cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microscale Extraction of Liquid Oxygen from a Cryogenic Mixture Formed through Condensation of Ambient Air

This demonstration extracts liquid oxygen from a cryogenic mixture collected through condensation using a small neodymium magnet. In a simple and inexpensive procedure, small amounts of liquid oxygen can be safely collected and observed. Students directly witness the collection of this cryogenic mixture over a 30 minute time period and the subsequent immediate removal of small quantities (ca. <1 mL) of liquid oxygen as a consequence of its paramagnetic properties. Several techniques are suggested that allow the efficient handling and display of the magnet used for the extraction. Although framed here in the context of an introductory chemistry or general chemistry course, these procedures can easily be adapted to general-interest audiences or more advanced undergraduate chemistry courses.
Solar Power via Satellite

The possibilities for using satellite solar power stations for large-scale power generation on earth, converting solar energy into microwave energy, transmitting it to the earth’s surface, and transforming it into electricity have recently been explored. The current state of technology and the necessary developments for accomplishing the four functions, i.e., collection of solar energy, conversion to and transmission of microwaves and rectification to DC on the ground, are reviewed. The requirements for flight control, earth-to-orbit transportation, and orbital assembly are discussed. Environmental issues, including impact of waste heat release, water injection into the upper atmosphere by space vehicle exhaust, noise pollution, and location of antenna sites are listed. Biological effects and radio frequency interference are explored. The time frame for accomplishing the operational system is outlined.
Visual verification of close disposition between a rice A genome-specific DNA sequence (TrsA) and the telomere sequence

A rice A genome-specific tandem repeat sequence (TrsA) and telomeric nucleotide sequences, (TTTAGGG)n, were simultaneously detected by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (McFISH) using rice prometaphase chromosomes. Six pairs of TrsA sites visualized by fluorescence signals were all localized on the long arms close to the telomeric regions. Differences in the copy number of TrsA at the different sites were visualized both by the size of the telomeric condensation block stained with Giemsa solution and the signal intensity after FISH with TrsA. McFISH analyses using interphase nuclei could resolve close disposition of TrsA and telomere and also gave rough estimation of the distance between them. The functional significance of the close disposition of TrsA and telomere is discussed.
Adequacy of International Codes of Behavior

International codes of corporate behavior have been proposed, discussed, negotiated, and promulgated by governments, transnational corporations, and inter-corporate associations over the past few decades. It is not clear that they have been resoundingly as successful in changing corporate behavior – particularly as to corruption and environmental protection – as have national government requirements imposed on foreign enterprises and their own officials. This article arrays the many attempts to structure cooperative action to re-order corporate behavior on several dimensions – restrictive business practices, labor conditions, human rights, environmental production, and corruption. It then assesses the extent to which behavior has been changed and what techniques are more effective in making corporate behavior more ethical.
Applications of decellularized extracellular matrix in bone and cartilage tissue engineering

Regenerative therapies for bone and cartilage injuries are currently unable to replicate the complex microenvironment of native tissue. There are many tissue engineering approaches attempting to address this issue through the use of synthetic materials. Although synthetic materials can be modified to simulate the mechanical and biochemical properties of the cell microenvironment, they do not mimic in full the multitude of interactions that take place within tissue. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been established as a biomaterial that preserves a tissue's native environment, promotes cell proliferation, and provides cues for cell differentiation. The potential of dECM as a therapeutic agent is rising, but there are many limitations of dECM restricting its use. This review discusses the recent progress in the utilization of bone and cartilage dECM through applications as scaffolds, particles, and supplementary factors in bone and cartilage tissue engineering.
Magnesium alterations of graft immune cells (MAGIC).

e18541Background: Magnesium plays important roles in cellular processes. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation provides potentially curative therapy to patients with a variety of hemat...
Volatile emissions of plant tissue cultures

The low-molecular-weight volatiles released by a variety of plant tissue cultures were examined by gas chromatography. Callus cultures invariably produced carbon dioxide, ethylene, acetaldehyde and ethanol. In cultures with developed shoots, ethanol was absent and acetaldehyde was detected only rarely.
Trunk muscle forces and spinal loads in persons with unilateral transfemoral amputation during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit activities.

Abstract Background Alterations and asymmetries in trunk motions during activities of daily living, involving lower extremities, are suggested to cause higher spinal loads in persons with unilateral lower limb amputation. Given the repetitive nature of most activities of daily living, knowledge of the amount of increase in spinal loads is important for designing interventions aimed at prevention of secondary low back pain due to potential fatigue failure of spinal tissues. The objective of this study was to determine differences in trunk muscle forces and spinal loads between persons with and without lower limb amputation when performing sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. Methods Kinematics of the pelvis and thorax, obtained from ten males with unilateral transfemoral lower limb amputation and 10 male uninjured controls when performing sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit activities, were used within a non-linear finite element model of the spine to estimate trunk muscle forces and resultant spinal loads. Findings The peak compression force, medio-lateral (only during stand-to-sit), and antero-posterior shear forces were respectively 348 N, 269 N, and 217 N larger in person with vs. without amputation. Persons with amputation also experienced on average 171 N and 53 N larger mean compression force and medio-lateral shear force, respectively. Interpretation While spinal loads were larger in persons with amputation, these loads were generally smaller than the reported threshold for spinal tissue injury. However, a rather small increase in spinal loads during common activities of daily living like walking, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit may nevertheless impose a significant risk of fatigue failure for spinal tissues due to the repetitive nature of these activities.
Bile Duct Brush Cytology

The determination of biliary strictures as benign or malignant is challenging in clinical practice. It requires a multidisciplinary approach comprising of clinical, imaging, and pathologic findings. Most of the biliary strictures are malignant, the most common malignancies being pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, cholangiocarcinomas, and peri-ampullary carcinomas. The diagnosis of malignancy aids in early treatment if the tumor is resectable. If unresectable, it helps in planning palliative care. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided brush cytology is considered the preferred method for tissue diagnosis of biliary strictures. Histologic sampling in this area can be problematic due to high rate of complications and associated artifacts from tissue crushing and distortion. The sensitivity of brush cytology for diagnosing malignancy ranges from 30% to 89% as per various studies. However, its specificity for malignancy approaches 100%. This chapter discusses the nuances of cytologic features of bile duct brushings (BDB), the diagnostic challenges, and the ancillary studies that can assist in their evaluation.
How ideological network influences terrorist attack tactics? An empirical study

Global news reflects the inefficiency of the current counterterrorism strategy. The number of terrorist attacks worldwide continues to grow. Multiple studies have not yet discovered how the configu...
Gastric vagal afferent neuropathy following experimental spinal cord injury

Abstract Dramatic impairment of gastrointestinal (GI) function accompanies high-thoracic spinal cord injury (T3-SCI). The vagus nerve contains mechano- and chemosensory fibers as well as the motor fibers necessary for the central nervous system (CNS) control of GI reflexes. Cell bodies for the vagal afferent fibers are located within the nodose gangla (NG) and the majority of vagal afferent axons are unmyelinated C fibers that are sensitive to capsaicin through activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels. Vagal afferent fibers also express receptors for GI hormones, including cholecystokinin (CCK). Previously, T3-SCI provokes a transient GI inflammatory response as well as a reduction of both gastric emptying and centrally-mediated vagal responses to GI peptides, including CCK. TRPV1 channels and CCK-A receptors (CCKar) expressed in vagal afferents are upregulated in models of visceral inflammation. The present study investigated whether T3-SCI attenuates peripheral vagal afferent sensitivity through plasticity of TRPV1 and CCK receptors. Vagal afferent response to graded mechanical stimulation of the stomach was significantly attenuated by T3-SCI at 3-day and 3-week recovery. Immunocytochemical labeling for CCKar and TRPV1 demonstrated expression on dissociated gastric-projecting NG neurons. Quantitative assessment of mRNA expression by qRT-PCR revealed significant elevation of CCKar and TRPV1 in the whole NG following T3-SCI in 3-day recovery, but levels returned to normal after 3-weeks. Three days after injury, systemic administration of CCK-8 s showed a significantly diminished gastric vagal afferent response in T3-SCI rats compared to control rats while systemic capsaicin infusion revealed a significant elevation of vagal response in T3-SCI vs control rats. These findings demonstrate that T3-SCI provokes peripheral remodeling and prolonged alterations in the response of vagal afferent fibers to the physiological signals associated with digestion.
‘It’s So Hard Not to be Funny in This Situation’: Memes and Humor in U.S. Youth Online Political Expression:

In light of the promise of humorous political memes as popular routes to citizen empowerment as well as concerns over their potential dangers, it is necessary to examine how everyday citizens make ...
Chapter 4 – Electronic Devices

Publisher Summary There have now been many demonstrations of nanoscale electronic devices ranging from two-terminal rectifiers to field-effect transistors. These demonstrations have spurred tremendous interest in the field of carbon nanotube electronics for several reasons. First, for a single nanotube device, the channel width is on the order of one nanometer, much smaller than the state-of-the-art silicon transistors, promising higher device densities. Second, carbon nanotubes have low defect density, and an electronic transport is expected to be less affected by defect scattering. Third, the carrier distribution is not as sensitive to temperature variations due to the van Hove singularities at the band edges. Finally, quantum confinement should be easier to achieve because of the small channel width, and thus single-electron devices should be more readily available. Balancing these advantages is the fact that the knowledge base, fundamental understanding, fabrication infrastructure, and device design are much less developed for carbon nanotubes compared to silicon.
Low motional impedance distributed Lamé mode resonators for high frequency timing applications.

This paper presents a novel high-Q silicon distributed Lame mode resonator (DLR) for VHF timing reference applications. The DLR employs the nature of shear wave propagation to enable a cascade of small square Lame modes in beam or frame configurations with increased transduction area. Combined with high efficiency nano-gap capacitive transduction, it enables low motional impedances while scaling the frequency to VHF range. The DLR designs are robust against common process variations and demonstrate high manufacturability across different silicon substrates and process specifications. Fabricated DLRs in beam and frame configurations demonstrate high performance scalability with high Q-factors ranging from 50 to 250 k, motional impedances 90 °C in the VHF range, and are fabricated using a wafer-level-packaged HARPSS process. Packaged devices show excellent robustness against temperature cycling, device thinning, and aging effects, which makes them a great candidate for stable high frequency references in size-sensitive and power-sensitive 5 G and other IoT applications. Timing resonators are crucial components in a range of electronic devices, where they provide a time-based reference, commonly used in consumer electronics, automotive and industrial settings. Square Lame mode resonators enable a silicon-based timing resonator with high Q-factor and high-temperature stability. However, they have certain limitations, primarily at VHF ranges. Now, a team from Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, led by Farrokh Ayazi have designed and fabricated timing resonators that utilize the in-plane shear nature of the Lame mode to create distributed resonance which overcome the limitations of conventional timing resonators. Combined with high efficiency nano-gap capacitive transduction, they enable low motional impedances with increased transduction area, while scaling the frequency to VHF range. These DLR designs are robust against common process variations and demonstrate high manufacturability across different silicon substrates and process specifications.
Merging Strategy, Improvisation, and Conversation to Solve Problems in Target Synthesis.

ConspectusTotal synthesis has long been depicted as the quest to conquer the structures created by nature, requiring an unflinching, single-minded devotion to the task. The goal is achieved by chem...
A Population-Based Examination of Suicide and Child Protection System Involvement.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to provide a population-based analysis of child protection system (CPS) involvement among children and adolescents who died by suicide. Methods We performed a case–control study of child and adolescent suicide and CPS involvement. Using linked birth, death, and CPS records, we longitudinally followed all children born in California in 1999 and 2000 (N = 1,052,333) in CPS and death records through 2017. Cases were defined as children who died in California and had a manner of death coded as suicide using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (n = 170). Each suicide case was matched to four living controls, and children were classified based on CPS exposure: no history, reported for alleged child maltreatment, substantiated for child maltreatment, and placed in foster care. Crude suicide rates were documented, and conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds of suicide. Results Among children and adolescents who died by suicide, 56.5% had a history of past allegations of abuse or neglect. Children with any CPS history had three times the odds of suicide compared to children with no history. No additional risk was found for children substantiated or placed in foster care compared to children with only an allegation. Conclusions Suicide risk is not isolated to the relatively small group of children and youth placed in foster care. Findings reinforce the importance of increased attention to the experiences of the larger universe of children who remain at home after alleged or substantiated maltreatment.
Generating Ouroboros Polynomials and Ouroboros Matrices

Ouroboros functions have shown some interesting properties when subjected to conventional operations. The aim of this paper is to continue our investigation and prove some additional properties of these functions. Using algebraic methods, we demonstrate that a collection of second-order polynomials can be generated for any multivariable Ouroboros function of the form we have mentioned in previous works ([1] [2]). We then generalize this observation to higher-order polynomials using the properties of Ouroboros spaces and the results of some of our previously proven theorems. After discussing the generation of these polynomials, we conclude by constructing a matrix from them and provide a few comments on its structure and aesthetic, culminating in the derivation of an intuitive formula for the degree of the trace of the square cases of these matrices and the discussion of some future research prospects.
Molecular mechanism of prestin electromotive signal amplification

Hearing involves two fundamental processes: mechano-electrical transduction and signal amplification. Despite decades of studies, the molecular bases for both remain elusive. Here, we show how prestin, the electromotive molecule of outer hair cells (OHCs) that senses both voltage and membrane tension, mediates signal amplification by coupling conformational changes to alterations in membrane surface area. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of human prestin bound with chloride or salicylate at a common "anion site" adopt contracted or expanded states, respectively. Prestin is ensconced within a perimeter of well-ordered lipids, through which it induces dramatic deformation in the membrane and couples protein conformational changes to the bulk membrane. Together with computational studies, we illustrate how the anion site is allosterically coupled to changes in the transmembrane domain cross-sectional area and the surrounding membrane. These studies provide insight into OHC electromotility by providing a structure-based mechanism of the membrane motor prestin.
Sequence and genetic organization of a Zymomonas mobilis gene cluster that encodes several enzymes of glucose metabolism.

Abstract The Zymomonas mobilis genes that encode glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (zwf), 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase (edd), and glucokinase (glk) were cloned independently by genetic complementation of specific defects in Escherichia coli metabolism. The identity of these cloned genes was confirmed by various biochemical means. Nucleotide sequence analysis established that these three genes are clustered on the genome and revealed an additional open reading frame in this region that has significant amino acid identity to the E. coli xylose-proton symporter and the human glucose transporter. On the basis of this evidence and structural analysis of the deduced primary amino acid sequence, this gene is believed to encode the Z. mobilis glucose-facilitated diffusion protein, glf. The four genes in the 6-kb cluster are organized in the order glf, zwf, edd, glk. The glf and zwf genes are separated by 146 bp. The zwf and edd genes overlap by 8 bp, and their expression may be translationally coupled. The edd and glk genes are separated by 203 bp. The glk gene is followed by tandem transcriptional terminators. The four genes appear to be organized in an operon. Such an arrangement of the genes that govern glucose uptake and the first three steps of the Entner-Doudoroff glycolytic pathway provides the organism with a mechanism for carefully regulating the levels of the enzymes that control carbon flux into the pathway.
An Evaluation of Knife Handle Guarding

This research evaluated two variables affecting the performance of tang guards in preventing injury due to the hand slipping forward on a knife handle: the radius of transition from the handle to the blocking portion of the tang and the height of the tang. For the radii evaluated, there was no effect for either men or women. The guard height, however, did have a significant effect for both genders. There is a height, different for men and women, that appears to be critical. Guard heights exceeding this critical height do not enhance the capability of the guard to prevent the hand from slipping. Guard heights less than this critical value are less capable of preventing slipping.
Premise: traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are less effective and safe than targeted therapy with biologic response modifiers in rheumatoid arthritis

Multiple traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including hydroxychloroquine, gold, penicillamine, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, methotrexate, azathioprine, and cyclosporine, have been approved for use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Most patients discontinue these medications by 2 years due to loss of efficacy and/or toxicity. There are currently four biologic response modifiers (BRMs) commercially available: etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and anakinra. The question is whether these BRMs have a superior efficacy:tolerability ratio, allowing patients to remain on therapy significantly longer.
Microbial Approaches for the Enhanced Recovery of Methane and Oil from Mature Reservoirs

Given our current dependency on fossil fuels and the dwindling supplies thereof, efforts must be made to ensure availability of fossil fuels and to minimize the energy-associated environmental footprint. This chapter tries to indicate how biotechnology might assist in achieving these goals with specific respect to fossil energy reserves. Methane is now believed to be the primary by-product of anaerobic oil biodegradation in many petroliferous deposits. There are a number of microbial processes that are potentially useful, either to improve oil production rates from individual wells or to increase the ultimate amount of oil recovered from a reservoir. It is important to note that for most microbial oil recovery technologies, multiple products and activities are involved and it is likely that these act synergistically. The incomplete oxidation of hydrocarbons could generate alcohols or fatty acids from the hydrocarbon molecule or stimulate the production of biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers derived from microbial cells. Oil production of carbonaceous sandstone reservoirs in Romania increased by 30 to 40 barrels per day when treated with a mixed microbial population adapted for rapid growth under reservoir conditions with molasses as the substrate. Microbial oil recovery processes will gain more widespread acceptance and application only when quantitative measures of performance can be reliably obtained.
Distinctive patterns of alterations in proton efflux from goldfish retinal horizontal cells monitored with self-referencing H⁺-selective electrodes.

The H(+) hypothesis of lateral feedback inhibition in the outer retina predicts that depolarizing agents should increase H(+) release from horizontal cells. To test this hypothesis, self-referencing H(+) -selective microelectrodes were used to measure extracellular H(+) fluxes from isolated goldfish horizontal cells. We found a more complex pattern of cellular responses than previously observed from horizontal cells of other species examined using this technique. One class of cells had an initial standing signal indicative of high extracellular H(+) adjacent to the cell membrane; challenge with glutamate, kainate or high extracellular potassium induced an extracellular alkalinization. This alkalinization was reduced by the calcium channel blockers nifedipine and cobalt. A second class of cells displayed spontaneous oscillations in extracellular H(+) that were abolished by cobalt, nifedipine and low extracellular calcium. A strong correlation between changes in intracellular calcium and extracellular proton flux was detected in experiments simultaneously monitoring intracellular calcium and extracellular H(+) . A third set of cells was characterized by a standing extracellular alkalinization which was turned into an acidic signal by cobalt. In this last set of cells, addition of glutamate or high extracellular potassium did not significantly alter the proton signal. Taken together, the response characteristics of all three sets of neurons are most parsimoniously explained by activation of a plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase pump, with an extracellular alkalinization resulting from exchange of intracellular calcium for extracellular H(+) . These findings argue strongly against the hypothesis that H(+) release from horizontal cells mediates lateral inhibition in the outer retina.
Hatch rate of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818) eggs treated with 100 mg L−1 copper sulphate pentahydrate

Catfish hatcheries use copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) as an economical control for saprolegniasis on eggs. This study determines hatch rate of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818), eggs in hatching troughs containing 23.8 °C flow-through well water when treated with 100 mg L−1 CuSO4·5H2O (10 times the proposed therapeutic dose). Eggs were treated daily until the embryos reached the eyed stage. Fry survival in the control and 100 mg L−1 CuSO4·5H2O treatments was significantly different (15% and 71% respectively). This study demonstrates that there is a considerable margin of safety in using CuSO4·5H2O as a catfish egg treatment to control saprolegniasis.
Microbial combinatorics: a simplified approach for isolating insecticidal bacteria

Abstract Bacteria can control pest insects that damage food crops, vector diseases and defoliate trees. Conventionally, isolation of these bacteria has been from soil and sporadically from dead insects. A simplified approach for isolating insecticidal bacteria from soil using the target insect as the selective agent was employed in this study. Instead of isolating single strains of bacteria from soil and testing each individual strain for insect toxicity, mixtures of bacteria present in each soil sample were tested together directly for toxicity using Manduca sexta (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) as a model insect. Thirty-five soil suspensions or bacterial suspensions of the 40 suspensions tested killed at least one M. sexta larva. All but one bacterial culture isolated from dead larvae and retested for toxicity, killed at least one M. sexta larva. Nineteen bacterial strains isolated from larvae killed in the first test, were identical to the bacteria fed to the retested larvae. Of the 19 strains iso...
Political Development, Agriculture, and Ethnic Divisions: An African Perspective

: In this paper it is argued that political development is the key to long-run growth in developing nations. Political development is seen to be dependent on the extent to which a state or ruling elite's income is earned or unearned. The availability of earned income is linked to the structure and productivity of the agricultural sector. Applying the analysis to the sub-Saharan African experience involves taking into account three factors: the international environment, the ethnic division of societies as a result of colonization, and the urban bias which characterized the economic strategy of the newly independent African states. As a result, agriculture collapsed, the ruling elite became increasingly dependent on unearned income, political underdevelopment occurred. The collapse of state authority significantly impoverished the region and resulted in significant civil conflict. Any long-run solution must incorporate a broad-based expansion in agricultural productivity.
Identification of metastasis‐associated proteins in a human tumor metastasis model using the mass‐mapping technique

For most cancer cell types, the acquisition of metastatic ability leads to clinically incurable disease. The identification of molecules whose expression is specifically correlated with the metastatic spread of cancer would facilitate the design of therapeutic interventions to inhibit this lethal process. In order to facilitate metastasis gene discovery we have previously characterized a pair of monoclonal cell lines from the human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435 that have different metastatic phenotypes in immune-compromised mice. In this study, serum-free conditioned media was collected from the cultured monoclonal cell lines and a mass mapping technique was applied in order to profile a component of each cell line proteome. We utilized chromatofocusing in the first dimension to obtain a high resolution separation based on protein pI, and nonporous silica reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography was used for the second dimension. Selected proteins were identified on the basis of electrospray ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS) intact protein mapping and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) peptide mass fingerprinting. Using this approach we were able to map over 400 proteins and plot them as a 2-D map of pI versus accurate M(r). This was performed over a pI range of 4.0-6.2, and a mass range of 6-80 kDa. ESI-TOF MS data and further analysis using MALDI-TOF MS confirmed and identified 27 differentially expressed proteins. Proteins associated with the metastatic phenotype included osteopontin and extracellular matrix protein 1, whereas the matrix metalloproteinase-1 and annexin 1 proteins were associated with the non-metastatic phenotype. These findings demonstrate that the mass mapping technique is a powerful tool for the detection and identification of proteins in complex biological samples and which are specifically associated with a cellular phenotype.
Performance Comparisons of III–V and Strained-Si in Planar FETs and Nonplanar FinFETs at Ultrashort Gate Length (12 nm)

The exponential miniaturization of Si complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology has been a key to the electronics revolution. However, the downscaling of the gate length becomes the biggest challenge to maintain higher speed, lower power, and better electrostatic integrity for each following generation. Both industry and academia have been studying new device architectures and materials to address this challenge. In preparation for the 12-nm technology node, this paper assesses the performance of the In0.75Ga0.25As of III-V semiconductor compounds and strained-Si channel nanoscale transistors with identical dimensions. The impact of the channel material property and the device architecture on the ultimate performance of ballistic transistors is theoretically analyzed. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional real-space ballistic quantum transport models are employed with band structure nonparabolicity. The simulation results indicate three conclusions: 1) the In0.75Ga0.25As FETs do not outperform strained-Si FETs; 2) triple-gate Fin-shaped Field Effect Transistor (FinFET) surely represent the best architecture for sub-15-nm gate contacts, independently from the material choice; and 3) the simulations results further show that the overall device performance is very strongly influenced by the source and drain resistances.
Is Helicobacter pylori a cause of nonulcer dyspepsia.

The term “dyspepsia” means different things to different physicians. While no internationally accepted definition exits, one group of investigators defined dyspepsia to be upper abdominal or retrosternal pain, discomfort, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, or other symptom considered to be referrable to the proximal alimentary tract [8]. Although such a definition is probably too broad to be clinically useful, other groups have approached the problem in this way [2, 10, 22]. The majority of patients who present to physicians with chronic or recurrent dyspepsia, however it is defined, do not have a peptic ulcer or definite evidence of organic disease when investigated; such patients have been generally labelled as suffering from nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) [48].
Nature of the process of overdriven shocks in metals

Within the bounds established by the formal theory of overdriven shocks in solids, an approximate solution is constructed, and a consistent set of approximations for the thermodynamic coefficients is described. Numerical calculations of the temperature, entropy, shear stress, and plastic strain, as functions of compression, are shown for shocks up to 0.8 Mbar in 2024 A1, and up to 3.0 Mbar in Pt. For well-overdriven shocks in metals the shock entropy is generated by heat conduction in the front part of the shock, the heat is generated by plastic flow in the last part of the shock, and the shock rise time is of order ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ s.
The effect of submergence, ethylene and gibberellin on polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes in deepwater-rice internodes.

Submergence and treatment with ethylene or gibberellic acid (GA3) stimulates rapid growth in internodes of deepwater rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. “Habiganj Aman II”). This growth is based on greatly enhanced rate of cell-division activity in the intercalary meristem (IM) and on increased cell elongation. We chose polyamine biosynthesis as a biochemical marker for cell-division activity in the IM of rice stems. Upon submergence of the plant, the activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC; EC 4.1.1.50) in the IM increased six- to tenfold within 8 h; thereafter, SAMDC activity declined. Arginine decarboxylase (ADC; EC 4.1.1.19) showed a similar but less pronounced increase in activity. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC 4.1.1.17) in the IM was not affected by submergence. The levels of putrescine and spermidine also rose in the IM of submerged, whole plants while the concentration of spermine remained low. The increase in SAMDC activity was localized in the IM while the activity of ADC rose both in the node and the IM above it. The node also contained low levels of ODC activity which increased slightly following submergence. Increased activities of polyamine-synthesizing enzymes in the nodal region of submerged plants probably resulted from the promotion of adventitious root formation in the node. Treatment of excised rice-stem sections with ethylene or GA3 enhanced the activities of SAMDC and ADC in the IM and inhibited the decline in the levels of putrescine and spermidine. We conclude that SAMDC and perhaps also ADC may serve as biochemical markers for the enhancement of cell-division activity in the IM of deepwater rice.
Public goods and the paying public

This paper proposes a way to undercut anarchist objections to taxation without endorsing an authoritarian justification of government coercion. The argument involves public goods, as understood by economists and others. But I do not analyse options of autonomous prisoners and the like; for, however useful otherwise, these abstractions underestimate the real-world task of sorting out the prerogatives of and limits on ownership. Proceeding more contextually, I come to recommend a shareholder addendum to the doctrine of public goods. This recommendation involves modifying the public goods argument for government coercion to include a contributor-specific compensation provisio, thinking of contributors as investors, and including among the latter those whose investment is in the form not of a market transaction strictly speaking but of sacrifice. To reach this recommendation I constrain the market liberal's limited endorsement of taxation by drawing on the (idealized) postcommunist privatizer's continuing commitment to populism.
A Model for the Governance of Federated Healthcare Information Systems

Modern healthcare is characterized by the increasing tendency for the health care records of a single patient to be dispersed throughout a complex network of health care providers. And some, or all, of such records, pertaining to a given patient, may have to be transfered to a provider to facilitate the treatment of this patient. Such transfer needs to be done quickly, because delays may adversely impacts the quality and cost of healthcare; and may, in some cases be a matter of life or death. But fast electronic transfer presents serious danger to the privacy and integrity of these records. This raises the need for governance, that is, for the formulation and enforcement of the societal policies and laws pertaining to the exchange of electronic healthcare records between the members of the often large and heterogeneous networks of healthcare providers. This paper introduces a reference model for such governance, which has the following characteristics, among others: (a) decentralized, and thus scalable, enforcement mechanism; (b) seamless and secure interoperation between health care providers operating under different policies, and under different administrative domains; (c) support for the naturally hierarchical organization of the policies that govern the exchange of health care records; (d) the ability to change policies while the system governed by them continues to operate.
Lateral line-mediated rheotactic behavior in tadpoles of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)

Tadpoles (Xenopus laevis) have a lateral line system whose anatomical structure has been described, but whose functional significance has not been closely examined. These experiments tested the hypothesis that the lateral line system is involved in rheotaxis. Tadpoles in developmental stages 47–56 oriented toward the source of a water current. Orientation was less precise after treatment with cobalt chloride or streptomycin, but was similar to that of untreated animals after exposure to gentamicin. In no current conditions, tadpoles exhibited a characteristic head-down posture by which they held themselves in the water column at an angle around 45°. This body posture became significantly less tilted in the presence of water current. Treatment with cobalt chloride or streptomycin increased the angle of tilt close to that seen in no current conditions, while gentamicin treatment tended to decrease tilt angle. The data are consistent with anatomical and physiological findings that tadpole neuromasts are similar to superficial, but not canal, neuromasts in fishes, and they suggest that the lateral line system is involved in both directional current detection and current-related postural adjustments in Xenopus.
Collision-induced dissociation and theoretical studies of Cu+-dimethoxyethane complexes.

Collision-induced dissociation of the dimethoxyethane (DXE) complexes with copper ions, Cu+(DXE)n, n = 1 and 2, is studied using kinetic energy dependent guided ion beam mass spectrometry. For Cu+(DXE)2, the only product formed corresponds to endothermic loss of a neutral ligand, while the Cu+(DXE) complex dissociates by several competitive channels. The cross-section thresholds for single ligand loss are interpreted to yield 0 and 298 K bond energies for Cu+-DXE and (DXE)Cu+-DXE after accounting for the effects of multiple ion-molecule collisions, internal energy of the reactant ions, and dissociation lifetimes. We find absolute 0 K bond dissociation energies for these complexes of 2.74 ± 0.08 and 1.87 ± 0.06 eV, respectively. These values are compared with theoretical values obtained using density functional and second order Moller-Plesset perturbation, MP2, theories. We also compare our results with previously studied alkali cation-ether complexes. Although Cu+ and all alkali cations have 1S electronic ground states, the comparison shows different trends for Cu+ because of hybridization effects involving the valence d-electrons.
Henslow's Sparrow Winter-Survival Estimates and Response to Prescribed Burning

Wintering Henslow's sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) populations rely on lands managed with prescribed burning, but the effects of various burn regimes on their overwinter survival are unknown. We studied wintering Henslow's sparrows in coastal pine savannas at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Jackson County, Mississippi, USA, during January and February 2001 and 2002. We used the known-fate modeling procedure in program MARK to evaluate the effects of burn age (1 or 2 growing seasons elapsed), burn season (growing, dormant), and calendar year on the survival rates of 83 radiomarked Henslow's sparrows. We found strong evidence that Henslow's sparrow survival rates differed by burn age (with higher survival in recently burned sites) and by year (with lower survival rates in 2001 likely because of drought conditions). We found some evidence that survival rates also differed by burn season (with higher survival in growing-season sites), although the effects of burn season were only apparent in recently burned sites. Avian predation was the suspected major cause of mortality (causing 6 of 14 deaths) with 1 confirmed loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) depredation. Our results indicated that recently burned savannas provide high-quality wintering habitats and suggested that managers can improve conditions for wintering Henslow's sparrows by burning a large percentage of savannas each year.
Comparison of extraction methods for quantifying extracellular polymers in biofilms

Five commonly used extraction methods - regular centrifugation, EDTA extraction, ultracentrifugation, steaming extraction and regular centrifugation with formaldehyde (RCF) - were selected to study their effectiveness and repeatability in extracting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from aerobic/sulfate reducing and nitrifying/denitrifying biofilm samples. Biofilm EPS extraction yields were represented by carbohydrate and protein concentrations; the amount of cell lysis during the extractions was indicated by DNA concentration. The results showed that analyzing wash waters is essential in quantifying biofilm EPS; the contribution of this step varied from 8-50% of the total carbohydrate yield, depending on the extraction method. Among the extraction methods, the RCF extraction gave the greatest carbohydrate yield, the steaming extraction gave the greatest protein yield, and the other three extraction methods gave approximately equivalent amounts of carbohydrate and proteins for both types of biofilm. DNA in the EPS was 27 times smaller than in the pellets, indicating no significant cell lysis occurred during the extractions.
The experimental phytotoxicology of germanium in relation to silicon.

The common belief that the sensitivity of plants to Ge is evidence for a Si requirement has been examined experimentally using barely, wheat, cucumber and radish cultivars. All 4 test plants were inhibited by Na2GeO3 (metagermanate) at 1 mM or less, including germination, shoot height, root length, and first leaf growth in barley and wheat. The application of Na2SiO3 (metasilicate) counteracted Ge-inhibition only in barley. Further, only barley growth was stimulated by the application of Na2SiO3. Necrotic lesions were characteristic of Ge-toxicity only in barley leaves, and were reduced when Na2SiO3 was supplied.
Heavy-particle path lengths in cylinders: Application to α-particle detection and dosimetry

Abstract From solid-angle considerations general expressions are derived for the differential and integral distributions of heavy-particle path lengths in cylinders. Application is made to the detection, spectrometry and dosimetry of α-rays in cylindrical systems. Experimental comparison is made with proportional counter differential spectra.
Fiber spinning from the nematic melt. VI: Flow instabilities in the 30:70 copolyester of hydroxybenzoic acid and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid

We have investigated the rheological properties of the Celanese copolyester with the composition 75 mol% p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 25 mol% 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid (designated as 75HBA/25HNA). Three different samples having inherent viscosities 3.0, 6.0, and 9.2 dL/g were studied. A flow instability is observed at low shear stress which produces an irregularity in the fiber diameter. The surface irregularity becomes less pronounced above a minimum shear stress, indicating that the flow instability originates in the capillary. For these nematic melts, the minimum shear stress marking the onset of more regular flow is found to decrease with increasing temperature and with decreasing inherent viscosity of the copolyester. The die swell ratio of extrudates decreases with increasing shear stress. Fibers were spun from the samples having ηinh = 9.2 and 3.0 dL/g. The initial modulus and tenacity to break for 75HBA/25HNA fibers spun at sufficiently high shear stress to produce smooth filaments are significantly lower than the values we previously reported for fibers of the 58HBA/42HNA copolyester. Moreover, the optimum properties are obtained at relatively low spin-draw ratios. The 75HBA/25HNA polyester also exhibits a yield stress which decreases with increasing temperature. This observation indicates the presence of crystallities at the test temperatures. We believe that the higher content of HBA in the present copolymer gives rise to crystallization of HBA blocks in the thread line and that defects are introduced at higher spin-draw ratios which cause the mechanical properties to become worse.
The Aedes albopictus inhibitor of apoptosis 1 gene protects vertebrate cells from bluetongue virus-induced apoptosis

We sequenced and characterized the inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) 1 gene from Aedes albopictus, designated as Aaiap1. The Aaiap1 gene rescued Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells from apoptosis when cotransfected with the Drosophila pro-apoptotic hid gene. The antiapoptotic function of the Aaiap1 gene was evaluated in the bluetongue virus (BTV)-induced apoptosis system. BTV infection induced apoptosis in vertebrate cells via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. This was shown by the translocation of cytochrome C and the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac, also known as DIABLO) from the mitochondria and the subsequent activation of caspase-9 and -3. Stable expression of the Aaiap1 gene in derivative baby hamster kidney cells delayed BTV-induced apoptosis by 24 h and reduced the BTV progeny yield by 10-fold. This study provides the first evidence that the mosquito AaIAP1 protein possesses antiapoptotic activity.