cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When worlds collide: Engineering students encounter social aspects of production

To design effective and socially sensitive systems, engineers must be able to integrate a technology-based approach to engineering problems with concerns for social impact and the context of use. The conventional approach to engineering education is largely technology-based, and even when additional courses with a social orientation are added, engineering graduates are often not well prepared to design user- and context-sensitive systems. Using data from interviews with three engineering students who had significant exposure to a socially-oriented perspective on production systems design, this paper argues that engineering students may have difficulty integrating in their own practice the technology-based and the socially-oriented perspectives on production. To enhance engineering students' ability to create systems that integrate both perspectives, and to relieve the intense cognitive and emotional pain that can be experienced by students exposed to both perspectives but unable to reconcile them, this paper reinforces the importance of teaching students the meta skill, design. A design perspective can help students integrate varied, sometimes conflicting, perspectives, and reach beyond customer-defined constraints to consider workplace and social impact.
Work in progress — Computer science e-portfolios: Perspectives from upper and lower division students

An e-portfolio is an online multimedia-capable portfolio that showcases a student's collection of academic learning, achievements, knowledge, and skills. While using e-portfolios to showcase student work has been a hot topic in the engineering education community, the topic has received less attention in the computer science education community. This paper presents a work in progress comparing the use of e-portfolios early in a computer science student's academic career versus late. We find that there are benefits to each approach, both from a student perspective and an instructor perspective.
International labor migration and social security: Analysis of the transition path

This paper numerically simulates a two-country overlapping-generations model to study international labor migration when the two countries are characterized by different social-security systems. The present analysis extends previous work beyond steady-state considerations. The most striking result is that in all cases considered, dynamically efficient and inefficient economies in autarkic steady-state, migration leads to temporary welfare losses in both countries. In all cases, the transition path is characterized by temporary dynamic inefficiency in one country.
Nuchal cysts syndromes: Etiology, pathogenesis, and prenatal diagnosis

We examined 10 fetuses with nuchal cysts and compared the findings with 32 cases from the literature. Based on their characteristics, we propose that nuchal cysts are signs of four causally and pathogenetically different entities: cystic nuchal blebs present in otherwise normal fetuses as a postmortem change; 45,X fetuses who have a particular appearance and multiple congenital malformations; an apparently autosomal recessive syndrome of multiple cysts (that extend into deep muscular planes), generalized edema, cleft palate, peculiar skeletal characteristics, acutely angulated ribs (producing a bell-shaped rib cage), and shortened long bones; and in fetuses with syndromes that are inherited (multiple pterygium, Roberts) and chromosomal (trisomy 13, trisomy 21) as an unspecific sign representing both primary and secondary lesions.
Behavioral Approaches to the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Research Strategies

The U.S. Senate Committee for Appropriations (for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies), in its report of the fiscal year 1994 appropriations bill, directed the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to develop a long-range plan for taking advantage of scientific opportunities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research.
Path planning for a tethered mobile robot.

In this paper we investigate the problem of navigation for a planar mobile robot tethered to a base by a flexible cable of length L. Obstacles present in the environment, coupled with the cable length constraint, makes the problem highly non-trivial. We adopt a topological approach along with graph search-based techniques to solve this problem, wherein we use the notion of a homotopy augmented graph to capture the information about the homotopy class of the cable. This lets us plan traversable optimal trajectories from an initial robot position and cable configuration to a final position of the robot. We demonstrate the algorithm by planning trajectories in several cluttered environments and with different cable lengths. As a demonstration of practical applicability, using a dynamic simulation testbed we simulate a robot-cable system following a planned trajectory.
A Consolidation Model for Polymer Powder Impregnated Tapes

Powder impregnation technology is a relatively new fabrication method for polymer powder composites. A number of processes using this processing route have been developed. However, the transformation of these preimpregnated materials into fully densified composite structures has been performed empirically. A fundamental understanding of the process would therefore prove a good resource to the composite industry. The overall objective of this study was to develop a mathematical model that would describe the consolidation process.Experimental observations were used to categorize the process into three simple unit operations: heating, compression and cooling. Each of these stages was modeled independently. A one dimensional heat flow equation with appropriate boundary conditions was solved from the heating and cooling models. A three dimensional squeeze flow model with corresponding boundary conditions was used to describe the flow of the polymer in the lay-up. An existing fiber deformation model was used in...
Characterization of polymeric metal-insulator–semiconductor diodes

Abstract Metal-insulator–semiconductor (MIS) diodes are the two-terminal pendants of thin film transistors sharing the same basic layer structure. However, instead of the current–voltage characteristics one has to study the capacitance–frequency and capacitance–voltage behavior, which can give information about doping, mobile charges and trapping processes in these devices. We have investigated MIS structures based on poly(alkylthiophene) as semiconductor which were fabricated on glass substrates with polymeric insulator layers and compared their response to devices fabricated on Si/SiO 2 substrates. From capacitance–voltage measurements the acceptor dopant concentration is determined for different preparation conditions. Typically these measurements show hysteresis between forward and reverse bias sweeps. We have investigated this behavior as a function of external parameters like sweep speed and temperature and discuss their possible origin. The analysis of the frequency response using appropriate equivalent circuits allows the extraction of material parameters, like conductivity and charge carrier mobility, which are compared to data obtained on thin film transistor structures.
Investigation of time selectivity of wireless channels through the use of RVC

Abstract A potential candidate that can be used for emulating different propagation environments is the reverberation chamber (RVC). Since mobility is of primary concern for wireless communication systems, understanding of its consequences is crucial. Mobility causes spectral broadening whose impact is generally evaluated through the observation of Doppler spectrum. In this study, investigation of Doppler spectrum characteristics through the use of an RVC and the methods for the purpose of its manipulation are presented. This study verifies that the Doppler spectrum can be manipulated in various ways. However, unless a precise setup is established it is almost impossible to obtain very specific Doppler shapes in RVCs such as widely known Jakes’ spectrum. Also, a different interpretation of mobility for wireless channels is given by the use of a new concept called motion intensity. This concept is elaborated in terms of both its technical aspects and its impact on wireless channel characterization.
Progression and remission of renal disease in the Lupus Nephritis Collaborative Study. Results of treatment with prednisone and short-term oral cyclophosphamide.

Objective To describe the clinical course of severe lupus nephritis and to identify the risk factors for progression to renal failure among patients treated with prednisone and short-term courses of low-dose oral cyclophosphamide. Design Ancillary analyses of data from the Lupus Nephritis Collaborative Study (LNCS). Setting University hospital medical centers (14). Patients The 86 patients who participated in the LNCS (mean follow-up, 136 weeks [2.6 years]) and a subgroup of 63 patients with follow-up of more than 48 weeks (mean follow-up, 160 weeks [3.1 years]). Measurements Initial clinical and pathologic features, response to therapy within 48 weeks, and subsequent clinical events, including development of renal failure. Main results Renal failure developed in 18 patients (21%). An observed elevation in serum creatinine concentration was the only initial feature predictive of subsequent renal failure. Mean (+/- SD) initial serum creatinine levels were higher in patients who subsequently developed renal failure (244 +/- 134 mumol/L [2.76 +/- 1.52 mg/dL] compared with 163 +/- 103 mumol/L [1.85 +/- 1.17 mg/dL]; P = 0.007). The risk for renal failure was higher among patients with initial serum creatinine levels greater than 106 mumol/L (1.2 mg/dL) (29% compared with 6.5%; P = 0.014). Response to therapy (defined as resolution of initial serum creatinine elevations within 48 weeks) refined the prognosis based on initial serum creatinine determinations. The risk for subsequent renal failure was higher among patients who failed to respond to therapy within 48 weeks (30% compared with 0%; P = 0.015). By comparison, 9% of patients with normal initial serum creatinine levels progressed to renal failure after 48 weeks. Conclusions Initial serum creatinine levels and responses to initial therapy with prednisone and short-term cyclophosphamide, as used in the LNCS, can guide further therapy. Patients with normal initial serum creatinine levels or resolution of initial serum creatinine elevations within 48 weeks have a low risk for renal failure and may not require long-term treatment with cyclophosphamide.
Face tracking user interfaces using vision-based consumer devices

One form of natural user interaction with a personal computer is based on natural face movements. This is especially helpful for users who cannot effectively use common input devices with their hands but have sufficient control of their heads. Using vision-based consumer devices makes such a user interface readily available and allows its use to be non-intrusive. This user interface presents some significant challenges particularly with accuracy and design. This research aims to investigate such problems and discover solutions to creating a usable and robust face tracking user interface using currently available technology. Design requirements were set and different design options were implemented and evaluated.
Novel monitor paradigm for real-time exposure assessment

A wearable monitor that can reliably, accurately, and continuously measure personal exposure levels of various toxicants would not only accelerate the current environmental and occupational health and safety studies, but also enable new studies that are not possible with the current monitoring technology. Developing such a monitor has been a difficult challenge, and requires innovative sensing science and creative engineering. We have developed, built, and tested a wearable monitor for real-time detection of toxic hydrocarbons and acids in the environment. The monitor is low-cost, accurate, and user friendly. In addition, it can communicate wirelessly with a cell phone in which the monitoring results can be processed, displayed, stored, and transmitted to a designated computer. We have validated the functions and performance of the monitor, and carried out field tests with workers involving waste management, fire overhaul, and floor-cleaning activities, as well as with first- and second-hand smokers. The averaged exposure levels are in agreement with those determined by the standard NIOSH methods. The monitor provides accurate and real-time exposure assessment for the workers involving different activities. The real-time and continuous monitoring capability makes it possible to correlate the exposure levels with different activities and changes in the microenvironments. The monitor provides unprecedented real-time information that will help advance occupational safety and environmental health studies. It may also be used to better protect workers from occupational overexposure to toxic molecules.
Molecular Recognition of a Monoclonal Antibody (AC1106) Cross-Reactive for Derivatives of Ru(bpy)32+ and Ru(phen)32+

The characterization of a monoclonal antibody (AC1106) elicited via immunization with a Co(dmbpy)(bpy)23+−methyl viologen hapten (1) is described. AC1106 was found cross-reactive for a variety of luminescent ruthenium(II) metal complexes which served as useful probes to investigate the molecular recognition properties of this antibody. AC1106 was found to be specific for methylated derivatives of Ru(bpy)32+ and Ru(phen)32+ in the order of Ru(dmbpy)32+ > Ru(dmbpy)(bpy)22+ > Ru(dmphen)32+ > Ru(bpy)32+ ≫ Ru(phen)32+. The affinities of AC1106 for these metal complexes were found to range from ≥ 5 × 107 to ≤ 1 × 103 M-1. When bound (>98%) by AC1106, the luminescence decay traces for the racemic Ru(dmbpy)32+ and Ru(dmbpy)(bpy)22+ gave a satisfactory fit to a single-exponential decay process. Furthermore, D2O/H2O experiments with Ru(dmbpy)32+ indicate that AC1106 protects approximately 70% of the antibody-bound Ru(dmbpy)32+ from excited state deactivation by the solvent. Competition ELISA data indicate that both...
From synchrotron radiation to I-V measurements of GaAs Schottky barrier formation

Abstract Through the use of synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (PES) and related techniques, we have gained detailed knowledge of Fermi level pinning, interfacial chemistry and disruption of GaAs for coverages up to several monolayers (ML). A link has been made between these data and that in the thick layer regime (hundreds of ML), which characterizes practical Schottky diodes. PES results for thin layers deposited at room temperature (RT) and low temperatures of about 80 K (LT) as well as thick films deposited at RT and annealed to higher temperatures are considered. At LT where GaAs disruption is minimized for thin films, metal-induced gap states seem to dominate the Fermi level pinning process except where GaAs metal reactions are strong. For RT thin and thick films, the effects of defects must be considered, and the advanced unified defect model (AUDM) is applied. In the AUDM the key defects are identified as the As Ga (double donor with levels at 0.75 and 0.5 eV above the valence band maximum) and the Ga As antisite (double acceptor) with the As Ga normally dominating due to the excess As which characterizes LEC GaAs crystals. The literature is reviewed and a number of phenomena are explained in terms of this model including the Fermi level position on MBE grown GaAs observed by Svensson et al. and the anomolously high Schottky barrier height (SBH) of thick Ga on n-GaAs observed by several groups. By performing electrical, TEM, and chemical studies of thick diodes and by evaluating the changes upon thermal annealing of diodes it is found that the AUDM successfully predicts the increase or decrease of barrier height on annealing.
SU-E-T-08: Simple Governing Equations for Tumor Growth

Purpose: To derive a set of simple differential equations, which can represent temporal growth of typical tumors, by taking into account the effects of the tumor microenvironment on cell proliferation.Methods: Cause‐effect relationships between cell proliferation and nutrients contained in blood stream, which included oxygen and glucose, were modeled. By formulating a set of rate equations and simplifying those, we finally obtained two differential equations. One equation represents the change of the tumor mass and included time‐varying growth rate, which was a solution of another equation relating the growth rate with the blood volume in the tumor. The set of differential equations were numerically solved by varying a parameter, kappa, which represented the growth rate of the blood volume relative to the tumor mass. Results: Through numerical experiments we showed that the tumor volume increased exponentially if the blood volume increased at the same rate as the tumor. However, the blood volume did not increase rapidly enough as the tumor grew, the tumor showed the saturation in the growth when the tumor grew by 1000‐fold. Such a retardation of tumor growth was experimentally observed and the function representing the growth curve is called as Gompertz equation. One of solutions also showed that the tumor stopped growing when the blood supply was shut off (or kappa = 0). Conclusions: A solution of simple differential equations derived in this study could reproduce the tumor growth which can be represented by the well known Gompertz equation. Using these equations we were able to theoretically show that the saturation of tumor growth observed often for larger tumors could be explained by a relative lack of blood supply which leads to a decrease in the cell proliferation rate. In a future study the effects of radiation on the tumor growth will be included in the model.
Modeling Service Data Objects (SDOs) to the Entity-Relationship (ER) Model

In this paper the authors present a conceptual framework for translating Service Data Objects (SDOs) and XMLâ€™s SDOs to the Entity Relational (ER) Model. With the increasing dependence on service oriented architectures and the increasing need for SDOs in service oriented architectures (SOA), it is important to have a good understanding of SDOs in terms of the ER model so that SDOs can be easily converted to the relational model. In this paper they show how common SDO constructs and XMLâ€™s SDO constructs conceptually map to the ER model.
Abstract LB-200: Potent antitumor activity of MLN0128, an investigational selective mTORC1/2 kinase inhibitor, in preclinical models of rhabdomyosarcoma

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis regulates growth and homeostasis, and is often dysregulated in rhabdomyosarcoma. Agents that target mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), one of the two multi-protein complexes comprising the serine-threonine kinase mTOR, have been disappointing in clinical trials, and novel therapeutics are urgently needed to treat patients with relapsed, refractory, or metastatic alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS) rhabdomyosarcoma. It is hypothesized that modest clinical results with mTORC1 only inhibitors may be attributed to the lack of inhibition of the second mTOR complex, mTORC2, and its downstream effectors, as well as release of mTOR-mediated negative feedback of the pathway that leads to activation of receptor tyrosine kinases and feedback activation of AKT. In the present preclinical study, MLN0128, a selective and highly potent inhibitor of both mTORC1 and mTORC2, was tested for its antitumor activity in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. Data suggest that the anti-proliferative effect of MLN-0128 was superior to rapamycin, a selective mTORC1 inhibitor, in a broad panel of ERMS and ARMS cell lines where it was found to be highly effective at low concentrations from 5 to 175 nanomolar. Western immunoblot analysis of treated cells showed inhibition of phosphorylation of mTORC1 and mTORC2 targets including phosphorylated S6 ribosomal protein (pS6), phospho-p70-S6K, phospho-AKT-S473, phospho-AKT-T308, and phospho-4E-BP1. Apoptosis in both ERMS and ARMS cell lines was confirmed by the presence of cleaved poly ADP ribose. Additionally, MLN0128 was found to have superior anti-tumor effect in a xenograft model of rhabdomyosarcoma without significant toxicity when compared with rapamycin. These pre-clinical studies support further research of MLN0128 as a potential therapeutic approach for patients with ARMS and ERMS. Citation Format: Emily Slotkin, Parag Patwardhan, Shyamprasad Vasudeva Deraje, Gary Schwartz, Tap William. Potent antitumor activity of MLN0128, an investigational selective mTORC1/2 kinase inhibitor, in preclinical models of rhabdomyosarcoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-200. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-200
Die medizinischen Methoden der Geburtenregelung

Es wird auf die bevolkerungspolitische, sozialmedizinische und psychologische Bedeutung der Empfangnisverhutung hingewiesen. Die zweckmasigen antikonzeptionellen Verfahren werden eingehend erortert, speziell hinsichtlich ihrer Zuverlassigkeit, und die unzweckmasigen Methoden kurz erwahnt.
Medial Prefrontal Activity Predicts Memory for Self

The ability to remember the past depends on cognitive operations that are recruited when information is initially encountered. In the current experiment, we investigated neural processes that subserve the memorability of a fundamental class of social information: self-knowledge. Participants evaluated the extent to which a series of personality characteristics were self-descriptive. Brain activation was measured using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and contrasted based on: (i) whether each word was later remembered or forgotten; and (ii) whether or not each item was judged to be self-relevant. Results revealed that activity in medial prefrontal cortex predicted both subsequent memory performance and judgements of self-relevance. These findings extend current understanding of the nature and functioning of human memory.
Optimization of the Czerny–Turner Spectrometer*

Geometrical optic techniques are used to analyze and compare the symmetrical spherical mirror to the unsymmetrical spherical-mirror Czerny–Turner spectrometer. The aberration problems due to diffraction from the grating are analyzed and methods of partial correction of the aberrations are derived. The flux and resolution advantage of gratings with high blaze angles used in the unsymmetrical spherical-mirror Czerny–Turner is shown. A design and ray tracing routine employing a digital computer is utilized to illustrate the geometric effects of the diffraction grating and the partial corrective measures. Slit curvature is analyzed numerically and some general results are abstracted from the numerical data. It may be inferred from the results of theory and numerical calculations that the unsymmetrical Czerny–Turner spectrometer using two spherical mirrors can be made superior to a similar symmetrical Czerny–Turner spectrometer. A comparison of luminosity is made between the Czerny–Turner spectrometer, utilizing a high blaze grating, and various interf erometric and modulating spectrometers and it is shown that the luminosity of the Czerny–Turner spectrometer is comparable or superior.
A comparison of the maturation and growth of female flathead sole in the central Gulf of Alaska and south-eastern Bering Sea

Female flathead sole Hippoglossoides elassodon maturity appears not to be area dependent since the total length (L T ) at which 50% were mature (L T50 ) was similar for the central Gulf of Alaska (333 mm) and south-eastern Bering Sea (320 mm) areas. Likewise the age at which 50% were mature (A 50 ) was similar in the south-eastern Bering Sea (9.7 years) and central Gulf of Alaska (8.7 years). The timing of female flathead sole spawning may also be similar between areas. Batch or serial spawning was indicated for flathead sole. Female flathead sole grew at a similar rate in both the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. In contrast, males grew faster in the Bering Sea than in the Gulf of Alaska. Males grew more slowly than females in both areas after 5 years of age, and reached a smaller maximum L T . The growth of both sexes was similar during 1993 and 1996 in the Gulf of Alaska.
Reflections for November: Love in the time of Huntington's disease

> I am a mother. > > I used to be a wife. > > I am not sure if my son Remembers still. > > Maybe that is better. > I have one child. > > My son is thirty-four. > > He lives with me. > > He has no wife. > > He decided long ago Not to have children. > Huntington's. > > Used to be just a town in Long Island > > Or a beach in California. > > When his father > > Was first diagnosed, > > My son and I were both afraid > > For …
Insulin binding to erythrocytes incubated in vitro at physiological temperature.

We have investigated the previously described time-dependent increase in specific insulin binding to freshly isolated human erythrocytes incubated at 37 C. We found that at 37 C, specific insulin binding to erythrocytes rose to and remained at equilibrium for the first 90 min of incubation; thereafter, it rose in a rapid linear fashion, directly related to the increase in the degradation of unbound insulin and paralleling the intensity of visible hemolysis. The rise in specific binding was intensified by conditions in which hemolysis was enhanced and attenuated by conditions designed to limit hemolysis or by agents capable of inhibiting the degradation of insulin despite hemolysis. Thus, gentle handling of the cells prevents hemolysis, the degradation of insulin, and the increase in apparent insulin binding. Furthermore, 5% albumin, 2.5 mM iV-ethylmaleimide, or excess unlabeled insulin (100 μg/ml) inhibited insulin degradation (even in the presence of hemolysis) and prevented the rise in insulin binding. ...
Promoting Discourse about Socioscientific Issues through Scaffolded Inquiry

This case study investigated the implementation of an inquiry‐based curricular unit that was designed to promote student discourse and debate on aspects related to the nature of science, using a socioscientific issue of genetically modified foods. Two high school science classrooms participated in the study that took place over seven consecutive 1.5‐h period blocks. The researchers utilized qualitative procedures to analyze students’ views on the nature of science as expressed through their answers to online and interview questions, and to examine features of argumentation and discourse in the final classroom debate. The students’ answers to questions related to the nature of science reflected conceptions of the tentative, creative, subjective, and social aspects of science. Yet aspects of the nature of science did not enter into the debate discussions. Instead students utilized more factual‐based content of the evidence that ultimately led into numerous instances of fallacious reasoning and personal atta...
Fallout plutonium in two oxic-anoxic environments1

The profiles of soluble fallout plutonium in two partially anoxic waters revealed minimum concentrations at the 02-H2S interface, indicating Pu removal onto particulate phases of Fe and other oxidized species that form during the redox cycle. In Saanich Inlet, an intermittently anoxic fjord in Vancouver Island, Canada, the concentration of soluble Pu in the anoxic zone was slightly less than in the oxygenated surface layer. In Soap Lake, a saline meromictic lake in eastern Washington State, Pu concentrations in the permanently anoxic zone were at least an order of magnitude higher than at the surface. Differences in the chemical characteristics of these two waters suggest important chemical species that influenced the observed Pu distribution. In the permanently anoxic zone of Soap Lake, high values of total alkalinity ranging from 940 to 1,500 meq liter-‘, sulfide species from 38 to 128 FM, dissolved organic carbon from 163 to 237 mg liter-‘, and total dissolved solids from 80 to 140 ppt, all correlated with the observed high concentration of Pu. In Saanich Inlet, where total alkalinity ranged from 2.1 to 2.4 meq liter-’ and salinity from 25 to 32%~ and H,S concentration in May 198 1 showed a maximum of 8 PM, the observed Pu concentrations were significantly lower than for the Soap Lake monimolimnion.
A discrete ubiquitin-mediated network regulates the strength of NOD2 signaling

Dysregulation of NOD2 signaling is implicated in the pathology of various inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease, asthma, and sarcoidosis, making signaling proteins downstream of NOD2 potential therapeutic targets. Inhibitor-of-apoptosis (IAP) proteins, particularly cIAP1, are essential mediators of NOD2 signaling, and in this work, we describe a molecular mechanism for cIAP1's regulation in the NOD2 signaling pathway. While cIAP1 promotes RIP2's tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent NOD2 signaling, this positive regulation is countered by another E3 ubiquitin ligase, ITCH, through direct ubiquitination of cIAP1. This ITCH-mediated ubiquitination leads to cIAP1's lysosomal degradation. Pharmacologic inhibition of cIAP1 expression in ITCH−/− macrophages attenuates heightened ITCH−/− macrophage muramyl dipeptide-induced responses. Transcriptome analysis, combined with pharmacologic inhibition of cIAP1, further defines specific pathways within the NOD2 signaling pathway that are targeted by cIAP1. This information provides genetic signatures that may be useful in repurposing cIAP1-targeted therapies to correct NOD2-hyperactive states and identifies a ubiquitin-regulated signaling network centered on ITCH and cIAP1 that controls the strength of NOD2 signaling.
Transient Harman Measurement of the Cross-plane ZT of InGaAs/InGaAlAs Superlattices with Embedded ErAs Nanoparticles

The transient Harman technique is used to characterize the cross-plane ZT of InGaAs/InGaAlAs superlattice structures with embedded ErAs nanoparticles in the well layers. ErAs nanoparticles have proven to substantially reduce the thermal conductivity while slightly increasing the electrical conductivity of bulk InGaAs. The InGaAs/InGaAlAs superlattice structure was designed to have a barrier height of approximately 200meV. Although ErAs nanoparticles provide free carriers inside the semiconductor matrix, additional doping with Si increased the Fermi energy to just below the barrier height. The bipolar transient Harman technique was used to measure device ZT of samples with different superlattice thicknesses in order to extract the intrinsic cross-plane ZT of the superlattice by eliminating the effects of device Joule heating and parasitics. High-speed packaging is used to reduce signal ringing due to electrical impedance mismatch and achieve a short time resolution of roughly 100ns in transient Seebeck voltage measurement. The measured intrinsic cross-plane ZT of the superlattice structure is 0.13 at room temperature. This value agrees with calculations based on the Boltzmann transport equation and direct measurements of specific film properties. Theoretical calculations predict cross-plane ZT of the superlattice to be greater than 1 at temperatures greater than 700K.
CD36: a class B scavenger receptor involved in angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and lipid metabolism

CD36, identified more than a quarter of a century ago as a platelet integral membrane glycoprotein (glycoprotein IV), was until recently best known as a receptor for thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). TSP-1 is found in ECMs and platelet α granules, and it participates in cell attachment, motility, and proliferation, as well as in modulation of protease activity, TGF-β activation, neurite outgrowth, and angiogenesis (1). Initially, this receptor-ligand pair was shown to mediate interactions between platelets and monocytes, tumor cells, and matrix. Since then, CD36 has been implicated in multiple biological processes that define it as a multiligand scavenger receptor (see ref. 2 for review). These ligands appear remarkably diverse: In addition to TSP-1, they include long-chain fatty acids, modified LDL, retinal photoreceptor outer segments, Plasmodium falciparum malaria-parasitized erythrocytes, sickle erythrocytes, anionic phospholipids, apoptotic cells, and collagens I and IV. The biology of CD36 can be broadly divided in terms of functions that it mediates with or without TSP-1, but it is probable that it acts in concert with other proteins, such as fatty acid–binding proteins, caveola-associated proteins, integrins, cytoskeletal proteins, and signaling molecules, to effect its diverse functions.
Could Exercise Metabolomics Pave the Way for Gymnomimetics

Regular physical activity and especially aerobic exercise are associated with reduced risk of disease and enhanced longevity, but the molecular mechanisms of these health benefits remain obscure. A comprehensive metabolomic approach was used to characterize the changes in blood levels of >200 metabolites upon vigorous exercise and identified two dozen that changed substantially. One, niacinamide, is intimately related to the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and its reduced form NADH, which is in turn linked with exercise capacity as well as health status. Intensive investigation of metabolic changes with exercise could lead to pharmacological attempts to mimic the beneficial effects of exercise, an approach we term "gymnomimetics."
Combined fourier transform and discrete variational method approach to the self-consistent solution of the electronic band structure problem within the local density formalism

This novel approach combines a discrete variational treatment of all potential terms arising from the superposition of the spherical overlapping atomic charge densities with a rapidly convergent Fourier series representation of all multicenter nonspherical potential terms. The basis set consists of the exact numerical atomic valence orbitals, augmented by charge transfer states, virtual atomic states, and single analytic Slater orbitals for increased variational flexibility. The initial potential is a non-muffin-tin overlapping atomic potential including nongradient local density exchange and correlation terms. Full self-consistency is obtained by a procedure that combines an iterative scheme within the superposition model with a self-consistent optimization of the Fourier components of the nonspherical charge density terms. Ground-state properties such as structure factors and cohesive energy are computed. The results for diamond show very good agreement with experiment. Comparison of the results with the Hartree–Fock calculation is discussed.
Decentralization in Replicated Club Economies with Multiple Private Goods

Abstract We show that “exhaustion of blocking opportunities” is a sufficient condition such that every allocation in the core of a replicated club economy can be decentralized as a competitive equilibrium, and that a related condition “efficient scale” is necessary and—under an assumption on endowments—sufficient such that competitive equilibrium exists and the core is nonempty. These results do not require the Euclidean structure and monotonicity assumed in Lindahl equilibrium, do not require convexity of preferences or costs, and do not require the strong assumption that private goods are “essential”. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D46, D50, D61, H40.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), long recognised as the major viral pathogen of the lower respiratory tract of infants, has also been implicated in severe lung disease in adults, especially the elderly. This fact, and the demonstration that passive prophylaxis with either polyclonal or monoclonal antibody to RSV prevents severe lung disease in high-risk infants and children, has led to renewed interest in the immune mechanisms surrounding protection, and the development of vaccines
Infant Sleeping Arrangements and Practices During the First Year of Life

OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to examine the sleeping arrangements for infants from birth to 1 year of age and to assess the association between such arrangements and maternal characteristics. METHODS. Responses to the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month questionnaires from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II were analyzed to assess sleep arrangements, including bed sharing, the latter defined as mother ever (in a given time frame) slept with the infant on the same sleeping surface for nighttime sleep. Women were also asked about the reasons for bed sharing or not bed sharing. RESULTS. Approximately 2300 women responded at 3 months, and 1800 at 12 months. At 3 months, 85% of the infants slept in the same room as their mother, and at 12 months that rate was 29%. At 3 months, 26% of the mothers did not use the recommended supine position for their infant9s nighttime sleep. The rate of noncompliance increased to 29% by 6 months and 36% by 12 months. The bed-sharing rates were 42% at 2 weeks, 34% at 3 months, and 27% at 12 months. Approximately two thirds of those who bed shared with their infant also shared the bed with their husband or partner, and 5% to 15% shared it with other children. The major reasons for bed sharing were to calm a fussy infant, facilitate breastfeeding, and help the infant and/or mother sleep better. The major reasons for not lying down with the infant were safety concerns. Non-Hispanic black mothers were more likely than non-Hispanic white mothers to use nonsupine infant sleep positions and to bed share. CONCLUSIONS. More than one third of the women in this cohort were noncompliant with safe-sleeping guidelines when their infant was 3 months old. Health care providers need to advise parents of current recommendations and discuss the risks and benefits of their choices for infant sleeping practices.
Impacts of Labile Organic Carbon Concentration on Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Utilization by a Stream Biofilm Bacterial Community

In aquatic ecosystems, carbon (C) availability strongly influences nitrogen (N) dynamics. One manifestation of this linkage is the importance in the dissolved organic matter (DOM) pool of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), which can serve as both a C and an N source, yet our knowledge of how specific properties of DOM influence N dynamics are limited. To empirically examine the impact of labile DOM on the responses of bacteria to DON and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), bacterial abundance and community composition were examined in controlled laboratory microcosms subjected to various combinations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), DON, and DIN treatments. Bacterial communities that had colonized glass beads incubated in a stream were treated with various glucose concentrations and combinations of inorganic and organic N (derived from algal exudate, bacterial protein, and humic matter). The results revealed a strong influence of C availability on bacterial utilization of DON and DIN, with preferential uptake of DON under low C concentrations. Bacterial DON uptake was affected by the concentration and by its chemical nature (labile versus recalcitrant). Labile organic N sources (algal exudate and bacterial protein) were utilized equally well as DIN as an N source, but this was not the case for the recalcitrant humic matter DON treatment. Clear differences in bacterial community composition among treatments were observed based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) of 16S rRNA genes. C, DIN, and DON treatments likely drove changes in bacterial community composition that in turn affected the rates of DON and DIN utilization under various C concentrations.
Nonsecretory multiple myeloma

The clinical features and disease course of 29 consecutive multiple myeloma patients without monoclonal globulins are described. This variant accounted for 4.7% of all patients with this disease referred over a 17 year time span. Despite bone marrow plasmacytosis and multiple bone lesions in all, hemoglobin levels were less frequently depressed and immunoglobulin values more frequently preserved in comparison with typical myeloma patients. A low tumor mass was defined in 69%, in comparison with 24% of those with evidence of myeloma protein production. Such earlier disease contributed to the long median survival of 39 months in these patients, a duration about 1 year longer than that of typical patients.
A five focal point three-dimensional bootlace lens with scanning in two planes

Bootlace lenses have traditionally offered great design flexibility without the excessive cost and reflectability difficulties of phased arrays. The authors propose improving the current lens technology by developing a five focal point lens with scanning capability in two planes. As with previously developed multifocal bootlace lenses, specifying several adjacent perfectly focused scanned beams gives a well-focused field of view across the region bounded by the focal points. The entire aperture is used for all beams, providing optimum efficiency for this antenna. This lens will be able to communicate with all points within a diamond-shaped angular region of space. Preliminary results indicate that the axes of this diamond can be as large as +or-40 degrees in azimuth and +or-25 degrees in elevation. >
25 years of dust acoustic waves

The dust acoustic wave (DAW) was first discussed by P. K. Shukla in May of 1989 at the First Capri Workshop on Dusty Plasmas. In the past 25 years, the subsequent publication of the linear and nonlinear properties of the DAW (Rao, N. N., Shukla, P. K. and Yu, M. Y. 1990 Planet. Space Sci.38, 543) has generated and sustained a large body of theoretical and experimental research that has clarified the physics of collective effects in dusty plasmas. A unique feature of the DAW is that it can be observed (literally) using laser illumination and high-speed videography, revealing details of wave-particle interactions at an unprecedented single particle level. This paper attempts to review some of the contributions and extensions of dust acoustic wave physics, as well as identify recent findings that illustrate the potential importance of this dust wave in the agglomeration of dust particles.
Policy capacity in public administration

The majority of the policy work of government is done through the organizations that constitute the public bureaucracy . Even when administrative organizations act as agents for political leaders, rather than making policy on their own, they play a number of important roles in making policy and in making policies perform as intended by the actors who designed them. Policy capacity can be found in almost any public bureaucracy, but a variety of factors influence the capacity for public administration to shape public policy. This chapter discusses the policy tasks of bureaucracies and their “policy work” (Working for policy, Amsterdam University Press, Amsterdam, 2010) from the perspective of the organizational and structural characteristics of these institutions. The chapter also explores the different contexts in which bureaucratic organizations operate and discusses alternative patterns of policy roles for bureaucracies based on their own capacities and the capacities of other actors in the policymaking process.
Photoconductivity of CdTe Nanocrystal-Based Thin Films: Te2– Ligands Lead To Charge Carrier Diffusion Lengths Over 2 μm

We report on photoconductivity of films of CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) using time-resolved microwave photoconductivity (TRMC). Spherical and tetrapodal CdTe NCs with tunable size-dependent properties are studied as a function of surface ligand (including inorganic molecular chalcogenide species) and annealing temperature. Relatively high carrier mobility is measured for films of sintered tetrapod NCs (4 cm2/(V s)). Our TRMC findings show that Te2– capped CdTe NCs show a marked improvement in carrier mobility (11 cm2/(V s)), indicating that NC surface termination can be altered to play a crucial role in charge-carrier mobility even after the NC solids are sintered into bulk films.
Ceramic Process Variation Impact on Electrical Design Of High Frequency Components

The design and operation of high frequency microwave components and high-speed interconnects depends strongly on well characterized material technologies for robust, consistent, and repeatable performance from part to part. While characterization of the electrical and mechanical material properties is extremely important, the processing of the material into making structures is equally important. The process ultimately determines structure dimensional tolerances that will impact electrical performance, especially at high speed digital signal and high frequency applications. Understanding these tolerances, and their RF impact, can assist in selecting a material set based on process in addition to the published material electrical properties. This paper examines key electrical performance properties of two ceramic microwave components, a tapped line filter and an edge coupled microstrip filter, as a function of structure variations by use of a combination of a full-wave electromagnetic simulation tool and a...
Dynamics of Film Boiling in AC Electric Fields

Direct numerical simulations are performed to explore the effect of AC electric fields on film boiling of liquids at horizontal flat surfaces. The simulation results show that the application of the electric field leads to a substantial increase in the Nusselt number and that the Nusselt number correlates well with the instantaneous strength of the electric field. The effect of the dielectric properties of the liquid and vapor phase on the interface stability and free charge build up is discussed and it is shown that the direction and strength of the electric stresses at the interface depends on these parameters in a subtle way.
Ultrafast Two-Electron Transfer in a CdS Quantum Dot-Extended-Viologen Cyclophane Complex

Time-resolved optical spectroscopies reveal multielectron transfer from the biexcitonic state of a CdS quantum dot to an adsorbed tetracationic compound cyclobis(4,4′-(1,4-phenylene) bipyridin-1-ium-1,4-phenylene-bis(methylene)) (ExBox4+) to form both the ExBox3+• and the doubly reduced ExBox2(+•) states from a single laser pulse. Electron transfer in the single-exciton regime occurs in 1 ps. At higher excitation powers the second electron transfer takes ∼5 ps, which leads to a mixture of redox states of the acceptor ligand. The doubly reduced ExBox2(+•) state has a lifetime of ∼10 ns, while CdS+•:ExBox3+• recombines with multiple time constants, the longest of which is ∼300 μs. The long-lived charge separation and ability to accumulate multiple charges on ExBox4+ demonstrate the potential of the CdS:ExBox4+ complex to serve as a platform for two-electron photocatalysis.