cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rhamnolipid and poly(hydroxyalkanoate) biosynthesis in 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP:CoA transacylase (phaG)-knockouts of Pseudomonas chlororaphis

Abstract Rhamnolipid (RL) and poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) are high-value bioproducts of Pseudomonas chlororaphis NRRL B-30761. 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP:CoA transacylase (PhaG) is an enzyme influencing the precursor flow to RL and PHA syntheses. We have cloned, analyzed and knocked-out the phaG gene ( phaG Pc30761 ) of P. chlororaphis to study its effect on RL and PHA syntheses. The phaG Pc30761 had 99% identities to that of P. fluorescens O6. We used oligo-mediated recombineering to obtain two phaG -knockouts ( phaG ::Tn5(#1) and (#5)). The parental and the two knockouts produced mono-RLs (Rh 1 -C 10 -C 12:1 and Rh 1 -C 10 -C 12:0 congeners) at similar crude yields of 0.68–0.87 g/L. Under these conditions, all three strains produced medium-chain-length PHA (PHA MCL ) detectable only in lyophilized whole cells by GC/MS; the repeat-units (RUs) of the PHA MCL were predominantly β-hydroxydecanoate (C 10:0 ; 37 mol%), β-hydroxydodecanoate (C 12:0 ; 28 mol%), and β-hydroxydodecenoate (C 12:1 ; 31 mol%). We also studied PHA production under shaking conditions. All three strains produced only small amounts of PHA MCL when grown on gluconate or glucose. On gluconate, the PHA MCL contained predominantly the C 10:0 (39–40 mol%) and C 12:0 (52–53 mol%) RUs. On glucose, the predominant RUs were β-hydroxyoctanoate (C 8:0 ; 18–25 mol%), C 10:0 (41–46 mol%), and C 12:0 (29–32 mol%). On oleic acid, however, all three strains produced large amount (0.23–0.31 g/L) of PHA MCL ; C 8:0 (35 mol%), C 10:0 (26 mol%), C 12:0 (13 mol%), and β-hydroxytetradecenoate (C 14:1 ; 20 mol%) were the predominant RUs. On caprylic acid, the three strains produced PHA MCL having C 8:0 (77–82 mol%) as the predominant RU. PHA's with different compositions can thus be selectively produced by varying the carbon source.
John and Jane Doe: the epidemiology of unidentified decedents

The number of people who cannot be identified at the time of death, sometimes referred to as John or Jane Does, is unknown, and little is known about them as a group. The study's objectives were to estimate the number of annual unidentified deaths, to identify demographic characteristics associated with dying unidentified, to determine whether the rates of such deaths vary geographically or over time, and to better characterize the causes of death. This was a population-based surveillance study of data collected from death certificates from 1979 to 2004 in the U.S. Subjects were selected by the absence of name, date of birth, and Social Security Number on their certificates. Main outcome measures were distributions by age, sex, and underlying cause of death and rates by sex, race, year, and state of death. An average of 413 unidentified persons died each year. The peak year was 1987 with 691 deaths, a rate of 28.5 per 10 million people. The rate declined to 9.7 per 10 million in 2004. Most unidentified decedents were male (80.6%). Unidentified death rates were highest among black people and in the Southwest. Among deaths for which the cause was known, 82.7% were due to injuries. Among injury deaths, 31.8% were homicides. Improvement in identification technology may have reduced rates of unidentified death since the 1980s. In addition, variations in rates of unidentified decedents may reflect changes in risk factors such as homelessness and substance abuse.
Electromechanical behavior of graphite intercalated with bromine

Abstract Graphite-bromine was found to produce a tensile stress (up to about 3 MPa) along the c-axis, upon heating by the passage of an electric current (with a current density of up to about 5 × 105 A/m2) along the c-axis. This electromechanical effect was reversible and allowed electromechanical switching. The stress increase started at about 100°C upon heating. The c-axis electrical resistivity of graphitebromine was found to increase and then decrease upon heating and to increase and then decrease upon subsequent cooling, when the graphite-bromine sample was under mechanical constraint from expansion along the c-axis. These effects are attributed to the initiation of intercalate bubble formation as the sample was heated.
Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity in Human Liver Disease Using Rat Hepatocyte Monolayer Cultures

Isolated rat hepatocytes were used to determine the cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) from patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and chronic active hepatitis (CAH). The specificity of the cytotoxic effect on liver cells was monitored using rat kidney cells. PBM from patients with CAH and ALD showed increased spontaneous cell-mediated cytolysis (SCMC) for hepatocytes. The SCMC against kidney cells was comparable for the patient groups and controls. Incubation of liver cells with antibody to human liver-specific protein significantly increased the cytotoxic activity of control PBM but did not block cytotoxicity by PBM of patients with CAH. Incubation of PBM from untreated CAH patients with thymosin fraction 5, a polypeptide extract of the thymus gland, significantly lowered cytotoxicity. Our findings suggest that rat liver cells provide a model for studies of cell-mediated immunity in human liver disease and that thymosin fraction 5 decreases the cytotoxic activity of sensitized lymphocytes in CAH.
Glycogene expression alterations associated with pancreatic cancer Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in complementary model systems

Background The ability to selectively detect and target cancer cells that have undergone an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may lead to improved methods to treat cancers such as pancreatic cancer. The remodeling of cellular glycosylation previously has been associated with cell differentiation and may represent a valuable class of molecular targets for EMT. Methodology/Principal Findings As a first step toward investigating the nature of glycosylation alterations in EMT, we characterized the expression of glycan-related genes in three in-vitro model systems that each represented a complementary aspect of pancreatic cancer EMT. These models included: 1) TGFβ-induced EMT, which provided a look at the active transition between states; 2) a panel of 22 pancreatic cancer cell lines, which represented terminal differentiation states of either epithelial-like or mesenchymal-like; and 3) actively-migrating and stationary cells, which provided a look at the mechanism of migration. We analyzed expression data from a list of 587 genes involved in glycosylation (biosynthesis, sugar transport, glycan-binding, etc.) or EMT. Glycogenes were altered at a higher prevalence than all other genes in the first two models (p<0.05 and <0.005, respectively) but not in the migration model. Several functional themes were shared between the induced-EMT model and the cell line panel, including alterations to matrix components and proteoglycans, the sulfation of glycosaminoglycans; mannose receptor family members; initiation of O-glycosylation; and certain forms of sialylation. Protein-level changes were confirmed by Western blot for the mannose receptor MRC2 and the O-glycosylation enzyme GALNT3, and cell-surface sulfation changes were confirmed using Alcian Blue staining. Conclusions/Significance Alterations to glycogenes are a major component of cancer EMT and are characterized by changes to matrix components, the sulfation of GAGs, mannose receptors, O-glycosylation, and specific sialylated structures. These results provide leads for targeting aggressive and drug resistant forms of pancreatic cancer cells.
The approximating capability of fast forms

In earlier studies the concept of a fast form was generalized to a format that unified such discrete transform examples as the FFT, the FCT, the FST, and the FHT. In this study we consider the approximation of arbitrary linear maps by fast forms. Using simulation we evaluate the approximation capabilities of the generalized fast form.
Glycerophosphatide biogenesis: I. Subcellular localization of cytidine triphosphate: Phosphatidic acid cytidyl transferase

Abstract The subcellular localization of cytidine triphosphate: phosphatidic acid cytidyl transferase (CTP: PA cytidyl transferase) has been investigated. Rat liver and bovine heart homogenates were fractionated by differential centrifugation and the composition of the fractions evaluated by marker enzymes and electron microscopy. In both rat liver and bovine heart preparations, the highest relative specific activity was associated with the mitochondrial fraction and closely paralleled the distribution pattern for succinoxidase, a mitochondrial marker.
Annexin A2 combined with low-dose tPA improves thrombolytic therapy in a rat model of focal embolic stroke

Recent studies showed that soluble annexin A2 dramatically increases tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-mediated plasmin generation in vitro, and reduces thrombus formation in vivo. Here, we hypothesize that combining annexin A2 with tPA can significantly enhance thrombolysis efficacy, so that lower doses of tPA can be applied in ischemic stroke to avoid neurotoxic and hemorrhagic complications. In vitro activity assays confirmed tPA-specific amplification of plasmin generation by recombinant annexin A2. In a rat focal embolic stroke model, combination therapy with tPA and recombinant annexin A2 protein at 2 h post-ischemia decreased the effective dose required for tPA by four-fold and reduced brain infarction. Combining annexin A2 with tPA also lengthened the time window for thrombolysis. Compared with tPA (10 mg/kg) alone, the combination of annexin A2 (5 mg/kg) plus low-dose tPA (2.5 mg/kg) significantly enhanced fibrinolysis, attenuated mortality, brain infarction, and hemorrhagic transformation, even when administered at 4 h post-ischemia. Combination with recombinant annexin A2, the effective thrombolytic dose of tPA can be decreased. As a result, brain hemorrhage and infarction are reduced, and the time window for stroke reperfusion prolonged. Our present findings provide a promising new approach for enhancing tPA-based thrombolytic stroke therapy.
A Central t Approximation to the Noncentral t Distribution

A central t-distribution approximation to the noncentral t distribution is suggested which is quite accurate even for moderate values of degrees of freedom, and is a more accurate approximation than is the normal approximation for small values of the noncentrality parameter δ.
Predominant sources and contributors of influential business ethics research: evidence and implications from a threshold citation analysis

Influential or frequently cited business ethics research does not appear in a vacuum; our study reveals its predominant sources and contributors by discipline. By examining citations from articles published in three top business ethics journals (Journal of Business Ethics, Business Ethics Quarterly and Business Ethics: A European Review) over the period 2004–2008, we document that the preponderance of influential business ethics research comes primarily from the management faculty. In addition, management journals and management books are the predominant sources for influential business ethics research. Further, among the management fields, organizational behavior and organizational structure predominate leadership and strategy as the major subject areas for influential business ethics research, suggesting that this influential body of research is focused on a micro rather than on a macro context. These empirical results lend credence to the perception that there is a silo effect in influential business ethics research and suggest that business ethics research in a micro context might have permeated to the teaching of business ethics.
Bulk metallic glasses

Abstract In the last decade metallic glasses have regained considerable interest due to the fact that new glass-forming compositions have been found that have a critical cooling rate of less than 100 K/s and can be made glassy with dimensions of 1 cm or more. The development of such alloys with a very high resistance to crystallization of the undercooled melt has opened new opportunities for the fundamental study of both the liquid state and the glass transition. The availability of bulk specimens has enabled measurements of various physical, particularly mechanical, properties that were previously impossible. Furthermore, these alloys are progressively being used for engineering applications. In order to recognize this significant advancement in materials science, this new class of materials is commonly referred to as “bulk metallic glasses”. This article will first review the history of metallic glasses. The origins of glass formation are then discussed and thermophysical properties (crystallization, phase separation, viscosity and diffusion) are presented. Furthermore, the paper outlines magnetic and mechanical properties along with resulting applications and presents a new processing technique to discover bulk metallic glass compositions in Section 5.
Factors affecting the selection of search tactics: Tasks, knowledge, process, and systems

This study investigated whether and how different factors in relation to task, user-perceived knowledge, search process, and system affect users' search tactic selection. Thirty-one participants, representing the general public with their own tasks, were recruited for this study. Multiple methods were employed to collect data, including pre-questionnaire, verbal protocols, log analysis, diaries, and post-questionnaires. Statistical analysis revealed that seven factors were significantly associated with tactic selection. These factors consist of work task types, search task types, familiarity with topic, search skills, search session length, search phases, and system types. Moreover, the study also discovered, qualitatively, in what ways these factors influence the selection of search tactics. Based on the findings, the authors discuss practical implications for system design to support users' application of multiple search tactics for each factor.
The structuring of extracurricular opportunities and latino student retention

Abstract This study examines extracurricular participation of Latino students in an inner-city high school. Multiple, intensive interviews with 33 participants, along with ethnographic observation, school records, students' transcripts, school reports, yearbooks, and other school documents were used in the research. My findings suggest that there is a strong connection between high school retention and extracurricular participation. The students who stayed in school and graduated had extracurricular participation rates much higher than students who ended up dropping out. I found that this was not due to lack of interest from non-participants but to the way extracurricular opportunities were structured. The school's formal and informal requirements for participation such as limited funds, school size, participation criteria, and access to extracurricular activities made joining the programs difficult for many students, especially those at-risk of dropping out.
Herpes simplex virus immunology: problems, progress, and promises.

Le point sur l'immunologie des infections a virus Herpes simplex. Reponse immunitaire normale a l'infection primaire; reponse aux infections recurrentes; cas des infections neo-natales
Cellular Distribution and Regulation of NHE-1 Isoform of the Na-H Exchanger in the Avian Osteoclast

The sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE) has been implicated in bone resorption by osteoclasts. We have studied expression of NHE-1, an isoform of the NHE, in chicken bone marrow mononuclear phagocyte precursors during differentiation into the osteoclast phenotype in culture. A monoclonal anti-body raised against the carboxy-terminus of NHE-1 detected the presence of a 100 kDa protein (similar to the mammalian form of NHE-1) in the osteoclasts. Laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed association with the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and focal adhesion kinase (pp(125)FAK) at the basolateral membrane (BLM) of the osteoclast in addition to a more generalized cellular distribution. A fragment of avian NHE-1 cDNA was obtained by polymerase chain reaction cloning, and it was used to characterize expression of NHE-1 transcripts in cultured chicken osteoclast precursors. The avian NHE-1 message was a 3.9 kB band on Northern analysis, which differed from the mammalian message. Retinoic acid (RA) elicited an increase in the steady-state intracellular pH (pH(1)) from 6.87 to 7.10 in the absence of bicarbonate and was inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na-H exchange. Using ribonuclease protection assays, we found that NHE-1 transcripts are induced as cells differentiate in vitro and in response to 13-cis-RA. Western blot analysis indicated that protein levels also increased in response to 13-cis-RA. Our results demonstrate expression of NHE-1 in avian osteoclasts with a complex cellular distribution in culture, and NHE-1 expression is induced as cells differentiate into mature osteoclasts in response to 13-cis-RA.
Properties of Ni1−xFex (0.1<x<0.9) and Invar (x=0.64) alloys obtained by electrodeposition

Abstract Electrodeposition of Ni 1− x Fe x ( x = 0.1–0.9) films was carried out from a chloride plating solution containing saccharin as an organic additive at a constant current density (5 mA/cm 2 ) and a controlled pH of 2.5. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the existence of an fcc, or γ phase, in the range of 10–58 wt.% Fe, a mixed fcc/bcc phase in the range of 59–60 wt.% Fe, and a bcc, or α phase in the range of 64–90 wt.% Fe. The saturation magnetization, B s , of electrodeposited Ni 1− x Fe x alloys at the room temperature was found to increase with the increase of Fe-content and follows the Slater–Pauling curve, but deviates from as-cast bulk NiFe alloys. The coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, of electrodeposited alloys at room temperature also deviates from as-cast bulk NiFe alloys. Annealing of α-Ni 36 Fe 64 alloy results in a martensitic α → γ phase transformation, which takes place between 300 and 400 °C. It was demonstrated that thermal treatment above 400 °C was necessary to obtain magnetic and mechanical properties similar to those to conventional Invar alloy. Annealing of α-Ni 36 Fe 64 alloy at 700 °C brings about a decrease of B s from 1.75 to 0.45 T. By controlling the annealing conditions of α → γ martensitic transformation, it is possible to adjust the CTE of Ni 36 Fe 64 alloy over the broad limits from 2.7 to 8.7 × 10 −6 /°C.
First results from the UCSC Laboratory for Adaptive Optics multi-conjugate and multi-object adaptive optics testbed

We present first results from the Multi-Conjugate and Multi-Object Adaptive Optics (MCAO and MOAO) testbed, at the UCO/Lick Laboratory for Adaptive Optics (LAO) facility at U.C. Santa Cruz. This testbed is constructed to simulate a 30-m telescope executing MCAO and/or open loop MOAO atmospheric compensation and imaging over 5 arcminutes. It is capable of performing Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing on up to 8 natural or laser guide stars and 2-3 additional tip/tilt stars. In this paper, we demonstrate improved on-axis correction relative to ground layer adaptive optics (~ 15% Strehl relative to ~ 12%) with a simulated 28-m aperture at a D/r 0 corresponding to a science wavelength of 2.6 microns using three laser guide stars on a simulated 41 arcsec radius with a central science object and one deformable mirror at the ground layer.
Patient and family management of asthma: theory-based techniques for the clinician.

Several model asthma education programs are available to improve patient self-management, and elements of these models are discussed as they relate to the teaching role of health-care providers. Self-regulation is being explored in current asthma education research, and preliminary findings of a study are presented that show self-regulation behaviors to be associated with more frequent use of asthma management strategies by patients. Using more management strategies was associated with being observant of symptoms (p = .0001) and feeling confident to manage them (p = .01). Taking more preventive actions was associated with being observant (p = .001) and feeling confident to keep the child out of the triggering situation (p = .02) and prevent symptoms (p = .001). Important issues arising from recent psychosocial research are outlined for consideration by the clinician. These include ways that counseling by the health professional can encourage self-regulation and better at-home management of asthma.
A longitudinal study of the predictive validity of the system of multicultural pluralstic assessment (SOMPA)

The System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) was initially administered to 700 Anglo, 700 Black, and 700 Hispanic children in California elementary schools in order to develop a nonbiased testing program. Ten years later, 1184 of the original 2100 youths were again tested with the SOMPA in high school. At that time, academic achievement and parental interview data also were collected. The results indicate that: (a) Mean achievement test scores and GPAs for the high school students showed that Anglos obtained higher scores than Hispanics, who received higher scores than Blacks. (b) Among the various medical measures, the Bender Gestalt, Fine Motor Sequencing and Finger-Tongue Dexterity tests of the SOMPA were the only ones able to consistently differentiate between youth who did poorly and those who did well academically ten years after their initial testing. (c) Scores on the 1972 IQ test (WISC-R) showed moderate correlations with achievement test scores ten years later. (d) 1972 IQ scores showed low but reliable correlations with GPAs ten years later. (e) In only a very few instances were IQ correlations with achievement test scores higher for minorities than for Anglos. (f) IQ correlated less well with GPA than with achievement test scores for all three ethnic groups. (g) An adjusted IQ, called Estimated Learning Potential (ELP), was more predictive of school achievement than was verbal IQ, particularly for Blacks in the lowest sociocultural quartile. (h) In the second lowest sociocultural quartile, the VIQ correlations with academic measures were reliably higher than the VIQ-ELP correlations, but only for the Anglo and total groups. (i) In the upper two sociocultural quartiles, for all ethnic groups combined, VIQ correlated slightly, but significantly, higher than ELP with school achievement. (j) Also in the upper two quartiles, VIQ correlated higher with academic measures than did VIQ-ELP for both Blacks and Hispanics in almost half of the comparisons. In conclusion, it appears that some subtests of the SOMPA may have some validity for predicting school achievement for students from different ethnic groups.
Human SFMBT is a transcriptional repressor protein that selectively binds the N-terminal tail of histone H3

Human SFMBT (hSFMBT) is postulated to be a Polycomb (PcG) protein. Similar to other PcG proteins, we found that hSFMBT displays robust transcriptional repressor activity. In addition, hSFMBT localized to the nucleus where it strongly associates with chromatin by directly and selectively binding the N-terminal tail of histone H3. Importantly, we discovered that the four tandem MBT repeats of hSFMBT were sufficient for nuclear matrix-association, N-terminal tail H3 binding, and required for transcriptional repression. These findings indicate that the tandem MBT repeats form a functional structure required for biological activity of hSFMBT and predict similar properties for other MBT domain-containing proteins.
Time and the crystallization of apatite in seawater

Abstract Carbonate fluorapatite has been synthesized in seawater in an experiment of nearly 10-years duration. The addition of phosphate to seawater whose fluoride concentration had been increased to 7.6 mg/l brought about an initial amorphous phosphate precipitate. After 20 months, a crystalline magnesium phosphate phase developed within the amorphous phosphate. Crystallization of apatite, which occurred during the last 3 years of the experiment, was accompanied by dissolution of the crystalline magnesium phosphate phase. The MgO content of the apatite (1.9 percent) is high in comparison to Tertiary and older apatite but similar to some young apatite; the CO2 content (3.6 percent) is medium, and the fluorine content (2.2 percent) is low but again similar to some young apatite. The hydroxyl ion (OH−) likely fills the need for additional fluorine-position atoms. The mole ratio of Ca plus substituent elements to P plus substituent elements (1.50) is low in comparison to the expected ratio of 1.67. The substitution of the hydronium ion (H3O+) for Ca may account for this difference. The synthesis of apatite in seawater demonstrates that the factor of time overcomes the well known inhibiting effect of magnesium upon the crystallization of apatite. It also implies that given an adequate supply of phosphate, apatite can form in most ocean environments and likely plays a major pan in the control of the phosphate content of seawater.
Thermal properties of lithium-ion battery and components

Experimental thermal property data of the Sony US-18650 lithium-ion battery and components are presented, as well as thermal property measuring techniques. The properties in question are specific heat capacity (C{sub p}), thermal diffusivity ({alpha}), and thermal conductivity ({kappa}), in the presence and absence of electrolyte [1 M LiPF{sub 6} in ethylene carbonate-dimethyl carbonate (EC:DMC, 1:1 wt %)]. The heat capacity of the battery, C{sub p}, is 0.96 {+-} 0.02 J/g K at an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 2.75 V, and 1.04 {+-} 0.02 J/g K at 3.75 V. The thermal conductivity, {kappa}, was calculated from {kappa} {identical_to} {alpha}{rho}C{sub p} where {alpha} was measured by a xenon-flash technique. In the absence of electrolyte, {kappa} increases with OCV, for both the negative electrode (NE) and the positive electrode (PE). For the NE, the increase is 26% as the OCV increases from 2.75 to 3.75 V, whereas for the PE the increase is only 5 to 6%. The dependence of both C{sub p} and {kappa} on OCV is explained qualitatively by considering the effect of lithiation and delithiation on the electron carrier density, which leads to n-type semiconduction in the graphitic NE material, but a change from semiconducting to metallic character in Li{submore » x}CoO{sub 2} PE material. The overall effect is an increase of C{sub p} and {kappa} with OCV. For {kappa} this dependence is eliminated by electrolyte addition, which, however, greatly increases the effective {kappa} of the layered battery components by lowering the thermal contact resistance. For both NE and PE, the in-plane {kappa} value (measured along layers) is nearly one order of magnitude higher than the cross-plane {kappa}. This is ascribed mostly to the high thermal conductivity of the current collectors and to a lesser extent to the orientation of particles in the layers of electrodes.« less
Inertial fusion reactors using Compact Fusion Advanced Rankine (CFARII) MHD conversion

Abstract This study evaluates the potential performance (efficiency and cost) of inertial fusion reactors assumed capable of vaporizing blankets of various working materials to a temperature (10,000-20,000 K) suitable for economical MHD conversion in a Compact Fusion Advanced Rankine II (CFARII) power cycle. Using a conservative model, 1-D neutronics calculations of the fraction of fusion yield captured as a function of the blanket thickness of Flibe, lithium and lead—lithium blankets are used to determine the optimum blanket thicknesses for each material to minimize CoE for various assumed fusion yields, “generic” driver costs, and target gains. Lithium-hydride blankets are also evaluated using an extended neutronics model. Generally optimistic (“advanced”) combinations of lower driver cost/joule and higher target gain are assumed to allow high enough fusion yields to vaporize and ionize target blankets thick enough to stop most 14 MeV neutrons, and to breed tritium. A novel magnetized, prestressed reactor chamber concept is modeled together with previously developed models for the CFARII Balance-of-Plant (BoP), consisting of a supersonic plasma jet, MHD generator, and “raindrop” condensor. High fusion yields (20 to 80 GJ) are found necessary to heat and ionize the Flibe, lithium, and lead-lithium blankets for MHD conversion, with initial solid thicknesses sufficient to capture most of the fusion yield. Much smaller fusion yields (1 to 20 GJ) are required for lithium-hydride blankets. For Flibe, lithium, and lead—lithium blankets, improvements in target gain and/or driver cost/joule, characterized by a “Bang per Buck” figure-of-merit of ≥ 20 joules yield per driver $, would be required for competitive CoE, while a figure-of-merit of ≥ 1 joule yield per driver $ would suffice for lithium-hydride blankets. Advances in targets/driver costs would benefit any IFE reactor, but the very low CFARII BoP costs (contributing only 3 mills/kWh to CoE) allows this type of reactor, given sufficient advances that non-driver costs dominate, to ultimately produce electricity at a much lower cost than any current nuclear plant.
Two-layered thin carrier-attached copper foil

A method for making thin copper foil attached carrier was developed without additional release layer on carrier in this study. The carrier copper foil was two-layered structure, carrier and copper foil, which was different from the traditional three-layered. Copper is directly electrodeposited on certain carriers which have spontaneous and conductive oxides formed on surface. The oxides will be utilized as a release layer. The two-layer structured carrier copper foil showed releasable capability after annealed at 400°C for 2 hours. The high temperature release performance of the interface was also studied for making 2L-FCCL by PI casting process. It showed that the interface was releasable and the release peel strength was averagely less than 40gf/cm after PI casting process with at least 1hour of curing at temperature higher than 360°C. Moreover, the etching residues were identified with EDX mapping and no copper component was found at the space area.
Prenylated flavonoids from Maclura pomifera

Abstract Eight prenylated flavonoids, including three new compounds, have been isolated from chloroform extracts of stems and leaves of Maclura pomifera . The new prenylated flavonoids have been characterized as 5,7,4′,2″-tetrahydoxy-6-[3″-methyl-but-3″-enyl]-flavone, 5,4′-dihydroxy-2″-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-3″-methoxyfurano (4″,5″ (6,7) isoflavone and 5,4′-dihydroxy-2″-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-3″-methoxyfurano (4″,5″ (6,7) flavone. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods.
Towards the memory tower

This digital installation explores the role of oscillatory brain-network states in memory consolidation. The aim of the work is to reconnect the science of the brain with the experiences that the brain engenders and to communicate complex neuro-scientific understanding in a meaningful and stimulating way to non-experts.
Quantitative analysis of protein synthesis inhibition and recovery in CRM107 immunotoxin-treated HeLa cells.

Previously a mathematical model was proposed that quantitatively related protein synthesis inhibition kinetics of antitransferrin receptor-gelonin immunotoxins to the cellular trafficking of the targeting agent. That work is here extended to describe protein synthesis inhibition kinetics of immunotoxins containing the diphtheria toxin mutant CRM107. CRM107 differs from gelonin in both translocation and ribosomal inactivation mechanisms. Targeting agents used were antitransferrin monoclonal antibodies 5E9 and OKT9, OKT9Fab, and transferrin. CRM107 conjugates inhibited protein synthesis at substantially lower concentrations than gelonin conjugates; this effect was attributed to substantially higher translocation rates for CRM107. However, under certain conditions, CRM107 immunotoxin-treated cells were able to recover completely; this behavior was never observed with gelonin immunotoxins. To quantitatively capture this phenomenon, extracellular and cytosolic degradation of the toxin as well as growth-related recovery from toxin-induced damage were incorporated into the mathematical model. Translocation and cytosolic degradation rate constants were determined for each immunotoxin. Unlike the gelonin conjugates, the translocation rate of CRM107 conjugates depended on the targeting molecule. This provided indirect evidence that CRM107 remains disulfide linked to the targeting agent for at least part of the translocation process. Although the CRM107 conjugates all had higher translocation rates and inhibited protein synthesis at lower concentrations than the gelonin conjugates, the cells' ability to recover from protein synthesis inhibition at low immunotoxin concentrations limits the utility of CRM107 conjugates for targeted cell killing.
The Circe principle: are pollinators waylaid by attractive habitats?

Summary How do pollinators move across fragmented landscapes? Attractive habitats have been viewed as facilitating pollinator movement; however, they may actually be distracting the pollinators.
Interface and Volume Anisotropy of MBE-Grown Co/Pt (111), (110) and (001) and Sputtered CO/Pt Multilayers

A quantitative determination of interface (Ks) and volume anisotropy {?ψ) constants of MBE and sputtered CO/Pt Multilayers is reported. Torque and VSM Magnetometry were used to determine the total average anisotropy and the room temperature magnetization of four different series of films with varying Co thickness and nearly constant Pt thickness. All films were characterized with X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence, allowing the determination of the “Magnetic” volume with good accuracy. Both Ks and Jeff are found to be orientation dependent. We find the following results for MBE films grown on Ag buffered GaAs substrates and highly textured films, grown on etched SiNx buffers: (111) Ks = 0.97mJ/m2, Kveff =-0.74MJ/m3 MBE (111) Ks = 0.92mJ/m2, Kveff =-l.lIMJ/m3 sputtered (110) Ks = 0.42mJ/m2, Kveff =-l.95MJ/m3 MBE (001) Ks = 0.59mJ/m2, Kveff =-5.98MJ/m3 MBE The [110]-oriented MBE films show in addition a large (intrinsic) in-plane anisotropy constant K‖ 0≃-3MJ/m3 which is found to be independent of the Co thickness. [100] is the easy and [110] the hard in-plane direction.
U/Th isotopic study of speleothems from the Wadi Sannur Cavern, Eastern Desert of Egypt

The Wadi Sannur Cavern was discovered in 1991 beneath an “Egyptian alabaster” (travertine) quarry, active since pharaonic times. It is the only extensively speleothem-decorated cavern that has been described in Egypt. Nine small stalagmites, 5–10 cm in diameter, were sectioned and sampled according to coloration bands a few cm thick. Of 32 individual samples several exhibited230Th/234U activity ratios greater than unity, indicative of open-system leaching of uranium, and several others had anomalous234U/238U activity ratios. The modal apparent age of the 17 “dateable” samples is close to 200,000 years, but because of leaching indications must be considered only a maximum age for the time of deposition of secondary carbonates in the cave. Both the initial formation of speleothems and subsequent leaching are consistent with what is known about pluvial climates in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.
Observation of Quantum Diffractive Velocity-Changing Collisions by Use of Two-Level Heavy Optical Radiators

Coherence-preserving collisions for optical radiator-perturber scattering are studied by means of a velocity-selective photon-echo technique, using ytterbium atoms as heavy, long-lived, two-level radiators. These experiments establish the quantum diffractive nature of the radiator velocity change by demonstrating quantitative agreement with calculations. Radiator-destruction cross sections obtained with use of both Lamb dip and echo techniques agree to within 10%.
Probing the dynamics of O -GlcNAc glycosylation in the brain using quantitative proteomics

The addition of the monosaccharide beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to proteins (O-GlcNAc glycosylation) is an intracellular, post-translational modification that shares features with phosphorylation. Understanding the cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate O-GlcNAc glycosylation has been challenging because of the difficulty of detecting and quantifying the modification. Here, we describe a new strategy for monitoring the dynamics of O-GlcNAc glycosylation using quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our method, which we have termed quantitative isotopic and chemoenzymatic tagging (QUIC-Tag), combines selective, chemoenzymatic tagging of O-GlcNAc proteins with an efficient isotopic labeling strategy. Using the method, we detect changes in O-GlcNAc glycosylation on several proteins involved in the regulation of transcription and mRNA translocation. We also provide the first evidence that O-GlcNAc glycosylation is dynamically modulated by excitatory stimulation of the brain in vivo. Finally, we use electron-transfer dissociation mass spectrometry to identify exact sites of O-GlcNAc modification. Together, our studies suggest that O-GlcNAc glycosylation occurs reversibly in neurons and, akin to phosphorylation, may have important roles in mediating the communication between neurons.
Modeling oil refinery operations

Abstract This paper develops a model to analyze the relative responsiveness of refined petroleum product output to changes in the relative prices of these products. A scheme is devised and implemented that shares out total production into motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil, kerojet fuel, and other refined products. A multinomial logit specification is used whereby the share of each of these products is a function of relative prices, a seasonal factor, and the relative amount of crude output to total product output. Finally, the structural stability of the estimated relationships are tested for and the null hypothesis of stability is not rejected.
Adaptive vibration control of an axially moving string

In this paper, the displacement of an axially moving string is regulated using a control force and a control torque applied to the string via a mechanical guide. Given the hybrid model of the string system (i.e., distributed parameter field equation coupled to discrete actuator equations), Lyapunov-type arguments are utilized to design model-based and adaptive control laws that exponentially and asymptotically stabilize the string displacement, respectively. The proposed control laws are based on measurements of the string displacement, velocity, slope, and slope rate at the mechanical guide. While the model-based controller requires exact knowledge of the actuator/string parameters (e.g., actuator mass and string tension), the adaptive controller estimates the parameters online. Dynamic simulation results demonstrate the vibration damping provided by the control strategies.
Surgical considerations of infection following operations involving the descending thoracic aorta

Infection in the region of aortic repair is a dreaded complication and is well known to occur after abdominal aortic operations when prosthetic grafts communicate with groin incisions. Although the incidence of this complication is now less than 1% in these cases, it has varied from 1.3% to 6.0% and is associated with a mortality rate varying between 25% and 75%. Principles of treatment in such cases include appropriate antibiotic therapy, removal of infected prosthetic grafts, and restoration of distal circulation when necessary to avoid peripheral ischemia. The latter has been necessary in over 50% of cases and has been accomplished (a) rarely by insertion of a new graft, (b) by local reconstruction using autogenous tissue, and (c) more commonly by closing the involved aortic and arterial openings and performing an extra-anatomic bypass. Although little has been written about this problem occurring after operations for lesions of the descending thoracic aorta, such problems are known to occur. This report is concerned with a detailed review of the 9 reported cases treated surgically and 2 cases that the authors treated. Analysis of this material indicates that the principles learned from treating infected operative sites in the abdominal aorta apply to similar lesions occurring in the descending thoracic aorta.
AN ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING SYSTEM CALLED ACED: DESIGNING FOR LEARNING EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY

This paper reports on a 3-year, NSF-funded research and development project called ACED: Adaptive Content with Evidence-based Diagnosis. The purpose of the project was to design, develop, and evaluate an assessment for learning (AfL) system for diverse students, using Algebra I content related to geometric sequences (i.e., successive numbers linked by a common ratio). A key feature of the project was its dual focus on both learning effectiveness and accessibility. The project consisted of two studies. Study 1 (N = 268) experimentally evaluated the impact on learning of two ACED features: (a) elaborated task feedback and (b) adaptive sequencing of tasks. Study 2 examined the accessibility of ACED for students with visual disabilities (N = 4; two blind and two low-vision)—in a condition involving both adaptive sequencing and elaborated feedback—using a variety of accessibility features. Available features included voicing of test content (via synthesized and prerecorded audio), talking tactile graphics, font enlargement, screen magnification, and so on. Together these studies lay groundwork for the design of AfL systems that can enhance the learning of individuals with and without disabilities.
Statin Treatment for Older Adults: The Impact of the 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines

The 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) practice guidelines for the treatment of blood cholesterol significantly changed the paradigm of how providers should prescribe statin therapy, especially for older adults. While the evidence supports statin therapy for older adults with cardiovascular disease for secondary prevention and with high cardiovascular risk for primary prevention, the evidence is lacking for older adults without major cardiovascular risk aside from age. The unclear evidence base for older adults must be considered along with the potential harms of statin therapy when incorporating the 2013 ACC/AHA practice guidelines for considering statin treatment, particularly for primary prevention for older adults.
Identifying topic sentencehood

Four experiments were conducted to assess two models of topic sentencehood identification: the derived model and the free model. According to the derived model, topic sentences are identified in the context of the paragraph and in terms of how well each sentence in the paragraph captures the paragraph’s theme. In contrast, according to the free model, topic sentences can be identified on the basis of sentential features without reference to other sentences in the paragraph (i.e., without context). The results of the experiments suggest that human raters can identify topic sentences both with and without the context of the other sentences in the paragraph. Another goal of this study was to develop computational measures that approximated each of these models. When computational versions were assessed, the results for the free model were promising; however, the derived model results were poor. These results collectively imply that humans’ identification of topic sentences in context may rely more heavily on sentential features than on the relationships between sentences in a paragraph.
Combined Acoustic and Electric Hearing: Preserving Residual Acoustic Hearing

The topic of this review is the strategy of preserving residual acoustic hearing in the implanted ear to provide combined electrical stimulation and acoustic hearing as a rehabilitative strategy for sensorineural hearing loss. This chapter will concentrate on research done with the Iowa/Nucleus 10 mm Hybrid device, but we will also attempt to summarize strategies and results from other groups around the world who use slightly different approaches. A number of studies have shown that preserving residual acoustic hearing in the implanted ear is a realistic goal for many patients with severe high-frequency hearing loss. The addition of the electric stimulation to their existing acoustic hearing can provide increased speech recognition for these patients. In addition, the preserved acoustic hearing can offer considerable advantages, as compared to a traditional cochlear implant, for tasks such as speech recognition in backgrounds or appreciation of music and other situations where the poor frequency resolution of electric stimulation has been a disadvantage.
Active alignment of vertebrate cone and rod photoreceptor waveguides: might this serve as a useful fiber-optics model?

Some years ago, the speaker demonstrated that vertebrate retinal photoreceptors are fiber optics elements and waveguides, and he succeeded in defining many of their properties. For a summary of much of this research, please see the reference to Enoch and Tobey listed below (Reference 4). Included are studies of photo-receptor alignments and maintenance of receptor alignments across the retina in normal and abnormal human eyes. With very rare exceptions, rod and cone photoreceptors across the retina align remarkably and precisely with the center-of-the-exit-pupil-of-the-optics-ofthe- eye throughout the lifetime of the individual! And within a modest period of time (a day or a bit more), it proved possible to alter that photoreceptor alignment by physically displacing the pupillary aperture; and with recentration of the eye pupil, these alignments recovered their original state. Here, the author asks, "Might advantage be gained by developing alignment sensitive, photoactivated, waveguide/fiber optic units? That is, might comparable mechanisms be adapted in a useful manner to non-biological fiber-optics applications? Since such characteristic responses have been clearly of great value for biological species; might similar designs serve other important roles?"
Impact of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure During Heterogeneous Lung Injury: Insights from Computed Tomographic Image Functional Modeling

Image Functional Modeling (IFM) synthesizes three dimensional airway networks with imaging and mechanics data to relate structure to function. The goal of this study was to advance IFM to establish a method of exploring how heterogeneous alveolar flooding and collapse during lung injury would impact regional respiratory mechanics and flow distributions within the lung at distinct positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels. We estimated regional respiratory system elastance from computed tomography (CT) scans taken in 5 saline-lavaged sheep at PEEP levels from 7.5 to 20 cmH2O. These data were anatomically mapped into a computational sheep lung model, which was used to predict the corresponding impact of PEEP on dynamic flow distribution. Under pre-injury conditions and during lung injury, respiratory system elastance was determined to be spatially heterogeneous and the values were distributed with a hyperbolic distribution in the range of measured values. Increases in PEEP appear to modulate the heterogeneity of the flow distribution throughout the injured lung. Moderate increases in PEEP decreased the heterogeneity of elastance and predicted flow distribution, although heterogeneity began to increase for PEEP levels above 12.5–15 cmH2O. By combining regional respiratory system elastance estimated from CT with our computational lung model, we can potentially predict the dynamic distribution of the tidal volume during mechanical ventilation and thus identify specific areas of the lung at risk of being overdistended.