cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microelectrode arrays fabricated using a novel hybrid microfabrication method

We present novel hybrid microfabrication methods for microelectrode arrays that combine microwire assembly, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing techniques and precision tool-based micromachining. This combination enables hybrid microfabrication to produce complex geometries and structures, increase material selection, and improve integration. A 32-channel shank microelectrode array was fabricated to highlight the hybrid microfabrication techniques. The electrode shank was 130 μm at its narrowest, had a 127 μm thickness and had iridium oxide electrode sites that were 25 μm in diameter with 150 μm spacing. Techniques used to fabricate this electrode include microassembly of insulated gold wires into a micromold, micromolding the microelectrode shank, post molding machining, sacrificial release of the microelectrode and electrodeposition of iridium oxide onto the microelectrode sites. Electrode site position accuracy was shown to have a standard deviation of less than 4 μm. Acute in vivo recordings with the 32-channel shank microelectrode array demonstrated comparable performance to that obtained with commercial microelectrode arrays. This new approach to microelectrode array fabrication will enable new microelectrodes, such as multi-sided arrays, drug eluding electrodes and biodegradable shanks.
Momentum in the 2008 Presidential Contests

This article discusses the role of momentum in the primaries and the general election. The Republican nomination contest was consistent with the literature on momentum. As voters updated their knowledge of the candidates and their beliefs regarding the likelihood of victory, they switched their preferences to McCain, providing him with the surge that led him to victory. In the Democratic contest, no such momentum ever occurred. I will use empirical data to demonstrate that, throughout the entire process, the primary results were determined by the demographics of the state and candidate strategies. Even at the end, there was no rallying effect. In the general election, no momentum occurred until after the convention. Before then, the polls moved as a result of external shocks, but quickly reverted to equilibrium. I will explore the role of polarization, identity politics, and the early and intensive media coverage of the campaign in fixing voter opinions early in a manner that stifled momentum.
Measurement of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-II in Physiological Fluids and Tissues. II. Extraction and Quantification in Rat Tissues*

The tissue distribution and developmental patterns of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) have not been investigated in rat tissues, primarily because of the lack of an efficient extraction method for IGF-II and a sensitive RIA. IGFII was extracted from rat tissues by formic acid, and the extract was heated at an acidic pH and treated with acetone. The removal of binding proteins was demonstrated by fast protein liquid chromatography size exclusion column and the elimination of a dilutional bias in the RIA. Using rat IGF-II as standard, we optimized a RIA for the quantification of IGF-II in rat tissues. In adult rats, IGF-II was found in all 15 tissues examined, with the highest concentration in the pituitary, followed by kidney, seminal vesicles, intestine, and serum. This distribution is not only different from that of IGF-I, but also differs from that reported for IGF-II mRNA and IGF-II receptors, suggesting that the rates of synthesis and/or metabolism of IGF-II are tissue dependent. Developmentall...
Polarizability of shallow donors in silicon - A reply

Abstract A reply to the comment of Yoshihiro and Yamanouchi is made explaining the role of Schottky barriers on the capacitance results determined previously by Bethin, Castner, and Lee. Earlier concentration-dependent dielectric constant measurements for Sb-doped Ge are also noted.
Cardiac and pulmonary manifestations of Behçet syndrome.

Behcet syndrome is a systemic disease rather than the initial more narrowly characterized triple symptom-complex of recurrent oral and genital ulcers and chronic iridocyclitis. Major cardiac and pulmonary manifestations of the disease are relatively uncommon and their pathologic features have seldom been documented. Described herein is a fatal case of Behcet syndrome with co-existing myocarditis, pulmonary thromboangiitis, and pulmonary artery aneurysms.
The thermodynamics of proton dissociation of adenine

The thermodynamic quantities associated with ionization of the N1 and N9 protons of adenine have been calorimetrically determined as a function of temperature. The ΔH values for proton dissociation of these groups, with pK values of 4.19 and 9.92, were found to be 5.1 and 9.1 kcal/mole, respectively, at 25°C, μ=0.025. The ΔC p values for proton dissociation of these groups were estimated to be −11 and −17 cal/mole-deg. These results indicate that the large heat capacity changes observed during conformational transitions of polynucleotides are not the result of ionization of the bases.
Improved synthesis of (3E,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene, attraction inhibitor of bruce spanworm, Operophtera bruceata, to pheromone traps for monitoring winter moth, Operophtera brumata.

The winter moth, Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is an early-season defoliator that attacks a wide variety of hardwoods and, in some cases, conifers. The insect is native to Europe but has become established in at least three areas of North America including southeastern New England. The female-produced sex attractant pheromone of the winter moth was identified as (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene (1), which also attracts a native congener, the Bruce spanworm, Operophtera bruceata. Dissection, or (for certainty) DNA molecular testing, is required to differentiate between males of the two species. Thus, a trapping method that is selective for winter moth would be desirable. A geometric isomer of the pheromone, (3E,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene (2), can reportedly inhibit attraction of Bruce spanworm to traps without affecting winter moth catch, but use of the pheromone and inhibitor together has not been optimized, nor has the synthesis of the inhibitor. This paper presents two new synt...
Is language necessary for human spatial reorientation? Reconsidering evidence from dual task paradigms

Being able to reorient to the spatial environment after disorientation is a basic adaptive challenge. There is clear evidence that reorientation uses geometric information about the shape of the surrounding space. However, there has been controversy concerning whether use of geometry is a modular function, and whether use of features is dependent on human language. A key argument for the role of language comes from shadowing findings where adults engaged in a linguistic task during reorientation ignored a colored wall feature and only used geometric information to reorient [Hermer-Vazquez, L., Spelke, E., & Katsnelson, A. (1999). Sources of flexibility in human cognition: Dual task studies of space and language. Cognitive Psychology, 39, 3-36]. We report three studies showing: (a) that the results of Hermer-Vazques et al. [Hermer-Vazquez, L., Spelke, E., & Katsnelson, A. (1999). Sources of flexibility in human cognition: Dual task studies of space and language. Cognitive Psychology, 39, 3-36] are obtained in incidental learning but not with explicit instructions, (b) that a spatial task impedes use of features at least as much as a verbal shadowing task, and (c) that neither secondary task impedes use of features in a room larger than that used by Hermer-Vazquez et al. These results suggest that language is not necessary for successful use of features in reorientation. In fact, whether or not there is an encapsulated geometric module is currently unsettled. The current findings support an alternative to modularity; the adaptive combination view hypothesizes that geometric and featural information are utilized in varying degrees, dependent upon the certainty and variance with which the two kinds of information are encoded, along with their salience and perceived usefulness.
Melanin as a Predictor in the Acquisition of Developmental Skills

Summary Seventy-two subjects were randomly drawn across grades K-2 and administered an instrument designed to measure developmental skills within seven skill area categories. A three-way ANOVA, fixed effects model, was used for data analysis. Subjects were blocked by eye color, sex, and grade level for the purpose of investigating the relationship between eye color and sex to self-paced and reactive behaviors. Significant differences were obtained on the main effect of eye color in five of the seven categories examined. There were three significant first order interactions (sex × eye color) and one three-way interaction. The findings support the hypothesis of Worthy that eye color is a dependable predictor of subjects' general behavioral competency area (self-paced or reactive) and adds considerable support for his thesis that self-paced and reactive behaviors are to some degree inherited.
Increasing the pool of educational leaders for UCLA.

AbstractThe dual goals of the faculty Fellowship in Medical Education (MEF) program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, established in 1992, are to prepare excellent teachers to serve as clerkship chairs, course chairs, or residency program directors while strengthening their dossiers fo
Helios: An HTML5 game teaching proportional reasoning to child players

Helios was developed at the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) to teach proportional reasoning to children ages six through ten. The game features balancing and unbalancing levels which were designed with input from early childhood educators and learning researchers, and iteratively updated based on results of child play tests. Such feedback universally recommended making the balancing exercises less repetitive and introducing opportunities for more player engagement. Helios also addresses scientific inquiry steps of hypothesis formation and explanation and socio-emotional learning in terms of discussing with an in-game peer. This paper emphasizes the development process and presents problems uncovered during the evolution of the balance game and their resolution, contextualizing the discussion with references to intrinsic motivation literature. It reports on a specific formative play test with 17 children. It was developed using the ImpactJS game engine, allowing for use across major web browsers without additional plug-ins. Lessons learned regarding the formative test are shared, culminating in a series of next steps for Helios development.
Application of independent component analysis to Fermilab Booster

Autocorrelation is applied to analyze sets of finite-sampling data such as the turn-by-turn beam position monitor (BPM) data in an accelerator. This method of data analysis, called the independent component analysis (ICA), is shown to be a powerful beam diagnosis tool for being able to decompose sampled signals into its underlying source signals. We find that the ICA has an advantage over the principle component analysis (PCA) used in the model-independent analysis (MIA) in isolating independent modes. The tolerance of the ICA method to noise in the BPM system is systematically studied. The ICA is applied to analyze the complicated beam motion in a rapid-cycling booster synchrotron at the Fermilab. Difficulties and limitations of the ICA method are also discussed.
ELEVATED TEMPERATURE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY USING REVERSED-PHASE PACKED CAPILLARY COLUMNS

Reversed-phase packed capillary column liquid chromatography (LC) was investigated at column temperatures of 24°C, 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C. For a mixed mobile phase containing acetonitrile and water (72:28, v/v), the viscosity of the mobile phase decreased 2.2 times and the diffusion rate of the solute increased 2.6 times in the range of temperatures investigated. The faster diffusion rate of naphthalene in the mobile phase at 80°C resulted in a 2.6-fold faster optimum linear velocity and a 2.5-fold decrease in the C term of the van Deemter equation compared to values obtained at 24°C. Better efficiencies were obtained at faster than optimum linear velocities at elevated temperatures, while at the same time retention times were much shorter than at room temperature. It was also found that temperature could have a better or worse effect on selectivity, depending on the retention factors, enthalpies, and entropies of the compounds analyzed. The pressure drop decreased by one half at an elevated temperature of 80°C compared with that at room temperature for the mobile phase investigated. It is estimated that smaller particles or longer columns could be used at elevated temperatures in an LC system to obtain even higher total plate numbers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Micro Sep9: 63–72, 1997
Influence of crop growth on ionic equilibria, selectivity and diffusion of cations in soil

Abstract Plant species vary in their ability to absorb many major and minor nutrients and thus continually change ionic equilibria in soils. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to investigate the influence of corn, onion and wheat growth on the ionic equilibria, selectivity coefficient and diffusion coefficient of K, Ca and Mg in soil. Corn had the greatest shoot and root growth and root density while onions had the least. Addition of ? to soil enhanced corn growth and ? uptake, however no such relations could be seen with onions. Increasing the plant population of wheat per unit soil volume increased the root density and amount of K, Ca and Mg removed from the soil. With increasing age, all three crops reduced ? concentrations in the soil solution as well as on the exchange sites. With increasing age of corn and onion there was a depletion of Ca and Mg in soil solution but the concentration of these ions on the exchange phase was increased. The diffusion coefficients (De) of K, Ca and ...
A FAMULUS post-processor

The FAMULUS documentation system is a very capable system for preparing and manipulating a set of records which constitutes a bibliography, a teaching aids list, or any other list of items with relatively static descriptors. The system was developed in 1969 by the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, California and refined in 1972 at University College London. FAMULUS consists of a number of separate programs which can be used to create, edit, sort, index, and search a file of records. Each record can have up to ten fields and a total length of up to 4000 characters.
Effect of cold air on laryngeal mechanoreceptors in the dog.

Abstract We have previously described laryngeal receptors specifically activated by cooling. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of cold air on laryngeal mechanoreceptors responding primarily to transmural pressure and respiratory movements of the larynx. We have recorded action potentials from 30 single fibers in the peripheral cut end of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve of 11 anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs. Of 29 receptors studied with a constant flow of cold air through the isolated upper airway 13 showed a marked reduction in their dicharge (0 to 15% of control), 10 showed a moderate decrease (16 to 84% of control) and the remaining 6 were minimally affected. Seven of the 29 receptors showed, prior to the inhibition, a transient initial stimulation. Transient state responses of the most affected receptors lagged behind laryngeal temperature. Three of the most affected endings were also studied during spontaneous breathing of cold air; to a progressive decrease in laryngeal temperature corresponded a progressive decrease in receptor activity. Susceptibility of the receptors to laryngeal cooling and topical anesthesia did not closely correlate. Our results indicate that in evaluating the reflex responses to upper airway cooling both excitation of cold receptors and inhibition of laryngeal mechanoreceptors should be taken into account.
Matrices associated with multiplicative functions

Abstract Let f be a multiplicative function and S = { x 1 , x 2 , …, x n } a set of distinct positive integers. Denote by ( f [ x i , x j ]) the n × n matrix having f evaluated at the least common multiple [ x i , x j ] of x i and x j as its i , j entry. If S is factor-closed, we calculate the determinant of this matrix and (if it is invertible) its inverse, and show that for a certain class of functions the n × n matrix ( f ( x i , x j )) having f evaluated at the greatest common divisor of x i and x j as its, i , j entry is a factor of the matrix ( f [ x i , x j ]) in the ring of n × n matrices over the integers. We also determine conditions on f that will guarantee the matrix ( f [ x i , x j ]) is positive definite.
Clinical evaluation of oralCandida in cancer chemotherapy patients

Abstract No overt clinical oral candidiasis was noted upon either direct oral examination or review of medical records. No significant change in percent of Candida species as compared to other populations is seen in this study. Varying percents of individual species do differ from other reports. Alimentary and digestive tract tumors represented over 56% of the primary malignancies. There was a significant correlation between decrease in salivary pH and increase in percent of Candida species growth. Most significantly, however, the preliminary data in this study might eventually contribute to continuing investigation of Candida species in human cancer patients.
Roundoff accumulation at weak horizontal positions

This paper examines computer roundoff error accumulation in the least-squares adjustment of horizontal geodetic networks containing positions of very poor geometry. Roundoff error accumulates at the weak unknowns but does not disturb the solution of well-determined positions. Numerical results are given.
Divergence in Murine Myometrium Spontaneous and Oxytocin-Stimulated Contractile Responses to Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatase-1 Inhibition

Reversible phosphorylation is essential in regulating uterine contractions. Identification, characterization, and functional understanding of myometrium protein phosphatase(s) are lacking. Okadaic acid (OA), which inhibits protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) and PP2A, has been shown to alter uterine contractions. Experiments were conducted to determine the 1) identity of the myometrial OA-sensitive PP, 2) influence of OA on spontaneous and oxytocin (OT)-stimulated myometrial contractions, and 3) expression of uterine PPs during sexual development. Western blot analysis indicated the presence of PP1(alpha) and PP2A in immature and mature mice. As determined by immunohistochemistry, gonadotropin-stimulated adult mouse uteri contain PP1(alpha) in longitudinal and circular myometrial layers and endometrial epithelium. Conversely, PP2A was localized to the endometrial stroma. Cumulative addition of OA (n = 9; 10, 100, 250, 500, 1000 nM) did not significantly alter spontaneous contractions of mouse uterine horns in comparison to vehicle-treated controls (n = 9). By the end of the test period OA- and vehicle-treated uteri displayed a comparable decline in uterine contractions to 79.2% and 63.7%, respectively, of basal contractile activity. Pretreatment of uterine tissue with OA (1 microM; n = 7) significantly reduced contractile response to increasing concentrations of OT (8, 16, 32, 64 nM) in comparison to vehicle pretreatment (dimethyl sulfoxide; n = 7). At the end of the OT-administration period, contractile activity was 160.4% and 67.3% of basal contractile activity for vehicle (no OA) and OA-pretreated groups, respectively. During the early prepubertal period PP1(alpha) was expressed in longitudinal myometrium and absent in circular myometrium; whereas, during the transition to sexual maturity PP1(alpha) was observed in both the longitudinal and circular myometrium. In summary, these studies have indicated 1) that PP1 is the primary myometrial OA-sensitive PP; 2) that inhibition of PP1 had no effect on spontaneous contractions, whereas it markedly inhibited OT-stimulated uterine contractions; and 3) that PP1 is differentially expressed in the circular and longitudinal myometrium in relation to sexual development.
Lysosomal labilization: rapid, target-specific effect of ACTH.

Structural latency and intracellular redistribution of lysosomal hydrolases were investigated in the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized male rats and in the regenerated gland of adrenaldemedullated animals as a function of ACTH administration. Lysosome-enriched subcellular fractions were prepared from adrenal cortices excised within 5 min of ACTH injection iv. These preparations exhibited covert membrane labilization, as indicated by enhanced rate of liberation of the marker enzymes, acid phosphatase and acid ribonuclease II, when the participate fractions were challenged in vitro with standardized conditions of autolysis in the presence or absence of detergent. Increased lytic susceptibility of the organellar membranes was effected by as little as 0.5 mU of hormone/100 g body wt; its extent was dose-related. Minimal sensitization of lysosome preparations of preputial gland, an organ with limited responsiveness to ACTH as a trophic agent, was also observed at a dose of 10 mU of hormone/100 g body wt. The...
Large-scale insect and plant cell culture

Currently, insect and plant cell cultures are not widely used to make products of commercial interest, largely because the development of large-scale cultivation methods is still in its infancy. With the advances made over the past year, some of the limitations associated with scale-up of these two types of expression system have been addressed. Increasing the oxygen supply and the concentration of various nutrients supplied to insect cells after infection has enabled high specific protein production to be maintained to higher cell densities than ever before, improving overall volumetric yields. Detailed work has focused on the capacity of insect cells to carry out complex post-translational modifications; however, as yet, evidence is conflicting as to the extent of protein processing and complex glycosylation possible in infected cells. In plant cell culture, the accepted axioms concerning large-scale culture have been re-examined. Recent studies have assessed culture at high cell densities and the constraints in reactor design resulting from the 'shear sensitivity' of plant cells. Results show that, as cell densities increase, alterations occur in the pathways of secondary metabolism, leading to decreases in specific productivity. The use of nutrient supplements and a medium cycling strategy shows promise for increasing and sustaining product formation. Furthermore, the importance of dissolved gas composition has been clearly demonstrated by use of a gas recirculation reactor. Reports of taxol and vindoline production in vitro demonstrate the potential and the necessity for further research in scale-up of plant cell culture.
Matching Geospatial Concepts with Geographic Educational Needs

In this paper, we assume that learning to comprehend the geospatial environment would be significantly facilitated by developing a multi-level task ontology that identifies various levels and complexities of geospatial concepts. We suggest that, apart from four spatial ‘primitives’– identity, location, magnitude, and space-time – all geospatial concepts involve ‘inheritance’ characteristics. The more complex and abstract the concept, the larger the inheritance links that need to be appreciated to enhance concept understanding. For example, many basic geospatial concepts – such as direction and distance – are first-order derivatives from the ‘location’ primitive, whereas concepts such as spatial association, map projection or interpolation are high-order concepts that require several layers of geospatial concepts in their derivation. Having offered a five-level ontology for concept organisation, we suggest sets of tasks that could establish an understanding of concepts, thus directly making the environment more legible in a spatial sense. We develop this framework in the context of the teaching of geography in grades from kindergarten to the final years of high school (grade 12 in the United States system). Our conceptualisation is grounded in the US school system – in which geography is usually absent in the curriculum.
Wheel regenerative chatter of surface grinding

In this paper we present a comprehensive dynamic model that simulates surface grinding processes and predict their regenerative chatter characteristics. The model considers special aspects in surface grinding processes, such as interrupted grinding on a series of surfaces and step-like wheel wear along the axial direction due to crossfeed. A new theory for the wheel regenerative chatter mechanism, which describes the regenerative force as a function of not only the instantaneous chip thickness but also the distributed uneven grit wear/dullness, is introduced and applied in the model. Using the model, explanations are provided for those unrevealed wheel regenerative chatter phenomena observed from the experimental results in literature. The model is validated by comparing the simulated chatter frequencies and thresholds with the experimental results.
The relation between high school students' motivational regulation and their use of learning strategies, effort, and classroom performance.

This study investigates the relation between students' tendency to self-regulate their level of motivation and other aspects of their self-regulated learning and achievement. Ninth- and tenth-grade students (N = 88) responded to survey items designed to assess five motivational regulation strategies identified in previous research. An exploratory factor analyses of these items revealed distinct, internally consistent scales reflecting the strategies of Self-Consequating, Environmental Control, Performance Self-Talk, Mastery Self-Talk, and Interest Enhancement. Self-report measures of effort, use of six cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies, and teacher-reported grades were also collected. Findings revealed mean level differences in students' reported use of the motivational strategies. In addition, results from a series of multivariate regressions indicated that students' use of motivational regulation strategies could be used to predict their use of learning strategies, effort, and classroom performance. As a whole, findings support the belief that motivational self-regulation should be integrated more completely into current models of volition and self-regulated learning.
Invariant finite strain measures in elasticity and lattice dynamics

Abstract Some vagueness in the literature concerning the proper measures of strain which may be used in finite elastic strain theory and lattice dynamics is discussed. The requirements for straindependent quantities to be invariant under changes of frame of references are brieffy reviewed, and it is pointed out that the common practice of writing strain-dependent quantities explicity in terms of the Lagrangian strain η is sufficient, but not necessary, for them to be invariant. Invariance is assured if any one of a class of invariant strain tensors is used for this purpose. The use of the non-invariant Eulerian strain tensor e in some applications has not usually led to difficulties because of the restricted situations which have been considered. Applications to more general situations would require the use. of an invariant strain measure. An analogous invariant strain tensor can be defined which reduces to the Eulerian strain tensor in the case of isotropic strain.
Steroid hormone receptors: evolution, ligands, and molecular basis of biologic function.

The characterization of the superfamily of nuclear receptors, in particular the steroid/retinoid/thyroid hormone receptors, has resulted in a more complete understanding of how a repertoire of hormonally and nutritionally derived lipophilic ligands controls cell functions to effect development and homeostasis. As transducers of hormonal signaling in the nucleus, this superfamily of DNA-binding proteins appears to represent a crucial link in the emergence of multicellular organisms. Because nuclear receptors bind and are conformationally activated by a chemically diverse array of ligands, yet are closely related in general structure, they present an intriguing example of paralogous evolution. It is hypothesized that an ancient prototype receptor evolved into an intricate set of dimerizing isoforms, capable of recognizing an ensemble of hormone-responsive element motifs in DNA, and exerting ligand-directed combinatorial control of gene expression. The effector domains of nuclear receptors mediate transcriptional activation by recruiting coregulatory multisubunit complexes that remodel chromatin, target the initiation site, and stabilize the RNA polymerase II machinery for repeated rounds of transcription of the regulated gene. Because some nuclear receptors also function in gene repression, while others are constitutive activators, this superfamily of proteins provides a number of avenues for investigating hormonal regulation of gene expression. This review surveys briefly the latest findings in the nuclear receptor field and identifies particular areas where future studies should be fruitful. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppls. 32/33:110-122, 1999.
Sea Ice Enhancements to Polar WRF

AbstractThe Polar Weather Research and Forecasting Model (Polar WRF), a polar-optimized version of the WRF Model, is developed and made available to the community by Ohio State University’s Polar Meteorology Group (PMG) as a code supplement to the WRF release from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). While annual NCAR official releases contain polar modifications, the PMG provides very recent updates to users. PMG supplement versions up to WRF version 3.4 include modified Noah land surface model sea ice representation, allowing the specification of variable sea ice thickness and snow depth over sea ice rather than the default 3-m thickness and 0.05-m snow depth. Starting with WRF V3.5, these options are implemented by NCAR into the standard WRF release. Gridded distributions of Arctic ice thickness and snow depth over sea ice have recently become available. Their impacts are tested with PMG’s WRF V3.5-based Polar WRF in two case studies. First, 20-km-resolution model results for January 19...
Game-based Learning: The Impact of Flow State and Videogame Self-efficacy

The science of serious games is growing at a substantial pace, providing new insights into the nature of game-based learning. Recently, research has begun to focus on the elements that comprise serious games and how these elements relate to learning (Wilson et al., 2009; Pavlas et al., 2009). As part of an effort to understand how these attributes impact learning outcomes, a study manipulating a number of game attributes in an immune system game was conducted. From this effort, two psychological constructs initially considered as mere covariates – video game self-efficacy and flow state – emerged as significant and highly explanatory predictors of learning. This article provides an overview of these constructs, describes the research that led to this finding, presents the results of this research, and offers implications and suggestions for future work.
Development of antibodies for studying conceptus interferons in the cow

Abstract Three synthetic peptides comprising amino acids 100–113, 131–140 and 152–172 of bovine trophoblast protein-1 (bTP-1) were synthesized, coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and used for antibody production in rabbits. Of the resultant anti-peptide antibodies, the antibody directed towards the C-terminal of bTP-1 (152–172) was found effective for recognizing native bTP-1 in enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and immunocytochemistry systems. By immunocytochemistry, anti-bTP-1 152–172 reacted with kidney and lung tissue, suggesting that the presence of other interferons in extra-embryonic tissues limits the specificity of the antibody. The other two anti-peptide antibodies showed low cross-reactivity to native bTP-1. None of the three peptides displayed antiviral activity or inhibited antiviral activity of bovine conceptus-conditioned culture medium. Of other anti-interferon antibodies tested, antiserum to human interferon-α and bovine interferon-α i 1 showed only slight cross-reactivity with bTP-1 and ovine trophoblast protein-1 (oTP-1). A monoclonal antibody raised against oTP-1 also recognized bTP-1 and bTP-1 152–172 , suggesting that it recognizes an epitope on the C-terminal region of oTP-1 and bTP-1. In summary, the C-terminal region of bTP-1 is antigenic and accessible to antibodies. Thus, antibodies directed against this region should prove useful for immunochemical studies of bTP-1.
Infection d'endoprothèse se présentant comme une rupture d'anévrysme aortique

Les procedures de mise en place d'une endoprothese aortique sont devenues frequentes. Fort heureusement, les infections d'endoprothese restent rares avec une incidence inferieure a 0,5%. Il peut s'agir d'infections liees a une contamination au moment de l'implantation, de l'ensemencement prothetique a partir d'une infection a distance ou d'une infection par contiguite. Nous decrivons un cas d'infection tardive d'endoprothese aortique conduisant a la rupture du sac anevrysmal et nous faisons une breve revue des infections d'endoprothese. Dans cette revue de la litterature sur les endoprotheses, un seul article decrit une rupture d'anevrysme secondaire a une infection d'endoprothese. Ce cas souligne l'importance d'une evaluation rigoureuse de l'endoprothese chez tout patient presentant des symptomes abdominaux.
Minimum drop-loss design of microphotonic microring-resonator channel add-drop filters

Microring-resonator filters have important applications as filtering elements in microphotonic circuits. In this paper, we address the question of optimum design of resonator-based add-drop filters in the presence of finite losses, and show that symmetric coupling provides the optimum design. This conclusion contravenes previous work on this subject, and the oft-cited critically coupled resonator case. While the minimum bandwidth of a resonant filter is ultimately limited by intrinsic losses, i.e. the intrinsic Q, we show that the symmetric design can approach twice as narrow a linewidth as a critically coupled design for the same losses, in principle. We present a coupledmode theory (CMT) model, and a complete electromagnetic device design example based on finite-difference time-domain field simulations which validates our conclusions.
The diurnal variation of the polarisation of 25-mHz (pc 3) micropulsations in the horizontal plane

Abstract An experimental technique is described which enables the polarisation parameters of large amounts of micropulsation activity to be rapidly determined. Using this method, results are presented for the diurnal variations in the ellipticity, sense of rotation, degree of polarisation and ellipse orientation of 322 hr of activity at a frequency of 25 mHz.
More work for hard incompatibilism

Hard Incompatibilism is the view that we lack the kind of free will that could make us truly deserving of blame or praise for our actions. The term 'hard incompatibilism' comes from Pereboom (2001) but versions of the position have been defended by Voltaire, Diderot, Spinoza, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Clarence Darrow, Paul Edwards, Ted Honderich, Galen Strawson, Bruce Waller, Saul Smilansky, Richard Double, and myself, among others. Arguments for hard incompatibilism take roughly this form:
Nanoindentation of injection molded PLA and self-reinforced composite PLA after in vitro conditioning for three months†

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is used for medical devices such as sutures or orthopedic screws. A standard way to determine the loss of mechanical properties of a degradable polymer would be to soak the polymer in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and test the desired property as a function of immersion time. This method is not sensitive enough to discern changes in mechanical properties through the cross-section of the polymer and neglects the degradation that is occurring at the molecular level. This article presents results of a nanoindentation study carried out with PLA. The modulus and hardness of PLA is characterized as a function of processing method, immersion time in PBS, and location of the indent. Measuring local properties with the nanoindenter allowed detection of differences in material properties as a function of all three of these variables. The mechanical properties on the edge were lower than the interior of the sample after in vitro degradation, and changes were seen earlier for nanoindentation than for traditional flexural or tensile tests. The nanoindenter is a valuable tool for quantifying changes in material properties and may have applicability for accelerated tests to screen biomaterials.
The evolving landscape

Abstract The landscapes we are most familiar with, more often than not, are the product of natural forces and the constructive forces of human culture. These landscapes we find to be in a constant state of reformation. The process by which they are restructured is greatly influenced by the values we have for them. If we are to take more control and responsibility over this process, we must understand the relationship between natural forces, cultural forces and the human system of planning and design that strives to orchestrate the interactions of both.
Fuselage Structure Response to Boundary Layer, Tonal Sound, and Jet Noise

Experiments have been conducted to study the response of curved aluminum and graphite-epoxy fuselage structures to flow and sound loads from turbulent boundary layer, tonal sound, and jet noise. Both structures were the same size. The aluminum structure was reinforced with tear stoppers, while the graphite-epoxy structure was not. The graphite-epoxy structure weighed half as much as the aluminum structure. Spatiotemporal intermittence and chaotic behavior of the structural response was observed, as jet noise and tonal sound interacted with the turbulent boundary layer. The fundamental tone distributed energy to other components via wave interaction with the turbulent boundary layer. The added broadband sound from the jet, with or without a shock, influenced the responses over a wider range of frequencies. Instantaneous spatial correlation indicates small localized spatiotemporal regions of convected waves, while uncorrelated patterns dominate the larger portion of the space. By modifying the geometry of the tear stoppers between panels and frame, the transmitted and reflected waves of the aluminum panels were significantly reduced. The response level of the graphite-epoxy structure was higher, but the noise transmitted was nearly equal to that of the aluminum structure. The fundamental shock mode is between 80 deg and 150 deg and the first harmonic is between 20 deg and 80 deg for the underexpanded supersonic jet impinging on the turbulent boundary layer influencing the structural response. The response of the graphite-epoxy structure due to the fundamental mode of the shock impingement was stabilized by an externally fixed oscillator.
Correlates of uric acid and its association with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis: The ARIC study

The correlates of serum uric acid and the association of uric acid with carotid intimal-medial thickness (an early measure of atherosclerosis) were investigated in participants of the baseline examination of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. The study sample included 6522 women (74% white) and 4966 men (79% white) who were aged 45 to 64 years at baseline (1986-1989). Those with prevalent coronary heart disease or previous stroke and those taking uricosuric medication were excluded. The mean (SD) uric acid concentration was 5.9 (1.5) mg/dL. It was highest among black men 45-54 years old (6.9 [1.5] mg/dL), and lowest in white women aged 45-54 years old (5.0 [1.2] mg/dL). The uric acid level was positively correlated in both sexes with a variety of health-related factors, most notably body mass index, creatinine, triglycerides, diuretic use, alcohol intake, hypertension, diabetes, and insulin levels. In a linear regression model adjusting for age and ARIC center, the level of uric acid was directly and significantly associated with B-mode ultrasound carotid intimal-medial thickness in women and white men (but not in black men). However, when known risk factors for atherosclerotic disease and relevant behavioral and biological correlates of uric acid were controlled for in multivariate analysis, the association of uric acid with this early measure of atherosclerosis became negligible in white women and much weaker and not statistically significant in black women and white men. Thus, uric acid itself may not be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Future analysis of cardiovascular events in the ARIC Study will further elucidate the role of uric acid in atherosclerotic disease.
Impact of Changing Combustion of Shenhua Coal to Boiler Operation

Experimental study of changing and blending combustion of Shenhua coal on boiler operation was carried out, while the furnace slagging during the experiment, the coal pulverizing system adjustment and the boiler operation oxygen control issues were analyzed. The results show that: the boiler can operate in safety blending Shenhua coal and Zhungeer coal with the ratio of 7:3 based on the strengthening laboratory analysis of coal as fired, the safety and economy of the boiler and coal pulverizing system can be ensured with the pulverized coal fineness R90 in 30%, and selecting the lower mill combinations and setting the coal pulverizer outlet temperature at 73°C, the reasonable exhaust gas oxygen content should be 4.0%, and the boiler thermal efficiency has an 1% increase compared with the condiation of burning inferior Shanxi bituminous coal, the nitrogen oxide emissions are significantly reduced.
Gradient counterflow electrophoresis methods for bioanalysis.

CE has evolved as one of the most efficient separation techniques for a wide range of analytes, from small molecules to large proteins. Modern microdevices facilitate integration of multiple sample-handling steps, from preparation to separation and detection, and often rely on CE for separations. However, CE frequently requires complex geometries for performing sample injections and maintaining zone profiles across long separation lengths in microdevices. Two novel methods for performing electrophoretic separations, gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis (GEMBE) and gradient elution isotachophoresis (GEITP), have been developed to simplify microcolumn operations. Both techniques use variable hydrodynamic counterflow and continuous sample injection to perform analyses in short, simple microcolumns. These properties result in instruments and microdevices that have minimal ‘real-world’ interfaces and reduced footprints. Additionally, GEITP is a rapid enrichment technique that addresses sensitivity ...
A wavepacket — path integral method for curve-crossing problems: application to resonance Raman spectra and photodissociation cross sections

Abstract A multidimensional Gaussian wavepacket dynamics — path integral method (GWD-PI) is utilized to study time evolution on two nonadiabatically coupled anharmonic potential energy surfaces. The proposed technique relies on single surface propagations in which the nuclear coordinate wavepacket hops from one potential surface to the other at selected times. Appropriate sequences of hopping times are considered and the output wavepackets associated with each sequence are summed coherently. Good agreement is obtained between GWD-PI and exact quantum dynamics for a two-dimensional model of photodissociation, even in the case of strong and spatially dependent nonadiabatic coupling.
Ubp-M serine 552 phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 1 regulates cell cycle progression

In eukaryotic cells, genomic DNA is organized into a chromatin structure, which not only serves as the template for DNA-based nuclear processes, but also as a platform integrating intracellular and extracellular signals. Although much effort has been spent to characterize chromatin modifying/remodeling activities, little is known about cell signaling pathways targeting these chromatin modulators. Here, we report that cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) phosphorylates the histone H2A deubiquitinase Ubp-M at serine 552 (S552P), and, importantly, this phosphorylation is required for cell cycle progression. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed Ubp-M is phosphorylated at serine 552, and in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that CDK1/cyclin B kinase is responsible for Ubp-M S552P. Interestingly, Ubp-M S552P is not required for Ubp-M tetramer formation, deubiquitination activity, substrate specificity, or regulation of gene expression. However, Ubp-M S552P is required for cell proliferation and cell cycle G 2/M phase progression. Ubp-M S552P reduces Ubp-M interaction with nuclear export protein CRM1 and facilitates Ubp-M nuclear localization. Therefore, these studies confirm that Ubp-M is phosphorylated at S552 and identify CDK1 as the enzyme responsible for the phosphorylation. Importantly, this study specifically links Ubp-M S552P to cell cycle G 2/M phase progression.
An 8-Bit Single-Ended Ultra-Low-Power SAR ADC With a Novel DAC Switching Method and a Counter-Based Digital Control Circuitry

This paper proposes a design of ultra-low-power successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADC) specially optimized for very low frequency biosensor applications. Two new techniques are introduced: 1) a novel digital-to-analog converter (DAC) switching method suitable for single-ended SAR ADCs; and 2) a counter-based digital control circuitry. The DAC switching method uses VR/2 as an only reference voltage to digitize the input signals within [0, VR ], and reduces the power consumption in the DAC during digitizing by 87.5% versus the traditional one. The counter-based controller can reduce power consumption in the digital circuitry by 30%. Two prototype 8-bit SAR ADCs are designed, one in a TI 0.35-μm Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) process and the other in a TSMC 0.18-μm CMOS process. The 0.35-μm ADC consumes 101 nW, and achieves a signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 48.2 dB and a figure of merit (FOM) of 227 fJ/conversion-step at 2 kS/s. The 0.18-μm ADC can achieve a SNDR of 46.3 dB with only 27 nW and a FOM of 79.9 fJ/conversion-step at 2 kS/s.
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of malignant fibrothecoma of the ovary.

Fibrothecomas are common, but their malignant counterpart is extraordinarily rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the cytologic features of malignant fibrothecoma. We had an opportunity to study it because the 70-yr-old woman refused initial surgery until the tumor reached 22 cm in size and weighed 1, 500 gm. A CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was obtained from a 5 cm left pelvic mass, which was the second recurrence within 5 yr. The smears showed large fragments of tightly packed, small, oval cells with scanty, eccentric blue cytoplasm (Diff-Quik stain), and finely granular chromatin with small central nucleoli (Ultrafast Papanicolaou stain), transected by delicate blood vessels. The tumor resembled well-differentiated carcinoma, low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, and other small oval cell gynecologic neoplasms. Cytodiagnosis of nonepithelial ovarian neoplasms can be difficult. However, it is not impossible, especially for recurrent tumors with previously established histodiagnosis. Diagn. Cytopath. 21:284-286, 1999.