cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary photodissociation mechanisms of pyruvic acid on S1: observation of methylhydroxycarbene and its chemical reaction in the gas phase

Pyruvic acid, a representative alpha-keto carboxylic acid, is one of the few organic molecules destroyed in the troposphere by solar radiation rather than by reactions with free radicals. To date, only its stable final products were identified, often with contribution from secondary chemistry, making it difficult to elucidate photodissociation mechanisms following excitation to the lowest singlet excited-state (S1) and the role of the internal hydrogen bond in the most-stable Tc conformer. Using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry we report the first direct experimental evidence, via the observation of singlet methylhydroxycarbene (MHC) following 351 nm excitation, supporting the decarboxylation mechanism previously proposed. Decarboxylation to MHC + CO2 represents 97–100% of product branching at 351 nm. We observe vinyl alcohol and acetaldehyde, which we attribute to isomerization of MHC. We also observe a 3 ± 2% yield of the Norrish Type I photoproducts CH3CO + DOCO, but only from d1-pyruvic acid. At 4 Torr pressure, we measure a photodissociation quantum yield of 1.0+0−0.4, consistent with IUPAC recommendations. However, our measured product branching fractions disagree with IUPAC. In light of previous calculations, these results support a mechanism in which hydrogen transfer on the S1 excited state occurs at least partially by tunneling, in competition with intersystem crossing to the T1 state. We present the first evidence of a bimolecular reaction of MHC in the gas phase, where MHC reacts with pyruvic acid to produce a C4H8O2 product. This observation implies that some MHC produced from pyruvic acid in Earth's troposphere will be stabilized and participate in chemical reactions with O2 and H2O, and should be considered in atmospheric modeling.
Targeted Endodontic Microsurgery: A Retrospective Outcomes Assessment of 24 Cases.

Abstract Introduction Targeted endodontic microsurgery (TEMS) replaces freehand carbide or diamond bur osteotomy and root-end resection with a guided approach using an end-cutting trephine bur rotated within a guide tube. TEMS departs from traditional endodontic microsurgery in osteotomy size, control of resection level and bevel, surgical time, and resection method; yet, the impact of these departures on clinical outcomes has yet to be assessed. The aim of this study was to assess clinical outcomes of TEMS surgeries at least 1 year after treatment. Methods Potential cases were retrospectively identified from a secure database of all patients who received TEMS in the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School from June 2017–May 2019 with a postsurgical follow-up examination at 1 year or beyond (23 patients with 24 teeth). Two board-certified endodontists completed a calibration exercise before assessing radiographs. A retrospective outcomes assessment was conducted considering follow-up clinical and radiographic findings to assign 1 of 3 healing designations: complete healing, reductive healing, or failure. Results Combined clinical and radiographic data led to 20 designations of complete healing, 2 designations of reductive healing, and 2 failures (91.7% success rate). Considered alone, radiographic criteria for complete healing were met for 20 cases, reductive healing for 3 cases, and radiographic failure for 1 case. Conclusions This limited retrospective outcomes assessment is an early indication that TEMS-guided trephine bur root-end resection leads to similar success as is established for freehand carbide and diamond bur resection. Controlled clinical trials with long-term follow-up are warranted.
Future Treatment of Emphysema with Roles for Valves, Novel Strategies and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery

Although there are multiple pharmacologic and nonpharmacological options to alleviate symptoms of emphysema, none of these treatment modalities halts disease progression. The expanding disease burden has led to development of innovative therapeutic strategies that also aim to induce lung volume reduction. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction originated in 2001 and has continued to grow rapidly ever since. This article discusses more recent developments in bronchoscopic and novel interventions and speculates on how these novel strategies may impact the future of lung reduction interventions.
Safety and Disaster through Indefinition

MANY YEARS AGO I began noticing in American fiction a recurrent configuration of characters, wherein one or a few individuals in a plot were represented as multi-talented and variously oriented, and the remainder were represented as fixed in limited identities?a mother of a particular and determinative background; a father or other older male of a particular and clear disposition; friends, enemies and lovers whose behavior did not vary so much as to confuse a sense of their nature; and so forth. I was aware that the attribution of complexity to a central character and simplicity to minor ones was a means of achieving perspective and emphasis, and that such strategic attribution could be found throughout literary history. But in the configurations I was concerned about, the mixed characters, as I shall call them temporarily, were at times not central to their plots?indeed were often on the fringe?and their mixtures as against the other characters' simplicities were issues in the plots. For instance, there are several conversa tions in W. D. Howells's A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890) in which the staid and well-defined characters attempt to come to terms with the "versatility" of the artist Angus Beaton. I knew that what I was noticing in these configurations was substance, not mere instrumentation, and from their recurrence over several generations of our writers I believed I was on the track of something that had a strong cultural pull. And so I set out to explore. My preliminary formulations were based largely upon recollections of earlier reading, and consequently they had an imbalance of the monumental and spectacular, which my memory is prone to retain. I thought of Natty Bumppo, James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking, that hero who evinced the fullest manhood through embodying the cultures of the wilderness and of civilization?and that same character surrounded by a comic pedant, a fierce Redman, a Noble Savage, a greedy pioneer, a sterling gentleman, and the rest of Cooper's crowd, all of them crudely simple and many of them commonplace, but against whose trite simplicity Leatherstocking's new and transcendent richness of character was all the more striking. I thought of historical persons who, like Leatherstocking, had been characterized as combining cultures ordinarily polar. I recalled the famous St. Aubin engraving of Benjamin Franklin wearing both wire-rimmed spectacles and
Smaran: A Congruence-Closure Based System for Equational Computations

In this paper we describe Smaran, an efficient system for normalizing terms with respect to given rewrite systems (TRS's), based on the congruence closure approach. Several variants of straight reduction (SR), which differ on the choice of the redex to be replaced, have been proposed for normalization ([9], [5], [10], etc). A major problem with these methods is the danger of repeated computations, because they do not store the history of their previous computations. There are several ways of introducing history in SR to overcome this problem. For example, one can build a table of terms and their normal forms, but, unless they are carefully implemented, such methods may be inefficient. Some mixed success with such a method is reported in [3].
Developing a multiagent conference management system using the O-MaSE process framework

This paper describes how the Organization-based MultiagentSystems Engineering (O-MaSE) methodology can be applied to an exemplarmultiagent system, the Conference Management System. First,a custom process for the CMS application is created using the O-MaSE Process Framework. Then, each task identified in the O-MaSE compliantprocess is performed and the appropriate models are generated. For theCMS system, we begin by creating a Goal Model via the Model Goalsand Goal Refinement tasks. Once the Goal Model is complete, we createan Organization Model to capture all the interfaces to external actorsand systems. After that, a Role Model is created to capture the functionalityand the logical architecture of the system. Next, based on theRole Model, an Agent Class Model is created. The details of the agentsand protocols identified in the Agent Class Model are further refined intoseveral Protocol Models and Agent Plan Models.
Mesodermal Fgf10b cooperates with other fibroblast growth factors during induction of otic and epibranchial placodes in zebrafish.

Background: Vertebrate otic and epibranchial placodes develop in close proximity in response to localized fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling. Although less is known about epibranchial induction, the process of otic induction in highly conserved, with important roles for Fgf3 and Fgf8 reported in all species examined. Fgf10 is also critical for otic induction in mouse, but the only zebrafish ortholog examined to date, fgf10a, is not expressed early enough to play such a role. A second zebrafish ortholog, fgf10b, has not been previously examined. Results: We find that zebrafish fgf10b is expressed at tailbud stage in paraxial cephalic mesoderm beneath prospective epibranchial tissue, lateral to the developing otic placode. Knockdown of fgf10b does not affect initial otic induction but impairs subsequent accumulation of otic cells. Formation of epibranchial placodes and ganglia are also moderately impaired. Combinatorial disruption of fgf10b and fgf3 exacerbates the deficiency of otic cells and eliminates epibranchial induction entirely. Disruption of fgf10b and fgf24 also strongly reduces, but does not eliminate, epibranchial induction. Conclusions: fgf10b participates in a late phase of otic induction and, in combination with fgf3, is especially critical for epibranchial induction. Developmental Dynamics 243:1275–1285, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Race and Reification in Science

The use of the concept of race in pharmacogenomics, forensics, and human molecular genetics continues apace, despite the imprecision of the category and the growing number of voices suggesting caution, and even a "sunset clause" for its continued deployment. The new technologies that can generate SNP patterns and profiles for any population have created an ever growing risk that racial categories will be mistakenly re-inscribed as "genetic." The author of this Policy Forum urges geneticists to counter this problem actively by the way they report their findings.
The Sleeping Giant Awakes: Projecting Global Implications of China's Energy Consumption

China's rapid economic growth has generated a surge in energy demand that is reallocating global fuel balances. We employ a global energy computable general-equilibrium model to analyze alternative scenarios for economic growth, Chinese currency appreciation, and oil price shocks, with a special focus on China energy markets. Imports from the Middle East, Central Asia, Russia, and Sub-Saharan Africa are found to comprise a growing share of China's energy. Imports to China grow from 12% of world energy imports in 2010 to 17% by 2050 when over 80% of China's oil demand will be imported.
Radiotherapy and concurrent metronomic chemotherapy in hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma: a Phase I study

Aim: To determine the maximum tolerated dose of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) plus concurrent metronomic chemotherapy in patients with hormone- refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Patients and Methods: A Phase I clinical trial was performed with cohorts of three to six patients per group. Eligible patients had HRPC without distant metastases. The radiotherapy dose was escalated in a stepwise fashion as follows: 60, 65, and 70 Gy at levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively (25 fractions: levels 1-2, and 26 fractions: level 3). Results: Nine patients were enrolled. The radiotherapy dose was escalated from 60 to 70 Gy without any dose-limiting toxicity. The most common grade 1/2 toxicities were hematuria, dysuria, diarrhea and rectal-perirectal pain. The overall objective response rate was 9/9 (100%) (95% CI=66.4%-100%). The median time-to-progression was 19 months. Conclusion: In the challenging setting of HRPC, HFRT up to 70 Gy with concurrent metronomic chemotherapy was well-tolerated and yielded encouraging disease control. Radiotherapy (RT) represents an important therapeutic option for non-metastatic prostate cancer (1). Furthermore, patients with intermediate and high-risk disease benefit from the integration of RT with androgen-suppressive therapy (AST) (2, 3). Another treatment option in non-metastatic prostate cancer is represented by AST alone (1). However this therapeutic modality is associated with a higher incidence of recurrences, especially in the pelvic region. Treatment of patients with pelvic recurrence during AST is problematic (4). RT is effective in palliating locally recurrent or progressive hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) (5, 6), with a better loco-regional control if doses higher than 60 Gy are delivered (5). Unfortunately the majority of these patients would be expected to develop distant metastasis and subsequently die of disease soon after referral for RT (5). The local effect of RT cannot be increased by AST because of the refractory nature of these tumors. Moreover, no significant effect on microscopic metastatic disease can be expected. Concurrent chemotherapy may represent an alternative
Biogeochemical cycling and microbial diversity in the thrombolitic microbialites of Highborne Cay, Bahamas

Thrombolites are unlaminated carbonate build-ups that are formed via the metabolic activities of complex microbial mat communities. The thrombolitic mats of Highborne Cay, Bahamas develop in close proximity (1–2 m) to accreting laminated stromatolites, providing an ideal opportunity for biogeochemical and molecular comparisons of these two distinctive microbialite ecosystems. In this study, we provide the first comprehensive characterization of the biogeochemical activities and microbial diversity of the Highborne Cay thrombolitic mats. Morphological and molecular analyses reveal two dominant mat types associated with the thrombolite deposits, both of which are dominated by bacteria from the taxa Cyanobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. Diel cycling of dissolved oxygen (DO) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were measured in all thrombolitic mat types. DO production varied between thrombolitic types and one morphotype, referred to in this study as ‘button mats’, produced the highest levels among all mat types, including the adjacent stromatolites. Characterization of thrombolite bacterial communities revealed a high bacterial diversity, roughly equivalent to that of the nearby stromatolites, and a low eukaryotic diversity. Extensive phylogenetic overlap between thrombolitic and stromatolitic microbial communities was observed, although thrombolite-specific cyanobacterial populations were detected. In particular, the button mats were dominated by a calcified, filamentous cyanobacterium identified via morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Dichothrix sp. The distinctive microbial communities and chemical cycling patterns within the thrombolitic mats provide novel insight into the biogeochemical processes related to the lithifying mats in this system, and provide data relevant to understanding microbially induced carbonate biomineralization.
Multidimensional Artificial Field Embedding With Spatial Sensitivity

Multidimensional embedding is a technique useful for characterizing spectral signature relations in hyperspectral images. However, such images consist of disjoint similar spectral classes that are spatially sensitive, thus presenting challenges to existing graph embedding tools. Robust parameter estimation is often difficult when the image pixels contain several hundreds of bands. In addition, finding a corresponding high-quality lower dimensional coordinate system to map signature relations remains an open research question. We answer positively on these challenges by first proposing a combined kernel function of spatial and spectral information in computing neighborhood graphs. We further adapt a force field intuition from mechanics to develop a unifying nonlinear graph embedding framework. The generalized framework leads to novel unsupervised multidimensional artificial field embedding techniques that rely on the simple additive assumption of pair-dependent attraction and repulsion functions. The formulations capture long-range- and short-range-distance-related effects often associated with living organisms and help to establish algorithmic properties that mimic mutual behavior for the purpose of dimensionality reduction. In its application, the framework reveals strong relations to existing embedding techniques, and also highlights sources of weaknesses in such techniques. As part of evaluation, visualization, gradient field trajectories, and semisupervised classification experiments are conducted for image scenes acquired by multiple sensors at various spatial resolutions over different types of objects. The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed embedding framework over various widely used methods.
Genetic and Chemical Activation of TFEB Mediates Clearance of Aggregated α-Synuclein

Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is associated with the development of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). The formation of α-syn aggregates results from aberrant accumulation of misfolded α-syn and insufficient or impaired activity of the two main intracellular protein degradation systems, namely the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, in preventing the accumulation of α-syn aggregates in human neuroglioma cells. We found that TFEB overexpression reduces the accumulation of aggregated α-syn by inducing autophagic clearance of α-syn. Furthermore, we showed that pharmacological activation of TFEB using 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin promotes autophagic clearance of aggregated α-syn. In summary, our findings demonstrate that TFEB modulates autophagic clearance of α-syn and suggest that pharmacological activation of TFEB is a promising strategy to enhance the degradation of α-syn aggregates.
MINOR CONSTITUENTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF JUPITER

New spectra of Jupiter in the region 0.93–1.63 μ are presented. Laboratory comparisons of spectra of NH3 and CH4 permit estimates of the absorbing pathlength for various bands of these two gases. Abundances in a single transmission through the Jupiter atmosphere, above the mean reflecting level, vary from 10 to 100 m-atm for CH4 and from 0.2–5 m-atm for NH3, depending on the bands considered. Upper limits for other gases are derived from new laboratory spectra and comparison with the Jupiter spectra presented herein. These are as follows: C2H2<2 m-atm, H2S<0.25 m-atm, HCN<0.05 m-atm, CH3NH2<0.02 m-atm. A table summarizing the chemical composition of Jupiter's atmosphere is presented.
Determination of Protein Degradability of Some Subtropical Protein Sources by in situ Technique

Abstract Gorgulu, M., Baykal, L., Kutlu, H.R. and Tasdemir, A.R. 2003 Determination of protein degradability of some subtropical protein sources by in situ technique. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 23: 209–215. To determine and to compare the ruminal crude protein (CP) degradability of some sub-tropical protein sources, chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativum), bitter vetch (Vicia ervilla), lental screenings, fish meal (FM), corn gluten meal (CGM), soybean meal (SBM), formaldehyde treated soybean meal (FT-SBM), four cannulated yearling Awassi tnale lambs were used. Crude protein of chickling vetch, bitter vetch and lentil screening were degraded more rapidly and more than 70% of FT-SBM and CGM crude protein remained undegraded even after 24 hours incubation. Formaldehyde treatment decreased CP degradability of SBM (P<0.05). It is concluded that legume seeds tested in this study are primary sources for rapidly degradable protein in the rumen. It is also concluded that formaldehyde treatment may have a potential to decreas...
Vitamin E as a food additive

Vitamin E is a cheap, nontoxic food additive or dietary supplement. The vitamin is such a poor antioxidant that very little, if any, increase in stability is attained by its addition to any food product containing linoleic acid or other more highly unsaturated fatty acid. Increased ingestion of vitamin E results in decreased absorption. Since α-tocopherol is present in tissues largely in subcellular membranes, it is not surprising that incorporation and storage in such sites is severely restricted. On the basis of the kinetics of autoxidation in vitro, it does not seem reasonable to expect massive ingestion of vitamin E to significantly ameliorate slow deteriorative processes, such as those associated with the generalized phenomenon of aging.
Elevation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1 due to adenocarcinoma of the ovary

Abstract An abnormal elevation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1 (LDH1) was found in the serum of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the ovary. The isoenzyme was also isolated from the tumor tissue. Both serum and tumor sources produced isoenzymes with LDH1 electrophoretic mobility. LDH-immune complexes and other causes were excluded or discussed.
The Art of Framing: Managing the Language of Leadership

The article reviews the book “The Art of Framing: Managing the Language of Leadership,” by Gail T. Fairhurst and Robert A. Sarr.
Biosynthesis of the Methoxylated Carotenoids in Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Kinetic analysis of the carotenoid changes in resting cells of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum (6,13) have shown that the overall biosynthetic sequence of the bacterial carotenoids is: saturated precursors -) lycopene -> P481 -> spirilloxanthin. Braithwaite and Goodwin (2) have suggested the hydroxylated carotenoids are the immediate precursors of the methoxylated pigments from studies on the incorporation of the methyl group of methionine into the methoxy groups of spirilloxanthin. Measurements of the specific activities of the bacterial carotenoids of Chromatium labeled from C14-acetate (1) have shown that hydroxylycopene (lycoxanthin) and dihydroxylycopene (lycophyll) are intermediates between lycopene and the methoxylated carotenoids. Jensen et al. (7) have discussed the mechanism of bacterial carotenoid hydroxylation, desaturation, and methylation based on a redetermination of their structure. The overall synthetic sequence has been considerably extended to include the hydroxylated and anhydro carotenoids. The redetermination of the structure of OH-lycopene has made possible a more definite assignment of the hydroxylated carotenoids in the biosynthetic sequence. In illuminated cultures of an anaerobic photosynthetic bacterium the hydroxylated carotenoids may originate from lycopene by the specific hydration of a double bond of the unsaturated precursor. This reaction would resemble hydration reactions of fumarase and crotonase. The reaction of unsaturated bacterial carotenoids with H20 to produce hydroxylated intermediates differ from carotenoid hydroxylations in higher plants. The production of xanthophylls from carotenes in plants utilize 02 (14) and may be similar to hydroxylations which require 02 and NADPH (10). The process of desaturation of the carotenoids in photosynthetic bacteria is distinct from the hydroxylation reactions. Little is known of the mechanism of carotenoid desaturation in the anaerobic photosynthetic bacteria. A photooxidant may participate in these reactions because the production of carotenoids under anaerobic conditions is dependent on light (4). Transmethylation reactions already shown to account for the origin of spirilloxanthin from OH-intermediates complete the reactions of hydroxylation, desaturation, and methylation in the synthesis of spirilloxanthin from lycopene. We would like to present evidence for the order of biosynthesis of the methoxylated carotenoids of R. rubrum which agrees with the carotenoid sequence based on structural analysis (7). A description is given for the labeling of the methoxylated carotenoids in chromatophore preparations from adenosyl-methionine. There has been no previous report of the enzymatic transmethylation of the carotenoids in chromatophore preparations of the photosynthetic bacteria.
Greener Pastures and the Impact of Dynamic Institutional Preferences

Although institutional investors have a preference for large capitalization stocks, over time they have shifted their preferences toward smaller, riskier securities. These changes in aggregate preferences have arisen primarily from changes in the preferences of each class of institution, rather than changes in the importance of different classes. Evidence also suggests that recent growth in institutional investment combined with this shift in preferences helps explain why markets in general, and smaller stocks in particular, have exhibited greater firm-specific risk and liquidity in recent years. Additional analyses suggest that institutional investors moved toward smaller securities because such securities offer "greener pastures." Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Sparsity-promoting optimal control of consensus and synchronization networks

We study a class of optimal control problems that are encountered in consensus and synchronization networks. These are characterized by structural constraints that arise from the lack of the absolute measurements for a part of the state vector. In order to deal with these constraints, we introduce a coordinate transformation to eliminate the average mode and assure stabilizability and detectability of the remaining modes. To design networks with low communication requirements, we seek solutions to the '1 regularized version of the standard H2 optimal control problem. Such solutions trade off network performance and sparsity of the controller. We also identify a class of optimal control problems that can be cast as semidefinite programs. Examples from power systems and consensus networks are provided to illustrate our developments.
De Haas-Van Alphen observation of an electron scattering anomaly in alloys exhibiting the Kondo effect

Abstract : A marked scattering anomaly has been observed for belly electrons in very dilute Cu-Cr alloys. The anomaly is strongly sensitive to magnetic field, temperature and solute concentration. (Author)
Heat conduction in composite materials due to oscillating temperature field

Abstract A mathematical model is presented to obtain the effective thermal conductivity and the effective heat capacity in composite materials due to oscillating temperature field. An integro-differential equation for temperature field in composites is derived using the Green's function for heat conduction. The ensemble averaged temperature field is determined by a self-consistent scheme to yield algebraic equations for the effective thermal conductivity and the effective heat capacity. The obtained expression for the effective thermal conductivity is not symmetrical with the interchange of the matrix phase and the inclusion phase.
Neurons lying in the white matter of the upper cervical spinal cord project to the intermediolateral cell column.

Abstract Neurons lying in the white matter of the upper cervical spinal cord become transneuronally labelled following pseudorabies virus injections into the kidney or stellate ganglion, [17, 31] suggesting that they project directly to sympathetic preganglionic neurons. In the present study, we extend these findings and report here that i) neurons in both the lateral spinal nucleus and lateral funiculus become transneuronally labelled after pseudorabies virus injections into the superior cervical ganglion, stellate ganglion, celiac ganglion, or adrenal gland and ii) both of these two cell groups project directly to the sympathetic preganglionic neurons as demonstrated with the Phaseolus vulgaris leuco-agglutinin axonal tracing method. In addition, lateral funiculus neurons project to the cervical and upper thoracic dorsal horn (lamina V), intermediate gray matter (laminae VII and X), and ventral horn. The lateral spinal nucleus also projects to the medial part of laminae I and II, V, VII. To verify that pseudorabies virus-infected lateral funiculus and lateral spinal nucleus cells have a neuronal phenotype, we demonstrated that these cells also can be immunostained with antibodies directed against a neuron specific marker, neuronal nuclear protein, [24] but not with antibodies against glial acidic fibrillary protein or oligodendroglia. In summary, this report provides the first evidence that two descending sympathetic projection systems arise from neurons lying within the white matter of the cervical spinal cord.
Compendium of Single-Event Latchup and Total Ionizing Dose Test Results of Commercial Analog to Digital Converters

This paper reports single-event latchup and total ionizing dose results for a variety of analog to digital converters targeted for possible use in NASA spacecraft. The compendium covers devices tested over the last 15 years.
Insulin resistance in African Americans

Insulin resistance in African Americans. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the leading contributors to end-stage renal disease. African Americans suffer higher rates of renal failure as well as other vascular morbidities associated with hypertension and diabetes. Insulin resistance is strongly associated with hypertension. Insulin resistance is a component of diabetes and also precedes the clinical expression of type 2 diabetes. The relationship of blood pressure with insulin resistance, or impaired insulin action, occurs in African Americans and can be detected at young ages prior to the clinical expression of hypertension or diabetes. Through its relationship with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance is associated with endothelial dysfunction. The interface of insulin resistance with endothelial dysfunction may begin to explain the role of insulin resistance in vascular and renal pathology. The injury process, subsequent to both hypertension and diabetes, appears to be mediated by alterations tissue regulatory factors, and include vasoactive peptides such as angiotensin II, endothelin, and growth factors. Understanding the determinants that up-regulate the aberrant pathways and the early phases of these processes will be necessary to formulate strategies to effectively achieve renal protection and reduce the rates of renal failure in African Americans.
Asphaltene: structural characterization, molecular functionalization, and application as a low-cost filler in epoxy composites

Asphaltene obtained by extraction from asphalt was investigated by different analytical techniques in order to characterize its composition, molecular structure and morphology. Then, the asphaltene molecules were successfully functionalized by 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Finally, asphaltene/epoxy composites at four different loading levels were prepared and their thermo-mechanical properties were examined. The thermal analysis results indicated that asphaltene as a novel reinforcing filler in epoxy resin caused a significant increase in storage modulus of both glassy and rubbery regions, slightly increased the glass transition temperature without negatively affecting thermal stability, and reduced the overall cost of the material.
Immobilized metal‐ion affinity chromatography: Imidazole proton pump and chromatographic sequelae. II. Chromatographic sequelae

Isocratic elution with imidazole of some protein models from a chelating gel, CSFF-IDA-M(II), resulted in their desorption owing to the low pH(6-->4) of the mobile, phase rather than to the imidazole itself (imidazole-generated fall in pH; proton pump). Gradient elution with imidazole was best accomplished when the chelating gel was initially converted into its imidazole complex, CSFF-IDA-M(II)Im. The exploitation of the imidazole-generated proton pump in the IMAC of proteins may enhance the versatility of this type of chromatography.
Implementation of a Distributed Joint Routing and Dynamic Spectrum Allocation Algorithm on USRP2 Radios

A cognitive radio network with decentralized control (i.e., a cognitive ad hoc network) is considered in this demonstration. The demo implements a decentralized and localized algorithm for throughputmaximization through joint routing and interference-avoiding waveform selection. The algorithm adapts to time-varying traffic demands, interference profile, and network topology to locally maximize the achievable data rate while avoiding harmful interference to co-located primary or secondary users. The prototype is based on a cross-layer protocol stack implemented in Python, which leverages GNU Radio for adaptive signal generation on a USRP2 software-defined-radio platform.
Intracellular signaling mechanisms associated with CD47 modified surfaces

We have previously established that recombinant CD47 can ameliorate the inflammatory response to synthetic polymeric surfaces. Here, we begin to profile, at the transcriptional, translational and cell signaling level, the inflammatory cell response when blood interacts with CD47 modified polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (CD47-PVC). We used qPCR arrays to compare transcriptional changes between human whole blood exposed to CD47-PVC or PVC. Transcription of IL1F5, IL1F10, IL17F, CCL3, CCL8, CCL28, CXCL12, and CXCL13 was upregulated in blood exposed to PVC, compared to CD47-PVC. The increase in CCL3 and CCL8 transcription correlated with an increase in the chemokines' presence in the plasma. Exposure of blood to CD47-PVC resulted in an increase, compared to PVC, in transcription of CCL2, CCL4, CCL20, CXCL1, TGFβ3, GDF3, GDF10, CD40LG, and TNFSF10. CD47-PVC exposure resulted in an increase of the following matrix metalloproteinase related genes: MMP1, MMP7, MMP13, and MMP16. Phosflow cytometry, and assays examining transcription factor binding, cell attachment, and genome-wide chromatin association indicated that members of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, particularly JAK2 and STAT5, mediate inflammatory cell interactions with CD47-PVC. Our data demonstrate that differential molecular responses to CD47 involve downregulation of cytokines, upregulation of MMPs, and JAK/STAT signaling mechanisms.
Managing intellectual property rights in cross-border clean energy collaboration: The case of the U.S.–China Clean Energy Research Center

Abstract This paper examines how the United States and China are implementing the most ambitious model of bilateral clean energy technology cooperation to date: The U.S.–China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC). It finds that the CERC has been able to generate new IP through RD&D activities, though minimal IP has come from collaborative activities involving both U.S. and Chinese participants. Many participants reported that the CERC's Technology Management Plan (TMP) mitigated their IP concerns, though few have tested its efficacy or enforceability. While it is too early to comprehensively assess the efforts of the CERC, it is increasingly evident that the CERC provides a model for collaborative clean energy RD&D that is unique in the history of U.S.–China collaborations in this area. The TMP may ultimately play an important role in building trust among the consortia participants, which could lead to even more constructive collaborations in the future, and serve as a model for future bilateral cooperation agreements. Without sustained support, and continued attention to IP concerns, it will be even harder for China and the United States to make progress towards true cross-national research collaborations which ultimately could produce considerable global benefits, particularly in the clean energy field.
Interaction of sex and practice distribution effects

Recent studies have shown that sex dominance in psychomotor reminiscence undergoes reversal across pubescent years. On the assumption that dominance occurs because the sexes release reactive inhibition at different rates, it follows that, within a given developmental phase, the dominant sex should profit more from practice distribution. This implication was tested and confirmed in the present sample of 48 postpubescent subjects, and preliminary analyses of unreported data suggest that it will be confirmed in prepubescent samples as well. Thus, which sex gains the greater advantage from practice distribution depends upon developmental phase, and reactive inhibition theory seems able to handle such results regardless of developmental phase. Why these ontogenetic shifts occur remains obscure.
Characteristics of Near surface circulation patterns in the eastern equatorial pacific

Abstract Since June 1981 several CTD and velocity profiler sections have been made across the equator at 85°W as part of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean Climate Studies (EPOCS). Two of these sections, those in June 1981 and December 1982, are discussed in order to characterize the circulation patterns that occur when the ocean is forced by meridional wind stress. In this area the winds are predominantly southerly. Use of an Ametek-Straza acoustic doppler backscatter profiler during the 1982 cruise gave velocity data to a depth of 270 m every 5.5 km along the shiptrack. This allowed the shear and velocity fields to be examined in greater detail than had been possible before. Large areas had shears greater than 0.01 s −1 and values as high as 0.03 s −1 were observed. Greatest shears tended to coincide with regions of large vertical density gradients. Comparisons with geostrophic computations suggest that a large fraction of the shear was geostrophic. Richardson number computations indicated that over 40% of the area sampled by the CTD casts had values of less than one and about 5% had values less than one quarter. Values of less than one quarter were concentrated in the mixed layer but were not confined to it. Below the mixed layer, regions with low Richardson number were associated with regions where the vertical density gradient was quasi-linear. Since such regions were not confined to the vicinity of the equator these observations suggest shear mixing as an important mechanism over large areas of the upper ocean. Within the top 40 m of the water column there was a general tendency for motions in the mixed layer to be the left of the wind in the southern hemisphere and to the right in the northern hemisphere. However, no clear examples were found of Ekman spirals. Most of the veering was confined to the mixed layer which was of relatively constant depth over the whole survey area. South of the equator a large fraction of the shear across the base of the mixed layer appeared to be geostrophic, whereas north of the equator, these shears were ageostrophic. Estimates of the various terms in the momentum equation in the upper ocean indicated that near the equator non-linear effects, such as upwelling and northward advection, were as important as Coriolis forces, pressure gradients and wind stress. The pressure gradient, integrated over the depth of the mixed layer, was larger than the stress in the vicinity of the equator and the relative importance of other terms varied from place to place. The horizontal scale of variation was as small as 10 km. Near surface upwelling occurred in shallow cells with horizontal dimensions of 100 km or less.
Rigidity of randomly intercalated layered solids. II. Gallery structure of multilayers.

We have investigated the gallery structure of intercalated multilayer systems ${\mathit{A}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathit{B}}_{\mathit{x}}$L, assuming that the intercalants A and B are randomly distributed in each gallery flanked by host layers L. We allow for the correlation between the intercalants in different galleries denoted as interlayer correlation (ILC). The gallery structure is characterized by an average gallery height, by fluctuations in the gallery height from site to site, and by a complete height distribution function. These quantities have been studied by constructing a harmonic spring model which accounts for the layer rigidity, differential size, and compressibilities of the intercalants, and incorporating the ILC through a one-dimensional Ising-spin model. We have obtained exact solutions for this model for arbitrary ILC when the two intercalants have the same compressibilities (${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{A}}$=${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$). In this limit, we show that Vegard's law is obeyed for all values of the transverse rigidity of the host layers. In the general case (${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{A}}$\ensuremath{\ne}${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$), we have developed an effective-medium theory whose results are in excellent agreement with computer simulations.
Incorporation of General Economic Outcomes in Econometric Projections Models for Agriculture

The AAEA has devoted two invited paper sessions in recent years to the econometric modeling of the farm business sector. A 1974 session dealt with the evaluation of econometric models for the farm business sector as well as for the total economy. Of particular note was the paper presented by Popkin, who cited several approaches to improving price forecasts in macroeconomic models. The attention given to price forecasting in this session was understandable in light of the inordinately high degree of price variability experienced during the 1973-74 period and the inability of existing models to forecast these fluctuations accurately. A 1976 session dealt with the interface in aggregate econometric models between the farm business sector and the general economy. Papers presented by Chen and by Roop and Zeitner emphasized the interaction between farm business sector models and a larger macroeconomic model for the U.S. economy, the Wharton econometric model. One general conclusion stemming from this session was that greater endogenization of nonfarm business outcomes would reduce the error associated with projecting farm business outcomes, and vice versa. In discussing the papers presented in the 1976 session, Johnson alluded to the need to use functional relationships instead of identities when accounting for linkages between the economic sectors of an economy. Just further argued that sector econometric models must reflect the major interfaces with the general economy. The output, input, and international trade linkages he cites, however, represent only -part of the interface between the farm business sector and the general economy. Conspicuous by its absence is the linkage between the bond and equity capital markets, financial intermediaries, and the cost and availability of loan funds to finance farm business operating expenses and capital accumulation. Also missing are most of the channels through which changes in national economic policy stimulate and direct the growth of the total economy.
Quantitative 19F imaging using inductively coupled reference signal injection.

This report describes recent efforts on our continuous development of a synthetic signal injection method for quantification of metabolite content in MR spectroscopy and MRI. Previous work showed that conversion of spectral peaks to quantitative units of metabolite content could be achieved with a calibrated synthetic free induction decay generated by an inductively coupled injection coil. This work demonstrates that calibrated synthetic voxels, injected in the same manner, can be used to quantify metabolite content in real 19F image voxels. Images of vials containing different concentrations of sodium fluoride (NaF) were converted to units of moles by reference to precalibrated synthetically injected voxels. Additional images of vials containing variable sodium chloride (NaCl) demonstrate that the quantification process is robust and immune to changes in coil loading conditions. Magn Reson Med 63:570–573, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Human-facilitated jump dispersal of a non-native frog species on Hawai'i Island

Aim The coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui) was introduced to the Hawai'ian archipelago in the late 1980s and became established as a widespread species on Hawai'i Island over a short timespan, suggesting that humans are facilitating their movement. To determine the importance of human facilitation, we assessed dispersal patterns and genetic structure of coqui populations using microsatellite data. Location Hawai'i Island. Methods We obtained genotype data using seven microsatellites from coqui specimens collected from 25 populations on Hawai'i Island. The dispersal mechanism was examined using a Mantel test in GenAlEx and a genetic distance tree analysis in Phylip. Allelic diversity, measures of equilibrium, and genetic structure were analysed in GenAlEx and Arlequin. The correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance was used to distinguish between diffusion dispersal (positive correlation) and jump dispersal (zero or negative correlation). Results The Mantel test for isolation by distance found no significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance (r2 = 0.002, P = 0.4401). The genetic distance tree topology is consistent with this result and exhibited a pattern expected if population establishment occurred through jump dispersal. Migration rates were high (NM = 4.228), inbreeding was high, genetic differentiation between populations was low, and significant genetic structure was detected among populations (4% of total variation, P < 0.002). Main conclusions Genetic distance is not correlated with geographical distance, suggesting that humans are important facilitators of coqui dispersal. Migration rate was high, indicating that the rapid expansion of coquies on Hawai'i Island was human-facilitated, while high levels of inbreeding and significant genetic structure suggest low post-establishment dispersal. If this is the case, early detection of coqui populations will be crucial for management due to their propensity to be spread through human-facilitated jump dispersal, followed by slow rates of diffusion dispersal from these newly established populations.
Competing ranges of attractive and repulsive interactions in the micellization of model surfactants

Using Monte Carlo simulations, we show that the range of repulsive head−head interactions has to be greater than or equal to the range of attractive tail−tail interactions to facilitate micellizati...
Hydrogenated cottonseed oil as a substitute for palm oil in the production of tin plate and cold reduced sheet steel

Work has been reported on the development of a substitute for palm oil, which is used to the extent of about 40 million pounds annually in the production of tin and terne plate, and in the cold reduction process for the manufacture of strip steel. This investigation included an examination of the chemical and physical properties of virgin and spent palm oils, especially with respect to the effect of these properties on the action of these oils in the tin bath.
TNFα Is Required for Late BRB Breakdown in Diabetic Retinopathy, and Its Inhibition Prevents Leukostasis and Protects Vessels and Neurons from Apoptosis

Purpose. Blood–retinal barrier [BRB] breakdown, characteristic of diabetic retinopathy (DR), is believed to depend on inflammation and apoptosis. Retinal inflammation is almost completely suppressed in the absence of TNFα, which is also associated with apoptosis. This study was conducted to determine the role of TNFα in these diabetic complications.