cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
cDNA Cloning and Primary Structure Analysis of C1qRP, the Human C1q/MBL/SPA Receptor That Mediates Enhanced Phagocytosis In Vitro

The complement protein C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and pulmonary surfactant protein A (SPA) are structurally similar molecules that enhance phagocytic function in vitro. Monoclonal antibodies R3 and R139, which inhibit the enhancement triggered by these three ligands, were used to purify a 126,000 M(r) cell surface protein designated C1qR(P). Amino acid sequence was obtained and the corresponding cDNA was cloned. C1qR(P) is a novel type I membrane protein with the following putative structural elements: a C-type carbohydrate recognition domain, five EGF-like domains, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. All peptides identified by amino acid sequencing are encoded by the cDNA. Additionally, an anti-peptide antiserum was generated, which is reactive with C1qR(P). The data indicate that the cloned cDNA encodes the receptor that plays a role in C1q/MBL/SPA-mediated removal or destruction of pathogens and immune complexes by phagocytosis.
Deformable alignment using random projections of landmark images

This paper presents a method for rigid alignment of objects undergoing deformation. Automated algorithms can be affected by auxiliary motion, such as image motion caused by transducer movement in echocardiography. Unlike deformable registration methods, the goal of this work is alignment without introducing additional distortion. Our method, based on random projection theory, incorporates motion metadata for phase-aware alignment and outperforms rigid alignment approaches on synthetic data. We demonstrate the benefit of this as a pre-processing step to two common biomedical image analysis tasks: object segmentation and video denoising.
APOPTOSIS AND BCL-2 EXPRESSION IN PROSTATE CANCER: SIGNIFICANCE IN CLINICAL OUTCOME AFTER BRACHYTHERAPY

Purpose: Radiation induced apoptosis of prostate cancer cells may have therapeutic and prognostic significance in patients treated with radiotherapy. We determined whether the ability of prostate tumor cells to undergo apoptosis has potential value for predicting the clinical response of patients with prostate cancer to brachytherapy.Materials and Methods: A total of 76 patients with clinical stages T1 to 2 disease who were not receiving adjuvant therapy underwent transperineal implantation with 125iodine or 103palladium seeds and biopsy 7 to 23 months (median 12) after therapy. Nonresponders were classified using the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology criteria. The apoptotic index was analyzed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay in archived biopsy specimens from 76 treated and 19 matched pretreatment control patients. Serial sections of prostatic tumors were also evaluated for the expression of bax and bcl-2 prote...
Ionic requirements for melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) action on melanophores

Abstract 1. 1. Calcium is required for melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) action on melanophores of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis , the toad, Scaphiopus couchi , and the frog Rana berlandieri forrei . 2. 2. Ca 2+ is required for an initial mechanism of MSH action, but not for melanosome dispersion per se , since melanophores respond to catecholamines, prostaglandins, theophylline or dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the absence of this cation. 3. 3. Lithium, choline, rubidium and cesium, in the lizard and the toad, will replace the sodium and potassium of the Ringer medium and permit melanosome dispersion, but only if Ca 2+ is present. These monovalent cations are irreversibly inhibitory to MSH action on melanophores of R. berlandieri and R. pipiens . 4. 4. These results demonstrate that the Ca 2+ is the only cation specifically required for MSH action on melanophores.
The relation of dominant and submissive behavior to the humoral immune response in BALB/c Mice

Brandt 3, Strauss ME, Lams 3, et al ( 1984): Clinical correlates of dementia and disability in Huntington’s disease. J Clin Neuropsychol 6:401. Caine ED, Ebert M, Weingartner H (1977): An outline for analysis of dementia: The memory disorder of Huntington’s disease. Neurology 27:1087. DeJong RN (1967): The Neurolugic Examinarion, ed 3. New York, Hoeber Medical Division, Harper and Row, pp 545-547. Falek A, GIanviiIe EV (1962): rnvestigation of genetic carriers. in Kaiiman FJ (ed), Expanding Goa& ojfenetics in Psychiatry. Orlando, FL: Grune & Stratton, p 136.
Distraction as a Function of Within-Task Stimulation for Hyperactive and Normal Children

Research indicates that increased distal and especially peripheral environmental stimulation does not distract the hyperactive child but may actually have a facilitative effect on performance. Increased within-task stimulation, however, has been found to be disruptive, but these studies have generally confounded increased stimulation with increased task complexity (by increasing the number of competing cues). The present study sought to assess task performance of hyperactive and normal children with and without within-task color, holding task complexity constant. Using a repeated-measures design performance was measured on four tasks: two visual-motor drawing tasks, one visual-concentration task, and a combined visual-motor and visual-concentration task. Error analyses indicated generally poorer performance by hyperactives than by normals, and contrary to prediction, on two of the tasks hyperactives performed better without color than with. Hyperactives tended to perform faster than normals on the visual-...
Damsels and Heroines: The Conundrum of the Post-Feminist Disney Princess

This research explores cultural shifts in the popularity of the Disney princess in American culture, especially its postmodern resurgence, as well as the complex relationship between Disney’s recent representations of women in the 1990’s and post-feminist ideology. My project begins by analyzing the historic appearance of the Disney female in relation to the women’s movements. I also examine lingering anti-feminist backlash in representations of what I call “New Wave” Disney heroines. Finally, I examine the implications of post-feminist discourse and advertising for young female viewers. When asked about Disney movies, many parents groan and launch into a familiar diatribe about the studio that transformed their daughters into princesses. The dresses, the tiaras, the pink; countless parents watch their little girl embrace the princess way of life, and struggle with the contradictory messages found in many of the films. Disney princesses have often come under attack for promoting harmful, unrealistic body types and the narrow ideal of marriage as the happiest of endings for young women. Viewed through this lens, the postmodern resurgence of films featuring these characters in the early 1990’s seems in-congruent with the increasing independence and visibility of women in our culture. Why, even when second-wave feminism has brought women unprecedented levels of equality, (Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor 2011) do audiences of all ages remain infatuated with images of beautiful underweight damsels? Drawing on scholarship from cultural studies and gender theory, as well as ideological analyses of select Disney films, this paper will examine both the evolution of Disney heroines, and the complex relationship between Disney’s recent representations of women in the 1990’s and post-feminist ideology. While these new heroines appear more autonomous than their presecond-wave feminism predecessors, they also represent elements of the anti-feminist backlash agenda that sought to regulate and dis-empower female images through media and marketing in the late 1980’s. The first section of this paper analyzes the historic appearance of the Disney female in relation to the women’s movements. The second section examines lingering antifeminist backlash in representations of postmodern Disney heroines. The third section of this paper examines the implications of post-feminist discourse and advertising for young female viewers. 1 Stover: Damsels and Heroines: The Conundrum of the Post-Feminist Disney Princess
Measurement and Analysis of the Relationship between Ammonia, Acid Gases, and Fine Particles in Eastern North Carolina

An annular denuder system, which consisted of a cyclone separator; two diffusion denuders coated with sodium carbonate and citric acid, respectively; and a filter pack consisting of Teflon and nylon filters in series, was used to measure acid gases, ammonia (NH3), and fine particles in the atmosphere from April 1998 to March 1999 in eastern North Carolina (i.e., an NH3-rich environment). The sodium carbonate denuders yielded average acid gas concentrations of 0.23 microg/m3 hydrochloric acid (standard deviation [SD] +/- 0.2 microg/m3); 1.14 microg/m3 nitric acid (SD +/- 0.81 microg/m3), and 1.61 microg/m3 sulfuric acid (SD +/- 1.58 microg/m3). The citric acid denuders yielded an average concentration of 17.89 microg/m3 NH3 (SD +/- 15.03 microg/m3). The filters yielded average fine aerosol concentrations of 1.64 microg/m3 ammonium (NH4+; SD +/- 1.26 microg/m3); 0.26 microg/m3 chloride (SD +/- 0.69 microg/m3), 1.92 microg/m3 nitrate (SD +/- 1.09 microg/m3), and 3.18 microg/m3 sulfate (SO4(2-); SD +/- 3.12 microg/m3). From seasonal variation, the measured particulates (NH4+, SO4(2-), and nitrate) showed larger peak concentrations during summer, suggesting that the gas-to-particle conversion was efficient during summer. The aerosol fraction in this study area indicated the domination of ammonium sulfate particles because of the local abundance of NH3, and the long-range transport of SO4(2-) based on back trajectory analysis. Relative humidity effects on gas-to-particle conversion processes were analyzed by particulate NH4+ concentration originally formed from the neutralization processes with the secondary pollutants in the atmosphere.
Synthesis and Lewis Acidic Behavior of a Cationic 9-Thia-10-boraanthracene†

As part of our efforts in the chemistry of Lewis acidic organoboron compounds, we have synthesized a cationic borane ([1]+) featuring a 9-thia-10-boraanthracene moiety substituted at boron by the cationic anilium group [4-(Me3N)-2,6-Me2-C6H2]+. This new cationic borane has been fully characterized. Its UV−vis spectrum features a low-energy band at λmax = 392 nm which, as confirmed by computational studies, arises from a π−π* transition of the 9-thia-10-boraanthracene chromophore. As a result of the low steric bulk present around the boron center and the inductive effects imparted by the anilium group, [1]+ possesses unusual Lewis acidic properties and reacts with DMAP to form the corresponding adduct. This derivative also binds both fluoride and cyanide anions in THF to afford 1-F and 1-CN whose stability constants exceed 107 M−1. Although [1]+ is unstable in pure water, it can be used to selectively extract cyanide under biphasic conditions in nitromethane/water.
Apparently First Closed-Form Solution for Frequency of Beam with Rotational Spring

Summary In summary, the overall properties of the continuous-phase turbulence generated byuniforme uxes of monodispersesphericalparticles moving at near terminal velocities were studied. It was found that many properties of these e ows— including relative turbulence intensities, anisotropies, and PDFs— could be predicted reasonably well based on volume-averaged contributions of the conditional averages of these properties within the laminarlike wake disturbance and turbulent interwake regions of the e ows. The predictions show that most of the unusual properties of these e ows, compared to conventional homogeneous turbulent e ows, 4i 8 come about as a result of effects of mean velocities in the particle wakes, which cannot be separated from the turbulence (barring some type of wake discrimination system ) because the arrival of particle wakes is random.
A MATLAB GUI package for studying small signal characteristics of power systems with wind and energy storage units as an education tool

This paper presents a MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI) software package which enables users to study small signal behavior of power systems with wind unit and Energy Capacitor Systems (ECSs). For hybrid systems including wind and storage units, studying dynamic behavior of overall system is a complicated and time consuming task. The objective of this paper is to design a user friendly GUI as an educational tool that helps students study the effect of wind and storage units on power system. Modeling of wind units with squirrel-cage induction generators connected to the network through a full-scale AC/AC converter and ECS units consisting of Electric Double-Layer Capacitors and DC/AC converter are explained thoroughly. GUI let the users to choose load change disturbance in any bus or wind speed change in any wind unit and displays the variation of desired state variable after such disturbance.
Detonation overpressure in saturated knallagas-steam mixtures☆

Abstract Reflected pressures corresponding to the development of detonation in saturated mixtures of knallgas and steam at 100°C were measured. The maximum pressure observed was about three times that predicted for theoretical reflected detonation by solution of the Chapman-Jouguet detonation equations and equations for normal shock reflection. Composition limits defining non-reactive and detonatable regions for the particular experimental system employed were also determined. Some considerations applicable to the study of detonation in gaseous mixtures having long detonation stabilization distances are noted, and pressure/time records of different stages of the transition from flame to detonation are shown.
A performance-power evaluation of FinFET flip-flops under process variations

In this paper we present a performance-power study of three flip-flops using FinFET technology. First we tested the original designs with Monte Carlo variations, and then biased the back gate of the FinFETs. We report the following flip-flop delays: setup, clock to Q, and hold times. Setup and clock to Q times (called register delay) are in the pipeline stage critical path. Our study shows that the Low Delay (LDFF) flip-flop has the shortest register delay of 5.7ps. The flip-flop with the lowest power consumption is LPFF with 17.4 µW. Our simulations were performed using the University of Florida UFDG: Double-Gate MOSFET Model through the interface of Spice3f5 and Ngspice (ngspice3.ufdg-3.7) and a 32nm technology.
Synthesis and Characterization of Thermoresponsive-co-Biodegradable Linear−Dendritic Copolymers

A novel linear−dendritic copolymer containing thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM), hydrophobic and biodegradable poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA), and hydrophilic poly(l-lysine) (PLL) dendrons was designed, synthesized and characterized. The thermoresponsive-co-biodegradable linear−dendritic copolymer was synthesized by 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) coupling reaction of three generation PLL dendron and PNIPAAM grafted with PLLA. UV−vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements demonstrated that the linear−dendritic copolymer was thermoresponsive by showing a lower critical solution temperature whose value depended on the linear−dendritic copolymer concentrations. The viscosity and molar mass of the linear−dendritic copolymer decreased with time in PBS (pH = 7.4) solutions indicating that the linear−dendritic copolymer is degradable. FTIR measurements further revealed that the degradation of the linear−dendritic copolymer was due to the hydrolytic degradation of the ester bon...
Hydroxyurea (therapeutics and mechanism): Metabolism, carbamoyl nitroso, nitroxyl, radicals, cell signaling and clinical applications

During a century, hydroxyurea has received much attention in relation to its physiological properties. This review mainly deals with the metabolism, mechanism, cell signaling, therapeutic properties, bioactivity, receptors, and toxicity. Metabolism provides insight concerning the mechanism. Carbamoyl nitroso is an intermediate, based on ease of oxidation of the parent and subsequent formation of nitroxyl and nitric oxide. Carbamoyl nitroso bears structural and electrochemical similarity to acyl nitroso from hydroxamic acids, to the phenylhydroxylamine-nitrosobenzene couple, and to α-dicarbonyls. Carbamoyl nitroso may be involved in electron transfer, reactive oxygen species formation, and oxidative stress. Cell signaling plays a significant role in the biological action. The therapeutic properties are discussed with emphasis on cancer, sickle cell disease, HIV, skin, and genes. Promise as a practical medicine is indicated by clinical trials. Toxicity is also included. Carbamoyl nitroso, nitroxyl, nitric oxide, and metal complexes of the parent drug are designated the main actors in the physiological effects. The mechanistic theme is in keeping with prior reports in Medical Hypotheses.
Oviposition behavior and development of Pseudacteon flies (Diptera: Phoridae), parasitoids of Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

We studied the oviposition behavior and larval development of Pseudacteon phorid flies, which are parasitoids of Solenopsis fire ants. Four South American Pseudacteon spp., P. litoralis Borgmeier, P. tricuspis Borgmeier, P. wasmanni (Schmitz) and P. curvatus Borgmeier (which attack S. invicta Buren), and 2 North American Pseudacteon spp., P. browni Disney and P. crawfordi Coquillett (which attack S. geminata [F.]), were evaluated. In laboratory tests, larger Pseudacteon spp. attacked larger Solenopsis workers. The mean worker size preferred was significantly larger than the colony mean worker size for all but the smallest phorid species, P. curvatus , which preferred workers significantly smaller than the colony mean. Within Pseudacteon spp., larger females preferred larger workers, but this relationship was significant only for the 2 North American species. Natural parasitism rates of Solenopsis workers by the 2 North American Pseudacteon spp. in the field were low (0–2.42% per colony), but >90% of the overall size range of worker ants showed evidence of parasitism. Between 11.8 and 31.0% of apparent oviposition attempts resulted in successful parasitism. Mean larval development times ranged from 13.0 to 18.4 d at 30°C and were shorter for North American species. Larval stages required 24.8–36.5% longer to develop at 25°C than at 30°C. Mean pupal development times ranged from 15.6 to 18.7 d at 30°C. In general, larger Pseudacteon spp. had longer larval and pupal development times. Overall, North and South American Pseudacteon spp. were similar in terms of oviposition behavior and development.
Identification of dorsal root synaptic terminals on monkey ventral horn cells by electron microscopic autoradiography.

The projection of dorsal root fibres to the motor nucleus of the macaque monkey spinal cord has been examined utilizing light and electron microscopic autoradiography. Light microscopy demonstrates a very sparse labelling of primary afferent fibres in the ventral horn. Silver grains overlying radioactive sources are frequently clustered into small groups, often adjacent to dendritic profiles. Under the electron microscope, myelinated axons and a few large synaptic profiles containing rounded synaptic vesicles were overlain by numerous silver grains. These labelled profiles made synaptic contact with dendrites 1–3 μm in diameter. The labelled profiles did not contact cell bodies or large proximal dendrites of ventral horn neurons. Frequently, small synaptic profiles containing flattened vesicles were presynaptic to the large labelled terminals and it is suggested that these axoaxonal synapses may mediate presynaptic inhibition of the primary afferent fibres. The relationship of the present findings to previously published physiological and anatomical studies is discussed.
Soybean production and trade policy changes in Argentina and Brazil: Implications for the competitive position of the United States

Expansion of the soybean production and marketing capacity in Argentina and Brazil has resulted in a declining share of the world market for US soybeans and products. Recent policy changes made in these South American countries may affect their competitive position relative to the United States. Policy changes in both countries are analyzed to determine their expected impacts on the US soybean complex. Results indicate that while the United States may maintain its competitive position, Argentina should become more competitive and Brazil may decline in competitiveness relative to the other two countries. Implications of these results for the US soybean complex are noted and discussed.
Diffraction pattern based optimization of lithographic targets for improved printability

Conventional resolution enhancement techniques (RET) are becoming increasingly inadequate at addressing the challenges of sub-wavelength lithography. In particular, features show high sensitivity to process variation in low-k1 lithography. While advanced mask optimization techniques such as process window optical proximity correction (PWOPC) exist to address this, they modify electrical properties of shapes in a way that is incommunicable to the designer. A more design-aware approach for improving printability is to perform retargeting, which is a modification of target layout shapes to improve their process window. Retargeting can be performed rule-based or model-based. The former has fast runtime but is not a scalable technique since rules cannot cover the entire search space of two-dimensional shape configurations, especially with technology scaling. The latter provides more coverage of complex 2-D optical interactions compared to rules, but suffers from high runtime and inability to communicate modified design intent back to the designer. In this paper, we explore an alternative approach to retargeting which overcomes the drawbacks of both these methods. We develop a target optimization method based on knowledge of source and the diffraction pattern of the layout. We demonstrate that target optimization can be performed at fast runtime using just the Fourier transform of the layout. This approach is more scalable than rule-based retargeting, but also allows communication of modified design intent by integration into extraction tools.
The Effect of a Perforated Mouthpiece Tube on Cigarette Smoke Reduction

Cigarette smoke reduction due to a perforated mouthpiece tube was measured, and its results were compared with the reduction caused by conventionally vented acetate filters. The reduction of nicotine and tar increased with the ventilation rate through the perforated tube. In the absence of a filter material, the difference between the reduction of tar and nicotine was found to be greater than that observed for conventionally vented filters, and the concentration of nicotine in tar was enhanced. The reduction of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetaldehyde, isoprene and acetone were all proportional to the ventilation rate through the perforated tube. The presence of a filter material had no effect on the gas and vapor phase components.
Magneto-elastic properties of NbSe3

Abstract The Young's Modulus (Y) and internal friction (δ) have been measured in the charge density wave (CDW) conductor NbSe 3 . Anomalies are clearly resolved in Y and δ at the upper CDW transition, T 1 (144K) and in Y at the lower CDW transition, T 2 (59K). Below 100K, Y has been measured in transverse magnetic fields up to 8T. Small field-induced stiffening effects are observed.
Light pentobarbital anesthesia diminishes the antininoceptive potency of morphine administered intracranially but not intrathecally in the rat

The antinociceptive activity of morphine administered intracerebrally in the periaqueductal gray or intrathecally was compared in adult male rats in the awake and lightly pentobarbital-anesthetized states. The potency of morphine administered intrathecally was the same in both the awake and lightly anesthetized states. In contrast, the antinociceptive potency of morphine administered intracerebrally was attenuated significantly in the lightly anesthetized state. It is suggested that pentobarbital depresses the descending inhibitory pathway(s) activated by morphine administered in the periaqueductal gray.
Has Crowding Out Really Been Given a Fair Test? A Comment

Did wars lower the rate of accumulation during the First Industrial Revolution? As Robert Barro points out, if military expenditures were viewed as temporary, households' permanent income, and thus their consumption, fell by less than the increase in government expenditures.' Aggregate demand rose, an excess investment demand was created, and the real interest rate tended to rise. High interest rates would have tended to choke off private demand and also would have tended to augment supply. Financing the war expenditure by taxes or deficits would both have had this effect. Since we do not have the full national accounts necessary to explore these issues during the industrial revolution, we must rely on indirect tests. The critical indirect test is, therefore, whether military expenditures-financed in large part by debt issuetended to raise the real interest rate. Carol Heim and Philip Mirowski offer such a test. They begin by asking whether interest rates were higher during wartime. It depends. Nominal interest rates were higher during wartime, but, they argue, real interest rates were not. The asymmetry hinges, of course, on one's view of price expectations. Heim and Mirowski take the actual ex post observed rate of price inflation as their proxy for "true" price expectations. This strikes me as pretty casual treatment of a very important problem. All of us deserve to know just how sensitive their results are to competing (and perhaps more relevant) price formation hypotheses. Indeed, consider the following argument.2 Suppose holders of long-term debt (consols and East India bonds) expected monetary authorities to deflate following the wars with France-as they did in fact. Then the expected (long-term) rate of price inflation was negative and the real interest rate on long-term debt was very high, just as the crowding-out thesis would predict. In the short run, however, holders of debt surely would have expected prices to rise. To the extent that this divergence between short-run and long-run price expectations held, then we should see it reflected in the term structure of interest rates. This suggests a test: Did the short-term nominal interest rate rise during wartime relative to the long-term nominal interest rate? Heim and Mirowski limit their analysis to long-term rates only, so the thesis cannot be explored with their data. Evidence from America during the Civil War and World War I, however, appears to support the thesis.3 It also might be argued that the price indices which Heim and Mirowski select (two Schumpter-Gilboy indices and one Gayer-Rostow-Schwartz index) may exaggerate price instability. After all, they tend to oversample tradables, while non-tradable services-house rents, for example-are likely to have had more stable prices; they use
Evaluation of the first Ergocalciferol-derived, non hypercalcemic anti-cancer agent MT19c in ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cell lines

Abstract Objective In human trials calcitriol and its analogs displayed unacceptable systemic toxicities including hypercalcemia. This study was designed to evaluate a novel non-hypercalcemic vitamin-D derivative (MT19c) and its anticancer effects in cultured ovarian cancer cell model. Methods We modified the Ergocalciferol structure to generate MT19c, a heterocyclic vitamin-D derivative. Hypercalcemic liabilities of MT19c were assessed by estimating the blood calcium levels in drug treated animals. VDR agonistic or antagonistic properties of MT19c were determined via a VDR-coactivator binding assay. The anticancer effects of MT19c were evaluated by (i) cytotoxicity studies in cancer cell lines and the National Cancer Institute (NCI 60 ) cell lines, (ii) identification of apoptosis markers by microscopy and western blots, (iii) cell cycle analysis, and (iv) by studying the insulin receptor substrate-1/2 (IRS1/2) signaling in ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3) by western blotting. Results MT19c treatment did not cause hypercalcemia in mice and showed minor VDR antagonistic activity. In a NCI 60 screen MT19c revealed cell-type specific growth inhibition. MT19c displayed superior cytotoxicity to cisplatin, calcitriol, EB1089 and Iressa in SKOV-3 cell-lines and was comparable to Taxol in our in vitro assays. In SKOV-3 cells MT19c showed caspase dependent apoptosis, DNA fragmentation and cell cycle arrest. MT19c did not alter VDR but downregulated the IGFR/IRS-1/2-MEK-ras-ERK1/2-pathway via activated TNFα-receptor/SAPK/JNK component. Conclusion Our results demonstrate how structural optimization of the vitamin-D scaffold leads to identification of a non-hypercalcemic compound MT19c which exerts cytotoxicity in vitro based on a VDR-independent signaling pathway and displays potent anti-cancer activity in ovarian cancer cell models.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD): A spoiler to development of next-generation technologies?

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a process in which a finite amount of charge is transferred from one object (i.e., human body) to the other (i.e., microchip). This process can result in a very high current passing through the object within a very short period of time [1–2]. A common ESD phenomenon is shown in Fig. 1, where a person is shocked by an ESD from the metal doorknob to the ground via the human body. When a microchip or electronic system is subject to an ESD event, the huge ESD-induced current can likely damage the microchip and cause malfunction to the electronic system if the heat generated in the object cannot be dissipated quickly enough. Fig. 2 shows the damage in a microchip resulted from the improper handling of a charged person, a well known ESD event called the human body model. It is estimated that about 35% of all damaged microchips are ESD related, resulting in a loss of revenue of several hundred million dollars in the global semiconductor industry every year [3]. The continuing scaling of CMOS technology makes the ESD-induced failures even more prominent, and one can predict with certainty that the availability of effective and robust ESD protection solutions will be a critical component to the success of the next-generation technology advancement [4–7].
Cardiac Allograft Survival in Mice Deficient in Intercellular Adhesion Molecule–1

Background Intercellular adhesion molecule–1 (ICAM-1, CD54) is a cell adhesion molecule that interacts with the leukocyte β2 integrins, lymphocyte function–associated antigen–1, and macrophage antigen–1. ICAM-1 is postulated to play a key role in several cell-cell interactions that are important in allograft rejection, including antigen presentation, transendothelial migration of leukocytes, and leukocyte-mediated myocyte injury. Methods and Results Mice homozygous for a gene-targeted mutation of ICAM-1 were used in two different cardiac transplant models to further define the role of ICAM-1 in the process of allograft rejection. In the first model, hearts from newborn mice were implanted in the ear pinnae of H-2–incompatible recipients. In the second model, intra-abdominal transplantation by direct vascular anastomosis was performed. Time to rejection was defined by the loss of pulsatile activity assessed by visual inspection in the ear model or by cessation of palpable cardiac impulse in the abdominal m...
Multidimensional Assessment of Marital Satisfaction.

Two studies were conducted involving 150 couples selected at-large and 40 couples in Imlirital therapy. An initial fbcus of the studies was the development of' a 280-item Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) including one validity scale, one global affective scale, and nine additional scales focusing on specific areas qf marital interaction. Correlational analyses confirm that measures qf communication are the best single predictors qf global marital satisfaction. Prqfile analyses demonstrate the ability qf the MSI to discriminate between couples in therapy and a matched control group. Implications for use qf the instrument both as a clinical tool and research instrument are discussed.
Tomonaga-Dirac-Schwinger formulation of the fermionic string

Abstract We present the Tomonaga-Dirac-Schwinger formulation of the fermionic string. The constraint algebra of the classical theory reproduces upon suitable quantization the superconformal algebra of the BRST formalism. The supergeometrodynamic degrees of freedom are related to the ghost and superghost variables in a simple manner.
Subcellular distribution of hexokinase activity in rat jejunal mucosa: response to diabetes and dietary changes.

Abstract The subcellular distribution and isozyme types of hexokinase were studied in rat jejunal mucosa and the influence of diabetes, glucose-feeding, and starvation was measured. The 105,000 g supernatant fraction contained four hexokinase isozymes including type IV (glucokinase) while only types I and II could be released from mitochondria. Only 18% of hexokinase activity was in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction. Approximately 4% of hexokinase activity was bound to the microsomal fraction, less than 10% was identified in the brush-border fraction and we estimate that greater than 50% of total activity was bound to mitochondria. Streptozotocin-diabetes was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of hexokinase activity in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction and by a significant decrease in mitochondrial-bound hexokinase. These data suggest that diabetes produces a release of mitochondrial-bound hexokinase in gut. Glucose feeding was accompanied by an increase in hexokinase activity in all fractions while starvation produced decreased activity in all fractions. We could not demonstrate that these dietary alterations resulted in significant changes in the subcellular compartmentation of hexokinase activity.
The SUNY Oneonta Second Life Music Project.

Do online virtual worlds represent a viable learning environment for higher education? Many Second Life classes resemble their real life equivalents, but some faculty are exploring the potential of virtual worlds for less-traditional teaching. This article describes one such effort, the SUNY Oneonta Music Project, in which faculty and students from several different disciplines combined their talents to create a special learning experience.
Global Cities at Work: New Migrant Divisions of Labour By Jane Wills, Kavita Datta, Yara Evans, Joanna Herbert, Jon May, and Cathy McIlwaine London and New York: Pluto Press, 2010.

A review of the book "Global Cities at Work: New Migrant Divisions of Labour," by Jane Wills, Kavita Datta, Yara Evans, Joanna Herbert, Jon May, and Cathy McIlwaine, is presented.
Maturation-dependent events related to DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in intact mouse brain nuclei.

Summary Intact nuclei, isolated from mouse brain tissue at various stages of postnatal development, were employed to investigate the maturation-dependent events involved in DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. The incorporation of GTP into acid-insoluble RNA was shown to be enzymatic, dependent on DNA template activity and independent of homopolymer formation. Maturation-dependent alterations in nuclear activity were manifested by the incubation of nuclei in reaction mixtures and the deletion of nucleotides and spermidine. The measured rate of RNA synthesis was found to increase during the first 12 days following birth and then to rapidly decrease to a basal level by 22 days of age. The rate of GTP uptake was shown to be markedly increased during neural development although the rate of uptake was not directly related to the rate of RNA synthesis. RNA synthetized by nuclei isolated from neonatal brain tissue was relatively labile and rapidly degraded to acid-soluble products.
Quantitative EEG analysis during cardiac surgery in a case of spontaneous recall

A case of spontaneous postoperative recall of intraoperative events during tricuspid valvuloplasty is presented. In this case, EEG activity was continuously monitored and quantitatively processed to detect brain dysfunction during the procedure. Anesthetic maintenance was provided by fentanyl, isoflurane and midazolam. A retrospective analysis of the relative power distribution, median frequency and fast/slow ratio was conducted to characterize the recall and non-recall periods during the surgery. Analysis of the quantitative descriptors suggested that no specific EEG pattern was associated with the periods of recall. The use of several anesthetics with different effects on the EEG precludes the establishment of a single relationship between descriptors and changes in vigilance during episodes of recall.
A compact near-field scanning optical microscope

Abstract We present a recently constructed near-field scanning optical microscope which incorporates improvements over our previous designs. This microscope features an ultra-fine mechanical tip/sample approach with continuous submicron control over a range of several millimeters. The piezo-driven 12 μm x – y scan range is complimented by a generous 4 mm coarse mechanical translation range in each direction. The construction materials used in the feedback loop have been carefully chosen for thermal compatibility in order to reduce differential expansion and contraction between the tip and sample. A unique pressure-fit sample mounting allows for quick and reliable sample exchange. Shear-force feedback light is delivered to the scan head via an optical fiber so that a laser of any type may be used as a source. This dither light is collimated and refocused onto the tip, delivering a consistently small spot which is collected by a high NA objective. This new scan head incorporates an optical system which will permit the linearization of scan piezo response similar to a scheme used successfully with AFMs. This is designed to both overcome the piezo's inherent hysteresis, and also to eliminate drift during long-duration scans or spectroscopy at a single point. The scan-head design offers added flexibility due to the use of optical fibers to deliver the dither and scan linearization light, and functions in any orientation for use in conjunction with upright or inverted optical microscopes.
AGE OF ONSET AND PROGRESS TOWARD INDEPENDENT LIVING BY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA IN A COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM

For 11 women and 12 men age of onset of schizophrenia correlated .70 with progress in intensive treatment toward independent living.
Differential validity: Another threat to compensatory education evaluations

Abstract The effects of the changing nature of intelligence test items during the follow-up period for compensatory education program evaluations on the judgements about the efficacy of such programs are examined. Data generated from Stanford-Binet test items, assuming known “true” underlying motor and verbal scores, as well as data from three compensatory education evaluations, are examined. The changing nature of the IQ test items, i.e., the differential validity of the tests, is put forth as an explanation for the often disheartening results of such program evaluations. Methods for dealing with the problem of differential validity are suggested.
An interaction between αvβ8 integrin and Band 4.1B via a highly conserved region of the Band 4.1 C-terminal domain

αvβ8 integrin is highly expressed in the vertebrate CNS, and mice lacking the αv or β8 genes develop cerebral hemorrhage due to defective interactions between blood vessels and αvβ8-expressing neural cells. Although αvβ8 binds many of the same extracellular matrix protein ligands as other integrins, very little is known about the intracellular signal transduction events used by αvβ8 to regulate CNS development. Here we identify Band 4.1B as an intracellular factor that interacts selectively with the β8 cytoplasmic tail. The association with αvβ8 occurs via the band 4.1B C-terminal domain, a region highly conserved among the various Band 4.1 family members. Indeed, we show that β8 integrin interacts directly with the C-terminal domains of several Band 4.1 proteins and colocalizes with them in cultured astrocytes and in the brain. These data identify a previously uncharacterized interaction between an integrin and Band 4.1 family members and suggest an important functional role for αvβ8-Band 4.1 interactions in the development and maintenance of the CNS.
The Role of Cultural Diversity Climate in Recruitment, Promotion, and Retention of Faculty in Academic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Ethnic diversity among physicians may be linked to improved access and quality of care for minorities. Academic medical institutions are challenged to increase representation of ethnic minorities among health professionals.
Elasticity and sound velocities of polycrystalline grossular garnet (Ca3Al2Si3O12) at simultaneous high pressures and high temperatures

Abstract The elastic wave velocities of a dense polycrystalline specimen (99.7% of theoretical density) of synthetic grossular garnet (Ca 3 Al 2 Si 3 O 12 ) were measured to pressures of ∼10 GPa and temperatures of 1000 K by transfer-function ultrasonic interferometry in conjunction with energy-dispersive synchrotron X-radiation in a deformation DIA-type cubic-anvil apparatus. The calculated elastic bulk ( K s ) and shear ( G ) moduli data were fitted to functions of Eulerian strain to 3rd order, yielding the zero-pressure values [ K s = 171.2 (8) GPa; G = 107.4 (2) GPa] and their pressure derivatives [(∂ K s /∂ P ) T = 4.47 (2); (∂G/∂P ) T = 1.29 (5)]. The temperature dependences of the elastic moduli obtained from linear regression of entire P – T – K s and P – T – G data are: ( ∂K s / ∂T ) P = −1.38 (3) × 10 −2 GPa/K and (∂ G /∂ T ) P = −1.28 (2) × 10 −2 GPa/K. These results together with those from previous studies for garnets with varying compositions suggest that most of the thermo-elastic properties of garnet are insensitive to grossular content, with the exception of the shear modulus, which significantly depends on the calcium content.
Inhibition of the inflammasome complex reduces the inflammatory response after thromboembolic stroke in mice

Inflammation is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and stroke. In the peripheral immune response, caspase-1 activation involves the formation of a macromolecular complex termed the inflammasome. We determined whether nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), molecular platform consisting of capase-1, apoptosisassociated speck-like protein containing a caspase-activating recruitment domain (ASC), and NLRP1, is expressed in the normal and postischemic brain. Mice underwent thromboembolic stroke to investigate the formation of the inflammasome and subsequent activation of downstream inflammatory responses. Western blot analysis showed expression and activation of interleukin (IL) IL-1b and IL-18 at 24 h after stroke. Size-exclusion chromatography and coimmunoprecipitation analysis showed protein association between NLRP1, ASC, caspase-1, and the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). After ischemia, immunohistochemical analysis revealed inflammasome proteins in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia/macrophages. The potential of the inflammasome as an antiinflammatory target was showed by interference of inflammasome activation resulting in reduced cytokine levels in mice treated after ischemia with a neutralizing antibody against NLRP1. These findings show that the inflammasome complex forms after focal brain ischemia and may be a novel therapeutic target for reducing the detrimental consequences of postischemic inflammation. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2009) 29, 534–544; doi:10.1038/jcbfm.2008.143; published online 10 December 2008
Information from Searching Content with an Ontology-Utilizing Toolkit (iSCOUT)

Radiology reports are permanent legal documents that serve as official interpretation of imaging tests. Manual analysis of textual information contained in these reports requires significant time and effort. This study describes the development and initial evaluation of a toolkit that enables automated identification of relevant information from within these largely unstructured text reports. We developed and made publicly available a natural language processing toolkit, Information from Searching Content with an Ontology-Utilizing Toolkit (iSCOUT). Core functions are included in the following modules: the Data Loader, Header Extractor, Terminology Interface, Reviewer, and Analyzer. The toolkit enables search for specific terms and retrieval of (radiology) reports containing exact term matches as well as similar or synonymous term matches within the text of the report. The Terminology Interface is the main component of the toolkit. It allows query expansion based on synonyms from a controlled terminology (e.g., RadLex or National Cancer Institute Thesaurus [NCIT]). We evaluated iSCOUT document retrieval of radiology reports that contained liver cysts, and compared precision and recall with and without using NCIT synonyms for query expansion. iSCOUT retrieved radiology reports with documented liver cysts with a precision of 0.92 and recall of 0.96, utilizing NCIT. This recall (i.e., utilizing the Terminology Interface) is significantly better than using each of two search terms alone (0.72, p=0.03 for liver cyst and 0.52, p=0.0002 for hepatic cyst). iSCOUT reliably assembled relevant radiology reports for a cohort of patients with liver cysts with significant improvement in document retrieval when utilizing controlled lexicons.
234 Th: 238 U disequilibria in the Gulf of Mexico: the importance of organic matter and particle concentration

We have measured the concentrations of dissolved and particulate234Th, suspended particulate matter, dissolved organic carbon, nutrients and a suite of pigments along a transect in the shelf and slope waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The deep water station samples were collected in the presence (summer 1992) and absence (spring 1992) of a warm-core ring. In the summer, the station was at the periphery of a warm-core ring containing more oligotrophic, Caribbean water, while in the spring, only Gulf water was present. The234Th deficiency, which extends throughout a 1500 m water column in spring, indicates active lateral exchange of dissolved and particulate species. This study provides insight into the role of particles for234Th scavenging and differences in the scavenging intensities in the presence and absence of a warm-core ring. In addition, the possibility that the major carrier phase of thorium cycling could be dissolved organic carbon is suggested from the correlation between234Th (dissolved and total) and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. The average particle residence time for the whole water column in spring, seven days, was significantly shorter than that for summer, 21 days. This longer residence time in the summer is attributed to the presence of a warm-core ring which resulted in lower particle, DOC, and nutrient concentrations. Values of scavenging and particle residence times and234Th fluxes, and the significance of the correlations of these values with concentrations of particle mass and various pigments are discussed.
Effects of temperature, pressure and displacement rate on the frictional characteristics of a limestone

Abstract The differential stress required to cause displacement along a fault in Crown Point limestone was determined at temperatures of 25, 100, and 300°C, confining pressures of 50–2000 bars, and an axial displacement rate of 10−3 cm/sec. Displacement rate effects were studied at pressures of 200–1000 bars, a temperature of 25°C and axial displacement rates of from 10−2 to 10−6 cm/sec. Increased temperature from 25 to 100°C has little effect on the frictional properties, but at 300°C a relatively strong temperature effect is present. A decrease in axial displacement rate from 10−2 to 10−6 cm/sec has little effect on the frictional properties of the Crown Point limestone. Stick-slip was observed at pressures less than about 600 bars and at temperatures of 200 and 300°C. The frictional behavior of this rock may be interpreted in terms of the plastic-strain hardening model of Bowden and Tabor.