cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS): A New Spectrochemical Technique

We have used the breakdown spark from a focused laser beam to generate analytically useful emission spectra of minor constituents in air and other carrier gases. The medium was sampled directly. It was not necessary to reduce the sample to solution nor to introduce electrodes. The apparatus is particularly simple; a pulsed laser, spectrometer, and some method for time resolution. The latter is essential in laser-induced-breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) because of the strong early continuum. High temperatures in the spark result in vaporization of small particles, dissociation of molecules, and excitation of atomic and ionic spectra, including species which are normally difficult to detect. In one application, we have monitored beryllium in air at concentrations below 1 μg/m3, which is below 1 ppb (w/w). In another we have monitored chlorine and fluorine atoms in real time. LIBS has the potential for real-time direct sampling of contaminants in situ.
Temperature dependence of magnetic hysteresis

[1] Hysteresis measurements have become a routine procedure in characterizing the magnetic remanence carriers of rocks. In this study we have investigated the temperature dependence of magnetic hysteresis in order to better recognize the dominant anisotropy and changes of domain state at various temperatures. Hysteresis properties have been measured at a series of temperatures between 20 K and 873 K for synthetic magnetites and natural (titano)magnetite-bearing samples. For synthetic samples and gabbros, shape anisotropy dominates most temperature ranges, while magnetocrystalline anisotropy controls hysteresis properties below 120 K. Titanomagnetite-bearing oceanic basalts show quite different behavior with much higher coercivity, resulting from prominent magnetostrictive anisotropy. While many factors such as composition, field treatment, grain shape and size, and stress affect hysteresis properties at various temperature ranges, a dominant anisotropy was better recognized when remanence ratio was plotted against coercivity.
Spontaneous tumors of the meninges in rats.

Histologic brain sections from 107 rats reported to have granular cell tumors or meningiomas in 2-year carcinogenicity studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) or the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were reexamined microscopically. There were 62 rats with granular cell tumors, 26 with benign meningiomas, and 19 with meningeal sarcomas. Granular cell tumors were compatible with previous descriptions of this tumor. Meningeal sarcomas were subclassified into nine spindle cell sarcomas and ten fibrosarcomas. Among the rats with benign meningiomas, five were typical meningiomas (three fibroblastic meningiomas, and two meningothelial meningiomas) and 21 were meningothelial meningiomas containing cells with granules identical to those in granular cell tumors. There was a transition from epithelial-like cells of the meningothelial meningiomas to granular cells in these 21 cases. Based upon anatomic location, cytomorphologic similarities, and the occurrence of transitional or mixed forms of menin...
The Impact of new Information Technology (IT) on e- Government and other Organizational Innovations

Information technology has opened new windows in dealing with organizational operations and the ability to incorporate the public, private, and non-profit sectors to provide the quality service they deliver. In 2010 the United States government became WKHZRUOG∂VODUJHVWFRQVXPHURI�,7�E\�VSHQGLQJ� $76 billion a year on 10,000 different systems. Lack of proper implementation and outdated technology has cost the government more in comparison to the private sector according to Kundra (2010). This paper will look at some of the key dimensions of Information Technology with particular emphasis on government, the impact of social media in promoting public policies and political agendas as well as how new IT tools like Compliance Data Warehouse (CDW), different protocols, and other innovations have helped create efficient and sophisticated systems used by some public agencies like IRS as well as potential obstacles in institutionalizing effective and economically sound IT system in Public sector. Obstacles facing such initiatives due to bureaucratic rules and regulations, org structure and culture, and most important of all the complex nature of multiple tasks of some agencies will be addressed too. Ethical issues and concerns are major challenges for new IT innovations both globally and nationally that need to be part of the equation along with significant benefits of such new technologies both in terms of control, oversight, security and protecting individual rights.
Effects of fed-batch and continuous fermentations on human lysozyme production by Kluyveromyces lactis K7 in biofilm reactors

Lysozyme is a lytic enzyme, which has antimicrobial activity. It has been used for food and pharmaceutical applications. This study was undertaken to evaluate fed-batch and continuous fermentations for the human lysozyme production in biofilm reactor. Results showed that addition of lactose the mid-log phase to make the concentration back to the initial level generates higher lysozyme production (177 U/ml) compared with lactose addition in late-log phase (174 U/ml) (p < 0.05). Moreover, fed-batch fermentation with glucose as initial carbon source and continuous addition of lactose with 0.6 ml/min for 10 h demonstrated significantly higher lysozyme production (187 U/ml) compared to the batch fermentation (173 U/ml) (p < 0.05). In continuous fermentation, biofilm reactor provided significantly higher productivity (7.5 U/ml/h) compared to the maximum productivity in suspended cell bioreactor (4 U/ml/h), because the biofilm reactor provided higher cell density at higher dilution rate compared to suspended cell reactor (p < 0.05).
Assessing environmental chemical uptake in fetal brain in utero: A preliminary PET/CT study

Exposure to several environmental chemicals in utero is associated with subtle deleterious effects in cognitive, motor and behavioral functions. In order to assess in utero exposure to possible neurotoxins, fetal brain uptake of an exogenous compound given to a pregnant rhesus macaque was investigated using PET/CT imaging. CT clearly delineated the fetus which allowed the time course of the PET tracer in the fetal brain and other organs to be monitored. This study demonstrates the feasibility of quantifying the absolute fetal uptake of chemicals given systemically to the mother.
Performance of a Two-Stage Manufacturing System with Control and Communication Overhead

A Markov process model of an externally controlled two-stage manufacturing system is presented. The objective is to examine the effect on system performance of the contention for the resources of the control and communication equipment in the manufacturing system. In the system under consideration, when a new part enters either of the stages, a request-for-instruction message is sent to the control equipment. The stage will then remain idle until a control-instruction message is received from the control equipment. Only then can processing on the part begin. The control and communication equipment is modeled as a queuing system that receives the request-for-instruction messages from the machines, processes these messages, and returns control-instruction messages to the appropriate machine. Part and message processing times can be different and are assumed to have exponential distributions. This model is analyzed to obtain an analytic expression for the throughput (production rate in parts per unit time) of the manufacturing system. Numerical examples that illustrate the effect of model parameters on the system throughput are also presented.
Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Public Health: Partners in Reducing Mental Health Stigma

The authors reflect on the role that collaboration between the primary care, behavioral health and public health sectors can play in reducing mental health stigma. They suggest that stigma against mental illness and substance abuse disorders contributes to poor health outcomes and is a major public health problem. They argue that a collaboration between primary care, behavioral health and public health is essential to achieve less stigmatized, more optimal health outcomes for all.
THE USE OF YELLOW FEVER VIRUS MODIFIED BY IN VITRO CULTIVATION FOR HUMAN IMMUNIZATION

The response of rhesus monkeys to a subcutaneous inoculation with varying amounts of virus modified by prolonged cultivation in vitro has been studied. The tissue components of the medium consisted of chick embryo tissue containing minimal amounts of nervous tissue. The immunity produced in monkeys, as measured by the antibody titer developed, has no relation to the amount of virus inoculated. Monkeys inoculated subcutaneously with the tissue culture virus are rendered immune to a subsequent injection of a highly virulent yellow fever virus. This resistance is already present 7 days after vaccination. The subcutaneous inoculation of the culture virus into immune persons leads to a substantial increase of the serum antibody titer. The results of vaccinating eight normal persons with culture virus are presented. The reactions were minimal. The highest temperature recorded following vaccination was 37.4 degrees C. The sera taken from the eight vaccinated persons 2 to 4 weeks after inoculation with the tissue culture virus showed the presence of yellow fever antibodies.
A Competing Neurobehavioral Decision Systems model of SES-related health and behavioral disparities

We propose that executive dysfunction is an important component relating to the socio-economic status gradient of select health behaviors. We review and find evidence supporting an SES gradient associated with (1) negative health behaviors (e.g., obesity, excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances), and (2) executive dysfunction. Moreover, the evidence supports that stress and insufficient cognitive resources contribute to executive dysfunction and that executive dysfunction is evident among individuals who smoke cigarettes, are obese, abuse alcohol, and use illicit drugs. Collectively these data support the dual system model of cognitive control, referred to here as the Competing Neurobehavioral Decision Systems hypothesis. The implications of these relationships for intervention and social justice considerations are discussed.
Replication of a study of frequency analysis of the resting awake EEG in mild probabke Alzheimer's disease

Abstract In the resting EEG, the percentage power in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands and the mean frequency were computed in an occipital-vertex derivation for two samples of subjects. Theoriginal sample ( n = 79) and the new sample ( n = 43) each contained a mild probable Alzheimer's disease (SDAT) group and a healthy elderly control group. Group medians in both samples were higher in the SDAT than in the healthy subjects for percentage delta and theta, and were lower for percentage alpha and beta and for mean frequency. Percentage theta and mean frequency were consistent across the two samples in showing statistically significant differences between SDAT and healthy groups. The ability of each EEG measure to detect individual subjects with SDAT was assessed. The most effective measure, percentage theta, had only modest sensitivity (about 20%),but this was attained at a specificity of 100%. The accurate detection of an individual at the mildstage requires that the predictive value of a positive test be hight to avoid misclassification of non-SDAT subjects as SDAT. This,in turn, requires a specificity of virtually 100% when the prevalence is low. The low sensotivity puts several constrainss on the usefulness of the EEG. For this reason, when the dementia is at the mild stage the EEG would be a useful detector Af probable Alzheimer's disease only under certain limiting conditions, including high prevalence, high specificity, and a willingness to accept a high rate of falsely negative tests.
Determination of spent nuclear fuel assembly multiplication with the differential die-away self-interrogation instrument

Abstract We present a novel method for determining the multiplication of a spent nuclear fuel assembly with a Differential Die-Away Self-Interrogation (DDSI) instrument. The signal, which is primarily created by thermal neutrons, is measured with four 3He detector banks surrounding a spent fuel assembly. The Rossi-alpha distribution (RAD) at early times reflects coincident events from single fissions as well as fission chains. Because of this fact, the early time domain contains information about both the fissile material and spontaneous fission material in the assembly being measured. A single exponential function fit to the early time domain of the RAD has a die-away time proportional to the spent fuel assembly (SFA) multiplication. This correlation was tested by simulating assay of 44 different SFAs with the DDSI instrument. The SFA multiplication was determined with a variance of 0.7%.
Missing links: how descriptive validity impacts the policy relevance of randomized controlled trials in criminology

To assess quality of reporting of issues that may affect internal and external validity in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in criminology, and explore the impact of reporting quality (descriptive validity) on the policy relevance of rigorous research. Reporting indicators based on CONSORT standards from the health sciences are constructed and applied to a sample of 38 RCTs, covering a range of criminal justice interventions, published in journals between 2002 and 2008. A Descriptive Validity Matrix is constructed to visually convey information about reporting quality across a group of studies, based on the reporting indicators, to decision-makers. Criminological RCTs are moderately well-reported. The sample of studies show medium descriptive validity in reporting on elements relevant to internal validity, and high descriptive validity for items relevant to external validity. However, there was considerable variation in the quality of reporting on key issues, especially those related to implementation of the random assignment sequence, deviations from the planned study, and attrition of participants. This study and the Descriptive Validity Matrix provide a useful framework for assessing descriptive validity. Although the indicators developed were not specific to criminology, and the analysis was limited to a small number of studies published in academic journals, this study is an important starting point for continued research and discussion on the relationship between implementation of field experimentation, reporting quality, and policymaking. The ability to report research clearly is as important as choosing the most rigorous research design for enhancing the objectives of evidence-based crime policy.
Biochemical and Microbial Changes during the Storage of Minimally Processed Cantaloupe

The effect of storage time on pH, titratable acidity, degrees Brix, organic acids, sugars, amino acids, and color of minimally processed cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud. cv. Mission) was determined at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Changes in most of the biochemical parameters with storage time were relatively slow at the lower temperature. At 20 degrees C, a 17% loss in soluble solids and a 2-fold increase in acidity occurred after 2 days. Organic acid content also increased considerably with time at this temperature as a result of the production of lactic acid. Oxalic, citric, malic, and succinic acids were the organic acids, and glucose, fructose, and sucrose were the sugars present in the freshly cut cantaloupe. Malic acid concentration decreased concurrently with lactic acid production indicating the possible involvement of anaerobic malo-lactic fermentation along with sugar utilization by lactic acid bacteria. The effect of storage on microbial growth was determined at 4, 10, and 20 degrees C. Gram-negative stained rods grew at a slower rate at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C than the Gram-positive mesophilic bacteria that dominated microorganism growth at 20 degrees C. Eighteen amino acids were identified in fresh cantaloupe: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, serine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, arginine, threonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenyl alanine, and lysine. The dominant amino acids were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, and alanine. Total amino acid content decreased rapidly at 20 degrees C, but only a slight decrease occurred at 4 degrees C after prolonged storage. Changes in lightness (L), chroma, and hue at both temperatures indicate the absence of browning reactions. The results indicate the potential use of lactic acid and lactic acid bacteria as quality control markers in minimally processed fruits.
The morphology and specificity of cell adhesion of echinoderm embryonic cells.

Abstract Experiments carried out on a mixture of blastomeres from two different species of echinoderms, Arbacia punctulata and Echinarachnius parma , demonstrate that reaggregation is species-specific and that sorting out of blastomeres according to species occurs. Transmission electron microscope analysis of the reaggregation of suspensions of blastomeres from each species separately and together in mixed suspension reveals that cell adhesion in these forms displays a species-specific morphology. Arbacia blastomeres make initial contact and adhere to one another by means of microvilli and the formation of an intercellular hyaline-like material characteristic of the species. Echinarachnius blastomeres form a scalloped edge at the surface of two apposing blastomeres and form a specific intercellular hyaline-like material. Blastomeres of the two different species adhere to one another but form neither microvilli nor a scalloped border. No hyaline-like material is formed between blastomeres of the two different species.
Studies on the secretions from isolated duodenal loops.

Volume and electrolyte composition were studied from the juice of isolated duodenal loops in 3 dogs. The mean volume rate of fasting basal secretion was 0.7 ml/30 min. A significant increase in volume (p < 0.05) and bicarbonate output (p < 0.05) was found in response to a 600-g meat meal. Bicarbonate concentration was not related to volume rate of secretion. The concentrations of sodium and bicarbonate were similar to those of blood plasma, whereas the concentrations of chloride and potassium were higher.
Asymptotic exactness of an a posteriori error estimator based on the equilibrated residual method

In this paper we analyze an a posteriori error estimator based on the equilibrated residual method. We prove that this estimator is asymptotically exact in the energy norm for regular solutions and $$O(h^{1+\alpha})\ (\alpha > 0)$$ meshes. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the theoretical results.
Why Recognize? Explaining Victorian Britain's Decision to Recognize the Sovereignty of Imperial Japan

The question of why leading states recognize other states’ sovereignty has attracted increasing attention in the IR literature. I analyze the important historical case of the sovereign recognition of Japan by the West in the 1890s and in particular by Great Britain, the most important Western power at that time. I argue that Britain’s decision to fully recognize the sovereignty of Imperial Japan is best explained by a theoretical synthesis of English School and rationalist approaches. Britain’s recognition decision was driven by a combination of genuine respect for legal propriety and its perceived material self-interest. In other words, Britain recognized Japan upon realizing that it would do well by doing good.
The primary structure of rat ribosomal protein L9.

Abstract The amino acid (aa) sequence of rat ribosomal (r) protein L9 was deduced from the nucleotide (nt) sequence in a recombinant cDNA and confirmed from the N-terminal aa sequence of the protein. L9 contains 192 aa and has an M r of 21879. Hybridization of the cDNA to digests of nuclear DNA suggests that there are 20–23 copies of the L 9 gene. The mRNA for the protein is about 800 nt in length. Rat L9 is related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae YL11, Methanococcus vannielii L6, Escherichia coli L6 and other members of the prokaryotic L6 family. The protein contains a possible internal duplication of 11 aa.
Modeling heat and mass transfer in immersion frying. I, model development

This paper presents the development of the mathematical equations used for modeling immersion frying of an infinite slab. Immersion frying was viewed as a moving boundary problem similar to that found in freezing and freeze-drying. The infinite slab was divided into two regions, the crust and core, and macroscopic balances were used to develop the governing partial differential equations for heat and mass transfer in each region. Flux relations were proposed for the heat and mass transfer and incorporated into the partial differential equations. The final set of equations consisted of four non-linear partial differential equations and appropriate boundary conditions and initial conditions.
Performance and qualification of a multi-rate DPSK modem

Recently, we demonstrated a multi-rate DPSK modem with high-sensitivity over a wide dynamic range, which can significantly benefit performance and cost of NASA’s Laser Communication Relay Demonstration. This increased flexibility, combined with the need to verify robust operation under challenging free-space environmental conditions, results in a large number of operational states which must be accurately and thoroughly tested. To support this, we developed test and diagnostic capabilities that can be easily reconfigured to assess modem performance across a wide range of data rates and operational modes. These capabilities include internal self-test modes in which test waveforms can be directed from the transmitter into the receiver to determine modem communications performance. We used these self-test capabilities to demonstrate robust performance in realistic environments during thermal-vacuum, shock/vibration, and EMI/EMC testing.
Excited state dynamics of Rh(II) tetramesityl porphyrin monomer from nanosecond transient absorption and emission spectroscopy

The excited states of [tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)porphyrinato]rhodium(II), Rh(II)TMP, have been studied using nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Rh(II)TMP has a long-lived excited state, with a 460 nm absorption band, that decays with a time constant of 180 ± 22 ns, in benzene and 205 ± 28 ns in 1,3-difluorobenzene. No transient absorption features are seen between 600 and 700 nm, but weak phosphorescence is detected at 743 nm at 77 K. Thus, the excited state has the characteristics of a triplet (π,π*) state, although a low lying, charge transfer state had been expected from iterative extended Huckel calculations. The phosphorescence is biphasic, and highly temperature dependent, consistent with a trip-quartet [4T] lowest excited state, lying not far below a trip-doublet [2T] state. Electrochemistry establishes that the Rh(II)/(I) reduction potential is more negative than −1.5 V versus SSCE while the porphyrin cation reduction potential is +0.55...
Computer Modeling Technology to Assess Extracapsular Tissue Coverage of Whole Mount Sections After Retropubic and Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: The introduction of new surgical approaches to radical prostatectomy requires methodologies that permit valid comparison that are more expedient than long-term outcomes of biochemical local and distant failure and survival. We used a computer modeling program to assess the percent of extracapsular tissue coverage of prostate glands removed by the open retropubic and laparoscopic approaches.Materials and Methods: Specimens were available for 15 and 17 patients who underwent open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, respectively. Serial whole mount sections were taken at 5 mm intervals. A genitourinary pathologist drew the contours of the prostate capsule on each tissue section. The whole mount was scanned to produce digital images. A software program was used to create a file with capsule information and a file with extraprostatic fibroadipose tissue information. Two separate point cloud files were generated to represent the capsule and extraprostatic models, and software algorithms were used t...
A Cross-Cultural Examination of Children's Understanding of “The Enemy”:

Despite the apparent ease and regularity with which adults label individuals and groups as "the enemy," little is known regarding how children understand this concept. The current qualitative study examined the concept of enemy as understood by 105 3- to 12-yr.-old children from two sides of an international conflict--Yugoslavia and the United States. This article provides an analysis of the children's answers during a structured interview regarding their understanding of enemies, specifically the perceptions of children in a war zone and the perceptions of children living in relative safety. Children of all ages could discuss the concept of enemy. They described both interpersonal and group conflict. A common theme in both Yugoslavian and U.S. children's descriptions was that an enemy is someone who is bad or does bad things. The children recognized the importance of at least two "sides" and discussed reciprocal or mutual feelings. In general, the children showed great optimism that one's enemies can become one's friends. These findings are interpreted in terms of developmental issues and sociopolitical context.
Branch-directed and pointer-based data cache prefetching

In this paper we provide a survey of hardware-based data cache prefetching strategies. We then present two new methods which improve both the accuracy and effectiveness of data cache prefetching. The first design ties data address prediction to the instruction prefetching logic, allowing data cache prefetching to work in tandem with dynamic branch prediction. The second mechanism prefetches link-based data structures, typically problematic data accesses for sequential prefetching schemes. Combining the two mechanisms we can improve data cache hit rates, while reducing memory bus traffic by as much as 50%.
Serial position and the “labor-in-vain” effect

Serial input position functions were derived for means of the median self-paced study latencies and corresponding mean probabilities of recall memory for 27 consonant trigrams, whose overall means were previously reported by Nelson and Leonesio (1988, Experiment 1). Results of this analysis suggest that subjects “laboring” under accuracy instructions show a steeper linear rate of decrease in allocation of study times across serial input positions than do subjects laboring under speed instructions. Linear decreases in study times correspond to curvilinear (primacy and recency) changes in probability of recall memory. These data are consistent with previous research demonstrating the facilitation and attenuation of primacy and recency effects. These data are also consistent with notions of a memory system that allows for the monitoring of mnemonic success and allocation of effort on an item-per-item basis.
Hypopyon in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had central nervous system relapse 23 months after diagnosis while in bone marrow remission. This was followed by leukemic involvement of the eye as the only site of relapse 7 months later. Leukemic cells layered out in the anterior chamber and cytologic examination was the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of leukemic hypopyon. Topical treatment is generally ineffective and radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. The prognosis with this complication depends on whether it occurs during therapy or after therapy has been discontinued.
An eye fixation analysis of choice and judgment with multiattribute stimuli

The present paper examined the selection of processing heuristics for choice and judgment across a range of stimuli. Eye fixations were monitored while six subjects made choices or judgments of pairs of gambles, vacations, or gifts. Each stimulus was represented by three attributes that varied in the amount of dimensional interdependency. The two heuristics of interest were dimensional and holistic evaluation. Each manifested a characteristic pattern of eye fixations. Dimensional evaluation required alternating fixations from a single attribute of one stimulus to the same attribute of the other stimulus. Holistic evaluation was characterized by transitions from attribute to attribute within a single stimulus. The results demonstrated that when the stimulus attributes were either interdependent (gambles) or dissimilar (gifts), the processing heuristic was determined by stimulus characteristics. When the stimulus dimensions were neither interdependent nor dissimilar (vacations), the selection of a processing strategy was determined by the prescribed task. This study suggests that any global theory of choice or judgment must be validated over a wide range of stimuli.
Metal-free intermolecular oxidative C-N bond formation via tandem C-H and N-H bond functionalization.

The development of a novel intermolecular oxidative amination reaction, a synthetic transformation that involves the simultaneous functionalization of both a N–H and C–H bond, is described. The process, which is mediated by an I(III) oxidant and contains no metal catalysts, provides a rapid and green method for synthesizing protected anilines from simple arenes and phthalimide. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the reaction proceeds via nucleophilic attack of the phthalimide on an aromatic radical cation, as opposed to the electrophilic aromatic amination that has been reported for other I(III) amination reactions. The application of this new reaction to the synthesis of a variety of substituted aniline derivatives is demonstrated.
Feasibility of using dendroanalysis of uranium as a biomarker for environmental contamination

A study was initiated to investigate the chronological deposition of uranium in certain species of trees growing on the site of a former uranium metal processing facility. The Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC) is located in Fernald, Ohio, and for roughly 40 years operated as a large scale uranium processing center. Core samples from several species of trees growing in different locations throughout the site were extracted using a 12.5 mm incremental wood boring drill bit. After extraction, each core sample was cut and packaged into individual sections representing 4 annual growth rings and submitted for instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The reaction 235U(n,f)140Ba→140La+γ was evaluated using high resolution germanium gamma-spectroscopy to detect the 1.596 MeV photon emission from the fission product 140La following a minimum of a 3 week decay. A total of 106 samples representing 7 individual trees of 3 unique species were irradiated. In addition to the tree-core samples, 18 quality control (QC) samples and 18 standard reference material (SRM) Fly Ash samples were irradiated with the core samples for determining neutron flux. The activity in any one sample in a batch was determined by comparison with the amount of natural uranium in the QC standards. No significantly measurable amount of uranium was detected in any of the tree core samples, although 3 tree core samples were in excess of the minimum detectable amount (30 ng).
Effect of a superhydrophobic coating on the combustion of aluminium and iron oxide nanothermites

There is an interest in broadening the range of applications of nanoenergetic composite materials to include their combustion and energy generation in submerged environments. Currently, their use is primarily limited to gas environments. Oceanic power generation, underwater ordnance, propulsion, metal cutting, and torch technologies are examples of applications that would significantly benefit from nanocomposite energetic materials. Recent research on superhydrophobic coatings has made it possible to coat nanoenergetic samples using a vapor-phase deposition process which significantly reduces the detrimental effects of water entering the composite that can occur during wet-chemistry based superhydrophobic processes. In this work, we discuss the process utilized to produce the superhydrophobic coating on nanoenergetic materials. We then analyze the bubble energy produced and compare this value to other energetic formulations. It was found that the ratio of the bubble energy to the total energy of combustion was an order of magnitude higher for the superhydrophobic coated materials compared to energetic composites containing a hydrophobic binder.
Transferred-substrate InP/InGaAs/InP double heterojunction bipolar transistors with fmax = 425 GHz

InP/InGaAs/InP double heterojunction bipolar transistors (DHBTs) with fmax = 425 GHz and fτ = 141 GHz using transferred-substrate technology are reported. This is the highest reported fmax for a DHBT. The breakdown voltage BVCEO is 8 V at JC = 5 × 104 A/cm2 and the DC current gain β is 43.
Kernicterus in an adult who is heterozygous for Crigler-Najjar syndrome and homozygous for Gilbert-type genetic defect

Gilbert syndrome is a common genetic disorder associated with mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and no clinical illness. In contrast, Crigler-Najjar syndrome types I and II are rare genetic disorders associated with severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and a life-long risk of kernicterus. Patients with Gilbert syndrome have low levels of a normal form of uridinediphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase because of a defect in the promoter region of both alleles, whereas patients with Crigler-Najjar syndrome are homozygous for a defect that yields an abnormal form of the enzyme that has limited or no activity. This case report describes a young adult with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II in whom kernicterus developed after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The development of kernicterus was the result of a largely preventable series of events that lead to an increase in the free fraction of his serum bilirubin. Analysis of his genetic defect showed that he was homozygous for the mutation associated with Gilbert syndrome and heterozygous for a second mutation in the open reading frame of one allele of the bilirubin uridinediphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase gene. The combined defect leads to severe hyperbilirubinemia and shows how seemingly benign genetic defects, when combined, can cause serious clinical disease.
PGE2 attenuates PGF2α-induced increases in free intracellular calcium in ovine large luteal cells

Abstract When ovine large luteal cells are placed in culture and exposed to PGF2α, there is a rapid and sustained increase in the concentration of free intracellular calcium which is believed to play a major role in the luteolytic and cytotoxic effects of PGF2α. Since administration of exogenous PGE2 can prevent spontaneous and PGF2α-induced luteolysis in vivo, and the cytotoxic effects of PGF2α on large luteal cells in vitro, the objective of this study was to determine if one mechanism by which PGE2 acts is to attenuate increases in free intracellular calcium induced by PGF2α. At concentrations of 10 nM or greater, PGF2α caused a significant and sustained increase in free intracellular calcium in large luteal cells. Similarly, PGE2 also induced increases in free intracellular calcium but required doses 20-fold greater than PGF2α. When PGE2 (1, 10 or 100 nM) was incubated with PGF2α (100 nM) increases in free intracellular calcium induced by PGF2α were attenuated (P
Needleless emulsion electrospinning for scalable fabrication of core–shell nanofibers

This article reports a new needleless emulsion electrospinning method for scale-up fabrication of ultrathin core–shell polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) fibers. These core–shell fibers can be incorporated at the interfaces of polymer composites for interfacial toughening and self-repairing due to polymerization of IPDI triggered by environmental moisture. The electrospinnable PAN/IPDI emulsion was prepared by blending PAN/N,N-dimethylformamide and IPDI/N,N-dimethylformamide solutions (with the solute mass fraction of 1 : 1). The electrospinning setup consisted of a pair of aligned metal wires as spinneret (positive electrode) to infuse the PAN/IPDI emulsion and a rotary metal disk as fiber collector (negative electrode). The formed ultrathin core–shell PAN/IPDI fibers were collected with the diameter in the range from 300 nm to 3 μm depending on the solution concentration and process parameters. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the core–shell nanostructures. Dependencies of the fiber diameter on the PAN/IPDI concentration, wire spacing, and wire diameter were examined. Results show that needleless emulsion electrospinning provides a feasible low-cost manufacturing technique for scalable, continuous fabrication of core–shell nanofibers for potential applications in self-repairing composites, drug delivery, etc. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40896.
Geochemistry of Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle limestone, Oklahoma: Implications for diagenetic δ18O alteration and secular δ13C and variation

Abstract Isotopic analyses of 227 limestone samples from the Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle Group, Oklahoma, document slow secular changes in the chemistry of the limestones. From late Cambrian to early Ordovician, the δ18O values of the limestones increase from −10%. to −7%. (PDB); δ13C values decrease from 0%. to −2%. (PDB); and 87 Sr 86 Sr ratios decrease from 0.7091 to 0.7088. The light δ18O values suggest that all Arbuckle limestones underwent diagenetic alteration, probably caused by meteoric water recharged during the development of the overlying, pre-middle Ordovician unconformity. The gradual δ18O increase from late Cambrian to early Ordovician reflects reduced 18O depletion with decreasing burial temperature during alteration, although the presence of additional primary secular δ18O variation cannot be ruled out. The δ13C and 87 Sr 86 Sr variations, in accord with δ13C and 87 Sr 86 Sr variations in the literature, represent primary secular variations. The variations indicate that the δ13C value and 87 Sr 86 Sr ratio of early Paleozoic surface seawater decreased from late Cambrian to early Ordovician. The δ13C variation during this time period seems to correlate with sea-level variation. Specifically, during sea-level fall, an increase in the rate of oxidation of organic matter caused 13C depletion of inorganic bicarbonate in seawater. As a result, early Ordovician carbonates, probably deposited during the regression stage of the latest Precambrian to latest early Ordovician cycle, became 13C depleted, relative to late Cambrian carbonates. The decrease of seawater 87 Sr 86 Sr ratio from late Cambrian to early Ordovician may have resulted from decreased riverine Sr input caused by decreased rate of continental weathering.
Lack of Neuropsychological Deficits in Generalized Social Phobia

There are relatively few existing studies examining neuropsychological functioning in social phobia (SP), which collectively yield mixed results. Interpretation of results is further complicated by a number of methodological inconsistencies across studies, including the examination of neuropsychological domains in relative isolation from one another. The present study utilized a broader collection of neuropsychological tests to assess nine domains of functioning in 25 individuals diagnosed with generalized SP and 25 nonpsychiatric controls (NC). A mixed ANOVA revealed neither a significant group by domain interaction, nor a significant main effect of group. Furthermore, no significant group differences emerged between the SP and NC groups within each specific neuropsychological domain. These findings suggest that underlying neuropsychological deficits are not likely to account for the information processing biases observed in the empirical literature, and appear to be consistent with current theoretical models which argue for the specificity of these biases to social information.
Dual localization: Proteins in extracellular and intracellular compartments

The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive catalog of those proteins documented to exhibit dual localization, being found in both the extracellular compartment (cell surface and extracellular medium) as well as the intracellular compartment (cytosol and nucleus). A large subset of these proteins that show dual localization is found both in the nucleus and outside of cells. Proteins destined to be secreted out of the cell or to be expressed at the cell surface usually enter the endomembrane pathway on the basis of a signal sequence that targets them into the endoplasmic reticulum. Proteins destined for import into the nucleus, on the other hand, usually carry a nuclear localization signal. We have organized our catalog in terms of the presence and absence of these trafficking signals: (a) proteins that contain a signal sequence but no nuclear localization signal; (b) proteins that contain both a signal sequence as well as a nuclear localization signal; (c) proteins that contain a nuclear localization signal but lack a signal sequence; and (d) proteins containing neither a signal sequence nor a nuclear localization signal. Novel insights regarding the activities of several classes of proteins exhibiting dual localization can be derived when one targeting signal is experimentally abrogated. For example, the mitogenic activity of both fibroblasts growth factor-1 and schwannoma-derived growth factor clearly requires nuclear localization, independent of the activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. In addition, there is a growing list of integral membrane receptors that undergo translocation to the nucleus, with bona fide nuclear localization signals and transcription activation activity. The information provided in this descriptive catalog will, hopefully, stimulate investigations into the pathways and mechanisms of transport between these compartments and the physiological significance of dual localization.
The depletion of liver glycogen in puromycin-treated animals.

Abstract Mice and rats receiving puromycin dihydrochloride intraperitoneally (6.0 and 60 mg. per animal, respectively) in four equally divided doses over a 4-hr, period showed complete depletion of hepatic glycogen and inhibition of incorporation of glycine-C 14 into liver protein. Administration of a single dose of puromycin to mice was followed by rapid inhibition of synthesis of liver protein with concurrent loss of glycogen from the liver. Carbohydrate levels in liver, blood, and muscle were followed in mice up to 4 hr. after a single injection of puromycin. The decrease in liver glycogen was accompanied by an increase in blood sugar levels while muscle glycogen content was not appreciably affected during this period.
Inhibition of mouse GATA-1 function by the glucocorticoid receptor: possible mechanism of steroid inhibition of erythroleukemia cell differentiation.

Treatment of mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells with hexamethylene bisacetamide induces a program of erythrodifferentiation, as judged by an increase in the synthesis of globins and other erythroid-specific products. This induction can be inhibited by glucocorticoids, e.g. dexamethasone. All globin and other erythroid-specific genes tested contain GATA response elements (GATA-RE) and can be transactivated by GATA-1, a transcription factor. GATA-1 is highly expressed in erythroid cells, including MEL cells. We noted a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) response element motif near a GATA-RE motif in the promoter region of the mouse beta-major and beta-minor globin genes and about 130 bases away from a GATA-RE in the alpha 1-globin gene promoter and, therefore, investigated the possibility that the dexamethasone-induced inhibition of induced MEL cell differentiation may involve effects of the GR on GATA-1 activity. Evidence obtained from transfection assays and DNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicates that the GR binds GATA-1 and interferes with its function before any interaction with DNA, but that the presence of a glucocorticoid response element near a GATA-RE augments the GR effect. The N-terminal 106-amino acid domain of the GR was found to be essential for the effect, possibly by binding to GATA-1. Since GATA-1 is autoregulatory, i.e. it has been shown by others to bind to its own promoter and up-regulate its own transcription, the finding that activated GR can interfere with GATA-1 function may provide an explanation for the inhibition by glucocorticoids of the entire program of erythroid differentiation in MEL cells. That is, by interfering with GATA-1 function, the GR inhibits not only the expression of erythroid structural genes, but may also inhibit the expression of a primary erythroid regulatory gene, GATA-1. It was also shown that the GATA-RE in each of the beta-globin promoters responds to mouse GATA-1 in a functional transfection assay.
Pch2 links chromosome axis remodeling at future crossover sites and crossover distribution during yeast meiosis.

Segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis I depends on appropriately positioned crossovers/chiasmata. Crossover assurance ensures at least one crossover per homolog pair, while interference reduces double crossovers. Here, we have investigated the interplay between chromosome axis morphogenesis and non-random crossover placement. We demonstrate that chromosome axes are structurally modified at future crossover sites as indicated by correspondence between crossover designation marker Zip3 and domains enriched for axis ensemble Hop1/Red1. This association is first detected at the zygotene stage, persists until double Holliday junction resolution, and is controlled by the conserved AAA+ ATPase Pch2. Pch2 further mediates crossover interference, although it is dispensable for crossover formation at normal levels. Thus, interference appears to be superimposed on underlying mechanisms of crossover formation. When recombination-initiating DSBs are reduced, Pch2 is also required for viable spore formation, consistent with further functions in chiasma formation. pch2Δ mutant defects in crossover interference and spore viability at reduced DSB levels are oppositely modulated by temperature, suggesting contributions of two separable pathways to crossover control. Roles of Pch2 in controlling both chromosome axis morphogenesis and crossover placement suggest linkage between these processes. Pch2 is proposed to reorganize chromosome axes into a tiling array of long-range crossover control modules, resulting in chiasma formation at minimum levels and with maximum spacing.
Effects of training on plasma FFA during exercise in women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of training on plasma FFA concentrations in women during 60 min of work. All subjects (n=10) exercised at 55% of their initial VO2 max for 60 min on a bicycle ergometer. Five subjects then participated in a training program, consisting of bicycling five days per week for four weeks while five control subjects remained inactive. Following the training or control period, all 10 subjects repeated the initial 1-h test at the same absolute work load. The training program resulted in a 14% increase in VO2 max and a decreased resting HR (p<0.05). The submaximal exercise HR and R were also lower following training (p<0.05). Plasma FFA were significantly lower (p<0.05) during exercise in the experimental group following training. The average increase in plasma FFA during the 60 min bicycle test was 0.22 Μmol/l, from 0.48 Μmol/l at rest to 0.70 Μmol/l after 60 min of exercise prior to training. After training the same absolute work load resulted in an increased plasma FFA of only 0.10 Μmol/l from 0.29 to 0.39 Μmol/l. No significant changes due to training were observed for glycerol or lactate. The results suggest that the metabolic response of women is similar to men during exercise before and after training. Possible mechanisms for the decreased plasma FFA response after training are discussed.