cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
To Invest or Not? The Role of Coworker Support and Trust in Daily Reciprocal Gain Spirals of Helping Behavior

The authors propose that a reciprocal resource gain spiral forms between coworker-based perceived social support and trust, which leads to coworkers investing personal resources into each other across work days. The authors extend conservation of resources theory by differentiating between resource investment behaviors, the perceived availability of resources, and perceptions about investment instrumentality while also examining accumulation effects that have been previously untested in studies of gain spirals. The authors confirm their hypotheses with data collected over five working days from 177 pairs of coworkers (employee N = 354) working across a wide range of jobs and industries. The authors also offer practical implications of this spiral, limitations of this research, and future directions for research on conservation of resources theory, resource investment, and day-level studies of employee behaviors.
b-chains prevent the proteolytic inactivation of the a-chains of plasma factor XIII.

Abstract While the transglutaminase activity is associated exclusively with the thrombin-cleaved a-chains of plasma Factor XIII, there is little information regarding the role of the b-chains. The present investigations were undertaken to clarify the role of the b-chains during proteolytic activation of plasma factor XIII a-chains. The a-chains of platelet Factor XIII (a2) were extremely sensitive to α-thrombin proteolysis, especially in the presence of 5 mM EDTA, resulting in two major fragments with molecular masses 51±3 kDa and 19±4 kDa. Furthermore, fibrin enhanced the α-thrombin proteolysis of thrombin-cleaved platelet Factor XII a-chains in presence of CaCl2 or EDTA, resulting in several peptide fragments with molecular masses from 51±3 kDa to 14±4 kDa. By contrast, thrombin-cleaved a-chains of plasma Factor XIII (a2b2) were not further degraded by α-thrombin in presence of 5 mM EDTA. Even in the combined presence of 5 mM EDTA and 0.1 mg/ml fibrin, α-thrombin proteolysis of plasma Factor XIIIa was limited to the formation of a 76 kDa fragment (= Factor XIIIa), 1 51±3 kDa fragment and trace amounts of a 14±4 kDa species. Platelet Factor XIII proteolyzed by 500 nM α-thrombin in presence of 5 mM EDTA expressed less than 20% of enzymatic activity obtained when platelet Factor XIII was activated in presence of 5 mM CaCl2. In contrast, plasma Factor XIII activated by 500 nM α-thrombin in presence of 5 mM EDTA expressed nearly 65% of original transglutaminase activity. Likewise, when plasma Factor XIII was proteolyzed by 100–1000 nM γ-thrombin in presence of 5 mM CaCl2 or 5 mM EDTA, maximal transglutaminase activity was observed. However, when platelet Factor XIII was similarly treated with γ-thrombin in presence of 5 mM EDTA, only one-half the original transglutaminase activity was obtained. The b-chains thus appear to mimic the function of Ca2+ in preserving transglutaminase activity of thrombin-cleaved a-chains. The b-chains of plasma Factor XIII were not degraded by either α- or γ-thrombin treatment, in presence of 5 mM EDTA or 5 mM CaCl2. Both platelet and plasma Factor XIII a-chains were degraded by trypsin to fragments with molecular masses of 51±3 kDa and 19±4 kDa in presence of 5 mM CaCl2 and to fragments with molecular masses of 19±4 kDa and lower, in presence of 5 mM EDTA. Fibrin was without effect on trypsin proteolysis of plasma or platelet Factor XIII. In contrast to α- or γ-thrombin proteolysis, the b-chains of plasma Factor XIII were also degraded by trypsin treatment. We conclude that the b-chains of plasma Factor XIII protect the a-chains from proteolytic inactivation by thrombin.
A qualitative study of the academic, social, and cultural factors that influence students’ library use in a rural Ugandan village

AbstractThe Kitengesa Community Library in rural Uganda is unique in that provides tailored collections and services for the community. This library, which was built in 2002, serves a small but diverse population including a large number of secondary school students who live in the area. Previous research on the impact of this library on the surrounding community revealed that the library influences reading habits, reading culture development, and the availability of locally relevant information. This is especially true for young adults, who represent Uganda's fastest growing population. Only 18 percent of girls and 20 percent of boys are enrolled in secondary school, rendering this group of students (ages 13–17) particularly vulnerable to a wide range of social and economic challenges. School libraries in Uganda are rare, and in this case, the Kitengesa Community Library serves as a de facto school library. Previous research by Dent and Yannotta (2005) revealed that secondary school students are among th...
Evidence for Fickian water transport in initially glassy poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Water sorption which is not classically Fickian has been observed in a variety of polymers. Deviation from Fickian kinetics is widely assumed to be caused by rate-limiting polymer relaxation, despite minimal proof of this. To the contrary, the evidence accumulated in this work indicates that water transport in initially glassy poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), an important water-swellable biomedical polymer, is controlled by Fickian diffusion. First of all, the fractional water uptake is initially linear and independent of sample thickness when plotted against the square root of time over initial thickness, as expected for a Fickian process. Furthermore, the moving solvent front also advanced with the square root of time. Temperature, polymer thermal history and initial solvent concentration all affected the sorption kinetics of PHEMA in manners consistent with a Fickian process. The invariably Fickian sorption mechanism is believed to be the consequence of the water molecule's small size and aff...
Real-Time Simulation of Multibody Dynamics on Shared Memory Multiprocessors

This paper presents a recursive variational formulation for real-time stimulation of multibody mechanical systems on shared memory parallel computers. Static scheduling algorithms are employed to evenly distribute computation on shared memory multi-processors. Based on the methods developed, a general-purpose dynamic simulation program is shown to simulate multibody systems faster than real-time, enabling operator-in-the-loop simulation of ground vehicles and robots
Satellite orbits and atmospheric densities at altitudes up to 750 km obtained from the Vanguard Orbit Determination Program

The objectives of the Vanguard Orbit Determination Program have been to use Minitrack and other observational data to acquire and determine the orbits of artificial earth satellites, to make appropriate predictions to facilitate further observing, to determine interim definitive orbits for researchers conducting experiments with instrumentation in the satellites, to determine definitive orbits, and to conduct analyses of orbits for geophysical and other research purposes. The Vanguard Orbit Determination Program has been developed under the direction of the Vanguard Working Group on Orbits whose members are Dr. G. M. Clemence, President of the American Astronomical Society and Scientific Director of the Naval Observatory Dr. R. Duncombe, Assistant Director of the Nautical Almanac, Dr. P. Herget, Director of the Cincinnati Observatory, Mr. J. J. Fleming, Head of the Operational Research Branch of the Naval Research Laboratory, and the author who serves as Chairman of the Group. The program utilizes the facilities of the Vanguard Computing Center which has been established in Washington, D.C., under a contract with the International Business Machines Corporation. The prime Minitrack network was established and is operated under the technical direction of a Project Vanguard group under J. T. Mengel.
Neurological manifestations of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber disease): report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Two cases of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) with neurological involvement are presented. One patient had multiple vascular malformations including telangiectasias of the brain, medulla, and spinal cord and a berry aneurysm of the internal carotid artery; she also had a large cerebellar abscess, presumably reflecting the presence of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. The second patient had an idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage. In more than 200 reported patients with HHT involving the nervous system, 61% had lesions seondary to a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (cerebral hypoxemia, paradoxical and septic emboli, and brain abscess). The findings emphasize the need for early surgical correction of such fistulas. In 36% of the patients with neurological involvement and HHT, vascular malformations of the brain and spinal cord were documented, and in 3%, portal-systemic encephalopathy was noted. Multiple lesions were frequent. HHT should be considered a generalized vascular dysplasia (universal or systemic angiomatosis), and not simply a benign mucocutaneous disease.
A THEORY OF THE ORIGIN OF CHINESE WRITING1

It is not my purpose in this paper to initiate the reader into the mysteries of Chinese writing, nor to present a feat of sinological erudition. I merely wish to illustrate the application of a principle derived from the investigation of primitive ornamentation to the question of the origin of ancient Chinese writing. Every casual observer will be impressed by the decidedly ornamental and picturesque feature of Chinese characters; and this observation coincides perfectly with the view held by the Chinese themselves, that writing is an art a decorative art which is as eagerly aspired to, and occupies the same high rank, as painting. The art of painting itself received a strong impetus from that of penmanship, and is still markedly graphic in character. All the famous painters have at the same time been noted calligraphists; and their autographs, one or two words dashed off with a bold stroke of the brush, excite as much admiration and are as greatly prized as their sketches or water-colors. Writing, consequently, offered the first field for the practice of art : it was the beginning of drawing and painting; hence in view of this fact we are justified in questioning its claims, from the anthropological viewpoint, of the development of decorative art.
Degradation and repair of elastic fibers in rat lung interstitial fibroblast cultures

BACKGROUND Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies indicates that damaged elastic fibers can be repaired. METHODS Lipid interstitial pulmonary fibroblasts were cultured for 6 weeks. Cultures were then exposed to 25 microg of porcine pancreatic elastase and fixed in pairs (control, elastase-treated) immediately after exposure and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 22 days for ultrastructural examination. Elastin was also analyzed biochemically for resistance to hot alkali, an indicator of repair. Steady-state levels of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase mRNA at 2, 4, and 7 days after elastase treatment were determined by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS Immediately after exposure to elastase, damaged elastic fibers exhibited a frayed, porous appearance and a granular texture. Through day 4, fibers showed no evidence of repair. By day 7, the granular texture of damaged fibers was no longer evident and a gradual filling-in of porous areas appeared to be taking place. By 22 days, elastic fibers were indistinguishable from elastic fibers in control cultures. The ultrastructural changes were paralleled by changes in hot alkali resistance. Through day 4, there was no change in the level of hot alkali resistant elastin. Between day 4 and day 7, resistance to hot alkali increased sharply and continued to increase at a slower rate, reaching 84% of the control level by day 22. Steady-state levels of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase mRNA showed no increase over control levels at 2, 4, and 7 days after elastase treatment. CONCLUSIONS Elastic fibers synthesized by lipid interstitial pulmonary fibroblasts in culture were repaired after damage by elastase. This type of repair may have relevance to the prevention of pathological conditions, such as emphysema.
Rating City and County of Denver Urban Pavement Constructability Using a Profiler

The international roughness index (IRI) was developed in 1986 to generate a longitudinal roadway profile analysis tool for asphalt surfaces. The IRI is typically applied to freeway and rural highway facilities where uninterrupted spans of asphalt are expected. The city and county of Denver (CCD) in cooperation with the University of Colorado Denver have examined the application of the IRI to urban roadway facilities. Elements of urban roadways that influence IRI values include drainage infrastructure and cross-street access. This paper details the equipment and methodology used to address challenges in assessing urban constructed roadways with the IRI. Repeatability studies were completed using five different inspectors involved in the data collection activities. The results indicated that repeatability varied between different inspectors by approximately 2%. A before-repair and after-repair study was completed on newly resurfaced roadways around the CCD in an attempt to establish a set of baseline values for the application of the IRI to urban roadways. The IRI values for a sample of 23 test cases showed a weighted average postpaving improvement of approximately 36%. Recommended urban IRI values for good and acceptable surfaces are suggested at 150 in./mi (2,367.44 mm/km) and 220 in./mi (3,472.24 mm/km), respectively.
Diversity among three novel groups of hyperthermophilic deep-sea Thermococcus species from three sites in the northeastern Pacific Ocean

Eight new strains of deep-sea hyperthermophilic sulfur reducers were isolated from hydrothermal vent fields at 9°50′N East Pacific Rise (EPR) and at the Cleft and CoAxial segments along the Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that each strain belongs to the genus Thermococcus. Restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of the 16S/23S rRNA intergenic spacer region revealed that these isolates fell into three groups: those from the EPR, those from fluid and rock sources on the JdFR, and those isolated from Paralvinella spp. polychaete vent worms from the JdFR. The optimum-temperature specific growth rates and the temperature ranges for growth were significantly higher and broader for those strains isolated from worms relative to those isolated from low-temperature diffuse hydrothermal fluids. Furthermore, the worm-derived isolates generally produced a larger array of proteases and amylases based on zymogram analyses. The zymogram patterns also changed with growth temperature suggesting that these organisms alter their lytic protein suites in response to changes in temperature. This study suggests that there is significant phenotypic diversity in Thermococcus that is not apparent from their highly conserved 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences.
Surfactants as replacements for natural lipids in bread baked from defatted wheat flour

Petroleum ether (PE) extracted 1.00% total free lipids (0.70% nonpolar and 0.30% polar) and 2-propanol (PrOH) extracted 1.36% total free and bound lipids (0.73% nonpolar and 0.63% polar) from wheat flour; the lipid fractions were characterized by thin layer chromatography. PE- or PrOH-defatted flours were baked after reconstitution with total, nonpolar, or polar wheat flour lipids; or with equivalent amounts of nonionic sucrose monopalmitate (SMP), ethoxylated monoglycerides (EMG) — each with a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of 14.0 or anionic sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) — with an HLB value of 9.0. Defatted flours supplemented with surfactants alone or in combination with wheat flour lipids were used in bread with no-shortening and with 3%-shortening. The importance of the polar flour lipids in breadmaking was verified. The lipids in wheat flour were essential for maximizing the beneficial effects of shortening on breadmaking quality. Nonionic SMP or EMG completely replaced both PE-extractable wheat flour free total lipids ( or their non-polar or polar fractions) and 3% shortening; nonionic surfactants with high HLB were better than the anionic SSL for replacing free flour lipids. No surfactant completely replaced unfractionated PrOH-extracted lipids (free + bound) and shortening or total polar flour lipids (free + bound). All surfactants, especially anionic SSL, added with PrOH-extracted polar lipids improved the overall bread-making properties of the PrOH-defatted flour both in the absence and in the presence of shortening.
N5‐(L‐1‐carboxyethyl)‐L‐ornithine synthase: Physical and spectral characterization of the enzyme and its unusual low pKa fluorescent tyrosine residues

N5-(L-1-carboxyethyl)-L-ornithine synthase [E.C. 1.5.1.24] (CEOS) from Lactococcus lactis has been cloned, expressed, and purified from Escherichia coli in quantities sufficient for characterization by biophysical methods. The NADPH-dependent enzyme is a homotetramer (Mr approximately equal to 140,000) and in the native state is stabilized by noncovalent interactions between the monomers. The far-ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum shows that the folding pattern of the enzyme is typical of the alpha,beta family of proteins. CEOS contains one tryptophan (Trp) and 19 tyrosines (Tyr) per monomer, and the fluorescence spectrum of the protein shows emission from both Trp and Tyr residues. Relative to N-acetyltyrosinamide, the Tyr quantum yield of the native enzyme is about 0.5. All 19 Tyr residues are titratable and, of these, two exhibit the uncommonly low pKa of approximately 8.5, 11 have pKa approximately 10.75, and the remaining six titrate with pKa approximately 11.3. The two residues with pKa approximately 8.5 contribute approximately 40% of the total tyrosine emission, implying a relative quantum yield >1, probably indicating Tyr-Tyr energy transfer. In the presence of NADPH, Tyr fluorescence is reduced by 40%, and Trp fluorescence is quenched completely. The latter result suggests that the single Trp residue is either at the active site, or in proximity to the sequence GSGNVA, that constitutes the beta alphabeta fold of the nucleotide-binding domain. Chymotrypsin specifically cleaves native CEOS after Phe255. Although inactivated by this single-site cleavage of the subunit, the enzyme retains the capacity to bind NADPH and tetramer stability is maintained. Possible roles in catalysis for the chymotrypsin sensitive loop and for the low pKa Tyr residues are discussed.
The bingo model. IV. The statistics of survivorship in the bingo-gamma model.

The survivorship (time to death or failure) of a bingo-gamma (BG) model is defined as the minimum among the waiting times for completion among k independent gamma processes. The ith process is of order ni, with a mean rate for the occurrence of hits of ai, In this paper we address the case where, for all competing processes, the order and the rate at which hits occur are the same but both they and k are unknown. We denote by k the multiplicity, by n the order or the number of hits to failure, and by a the transition parameter. The joint maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the three paramters of this BG process is developed. An algorithm for calculating it has been devised and a computer program in BASIC has been written. The properties of the MLE: have been explored systematically, mainly by Monte Carlo simulation. The distributions, means, variances, covariances, and correlation coefficients of the three parameters are explored for samples of size 25 and samples of size 100. Also, the simple average of the observed survival times (which gives a method of moments estimator of the mean survival) is compared with the MLE of the mean survival; the two estimators seem to be unbiased and about equally efficient.
PLC-γ directly binds activated c-Src, which is necessary for carbachol-mediated inhibition of NHE3 activity in Caco-2/BBe cells

Elevated levels of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) inhibit Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) activity in the intact intestine. We previously demonstrated that PLC-γ directly binds NHE3, an interaction that is...
Scarless Fetal Mouse Wound Healing May Initiate Apoptosis Through Caspase 7 and Cleavage of PARP

Introduction Apoptotic mechanisms are thought to be important in wound healing for the removal of inflammatory cells and evolution of granulation tissue. However, little is understood about the signal, propagation, and mechanisms responsible for triggering cell death in tissue injury, particularly during fetal wound repair. Understanding these signals may lead to insights regarding scarless wound healing. We hypothesized that differences in apoptosis would exist in mid- (E15) compared with late-gestational (E18) mice subjected to cutaneous wounds. We examined early apoptotic signals that may be initiated following tissue injury. Methods Pregnant, time-dated mice underwent laparotomy and hysterotomy on embryonic day 15 (E15) and 18 (E18). Full-thickness, excisional cutaneous wounds were made on the dorsum of the fetuses and dorsal skin harvested 15 and 45 min after wounding. Unwounded dorsal skin from additional fetuses collected at the same time points served as controls. The skin was processed to obtain protein, then levels of caspase 3, caspase 7, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were measured by Western blot. Cyclophilin levels were measured to ensure equal loading of protein. Histone-associated DNA complex formation was examined to provide further evidence of cellular apoptosis. Results There were no differences in total caspase 3 levels between E15 and E18 fetal tissue with or without wounding, nor was any cleavage of caspase 3 noted in any group. However, cleaved caspase 7 was present in the E15 skin with a >2-fold increase following wounding at both 15 and 45 min, yet absent in the E18 groups. Furthermore, levels of cleaved PARP were also increased by >2-fold at both 15 and 45 min in E15 wound groups, whereas a relatively small amount was only seen in the E18 wound groups at 45 min. DNA-histone fragmentation ELISA assay showed a 5-fold increase in the enrichment of histone-associated DNA fragments in the E15 wounded tissue compared with the time-matched controls at 45 min. This was not seen with the E18 tissue. Conclusions Previously, we demonstrated that cutaneous wounds in E15 fetal mice heal in a scarless manner, while similar wounds in E18 mice heal with scar formation. Results from our current work demonstrate differences in apoptosis in mid- compared with late-gestational mouse skin as well as shortly after wounding. Our results suggest that in mid-gestational wounds, activation of apoptotic pathways may be mediated through effector caspase 7 signals with inactivation of PARP. This initiation of apoptotic signals following tissue injury may play a role in scarless wound repair.
Destabilization of Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia Induced by Molten Sodium Vanadate‐Sodium Sulfate Melts

The extent of surface destabilization of ZrO2 - 8 wt percent Y2O3 ceramic disks was determined after exposure to molten salt mixtures of sodium sulfate containing up to 15 mole percent sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) at 1173 K. The ceramic surface was observed to transform from the cubic/tetragonal to monoclinic phase, concurrent with chemical changes in the molten salt layer in contact with the ceramic. Significant attack rates were observed in both pure sulfate and metavanadate sulfate melts. The rate of attack was found to be quite sensitive to the mole fraction of vanadate in the molten salt solution and the partial pressure of sulfur trioxide in equilibrium with the salt melt. The observed parabolic rate of attack is interpreted to be caused by a reaction controlled by diffusion in the salt that penetrates into the porous layer formed by the destabilization. The parabolic rate constant in mixed sodium metavanadate - sodium sulfate melts was found to be proportional to the SO3 partial pressure and the square of the metavanadate concentration. In-situ Raman spectroscopic measurements allowed simultaneous observations of the ceramic phases and salt chemistry during the attack process.
Three-dimensional crystal growth-II: nonlinear simulation and control of the Mullins-Sekerka instability

Abstract In this paper, Part II of our study, we extend our previous analysis (J Crystal Growth 240 (2002) 267) of the linear evolution of non-spherical growing crystals in three dimensions into the nonlinear regime characterized by large shape perturbations. We focus on a solid crystal growing in an undercooled liquid with isotropic surface tension and interface kinetics. We use a new, adaptive boundary integral method to simulate the morphological evolution of the growing crystals. Our simulations reveal that when the far-field heat flux into the system is prescribed by appropriately varying the undercooling in the far field, the Mullins–Sekerka instability that would arise under constant undercooling can be suppressed. In particular, we demonstrate that there exist critical conditions of flux at which self-similar or nearly self-similar nonlinear evolution occurs and the shape is dominated by a given mode leading to non-spherical, nearly shape invariant growing crystals. This result was predicted by our previous analysis (see Ref. Cristini and Lowengrub) and suggests that our theory is applicable to real physical systems. We provide a simulation of a physical experiment that might be able to be carried out in a laboratory in which a desired shape of a crystal is achieved and maintained during growth by appropriately prescribing the far-field heat flux.
Unified modeling and analysis of a proportional valve

Abstract Developments in nonlinear control theory have made it possible to design controllers for systems having non-smooth nonlinearities in their dynamics. Hydraulic systems that use inexpensive proportional valves are examples of such systems, where nonlinearities arise due to valve geometry and spool imperfections. Without a proper valve model, however, nonlinear analysis and control of these hydraulic systems is not possible. We have developed nonlinear equations for a generic proportional valve model and have used them to obtain simplified flow rate expressions under generally accepted assumptions. These equations relate a set of geometric spool properties and physical model parameters to the flow rate through the valve ports. The development focuses on obtaining a single set of flow rate equations applicable to critical center, overlapped, and underlapped proportional valves. These unified model equations are useful for simulation and nonlinear controller design. We have also demonstrated that the errors incurred when using the unified valve model are dependent on the damping coefficient alone and are less than 10% in the frequency range within which most valves are used.
Computational Heat-Transfer Modeling of Thermal Energy Storage Canisters for Space Applications

A computer code has been developed for analyzing the phenomena occurring in cylindrical metal canisters containinga high-temperaturephasechangematerial.Suchcanistersare normallyused as thermal storageelements in heat receivers of solar dynamic power systems for low-orbit space vehicles. The code is a useful canister design tool and able to predict the temperature distributions and the void behavior in the canisters. These in turn are used for the canister thermal stress analyses. The emphasis in the development of the code has been made on accurate descriptions of the solid-liquid phase change process, void dynamics and heat transfer, convective and radiative heat-transfer modes in the phase change material. The abilities of the code include computations of three-dimensional and axisymmetric heat transfer and  uid mechanics phenomena inside the canisters. The code validationhas been made based on the results of ground tests and two thermal energy storage  ight experiments. The validated code has been used for canister analyses. The following features have been examined: 1) the location of hot spots in the canister, especially canister walls; 2) the void location and heat-transfer predictions; 3) the importance of radiative and convective heat-transfer modes in the void and liquid phase change material; and 4) the in uence of three-dimensional vs axisymmetric boundary conditions on the canister performance.
A fully integrated multi-channel impedance extraction circuit for biosensor arrays

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) is a powerful tool for characterizing materials that exhibit a frequency dependent behavior to an applied electric field. This paper introduces a fully integrated multi-channel impedance extraction circuit that can both generate AC stimulus signals over a broad frequency range and also measure and digitize the real and imaginary components of the impedance response. The circuit was fabricated in 0.5μm CMOS and consumes 355μW at 3.3V. Tailored for protein and lipid bilayer characterization, the signal generator produces sinusoidal waves from 1Hz to 10kHz. To suit a variety of applications, the impedance extraction circuit provides a programmable current measurement range from~100pA to 100nA with a measured resolution of ~100fA. Occupying only 0.045mm2 per measurement channel, the circuit is compact enough to include nearly 100 channels and the signal generator on 3 × 3mm die.
Tyrosine-Phosphorylated Extracellular Signal–Regulated Kinase Associates with the Golgi Complex during G2/M Phase of the Cell Cycle: Evidence for Regulation of Golgi Structure

Phosphorylation of the extracellular signal–regulated kinases (ERKs) on tyrosine and threonine residues within the TEY tripeptide motif induces ERK activation and targeting of substrates. Although it is recognized that phosphorylation of both residues is required for ERK activation, it is not known if a single phosphorylation of either residue regulates physiological functions. In light of recent evidence indicating that ERK proteins regulate substrate function in the absence of ERK enzymatic activity, we have begun to examine functional roles for partially phosphorylated forms of ERK. Using phosphorylation site–specific ERK antibodies and immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that ERK phosphorylated on the tyrosine residue (pY ERK) within the TEY activation sequence is found constitutively in the nucleus, and localizes to the Golgi complex of cells that are in late G2 or early mitosis of the cell cycle. As cells progress through metaphase and anaphase, pY ERK localization to Golgi vesicles is most evident around the mitotic spindle poles. During telophase, pY ERK associates with newly formed Golgi vesicles but is not found on there after cytokinesis and entry into G1. Increased ERK phosphorylation causes punctate distribution of several Golgi proteins, indicating disruption of the Golgi structure. This observation is reversible by overexpression of a tyrosine phosphorylation–defective ERK mutant, but not by a kinase-inactive ERK2 mutant that is tyrosine phosphorylated. These data provide the first evidence that pY ERK and not ERK kinase activity regulates Golgi structure and may be involved in mitotic Golgi fragmentation and reformation.
A kriging approach to the analysis of climate model experiments

A climate model is a computer implementation of a mathematical model for the physical, chemical and biological processes underlying the climate. An immediate use of a climate model is in performing climate model experiments, where uncertain input quantities, such as greenhouse gas and aerosol concentrations, are systematically varied to gain insight into their effects on the climate system. Climate models are computationally intensive, allowing only small experiments. We present a multidimensional kriging method to predict climate model variables at new inputs, based on the experimental data available. The method is particularly suitable for situations in which the climate model data sets share a common pattern across the input space, such as surface temperatures that are lower at the Poles, higher at the Equator, and increasing over time. The results demonstrate the potential of our kriging method as an exploratory tool in climate science.
Voyager 1 observes sudden changes in cosmic ray intensity

The Voyager 1 spacecraft, which was launched in 1977, has reached a new region of space near the edge of the heliosphere, the bubble of charged particles surrounding our solar system. At the edge of the heliosphere is the heliosheath, the region where the solar wind slows down as it hits incoming particles from the interstellar medium. As it traveled through the heliosheath, Voyager 1 recently encountered a dramatic, unprecedented change in the intensity of cosmic rays.
Intranuclear site of replication of adenovirus DNA.

Abstract Direct observation of the intranuclear site of newly replicated adenovirus DNA by electron microscope autoradiography indicates that the continuing replication of viral DNA does not occur in association with the nuclear envelope. This result was obtained in the absence of host cell DNA synthesis and was independent of variations in the length of exposure to radioactivity or the appearance of viral-induced changes in nuclear morphology.
Group Work During International Disaster Outreach Projects: A Model to Advance Cultural Competence

Given the rise in disasters worldwide, counselors will increasingly be called upon to respond. Current accreditation standards require that programs train students to become skillful in disaster/crisis interventions. Group processing to enhance self-awareness and improve conceptualization skills is an essential element of such training. This article disseminates information from a case study analysis on the experiences of 7 counselor-trainees during a 28-day international outreach trip to southern Africa, which involved daily group processing. The authors identified 2 major themes: (a) Struggle and Discomfort and (b) Growth. Working through struggle/discomfort strengthened group cohesion and facilitated the participants’ growth. Significant findings for group workers who engage in international outreach, implications for counselor development, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Teaching digital system design with a minicomputer

Design education requires a study of the "art" involved in a given discipline in addition to the study of its "science." Textbooks tend to concentrate on the science and leave the art as 'an exercise for the student.' One solution to this problem is the use of a "real" example of the discipline involved as a teaching aid and laboratory tool. With this approach the art and science can be taught in integrated form and with the given system as a base, these principles can be readily extrapolated to other systems. The "broad brush" approach to design education without a base of knowledge tends to leave the student little net gain.
Posterior capsule polishing with the neodymium:YLF picosecond laser: Model eye study

Abstract Purpose: To determine the ability and threshold energy of the neodymium:yttriumlithium-fluoride (Nd:YLF) picosecond laser to achieve micron-level polishing of a latex posterior capsule facsimile (PCF) as an alternative to laser capsulotomy to treat posterior capsule opacification. Setting: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA. Methods: A solid-state, mode-locked Nd:YLF picosecond laser was used to polish a latex PCF in contact with a poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens (IOL) in an experimental model eye. Eight study groups were treated at different energy levels ranging from 5 to 15 µJ. All treatments were done at least three times in different latex capsules and lenses. An atomic force microscope was used to measure IOL damage and an interferometric surface analysis microscope to assess the polishing effect on the PCF The IOLs were further subjected to a scatter analysis to assess the optical significance of the damage produced. Results: The latex PCF revealed a polishing effect with all energy settings used. The IOLs were damaged with all energy settings but 5 µJ. Energy settings higher than 5 µJ caused significantly more polishing effect to the latex and damage to the lenses. At the 10 µJ energy level, a single parameter with no depth produced a relative polishing depth of 3.01 lam ± 0.10 (root mean square ± SD). At this energy, the damage to the IOLs was 188 ± 20.52 nm, and it was associated with typical craters over the surface at regular intervals that corresponded to each individual laser pulse. Conclusion: This model documented the feasibility of achieving micron-level precision in excising material with the picosecond laser and showed that posterior capsule polishing should be feasible and safe in human eyes.
A Session Based Approach for Aggregating Network Traffic Data -- The SANTA Dataset

This paper compares and contrasts the most widely used network security datasets, evaluating their efficacy in providing a benchmark for intrusion and anomaly detection systems. The antiquated nature of some of the most widely used datasets along with their inadequacies is examined and used as a basis for discussion of a new approach to analyzing network traffic data. Live network traffic is collected that consists of real normal traffic and both real and penetration testing attack data. Attack data is then inspected and labeled by means of manual analysis. While network attacks and anomaly features vary widely, they share some commonalities that are examined here. Among these are: self-similarity convergence, periodicity, and repetition. Further, the knowledge inherent in the definition of network boundaries and advertised services can provide crucial context that allows the network analyst to consider self-aware attributes when examining network traffic sessions. To these ends the Session Aggregation for Network Traffic Analysis (SANTA) dataset is proposed. The motivation and the methodology of collection, aggregation and evaluation of the raw data are presented, as well as the conceptualization of the SANTA attributes and advantages provided by this approach.
Saluting in Social Context

The article examines the stylistic variations of the military custom of saluting, which both reflects the military hierarchy and provides a medium for the expression of individuals' attitudes toward the system. Specific examples, conventions, and categories of saluting are presented, drawn from the author's previous experience as a United States Army officer, with reference to official guidelines and discussions with other military personnel. Common instances of individual manipulation of the standard rules for saluting are considered signs of structural ambiguity and of overlapping-and sometimes contradictory-systems of military power, values, and authority. Based on evidence of a complex interplay of social definitions in a relatively closed and regimented system, the author warns against using rigid or deterministic models of the relationship between individual action and social structure.
How Do Patients with HIV/AIDS Understand and Respond to Health Value Questions?

Background Utility assessment involves assigning values to experienced or unfamiliar health states. Pivotal to utility assessment, then, is how one conceptualizes health states such as “current health” and “perfect health.” The purpose of this study was to ascertain how patients with HIV think about and value health and health states.
Novel fluorimetric assay of trace analysis of epinephrine in human serum

Abstract A simple, rapid, and sensitive spectrofluorimetric technique for the microdetermination of epinephrine in human serum is described. The investigation shows that trace amounts of epinephrine, antidepressant of clinical importance, can be determined without the conventional derivatization or use of fluorophores by diazotization. The method is based on the optimization of experimental parameters, such as pH, temperature, careful selection of excitation and emission wavelengths and on the use of anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), to enhance sensitivity. The measurement was carried out at 360 nm with excitation at 286 nm. Under the optimum conditions, a linear relationship was obtained between the fluorescence intensity and epinephrine concentration in the range of 0.10 and 1.0 μg/mL; the correlation coefficient and detection limit are 0.9953 and 0.05 μg/mL, respectively. Recovery tests indicated an efficiency of 95.5–98.7% by using known amounts of epinephrine spiked with human serum.
Topological invariants for gauge theories and symmetry-protected topological phases

According to a recent theoretical conjecture for a classification of symmetry protected topological (SPT) phases which can arise in a collection of lattice boson models called group cohomology models, each model belongs to a distinct SPT phase, and each SPT phase can be realized by a model. Here the authors show that for SPT phases with symmetry groups that are finite, Abelian, and unitary, each group cohomology model can be characterized by a unique set of topological invariants and therefore belongs to a distinct SPT phase. In two dimensions it is further shown that the complete set of group cohomology models accounts for all SPT phases, while in three dimensions evidence pointing toward such a proof is found.
Humans, Cities, and Nature: How Do Cities Fit in the Material World?

This paper explores how historians—and others—continue to create a barrier between the natural world and the city, and why the so-called declensionist narrative—humans as agents of harmful physical...
Limits of Light Trapping in Silicon Thin Film Cells via Metallic Gratings

In this paper, we study the limits of light trapping for amorphous silicon thin film solar cells using surface metallic gratings. Adopting a method used recently by Sheng et al. [31], arbitrarily shaped periodic surface textures described by Fourier series with limited terms are considered, and global inverse optimization techniques such as Simulated Annealing are used to adjust the structural variations of the unknown texture to yield maximum light trapping. The optimization is done with respect to two objective functions: enhancement in the number of absorbed photons and, maximal spectral absorptivity enhancement. We show that compared with the rectangular structures previously studied, curved structures result in additional waveguide modes and more broadband enhancement in absorptivity of silicon. An overall improvement of over 60% is achievable in the number of absorbed photons for polarized incident sunlight using the shape functions we will describe. We compare the results with conventional Lambertian limit of light trapping [1] and with the more recent theoretical limits of Yu et al. [30] and Sheng et al. [31] for thin films. We show that at near-infrared ranges, absorptivity enhancements remarkably higher than those results can be achieved using the proposed structures and inverse optimization.© 2012 ASME
On the structure, reactivity and relative stability of the large carbon cluster ions C+62, C+60 and C+58

Abstract The exclusive metastable loss of C 2 from C + 62 , C + 60 and C + 58 generated by laser ablation from graphite is studied using a high resolution reverse geometry mass spectrometer. Kinetic energy release distributions are peaked at low energies (≈0.2 eV) and fall off quasi-exponentially at higher energies. Successful modeling by statistical phase space theory indicates no reverse activation energy for C 2 -loss. A molten droplet of spheroidal geometry for the structure of these ions best fits the data. The modeling also indicates C 2 is bound to C + 62 by 3.0 eV and to C + 60 and C + 58 by ≈4.6 eV. Electronic rather than structural effects are suggested as the cause of the instability of C + 62 relative to C + 60 and C + 58 . Kinetic effects that reflect the instability of C + 62 and to a lesser extent the stability of C + 60 are suggested as the principal reasons why C + 60 can be a dominant feature in the mass spectrum under favorable experimental conditions.
Growth of an Infinitesimal Cavity in a Rate-Dependent Solid

The large strains which occur in the vicinity of the void are accounted for in the analysis, and the problem is reduced to a nonlinear initial value problem
A redescription of Pseudodiaptomus salinus (Giesbrecht, 1896) and a new species from the Arabian Sea (Copepoda, Calanoida, Pseudodiaptomidae)

Many species of Pseudodiaptomus are known from the Indian Ocean. However, only two species have been reported from the Red and Arabian Seas. A review of P. salinus (Giesbrecht) from collections near Kuwait and Pakistan in the Arabian Sea revealed differences from Red Sea material. Further study proved the existence of a new species Pseudodiaptomus arabicus n.sp.
Characteristics of Urban Arterial Crashes Relative to Proximity to Intersections and Injury Severity

Intersections of an urban arterial corridor may influence crashes that occur even beyond their physical area. This study examines the effect of the gradual change in the distance of intersection influence on crash characteristics that explain injury severity outcomes of arterial crashes. The approach adopted involves simultaneous estimation of two variables: an ordinal variable representing crash—injury severity and a binary variable representing crash location (intersection versus segment crashes). The dichotomy in crash location is based on the threshold distance of intersection influence. Five sets of bivariate simultaneous models were estimated by using five threshold distances of influence varying from 0 to 200 ft at 50-ft increments. A threshold of 0 ft essentially means that crashes only at the physical area of intersections are treated as intersection crashes. The other four thresholds define crashes 50, 100, 150, and 200 ft from the center of the intersections as intersection crashes. Simultaneou...
Artificial neural networks for modelling dynamics of impacting bodies and vehicles

AbstractA new approach is demonstrated and tested for modelling the non-linear multi-body dynamics problem of two impacting bodies. An advanced recurrent artificial neural network (ANN) is used to ...
Molecular biomarkers: a US FDA effort

Molecular biomarkers are used for various purposes, including disease diagnosis and prognosis, prediction and assessment of treatment response, and safety assessment. There has been a significant increase in the number of US FDA-approved drug labels containing information on molecular biomarkers over the last decade. Almost every pharmaceutical company has been developing molecular biomarker programs, either alone, through partnerships or other ventures. More molecular biomarkers are expected to be identified and validated in drug development, and used to support approval of drug products. This article summarizes the current status of molecular biomarkers used for FDA-approved drug products, and discusses the challenges and future perspectives for the identification and qualification of molecular biomarkers. Specific FDA programs and research projects related to molecular biomarkers are also discussed for supporting regulatory review in the future.