cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Confronting Analytical Dilemmas for Understanding Complex Human Interactions in Design-Based Research From a Cultural—Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) Framework

Understanding human activity in real-world situations often involves complicated data collection, analysis, and presentation methods. This article discusses how Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) can inform design-based research practices that focus on understanding activity in real-world situations. I provide a sample data set with activity systems analyses of a yearlong teacher professional development program designed to foster technology integration into rural Indiana schools. I present the analytical dilemmas I faced while maintaining trustworthiness in the qualitative data analysis. Through the sample data analysis, I demonstrate how the school-wide technology reform initiative affected and was affected by classroom-based teacher technology implementation projects. Additionally, I introduce the theoretical findings from the data analyses that contribute to further development in activity systems analysis.
A mutation in an ATP-binding loop of Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin (S14A) causes a temperature-sensitive phenotype in vivo and in vitro.

The Ser14 hydroxyl group of actin is one of six groups that potentially form hydrogen bonds with the γ-phosphate of the ATP bound in the cleft separating the two domains of the protein. To understand the importance of this group in actin function, we mutated Ser14 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin and studied the effects of these mutations in vivo and in vitro. Substitution of Cys or Gly resulted in cell death. Substitution of Thr for Ser resulted in an actin with wild-type properties in vivo and in vitro. Cells carrying the Ser14 → Ala (S14A) mutation were viable but displayed a temperature sensitive lethality at 37 °C preceded by delocalization of actin patches, the appearance of bar-like structures, and finally the disappearance of identifiable actin structures. The mutation caused no effect on the critical concentration of polymerization but resulted in an actin with an increased rate of polymerization, an altered protease susceptibility, and a decreased filament ATPase activity. At 37 °C, Mg-, but not Ca-S14A-actin irreversibly lost the ability to polymerize. These results demonstrate the importance of the ATP-Ser14 hydroxyl hydrogen bond in regulating actin function in vivo and in vitro and the magnification of the effects of the mutation when Mg2+ is substituted for Ca2+ in the protein.
Characterization of a bradykinin-hydrolyzing protease from the bovine lens.

PURPOSE. To isolate and characterize bovine lens endopeptidase activity that cleaves the Phe-Ser bond in peptide substrates. METHODS. The protease activity in young bovine lens homogenate was measured using the Mca-(Ala 7 ,Lys(Dnp) 9 )-bradykinin substrate. Degradation of bradykinin and other unlabeled peptide substrates was monitored by reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column. The protease was purified by means of several chromatography steps. An in-gel tryptic digest of the purified protease was analyzed by using matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS and nanospray quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (QqToF MS). The specificity of the protease was determined with bradykinin and its analogues. Crystallin fragments isolated from aged bovine lenses were tested for their susceptibility to degradation by a newly identified endopeptidase. RESULTS. Bradykinin hydrolyzing endopeptidase activity was localized mainly in the outer cortex of the lens. A characterization study showed that the purified protease was thiol and metal dependent. Peptide mass fingerprinting and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis of an in-gel tryptic digest matched the protein sequence of thimet oligopeptidase (TOP). The purified protease cleaved bradykinin specifically at Phe 5 -Ser 6 and neurotensin at Arg 8 -Atg 9 . Basic or hydrophobic amino acids at P1 and P1' positions in the substrate were preferred over acidic residues. Enzyme activity was also inhibited by physiological levels of adenosine triphosphate (1 mM; ATP) and glutathione (3 mM; GSH). The crystallin fragments obtained from aged bovine lenses were cleaved by the purified enzyme. CONCLUSIONS. This study shows the presence of TOP in the bovine lens. Its unique substrate specificity and regulation of its activity by ATP and GSH suggest that 'rOP has an important role in peptide hydrolysis in the lens.
Crystal structure of TNFα complexed with a poxvirus MHC-related TNF binding protein

The poxvirus 2L protein binds tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) to inhibit host antiviral and immune responses. The 2.8-A 2L–TNFα structure reveals three symmetrically arranged 2L molecules per TNFα trimer. 2L resembles class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but lacks a peptide-binding groove and β2-microglobulin light chain. Overlap between the 2L and host TNF receptor-binding sites on TNFα rationalizes 2L inhibition of TNFα–TNF receptor interactions and prevention of TNFα-induced immune responses.
Response-monitoring dysfunction in aging and Alzheimer’s disease: an event-related potential study

Abstract Executive control is a broad-reaching function that includes response monitoring and is likely implemented in the frontal lobes. Age- and dementia-related changes in response-monitoring were assessed during a Picture-Name Verification Task, using response-synchronized event-related potential (ERP) markers of response monitoring: the centrally oriented error-related negativity (ERN); the smaller and more frontally-oriented correct-response negativity (CRN); and the positivity associated with errors (Pe), a marker of error awareness. These were recorded from 10 younger and 10 older healthy controls, as well as 12 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Although the older and younger controls showed equivalent accuracy, error awareness (Pe), and relative ERN>CRN amplitude, aging was associated with slower behavioral responses and decreased ERN amplitude. Although dementia was associated with decreased accuracy, decreased ERN, and a loss of relative ERN>CRN amplitude, error awareness (Pe) remained somewhat intact in AD patients. In AD patients, CRN amplitude was affected by item certainty (assessed a week earlier), being larger to items that were idiosyncratically difficult for patients to name.
Restoring marsh elevation in a rapidly subsiding salt marsh by thin-layer deposition of dredged material

Abstract Thin-layer deposition of dredged material on coastal marsh by means of high-pressure spray dredging (Jet-Spray® 2 ) technology has been proposed as a mechanism to minimize wetland impacts associated with traditional bucket dredging technologies and to restore soil elevations in deteriorated marshes of the Mississippi River delta. The impact of spray dredging on vegetated marsh and adjacent shallow-water habitat (formerly vegetated marsh that deteriorated to open water) was evaluated in a 0.5-ha Spartina alterniflora -dominated salt marsh in coastal Louisiana. The thickness of dredged sediment deposits was determined from artificial soil marker horizons and soil elevation change was determined from sedimentation–erosion tables (SET) established prior to spraying in both sprayed and reference marshes. The vertical accretion and elevation change measurements were made simultaneously to allow for calculation of shallow (∼5 m depth) subsidence (accretion minus elevation change). Measurements made immediately following spraying in July 1996 revealed that stems of S. alterniflora were knocked down by the force of the spray and covered with 23 mm of dredged material. Stems of S. alterniflora soon recovered, and by July 1997 the percent cover of S. alterniflora had increased three-fold over pre-project conditions. Thus, the layer of dredged material was thin enough to allow for survival of the S. alterniflora plants, with no subsequent colonization by plant species typical of higher marsh zones. By February 1998, 62 mm of vertical accretion accumulated at this site, and little indication of disturbance was noted. Although not statistically significant, soil elevation change was greater than accretion on average at both the spray and reference marshes, suggesting that subsurface expansion caused by increased root biomass production and/or pore water storage influence elevation in this marsh region. In the adjacent shallow water pond, 129 mm of sediment was deposited in July 1996 as a result of spraying, and despite initial shallow subsidence and continual erosion through February 1998, water bottom elevation was raised sufficiently to allow S. alterniflora to invade via rhizome growth from the adjacent marsh. Hence, thin-layer deposition of dredged material at this site was effective at restoring and maintaining marsh elevation after 1.5 years. However, if the open water sediment deposits are not soon completely stabilized via further vegetative colonization, erosion may eventually lower elevations to the level where emergent vegetation cannot persist.
Modeling the effect of APC truncation on destruction complex function in colorectal cancer cells.

In colorectal cancer cells, APC, a tumor suppressor protein, is commonly expressed in truncated form. Truncation of APC is believed to disrupt degradation of β—catenin, which is regulated by a multiprotein complex called the destruction complex. The destruction complex comprises APC, Axin, β—catenin, serine/threonine kinases, and other proteins. The kinases and , which are recruited by Axin, mediate phosphorylation of β—catenin, which initiates its ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation. The mechanism of regulation of β—catenin degradation by the destruction complex and the role of truncation of APC in colorectal cancer are not entirely understood. Through formulation and analysis of a rule-based computational model, we investigated the regulation of β—catenin phosphorylation and degradation by APC and the effect of APC truncation on function of the destruction complex. The model integrates available mechanistic knowledge about site-specific interactions and phosphorylation of destruction complex components and is consistent with an array of published data. We find that the phosphorylated truncated form of APC can outcompete Axin for binding to β—catenin, provided that Axin is limiting, and thereby sequester β—catenin away from Axin and the Axin-recruited kinases and . Full-length APC also competes with Axin for binding to β—catenin; however, full-length APC is able, through its SAMP repeats, which bind Axin and which are missing in truncated oncogenic forms of APC, to bring β—catenin into indirect association with Axin and Axin-recruited kinases. Because our model indicates that the positive effects of truncated APC on β—catenin levels depend on phosphorylation of APC, at the first 20-amino acid repeat, and because phosphorylation of this site is mediated by , we suggest that is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in colorectal cancer. Specific inhibition of is predicted to limit binding of β—catenin to truncated APC and thereby to reverse the effect of APC truncation.
Design of a High-Rate, High-Volume Oil/Water Separator

At ultra-high water cuts (95% or more), the most difficult production problem may not be getting the oil out of the ground, but getting oil out of the water. While it is not uncommon to use large wash tanks to separate the oil from this type of flowstream, few designs can be tailored to a specific application. This paper presents one such design, including the equations used to analyze its performance. This type of analysis can be applied to any separator to predict what its performance should be.
The Liberation of Humanity and Nature

What does the 'liberation' of nature mean? In this essay, I use a pragmatic methodology to ( 1 ) reject the idea that we need a metaphysical understanding of the nature of nature before we can speak of nature's liberation, and (2) explain the sense of liberation as being the continuation of human non-interference in natural processes. Two real life policy cases are cited as examples: beach restoration on Fire Island and rock climbing in designated wilderness areas.
Administering the Semantic Web: Confidentiality, Privacy and Trust Management

The Semantic Web is essentially a collection of technologies to support machine-understandable Web pages as well as Information Interoperability. There has been much progress made on the Semantic Web, including standards for eXtensible Markup Language, Resource Description Framework, and Ontologies. However, administration policies and techniques for enforcing them have received little attention. These policies include policies for security, privacy, data quality, integrity, trust, and timely information processing. This article discusses administration policies for the Semantic Web as well as techniques for enforcing them. In particular, we will discuss an approach for ensuring confidentiality, privacy, and trust for the Semantic Web. We will also discuss the inference and privacy problems within the context of administration policies.
Prolactin-mediated transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of casein gene expression

The mechanism by which prolactin, a peptide hormone, regulates casein gene expression has been studied in mammary gland organ culture. After prolactin addition, a 2-4 fold increase in the rate of casein mRNA transcription was observed within 1 hr and maintained for at least 24 hr. This increased rate of transcription is not sufficient to account for the mass accumulation of casein mRNA. The half-life of casein mRNA is also increased 17-25 fold in the presence of prolactin. This change in casein mRNA half-life, coupled with a 2-4 fold increase in the rate of transcription, can account for the normal accumulation of casein mRNA observed after prolactin addition. This hormone-induced change in casein mRNA half-life appeared to be selective, since prolactin was found to exert only a slight effect (1-4 fold) on the half-life of poly(A) RNA determined under identical pulse-chase conditions. The hormonal regulation of casein gene expression thus does not app-ar to be an "all or none" process occurring only at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels, but rather may involve a coordinated response at several levels to permit the efficient expression of specialized differentiated functions.
A novel 50 nm vertical MOSFET with a dielectric pocket

Abstract A vertical metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor with the novel feature of a dielectric pocket between the channel and source/drain has been fabricated and tested. These dielectric pocket vertical MOSFETs (DPV-MOSFETs) show an improved suppression of short-channel effects such as VT roll-off and drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL). This is due to reduced charge sharing, thus allowing better threshold voltage control. The dielectric pocket also prevents dopant diffusion from the source/drains into the body during device fabrication, mitigating bulk punchthrough.
Effect of Plasma-Based Control on Low-Reynolds-Number Flapping Airfoil Performance

Large-eddy simulation (LES) is employed to investigate the use of plasma-based actuation for the control of flapping motion of a wing section at low Reynolds number. The SD7003 airfoil section and imposed oscillatory motion of the investigation are representative of micro air vehicle (MAV) applications. Dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) plasma actuation is utilized to modify the transitional flow and improve aerodynamic performance. Solutions are obtained to the Navier-Stokes equations, that were augmented by source terms used to represent plasma-induced body forces imparted by the actuator on the fluid. A simple phenomenological model provided the body force resulting from the electric field generated by the plasma. The numerical method is based upon a high-fidelity time-implicit scheme, an implicit LES approach, and domain decomposition in order to perform calculations on a parallel computing platform. Solutions are obtained for combined periodic pitching and plunging motion about an 8 degree mean angle of attack at chordbased Reynolds numbers of 30,000 and 60,000. Baseline simulations without control are compared to cases employing plasma actuation in order to assess eects on performance. Comparison is also made with experimental data, and a grid resolution study is performed for validation purposes. Plasma-based control is able to mitigate, but not completely eliminate, the massive separation that occurs during the unsteady motion. It is shown that plasma actuation can reduce drag by 80% over the flapping cycle, and increase the lift to drag ratio by a factor of five.
Brief Strategic Family Therapy: Implementing evidence-based models in community settings

Objective: To review a 40-year collaborative partnership between clinical researchers and clinicians, in developing, investigating and implementing Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT). Method: First, to review theory, practice and studies related to this evidenced-based therapy intervention targeting adolescent drug abuse and delinquency. Second, to present the BSFT Implementation Model created for the BSFT intervention—a model that parallels many of the recommendations from the implementation science literature. Results: Specific challenges encountered during the BSFT implementation process are reviewed, along with ways of conceptualizing and addressing these challenges from a systemic perspective. Conclusion: The BSFT implementation uses the same systemic principles and intervention techniques as those that underlie the BSFT clinical model. Building on our on-the-ground experiences, recommendations are proposed for advancing the field of implementation science.
The Role of Ground Water in Stream Discharges from Two Small Wetland Controlled Basins in Eastern Massachusetts

Ground-water discharge was found to be the primary cause of flood peaks generated at two small wetland controlled basins in eastern Massachusetts. Within the wetlands, ground water rose rapidly following precipitation and in near synchronization with stream levels indicating a close coupling between ground water and the stream. Stream hydrographs were separated into baseflow and surface runoff by a dynamic technique which matches the hydrograph of an index well with the stream hydrograph to determine the moment of maximum ground-water discharge. Hydrograph analysis showed that for both wetlands ground water was the major component of all flood peaks and accounted for approximately 93% of the total annual discharge.
THE ELECTROPHORETIC BEHAVIOR OF OSMIUM TETROXIDE-FIXED AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE-FIXED RAT ERYTHROCYTES.

Abstract Mobility-pH curves at ionic strength 0.145 and mobility-ionic strength curves at pH 7.3 are reported for OsO4-fixed, KMnO4-fixed and unfixed rat erythrocytes. OsO4 fixation imparts great stability to the erythrocytes, permitting extension of mobility measurements down to pH 0.9 and up to pH 12.3. The pH-mobility curves for OsO4-fixed and for unfixed cells are identical over the entire range for which data can be obtained for unfixed erythrocytes. Both types are isoelectric at pH 1.6. The OsO4-fixed cells (a) reversibly acquire a positive charge below pH 1.6 and (b) acquire an increased (negative) mobility above pH 11.0. These two new features are believed to represent intrinsic properties of the normal unfixed erythrocytes. The entire extended mobility-pH curve appears consistent with the idea that outer-surface sialic acid (N-acylated neuraminic acid) is solely responsible for their charge (electrophoretic) characteristics. KMnO4-fixed erythrocytes show considerably altered pH-mobility (hence surface) characteristics, compared with OsO4-fixed and unfixed erythrocytes. This is ascribed to differences in chemical reactivity of OsO4 and KMnO4. Mobilities of both kinds of fixed cells are virtually identical at all ionic strengths at pH 7.3; but at lower ionic strenghts, they are lower than those of the unfixed cells.
Peroxynitrite Upregulates Angiogenic Factors VEGF-A, BFGF, and HIF-1α in Human Corneal Limbal Epithelial Cells

Purpose. Corneal neovascularization (NV) is a sight-threatening condition often associated with infection, inflammation, prolonged contact lens use, corneal burns, and acute corneal graft rejection. Macrophages recruited to the cornea release nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O2−), which react together to form the highly toxic molecule peroxynitrite (ONOO−). The role of ONOO− in upregulating multiple angiogenic factors in cultured human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells was investigated.
Recent evolutionary history of the metallothionein gene Mtn in Drosophila.

A new allele of one of the metallothionein genes of D. melanogaster, Mtn•3, sheds light on the recent evolution of this gene. In comparison to the previously studied Mtnl allele found in Canton S, this new allele, Mtn•3, produces a transcript that is 49 bases longer and 65–70 % less abundant. We detected Mtn•3 in several laboratory strains as well as in isofemale lines derived from natural populations. Sequence comparison showed that Mtn•3 differs from Mtnl in that it has: (a) base-pair substitution and an extra 49 bp-segment in the 3' untranslated region, (b) a substitution in the coding region that replaces the terminal Glu40 in Mtnl with Lys40, and (c) two base-pair substitutions in the promoter region. The Mtn•3-type was detected in six species of the melanogaster group by restriction analysis, and this result was confirmed by sequencing the D. simulans Mtn gene. Thus Mtn•3, which produces a less abundant transcript, appears to be the oldest of the two alleles. We also found that the duplications previously isolated from natural populations all derived from Mtnl, the more recent allele. Thus, two evolutionary steps: Mtn•3 to Mtnl and Mtnl to Dp(Mtnl), are accompanied by an overall 5- to 6-fold increase of RNA accumulation. The two changes seem to have occurred in non-African populations since Mtn•3 but not Mtnl was detected in our sample from tropical Africa, while Mtnl and Dp (Mtnl) are prevalent in European and North American samples.
A Test for Endurance in Speed Swimming

(1935). A Test for Endurance in Speed Swimming. Research Quarterly. American Physical Education Association: Vol. 6, Springfield College Studies in Physical Education, pp. 106-112.
A novel peptide nanomedicine for treatment of pancreatogenic diabetes.

Abstract Pancreatogenic diabetes (PD) is a potentially fatal disease that occurs secondary to pancreatic disorders. The current anti-diabetic therapy for PD is fraught with adverse effects that can increase morbidity. Here we investigated the efficacy of novel peptide nanomedicine: pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in sterically stabilized micelles (SSM) for management of PD. PP exhibits significant anti-diabetic efficacy but its short plasma half-life curtails its therapeutic application. To prolong and improve activity of PP in vivo , we evaluated the delivery of PP in SSM. PP-SSM administered to rats with PD, significantly improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and hepatic glycogen content compared to peptide in buffer. The studies established the importance of micellar nanocarriers in protecting enzyme-labile peptides in vivo and delivering them to target site, thereby enhancing their therapeutic efficacy. In summary, this study demonstrated that PP-SSM is a promising novel anti-diabetic nanomedicine and therefore should be further developed for management of PD. From the Clinical Editor Pancreatic peptide was earlier demonstrated to address pancreatogenic diabetes, but its short half-life represented major difficulties in further development for therapeutic use. PP-SSM (pancreatic polypeptide in sterically stabilized micelles) is a promising novel anti-diabetic nanomedicine that enables prolonged half-life and increased bioactivity of PP, as shown in this novel study, paving the way toward clinical studies in the near future.
ThunderBird: a complete standard cell layout package

The generalized standard cell layout style handled by ThunderBird is characterized by horizontal rows of standard cells with pads placed around the periphery of the chip. Furthermore, macro blocks may be present on the chip. The standard cells are permitted to have varying heights. The two key components of ThunderBird are TimberWolf3.2, a standard cell placement and global routing package, and the YACR II channel router. The placement and global routing proceed over three distinct stages: (1) cell placement for minimum interconnect length, (2) insertion of feedthrough cells or location of built-in feeds, and another interconnect-length minimization; and (3) local changes in placement to reduce the number of wiring tracks required. This channel router features a 100% routing completion rate while usually routing each channel using a number of tracks equal to a density of the channel. Results on industrial circuits versus numerous automatic and manual layout methods showed that ThunderBird yielded area savings ranging from 15 to 75%. >
Chemical Dispersivity Affected by Homogeneous and Fractal Porous Media

Abstract In transport relationships for porous media, chemical dispersivity is an important parameter for estimation of pollutant migration. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of scale on dispersivity for homogeneous media and fractal media. The approach used to estimate scale was transport distance along the column downstream from the applied chemical. Columns containing homogeneous media and fractal media were evaluated for chemical breakthrough using computed tomography (CT) imaging. The advection-dispersion transport equation appeared to be appropriate for estimating the parameters. Some columns showed that dispersivity was potentially a function of distance from the upstream end of the column. These tests indicated that dispersivity through the fractal media was not consistently dependent upon distance. Estimates were obtained for individual CT image scan pixels or selected groups of pixels. Some values determined from a curve fit method or a mean breakthrough slope method were found to be scale dependent. Results from this experiment suggest dispersivity may be dependent upon the sampling fraction rather than the straight-line length solute travels through media.
Seed bank composition varies along invasion and inundation gradients in vernal pool wetlands

Environmental filters are well-known influences on aboveground vegetation community structure; however, less is known about their role on belowground seed banks. Understanding the influence of environmental filters on the composition of seed banks can reveal community dynamics across known environmental gradients and facilitate restoration efforts. We examined the influence of environmental filters on seed banks of vernal pools by characterizing seed density and diversity along seasonal inundation gradients. We also sampled seed banks from both naturally occurring and restored vernal pools that differed in their aboveground communities (invasive or native species dominated) in a long-term field study in Solano Co., California, USA. We found that the highest seed densities were associated with the longest inundation period and in the naturally occurring pools. Inundation gradients within a pool had little influence on seed bank diversity, yet among the pool types diversity and community metrics varied. The naturally occurring pools, regardless of invasion status, displayed a greater species richness and diversity than constructed pools. Our greenhouse germination trials did not show a strong relationship of inundation depths influencing species and total germination. Overall, we found that local position in the field along inundation gradients within a pool strongly affected soil seed bank density, while seed bank diversity varied more across pool types. Environmental filters may be limiting germination with the pool bottoms having the highest inundation and maintain the densest seed bank, but our lack of difference in the germination trials suggests alternative mechanisms other than inundation may be hindering germination.
The Politics of Proximity: The Italian Response to the Albanian Crisis:

This article focuses on the apparent disjunction between the Italian reluctance to allow Albanians to come as refugees and Italy's enthusiastic leadership of the United Nations military-humanitarian mission. It explains the Italian response both in terms of Italian popular opinion regarding Albanians and Italy's concern for the impression on Europe that its politics would make. Italy's leadership of the mission represents the first time a medium-sized power has assisted a neighboring country with whom it has had deep historical connections. The conclusion argues that such proximate interventions are likely to increase in the future, and spells out the implications of the Italian case
Metabolic alterations in brain during anoxic-anoxia and subsequent recovery.

Until a few years ago, it was generally thought that irreversible brain damage would result from any condition that produced a profound cerebral anoxia of greater than eight to ten minutes' duration. This conclusion was based on observations made by physicians during clinical emergencies and by investigators using experimental models in which the onset, degree, and duration of anoxia could be controlled. 1-6 Most techniques for producing anoxia in the intact animal also produce ischemia and there is some evidence to suggest that cerebral anoxia is exacerbated by ischemia. 7 However, the results of recent studies with totally ischemic brain tissue suggest that many of the variables measured approach normal after reoxygenation. This has led some workers to question whether cerebral anoxia actually causes irreversible brain damage within so short a period as ten minutes. 8-11 If proper protocols are to be established for the treatment of cardiac arrests and
Mid-infrared interband cascade lasers operating CW at thermoelectric-cooler temperatures

Mid-infrared interband cascade lasers with 11-mum-wide ridge width and Au electroplating operated cw to 288 K, where the emission wavelength was 4.1 mum. Another device emitted at 5.1 mum and operated cw to 229 K.
Trade, Industrial Structure, and Brand

In the past few decades, many Taiwanese firms have served as subcontractors to US and Japanese branding firms. This leads to two questions: 1) Why do most subcontractors not establish their own brands in the final goods market? 2) Would they be more likely to become branding firms under certain conditions? This seems to be a common dilemma for many firms in other newly industrialized or developing countries. This paper builds a simple duopoly model that considers both the vertical and horizontal differentiation in brands. Two players, the US branding firm and the Taiwanese subcontractor, play a two-stage game that decides whether they should cooperate. Under this cooperation scenario, the US branding firm decides to outsource production to the Taiwanese subcontractor and the latter also agrees to take this job. The result shows that without horizontal differentiation, the subcontractor will become a branding firm only if it is subsidized to do so. However, if 1) the brands are horizontally differentiated; 2) the sunk cost to brand is low; and 3) the brand value for the potential branding firm is high enough, the subcontractor might choose to brand and enter the final goods market even without subsidies. This paper also provides empirical evidence that confirms this argument.
Differential Effects of Culture on Imprinted H19 Expression in the Preimplantation Mouse Embryo

The H19 gene is imprinted with preferential expression from the maternal allele. The putative imprinting control region for this locus is hypermethylated on the repressed paternal allele. Although maternal-specific expression of H19 is observed in mouse blastocysts that develop in vivo, biallelic expression has been documented in embryos and embryonic stem cells experimentally manipulated by in vitro culture conditions. In this study the effect of culture on imprinted H19 expression and methylation was determined. After culture of 2-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage in Whitten’s medium, the normally silent paternal H19 allele was aberrantly expressed, whereas little paternal expression was observed following culture in KSOM containing amino acids (KSOM1AA). Analysis of the methylation status of a CpG dinucleotide located in the upstream imprinting control region revealed a loss in methylation in embryos cultured in Whitten’s medium but not in embryos cultured in KSOM1AA. Thus, H19 expression and methylation were adversely affected by culture in Whitten’s medium, while the response of H19 to culture in KSOM1AA approximated more closely the in vivo situation. It is unlikely that biallelic expression of H19 following culture in Whitten’s medium is a generalized effect of lower methylation levels, since the amount of DNA methyltransferase activity and the spatial distribution of Dnmt1 protein were similar in in vivo-derived and cultured embryos. Moreover, imprinted expression of Snrpn was maintained following culture in either medium, indicating that not all imprinted genes are under the same stringent imprinting controls. The finding that culture conditions can dramatically, but selectively, affect the expression of imprinted genes provides a model system for further study of the linkage between DNA methylation and gene expression.
Application of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma staging system to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Background The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 6th edition staging system for pancreatic adenocarcinoma specifically excludes pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), and a widely accepted staging classification does not exist. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of applying the AJCC pancreatic adenocarcinoma staging system to PNETs. Study Design Patients with PNETs were identified from the National Cancer Data Base (1985 to 2004). Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to evaluate the effect of tumor size, nodal status, and distant metastases on survival. Results Of 4,793 patients with PNETs, 93.6% were of islet cell origin, and 6.4% were carcinoid tumors; 1,815 (37.9%) underwent resection. Overall 5-year survival rates were 29.2% for all patients, 55.4% for resected patients, and 15.6% for unresected patients. The AJCC staging system provided good prognostic survival discrimination between stage groups for resected patients (p Conclusions When applied to PNETs, the AJCC staging system for pancreatic adenocarcinoma provides survival discrimination by stage for surgical and nonsurgical patients. Survival rates are better for PNETs than for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but the staging system can effectively stratify patients with PNETs.
New rfp- and pES213-Derived Tools for Analyzing Symbiotic Vibrio fischeri Reveal Patterns of Infection and lux Expression In Situ

Genetically altered or tagged Vibrio fischeri strains can be observed in association with their mutualistic host Euprymna scolopes, providing powerful experimental approaches for studying this symbiosis. Two limitations to such in situ analyses are the lack of suitably stable plasmids and the need for a fluorescent tag that can be used in tandem with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Vectors previously used in V. fischeri contain the p15A replication origin; however, we found that this replicon is not stable during growth in the host and is retained by fewer than 20% of symbionts within a day after infection. In contrast, derivatives of V. fischeri plasmid pES213 were retained by approximately 99% of symbionts even 3 days after infection. We therefore constructed pES213-derived shuttle vectors with a variety of selectable and visual markers. To include a visual tag that can be used in conjunction with GFP, we compared seven variants of the DsRed2 red fluorescent protein (RFP): mRFP1, tdimer2(12), DsRed.T3, DsRed.T4, DsRed.M1, DsRed.T3_S4T, and DsRed.T3(DNT). The last variant was brightest, displaying >20-fold more fluorescence than DsRed2 in V. fischeri. RFP expression did not detectably affect the fitness of V. fischeri, and cells were readily visualized in combination with GFP-expressing cells in mixed infections. Interestingly, even when inocula were dense enough that most E. scolopes hatchlings were infected by two strains, there was little mixing of the strains in the light organ crypts. We also used constitutive RFP in combination with the luxICDABEG promoter driving expression of GFP to visualize the spatial and temporal induction of this bioluminescence operon during symbiotic infection. Our results demonstrate the utility of pES213-based vectors and RFP for in situ experimental approaches in studies of the V. fischeri-E. scolopes symbiosis.
Revised Phase Diagram for the System Al2O3—SiO2

On the basis of 190 runs made up to 1860°C in sealed noble-metal containers the following revisions have been made in the equilibrium diagram for the system A12O3–SiO2. Mullite melts congruently at 1850°C. The extent of equilibrium solid solution in mullite at solidus temperature is from approximately 60 mole % Al2O3 (3/2 ratio) to 63 mole % A12O3. Metastable solid solutions can be prepared up to about 67 mole % Al2O3. There is no evidence for stable solubility of excess SiO2 beyond the 3/2 composition at pressures below 3 kbars. Refractive indices are presented for glasses containing up to 60 mole % Al2O3 and from them the composition of the eutectic is confirmed at 5 mole % SiO2. The variation in lattice constants of the mullite solid solution is not an unequivocal guide to composition since mullites at one composition produced at different temperatures show differences in spacing, no doubt reflecting Al-Si ordering phenomena. The possibility of quartz and corundum being the stable assemblage at some low temperatures and pressures cannot be ruled out. A new anhydrous phase in the system is described, which was previously thought to be synthetic andalusite; it is probably a new polymorph of the Al2SiO5 composition with ortho-rhombic unit-cell dimensions a=7.55 A, b=8.27 A, and c= 5.66 A.
Salinity's influence on boron toxicity in broccoli: I. Impacts on yield, biomass distribution, and water use

Research addressing the interactive effects of the dual plant stress factors, excess boron and salinity, on crop productivity has expanded considerably over the past few years. The purpose of this research was to determine and quantify the interactive effects of salinity, salt composition and boron (B) on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) fresh head yield, biomass distribution and consumptive water use. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a sand-tank system in which salinity–B treatment solutions were supplemented with a complete nutrient solution. Chloride-dominated salinity and salinity characteristic of California’s San Joaquin valley (SJV), or sulfate-dominated, were tested at ECw levels of 2, 12 and 19 dS m 1 . Each salinity treatment consisted of boron treatments of 0.5, 12 and 24 mg L 1 . Plant head yield and shoot biomass were significantly reduced by both salinity and boron. Moreover, there was a significant salinity–boron interaction where increased boron was relatively less detrimental under saline conditions. These results occurred regardless of the salt solution composition (chloride or SJV). We found that an ‘interactive model’ better described our growth response than did a ‘single stressor yield model’. Salinity and boron also affected the distribution of shoot biomass. Regardless of salt type, as salinity increased, the fraction of biomass as leaf tissue increased while the biomass fraction as stems and particularly heads, decreased. However, an increase in B at low or high salinity with the SJV composition, decreased the head biomass fraction. This was not observed at moderate salinity, nor on any plants treated with Cl-dominated salinity. Cumulative evapotranspiration (ET) was also reduced by increased salinity but water use efficiency (WUE) was not. WUE was reduced by increased boron, but only at the low and high salinity levels. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Solution technique for pure-component phase equilibria near the critical point

An iterative technique is presented for determining pure-component phase equilibrium that essentially does not depend on initiation. The technique uses both the real and the complex conjugate root information obtained from the analytical solution to cubic equations of state to extend substantially the domain of convergence. The technique is robust and effective close to the critical point. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
The Self‐Energy of Dislocation Configurations Made up of Straight Segments

Three general expressions are presented: the first is the interaction energy between two non-parallel straight dislocation segments, the second is the interaction energy between two parallel straight segments, and the third is the self-energy of a straight segment. These can be used to determine the total energy of any dislocation configuration made up of piecewise straight segments. They differ from previous expressions in the literature primarily in that they are given completely in vector notation and in that the self-energy includes a core traction term. The expressions are limited to the case of a linear, isotropic, infinite continuum. As an example, the formulas are applied to the case of a stacking-fault tetrahedron. Drei allgemeine Ausdrucke werden gegeben: der erste ist die Wechselwirkungsenergie zwischen zwei nicht-parallelen geraden Versetzungsabschnitten, der zweite ist die Wechselwirkungsenergie zwischen zwei geraden parallelen Abschnitten und der dritte ist die Selbstenergie eines geraden Abschnitts. Diese konnen zur Bestimmung der Gesamtenergie irgendeiner Versetzungsanordnung, die durch stuckweise gerade Abschnitte zusammengesetzt ist, benutzt werden. Sie unterscheiden sich von fruheren Ausdrucken in der Literatur hauptsachlich dadurch, das sie vollstandig in Vektorschreibweise gegeben sind und das die Selbstenergie einen Kernzugterm enthalt. Die Ausdrucke sind auf den Fall eines linearen, isotropen, unendlichen Kontinuums begrenzt. Als Beispiel werden die Formeln auf den Fall eines Stapelfehlertetraeders angewendet.
A Monitoring and Data Acquisition Programme for Surgical Intensive Care

Physiological and biochemical data from patients in the Shock Trauma Unit at the Metropolitan Hospital Center are processed, stored, analysed and manipulated in a low cost system using extended “basic” language.
MALAYSIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LEADING INDUSTRIES AND INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS

This paper briefly reviews six decades of Malaysia's economic development strategy, which may be described as bounded industrial policy that favors export-led growth. The objective of the current Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011–2015) is to achieve high-income status by 2020 by promoting high-value-added production through increased investments in human capital, adopting new technologies, promoting entrepreneurship to drive innovation and creativity, and elevating domestic demand as an engine of economic growth. Principal components analysis (PCA) and medoid partitioning applied to inflation-adjusted industrial production suggests that Malaysia satisfies the necessary, although not necessarily the sufficient, conditions to achieve this goal.
Calmodulin binding to the 3614-3643 region of RyR1 is not essential for excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal myotubes.

Calmodulin is a ubiquitous Ca2+ binding protein that modulates the in vitro activity of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1). Residues 3614–3643 of RyR1 comprise the CaM binding domain and mutations within this region result in a loss of both high-affinity Ca2+-bound calmodulin (CaCaM) and Ca2+-free CaM (apoCaM) binding (L3624D) or only CaCaM binding (W3620A). To investigate the functional role of CaM binding to this region of RyR1 in intact skeletal muscle, we compared the ability of RyR1, L3624D, and W3620A to restore excitation–contraction (EC) coupling after expression in RyR1-deficient (dyspedic) myotubes. W3620A-expressing cells responded normally to 10 mM caffeine and 500 μM 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-cmc). Interestingly, L3624D-expressing cells displayed a bimodal response to caffeine, with a large proportion of cells (∼44%) showing a greatly attenuated response to caffeine. However, high and low caffeine-responsive L3624D-expressing myotubes exhibited Ca2+ transients of similar magnitude after activation by 4-cmc (500 μM) and electrical stimulation. Expression of either L3624D or W3620A in dyspedic myotubes restored both L-type Ca2+ currents (retrograde coupling) and voltage-gated SR Ca2+ release (orthograde coupling) to a similar degree as that observed for wild-type RyR1, although L-current density was somewhat larger and activated at more hyperpolarized potentials in W3620A-expressing myotubes. The results indicate that CaM binding to the 3614–3643 region of RyR1 is not essential for voltage sensor activation of RyR1.
Five Essential Components for Social Justice Education

The question of how to teach effectively from a clear social justice perspective that empowers, encourages students to think critically, and models social change has been a consistent challenge for progressive educators. This article intends to shed light on this issue by demonstrating how educators can utilize a social justice pedagogical lens to treat their content in ways that meet their commitment to empowering education. Specifically, this article clarifies what social justice education is by introducing readers to five key components useful in teaching from a social justice perspective: tools for content mastery, tools for critical thinking, tools for action and social change, tools for personal reflection, and tools for awareness of multicultural group dynamics. While no pedagogical approach is a panacea, this approach offers readers five specific areas to focus on in their teaching and their efforts at working toward social justice in their classrooms.
Functional Effects of a Tissue-Engineered Cardiac Patch From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes in a Rat Infarct Model

A tissue-engineered cardiac patch provides a method to deliver cardiomyoctes to the injured myocardium with high cell retention and large, controlled infarct coverage, enhancing the ability of cells to limit remodeling after infarction. The patch environment can also yield increased survival. In the present study, we sought to assess the efficacy of a cardiac patch made from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to engraft and limit left ventricular (LV) remodeling acutely after infarction. Cardiac patches were created from hiPSC-CMs and human pericytes (PCs) entrapped in a fibrin gel and implanted acutely onto athymic rat hearts. hiPSC-CMs not only remained viable after in vivo culture, but also increased in number by as much as twofold, consistent with colocalization of human nuclear antigen, cardiac troponin T, and Ki-67 staining. CM+PC patches led to reduced infarct sizes compared with myocardial infarction-only controls at week 4, and CM+PC patch recipient hearts exhibited greater fractional shortening over all groups at both 1 and 4 weeks after transplantation. However, a decline occurred in fractional shortening for all groups over 4 weeks, and LV thinning was not mitigated. CM+PC patches became vascularized in vivo, and microvessels were more abundant in the host myocardium border zone, suggesting a paracrine mechanism for the improved cardiac function. PCs in a PC-only control patch did not survive 4 weeks in vivo. Our results indicate that cardiac patches containing hiPSC-CMs engraft onto acute infarcts, and the hiPSC-CMs survive, proliferate, and contribute to a reduction in infarct size and improvements in cardiac function.