cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Immune Responses to Hapten-Conjugated Cells: II. The Roles of Autologous and Allogeneic Histocompatibility Determinants in Proliferative Responses in Vitro

Proliferative responses of human lymphocytes primed in vitro to autologous TNP-cells were found to be associated with autologous D-region determinants irrespective of HLA-B locus antigens. Family studies of secondary TNP-conjugate proliferative responses demonstrated a gene dosage effect in this phenomenon. Moreover, co-culture with allogeneic cells did not affect the net TNP-conjugate proliferative responses of primed responder cells, suggesting that HLA-D region preference was due to a requirement for representation of TNP-molecules in association or combination with autologous MHC structures. Alloantigens were found to influence the sensitization of lymphocytes to autologous hapten-conjugated cells. Co-culture of allogeneic and TNP-modified autologous stimulator cells in primary cultures enhanced the secondary TNP proliferative response. Sensitization of human lymphocytes to allogeneic cells alone did not prime responses to autologous modified cells. However, priming lymphocytes to modified autologous cells potentiated responses to allogeneic cells. The data suggest a complex relationship between responses to alloantigens and modified autologous cells.
Organochromium complexes in homogenous olefin polymerization

Publisher Summary The advent of single-site, so called metallocene catalysts is revolutionizing the field of coordination polymerization of ethylene and α-olefins. Molecular design of the organometallic catalyst precursors has enabled unprecedented control of the various structural elements of the polymer (i.e. molecular weight, dispersity, incorporation of side chains, tacticity) that determine its physical properties. However, despite the commercial importance of chromium based polymerization catalysts, and in contrast to group 4 (Ti, Zr, Hf) chemistry, little is known about the relevant organometallic chemistry of chromium, and the development of novel organochromium catalysts is only beginning. Part of the problem is the paramagnetism of relevant chromium alkyls in those oxidation states commonly thought to be catalytically active (i.e. Cr II , Cr III ). The limited utility of NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of paramagnetic organometallics has generally discouraged the exploration of their chemistry and thus hindered the elucidation of the structural requirements for catalytic activity. Fundamental issues like formal oxidation state, coordination number, and chemical nature of the ligands of active chromium catalysts are still relatively ill defined. Seeking to shed light upon these matters, some time ago a broadly based investigation of the organometallic chemistry of paramagnetic chromium alkyls was initiated, with a particular emphasis upon polymerization catalysis. This chapter summarizes recent results from laboratory concerning homogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts containing chromium.
Paleomagnetism of ∼1.09 Ga Lake Shore Traps (Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan): new results and implications

We report paleomagnetic data from a new section of the ∼1.09 Ga Lake Shore Traps exposed on Silver Island (10 flows) and on the adjacent mainland (two flows) along the northwestern coastline of the...
A fuzzy adaptive controller using reinforcement learning neural networks

The authors describe an adaptive controller for complex processes which is capable of learning effective control using process data and improving its control through online adaptation. The controller is applicable to processes with multivariable states and with uncertain or nonlinear dynamics for which analytical models or standard control algorithms are either impractical or cannot be derived. This controller performs a fuzzy discretization of the process state and control variable spaces, and implements fuzzy logic control rules as a fuzzy relation. The membership functions of the fuzzy discretization are adjusted online and the fuzzy control rules are learned using a performance measure as feedback reinforcement. The fuzzy discretization procedure employs a data compression technique permitting multivariable state vector inputs. The controller is implemented with neural networks. Simulation results for the controller applied to a simple dynamical system demonstrate its effectiveness. >
A micropower analog VLSI processing channel for bionic ears and speech-recognition front ends

Next-generation bionic ears or cochlear implants will be fully implanted inside the body of the patient and consequently have very stringent requirements on the power consumption used for signal processing. We describe a low-power programmable analog VLSI processing channel that implements bandpass filtering, envelope detection, logarithmic mapping and analog-to-digital conversion. A bionic ear processor may be implemented through the use of several such parallel channels. In a proof-of-concept 1.5 /spl mu/m AMI MOSIS implementation, the most power-hungry channel of our system (7.5 kHz center frequency) consumed 7.8 /spl mu/W of power, had an internal dynamic range (IDR) of 51 dB, and provided 64 discriminable levels of loudness per channel. Such numbers already satisfy the requirements of today's commercial bionic ear processors and can lower the power consumption of even advanced DSP processing schemes of the future by an order of magnitude. Our processing channel is also well suited for use in low power speech recognition front ends, which commonly require the same sequence of operations in cepstrum-like front ends. Future improvements in the interfaces between the various stages of our processing channel, which were not optimized in this implementation, promise a potential internal dynamic range of more than 60 dB with little or no increase in power.
Anglesite (PbSO4) solubility in acetate solutions: The determination of stability constants for lead acetate complexes to 85°C

Abstract Anglesite solubilities were determined at 25, 40, 55, 70, and 85°C in solutions with equal molal concentrations of acetic acid and sodium acetate (each ranging from 0.001 to 0.25 m) and at pH values near 4.6. Experiments were conducted using 1000 ml, externally heated glass reaction vessels, and lead concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. For run conditions with free acetate concentrations less than about 0.01 m, measured a anglesite solubilities are less than or equal to 100 mg/l. Above free acetate concentrations of 0.01 m, measured anglesite solubilities rise sharply to concentrations near 1000 mg/l. Extracted from these solubility data, by a numerical successive linear extrapolation method, were stoichiometries and thermodynamic stability constants (ionic strength = 0) for the complexes Pb(CH3COO)+ and Pb(CH3COO)2. Log K1 and log K2 values for the formation reactions Pb+ + CH3COO− = PbCH3COO+ and Pb2+ + 2CH3COO− = Pb(CH3COO)2 respectively are log K1: (2.4±0.1, 25°C), (2.4±0.1, 40°C), (2.5±0.1, 55°C), (2.6±0.1, 70°C), (2.7±0.2, 85°C) and log K2: (3.4±0.4, 25°C), (3.6±0.2, 40°C), (3.8 ±0.2, 55°C), (4.0±0.2, 70°C), (4.3±0.2, 85°C). Lead hydrolysis was found to be significant in those experiments conducted at 70 and 85°C. However, hydrolyzed lead was not detected at 25, 40, and 55°C. PbOH+ as percent of total observed lead ranged from 0.2 to 24% and 2 to 86% in those experiments at 70 and 85°C, respectively. Calculations of lead speciation in acetate solutions show that the equivalence point for PbCH3COO+ and Pb(CH3COO)2 shifts to lower acetate concentrations from 25 to 85°C. These speciation calculations also suggest that lead acetate complexes could be significant in high acetate formation waters. These waters typically contain at least 1,000 ppm acetate (0.017 molal as acetic acid). Furthermore, if these waters are not too acid and if concentrations of competing ligands are low, lead acetate complexes should be the dominant lead species.
Effects of Transforming Growth Factor β and Interleukin-1β on Expression of Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 and Phospholipase A2 mRNA in Lung Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells in Culture

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the roles of the rate limiting enzymes, cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX1 and COX2) and cytoplasmic phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ), in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and interleukin-1 (IL-1β) activated prostaglandin synthesis. Results show that TGF-β increases steady state levels of COX1 mRNA in both human embryo lung fibroblasts (IMR90) and calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). Temporal experiments show that TGF-β increases, within 2hrs, a 5.5kb COX1 in IMR90 and the 2.7kb COX1 mRNA in BPAEC. IL-1β increases COX1 mRNA only in IMR90, not BPAEC. COX2 mRNA, under basal conditions, is not detected in BPAEC and is expressed only marginally in IMR90. TGF-β or IL-1β have no effect on expression of COX2 gene in either cell type. IL-1β increases steady state levels of PLA 2 mRNA in both IMR90 and BPAEC while TGF-β increases expression of the PLA 2 gene only in BPAEC. Time experiments with TGF-β show induction of PLA 2 mRNA within 1hr, peaking at 4hrs. PG synthesis in response to the cytokines was determined in IMR90 and BPAEC to further assess the significance of the above results. TGF-β increases the synthesis of prostacyclin in BPAEC in a time related fashion peaking at 8hrs at 13 fold above basal. To focus on the action of COX1 and bypass the action of PLA 2 , exogenous arachidonic acid was used as substrate for PG synthesis. In these experiments IL-1β increases PGE 2 synthesis 8 fold in IMR90 while IL-1β and TGF-β added simultaneously increases PGE 2 synthesis 25 fold. These results in sum illustrate that the cytokines, TGF-β and IL-1β, regulate both COX1 and PLA 2 rnRNA levels. Furthermore, this regulation appears coordinated to bring about elevation of prostaglandin synthesis.
Global positioning system measurements of deformations associated with the 1987 Superstition Hills earthquake - Evidence for conjugate faulting

Large station displacements observed from Imperial Valley Global Positioning System (GPS) compaigns are attributed to the November 24, 1987 Superstition Hills earthquake sequence. Thirty sites from a 42 station GPS network established in 1986 were reoccupied during 1988 and/or 1990. Displacements at three sites within 3 kilometers of the surface rupture approach 0.5 m. Eight additional stations within 20 km of the seismic zone are displaced at least 10 cm. This is the first occurrence of a large earthquake (M(sub S) 6.6) within a preexisting GPS network. Best-fitting uniform slip models of rectangular dislocations in an elastic half-space indicate 130 + or - 8 cm right-lateral displacement along the northwest-trending Superstition Hills fault and 30 + or - 10 cm left-lateral displacement along the conjugate northeast-trending Elmore Ranch fault. The geodetic moments are 9.4 x 10 (exp 25) dyne-cm and 2.3 x 10 (exp 25) dyne-cm for the Superstition Hills and Elmore Ranch faults, respectively, consistent with teleseismic source parameters. The data also suggest the post seismic slip along the Superstition Hills fault is concentrated at shallow depths. Distributed slip solutions using Singular Value Decomposition indicate near uniform displacement along the Elmore Ranch fault and concentrated slip to the northwest and southeast along the Superstition Hills fault. A significant component of non-seismic displacement is observed across the Imperial Valley, which is attributed in part to interseismic plate-boundary deformation.
Eye tracking in web search tasks: design implications

An eye tracking study was conducted to evaluate specific design features for a prototype web portal application. This software serves independent web content through separate, rectangular, user-modifiable portlets on a web page. Each of seven participants navigated across multiple web pages while conducting six specific tasks, such as removing a link from a portlet. Specific experimental questions included (1) whether eye tracking-derived parameters were related to page sequence or user actions preceding page visits, (2) whether users were biased to traveling vertically or horizontally while viewing a web page, and (3) whether specific sub-features of portlets were visited in any particular order. Participants required 2-15 screens, and from 7-360+ seconds to complete each task. Based on analysis of screen sequences, there was little evidence that search became more directed as screen sequence increased. Navigation among portlets, when at least two columns exist, was biased towards horizontal search (across columns) as opposed to vertical search (within column). Within a portlet, the header bar was not reliably visited prior to the portlet's body, evidence that header bars are not reliably used for navigation cues. Initial design recommendations emphasized the need to place critical portlets on the left and top of the web portal area, and that related portlets do not need to appear in the same column. Further experimental replications are recommended to generalize these results to other applications.
The efficacy of the web-based childhood obesity prevention program in Chinese American adolescents (Web ABC study).

Abstract Purpose To examine the feasibility and efficacy of a theory-driven and family-based program delivered online to promote healthy lifestyles and weights in Chinese American adolescents. Methods A randomized controlled study of a Web-based intervention was developed and conducted in 54 Chinese American adolescents (ages, 12–15 years) and their families. Data on anthropometry, blood pressure, dietary intake, physical activity, and knowledge and self-efficacy regarding physical activity and nutrition were collected at baseline and 2, 6, and 8 months after the baseline assessment. Data were analyzed using linear mixed modeling. Results The intervention resulted in significant decreases in waist-to-hip ratio and diastolic blood pressure and increases in vegetable and fruit intake, level of physical activity, and knowledge about physical activity and nutrition. Conclusion This Web-based behavior program for Chinese American adolescents and their families seems feasible and effective in the short-term. Long-term effects remain to be determined. This type of program can be adapted for other minority ethnic groups who are at high-risk for overweight and obesity and have limited access to programs that promote healthy lifestyles.
P504Critical role IL-37 to ameliorate endotoxemic cardiac depression in aging mice: a critical role of suppression cardiodepressant cytokines

Purpose: Aging exaggerates myocardial injury caused by sepsis and up-regulated the expression of cytokines. IL-37 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, mice with transgenic expression of IL-37 are protected against endotoxic shock, exhibiting reduced lung and kidney damage. We tested the hypothesis that IL-37 protects the aging heart against endotoxemic cardiac depression via suppression of myocardial inflammatory responses. Methods: WT and IL-37 transgenic (tg) mice, males of adult (4-6 months) and aging (18-20 months), were treated with endotoxin (E. coli 011:B4; 0.5 mg/kg i.v.). Left ventricular (LV) function was measured with a pressure-volume microcatheter at 1-6 h after injection. Plasma and myocardial tissue homogenate were prepared for analysis of MCP-1, TNF-α and IL-1β by ELISA. Results: Endotoxin caused greater depression of LV function in WT aging mice, TNF-α and IL-1β in comparison to WT adult mice. Aging IL-37Tg mice had improved ejection fraction and cardiac output after LPS injection that were associated with lower myocardial levels of cytokines. To determine the role of MCP-1 in myocardial production of TNF-α and IL-1β, as well as in LV dysfunction, we treated WT aging mice with MCP-1-neutrlizing antibody and found that neutralization MCP-1 reduced myocardial TNF-α and IL-1β levels and improved LV function. Conclusions: Endotoxemia results in worse LV functional injury in aging WT mice. MCP-1 plays an important role in mediating the production of cardiac depressant cytokines and resultant LV dysfunction. IL-37 improves LV function in aging mice during endotoxemia through suppression of myocardial production of MCP-1 and cardiodepressant cytokines. Thus, IL-37 has the therapeutic potential for cardiac protection in the elderly against functional injury associated with major surgeries. ![Figure][1] Figure: Aging IL-37 Tg mice LV function [1]: pending:yes
Shock temperature in calcite (CaCO3) at 95–160 GPa

The temperatures induced in crystalline calcite (CaCO_3) upon planar shock compression (95–160 GPa) are reported from two-stage light gas gun experiments. Temperatures of 3300–5400 K are obtained by fitting six-channel optical pyrometer radiances in the 450–900 nm range to the Planck gray-body radiation law. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that these temperatures are some 400–1350 K lower than expected for vibronic excitations of the lattice with a 3R/mole-atom specific heat (R is gas constant). The temperature deficit along the Hugoniot is larger than that expected from only melting. In addition to melting, it appears likely that shock-induced decomposition of calcite occurs behind the shock front. We modeled disproportionation of calcite into CaO (solid) plus CO_2 (gas). For temperature calculations, specific heat at constant volume for 1 mole of CO_2 is taken to be 6.7R as compared to 9R in the solid state; whereas a mole of calcite and a mole of CaO have their solid state values 15R and 6R, respectively. Calculations suggest that the calcite decomposes to CaO and CO_2 at ∼110±10 GPa along the Hugoniot. Recent reanalysis of earlier VISAR measurements of particle velocity profiles [1] indicates that calcite shocked to 18 GPa undergoes disproportionation at much lower pressures upon isentropic expansion.
A comparison of techniques for eliciting patient preferences in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: We compared the Health Utility Index (HUI), EuroQol (EQ-5D) and time trade-off methods to identify the most suitable technique for collecting preference data in a clinical trial of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Materials and Methods: A total of 29 men with symptomatic BPH were interviewed by a single trained interviewer who collected demographic data and administered EQ-5D and time trade-off questionnaires. Participants self-administered the HUI and a symptom severity index, the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) questionnaire. Utility values for current patient health states obtained from the HUI, EQ-5D and time trade-off questionnaires were compared and their relationship with I-PSS data was examined using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Administration time and patient assessments of the relevance of the questions were also compared for the 3 methods.Results: Although mean utility values for HUI, EQ-5D and 1-year time trade-off were similar, only utility values...
Economic Retrospection and the Calculus of Voting

Despite the plethora of studies demonstrating that economic perceptions affect how a person votes, relatively little is known about how economic perceptions affect whether individuals will vote. Using the calculus of voting as our starting point, we develop a simple, but novel, hypothesis regarding the influence of sociotropic evaluations on voter turnout. We argue that this relationship will be curvilinear, with particularly negative and particularly positive evaluations of the economy increasing the likelihood of voting. Using an instrumental variables approach with individual-level data from eight recent U.S. presidential elections, we find that economic evaluations affect the decision to vote in the curvilinear manner hypothesized, but—counter to existing theory—only when there is not an incumbent president seeking reelection.
Structure, innervation, and age‐associated changes of mouse forearm muscles

In spite of a decline in muscle strength with age, the cause of the overall decrease in motor performance in aged mammals, including rodents, is incompletely understood. To add clarity, the gross organization, innervation, histochemical fiber types, and age-associated changes are described for mouse forearm muscles used in a variety of motor functions. The anterior (flexor) and posterior (extensor) forearm compartments have the same arrangement of muscles and gross pattern of innervation as the rat. Two primary histochemical fiber types, fast/oxidative/glycolytic (FOG) and fast/glycolytic (FG), with characteristic hitsochemical staining patterns were observed in all forearm muscles. Additionally, there was a small population of slow/oxidative (SO) fibers confined to the deep region of a single muscle, the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU). Between 18 and 26 months the FCU muscle displayed fibers with morphological features distinct from earlier ages. Fibers displayed a greater variation in size, a loss of their uniform polygonal shape, and a dramatic increase in clumps of subsarcolemmal mitochondria, lysosomes, and lipofuscin granules. Many of the fibers had a distinctly atrophic, angular shape consistent with recent denervation. Morphometric analyses of the FCU's source of innervation, the ulnar nerve and one of its ventral roots (C8), were consistent with the denervation-like changes in the muscle fibers. Although, there was no net loss of myelinated axons between 4 and 26 months of age, there was a significant increase in the density of degenerating cells in both the ulnar nerve and ventral root C8. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Anesthesia, Neural Information Processing, and Conscious Awareness

Possible systemic effects of general anesthetic agents on neural information processing are discussed in the context of the thalamocortical suppression hypothesis presented by Drs. Alkire, Haier, and Fallon (this issue) in their PET study of the anesthetized state. Accounts of the neural requisites of consciousness fall into two broad categories. Neuronal-specificity theories postulate that activity in particular neural populations is sufficient for conscious awareness, while process-coherence theories postulate that particular organizations of neural activity are sufficient. Accounts of anesthetic narcosis, on the other hand, explain losses of consciousness in terms of neural signal-suppressions, transmission blocks, and the disruptions of signal interpretation. While signal-suppression may account for the actions of some anesthetic agents, the existence of anesthetics, such as choralose, that cause both loss of consciousness and elevated discharge rates, is problematic for a general theory of narcosis that is based purely on signal suppression and transmission-block. However, anesthetic agents also alter relative firing rates and temporal discharge patterns that may disrupt the coherence of neural signals and the functioning of the neural networks that interpret them. It is difficult at present, solely on the basis of regional brain metabolic rates, to test process-coherence hypotheses regarding organizational requisites for conscious awareness. While these pioneering PET studies have great merit as panoramic windows of mind-brain correlates, wider ranges of theory and empirical evidence need to be brought into the formulation of truly comprehensive theories of consciousness and anesthesia.
FLUORESCENCE LIFETIMES OF OCULAR LENS CHROMOPHORES

— Fluorescence lifetimes are reported for intact human lenses in vitro. Two spectral regions were investigated: The first was excited at 296nm and detected at 332 or 370nm and corresponds to emission from tryptophan residues in the lens proteins. The second spectral region was excited at 359 nm and detected at 435 nm and corresponds to non-tryptophan ‘fluorogen’ fluorescence. The latter displayed a constant lifetime, 3.8 ns, independent of the anatomical part of the lens excited. This value was compared with measured lifetimes for some model fluorogens. The tryptophan fluorescence lifetime (332 nm detection) was found to vary from 1.8 to 2.8 ns depending on the anatomical part of the lens excited.
Item analysis of written expression scoring systems from the PIAT‐R and WIAT

The Peabody Individual Achievement Test–Revised (PIAT-R) and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) contain measures of written expression. However, these subtests are not theory-based and were assessed with inappropriate psychometric analyses. This study attempted to enhance the study of written expression by reexamining the reliability and validity of the PIAT-R and WIAT Written Expression scoring systems, applying theory and more appropriate statistical analyses. First, items were identified that were the most and least reliable, determined by interrater agreement. Next, the most and least valid items were identified, based on item–total correlations. Subjects included 50 adolescents, men, and women aged 13 to 46 years; raters were three graduate students with experience and training similar to that of the typical test user. Results indicate that seven items were too easy, as virtually all subjects received the maximum score on these items—these items were eliminated. The remaining 24 items were classified as both reliable and valid (9 items), reliable but not valid (4 items), valid with limited reliability (5 items), and neither reliable nor valid (6 items). The WIAT written expression scoring system was found to have more items that were both reliable and valid compared to the PIAT-R scoring system. Items measuring global, rather than specific, content were also found to be more reliable and valid. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to compensate people thought to be injured by certain vaccines. The act's goals are to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines, to stabilize vaccine costs, and to establish and maintain an accessible and efficient setting for providing compensation to people found to have been injured by certain childhood vaccines. In addition, the legislation called for the reporting of adverse events after vaccination, the creation of vaccine-information materials that detail vaccine benefits and risks, and Institute of Medicine studies of possible vaccine-related injuries and encouraged research and development of new and safer vaccines. Over its 22-year history, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has been a key component in stabilizing the US vaccine market through liability protection to both vaccine companies and health care providers and by providing a forum for people, no matter what age, to seek compensation.
Beating the diffraction limit using a 3D nanowires metamaterials nanolens

Super-resolution imaging using a three-dimensional metamaterials nanolens has been recently reported [B. D. F. Casse et al. Appl.Phys.Lett.96,023114(2010)]. Here, we present validation of the superresolution imaging by the nanolens through extensive control experiments.
Pathogenesis of Dissecting Aneurysm

A group of 35 cases of dissecting aneurysm was studied both clinically and pathologically, in order to evaluate the role of alterations in the aortic wall in the pathogenesis of dissecting aneurysm. It was concluded that the commonly observed dilatation and hypertension promoted the initial tear by increasing the tension on the intima of the aorta. The usual cause of the aortic dilatation in this study was severe atherosclerosis; a much smaller group revealed an idiopathic medial degeneration; muscular lesions were regarded either as insignificant or as a result of the dissection. Although in many instances the initial perforation occurred through an atherosclerotic plaque, dissection proceeded readily through histologically normal media. Accordingly, it was concluded that the two histologic lesions encountered produced their effects largely by provoking dilatation of the aorta rather than by promoting propagation of the dissection.
The effect of viscosity on the phase of the nanoparticle magnetization induced by a harmonic applied field

The temperature of magnetic nanoparticles can be estimated with excellent accuracy using the ratio of the harmonics of the magnetization induced by a harmonic magnetic field. The harmonics can be measured in vivo with high sensitivity. The method has been generalized to measure any physical property influencing the nanoparticle Brownian motion, including temperature, viscosity and bound state. We present theory and preliminary data suggesting that the phase of the harmonics can also be used to estimate the viscosity. The use of the phase should allow more sensitive measurements and alternative ways of separating dynamic from static effects.
Role of cannabinoid receptors in inhibiting macrophage costimulatory activity

Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits several immunologic functions of macrophages. THC's impact on peritoneal macrophages to deliver costimulatory signals to a helper T cell hybridoma was investigated by T cell interleukin-2 production stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody. The drug's inhibition of costimulatory activity depended on the macrophages. THC decreased costimulation provided by peritoneal cells elicited with polystyrene beads and thioglycollate, but the drug had no influence with macrophages elicited with thioglycollate alone. Bead administration induced CB2 mRNA expression in macrophages, while CB1 mRNA was not detected. Although inhibition was associated with functional heat-stable antigen, a costimulatory molecule, on macrophages, THC exposure did not alter cell surface heat-stable antigen expression. Inhibition by THC and anti-heat-stable antigen antibody was not additive suggesting the inhibitory mechanisms may overlap. Cannabinoid suppression was stereoselective; low affinity synthetic isomer CP56,667 did not diminish the T cell response. CB1-selective antagonist SR141716A completely reversed, and CB2-selective antagonist SR144528 partially blocked THC's inhibition. Both antagonists appeared to behave as inverse agonists in a receptor-selective manner. Although T cells expressed a low level of CB2 mRNA, neither THC nor SR141716A affected T cell activation in a system independent of macrophages, while SR144528 was inhibitory. High affinity synthetic agonist CP55,940, but not partial agonist THC, impaired costimulation by macrophages from mice lacking CB2 receptor. Although CB1 mRNA was not detected in CB2 null macrophages, CP55,940 reversed the inverse agonist activity of SR141716A. Hence, CB2 and possibly another receptor subtype may be involved in mediating cannabinoid suppression of macrophage costimulation.
Kinetic Modeling of a Comonomer Photopolymerization System Using High-Throughput Conversion Data

A kinetic model was developed for copolymerization of (meth)acrylate formulations to optimize both kinetic parameters and predict the kinetics of unknown formulations. This model incorporates free volume theory and reaction diffusion changes in the kinetic constants as a function of conversion and reactivity ratios for the copolymerization events. High-throughput analysis data were collected for two systems as a function of composition and exposure time. Hexyl acrylate (HA) and hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) show a nonlinear dependence on composition, with the maximum overall conversion occurring at 60 wt % HDDA. In addition, faster photopolymerization is observed as HDDA is added to a pure monoacrylate system but eventually limits the overall conversion in the system. Similar results were found with HDDA and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFFA) with the highest conversion observed at 20 wt % HDDA. A model optimization was performed on both systems using a particle swarm optimization protocol to find the kin...
Formation of ohmic contacts to α-SiC and their impact on devices

The history of power electronic semiconductor devices is reviewed that leads to a discussion of new materials. The wide bandgap and good thermal conductivity of SiC permit its use at high temperatures, and the high electric field breakdown is favorable for high power devices. However, there remain a number of key problems with SiC semiconductor technology that must be solved before reliable production can begin. Difficulties with the insulator-to-SiC interface, SiC epitaxial material, passivation, doping, and stability of contacts drive viable device structures. One issue, the formation of electrical contacts, is described in more detail. In particular, the impact of SiC preparation procedures, surface roughness, and deposition conditions are discussed, e.g., variations in the chemical cleaning process affect the removal of overlayers and/or the roughneing of the SiC surface. Studies have shown that this cleaning or etching step can in turn affect device performance. At present, fabrication of the best quality contacts is interlinked with other material problems, and even to obtain adequately low resistivities, constraints are placed on the processing of devices.
Temporal-spatial ablation of neural crest in the mouse results in cardiovascular defects.

Neural crest cells are thought to play a critical role in human conotruncal morphogenesis and dysmorphogenesis. Much of our understanding of the contribution of neural crest to cardiovascular patterning comes from ablation and transplantation experiments in avian species. Although fate mapping experiments in mice suggests a conservation of function, the functional requirement for neural crest in cardiovascular development in mammals has not been formally tested. We used a novel two component genetic system for the temporal–spatial ablation of neural crest in the mouse. Affected embryos displayed a spectrum of cardiovascular outflow tract defects and aortic arch patterning abnormalities. We show that the severity of the cardiovascular phenotype is directly related to the level and extent of neural crest ablation. This is the first report of cardiac neural crest ablation in mammals, and it provides important insight into the role of the mammalian neural crest during cardiovascular development. Developmental Dynamics 237:153–162, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hemispheric Lateralization of Verbal and Spatial Working Memory during Adolescence.

Adult functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) literature suggests that a left-right hemispheric dissociation may exist between verbal and spatial working memory (WM), respectively. However, investigation of this type has been obscured by incomparable verbal and spatial WM tasks and/or visual inspection at arbitrary thresholds as means to assess lateralization. Furthermore, it is unclear whether this hemispheric lateralization is present during adolescence, a time in which WM skills are improving, and whether there is a developmental association with laterality of brain functioning. This study used comparable verbal and spatial WM n-back tasks during fMRI and a bootstrap analysis approach to calculate lateralization indices (LIs) across several thresholds to examine the potential of a left-right WM hemispheric dissociation in healthy adolescents. We found significant left hemispheric lateralization for verbal WM, most notably in the frontal and parietal lobes, as well as right hemisphere lateralization for spatial WM, seen in frontal and temporal cortices. Although no significant relationships were observed between LI and age or LI and performance, significant age-related patterns of brain activity were demonstrated during both verbal and spatial WM. Specifically, increased adolescent age was associated with less activity in the default mode brain network during verbal WM. In contrast, increased adolescent age was associated with greater activity in task-positive posterior parietal cortex during spatial working memory. Our findings highlight the importance of utilizing non-biased statistical methods and comparable tasks for determining patterns of functional lateralization. Our findings also suggest that, while a left-right hemispheric dissociation of verbal and spatial WM is apparent by early adolescence, age-related changes in functional activation during WM are also present.
Nonlinear photosensitivity of photo-thermo-refractive glass by high intensity laser irradiation

Abstract Photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass is a material for high-efficiency phase volume hologram recording which possesses linear photosensitivity in the near UV region from 280 to 350 nm. In this paper nonlinear photosensitivity by 355 nm nanosecond pulses with intensity exceeding 1 MW/cm 2 and by 783 nm femtosecond pulses with intensity exceeding 1 TW/cm 2 is demonstrated. No photo-sensitizers are necessary in PTR glass for nonlinear photosensitivity. Photosensitivity by 355 nm nanosecond pulses is determined by glass matrix ionization resulting from two-photon absorption of incident radiation by glass matrix. Photosensitivity by 783 nm femtosecond pulses is determined by glass matrix ionization from nonlinear interaction of fundamental radiation and supercontinuum with modified glass matrix due to strong electric fields of incident radiation.
Understanding the biological responses of nanostructured metals and surfaces

Metals produced by Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) offer distinct advantages for medical applications such as orthopedic devices, in part because of their nanostructured surfaces. We examine the current theoretical foundations and state of knowledge for nanostructured biomaterials surface optimization within the contexts that apply to bulk nanostructured metals, differentiating how their microstructures impact osteogenesis, in particular, for Ultrafine Grained (UFG) titanium. Then we identify key gaps in the research to date, pointing out areas which merit additional focus within the scientific community. For example, we highlight the potential of next-generation DNA sequencing techniques (NGS) to reveal gene and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression changes induced by nanostructured metals. While our understanding of bio-nano interactions is in its infancy, nanostructured metals are already being marketed or developed for medical devices such as dental implants, spinal devices, and coronary stents. Our ability to characterize and optimize the biological response of cells to SPD metals will have synergistic effects on advances in materials, biological, and medical science.
Fully complex diffractive optics by means of patterned diffuser arrays: encoding concept and implications for fabrication

Arbitrary complex-valued functions can be implemented as arrays of individually specified diffusers. For any diffuser, only average step height and vertical roughness are needed to control phase and amplitude. This modulation concept suggests potentially low-cost fabrication methods in which desired topographies are patterned by exposing photoresist with partially developed speckle patterns. Analyses and experimental demonstrations that illustrate the modulation concept and aspects of the fabrication method are presented, with particular emphasis on limitations of complex recording set by various photoresist and exposure properties. Applications of diffuser array concepts to spatial light modulators and to gray-scale lithographic printing of micro-optics are also mentioned.
POLLEN REMOVAL, PATERNITY, AND THE MALE FUNCTION OF FLOWERS

Much recent research suggests that floral characteristics of hermaphroditic plants are often selected primarily because of their effects on male reproduction. Two recent challenges to this view have been based on the fate of pollen after it is removed by pollinators, something that is rarely measured in field studies. One objection is theoretical, holding that the large variance in the success of pollen after it is removed weakens selection through the male side (Wilson et al. 1994). The other objection is empirical. In a species in which pollen removal studies had suggested that flowers are primarily male, new paternity data have been used to argue that they are not (Broyles and Wyatt 1990a, 1990b, 1995). Here I argue that both objections are invalid, the theoretical argument because it uses the wrong measure of selection, and the empirical study because a confounding variable was not controlled. Bateman (1948) provided a foundation for understanding why males often act as if they take a greater interest in having many mates than females do. This difference arises because of an asymmetry in reproductive costs. Males commonly invest little or nothing in offspring, whereas female investment may be large. Therefore, reproductive success of females is limited by resources, and mating frequently has comparatively little effect on their fitness, whereas male success is limited by access to females and may increase linearly with the number of mates. Bateman's principle helped fuel an explosion of interest in sexual selection in animals, recently summarized by Andersson (1994). Bateman believed his principle to be nearly universal and explicitly included plants among the relevant organisms. However, sexual selection research on plants lagged behind that on animals, partly for historical reasons and perhaps partly because it was unclear how to apply the ideas to hermaphroditic organisms that were both male and female (reviewed in Willson 1994). It was eventually recognized how Bateman's principle might apply to these organisms (e.g., Charnov 1979; Wilson 1979; Willson and Burley 1983). For example, consider an animal-pollinated hermaphroditic plant. It needs to attract pollinators for two reasons: to receive pollen for its own seed (female function) and to have its pollen
Primary Groups in Old Age: Structure and Function

The effects of aging and its correlates on the structure and function of primary groups in a modern industrial society are examined using the theoretical framework suggested by Litwak and Szelenyi ...
An empirical investigation of the key determinants of data warehouse adoption

Data warehousing (DW) has emerged as one of the most powerful decision support technologies during the last decade. However, despite the fact that it has been around for some time, DW has experienced limited spread/use and relatively high failure rates. Treating DW as a major IT infrastructural innovation, we propose a comprehensive research model - grounded in IT adoption and organizational theories - that examines the impact of various organizational and technological (innovation) factors on DW adoption. Seven factors - five organizational and two technological - are tested in the model. The study employed rigorous measurement scales of the research variables to develop a survey instrument and targeted 2500 organizations in both manufacturing and services segments within two major states in the United States. A total of 196 firms (276 executives), of which nearly 55% were adopters, responded to the survey. The results from a logistic regression model, initially conceptualizing a direct effect of each of the seven variables on adoption, indicate that five of the seven variables (three organizational factors - commitment, size, and absorptive capacity - and two innovation characteristics - relative advantage and low complexity) are key determinants of DW adoption. Although scope for DW and preexisting data environment within the organization were favorable for adopter firms, they did not emerge as key determinants. However, the study provided an opportunity to explore a more complex set of relationships. This alternative structural model (using LISREL) provides a much richer explanation of the relationships among the antecedent variables and with adoption, the dependent variable. The study, especially the revised conceptualization, contributes to existing research by proposing and empirically testing a fairly comprehensive model of organizational adoption of an information technology (IT) innovation, more specifically a DSS technology. The findings of the study have interesting implications with respect to IT/DW adoption, both for researchers and practitioners.
Low-noise receivers for fiber-optic microwave signal transmission

The problem of low-noise reception of high-frequency narrowband modulated optical radiation is discussed. Relatively simple p-i-n diode/FET based optical receiver structures which achieve good narrowband optical sensitivity are proposed. These receivers achieve good gain and noise performance due to a lossless parallel resonance circuit which shunts the input to the detector and FET. Design characteristics are presented for S-band receivers constructed using low-capacitance photodetectors, and GaAs MESFETs. Experimental realizations of these receiver designs, which achieve conversion efficiencies on the order of 250 V/W and optical noise equivalent power of less than 10 pW/ square root Hz for 0.8- mu m radiation, are reported. Scaling rules which should be of use in optimizing the performance of more advanced designs are stated and other types of receiver structures which can be expected to yield high narrowband optical sensitivity are discussed. >
On the dynamics of rotationally broad, spatially aligned wave packets

The problems of rotational excitation and molecular alignment in moderately intense laser fields are addressed theoretically and numerically. Several scaling propensities are derived, which connect the achievable alignment with the underlying field and molecular parameters. An analytical model is developed, which exposes the origin of alignment in the short-pulse limit. A numerical study is presented, which quantifies the notions of adiabatic and sudden alignment and illustrates the behavior of the post-pulse alignment subsequent to slow turn-on and rapid turn-off of the laser pulse. Several new potential applications of laser alignment are proposed.
Correction to scaling amplitude ratios for the superfluid transition in /sup 4/He

The amplitude of the confluent singular term for the superfluid density in /sup 4/He is calculated to order epsilon=4-d (one loop). The universal ratio between the correction to scaling amplitudes, of the specific heat for T
Adaptation for water balance in the partial gastrointestinal tract of summer flounder

Marine teleosts continually drink and absorb water across the intestine to prevent dehydration. Surprisingly, summer flounder that are missing most of their intestine, due to necrotizing enteritis, maintain osmotic homeostasis. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this remnant gastrointestinal tract undergoes compensatory adaptation for fluid uptake. Flounder (Paralicthys dentatus) with a partial gastrointestinal tract had an emaciated liver. Moisture content of muscle however was similar to healthy cohorts with an intact gastrointestinal tract, indicative of an undisturbed osmoregulatory status. Mass-specific rates of fluid uptake across all segments of the partial gastrointestinal tract were less than or similar to rates in corresponding segments from intact flounder. In contrast, weights (percent of body mass) were doubled in stomach and partial intestine of the remnant gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, total capacity for fluid uptake (microL h(-1) g body mass(-1)) was similar for both groups. The functional capacity of the remnant gastrointestinal tract was therefore of a magnitude sufficient to maintain osmoregulatory ability, further evidencing a critical role of the intestine in salt and water balance of marine teleosts.
Sustainability, Ecosystem Management, and Indicators: Thinking Globally and Acting Locally in the 21st Century

Abstract Sustainability is widely recognized as the capacity of an area to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Humans ultimately depend on natural ecosystems to meet most of their basic needs. However, compelling scientific evidence indicates that ecological and societal health is threatened worldwide, especially aquatic ecosystems. Our population densities, consumption, and technology are among the pervasive pressures connecting and affecting sustainability at every level. These complexities are also overwhelming most local decision-makers' capacity to assess such problems or respond with effective solutions. To address these challenges, many agencies and organizations are pursuing the goal of sustainability through more ecologically and socially inclusive “ecosystem-based management” approaches. These approaches generally encompass the broad domains of environment, society, and related institutions. Numerous conceptual ...