cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High throughput screening of endothelial cell response to combinatorial collagen - matrigel biomaterials

Peripheral nerve regeneration is limited by lack of growth permissive microenvironment and glial scarring. An ideal biomaterial for regeneration should support neurons and non-neural cells of Schwann cells and endothelial cells. Numerous tissue engineered strategies have been proposed for PNS regeneration but only a few approaches look at the role of support cells and microenvironment. It is therefore necessary to study the effect of scaffold, ECM proteins and growth factors and optimize the microenvironment for supporting all cell types. In this work, we evaluated the endothelial cell response to combinatorial collagen - matrigel library. Composite biomaterial library was fabricated in a microwell array and collagen and matrigel were varied at 1 – 3 mg/mL and 0 – 100% respectively. A flatbed fluorescent scanner was used for high throughput acquisition of images. Cell response analysis of cell number, morphology and metabolic activity was quantified. Endothelial cell responses is modulated by both collagen and matrigel concentration. An optimum matrigel content of 20% supported cell proliferation, spreading and increased metabolic activity.
12 Naming and the formation of stimulus classes

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the naming and formation of stimulus classes. Current research on stimulus classes generally, and equivalence classes in particular, is broadly based, reflecting its potential both for clarifying basic learning processes and solving the problems of social concern. Much of the applied work has centered on the usefulness of the concepts and methods involved for improving the technology of teaching rudimentary communication skills to individuals with intellectual limitations. The development of that teaching technology will benefit from a close examination of the relationships between equivalence phenomena and verbal behaviors involving stimuli that are heard, spoken, signed, written, and pictured. This chapter examines methods and data relevant to that endeavor and provides a framework for the analysis of some of those relationships. The framework proposed is in the tradition of the experimental analysis of behavior. It critically examines the methods and their results in an effort to clarify the conditions under which functional relationships develop among verbal events and their referents. The focus of the chapter is on developmental issues and the role of collateral naming in stimulus class formation.
Regularization of Latent Variable Models to Obtain Sparsity

We present a pseudo-observed variable based regularization technique for latent variable mixed-membership models that provides a mechanism to impose preferences on the characteristics of aggregate functions of latent and observed variables. The regularization framework is used to regularize topic models, which are latent variable mixed membership models for language modeling. In many domains, documents and words often exhibit only a slight degree of mixed-membership behavior that is inadequately modeled by topic models which are overly liberal in permitting mixed-membership behavior. The regularization introduced in the paper is used to control the degree of polysemy of words permitted by topic models and to prefer sparsity in topic distributions of documents in a manner that is much more flexible than permitted by modification of priors. The utility of the regularization in exploiting sentiment-indicative features is evaluated internally using document perplexity and externally by using the models to predict star counts in movie and product reviews based on the content of the reviews. Results of our experiments show that using the regularization to finely control the behavior of topic models leads to better perplexity and lower mean squared error rates in the star-prediction task.
Frequency Dependent Flux Dynamics and Activation Energies in Pnictide Bulk (Ba0.56K0.44)Fe2As2 Superconductor

Abstract Thermally activated flux de-pinning and flux activation de-pinning energies are studied in a (Ba 0.56 K 0.44 )Fe 2 As 2 ( T c =38.5 K) bulk superconductor in DC magnetic fields up to 18 T. Ac susceptibility was measured as a function of temperature, DC and AC magnetic fields, and frequency. Ac susceptibility curves shift to higher temperatures as the frequency is increased from 75 to 1997 Hz in all fields. We model this data by Arrhenius law to determine flux activation energies as a function of AC and DC magnetic fields. The activation energy ranges from 8822 K at μ 0 H dc = 0 T to 1100 K at 18 T for H ac = 80 A/m. The energies drop quickly in a non-linear manner as DC field rises above 0 T and around 1 T, which we describe as pinning transition field, the drop levels and continues more slowly in a linear like manner as DC field approaches to 18 T. Furthermore, the activation energy drops quickly as AC field increases from 80 A/m to 800 A/m at 0 DC field. As the DC field rises above 0, the activation energy has significantly weaker dependence on the AC field amplitude. Extensive map of the de-pinning, or irreversibility, lines shows broad dependence on the magnitude of the small AC field, frequency, in addition to the DC field.
Seven-year trends of CO2exchange in a tundra ecosystem affected by long-term permafrost thaw

[1] Arctic warming has led to permafrost degradation and ground subsidence, created as a result of ground ice melting. Frozen soil organic matter that thaws can increase carbon (C) emissions to the atmosphere, but this can be offset in part by increases in plant growth. The balance of plant and microbial processes, and how this balance changes through time, determines how permafrost ecosystems influence future climate change via the C cycle. This study addressed this question both on short (interannual) and longer (decadal) time periods by measuring C fluxes over a seven-year period at three sites representing a gradient of time since permafrost thaw. All three sites were upland tundra ecosystems located in Interior Alaska but differed in the extent of permafrost thaw and ground subsidence. Results showed an increasing growing season (May – September) trend in gross primary productivity (GPP), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), and annual NEE at all sites over the seven year study period from 2004 to 2010, but no change in annual and growing season ecosystem respiration (Reco). These trends appeared to most closely follow increases in the depth to permafrost that occurred over the same time period. During the seven-year period, sites with more permafrost degradation had significantly greater GPP compared to where degradation was least, but also greater growing season Reco. Adding in winter Reco decreased, in part, the summer C sink and left only the site with the most permafrost degradation C neutral, with the other sites still C sinks. Annual C balance was strongly dependent on winter Reco, which, compared to the growing season, was relatively data-poor due to extreme environmental conditions. As a result, we cannot yet conclude whether the increased NEE in the growing season is truly sustained on an annual basis. If it turns out that winter measurements shown here are an underestimate, we may indeed find these systems are already losing net C to the atmosphere.
Mechanical systems with symmetry, variational principles, and integration algorithms

This paper studies variational principles for mechanical systems with symmetry and their applications to integration algorithms. We recall some general features of how to reduce variational principles in the presence of a symmetry group along with general features of integration algorithms for mechanical systems. Then we describe some integration algorithms based directly on variational principles using a discretization technique of Veselov.
Neural networks for improved automation of ventricular activation mapping

Whether or not a neural network could discriminate between electrograms from viable tissue (local myocardial activation) and nonviable tissue (distant electrical events) was investigated as a step toward improving automation of cardiac activation mapping. Cryolesions were made in canine myocardium. Five days later, plunge needles with eight electrodes were inserted through normal tissue and the lesions, and during atrial pacing unipolar electrograms were recorded, sampling at 8000 Hz with 12-bit resolution. Data were analyzed from 19 electrodes. The type of tissue from which electrograms were recorded was correctly identified for 18 of the 19 electrodes, indicating that the network was able to identify features of the electrograms that distinguished viable from nonviable tissue sources, and that this generalized to new electrograms upon which the network had not been trained. It is concluded that neural networks may have application in automated cardiac activation mapping. >
Properties of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Dependent Formate Dehydrogenase from Clostridium thermoaceticum

Li, Lan-Fun (Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio), Lars Ljungdahl, and Harland G. Wood. Properties of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent formate dehydrogenase from Clostridium thermoaceticum. J. Bacteriol. 92: 405-412. 1966.-A nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-dependent formate dehydrogenase has been isolated from C. thermoaceticum. The enzyme is very sensitive to oxygen and requires sulfhydryl compounds for activity. The apparent K(m) at 50 C and pH 7.0 for NADP is 5.9 x 10(-5)m and for formate, 2.2 x 10(-4)m. The enzyme is most active at about 60 C and at pH values between 7.0 and 9.0. The enzyme catalyzes an exchange between C(14)O(2) and formate, which requires NADP, but net synthesis of formate from CO(2) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate could not be demonstrated. The reaction does not involve ferredoxin.
Photodissociation of HNCO: Three competing pathways

The unimolecular decomposition of expansion-cooled isocyanic acid (HNCO) via channels (1) 3 NH+CO, (2) H+NCO, and (3) 1 NH+CO [where 3 NH and 1 NH denote NH(X 3 Σ - ) and NH(a 1 Δ), respectively] has been investigated following photoexcitation to the S 1 ( 1 A) state in two energy regimes: (i) in the region of the 1 NH+CO threshold (41 700-45 500 cm -1 ; 240-220 nm), and (ii) ∼3200 cm -1 above D 0 ( 1 NH+CO), at around 46000 cm -1 (217.6 nm). Several complementary experiments are presented: NCO, 3 NH and 1 NH photofragment yield spectra and relative 1 NH/ 3 NH branching ratios are obtained by laser induced fluorescence (LIF); photofragment ion imaging is used to record CO angular recoil distributions, and 1 NH rotational distributions correlated with specific CO (v,J) levels. HNCO excited to S 1 undergoes complex dynamics reflecting simultaneous decomposition on several potential energy surfaces, and including internal conversion (IC) and intersystem crossing (ISC). In energy region (i), a progressive loss of structure in the 3 NH yield spectrum is observed above the opening of channel (3), and is interpreted as the imprint of short-time dynamics characteristic of the ISC step. State selectivity in the photodissociation is revealed by comparing the photofragment yield spectra of the three channels. In region (ii), product state distributions for channel (3) exhibit clear dynamical signatures, as expected for dissociation on S,. At low excess energies channel (2) derives from dissociation on S 0 , but the respective roles of S 0 and S 1 at higher energies are not well established yet. The results are discussed in terms of vibronic levels of mixed electronic character coupled directly or via radiationless decay to the various continua. The competition between the different processes depends sensitively on photolysis energy and excitation conditions.
Effects of anti-LMM antibodies on the solubility of chicken skeletal muscle myosin

Monoclonal antibody Fab fragments which bind epitopes in the rod domain of skeletal muscle myosin had specific effects on the solubility properties of chicken muscle myosin in vitro. Two antibodies (NA4 and 5C3), which bind at the C-terminal portion of the rod domain caused myosin to remain soluble and monomeric in 0.1 M KCl, pH 7.2, conditions in which myosin normally aggregates into filamentous structures. Other antibodies (EB165 and AB8), which bind in the middle of the rod did not alter either myosin solubility or the morphology of the myosin assemblies formed. These results demonstrate the importance of the C-terminus of the myosin rod as a domain involved in regulating myosin interactions and solubility.
Narrow lanes of transverse magnetic field in sunspots

Solar flares are closely associated with magnetic activity on the surface of the Sun. They typically occur in complex sunspot groups, where the vertical magnetic fields reverse abruptly, and the horizontal (transverse) fields connecting the vertical poles are both sheared and strong. A single field inversion line may be the site of many flares. Here we report observations of a large, active sunspot group which reveal a series of oppositely directed vertical-field inversions separated by extremely narrow elongated channels of intense horizontal fields. In a minimum-energy configuration, lines of force connecting oppositely directed vertical fields simply arch across the inversion line; but when newly emerged sunspots move through older magnetic-field configurations, the poles are pushed together and the field lines turn sharply along the inversion line to reconnect with the vertical field some distance away. These multiple channels of horizontal field imply a large curl term (▿×B), and hence a substantial electric current. Our observations show that almost all of the larger flares in this region occur in these highly convoluted fields.
The challenges of a rising China

Abstract This article examines the changing nature of the China challenge and the global response to a rising China. As its comprehensive national strength grows, China poses broader challenges and provides greater opportunities for the global community. One influential school of thinking – offensive realism – suggests that the rise of a great power will lead to new and tragic conflicts. After examining contending perspectives on the China challenge, however, we find that there is persuasive evidence and strong logic to support alternative conceptions of the future. Tragedy is not inevitable. In fact, ‘managed great power relations’ can be a viable alternative to the tragic scenario. If major powers take great care to develop and manage their truly interdependent relations, mutual gains from cooperation will far exceed the costs of conflict. There are powerful incentives for cooperation and strong deterrence against conflict. As China's power has grown, Beijing's relations with major powers around the wor...
Portal venous-total hepatic flow ratio by radionuclide angiography.

Quantitating portal perfusion of cirrhotic liver is important to surgeons preoperatively selecting shunt ‘procedures and postoperatively evaluating the results of shunting. The ideal method for measuring the portal fraction of total hepatic flow should be noninvasive, technically suitable for widespread use, and accurate in the presence of hepatocellular disease [3]. At the present, there are no methods that fulfill all these criteria. Portal perfusion has not been satisfactorily evaluated in the awake human subject because of difficulty evaluating the dual blood supply to the liver, impaired extraction capacity of diseased liver, and the anatomic inaccessibility of the portal vein. Shunt procedures are performed to control variceal hemorrhage. However, an unacceptably high incidence of disabling hepatic encephalopathy has been reported following total or nonselective shunts. Selective shunts (distal splenorenal shunts) have the lowest incidence of postoperative encephalopathy and are as effective as total shunts for preventing recurrent variceal hemorrhage. [ 93, Recently, however, several papers have questioned the efficacy of selective shunting maintaining portal perfusion in the years
Improved skin flap survival with nicotinic acid and nicotinamide in rats.

The effects of some components of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) on tissue viability were investigated in acute island skin flaps which were constructed to exceed the blood supply provided by a unilateral pedicle of inferior epigastric vessels. Control flaps undergo significant necrosis. Treatment with nicotinamide or nicotinic acid, precursors of NAD, prior to flap elevation significantly improved the area of viability in the random portion of the flap from 44 ± 9% (mean ± SD) to 67 ± 12 and 65 ± 5%, respectively. Similarly, NAD improved viability to 68 ± 10% (P < 0.001). Treatment with other components, adenosine diphosphoribose or quinolinic acid, had no effect on flap survival. The results suggest that nicotinic acid and nicotinamide deserve therapeutic consideration with regard to the treatment of ischemia/reperfusion injury in skin.
Body-coupled communication for body sensor networks

Body sensor networks (BSNs) offer a wealth of opportunities for precise, accurate, continuous, and non-invasive sensing of physiological phenomena, but their unique operating environment, the body-area, poses unique technical challenges. Popular communications solutions that utilize 2.4 GHz radio transmission suffer from significant and highly variable path loss in this setting. To compensate for such loss, radio transceivers often transmit at power levels at or above 1 mW -- a reality that limits battery life. We propose the use of body-coupled communication to address this issue, as it presents several distinct advantages over existing solutions, namely: reduced power consumption, minimal interference, and increased privacy. In this paper, we demonstrate a 23 MHz body-coupled channel that supports reliable data transfer with an average received power of 30 dBm over a 2.4 GHz radio frequency link. This scheme reduces power needed for transmission and increases battery life by up to 100%, while maintaining a favorable environment for application-specific quality of service requirements. Finally, we propose a system-level hardware architecture and explore its implications on BSN infrastructure.
Cardiocirculatory Studies in Pulsus Alternans of the Systemic and Pulmonary Circulations

Studies carried out in 21 patients have shown for the first time that alternation of the pulse pressure in man can occur independently in either the greater or the lesser circulation without appearing in the other. Even when bilateral alternation exists, this cyclic variation may disappear in one circulation while persisting in the other. Mechanisms responsible for pulsus alternans, in particular variations in stroke volume and vascular pressures, are considered, and no single explanation satisfies the facts revealed in this study.
Microstructure evolution during tensile loading histories of a polyurea

The evolution in the hard/soft domain microstructure of an elastomeric-like polyurea during different tensile loading histories was studied using in situ small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). The nonlinear stress-strain behavior is initially stiff with a rollover yield to a more compliant response; unloading is highly nonlinear showing substantial hysteresis while also exhibiting significant recovery. Reloading reveals a substantially more compliant 'softened' behavior and dramatically reduced hysteresis. WAXS peaks monitor characteristic dimensions of regular features within the hard domains; the peak location remains unchanged with tensile deformation indicating no separation of the internal structure within a domain, but the peak intensity becomes anisotropic with deformation evolving in a reversible manner consistent with orientation due to stretch. The SAXS profiles provide information between major hard domains. SAXS peaks are found to shift with tensile loading in a relatively affine manner up to a tensile true strain of {approx}0.4, which, using a Bragg reduction to aid interpretation, reveals an axial increase and a transverse decrease in interdomain spacings; this evolution is reversible for strains less than {approx}0.4. Increasing axial strain beyond a true strain of {approx}0.4 is accompanied by a dramatic, progressive, and irreversible reduction in axial Bragg spacing, indicating a breakdownmore » in the hard domain aggregate network structure. A four-point pattern is seen to develop during stretching. The breakdown in networked structure during a first load cycle gives a new structure for subsequent load cycles, which is seen to evolve in a reversible manner for strains less than or equal to the prior maximum strain. However, for strains exceeding the prior maximum strain excursion, additional breakdown is found. These SAXS results show that a breakdown in the hard domain aggregate network structure is a governing mechanism for the large dissipation (hysteresis) loops of the first load cycle and are also responsible for the softened reloading response. The absence of structure breakdown during subsequent load cycles corresponds to the substantially reduced hysteresis loops as well as the stable softened behavior. DMA data on pristine and previously deformed samples show a more compliant storage modulus in the predeformed sample, supporting the softened cyclic stress-strain data and the structural breakdown observed in the SAXS; the loss modulus was unchanged with deformation, which correlates with the lossy features measured in DMA with time-dependent viscosity rather than losses due to structural breakdown.« less
Microgel film dynamics modulate cell adhesion behavior

A material's mechanical properties greatly control cell behavior at the cell–substrate interface. In this work, we demonstrate that microgel multilayers have unique elastic and viscoelastic-like properties that can be modulated to produce morphological changes in fibroblasts cultured on the film. Protein adsorption is also examined and the data are contrasted with the number of cells adhered. The dynamic interaction of cell and substrate is only partially explained by conventional understanding of surface–receptor interactions and substrate elasticity. Viscoelasticity, a mechanical property not often considered, plays a significant role at cellular length and time scales for microgel films.
Treatment of chronic vertigo with hyperbaric oxygen.

Abstract Hyperbaric oxygen was used in the treatment of symptoms associated with chronic vertigo. Good results were obtained after therapy with oxygen at 2 atmospheres absolute. In most of the 7 cases treated, there was remission of the nausea, dizziness, and the inability to walk.
Prenatal diagnosis in known fragile X carriers

Prenatal diagnosis for fragile X syndrome was performed in 34 pregnancies of 33 known carriers, on 22 chorionic villus samples (CVS), and 15 amniocentesis samples. Fetal and maternal DNA were analyzed by the EagI/EcoRI Southern blot of Rousseau et al. [1991: N Engl J Med 325:1673-1681], with detection of full mutations ensured by a second loading with brief electrophoresis. As a supplemental assay for full mutations, cytogenetic induction was performed in 20 cases. Positive cytogenetic results were helpful in confirming full mutations in CVS cases where the fetal DNA was intermediate in appearance, between a large premutation and a small full mutation. Of 8 mothers with full mutations, the fetal results were 5 full, 2 normal, and 1 premutation (whose mother was a full/pre compound heterozygote). Of 26 mothers with premutations, the fetal results were 5 full, 13 normal, 7 premutation, and 1 uninterpretable (maternal contamination). Maternal premutations were sized in kb by Southern blot and in CGG repeat number by PCR; the predicted correlation between maternal length and penetrance was seen. Follow-up studies include 3 full mutations and 2 premutations confirmed by DNA analysis at birth. Maternal contamination of CVS samples was encountered in 3 of 22 cases, illustrating the value of EagI in detecting maternal (lyonized) chromosomes.
Time-dependent behavior of gas absorption in lubricant oil

Gas absorption behavior in liquid with time has been studied by applying a simple mathematical model. The model is based on a one-dimensional mass diffusion process due to the concentration difference in dissolving gas. In order to examine the model validity, selected experimental data in the literature have been analyzed with the present model. The model has faithfully reproduced the experimental transient behavior of dissolving gases, and physically meaningful model parameters, diffusion constant and solubility limit, have been obtained for dissolving gas (water and refrigerant) in various lubricant oils. The validity and the significance of the model are discussed.
Comment on "Global asymptotic stability of certain nonlinear feedback systems"

Lyapunov's stability and asymptotic stability theorems as given by Brauer and Nohel are used to show that the sufficiency conditions derived by Sinha give mere stability as opposed to global asymptotic stability.
Assessing and using the multiple correlated components of the burden of disease in decision-making in health care.

In medical decision- making, we must (a) establish the patient’s prognosis, and (b) identify the therapeutic strategy that will best improve that prognosis. The prognosis is the projected progression over time of the cumulative probability of (a) mortality, (b) morbidity, (c) disability, (d) psychological distress, and (e) resource use. Our modeling employs parametric representations and multivariate analysis to produce the predicted individual and joint probabilities of any range of each measure and of combinations of the measures. The predicted probabilities are consistent with their observed values. We have demonstrated, we believe, the feasibility of analyzing and predicting the burden of disease as a means to support decision-making at the bedside and the policy level.
Chromatographic determination of dicofol and metabolites in egg yolks.

Egg yolk was spiked withp,p′-dicofol (p,p′-DCF) (0.1–2.0 μg/gm),p,p′-dichlorobenzophenone (p,p′-DCBP) (0.1–2.0 (μg/gm), and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (p,p′- DDE) (0.05–1.0 μg/gm). The fortified egg yolk (2–5 g) was mixed with acetonitrile to extract non-fat organic materials. After removal of acetonitrile, the spiked chemicals were separated with a column chromatograph packed with acid alumina. Recovery efficiencies forp,p′-DCBP andp,p′-DDE were determined by gas chromatography, and forp,p′-dicofol by high performance liquid chromatography. The recovery efficiencies forp,p′-dicofol,p,p′-DCBP andp,p′-DDE were 77.2–93.8%, 84.1–101.1%, and 88.5–96.0%, respectively.
A Problem in Statistical Analysis: Simultaneous Inference

ABLE, K. P. 1982. Skylight polarization at dusk influences migratory orientation in birds. Nature 299: 550-551. ABLE, K. P. 1989. Skylight polarization patterns and the orientation of migratory birds. J. Exp. Biol. 141:241-256. BALDA, R., AND A. C. KAMIL. 1989. A comparative study of cache recovery by three corvid species. Anim. Behav. 38:486-495. BRINES, M., AND J. GOULD. 1982. Skylight polarization patterns and animal orientation. J. Exp. Biol. 96:69-91. HELBIG, A. J., AND W. WILTSCHKO. 1989. The skylight polarization at dusk affects the orientation behavior of Blackcaps, Sylvia atricapilla. Naturwissenschaften 76:227-229. KAMIL, A. C., AND R. P. BALDA. 1985. Cache recovery and spatial memory in Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana). J. Exp. Psychol.: Anim. Behav. Processes 11:95-111. MOORE, F. R., AND J. B. PHILLIPS. 1988. Sunset, skylight polarization and the migration of Yellowrumped Warblers, Dendroica coronata. Anim. Behav. 36:1770-1778. SCHMIDT-KOENIG, K. 1958. Der EinfluB experimentell verinderter Zeitschitzung auf das Heimfindevermigen von Brieftauben. Naturwissenschaften 45:47. WALLRAFF, H. G. 1974. Das Navigationssystem der Vigel. Schriftenreihe "Kybernetik," R. Oldenbourg Verlag, Miinchen, Wien. WEHNER, R. 1976. Polarized light navigation by insects. Scient. Amer. 235:106-115. WILTSCHKO, W., AND R. P. BALDA. 1989. Sun compass orientation in seed-caching Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens). J. Comp. Physiol. 164: 717-721. WILTSCHKO, W., AND R. WILTSCHKO. 1982. The role of outward journey information in the orientation of homing pigeons, p. 239-252. In F. Papi and H. G. Wallraff [eds.], Avian navigation. Proc. in Life Sciences, Springer-Verlag, Berlin. WILTSCHKO, W., AND R. WILTSCHKO. 1987. Cognitive maps and navigation in homing pigeons, p. 201216. In P. Ellen and C. Thinus-Blanc [eds.], Cognitive processes and spatial orientation in animal and man. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Use of a 1H-Benzoimidazole Derivative as an n-Type Dopant and To Enable Air-Stable Solution-Processed n-Channel Organic Thin-Film Transistors

We present here the development of a new solution-processable n-type dopant, N-DMBI. Our experimental results demonstrated that a well-known n-channel semiconductor, [6,6]-phenyl C(61) butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), can be effectively doped with N-DMBI by solution processing; the film conductivity is significantly increased by n-type doping. We utilized this n-type doping for the first time to improve the air-stability of n-channel organic thin-film transistors, in which the doping can compensate for the electron traps. Our successful demonstration of n-type doping using N-DMBI opens up new opportunities for the development of air-stable n-channel semiconductors. It is also potentially useful for application on solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes and organic photovoltaics.
Boolean Analysis of MOS Circuits

The switch-level model represents a digital metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) circuit as a network of charge storage nodes connected by resistive transistor switches. The functionality of such a network can be expressed as a series of systems of Boolean equations. Solving these equations symbolically yields a set of Boolean formulas that describe the mapping from input and current state to the new network states. This analysis supports the same class of networks as the switch-level simulator MOSSIM II and provides the same functionality, including the handling of bidirectional effects and indeterminate (X) logic values. In the worst case, the analysis of an n-node network can yield a set of formulas containing a total of O(n /sup 3/) operations. However, all but a limited set of dense, pass-transistor networks give formulas with O(n) total operations. The analysis can serve as the basis of efficient programs for a variety of logic design tasks, including logic simulation (on both conventional and special-purpose computers), fault simulation, test generation, and symbolic verification.
Effects of intravenous methylnaltrexone on opioid-induced gut motility and transit time changes in subjects receiving chronic methadone therapy : a pilot study

In this preliminary study, we evaluated the effects of methylnaltrexone, a peripheral opioid-receptor antagonist, on chronic opioid-induced gut motility and transit changes in four subjects with chronic methadone-induced constipation. Subjects participated in this single blind, placebo controlled study for up to 8 days. We gave placebo the first day; for the remainder of the study, we gave intravenous methylnaltrexone (0.05-0.45 mg/kg) twice daily. During the study period, we recorded oral-cecal transit time and opioid withdrawal symptoms, as well as laxation response based on the frequency and consistency of the stools. Subjects 1 and 2 who were administered methylnaltrexone 0.45 mg/kg, a dose previously administered in normal volunteers, showed immediate positive laxation. Subject 2, after positive laxation response, had severe abdominal cramping, but showed no opioid systemic signs of withdrawal. The subject was discontinued due to the cramping. In Subjects 3 and 4, we reduced the methylnaltrexone dose to 0.05-0.15 mg/kg. The latter two subjects also had an immediate laxation response during and after intravenous medication without significant side effects. The stool frequency of these four subjects increased from 1-2 times per week before the study to approximately 1.5 stool per day during the treatment period. Oral-cecal transit times of Subjects 1, 3, and 4 were reduced from 150, 150 and 150 min (after placebo) to 90, 60 and 60 min (with methylnaltrexone), respectively. Our preliminary results demonstrate that low dose intravenous methylnaltrexone effectively reversed chronic methadone-induced constipation and delay in gut transit time. Thus, we anticipate that cancer patients receiving chronic opioids may also have increased sensitivity to methylnaltrexone, and that low dose methylnaltrexone may have clinical utility in managing opioid-induced constipation in chronic-pain patients.
A Gammaherpesvirus Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Is Involved in the Establishment of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) contains a ubiquitin (Ub)-specific cysteine protease (USP) domain embedded within the large tegument protein ORF64, as do all other herpesviruses. The biological role of this protease is still unclear, but for the alphaherpesvirus Marek's disease virus, its USP is involved in T-cell lymphoma formation. We here study the role of the MHV-68 USP, encoded by ORF64. By constructing a mutant virus with a single cysteine-to-alanine replacement in the active site of ORF64, we demonstrate that the USP activity of ORF64 is abolished. The mutant virus replicates less efficiently in vitro, and plaque size is reduced compared to that of a revertant virus. Electron microscopy of infected cells did not reveal any obvious differences in virion morphogenesis or differences in egress for the mutant and revertant viruses. Intraperitoneal infection of C57/BL6 mice demonstrates that the mutant virus is generally cleared by day 7, indicating a role for the USP in the persistence of MHV-68 infection or efficient replication. However, the USP activity in MHV-68 is unlikely to be involved in the establishment of latency or reactivation, since we observed no significant difference in viral DNA genome copy number in the spleen or in the number of cells that reactivate MHV-68 from latency. Our results for MHV-68 ORF64 are consistent with an enzymatic function of the tegument protein that is beneficial to the virus during acute infection, particularly in vivo.
The electroencephalogram in cases of tumors of the posterior fossa and third ventricle.

Abstract This report is based on a study of the electroencephalograms of 66 patients with tumors of the posterior fossa, 12 patients with tumors of the third ventricle, and 9 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. The principal abnormality seen consisted of rhythmic, bilaterally synchronous slow waves. Less often, irregular, arrhythmic waves were seen. With the exception of tumors of the cerebellopontine angle, the incidence of abnormal records was approximately equal regardless of the nature or site of the pathologic process. There was no correlation between the site of the electroencephalographic abnormalities and the anatomic site of the lesion. The rhythmical abnormalities tent to be increased with hyperventilation and to be inhibited by opening of the eyes. In contrast, the arrhythmic abnormalities are only rarely affected by these procedures. Increased pressure within the third and lateral ventricles appears to be of major importance in the production of abnormality in the electroencephalogram. An acute increase in intraventricular pressure appears to produce an abnormality more often than a slow increase. Abnormality is more likely to be seen in young patients than in old patients.
Instrumentation for simultaneous kinetic imaging of multiple fluorophores in single living cells

Low-light fluorescence video microscopy has established itself as an excellent method for investigations of cell dynamics. There is a growing interest in resolving multiple images of 'ratio' fluorophores like indo or BCECF or the emission from multiple dyes placed in the same cell system. For rapid kinetic studies, the problems of photodynamic damage and photobleaching on one hand and the need for good spatial and temporal resolution on the other, press the resolution of the instrumentation. Rapid resolution of multiple probes at multiple wavelengths presents a third set of problems of exciting the probes and appropriately imaging the emitted light. The authors have designed a new real-time low-light fluorescence video microscope for capturing intensified images of up to four dyes contained in the same cell system. These can be two dual-emission wavelength 'ratio' dyes or multiple dyes. The optics allow simultaneous excitation of up to four fluorophores and the real-time (30 frames/second) capture of four separate fluorescence emission images. Each emission wavelength is imaged simultaneously by one of four cameras, then digitized and appropriately combined at standard video frame rates to be stored at high resolution on tape or video disk for further off-line correction and analysis. The design has no moving parts in its optical train, which overcomes a number of technical difficulties encountered in filter wheel or mechanical shutter designs for multiple imaging. The instrument can be assembled form off-the-shelf components. Coupled to compatible image processing software utilizing PC-AT computers, it can be realized for relatively low cost. Two examples of simultaneous multi-parameter imaging are presented. Synchronous observations of calcium and pH distribution in kidney epithelial cells, loaded with both indo-1 and SNARF-1TM, show that both are altered in response to ionomycin treatment; however, the kinetics for the two changes are quite different. Intracellular calcium increases rapidly when the bath Ca2+ is raised. The pH remains stable for several seconds, then suddenly collapses. The second example concerns fusion of human red blood cells (RBC) to fibroblasts expressing influenza hemagglutinin. Movement of soluble and membrane-bound dyes follow different kinetics, depending upon the molecular weight of the soluble dye. Furthermore, the swelling of the RBC occurs after the onset of fusion, and therefore cannot provide the driving force.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transcriptional regulation of aromatase expression in human breast tissue.

Aromatase (CYP19) is the estrogen synthetase that converts androgen to estrogen. The expression of aromatase in breast cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is up regulated compared to non-cancerous cells. In situ estrogen synthesis is thought to stimulate breast cancer growth in both an autocrine and a paracrine manner. A complex mechanism is involved in the control of human aromatase expression, in that seven promoters have been identified and found to be utilized in a tissue-selective manner. Increased aromatase expression in breast tumors is, in part, attributed to changes in the transcriptional control of aromatase expression. While promoter I.4 is the main promoter that controls aromatase expression in non-cancer breast tissue, promoters II and I.3 are the dominant promoters that drive aromatase expression in breast cancer tissue. During the last several years, our laboratory performed a series of studies to examine the transcription regulatory mechanism of aromatase expression in breast cancer cells. We functionally characterized promoters II and I.3, and carried out DNase 1 footprinting analysis that identified two regulatory elements, S1 and CREaro. Using the yeast one-hybrid approach to screen a human breast tissue hybrid cDNA expression library, we found that four orphan/nuclear receptors, ERR alpha-1, EAR-2, COUP-TFI and RAR gamma, bind to the S1 element, and that CREB1, Snail (SnaH) and Slug proteins bind to the CREaro element. Studies from this and other laboratories have revealed that in cancer tissue versus normal tissue, several positive regulatory proteins (e.g. ERR alpha-1 and CREB1) are present at higher levels and several negative regulatory proteins (e.g. EAR-2, COUP-TFI, RAR gamma, Snail and Slug proteins) are present at lower levels. This may explain why the activity of promoters II and I.3 is up regulated in cancer tissue. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms of aromatase expression between non-cancerous and cancerous breast tissue, at the transcriptional level, may help in the design of a therapy based on the suppression of aromatase expression in breast cancer tissue.
The Effects of Health Threat Seriousness and Personal Efficacy upon Intentions and Behavior1

Eighty dental patients were pretested with a scale measuring health locus of control and then exposed to a persuasive communication designed to manipulate their beliefs about the seriousness of periodontal disease and their susceptibility to it. The high seriousness condition increased feelings of fear, concern, and threat as well as intentions and reported compliance with recommended oral hygiene procedures. However, patient's perceived personal efficacy in performing the recommended behavior was the most important predictor of subsequent behavior. The implications of the results for Roger's protection motivation theory are discussed.
Review of The Order Has Been Carried Out: History, Memory, and Meaning of a Nazi Massacre in Rome by Alessandro Portelli

(2004). Review of The Order Has Been Carried Out: History, Memory, and Meaning of a Nazi Massacre in Rome by Alessandro Portelli. The Oral History Review: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 118-120.
Multidisciplinary impact of the deep mantle phase transition in perovskite structure

A phase transition in (Mg, Fe) SiO3 (magnesium silicate-perovskite) for pressure-temperature conditions near the base of Earth's mantle, first reported in May 2004, is stimulating strong multidisciplinary excitement and interactions. Experimentally and theoretically determined characteristics of this phase transition indicate that it may hold the key to understanding enigmatic seismological structures in the D” region of the lowermost mantle, with important implications for heat transport, thermal instabilities, and chemical properties of the lower mantle. All minerals undergo phase transitions with increasing depth into the Earth, reorganizing their crystal structures into denser-packed forms stable over a finite range of pressures and temperatures. The changes in material properties across such transitions often give rise to detectable contrasts in seismic velocities and density.
Molecular Recognition among Structurally Similar Components of a Self-Assembling Soft Material

A self-assembled gel, prepared in an organic solvent from two structurally related gelators, consists of fibers made exclusively of one compound and microcrystallites made exclusively of the other according to microscopic, calorimetric, and rheological information. The high selectivity occurs despite the two gelators having identical hydrogen-bonding units critical to the self-assembly process. Seemingly innocuous side-chain effects apparently suffice for a growing fiber to accept molecule 1, and to reject molecule 2, with a high degree of fidelity.
The Core Accretion Model Predicts Few Jovian-Mass Planets Orbiting Red Dwarfs

The favored theoretical explanation for giant planet formation—in both our solar system and others—is the core accretion model (although it still has some serious difficulties). In this scenario, planetesimals accumulate to build up planetary cores, which then accrete nebular gas. With current opacity estimates for protoplanetary envelopes, this model predicts the formation of Jupiter-mass planets in 2-3 Myr at 5 AU around solar-mass stars, provided that the surface density of solids is enhanced over that of the minimum-mass solar nebula (by a factor of a few). Working within the core accretion paradigm, this Letter presents theoretical calculations that show that the formation of Jupiter-mass planets orbiting M dwarf stars is seriously inhibited at all radial locations (in sharp contrast to solar-type stars). Planet detection programs sensitive to companions of M dwarfs will test this prediction in the near future.
Inflationary trends in Colombia

Abstract Colombian inflation exceeded 32 percent in 1990. In respomse, the government announced plans to slash the inflation rate by 10 points in 1991. To examine potential impacts of the anti-inflation program, the effects of slower rates of nominal exchange rate devaluation and money supply growth are studied. Empirical analysis is carried out utilizing transfer function autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) analysis. Monthly data from 1967 forward are analyzed, corresponding to the crawling peg era of exchange rate determination in Colombia. Money and the exchange rate are found to Granger-cause the consumer price index (CPI). Model simulation indicates that adherence to the program can lead to noticeable disinflation over a 24-month period.
Protection against pulmonary blastomycosis: Adoptive transfer with T lymphocytes, but not serum, from resistant mice

Abstract A murine model of pulmonary blastomycosis, in which the portal of entry is the same as in natural human infection, was used to study resistance to infection subsequent to pulmonary challenge. Lymphoid cells or serum from mice rendered resistant to fatal pulmonary challenge by resolution of a subcutaneous nonlethal infection were tested for ability to adoptively or passively transfer resistance to the pulmonary compartment of naive recipients. As one example, spleen cells (88 × 10 6 ), lymph node cells (17 × 10 6 ), and peritoneal cells (2 × 10 6 ) from resistant mice, but not normal mice, given iv transferred significant resistance to an LD 100 pulmonary challenge of naive recipients. Serum from resistant mice (ELISA titer 1:80) did not transfer protection. T lymphocytes (18 × 10 6 ) were as effective as unfractionated spleen cells (75 × 10 6 ) in the adoptive transfer of resistance. Spleen cells from resistant mice, when treated with anti-mouse T-cell serum plus complement (20 × 10 6 viable cells), failed to transfer resistance. The transfer of resistance with T lymphocytes from resistant to naive mice was T-cell dose dependent.
Effect of Silicon Oxide Thickness on theDirect Synthesis of Dimethyldichlorosilane

Abstract The effect of silicon oxide thickness on the direct synthesis ofdimethyldichlorosilane ((CH3)2SiCl2,dmd) was studied by reacting Si(100)surfaces with CH3Cl.Oxide layers of 0.9, 2, 4, and 14 nmaverage thicknesses were grown on Si(100) and were characterizedby ellipsometry and AES. A copper catalyst (82 wt% Cu and 18wt% Cu2O) was placed as a powder on the oxide layer and thereaction was carried out at 598 K in 1 atm CH3Cl. Reactedsurfaces were characterized by XRD, SEM, and opticalmicroscopy. The reacted surfaces contained Cu3Si, Cu, and Si.The surface with the lowest oxide coverage had the bestselectivity (78 mol%(CH3)2SiCl2and22 mol% CH3SiCl3).As the oxide thickness increased, the selectivity for(CH3)2SiCl2continuously decreased, the overall reaction ratefor methylchlorosilane formation decreased, and the inductiontime before dmd formation increased. Even after 18 h ofreaction, the rate and selectivity were still affected by theinitial oxide thickness on the 2-nm oxide surface, butselectivity for dmd on the 4-nm oxide surface was the same asthat on the 2-nm oxide surface. The reaction rate on Si(100) witha 14-nm oxide layer was less than 1% of that on the Si(100)with 0.9-nm oxide. On all surfaces, square-based pyramidal pitsformed as Si were removed, and the pits were larger, for the samereaction time, for surfaces with thinner oxides. A 4-nm oxideaffected the orientation of the Cu3Si phase, but on 0.9 and2-nm oxide layers, Cu3Si was randomly oriented.