cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Placental vanadium in gestational diabetes mellitus

Although many studies in animal models and in cell cultures have shown that vanadate has insulin-like effects, it has not been studied in human diabetes mellitus. In this study the levels of vanadium in human placentae from 23 pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus were compared with 18 uncomplicated non-diabetic pregnancies closely matched for maternal age, gravidity, and gestational age. Using the unpaired Student's t-test, the mid-disc placental levels in gestational diabetes (7.62 ± 1.29 μg/g dry weight) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than controls (8.73 ± 1.85 μg/g dry weight). These findings appear to be independent of placental size and birthweight. When these data were analyzed according to treatment, the vanadium levels in insulin-treated cases (8.07 ± 1.32 μg/g dry weight) were not significantly different from the matched controls (8.84 ± 1.69 μg/dry weight); the levels in non-insulin treated cases (7.08 ± 1.25 μ/g dry weight), however, were significantly (p < 0.005) lower than controls (8.99 ± 1.96 μg/g dry weight). It is interesting to speculate that there may be increased binding of vanadium to maternal tissues in human diabetes mellitus when insulin is deficient.
A Structured Loop Modulates Coupling between the Substrate-binding and Dimerization Domains in the Multidrug Resistance Transporter EmrE

Secondary active transporters undergo large conformational changes to facilitate the efflux of substrates across the lipid bilayer. Among the smallest known transport proteins are members of the small multidrug resistance (SMR) family that are composed of four transmembrane (TM) domains and assemble into dimers. An unanswered question in the SMR field is how the dimerization domain (TM4) is coupled with the substrate-binding chamber (TM1-3). To provide insight for this essential aspect of ion-coupled transport, we carried out a structure-function study on the SMR protein EmrE using solid-state NMR spectroscopy in lipid bilayers and resistance assays in Escherichia coli. The chemical shifts for EmrE were consistent with β-strand secondary structure for the loop connecting TM3 and TM4. Based on these structural results, EmrE mutants were created to ascertain whether a specific loop length and composition were necessary for function. A linker encompassing six extra Gly residues relative to wild-type EmrE failed to give resistance; however, the number of residues in the loop was not the only criterion for a functional efflux pump. Replacement of the central hydrophobic residue with Gly (L83G) also conferred no ethidium resistance phenotype, which supported the conclusion that the structure and length of the loop were both essential for ion-coupled transport. Taken together with a bioinformatics analysis, a structured linker is likely conserved across the SMR family to play an active role in mediating the conformational switch between inward-open and outward-open states necessary for drug efflux. These findings underscore the important role loops can play in mediating efflux.
Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Anti, Anti-Dipropionate Stereotriads: A Solution to the Long-Standing Problem of Challenging Mismatched Double Asymmetric Crotylboration Reactions

The stereocontrolled synthesis of the β-branched anti,anti-dipropionate stereotriad 4 via aldol or crotylmetal chemistry represents a historical challenge to the organic synthesis community. Here we describe a general solution to the long-standing problem associated with the synthesis of 4 by utilizing mismatched double asymmetric crotylboration reactions of enantioenriched α-methyl substituted aldehydes with the chiral, nonracemic crotylborane reagent (S)-(E)-22 (or its enantiomer). This method not only provides direct access to anti,anti-dipropionate stereotriads 24 [a synthetic equivalent of 4] with very good (5–8:1) if not excellent (≥15:1) diastereoselectivity from β-branched chiral aldehydes with ≤50:1 intrinsic diastereofacial selectivity preferences but also provides a vinylstannane unit in the products that is properly functionalized for use in subsequent C–C bond-forming events. We anticipate that this method will be widely applicable and will lead to substantial simplification of strategies for...
Shortest path computations in source-deplanarized graphs

Abstract We consider a class of non-planar graphs that arises in VLSI layout compaction and show that a number of shortest path problems on these graphs can be solved in the same time as the corresponding problem in a planar graph.
Antimicrobial Susceptibilities and Clinical Sources of Facklamia Species

Facklamia spp. are gram-positive cocci, arranged in short chains or diplos, and resemble viridans streptococci on 5% sheep blood agar. Eighteen strains representing four species of Facklamia were isolated from blood cultures, an abscess, bone, cerebrospinal fluid, gall bladder, vaginal swab, and one unknown source. Cultures were tested against 15 antimicrobial agents by using the broth microdilution MIC method. Reduced susceptibilities to the beta lactams, erythromycin, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline were found. These results indicate that the susceptibilities of the Facklamia species are varied and that some strains have resistance patterns which may present difficulty in managing systemic infections in patients.
Aquaporin‐3 functions as a glycerol transporter in mammalian skin

The AQPs (aquaporins) are a family of homologous water transporting proteins expressed in many mammalian epithelial, endothelial and other cell types. Phenotype analysis of mice lacking individual AQPs has been informative in elucidating their role in mammalian physiology. For example, phenotype analysis has indicated an important role of AQPs in the renal urinary concentrating mechanism (AQP1-AQP4), brain water balance and neural signal transduction (AQP4), exocrine gland secretion (AQP5) and ocular fluid balance (AQP1, AQP5). In skin, the aquaglyceroporin AQP3 is expressed in the basal layer of epidermal keratinocytes. Mice deficient in AQP3 have dry skin with reduced SC (stratum corneum) hydration, decreased elasticity and impaired biosynthesis. Mechanistic analysis of the altered skin phenotype in AQP3 deficiency suggested that the glycerol rather than the water transporting function of AQP3 is important in skin physiology. The glycerol content of SC and epidermis of AQP3 deficient mice is reduced, whereas that of dermis and serum is normal. The dry, relatively inelastic skin in AQP3 null mice is probably related to the humectant properties of glycerol, and the impaired SC repair to impaired epidermal biosynthetic function. The key role of AQP3 in epidermal physiology might be exploited in the development of improved cosmetics and new therapies for skin diseases associated with altered skin water content.
Acetylated polyamines as substrates for human pregnancy serum diamine oxidase.

Abstract Human pregnancy serum diamine oxidase was purified 50 fold and tested for activity with a variety of substrates. Putrescine, spermidine, spermine, N-acetylputrescine, N8-acetylspermidine, and N1-acetylspermidine were acceptable substrates for the enzyme, which exhibited greatest activity against N1-acetylspermidine.
Gentamicin Blood Levels: a Guide to Nephrotoxicity

Gentamicin blood levels were monitored in 86 patients. Twenty-one patients had valley levels over 2 μg/ml and 36% of these patients developed abnormal serum creatinine or a further rise in creatinine. No patient had a rise in creatinine without a valley level over 2. The peak levels in patients with valleys over 2 were above 10 μg/ml in only one case, whereas four patients had peaks over 10 μg/ml without nephrotoxicity. The mean peak blood levels in patients with a normal creatinine were dose related. An initial dose of 2.0, 1.5, and 1.3 or less mpk (mg/kg) yielded mean peak blood levels of 5.2, 4.7, and 3.7, respectively. To assure an initial peak blood level over 4 μg/ml a loading dose of 2 mpk was required. A rise in peak and valley levels during therapy appeared dose related, being observed in all patients treated with 4.5 mpk daily but not in those receiving 3.0 mpk daily. A radioenzymatic assay was used to validate the standard agar diffusion assay method. The results from the two assays were statistically identical. Valley blood levels of gentamicin may be useful for predicting accumulation of gentamicin which in turn may be correlated with early renal impairment before potentially toxic serum levels of gentamicin develop.
Anomalous excitation of N+2 in a seeded argon free plasma jet

Abstract Excitation of the second positive bands of N2 by Ar has often been reported. Here we report that N+2 has instead been seen. The N+2 first negative bands are enhanced ten orders of magnitude over what thermodynamic calculations predict. The mechanism of excitation must involve the Mn(NO3)2 with which the Ar was seeded. So that future suggested mechanisms may be tested, we present detailed temperature and density measurements in the lower portion of the plume of the plasma jet.
Homology in capsular transformation reactions in Pneumococcus.

Experiments were carried out to determine the relative effect of homology inside or outside of the capsular genomes of donor and recipient strains of pneumococci on the frequency of transfer of capsular markers. In one series of experiments, 3 recipient strains were transformed to CapIII+ by DNA from 2 donor strains. Recipient strains (III)capIII D61, (II)capIII D15 P11, and (II)capII-11 were each transformed to CapIII+ at different absolute frequencies dependent upon the amount of genetic information that the strain had to acquire. The chromosomal background of the donor strain carrying the CapIII capsular genome had no influence on the results, however, for each strain was transformed at the same frequency by DNA from donor strain (II)CapIII+ or donor strain (III)CapIII+. In a second series of experiments, 2 (I)CapIII-strains, a (II)CapIII-strain and a (III)CapIII-strain were transformed to heterologous type I and binary type I-III with DNA from donor strains (I)CapI+, (II)CapI+, and (III)CapI+. Again, the chromosomal background of the donor strain was unimportant to the results. The origin of the recipient strain, however, markedly influenced the frequency of transformation. (I)CapIII-strains were transformed to CapI+ at about 10 times the frequency and to CapI-III at from 18–6000 times the frequency of the other CapIII-strains. Consideration of the results leads to the conclusion that transformation of CapIII-strains to CapI+ and transformation of CapI-strains to CapIII+ are not reciprocal reactions; CapI-strains lose less information in transformation to CapIII+ than CapIII-strains gain in transformation to CapI+. In (I)CapIII-recipient strains, the residual information from the CapI capsular genome is responsible for the higher frequency of transformation to both CapI+ and to CapI-III. It is suggested that addition of exogenous linear DNA to a recipient chromosome to give rise to binary strains occurs when sequence homology with the recipient is limited to one end of a piece of transforming DNA. Models to explain the results (Figs. 1 through 3) are consistent with the experimental findings and are amenable to further testing.
Design lessons from the fastest q&a site in the west

This paper analyzes a Question & Answer site for programmers, Stack Overflow, that dramatically improves on the utility and performance of Q&A systems for technical domains. Over 92% of Stack Overflow questions about expert topics are answered - in a median time of 11 minutes. Using a mixed methods approach that combines statistical data analysis with user interviews, we seek to understand this success. We argue that it is not primarily due to an a priori superior technical design, but also to the high visibility and daily involvement of the design team within the community they serve. This model of continued community leadership presents challenges to both CSCW systems research as well as to attempts to apply the Stack Overflow model to other specialized knowledge domains.
Hygroscopic Food: a Source of Water for Desert Antelopes?

ORYX (Oryx beisa) and Grant's gazelle (Gazella granti) survive droughts in hot semi-deserts, apparently without drinking. Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), however, must drink frequently to survive. The actual water requirements of the three species are 2–4 per cent of their body weight per day1. All eat dry food, which at mid-day contains only 1 per cent free water. Where do the antelopes get the water they require ? Schmidt-Nielsen2 suggested that hygroscopic plants might be an important source of water for nocturnal animals. I collected plants which were eaten by antelopes during a drought, determined the rate at which the dry leaves gain water at temperatures and humidities measured during the drought, and calculated the amount of water available to the antelopes if they feed at night.
A latent variable approach to listening and reading: testing factorial invariance across two groups of children in the Korean/English Two-Way Immersion Program:

This study investigated the factorial distinctness of two receptive language skills, reading and listening, and the equivalence of factor structure across two groups using simultaneous multigroup covariance structure analyses. The subjects were two groups of students from grades two, three and four, enrolled in the Korean/English Two-Way Immersion Program in the Los Angeles Unified School District: Korean-American students and non-Korean-American students, all learning Korean as a primary/foreign language. The analyses were based on data from tests of listening and reading in Korean. The results indicate the following: 1) the two receptive skills are factorially separable, 2) a two-factor model with listening and reading factors applies across the two groups of learners, 3) the correlation between the listening and reading factors was high and the same across the two groups, 4) the variation in levels of listening and reading proficiency differed across the groups, 5) with the exception of one listening t...
Music therapist robot for individuals with cognitive impairments

Currently the 2 percent growth rate for the world's older population exceeds the 1.2 percent rate for the world's population as a whole. This difference is expected to increase rather than diminish so that by 2050, the number of individuals over the age 85 is projected to be three times what it is today. Most of these individuals will need physical, emotional, and cognitive assistance. In this paper, we present a new system based on the socially assistive robotics (SAR) technology that will play the role of a music therapist and will try to provide a customized help protocol through motivation, encouragements, and companionship to users suffering from cognitive changes related to aging and/or Alzheimer's disease.
Automation of Sheet Metal Design and Manufacturing

This paper discusses operating procedures and programming for the automation of design and manufacturing of formed sheet metal parts. It's primary purpose is to examine the design procedure, programming and N/C data preparation used on an existing 3-D graphics system. The process relies on the accuracy, reliability, and speed of CAD/CAM.
ELECTRODEPOSITION MODELING USING COUPLED PHASE-FIELD AND LATTICE BOLTZMANN APPROACH

In this paper, a coupled phase-field (PF) and lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented to model the multiphysics phenomenon involving electro-chemical deposition. The deposition (or dissolution) of the electrode is represented using variations of an order-parameter. The time-evolution of an order-parameter is proportional to the variation of a Ginzburg–Landau free-energy functional. Further, the free-energy densities of the two phases are defined based on a dilute or an ideal solution approximation. An efficient LBM is used to obtain the converged electro-static potential field for each physical time-step of the evolution of the PF variable. The coupled approach demonstrates the applicability of the LBM in a multiphysics scenario. The numerical validation for the coupled approach is performed by the simulation of the electrodeposition process of Cu from CuSO4 solution.
A front-gate charge-pumping method for probing both interfaces in SOI devices

A simple front-gate charge pumping technique has been developed, which enables the measurement of interface traps at both the front and the back interfaces of a fully depleted (FD) SOI/MOSFET. It is based on the strong coupling between the two interfaces, and its validity has been verified both experimentally and by computer simulation. Experiments have been performed on both SOI/MOSFET's and SOI/PMOSFET's. This front-gate charge pumping technique is then utilized to study the hot-carrier induced degradation in SOI/NMOSFET's. It has been found that the back channel is physically damaged after front-channel hot-carrier injection. Front-gate Fowler-Nordheim (FN) injection has been found to cause damage at the front interface only.
NOTHING BUT NET

Abstract Section Editor's Note: Although I have included discussions of learn-ing objects and learning object repositories in other “Nothing But Net” columns, the growing number of learning object environments, increas-ing research in the use of learning objects, the increased discussion of use of learning objects in information literacy, and the movement of li-brarians to archive their own learning objects for sharing among ex-perts led me to revisiting the current world of reusable learning objects.
Assessing the Potential of Peropyrene as a Singlet Fission Material: Photophysical Properties in Solution and the Solid State

The photophysical behavior of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon peropyrene is studied both in dilute solution and in the solid state, with the goal of evaluating this molecule as a singlet fission (SF) material. In solution, the fluorescence quantum yield is consistently in the range 0.90–0.95, while the fluorescence lifetime changes from 3.2 to 5.5 ns. Analysis of the solvent dependence of the radiative rate provides evidence that the bright 1Bu singlet state mixes with a second, optically dark state. The presence of a dark state slightly above the 1Bu state in energy is confirmed using two-photon fluorescence excitation spectroscopy. The crystal structure of solid peropyrene consists of a herringbone arrangement of π-stacked molecular pairs, similar to the α-polymorph of perylene. There are two emitting species, centered at approximately 550 and 650 nm, both of which are formed within the 15 ps time resolution of the experiment, and which relax independently via biexponential decays. We find no eviden...
Tb/s Coherent Optical OFDM Systems Enabled by Optical Frequency Combs

This paper discusses the realization of terabit per second high speed and high spectral-efficiency optical transmissions using much lower speed electronics and optoelectronics through parallel processing of coherent optical frequency combs at both the transmitter and receiver. The coherent and parallel processing enables electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical (E/O and O/E) conversion of wide-bandwidth optical signals which would otherwise exceeds the capability of conventional optoelectronics. In the first experiment, an optical frequency comb (OFC) generator provides 32 comb lines with less than 5-dB power variation. Subsequently, 1.008-Tb/s modulation capability is realized on 32 × 106 OFDM subcarriers with 16-QAM modulation in a 318-GHz seamless optical bandwidth. It demonstrates an effective way to generate an optical OFDM signal with tens of times wider optical bandwidth than that of analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters (ADC/DAC). The second experiment demonstrates simultaneous detection of multiple OFDM bands from a 32-band coherent optical OFDM signal using another optical frequency comb, a silica planar lightwave circuit (PLC) that implemented the major optical devices, and two pairs of balanced photodiodes. The experimental results indicate prospects for an optically integrated coherent optical OFDM system on a chip-scale platform.
Anesthetic Implications for Patients With Swyer-James Syndrome

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the anesthetic management and perioperative outcomes in patients with Swyer-James syndrome (SJS), a rare acquired pulmonary disorder caused by postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans resulting in airway obstruction and focal areas of emphysema or bronchiectasis. Design A retrospective computerized search of the medical records database at a large academic tertiary referral center was performed for patients with SJS from January 1, 2001 through July 31, 2012 who underwent procedures requiring anesthesia. A review of the perioperative course in the SJS patients as well as in those identified by a literature search was performed. Setting Academic tertiary referral center, both inpatient and outpatient settings. Participants Patients with a diagnosis of SJS. Interventions No interventions were performed. Measurements and Main Results The authors identified 4 patients with SJS who underwent 7 uneventful anesthetics including one lung resection. Three patients were symptomatic preoperatively. The literature review identified 23 SJS patients who underwent lung resection for recurrent pulmonary symptoms. One patient developed hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation. Three patients had a prolonged hospital stay (≥10 days). All patients undergoing lung resection were young (≤42 years of age). Conclusion Though SJS may be an incidental finding, these patients may have marked symptomatology, recurrent pulmonary infections, and pneumothoraces that may require lung resection. The patients tolerated anesthesia well. In severe SJS cases, pulmonary pathology and perioperative management strategies parallel that of patients with severe obstructive pulmonary disease.
Elevated Tumor Necrosis Factor—α Activation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype C in Southern Africa Is Associated with an NF-κ B Enhancer Gain-of-Function

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic within southern Africa is predominantly associated with the HIV-1C subtype. Functional analysis of the enhancer region within the long terminal repeat (LTR) indicates that HIV-1C isolates have >/=3 NF-kappaB binding sites, unlike other subtypes, which have only 1 or 2 sites. A correlation was shown between NF-kappaB enhancer configuration and responsiveness to the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha within the context of naturally occurring subtype LTRs, subtype-specific NF-kappaB enhancer regions cloned upstream of an isogenic HXB2 core promoter or a heterologous SV40 minimal promoter, and full-genome subtype clones. In all cases, TNF-alpha activation was correlated with the subtype configuration of the NF-kappaB enhancer. Whether the naturally occurring gain-of-function in the NF-kappaB enhancer of HIV-1C observed in this study can provide a selective advantage for the virus in vivo remains to be determined and warrants further study.
Residence Time of Low-Density Lipoprotein in the Normal and Atherosclerotic Rabbit Aorta

Previous results from this laboratory found that the arterial low-density lipoprotein (LDL) residence time in lesion-prone aortic sites was longer in hyperlipidemic rabbits before lesion formation than in the corresponding sites in normolipidemic rabbits. The calculation of residence time in the previous study assumed that the arterial wall was homogeneous; the present study reexamines the issue using a method that does not require such an assumption. The concentration of radiolabeled arterial LDL was measured in New Zealand White rabbits killed at several different times (0.5 to 72 hours) after injection of labeled LDL. Using a stochastic analysis, arterial LDL residence time was calculated from the pooled labeled arterial LDL measurements from these rabbits. In these studies, the arterial LDL residence times in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic rabbits before lesion formation were similar in both the lesion-prone and -resistant sites. However, immediately upon development of early fatty streak lesions, the arterial LDL residence time increased dramatically. After only 16 days of cholesterol feeding, the residence time was 10 times longer in the lesioned aortic arch compared with similar tissue from normolipidemic rabbits (4 to 45 hours). After 21 days of cholesterol feeding, the residence time of LDL in the lesioned aortic arch increased to >25-fold that of normolipidemic tissue. Similar results were observed in the lesioned tissue of the abdominal branchings. This early retention of LDL suggests that significant changes are taking place within the arterial wall during this critical stage of early lesion development.
Spacecraft attitude determination using a second-order nonlinear filter

The stringent attitude determination accuracy and faster slew maneuver requirements demanded by present-day spacecraft control systems motivate the development of recursive nonlinear filters for attitude estimation. This paper presents the second-order filter development for the estimation of attitude quaternion using three-axis gyro and star tracker measurement data. Performance comparisons have been made by computer simulation of system models and filter mechanization. It is shown that the second-order filter consistently performs better than the extended Kalman filter when the performance index of the root sum square estimation error of the quaternion vector is compared. The second-order filter identifies the gyro drift rates faster than the extended Kalman filter. The uniqueness of this algorithm is the online generation of the time-varying process and measurement noise covariance matrices, derived as a function or the process and measurement nonlinearity, respectively.
The molecular natural history of the human genome

Abstract A remarkable pair of recently published studies provides the first glimpse of the fine-scale structure of the human genome sequence. The data revealed by these investigations, and their future refinements, provide an infrastructure that will forever transform the intellectual playing field for evolutionary biologists.
Prospective evaluation of the macrolide antibiotic dirithromycin for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Macrolide antibiotics are active in vitro and in vivo against Helicobacter pylori. We assessed a newer macrolide, dirithromycin, for the treatment of H. pylori in two separate studies. METHODS: Volunteers with H. pylori infection (by 13C-urea breath test) were randomly assigned to 2-week treatment regimens. Study 1: dirithromycin 500 mg q.d.s., dirithromycin 500 mg q.d.s. plus omeprazole 40 mg q.d.s., or dirithromycin 500 mg q.d.s. plus metronidazole 500 mg t.d.s. Study 2: dirithromycin 500 mg q.d.s. plus omeprazole 20 mg b.d., dirithromycin 1000 mg q.d.s. plus omeprazole 20 mg b.d., or amoxycillin 500 mg q.d.s. plus omepirazole 20 mg b.d. Four weeks after the completion of therapy a repeat 13C-urea breath test was done to assess for cure. RESULTS: No patient taking dirithromycin alone (n = 6) or in combination with omeprazole (n = 26) achieved cure of their infection. Eradication of H. pylori was seen in one of seven patients taking dirithromycin plus metronidazole. Five of 10 patients taking omeprazole-amoxycillin dual therapy had their H. pylori infection cured (P = 0.0007 vs. patients taking dirithromycin plus omeprazole). Eleven (47%) of 32 patients taking dirithromycin alone or combined with omeprazole reported side-effects, but only two (6%) stopped therapy prematurely as a result of side-effects. CONCLUSION: No subject taking dirithromycin alone or in combination with omeprazole had their H. pylori infection cured. Dirithromycin, in the regimen used, shows little promise in the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection.
Alternative Service Delivery in Developing Countries: NGOs and Other Non-Profits in Urban Areas

This paper examines NGOs and other non-profits (NONPROs) as alternatives to government service-delivery in developing urban areas. Reconfiguration is suggested in a three-way “ironic triangle” including host governments and external donors. Examples are given as well as requisites for strengthening of NONPROs. Service-provision will become increasingly indigenous and bottom-up if cooptation can be avoided and NONPROs can increase their capacities.
Assessing the Hartley transform

The fast algorithm for the (real) Hartly transform is discussed in relation to the established fast algorithm for the (complex) Fourier transform. The two transforms are compared by timing comparably written programs on a given machine, and the discipline of timing is discussed as an adjunct to complexity analysis. With real data, one Hartley transform program can economically replace such packages as a complex-valued unilateral Fourier transform combined with a real-valued unilateral inverse Fourier transform. The Hartley transform is favorable for fast convolution of real data sets. The utility of spectral analysis into Fourier series throughout physics suggested that the Hartley transform might have less physical significance, but the construction of Hartley diffraction planes in the microwave and optical laboratories, where electromagnetic phase is encoded as real-valued field amplitudes, has revealed interesting complementarity. >
Materials Characterization at a University

Materials characterization is a vitally important component of any university program dealing with materials. It is important both as an integral part of the materials research program of a university and as a part of the education of students. In the research area, characterization is essential as a support for research and is important as a research topic itself. In the education of university students characterization science is growing into a discipline rather than a fragmented collection of individual subjects. At Rutgers we have made materials characterization a central theme of our Ceramics Research Center. My comments draw upon our experiences with regard to ceramics but the conclusions are appropriate to any class of materials, in my opinion.
Monetary policy and asset prices

The purpose of this paper is study the effect of monetary policy on asset prices. We study the properties of a monetary model in which a real asset is valued for its rate of return and for its liquidity. We show that money is essential if and only if real assets are scarce, in the precise sense that their supply is not sufficient to satisfy the demand for liquidity. Our model generates a clear connection between asset prices and monetary policy. When money grows at a higher rate, inflation is higher and the return on money decreases. In equilibrium, no arbitrage amounts to equating the real return of both objects. Therefore, the price of the asset increases in order to lower its real return. This negative relationship between inflation and asset returns is in the spirit of research in finance initiated in the early 1980s.
Tumor-Associated Neutrophils: New Targets for Cancer Therapy

Studies have begun to emerge showing critical roles for neutrophils in tumorigenesis. Neutrophils can have a significant impact on the tumor microenvironment via their production of cytokines and chemokines, which influence inflammatory cell recruitment and activation. Additionally, products secreted from neutrophils, such as reactive oxygen species and proteinases, have defined and specific roles in regulating tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Although evidence suggests that neutrophils act in a decidedly protumor capacity in vivo, recent studies indicate that neutrophils may be manipulated to exhibit cytotoxicity against tumors. Herein, we explore the idea of targeting tumor-associated neutrophils as a means of antitumor therapy and the important ramifications such manipulation could pose to host tissues.
Siblings of Children With Severe Emotional Disturbances: Risks, Resources, and Adaptation

This study examines risks, resources, and adjustment among siblings of children with severe emotional disturbances (SED) involved in an initiative to develop family centered Systems of Care in North Carolina. These siblings experience many of the same risks as the children who have been diagnosed with SED (i.e., "targets"), but have received relatively little attention from the system or researchers. This first systematic study of these siblings describes an early sample (n = 56), compares them to their system-identified brothers and sisters, and explores contextual factors related to sibling resources and adjustment. Findings suggest the siblings, much like the targets: (a) have been exposed to extremely high levels of adversity, and (b) evidence substantial variability in behavioral and emotional strengths and social-emotional adjustment. Although many siblings exhibit significant strengths and positive adjustment, a substantial proportion displays levels of competencies or problem behaviors on par with those targeted to receive services. Factors associated with positive sibling adjustment are consistent with those identified in prior risk and resilience work. Additional systematic study of these children could have implications for service delivery and preventive interventions.
The Rise and Fall of Civil Disputes in Mormon Church Courts: A Preliminary Study

A number of American religious denominations - Quakers, Baptists, Mormons, and others - have tried with varying degrees of success to opt out of the secular legal system, resolving civil litigation between church members in church courts. This paper looks at this phenomenon in the Mormon context, asking why Latter-day Saints moved civil disputes into church courts during the nineteenth century and why they abandoned the practice in the early twentieth century. It presents my preliminary research on a much larger project on civil litigation in nineteenth-century Mormon courts.
Simplified guidelines for the creation of Large Scale Dialectal Arabic Annotations

The Arabic language is a collection of dialectal variants along with the standard form, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). MSA is used in official Settings while the dialectal variants (DA) correspond to the native tongue of the Arabic speakers. Arabic speakers typically code switch between DA and MSA, which is reflected extensively in written online social media. Automatic processing such Arabic genre is very difficult for automated NLP tools since the linguistic difference between MSA and DA is quite profound. However, no annotated resources exist for marking the regions of such switches in the utterance. In this paper, we present a simplified Set of guidelines for detecting code switching in Arabic on the word/token level. We use these guidelines in annotating a corpus that is rich in DA with frequent code switching to MSA. We present both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the annotations.
Dos páginas desconocidas de Juan Ramón Jiménez

En la revista Mundial magazine , que publico en Paris Ruben Dario entre mayo de 1911 y abril de 1911, aparecen en el segundo volumen, numero siete, que corresponde al mes de noviembre de 1911, y en el numero nueve, de enero de 1912, los titulos "El mausoleo'' y "De «Poemas agrestes»" firmados por Juan R. Jimenez -como acosturnbraba hacerlo "el cansado de su nombre" cuando estaba cansado de el solo a medias. Una busqueda entre lo publicado parece indicar que jamas quiso Juan Ramon colocar estos poemas en ninguno de sus libros. No figuran tampoco en la bibliografia incluida por Graciela Palau de Nemes en su Vida y obra de Juan Ramon Jimenez (Madrid, 1957).
A Physically-Based, Control-Oriented Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Model for the Applications of NO/NO2 Ratio Estimation Using a NOx Sensor

This paper presents a physically-based, control-oriented Diesel particulate filter (DPF) model for the purposes of NO and NO2 concentration estimations in Diesel engine aftertreatment systems. The presence of NO2 in exhaust gas plays an important role in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) NOx reduction efficiency. However, current NOx cannot differentiate NO and NO2 from the total NOx concentration. A model which can be used to estimate NO and NO2 concentrations in exhaust gas flowing into the SCR catalyst is thus necessary. Current aftertreatment systems for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty Diesel engines generally include Diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), DPF, and SCR. The DPF related NO/NO2 dynamics was investigated in this study, and a control-oriented model was developed and validated with experimental data.© 2010 ASME
(3H)-Propranolol binding sites in myocardial membranes: nonidentity with beta adrenergic receptors.

[3H]Propranolol binds rapidly and reversibly to sites in membranes prepared from canine ventricular myocardium. Two orders of sites were identified. The higher-order sites have a value (equilibrum constant) of 4.57 x 104 M-1 and a binding capacity of 3.2 x 10-8 mole/ mg of protein. For the lower-order sites K = 4.32 x 102 M-1 and binding capacity is 8.4 x 10-7 mole/mg of protein. Nine adrenergic antagonist drugs were tested for their ability to block [3H]propranolol binding and block isoproterenol activation of adenylate cyclase in dog heart membranes. No clear correlation between the two functions was found. d - and l -Propranolol competed with equal effectiveness for the propranolol binding sites, but l -propranolol was 50 times more potent than the d isomer in blocking cyclase activation. The beta adrenergic blocking agent dichloroisoproterenol was a very weak inhibitor of [3H]-propranolol binding. Chlorpromazine and haloperidol inhibited both propranolol binding and cyclase activation. It is concluded that the [3H]propranolol binding sites studied here are unrelated to the myocardial beta adrenergic receptors and may be involved in mediating the more general membrane or local anesthetic effects of propranolol. Beta adrenergic receptor binding sites presumably represent too small a fraction of myocardial membrane sites capable of binding propranolol to be revealed by binding studies of this type. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors are indebted to Dr. Edgar Harber, Massachusetts General Hospital, in whose laboratory part of these studies were performed.
The Gordon Game of a Finite Group

(1992). The Gordon Game of a Finite Group. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 99, No. 6, pp. 567-569.
Chlorosis and reduced photosynthetic CO2 assimilation of Euonymus fortunei infested with Euonymus scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

Chlorosis and reduced net photosynthetic CO2 assimilation were quantified for Euonymus fortunei plants infested with the Euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock). Leaf chlorosis resulted from chloroplast destruction, especially in the palisade parenchyma cells. Reduction in chlorophyll per scale was ca. 14-fold greater for female scales on leaves than for males. Feeding by two generations of scales resulted in 49% average reduction in leaf chlorophyll and 63% reduction in rate of whole-plant photosynthetic CO2 assimilation relative to uninfested controls. However, there was no significant change in CO2 assimilation per unit of chlorophyll, suggesting that the reduction in net CO2 assimilation caused by euonymus scale is primarily a consequence of chlorophyll loss.
Do Cs make degrees? The relationship of maximizing versus satisficing student types and academic success in the business curriculum

ABSTRACTThe author analyzed the academic performance of 197 business students in their first required finance course. He postulated that the students' performance related to whether their academic strategy was one of two types: satisficing or maximizing. Satisficers seemed content with getting Cs to earn their degree, while maximizers aimed for the highest possible grade point averages. Results indicated that these two types of students were indeed significantly different in their academic strategies and their performance. Satisficers earned 65% of the failing grades, but only 12% of the high grades. Discussion of the results, implications for pedagogy, and the relationship to theory are also provided.
Passive control of coherent vortices in compressible mixing layers

Passive control of coherent vortex formation is demonstrated in three axisymmetric compressible mixing layers. The layers are created (1) between Mach 2 and Mach 1.3 co-flowing supersonic jets, (2) between Mach 3 and Mach 1.3 jets, or (3) by a free flowing Mach 2 supersonic jet. All the supersonic jets are fully expanded in the experiments. The convective Mach numbers were 0.23, 0.47, and 0.85 respectively. In the first two cases which use coaxial jets, coherent vortex formation is controlled by having a finite-thickness nozzle lip and varying its thickness. The interaction between the lipcreated wake and the shear flow results in highly coherent large-scale structures. The lip thickness is systematically varied and the resulting compressible shear layers are visualized using a planar Mie scattering technique. The Mie scattering images are digitized and processed using the Fast Fourier transform to quantify the streamwise 'd wavelength. The results show that the streamwise wavelength varies monotonically with the lip thickness. Lastly, a novel use of a resonating cavity is described for passively controlling free shear layers. The technique is successfully demonstrated. The cavity draws the acoustic energy from the supersonic jet noise and amplifies certain frequency oscillations by the acoustic resonance. When forced in this manner, the spreading rate of the compressible shear layer is drastically increased.
An examination of voluntary green power programs at U.S. utilities using behavioral science principles

Abstract Green programs currently have minuscule market penetration and little impact on emissions reductions. They could be tweaked to drive demand to cleaner sources if they were structured to take advantage of behavioral science principles shown to increase enrollment.
18 CHROMIUM'S EFFECT ON INSULIN SENSITIVITY IN HIV DISEASE (PILOT STUDY)

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on insulin sensitivity in HIV disease. Methods The study consisted of six HIV-positive patients (3 female; 3 male) with insulin resistance (IR) determined by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Insulin sensitivity was determined as the rate of infused glucose necessary to maintain euglycemia during an infusion of insulin (Rd). Subjects were infused with 1.2 mU insulin/kg body weight per minute to elevate plasma insulin levels to ˜ 40 microU/mL, sufficient to suppress hepatic glucose production in other insulin-resistant states. Dextrose was administered intravenously at variable rates to maintain plasma glucose at 90 mg/dL. Plasma glucose was assessed from arterialized blood, obtained by the heated hand technique. Insulin resistance was determined between the second and third hour of insulin infusion. Plasma glucose was determined by the glucose oxidase method. To normalize for differences in body composition, insulin sensitivity is expressed as mg glucose/kg lean body mass (LBM) per minute. Lean body mass was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) performed with a total body scanner. Patients with an Rd Results Insulin sensitivity significantly increased after 8 weeks of chromium picolinate (p 40% improvement in Rd. One subject9s insulin sensitivity was unchanged post-chromium. Conclusion Supplementation with chromium picolinate may improve insulin sensitivity in HIV disease. Further study is required. (Table)
The contemporary menopause.

Early, intermediate, and late symptoms of the menopause are analyzed, with cautionary notes on the exclusion of other conditions that may be mistaken for the menopause. Individualization of the mode of treatment and of patient selection for treatment is emphasized.
Finding Success in Tragedy: Forced Entrepreneurs after Corporate Bankruptcy

Using linked employer-employee data that covers most of U.S. firms and contains full resumes of workers we document how worker displacement of high-skilled labor leads to both self-employment and new employer firm creation. To causally identify the effect of forced unemployment on entrepreneurship, we compare workers in firms that experienced different bankruptcy outcomes as measured by the severity of layoffs around the filing date. The identification assumption is that two employees in the same occupation, with the same years of experience, education, and firm tenure, do not anticipate the bankruptcy outcome when joining the firm at least 4 years prior to the first bankruptcy filing. We find that forced unemployment increases entrepreneurship rates by seven-fold relative to the unconditional probability of entrepreneurship in normal times. Remarkably, 36% of these firms hire multiple employees. We further confirm that our results are causal by using the historical toughness of bankruptcy judges, who are randomly assigned to each case within a bankruptcy court. We also show that the effect of forced unemployment on self-employment and employer-firm creation is twice as large for workers with high-skilled occupations. Given the success of the firms in our sample in both survival and employment growth, our results highlight the potential productivity gains from reallocating skilled labor away from distressed firms and towards entrepreneurship.
Modeling and predicting software behaviors

Software systems will eventually contribute to their own maintenance using implementations of self-awareness. Understanding how to specify, model, and implement software with a sense of self is a daunting problem. This research draws inspiration from the automatic functioning of a gimbal—a self-righting mechanical device that supports an object and maintains the orientation of this object with respect to gravity independently of its immediate operating environment. A software gimbal exhibits a self-righting feature that provisions software with two auxiliary mechanisms: a historical mechanism and a reflective mechanism. The historical mechanism consists of behavior classifiers trained on statistical models of data that are collected from executions of the program that exhibit known behaviors of the program. The reflective mechanism uses the historical mechanism to assess an ongoing or selected execution. This dissertation presents techniques for the identification and modeling of program execution features as statistical models. It further demonstrates how statistical machine-learning techniques can be used to manipulate these models and to construct behavior classifiers that can automatically detect and label known program behaviors and detect new unknown behaviors. The thesis is that statistical summaries of data collected from a software program's executions can model and predict external behaviors of the program. This dissertation presents three control-flow features and one value-flow feature of program executions that can be modeled as stochastic processes exhibiting the Markov property. A technique for building automated behavior classifiers from these models is detailed. Empirical studies demonstrating the efficacy of this approach are presented. The use of these techniques in example software engineering applications in the categories of software testing and failure detection are described.