cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erbium-doped GaAs grown using the novel precursor tris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)bis(4-tert-butylpyridine)erbium

Abstract A new erbium precursor, tris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)bis(4-tert-butylpyridine)erbium, was used to dope GaAs. Some of the incorporated erbium forms an optically active center identified as Er-2O. The optical line shape attributed to this Er-2O center is much sharper and more intense than in GaAs doped with erbium using cyclopentadienyl-based erbium sources. Co-doping GaAs : Er with shallow donors results in a quenching of the erbium-related luminescence, while co-doping with shallow acceptors results in no significant change in the Er-based spectrum. Mechanisms for this observed luminescence-quenching behavior are presented. Deep level transient spectroscopy performed on silicon or selenium co-doped GaAs : Er showed the presence of several electron traps in the upper half of the band gap.
ERK5 MAPK Regulates Embryonic Angiogenesis and Acts as a Hypoxia-sensitive Repressor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression

During angiogenesis, endothelial cells undergo proliferation, reorganization, and stabilization to establish a mature vascular network. This process is critical for establishing a functional circulatory system during development and contributes to the pathological process of tumor growth. Here we report that embryos deficient for the ERK5 MAPK die between embryonic days 10.5 and 11.5 with angiogenic failure and cardiovascular defects. We show that ERK5 deficiency leads to an increased expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), dysregulation of which has been shown to impede angiogenic remodeling and vascular stabilization. Our data also reveal that ERK5 negatively regulates transcription from the vegflocus during hypoxic responses. Importantly, ERK5 is required at an earlier developmental stage than p38α, and p38α does not compensate for ERK5 deficiency. These results demonstrate that ERK5 plays a specific role in the regulation of early angiogenesis.
Threshold chemosensitivity and hypothetical chemoreceptor function of the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans.

The behavioral responses by the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans to 12 organic compounds was explored using tethered nematode and computer tracking methods. Results indicate that the nematode is attracted to acetone, diethyl ether, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, 2,4-pentanedione, andn-propanol. No responses were detected to acetaldehyde, acetylcholine, ethanol, formaldehyde, i-propanol, and valerate. Isoamyl acetate and acetone were found to be the most potent attractants eliciting minimal responses at concentrations near 10−10 M. The geometry and charge distribution of a single hypothetical receptor that would interact with all the compounds that elicited a response and none of the compounds that failed to elicit a response is explored.
A study of thermoxidative stability of natural and halocarbon waxes

A number of contamination problems in the assembly of hybridmicrocircuits have been traced to the presence in the systems of degraded waxes. No information was available on the composition or stability of the natural waxes which are used extensively in the etching, shipping and storing of hybridmicrocircuit components. In this study, the composition and thermoxidative stability of three commercial waxes were defined. It was found that oxidation can occur at temperatures of 100° C; at high temperatures (150° C) the waxes are converted to insoluble chars. Vaseline, which is sometimes used as an additive, was found to have no effect on the stability of the waxes. Waxes made from poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), available from Halocarbon Corporation, were found to be chemically stable and stable toward thermoxidation under the conditions used in the industry and are recommended as replacements for the natural waxes.
Educational Placements and Service Use Patterns of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This project was undertaken to identify child characteristics associated with educational placement and service use in high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders. The sample of 101 (nine females) had a mean age of 12 ± 3 years (mean IQ = 101.77 ± 19.50). Results indicate that lower-cognitive ability and communication skill were associated with placement in special education. Based on parent-report, most students stayed in the same placement (regular or special education) in which they began first grade and the majority of students received special services in their schools (most often speech/language intervention). Findings highlight the emphasis placed on certain child characteristics (e.g., cognitive ability), with far less emphasis on other areas (e.g., degree of social deficit), in educational placement and service provision.
Smarter asset management for renewable energy

By 2020, 30% of the UK's electricity is targeted to come from renewable sources - an increase from 9.5% in 2011. As the industry grows, it must make critical decisions regarding the deployment of capital investment, how projects and resources are planned and managed, and how the operations and maintenance strategy will optimise performance and Return on Investment (ROI) across the lifecycle. This paper outlines how smarter asset management solutions, applied across the renewable energy project lifecycle, can lead to: accelerated construction time, reduced downtime, increased reliability and enhanced ROI. (6 pages)
Effect of immune system imagery on secretory IgA

This study was an investigation of the effects of physiologically-oriented mental imagery on immune functioning. College students with normal medical histories were randomly selected to one of three groups. Subjects in Group 1 participated in short educational training on the production of secretory immunoglobulin A. They were then tested on salivary IgA, skin temperature, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and after listening to a 17-minute tape of imagery instructions with specially composed background “entrainment” music designed to enhance imagery. Subjects in Group 2 (placebo controls) listened to the same music but received nor formal training on the immune system. Group 3 acted as a control and subjects were tested before and after 17 minutes of no activity. Treatment groups listened to their tapes at home on a bi-daily basis for six weeks All groups were again tested at Weeks 3 and 6. Secretory IgA was analyzed using standard radial immunodiffusion techniques. Repeated measures analyses of variance with planned orthogonal contrasts were used to evaluate the data. Significant overall increases (p<0.05) were found between pre- and posttests for all three trials. Groups 1 and 2 combined (treatment groups) yielded significantly greater increases in sIgA over Group 3 (control) for all three trials. Group 1 (imagery) was significantly higher than Group 2 (music) in antibody production for Trials 2 and 3. Symptomatology, recorded by subjects at Weeks 3 and 6, was significantly lower for three symptoms (rapid heartbeat, breathing difficulty, and jaw clenching), favoring both treatment groups over the control group.
Chromatography of bis‐(3‐sulfopropyl) disulfide and its breakdown products by HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection

A chromatographic method for the detection of bis-(3-sulfopropyl) disulfide (SPS), a common additive in acidic copper plating baths, and its breakdown products is demonstrated. The detection scheme involves a combination of solid-phase extraction for sample pre-treatment, C(18) reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography column for separation, and electrochemical sensor for detection of all non-fully oxidized sulfur-containing compounds. We were able to achieve an effective separation and accurately assign chromatographic peaks to all detectable species. Owing to a high sensitivity of the utilized electrochemical detector, detection in low parts per billion range was possible. This can prove crucial for plating bath control, since minute amounts of certain by-products significantly affect the bath performance.
Interaction of Natural Convection and Gravity Segregation in Oil/Gas Reservoirs

The distribution of chemical components in reservoirs can be significantly affected by diffusional segregation caused by gravity. This segregation, however, can be opposed by convective mixing. Parallel-flow solutions are presented that shed light on the interaction of these two processes. The solutions are used to explain results of numerical calculations of convection-diffusion in model rectangular reservoirs.
Neighborhood Social Environment and Risk of Death: Multilevel Evidence from the Alameda County Study

Recent reports suggest the importance of associations between residential area characteristics and health status, but most research uses only census data to measure these characteristics. The current research examined the effect of overall neighborhood social environment on 11-year risk of death. On the basis of data, the authors developed a three-component neighborhood social environment scale: 1) commercial stores; 2) population socioeconomic status; and 3) environment/housing. Data from the 1983 wave of the Alameda County Study (n = 1,129) and deaths over 11 years were analyzed with two-level logistic regression models. Age- and sex-adjusted risk of death was higher for residents in low social environment neighborhoods (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.15-2.18). Mortality risks were significantly higher in neighborhoods with a low social environment, even after account was taken of individual income level, education, race/ethnicity, perceived health status, smoking status, body mass index, and alcohol consumption. When each component of the neighborhood social environment characteristics score was examined separately, each was found to be associated with higher risk for mortality, independent of individual risk factors. These findings demonstrate the role of area characteristics as a health risk factor and point to the need for more focused attention to the meaning and measurement of neighborhood quality.
Time spent in sedentary behavior and changes in childhood BMI: a longitudinal study from ages 9 to 15 years.

To determine if time spent in objectively measured sedentary behavior is associated with a change in body mass index (BMI) between ages 9 and 15 years, adjusting for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Prospective observational study of children at ages 9 (2000), 11 (2002), 12 (2003) and 15 years (2006). Longitudinal quantile regression was used to model the influence of predictors on changes at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th BMI percentiles over time. Participants were enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development and include both boys and girls (n=789). Objectively measured BMI (kg m–2) was the outcome variable and objectively measured sedentary behavior was the main predictor. Adjustment was also made for MVPA, gender, race, maternal education, hours of sleep and healthy eating index. Increases in BMI were observed at all percentiles, with the greatest increase observed at the 90th BMI percentile. Spending more time in sedentary behavior (h per day) was associated with additional increases in BMI at the 90th, 75th and 50th BMI percentiles, independent of MVPA and the other covariates (90th percentile=0.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.19–0.98 kg m–2; 75th percentile=0.48, 95% CI: 0.25–0.72 kg m–2; and 50th percentile=0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.33 kg m–2). No associations were observed between sedentary behavior and changes at the 25th and 10th BMI percentiles. Sedentary behavior was associated with greater increases in BMI at the 90th, 75th and 50th BMI percentiles between ages 9 and 15 years, independent of MVPA. Preventing an increase in sedentary behavior from childhood to adolescence may contribute to reducing the number of children classified as obese.
Articulatory Changes Following Treatment of Muscle Tension Dysphonia: Preliminary Acoustic Evidence

Purpose Primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), a voice disturbance that occurs in the absence of structural or neurological pathology, may respond to manual circumlaryngeal techniques, which osten...
Effects of antacid formulation on postprandial oesophageal acidity in patients with a history of episodic heartburn.

Background: Heartburn self-treatment with antacids is extremely common. If the oesophagus is the primary site of antacid action, chewable antacids might raise the oesophageal pH more effectively than swallowable tablets. Aim: To establish a model to assess postprandial acid reflux and to compare the onset and duration of action on oesophageal pH of different antacid formulations. Methods: Twenty subjects with a history of episodic heartburn underwent eight pH monitoring sessions each for 5.5 h postprandially. One hour after consuming a meal consisting of chilli, cheese, raw onions and cola, subjects received 750 mg, 1500 mg and 3000 mg of either chewable or swallowable CaCO3 tablets, an effervescent bicarbonate solution or placebo. Oesophageal and gastric pH data were collected. Results: Mean intra-oesophageal pH remained lower than baseline for more than 1 h (pH range 5–5.5) postprandially, indicating reflux of somewhat acidic intragastric contents into the oesophagus. The onset of action on oesophageal pH was similar for all antacids (30–35 min). The duration of action on pH varied: chewable tablets and effervescent bicarbonate had relatively long durations of action (oesophagus, 40–45 min; stomach, 100–180 min); swallowable tablets had little effect. Conclusions: The meal model used in this study dependably produced acidic gastro-oesophageal reflux. Antacids increased oesophageal pH independent of gastric pH, demonstrating that chewing antacids controls oesophageal acidity more effectively than swallowing antacid tablets.
The new landform's here! The new landform's here! We're somebody now!! The role of discursive practices on place identity

On the border of western Iowa, a new landform—the “Loess Hills,” is being created. While scientific discourse surrounding the landform has been on going for a century, “discovery” of the landform by local residents is a recent occurrence, stimulated by socioeconomic changes resulting from the “farm crisis.” As this case study shows, the initial scientific discourse and claims, as presented in a series of publications, established the uniqueness and rarity of the hills in scientific terms. Through a complexity of discursive practices, this internalized scientific community discussion was brought into broader public conversations. Aspects of the discursive practices have been taken on by residents at the local level and appropriation of the “Loess Hills” name and facts attributed to the landform has resulted in reshaping place identity among rural residents and altering the traditional power position within the region, with “hill people” now becoming “Loess Hills People.”
Control of a Rotating Variable-Length Tethered System

Techniques are developed and illustrated to control the motion of a tethered satellite system (TSS) comprising n point masses and interconnected arbitrarily by m idealized tethers. In particular, the control problem of a triangular and symmetrical TSS with n =3 point masses and m =3 tethers is discussed. The equations of motion are derived by the use of Lagrange’s equations. Several mission scenarios for a proposed NASA mission that consider the operation of an infrared telescope are introduced and asymptotic tracking laws based on input-state feedback linearization are developed. The effects of smoothness and nonsmoothness of desired mission trajectories on control performance are discussed. It is shown that required thrust levels can be significantly decreased by the use of additional tether length control to keep the TSS in a state corresponding to an instantaneous relative equilibrium at any point in time during the mission. In the final section, a mathematical model is proposed for the total required control impulse to facilitate a trade study that discusses the effects of the individual system parameters on the control input.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Responsive to Cyclophosphamide Therapy: A Case Report

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare neurologic condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS). In this report, a 22-year-old fraternal twin male developed ADEM 6 months post viral infection. He presented non-verbal with doll’s eyes, a right facial droop, right-sided upper and lower extremity weakness, as well as brisk reflexes and clonus on the right. He failed to improve with traditional therapies such as intravenous steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis. However, 2 days following a 3-day course of intravenous cyclophosphamide 1,000 mg/m 2 , he spontaneously opened his eyes, developed masticatory movements, mouthed words, and regained movement in his extremities against gravity. There was a 40.7% and 16.6% decrease in lesion area in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 FLAIR sagittal and axial images, respectively over that 2-day period. This is the first reported case that shows neurological improvement, measured by the functional independence measure (FIM) scale, in addition to decreased lesion size on brain MRI T2 FLAIR images after implementation of cyclophosphamide therapy. Cyclophosphamide should be considered as an alternative therapy in patients with refractory ADEM. J Med Cases. 2015;6(7):290-294 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2176w
Walking in Your Shoes Interactive Effects of Child Care Responsibility Difference and Gender Similarity on Supervisory Family Support and Work-Related Outcomes

The present study investigates factors that influence the effects of employees’ child care responsibility on their turnover intentions and job satisfaction. Results of a field study using 183 dyads of employees and their supervisors showed that child care responsibility difference between supervisors and employees and the similarity of their gender interacted to predict supervisory family support and turnover intentions and job satisfaction. Specifically, for cross-gender dyads of supervisors and employees, when supervisors had more child care responsibilities than their employees, they tended to provide more family support, which in turn was related to their employees’ turnover intentions and job satisfaction. No such effects were found for same-gender dyads. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Design and scaling of a SONOS multidielectric device for nonvolatile memory applications

The evolution of high-density EEPROM's continually imposes a demand on reducing power consumption while improving data retention and endurance. To meet these demands, we propose a scalable multidielectric nonvolatile memory technology where the data storage is in the form of charge trapping within the oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) gate dielectric. This technology, called SONGS (polysilicon-blocking oxide-silicon nitride-tunnel oxide-silicon), has demonstrated remarkable scalability in programming voltage. To determine our scaling guidelines, we have developed an analytical model for the transient characteristics that examines the influence of the dielectric composition and programming voltage on programming speed. These guidelines have resulted in a scaled SONGS nonvolatile memory device that has demonstrated 8-9 V programmability with an extension towards 5 V and can be used as an ideal candidate for semiconductor disk, NVRAM, and neural network applications. >
Predictive control of radiant floor heating and solar-source heat pump operation in a solar house

Solar radiation can supply a significant portion of the energy requirements of a house through the harmonized use of passive solar design and building-integrated active solar energy systems (e.g., building-integrated photovoltaic, photovoltaic/thermal systems, or solar thermal collectors). Given the variability of solar radiation, energy storage technologies, along with carefully planned control strategies, can offer significant benefits for the performance of these systems in terms of energy consumption, peak load reduction, and thermal comfort for the occupants. This article investigates the application of a predictive control methodology for a solar house. The case study is a room with a simple geometry with high insulation and air-tightness values and large windows (i.e., a typical room found in a passive solar house). Predictive control is applied at two different, but closely linked, levels: (a) local-loop control of a radiant floor heating system and (b) supervisory control of the temperature of a ...
The Molecular Perspective: Interferons

simple and direct. Surgery and radiation attack cancer cells in the most physical manner possible. Most chemotherapeutic drugs are similarly direct, attacking weak spots in cancer cells by blocking the action of a key enzyme or stopping the synthesis of a key protein. The action of interferon, however, occurs at a different level than most of the molecules used in chemotherapy. Interferon is not a toxin designed to poison a key molecule in the cell. Instead, it is a message that is read by human cells. Interferon is one of a growing class of cytokines, proteins that deliver instructions from cell to cell. Normally, interferon, and the similar interleukins, mediate a continual conversation between cells about growth and defenses. Our cells build several different types of interferon (Fig. 1), for discussing different (but overlapping) topics. The largest group is labeled the alpha-interferons, which are made in one form or another by nearly all cells. These interferons, and the similar beta and omega interferons, are used to mobilize our first line of defense against invading organisms, before the immune system has a chance to get started. When a cell gets a signal from these interferons, it builds specialized proteins to fight an infection. For instance, infected cells construct enzymes that degrade the RNA of growing viruses or they hobble the protein synthesis machinery, slowing the construction of viral proteins. In the process, however, these cells also chop up their own messenger RNA and interfere with their normal protein synthesis, slowing growth to a crawl. Gamma-interferon, on the other hand, specializes in a second topic of intercellular conversation. It is made by Tlymphocytes and natural killer cells, delivering messages to other cells in the immune system and telling them to focus on cell-based defenses. Gamma-interferon coaxes cells to build more major histocompatibility complex molecules (Fig. 2) and changes the composition of proteosomes, so that they can display any new anomalous molecules that might be inside. It also activates macrophages and arms them with nitric oxide to help clean up the mess. As with all aspects of the immune system, the picture is not quite as simple as this tidy description might seem. The The Molecular Perspective: Interferons
Stress-dependent finite growth in soft elastic tissues

Growth and remodeling in tissues may be modulated by mechanical factors such as stress. For example, in cardiac hypertrophy, alterations in wall stress arising from changes in mechanical loading lead to cardiac growth and remodeling. A general continuum formulation for finite volumetric growth in soft elastic tissues is therefore proposed. The shape change of an unloaded tissue during growth is described by a mapping analogous to the deformation gradient tensor. This mapping is decomposed into a transformation of the local zero-stress reference state and an accompanying elastic deformation that ensures the compatibility of the total growth deformation. Residual stress arises from this elastic deformation. Hence, a complete kinematic formulation for growth in general requires a knowledge of the constitutive law for stress in the tissue. Since growth may in turn be affected by stress in the tissue, a general form for the stress-dependent growth law is proposed as a relation between the symmetric growth-rate tensor and the stress tensor. With a thick-walled hollow cylinder of incompressible, isotropic hyperelastic material as an example, the mechanics of left ventricular hypertrophy are investigated. The results show that transmurally uniform pure circumferential growth, which may be similar to eccentric ventricular hypertrophy, changes the state of residual stress in the heart wall. A model of axially loaded bone is used to test a simple stress-dependent growth law in which growth rate depends on the difference between the stress due to loading and a predetermined growth equilibrium stress.
Time-domain THz spectroscopy of vibrational modes in a quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave crystal

Time-domain terahertz spectroscopic studies of the quasi-one-dimensional material PtI(en) reveal a highly anisotropic complex refractive index, including a strongly polarized infrared-active phonon absorption at 2.24 THz corresponding to modulation of the charge-density-wave structure.
Stage-specific changes in calcium concentration in crustacean (Callinectes sapidus) Y-organs during a natural molting cycle, and their relation to the hemolymphatic ecdysteroid titer.

Abstract Secretion of ecdysteroid molting hormones by crustacean Y-organs is suppressed by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). The suppressive effect of MIH on ecdysteroidogenesis is mediated by one or more cyclic nucleotide second messengers. In addition, existing data indicate that ecdysteroidogenesis is positively regulated (stimulated) by intracellular Ca++. Despite the apparent critical role of calcium in regulating ecdysteroidogenesis, the level of Ca++ in Y-organ cells has not been previously measured during a natural molting cycle for any crustacean species. In studies reported here, a fluorescent calcium indicator (Fluo-4) was used to measure Ca++ levels in Y-organs during a molting cycle of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Mean calcium fluorescence increased 5.8-fold between intermolt (C4) and stage D3 of premolt, and then dropped abruptly, reaching a level in postmolt (A) that was not significantly different from that in intermolt (P > 0.05). The level of ecdysteroids in hemolymph of Y-organ donor crabs (measured by radioimmunoassay) showed an overall pattern similar to that observed for calcium fluorescence, rising from 2.9 ng/mL in intermolt to 357.1 ng/mL in D3 (P
Letter by Govindarajan and Salgado Regarding Article, “Risk of Bleeding With 2 Doses of Dabigatran Compared With Warfarin in Older and Younger Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis of the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy (RE-LY) Trial”

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Eikelboom et al1 on the subgroup analysis of bleeding complications with the 2 doses of dabigatran and coumadin in the RE-LY trial. It is interesting to note that the bleeding risk was the same for both doses. This was irrespective of whether patients were taking aspirin alone or a combination of aspirin and clopidogrel, whether they had renal failure, and even their age, although the higher dose (D150) had an increased trend toward major bleeding compared with the lower dose (D110).1 Atrial fibrillation is a disease of the old (>75 years), and older patients are more likely to be taking aspirin and/or …
Complement Function in the Neonate

The complement cascade consists of 18 plasma proteins which upon activation regulate the inflammatory response, effect bacteriolysis, solubilize immune complexes, and opsonize microorganisms. Activation of the complement cascade may occur via the antibody-dependent classical pathway (C1, C2, and C4) or the antibody-independent alternative pathway (factor B and factor D) (Arnaout 1985; Pangburn 1983; Reid 1981). Activation of early acting components of both pathways occurs by limited proteolysis. Complexing of a single dimer of IgG or IgM with antigen on cell surfaces activates a single C1 molecule (Borsos 1965). Two subcomponents of C1, C1r and CIs, are sequentially activated, and CIs activates C4 and C2 by limited proteolytic cleavage. An unstable enzyme complex is formed between cleavage fragments of C4 and C2, C4b2a, which activates C3 by cleavage of a 9-kD fragment from the alpha chain of C3. A C3-converting enzyme which cleaves C3 at the same site can also be generated via the alternative pathway (Pangburn 1983). Factor B is a peptide structurally and functionally similar to C2. It is cleaved after complexing with C3b by factor D, a serine protease analogous to CIs. The alternative pathway C3 convertase (C3bBb) is a complex of the 70-kD activation product of factor B, Bb, and C3b. Because the larger activation product of C3, C3b, is part of this complex, a positive amplification loop is established. Activation of C3 by either pathway results in sequential activation of the terminal components C5-C9 and in deposition of C3b, the major activation product of C3, on cell surfaces.
Erosion-corrosion and synergistic effects in disturbed liquid-particle flow

The present study has been conducted to investigate the interaction between corrosion and erosion processes and to quantify the synergism in realistic flow environments, including sudden pipe constrictions, sudden pipe expansions, and protrusions. Tests were conducted on AISI 1018 carbon steel using 1 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution purged with CO2 as the corrosive media and silica sand as the erodent. The experiments were designed to understand whether erosion enhances corrosion or corrosion enhances erosion and to evaluate the contribution of the individual processes to the net synergism. It was observed that erosion enhances corrosion and corrosion enhances erosion, with each contributing to significant synergism; however, the dominant process was the effect of corrosion on erosion. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Intravascular adenosine at reperfusion reduces infarct size and neutrophil adherence.

Background. Adenosine has been shown to reduce infarct size predominantly during reperfusion by adenosine A 2 -receptor-mediated processes. This cardioprotection may involve inhibition of events in the vascular compartment, such as adherence-independent and adherence-dependent actions of neutrophils. This study tested the hypothesis that adenosine exerts its cardioprotection during reperfusion by targeting effectors in the vascular compartment. Methods. Polyadenylic acid (molecular weight, 230,000 daltons) was used as an intravascularly confined adenosine mimetic. In anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits, the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes and reperfused for 120 minutes. Results. Polyadenylic acid (1 mg/kg bolus, 0.5 mg · kg −1 · h −1 ) given 5 minutes before reperfusion significantly ( p 1 -antagonist KW-3902 had no effect on this polyadenylic acid-induced protection (17% ± 3%), whereas the A 1 -A 2 antagonist sulfophenytheophylline blocked this infarct size reduction (41% ± 2%). In vitro adherence of platelet-activating factor-activated neutrophils to thoracic aortic endothelium was significantly diminished by polyadenylic acid (185 ± 12 neutrophils/mm 2 versus 36 ± 4 neutrophils/mm 2 endothelial surface). Sulfophenytheophylline inhibited this effect (280 ± 6 neutrophils/mm 2 ), whereas KW-3902 did not (31 ± 7 neutrophils/mm 2 ). Conclusions. An intravascular adenosine mimetic agent exerts cardioprotection during reperfusion by targeting receptor-mediated mechanisms in the intravascular compartment, possibly involving inhibition of neutrophil-related processes.
A framework for automatic modeling of underground excavations and optimizing three-dimensional boundary and finite element meshes derived from them—framework

SUMMARY Many problems in mining and civil engineering require using numerical stress analysis methods to repeatedly solve large models. Widespread acceptance of tunneling methods, such as New Austrian Tunneling Method, which depend heavily on numerical stress analysis tools and the fact that the effects of excavation at the face of a tunnel are distinctively three–dimensional (3D), necessitates the use of 3D numerical analysis for these problems. Stress analysis of a practical mining problem can be very lengthy, and the processing time can be measured in days or weeks at times. A framework is developed to facilitate efficient modeling of underground excavations and to create an optimal 3D mesh by reducing the number of surface and volume elements while keeping the result of stress analysis accurate enough at the region of interest, where a solution is sought. Fewer surface and volume elements mean fewer degrees of freedom in the numerical model, which directly translates into savings in computational time and resources. The mesh refinement algorithm is driven by a set of criteria that are functions of distance and visibility of points from the region of interest, and the framework can be easily extended by adding new types of criteria. This paper defines the framework, whereas a second companion paper will investigate its efficiency, accuracy and application to a number of practical mining problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid single flux quantum T-flip flop operating up to 770 GHz

Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) T-flip flops (TFFs) operating up to 770 GHz have been demonstrated at 4.2 K. The devices, consisting of either resistively shunted or unshunted Josephson junctions, are fabricated using a planarized Nb/AlO/sub x//Nb trilayer process. Electron beam lithography is used to pattern all levels with a minimum junction area less than 0.1 /spl mu/m/sup 2/. Critical current densities of 0.5 mA//spl mu/m/sup 2/ and 2.5 mA//spl mu/m/sup 2/ are used for the shunted (tested at 1.8 K) and unshunted devices (tested at 4.2 K) respectively. The input and output frequencies of the TFFs are obtained from the input and output voltages by the Josephson relation. The output voltage is exactly half of the input voltage when the divide-by-two operation is correct.
Microphysical and Thermodynamic Structure and Evolution of the Trailing Stratiform Regions of Mesoscale Convective Systems during BAMEX. Part II: Column Model Simulations

Abstract This study employed a nondynamic microphysical column model to evaluate the degree to which the microphysical processes of sublimation, melting, and evaporation alone can explain the evolution of the relative humidity (RH) and latent cooling profiles within the trailing stratiform region of mesoscale convective systems observed during the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex Experiment (BAMEX). Simulations revealed that observations of a sharp change in the profile of RH, from saturated air with respect to ice above the melting layer to subsaturated air with respect to water below, developed in response to the rapid increase in hydrometeor fall speeds from 1–2 m s−1 for ice to 2–11 m s−1 for rain. However, at certain times and locations, such as the first spiral descent on 29 June 2003 within the notch of lower reflectivity, the air may remain subsaturated for temperatures (T) < 0°C. Sufficiently strong downdrafts above the melting level, such as the 1–3 m s−1 downdrafts observed in the notch...
Silver nanoparticles in aquatic environments: Physiochemical behavior and antimicrobial mechanisms

Nanosilver (silver nanoparticles or AgNPs) has unique physiochemical properties and strong antimicrobial activities. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the physicochemical behavior (e.g., dissolution and aggregation) and antimicrobial mechanisms of nanosilver in aquatic environments. The inconsistency in calculating the Gibbs free energy of formation of nanosilver [ΔGf(AgNPs)] in aquatic environments highlights the research needed to carefully determine the thermodynamic stability of nanosilver. The dissolutive release of silver ion (Ag(+)) in the literature is often described using a pseudo-first-order kinetics, but the fit is generally poor. This paper proposes a two-stage model that could better predict silver ion release kinetics. The theoretical analysis suggests that nanosilver dissolution could occur under anoxic conditions and that nanosilver may be sulfidized to form silver sulfide (Ag2S) under strict anaerobic conditions, but more investigation with carefully-designed experiments is required to confirm the analysis. Although silver ion release is likely the main antimicrobial mechanism of nanosilver, the contributions of (ion-free) AgNPs and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation to the overall toxicity of nanosilver must not be neglected. Several research directions are proposed to better understand the dissolution kinetics of nanosilver and its antimicrobial mechanisms under various aquatic environmental conditions.
Teaching an Introductory Programming Language in a General Education Course.

A department of computer science (CS) has faced a peculiar situation regarding their selection of introductory programming course. This course is a required course for the students enrolled in the CS program and is a prerequisite to their other advanced programming courses. At the same time, the course can be considered a general education course and may be taken by students from other majors as well. Both student populations require the department to teach the course at different levels of depth. CS students need it be covered in more depth to prepare them for their upper level programming courses. At the same time, students from other majors who are taking it as part of their general education course will not be interested in this level of depth. Added to this is the fact that taking a first programming course is considered difficult to most students. Thus many factors are considered for the selection of a programming language for this course. After further experience and additional technological development, the department redesigned their course and curriculum in order to provide most effective solution to this dilemma. The experience of this department in reaching this solution along with the relevant literature reviews are discussed in this paper.
Knockout Corner 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice: a review

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter involved in a number of physiological functions including sleep, appetite, pain perception, and sexual activity. Several pathological states such as migraine, depression, and anxiety have been linked to the serotonergic system, and serotonergic drugs have been used to treat these disorders. To date, there are 14 known serotonin receptor subtypes through which serotonin exerts its multiple actions. The classic pharmacological approach to study how these individual receptor subtypes contribute to various behaviours has been to use selective drugs that either block or activate certain receptor subtypes, and then study the effects of these compounds on physiology and behaviour. A complementary genetic approach is the technique of gene targeting. Using this technology, we and others have begun to examine the contribution of several serotonin receptor subtypes to complex behaviours through the generation of knockout mice that lack the genes encoding these receptors. In this review, we will describe what we have learned about the serotonergic system and the function of the 5-HT1B receptor by the analysis of 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice. Furthermore, we will discuss the implications of these findings and our plans for future studies.
PCR-based cloning of the full-length Neurospora eukaryotic initiation factor 5A cDNA: polyhistidine-tagging and overexpression for protein affinity binding

Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) is the only cellular protein known to contain a hypusine residue that is formed by transferring the aminobutyl moiety from spermidine to a specific lysine residue, followed by hydroxylation at the aminobutyl group. A simple PCR-based strategy was developed to obtain a full-length cDNA of Neurospora crassa eIF-5A. The strategy consists of (i) the design of a pair of key primers (21-mer) based on the highly conserved eIF-5A cDNA domains known in other species, (ii) PCR amplification of Neurospora cDNA using the two key primers to obtain the core sequence for the design of core primers, and (iii) combined use of the key primers, core primers and the universal primers, T3 and T7, to amplify the target sequence in a Neurospora cDNA library. The longest cDNA obtained was cloned into pBlueScript phagemid, and sequence analysis indicated that it encodes a polypeptide of 163 amino acid residues with a codon usage preference characteristic of abundant Neurospora genes. The Neurospora polypeptide showed 59% and 67% identity with human and yeast eIF-5A precursor protein respectively. We subcloned the Neurospora eIF-5A cDNA into pQE-30, which introduces six adjacent histidine residues to the N-terminus of the recombinant protein. The resulting plasmid, pQTy21, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the soluble polyhistidine-tagged protein was purified by metal chelation chromatography. We obtained about 60 mg of purified eIF-5A precursor from 1 litre of culture in a single step using a Ni(II)-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-agarose column. The histidine-tagged eIF-5A precursor protein could be recognized by anti-Neurospora crassa 21 kDa protein serum raised against wild-type eIF-5A precursor and could serve as the substrate protein for deoxyhypusine synthase. Using the histidine-tagged recombinant protein and the Ni(II)-NTA-agarose column, we constructed a protein affinity column and demonstrated an affinity binding between eIF-5A precursor and deoxyhypusine synthase in the presence of NAD+. One-step eIF-5A precursor affinity-column chromatography could lead to a 30-fold purification of deoxyhypusine synthase.
Commentary on ‘The Right to Work and the Right at Work’

The article discusses right to work and right at work. Topics discussed include labor market, economic geography and labor geography. Other topics which includes workforce in United States, property rights in the country and collective bargaining are also discussed. Labor fragmentation is also mentioned.
L-NAME enhances responses to atrial natriuretic peptide in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

This study investigated the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) responses are mediated by particulate guanylate cyclase in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. When tone in the pulmo...
Joseph M. Reagle Jr., Reading the Comments: Likers, Haters, and Manipulators at the Bottom of the Web

There are many challenges in social research that result from the ubiquity of user-generated content for public consumption and its subsequent evaluation by online communities. This mode of communication is perhaps too often regarded as trivial, but the social dynamics of virtual publics may be the key to people understanding one another. The designated comment sections are spaces where anyone with an Internet connection has the ability to anonymously post their thoughts with little fear of repercussion. Have these comment sections become so riddled with meaningless blather, insidious claims, and inflammatory language that they are best left ignored or disabled altogether? Do they reveal anything about collective human behavior, or should they be dismissed as inconsequential accessories to the primary content of a website? In Reading the Comments: Likers, Haters, and Manipulators at the Bottom of the Web, Joseph Reagle dives into the dark depths of the Internet and discusses online comment as a genre of communication that is a means of portraying the self and influencing others.
Verifying the performance characteristics of the TEG5000 thromboelastogram in the clinical laboratory.

Summary Objective To verify the manufacturer performance claims of the TEG5000 with traditional laboratory methods. Materials and methods Samples were concurrently measured using the TEG5000 analyzer and either PT, APTT, fibrinogen, factor activities, platelet count, or platelet function testing using whole blood or platelet-rich plasma methods. Results Within-run imprecision yielded coefficient of variation (CV) of <5%. There was no correlation of PT or APTT with R time. Only Factor VIII and factor XII activity significantly correlated with R time. There was significant correlation between k and angle with FBG, PLT count, and factor levels. There was weak inverse correlation between angle results and measures of platelet function. All laboratory methods were significantly correlated with MA. There were significant differences between citrated whole blood and fresh citrated plasma for angle and MA, and between fresh and frozen plasma for R time and MA. We demonstrated a high % inhibition noted with normal, drug naive donors, especially with ADP PLT mapping (50% inhibition), but less so with AA PLT mapping (20% inhibition). For TEG platelet mapping, 19/22 (86.3%) and 17/22 (77.3%) results were concordant with traditional aggregation results. Conclusion We demonstrated both the lack of, and strong correlation between laboratory tests and the TEG parameters.
Abstract 454: Targeting macrophages in a preclinical model of malignant mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a debilitating, incurable cancer that exhibits a high degree of resistance to standard chemotherapy; thus, we sought to identify novel therapeutic targets for treatment. In the vast majority of cases, MPM is associated with exposure to asbestos fibers, which result in a chronic pro-inflammatory state. As such, we hypothesized that MPMs were infiltrated by leukocytes possessing tumor-potentiating activities. To address this, we evaluated MPMs, resected from 26 patients, by flow cytometry and found that tumors were highly infiltrated with macrophages (31 ± 4.6% of total CD45+), a percentage that is significantly higher that that observed in other thoracic malignancies (NSCLC cancer, 9%; esophageal, 4%). Since recent experimental data has revealed that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) secrete proangiogenic, prosurvival, and proinvasive factors that foster tumor progression, we evaluated macrophage-depletion in MPM as a novel therapeutic strategy. Using a syngeneic murine transplantation model and liposomal-encapsulated clodronate that efficiently deplete phagocytic macrophages, as monotherapy, and in combination with chemotherapy, we revealed a significant decrease in tumor growth and a decrease in tumor-burden in tumor-bearing mice depleted of macrophages. Furthermore, when macrophage-depletion was combined with the cytotoxic agents gemcitabine and TRAIL, an even greater reduction in tumor burden was observed as compared to mice treated with either agent alone. These studies indicate that: 1) mesothelioma-associated macrophages provide a protumor function, and 2) depletion of mesothelioma-associated macrophages may improve efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Ongoing studies to reveal the effect of macrophage-depletion plus chemotherapy in limiting MPM development in NF2ko/+ mice exposed to asbestos are underway. This work was supported by an NIH T32 training grant to Dr. Blakely, and by a DoD Mesothelioma Program grant (PR080717) to Drs. Broaddus and Coussens. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 454. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-454