, catechin, epicatechin, and the related compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were further screened for their neuroprotective properties against HIV proteins Tat and gp120, and compared to those of resveratrol. Epicatechin and EGCG targets the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor proBDNF signaling pathways, normalizing both Tat-mediated increases in proapoptotic proBDNF and concomitant Tat-mediated decreases in the mature BDNF protein in hippocampal neurons. Epicatechin and epigallocatechin gallate were more potent than catechin or resveratrol as neuroprotectants. Due to its simpler structure and more efficient blood–brain barrier penetration properties, epicatechin might be the best therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative diseases including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders where oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological mechanism.
High fidelity of base pairing by 2-selenothymidine in DNA.

The base pairs are the contributors to the sequence-dependent recognition of nucleic acids, genetic information storage, and high fidelity of DNA polymerase replication. However, the wobble base pa...
Vasculature of the mouse, rat, and rabbit testis-epididymis

The arrangement of blood vessels serving the testis-epididymis vas investigated microscopically in the mouse, rat, and rabbit. Blood vessels were visualized by infusing liquid silicone rubber into the vessels and subsequently clearing the surrounding tissue. Comprehensive illustrations of the vasculature were prepared from three-dimensional examinations. Arterial and venous vessels serving the testis-epididymis follow similar routes in all three species. However, the arrangements and characteristics of the blood vessels demonstrate dramatic species differences. For example, arteries within the testes have tight coils in the mouse and artery-artery anastomoses in the rat. Veins form vascular pathways that connect the testis and efferent ductules in all three species but also form a connection between the testis and cauda epididymidis in the rabbit only. Testosterone concentrations were determined in blood obtained by micropuncture of selected testis-epididymal veins. The measurements establish that the highest levels of testosterone are found in testicular surface veins. Also, vas deferential veins of the rabbit had significant amounts of testosterone. Studies of the blood-vessel volumes suggested that the volumes of arteries and veins in the testis are similar, whereas venous volumes exceed arterial volumes in all of the other organs examined. The studies provide comprehensive information about the architecture and physiology of blood vessels serving the testis-epididymis in the mouse, rat, and rabbit. Each species exhibits diversity in the vasculature and testosterone content of the veins. Veins connecting the testis to the efferent ductules and cauda epididymidis may provide for the preferential delivery of testicular secretions to androgen-dependent organs before the secretions are metabolized or diluted in the systemic blood.
Fabrication of Complex Architectures Using Electrodeposition into Patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers

Patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on solid surfaces can be used to direct electrodeposition to occur at specific locations. In previous work, single deposition steps have been used to create islands or lines in patterned SAMs. In this paper we present strategies for creating more complex structures, including via-like structures and multicomponent lines. We also show how finite size effects can be exploited to produce arrays of single-crystal islands.
A First-Passage Kinetic Monte Carlo method for reaction-drift-diffusion processes

Stochastic reaction-diffusion models are now a popular tool for studying physical systems in which both the explicit diffusion of molecules and noise in the chemical reaction process play important roles. The Smoluchowski diffusion-limited reaction model (SDLR) is one of several that have been used to study biological systems. Exact realizations of the underlying stochastic processes described by the SDLR model can be generated by the recently proposed First-Passage Kinetic Monte Carlo (FPKMC) method. This exactness relies on sampling analytical solutions to one and two-body diffusion equations in simplified protective domains.In this work we extend the FPKMC to allow for drift arising from fixed, background potentials. As the corresponding Fokker-Planck equations that describe the motion of each molecule can no longer be solved analytically, we develop a hybrid method that discretizes the protective domains. The discretization is chosen so that the drift-diffusion of each molecule within its protective domain is approximated by a continuous-time random walk on a lattice. New lattices are defined dynamically as the protective domains are updated, hence we will refer to our method as Dynamic Lattice FPKMC or DL-FPKMC. We focus primarily on the one-dimensional case in this manuscript, and demonstrate the numerical convergence and accuracy of our method in this case for both smooth and discontinuous potentials. We also present applications of our method, which illustrate the impact of drift on reaction kinetics.
PTEN: not just a tumor suppressor

In this issue of Blood , Weng and colleagues provide genetic evidence for the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase)–dependent and –independent regulatory role of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10) during collagen-induced platelet activation.[1][1] During
Cellular Mechanism for the Pharmacological Correction of hERG Mutations Linked to the Long QT Syndrome

The human Ether-a-go-go Related Gene (hERG) encodes Kv11.1 and underlies the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current in the heart, and loss-of-function hERG mutations cause the type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2). The majority of LQT2-linked missense mutations decrease the trafficking of Kv11.1. An important finding is drugs that bind to Kv11.1 and block current (IKv11.1) can correct the trafficking for most of these mutations (pharmacological correction). We tested the hypothesis that pharmacological correction increases the trafficking of mutant LQT2 channels from the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). Voltage-clamping and Western blotting experiments of HEK293 cells expressing the trafficking-deficient LQT2 mutation G601S showed that pharmacological correction still occurred in cells treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Confocal analyses of HEK293 cells stably expressing wild type Kv11.1 or G601S showed that G601S is selectively stored in an intermediate ER compartment with BAP31. The intermediate BAP31 compartment does not overlap with the perinuclear ER compartment, transitional ER compartment, or the ER Golgi Intermediate Compartment. Treating cells in E-4031, a drug that corrects G601S trafficking, decreased G601S co-localization with intermediate BAP31 compartment and increased G601S immunostaining at the cell surface membrane. Additional experiments showed that treating cell in E-4031 for as little as 30 min was sufficient to caused the pharmacological correction of IKv11.1 for many hours. Together these data demonstrate that a steady-state subpopulation of LQT2 channels is stored separately in the BAP31 transitional ER compartment and their functional expression is readily corrected by E-4031 treatment.