cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of a carbon nanotube-embedded silicon nitride membrane for studies of nanometer-scale mass transport

Membranes consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes embedded in a silicon nitride matrix were fabricated for fluid mechanics studies on the nanometer scale. Characterization by tracer diffusion and scanning electron microscopy suggests that the membrane is free of large voids. An upper limit to the diffusive flux of D2O of 2.4 × 10-8 mol/m2 s was determined, indicating extremely slow transport through the membranes. By contrast, hydrodynamic calculations of water flow across a nanotube membrane of similar specifications predict a much higher molar flux of 1.91 mol/m2 s, suggesting that the nanotubes used in the membrane have a “bamboo” morphology. The carbon nanotube membranes were then used to make nanoporous silicon nitride membranes, which were fabricated by sacrificial removal of the carbon. Nitrogen flow measurements on these structures give a membrane permeance of 4.7 × 10-4 mol/m2 s Pa at a pore density of 4 × 1010 cm-2. Using a Knudsen diffusion model, the average pore size of this membrane is esti...
Problem or Model? West Germany in the 1980s

Political interpretations of Germany have shifted from their traditional concern over its instability and aggressiveness to an appreciation of West Germany's newly found stability and peacefulness. But the penchant of the Bonn Republic for stability creates new political problems in a world that experiences accelerating rates of political and economic changes.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE CALIFORNIA DRIVER RECORD STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF A CLASSICAL ACCIDENT MODEL

When applied to a given interval of time, the Greenwood-Yule accident model provides a valid fit to accident frequency distributions generated by 148,000 motorists in the 1964 California Driver Record Study. However, when distributions are viewed in the light of Kerrich's extension of the Greenwood-Yule model to two time periods, we do not obtain tenable results because of the apparent violations in certain assumptions. Predictive aspects inherent in the model are explored. Model inadequacies are noted and reference is made toward possible improvements.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry of homopolymer oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Influence of base composition on the mass spectrometric response

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has the potential for providing a rapid alternative to gel electrophoresis for DNA sequence analysis provided that an intense mass spectrometric response can be obtained from mixtures of DNA fragments containing up to 300 nucleotides. MALDI-MS has not yet proved viable for such analyses because the MS response falls off rapidly for mixed-base DNA fragments containing more than 20–30 nucleotides. Previous studies have demonstrated that base composition is a critical factor in the MALDI-MS response of oligodeoxyribonucleotides. This paper describes an investigation of the physical roots of the observed influence of base composition on the mass spectrometric response, focusing on homopolymer oligodeoxyribonucleotides (dT7, dT10, dT18, dT36, dG7, dG10, dG18, dI18 and dU18) and dT5G5. Forty-eight different matrix compounds were tested for their ability to produce laser desorption masses spectra from such homopolymer oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Considerably stronger mass spectrometric responses were obtained from polydeoxythymidines than from polydeoxyguanosines, polydeoxycytidines and polydeoxyadenosines. Although mass spectral peaks corresponding to dT18 were observed from 20 of the matrices studied, no discernible response was observed for dG18 from any of these matrices. To elucidate the physical basis for origins of the observed differences in response, a number of factors were investigated including the ionization efficiency, the tendency towards fragmentation and the extent to which the oligodeoxyribonucleotides were incorporated into the matrix crystals. The results of these experiments indicate that low ionization efficiency is not a likely main contributor to the low response to polydeoxyguanosines, fragmentation is a likely main contributor to the low response to polydeoxyguanosines, the overall incorporation of polydeoxyguanosines into matrix crystals is comparable to that for polydeoxythymidines and the exocyclic amino group of guanosine, adenosine and cytidine has a strong inhibitory effect on the mass spectrometric response.
Spontaneous rupture of the renal pelvis due to an obstructing ureteral calculus diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound

A 37-year-old man presented to the emergency department with left flank pain and vomiting. Bedside ultrasound performed by the treating emergency physician revealed left-sided hydronephrosis and perinephric fluid, suggesting a rupture of the renal pelvis. Urinary sonography revealed an absent left ureteral jet, suggesting left ureteral obstruction. Treatment was initiated and a non-contrast computed tomography scan confirmed the initial ultrasound findings.
Properties of Si/SiO 2 Interfaces in Vertical Trench MOSFETs

We report on the study of the Si/SiO 2 interface of vertical U-shaped trench-gated n+ - polycrystalline Si / oxide / Si (UMOS) capacitor gate structure using capacitance-deep level transient spectroscopy (c-DLTS) and capacitance-voltage (CV). The oxide of a UMOS capacitor is three-dimensional-thermally-grown at different temperature 900°C - 1175°C, on sidewall and base of a reactive-ion etched silicon surface. High-density mid-gap Si/SiO 2 interfacial traps (∼0111V--1cm-2) are observed with both holes and electron trapping. The amphoteric nature of traps is argued to arise from the P b -dangling Si bond defect center. Moreover, a study of UMOSFET channel region using constant— amplitude charge pumping (CP), measurements coupled with electrical stressing of the gate oxide in the Fowler-Nordheim (FN) regime, have shown that the oxide edge adjacent to the drain and the oxide/silicon interface therein are the most susceptible regions to damage. SEM revealed non-uniformity in oxide thickness. Finally, enhanced UMOSFETS channel characteristics are observed for rounded-corner trench-bottom geometry in contrast with sharp-corner trench-bottom geometry.
Estimating reef fish discard mortality using surface and bottom tagging: effects of hook injury and barotrauma

We estimated survival rates of discarded black sea bass (Centropristis striata) in various release conditions using tag–recapture data. Fish were captured with traps and hook and line fromwaters 29–34 m deep off coastal North Carolina, USA, markedwith internal anchor tags, and observed for release condition. Fish tagged on the bottomusing SCUBA served as a control group. Relative return rates for trap-caught fish released at the surface versus bottom provided an estimated survival rate of 0.87 (95% credible interval 0.67–1.18) for surface-released fish. Adjusted for results from the underwater tagging experiment, fish with evidence of external barotrauma had a median survival rate of 0.91 (0.69–1.26) compared with 0.36 (0.17–0.67) for fish with hook trauma and 0.16 (0.08–0.30) for floating or presumably dead fish. Applying these condition-specific estimates of survival to non-tagging fishery data, we estimated a discard survival rate of 0.81 (0.62–1.11) for 11 hook and line data sets fromwaters 20–35m deep and 0.86 (0.67–1.17) for 10 trap data sets from waters 11–29 m deep. The tag-return approach using a control group with no fishery-associated trauma represents a method to accurately estimate absolute discard survival of physoclistous reef species. Resume : Nous avons estime les taux de survie de bars noirs (Centropristis striata) rejetes dans differentes conditions a l’aide de donnees de marquage–recapture. Les poissons ont ete pris par piege et par ligne et hamecon a des profondeurs allant de 29 m a 34m, au large de la Caroline du Nord (Etats-Unis) et marques avec des etiquettes a ancrage internes, puis leur etat apres le lâcher a ete observe. Des poissons marques au fond a l’aide d’ARAP ont servi de groupe temoin. La comparaison des taux de retour relatifs des poissons pris par piege relâches a la surface et au fond a donne un taux de survie estime de 0,87 (95 %; intervalle de credibilite : 0,67–1,18) pour les poissons relâches a la surface. Une fois les donnees ajustees pour tenir compte des resultats de l’experience de marquage sous-marin, les poissons presentant des signes de barotraumatisme avaient un taux de survie median de 0,91 (0,69–1,26) comparativement a 0,36 (0,17–0,67) pour les poissons presentant des traumatismes associes aux hamecons et 0,16 (0,08–0,30) pour les poissons flottants/probablement morts. En appliquant ces estimations de la survie pour des conditions precises a des donnees sur des peches sansmarquage, nous avons estime un taux de survie des poissons rejetes de 0,81 (0,62–1,11) pour 11 ensembles de donnees de peche avec ligne et hamecon dans des eaux de 20m a 35m de profondeur, et de 0,86 (0,67–1,17) pour 10 ensembles de donnees de peche au piege dans des eaux de 11 m a 29 m de profondeur. L’approche d’etiquetage-retour avec groupe temoin sans traumatisme associe a la peche constitue une methode permettant d’estimer avec exactitude les taux de survie absolus apres rejet d’especes de poissons recifaux physoclistes. [Traduit par la Redaction]
Vibrations of Au13 and FeAu12 nanoparticles and the limits of the Debye temperature concept

We present first-principles calculations of the vibrational density of states (VDOS), the specific heat and the mean-squared displacement of the five lowest-energy isomers of Au13 and of two low-energy FeAu12 nanoparticles. We find that the vibrational contributions to the Helmholtz energy do not affect the energy ordering of the isomers. As expected, for nanoparticles the vibrational density of states differs dramatically from the function proposed by the Debye model. We demonstrate that, for the nanoclusters we studied, the alternative calculations of the ?Debye temperature? yield significantly inconsistent results. We conclude that TD obtained from a particular thermodynamic property is neither applicable for deriving conclusions about other thermodynamic properties nor correlated with atomic bond strengths. Instead, in order to describe the temperature dependence of a nanoparticle?s mean-squared displacement and its specific-heat capacity, what is necessary is its discrete phonon spectrum.
Multiplexing radiography based on carbon nanotube field emission x-ray technology

State-of-the-art tomographic imaging technique is based upon of simple serial imaging scheme. The tomographic scanners collect the projection images sequentially in the time domain, by a step-and-shoot process using a single-pixel x-ray source. The inefficient serial data collection scheme severely limits the data collection speed, which is critical for imaging of objects in rapid motion such as for diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, CT fluoroscopy, and airport luggage inspection. Further improvement of the speed demands an increasingly high x-ray peak workload and gantry rotation speed, both of which have approached the engineering limits. Multiplexing technique, which has been widely adopted in communication devices and in certain analytical instruments, holds the promise to significantly increase the data throughput. It however, has not been applied to x-ray radiography, mainly due to limitations of the current x-ray source technology. Here we report a method for frequency multiplexing radiography (FMR) based on the frequency multiplexing principle and the carbon nanotube field emission x-ray technology. We show the feasibility of multiplexing radiography that enables simultaneous collection of multiple projection images. It has the potential to significantly increase the imaging speed for tomographic imaging without compromising the imaging quality.
Effects of Dietary Iodine on the Thyroidal Uptake and Elimination of 131-Iodine in Coturnix and Bobwhite Quail

Abstract VARIATIONS in time and level of maximum thyroidal uptake or biological half-life of 131 I following a single dose have been reported in several species of birds (McFarland et al., 1966; Rosenberg et al., 1963a; Premachandra et al., 1958; Wahlberg, 1955). Featherston et al. (1966) found that chicks fed an iodine-deficient diet retained more 131 I originally than did control chicks. Thyroids of iodine-deficient chicks trapped a maximum of 41% of the original dose at 2 hr. with a biological half-life of 15 hr. Control chicks, however, trapped a maximum of only 4.5% at 8 hr with a biological half-life of more than 96 hr. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dietary iodine on the maximum uptake and biological half-life of 131 I in the thyroid glands of Coturnix and Bobwhite quail and to compare the response of these two species with respect to thyroidal 131 I metabolism.…
Topical anesthetic before microneurography decreases pain without affecting sympathetic traffic.

Abstract Pain associated with the microneurography procedure varies among human research volunteers, and may influence baseline sympathetic neural activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and effects of applying a topical anesthetic prior to microneurography. Ten volunteers underwent microneurography twice, separated by a minimum of 4 weeks. Using a single-blind, randomized cross-over design, EMLA cream (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine in oil emulsion) or an aqueous placebo cream was applied 2 h prior to each session. Subjects rated pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 4 (extreme pain). The electrocardiogram, and efferent sympathetic nerve traffic from peroneal nerve muscle fascicles at the popliteal fossa were recorded during a 10-min supine rest period. EMLA cream significantly reduced perception of pain ( P P >0.05). These data show that use of EMLA cream prior to microneurography is innocuous, and do not support the hypothesis that baseline sympathetic traffic is increased by pain or discomfort associated with microneurography.
A PHOTOMULTIPLIER INVESTIGATION OF THE LOW ENERGY CONTINUOUS X-RAY SPECTRUM

Observations were made on the intensity variation of the low-energy bremsstrahlung with target voltage (450 to 900 v). The photons with wavelengths from 173 to 193 A were diffracted onto the photomultiplier, and targets of Mg and Mn layers were used. The results are compared graphically with the shapes of the theoretical distributions; the comparison confirms Sommerfeld's theory in this energy range. (D.L.C.)
Interaction between adsorbed chalcogen and Al atoms on Al(001)

First-principles, scattering-theory-based calculations for Al-S and Al-Te dimers adsorbed on a rigid Al(001) film show in both cases that the ad-Al and the chalcogen repel each other when forced to reside in neighboring hollows. This result, which stems from the fact that the through-metal effective repulsion is not compensated by a sufficiently attractive direct adatom interaction, indicates the importance of establishing whether there are any laws governing the nature of the interactions between surface additive atoms and various types of surface defects.
Vocal cord paralysis: Clinical and electrophysiologic features

Vocal cord paralysis may occur in isolation or as part of a constellation of findings in neurological disease. We investigated the pathophysiology of these disorders with laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). We studied 44 patients with idiopathic vocal cord paralysis, confirmed by laryngoscopy. The major LEMG finding, present in 29 vocal cords, was evidence of active or chronic denervation in the thyroarytenoid (TA), indicating recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Denervation of the cricothyroid (CT) in 5 patients indicated superior laryngeal neuropathy. TA and CT involvement in 1 patient indicated proximal laryngeal or vagus nerve damage. LEMG was performed in 48 patients with other laryngeal disorders. LEMG proved to be a safe and effective procedure in the diagnosis of laryngeal neuropathy as distinguished from supranuclear and mechanical disorders of the larynx. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
347 PREMEDICATION-AN UNAPPRECIATED RISK OF CT SCANS IN CHILDREN

Although consideration of risks associated with CT scans generally focuses on the effects of radiation and contrast agents, we have identified premedication as an additional risk among infants and children who undergo CT scans. As part of an intensive Pediatric Drug Surveillance (PeDS) Program, we evaluated adverse drug reactions (ADR) attributed to medications given prior to CT scanning to sedate 100 infants and children (ages 2 days to 16 yrs). ADR's attributed to premedication were observed in 12 patients (12%); 6 were of major severity, 4 were moderate and 2 were minor. Life-threatening cardio-respiratory depression/arrest occurred in 3 patients after meperidine, meperidine plus diazepam and morphine. Other reactions were CNS depression, behavior changes, voiding problems, respiratory compromise and vomiting. Premedications implicated were morphine, meperidine, promethazine, chlorpromazine, chloral hydrate and diazepam. The risk of an ADR was not materially affected by admission diagnosis or prior receipt of CNS depressants, but ADR risk was increased among older patients (5+ yrs.), when > 3 premedications were used and when doses were higher than recommended. These observations suggest that ADR's to premedications must be considered when assessing the risk of CT scans in children, and that greater attention be paid to developing appropriate CT scan premedication regimens.
Self-Assembly of Two- and Three-Dimensional Particle Arrays by Manipulating the Hydrophobicity of Silica Nanospheres

The surface hydrophobicity of colloidal silica (SiO2) nanospheres is manipulated by a chemical graft of alkyl chains with silane coupling agents or by physical adsorption of a cationic surfactant. The surface-modified SiO2 spheres can be transferred from the aqueous phase to organic solvents and readily self-assemble at the water−air interface to form two-dimensional (2D) particle arrays. Closely packed particle monolayers are obtained by adjusting the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the synthesized SiO2 spheres and may further be transferred onto solid substrates layer by layer to form three-dimensional (3D) ordered particle arrays with a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) crystalline structure. The 2D monolayer and 3D multilayer SiO2 films exhibit photonic crystal properties, which were determined by the UV−visible spectroscopic analysis in transmission mode. In the multilayer films, the Bragg diffraction maxima increased with an increase in thickness of the particle layers. The experimentally observed dif...
A sequential approach to modeling catalytic reactions in packed-bed reactors

A sequential modeling approach is proposed to simulate catalytic reactions in packed-bed reactors. The hydrogenation of alpha-methylstyrene and wet oxidation of phenol are selected as studied cases. The modeling scheme combines a reactor scale axial dispersion model with a pellet scale model. Without involving any fitting parameters, such an approach accounts for the non-linear reaction kinetics expression and different types of pellet–liquid wetting contact. To validate the developed modeling scheme and the parallel approach reported in the literature, the experimental observations for hydrogenation of alpha-methylstyrene to cumene have been employed. The predicted results by both approaches agree reasonably with the experimental data for both gas- and liquid-limited reaction. The proposed sequential approach was also used to simulate the dynamic performance of the reactor and pellets for the catalytic wet oxidation of aqueous phenol over a newly developed but rapidly deactivated catalyst (MnO2/CeO2). The simulation results for the catalytic wet oxidation process by both approaches were compared. The simulation describes the time evolution of the catalyst stability at different pellet points along the reactor axis. The performance of trickle beds and packed bubble columns over a range of operating conditions were also investigated, and packed bubble columns were found to achieve higher phenol conversion at the cost of more rapid catalyst deactivation.
Enlightenment, revolution and romanticism: the Genesis of modern German political thought, 1790–1800

(1993). Enlightenment, revolution and romanticism: the Genesis of modern German political thought, 1790–1800. History of European Ideas: Vol. 17, No. 6, pp. 804-806.
How phonetic is selective adaptation? Experiments on syllable position and vowel environment

In several cases, the acoustic cues underlying a given phoneme depend heavily on its context. The selective adaptation method (Eimas & Corbit, 1973) was used to investigate the existence of detectors sensitive to consonants in any environment, irrespective of their acoustic properties. The first experiment concerned consonants in initial and final position. Repeated presentation of a CV syllable had an adapting effect on a CV continuum but not on a VC continuum. The converse was also true. In a second experiment, a detector for C1V1 was fatigued by repeated presentation of C1V2, even though the adapting C1 had very little acoustically in common with the test C1. It is concluded that there are detectors for phonemes, or possibly features, which respond to a fairly abstract representation of the input, but not so abstract that a C is represented the same in initial and final position.
El amor, el destino y la virtud: Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda y su primer drama Leoncia

The success of the romantic drama Leoncia marks the beginning of Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda’s career in the theatre. Literary critics have seen in this work two great romantic topics, love and destiny. This essay argues that the author uses romantic rhetoric to address the issue of virtue and of its manipulation within a hierarchical structure of subordination in a patriarchal society. This concern with the concept of virtue permeates much of the work of this Spanish-Cuban author, and is part of her pioneering efforts to expose the problem of women’s subordinate role in the social hierarchy in nineteenth-century Spain.
Comparison of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with radioimmunoassay for the measurement of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antibodies

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to measure antibodies against pneumococcal polysaccharides of the IgA, IgG and IgM isotypes. Antibodies against pneumococcal polysaccharide types 1, 3, 6A, 8 and 9N were measured by ELISA and radioimmunoassay. Similar antibody responses were observed when comparing both assays. The study included 39 persons at high risk of developing pneumococcal infection and 13 healthy adults. Within 1 month after immunization IgM was the principle isotype. After 1 month, IgG was the principle isotype. Very low levels of IgA were detected in the post-immunization serum. The ELISA procedure described can be used to study the immune response to pneumococcal vaccines.
Social rejection increases perspective taking

Abstract Given that threatened belonging needs heighten attention to social cues and enhance their decoding, social rejection should motivate a shift in perspective from an egocentric focus to an other focus. In three studies, this hypothesis was tested by manipulating rejection using a reliving task (Study 1), Cyberball (Study 2), and gaze aversion stimuli (Study 3); manipulating cognitive load using an 8-digit recall task (Study 2); and measuring perspective taking (Studies 1–3), social memory (Study 3), and desire to escape the self (Study 3). In every study, rejected participants displayed greater perspective taking than accepted participants. Even under load, rejected participants took others' perspectives on a task requiring social coordination. The effect could not be attributed to a desire to avoid self-awareness. Perspective taking also predicted social memory suggesting that this rejection-induced shift in perspectives is adaptive. Findings are discussed in relation to the social monitoring and empathy literatures.
Proteomic Profiling of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Critically Ill Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

RATIONALE Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Identifying protein profiles specific to VAP in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) may aid in earlier diagnosis, elucidate mechanisms of disease, and identify putative targets for therapeutic intervention. METHODS BALF was obtained from 5 normal subjects and 30 ALI patients: 14 with VAP (VAP(+)) and 16 without VAP (VAP(-)). Each sample underwent shotgun proteomic analysis based on tandem mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins between the groups were identified using statistical methods based on spectral counting. Mechanisms of disease were explored using functional annotation and protein interaction network analysis. Supervised classification algorithms were implemented to discover a proteomic classifier for identifying critically ill patients with VAP. RESULTS ALI patients had distinct BALF proteomic profiles compared to normal controls. Within the ALI group, we identified 76 differentially expressed proteins between VAP(+) and VAP(-). Functional analysis of these proteins suggested activation of pro-inflammatory pathways during VAP. We identified and validated a limited proteomic signature that discriminated VAP(+) from VAP(-) patients comprised of three proteins: S100A8, lactotransferrin (LTF), and actinin 1 (ACTN1). CONCLUSIONS Combining proteomic with computational analyses is a powerful approach to study the BALF proteome during lung injury and development of VAP. This integrative methodology is a promising strategy to differentiate clinically relevant subsets of ALI patients, including those suffering from VAP.
Single aerosol particle studies

Abstract This paper surveys the research carried out on single aerosol particles in the micron and submicron size range with emphasis on the work performed by the authors. The principles and design of the electrodynamic and electrostatic balances are reviewed, and experimental data for evaporating droplets in a stagnant gas at various total pressures and various temperature are compared with theoretical results for Knudsen aerosol evaporation and are used to determine Lennard-Jones interaction parameters, diffusivities and vapor pressures for relatively nonvolatile compounds. The use of the electrodynamic balance or “picoblance” developed to study aerosol particles of the order of a piogram is illustrated for diffusion-controlled droplet evaporation measurements, and new data and an analysis for binary dorplet evaporation are presented.
Alcohol Abuse in Sickle Cell Disease: The Pisces Project

Alcohol abuse is common in patients with chronic painful medical disorders, but it has not been studied in sickle cell disease (SCD). In a prospective cohort study of SCD adults, 31.4% were identified as abusing alcohol. There were no significant differences between alcohol abusers and nonabusers on demographics, biological variables, depression, anxiety, measures of crisis and noncrisis pain, or opioid use, but abusers reported more pain relief from opioids than nonabusers did. Alcohol abusers had fewer unscheduled clinic visits, emergency room visits, hospital days, and any health care utilization for SCD, but this was only significant for emergency room visits. Quality of life was similar between both groups, except that alcohol abusers unexpectedly had better overall physical summary scores. Alcohol abusers were more likely to report coping by ignoring pain, diverting attention, and using particular self-statements.
A digital system for recording startle, responses in small animals

An easily constructed, isometric startle-recording system is described. The animal enclosure is attached to a plywood board-which, in ten, is mounted in a “springboard” arrangement. Movement is detected by a phonocartridge mounted beneath the chamber, and a digital record of this movement is obtained through the use of a voltage-to-frequency converter. A brief experiment in which the system was used to assess the rat’s reaction to electric footshock is also presented.
Role of Noradrenergic Innervation of Brown Adipose Tissue in Thermoregulatory Deficits Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

The development of thermoregulation in newborns is delayed by prenatal alcohol exposure in an animal model of moderate maternal drinking. Newborn mammals generate heat primarily via nonshivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is activated by the sympathetic nervous system. In this study, the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the development of the sympathetic innervation of BAT was investigated by assessing the concentration of norepinephrine (NE) in interscapular BAT. Pregnant dams were given either a liquid diet with 35% of the calories derived from alcohol, a liquid diet without alcohol to control for any effects of the liquid diet administration, or ad libitum food and water. Interscapular brown adipose tissue was excised from 5-, 10-, and 20-day-old male and female offspring. At 5 days of age, alcohol-exposed pups had significantly lower NE concentrations than did pups in either control group. However, 20-day-old alcohol-exposed pups had significantly higher NE concentrations than either control group. These results suggest a delay in the development of the sympathetic activation of BAT thermogenesis, followed by a compensatory overactivation. These findings may have important implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying thermoregulatory deficits seen after prenatal alcohol exposure. In addition, these results suggest that maternal alcohol consumption may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, which has been linked to inappropriate BAT thermogenesis.
Quantitative Po2 Imaging in Vivo with Perfluorocarbon F-19 NMR: Tracking Oxygen from the Airway Through the Blood to Organ Tissues

The physiological redistribution of perfluorocarbon (PFC) compounds to liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lung after intravenous (IV) or intraperitoneal (IP) administration of PFC emulsions affords the unique opportunity for non-invasive monitoring of oxygenation status of these organs and tissues utilizing fluorine (F-19) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging techniques. PFCs also may be introduced directly into the pulmonary airways by procedures such as liquid ventilation, intratracheal instillation, or aerosol inhalation. Considerations of importance when establishing methodology for accurate quantitation of oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in vivo using F-19 NMR include: 1.) error analysis of the calibration curves which relate pO2 to the measured PFC F-19 relaxation rate, 2.) optimization of the NMR pulse sequence for efficient oxygen sensitive data acquisition and, 3.) fluorine signal independence from emulsion aqueous phase bioconstituents. The porcine model was investigated at 0.14T following IV or ...
Open-ended teaching methods bring a work place atmosphere into the classroom

Industries have complained about poorly trained engineering graduates. The demand for higher qualified graduates is due to the fact that global competition has been intensified. It seems that the old fashion of extensive lecturing and evaluation of students' performance do not match with industries' needs in the competition of world markets. To resolve the existing mismatch between engineering curricula and industries' expectations, academia should take proper action. This paper is intended to present an alternative method of teaching, the "open end", a new approach of teaching engineering courses that brings the industrial atmosphere into the classroom.
Human growth hormone: additional members of the complex.

The use of urea during electrophoretic analysis of human GH (hGH) permitted detection of two previously undetected forms of the hormone. The newly recognized components were resolved at pH 10 and 7.8 but not at pH 4. Because they migrated more slowly than the major hGH component, the forms have been denoted as Slow-slow-GH and Slow-GH. They have molecular weights near 22,000 and are neither electrophoretic artifacts nor proteolytically cleaved forms. By RIA, Slowslow-GH and Slow-GH have been found to produce displacements similar to that observed with reference hGH (NIH). Both forms had growth-promoting activity (1.8 IU/mg) in the rat tibial line assay and both resembled hGH by peptide mapping and total amino acid composition. Slow-GH had definite lactogenic activity in the pigeon crop sac assay, with a suggestion that it was somewhat more active than the hGH from which it was removed. A third form of hGH was detected when the gel electrophoresis was done at pH 7.8 with or without urea. This component was...
Gene expression profiles unique to chile (Capsicum annuum L.) resistant to Phytophthora root rot

Transcriptome profiling in chile (Capsicum annuum) roots was used to determine those genes with expression profiles correlated with a resistance phenotype to the pathogen, Phytophthora capsici. Two microarrays were generated; a 10K element array printed with cDNAs from a library of transcripts expressed in Criollo de Morelos-334 variety of C. annuum 6 h post-challenge with P. capsici and a 2K element array printed with sequenced cDNA clones selected based on their preliminary patterns of expression. This second array was enriched for clones that were differentially expressed in susceptible (New Mexico 6-4) vs. resistant (CM334) varieties of C. annuum. Gene expression profiles were revaluated at 0, 4 and 24 h post-inoculation. Control treatments included samples collected at 0, 4, and 24 h post-mock-inoculation. In addition to the parental CM334, a resistant backcross line (01-1688) was also used to identify gene expression patterns associated with the resistance phenotype. Based on a principal component analysis, CM334 samples showed the most significant transcription induction at 4 and 24 h post-inoculation, while the predominant variability in the susceptible line was in genes repressed at 24 h. A set of 168 genes with significant changes in expression following P. capsici challenge was identified; of these, 22 were uniquely expressed only in the resistant lines (CM334 or 01-1688). This set of genes represent candidates for further study as markers for recurrent selection programs and as candidate genes for the mechanism of disease resistance.
Newly discovered reproductive phenotypes of a marine copepod reveal the costs and advantages of resistance to a toxic dinoflagellate

We document for the first time toxin-resistant reproductive phenotypes of copepods and we describe a novel procedure to identify these phenotypes. Individual copepods of the species Acartia hudsonica were raised on two diets: a standard nontoxic diet and a diet containing the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense, both offered at nonlimiting concentrations. Resistant individuals were defined as those that survived on the toxic diet. We examined several life-history characters including survivorship, age at metamorphosis, age at maturity, fecundity, and fitness. During this study, we discovered five resistance-related reproductive phenotypes that appeared as discrete classes in a frequency distribution of fecundity. After grouping the data according to these phenotypes, we calculated the fitness of each phenotype on each diet. We also calculated the cost and advantage associated with resistance. On the standard diet, one phenotype had 46% lower fitness than the phenotype with the highest fitness, indicating that possessing resistance alleles can carry a substantial cost. A different phenotype showed maximum relative fitness on the toxic diet and reduced relative fitness on the standard diet. From these results, we argue that resistance is conferred by a simple genetic system showing heterozygote advantage and leading to a polymorphism for resistance. Such a polymorphism will prevent the fixation of resistance alleles in natural populations. It may also confound the interpretation of typical experiments that measure average population responses.
Time-domain measurements of radiated and conducted UWB emissions

This paper summarizes results obtained from time-domain full-bandwidth emissions measurements of selected ultra wideband (UWB) transmitting devices. Brief descriptions of two NIST-developed measurement systems are provided. High-fidelity time-domain waveforms are shown, along with associated amplitude spectra for several devices. Results are shown for both conducted and radiated emissions from UWB devices.
The Effects of Clozapine on Methylphenidate-Induced Conditioned Place Preference

Methylphenidate, (MPH), is commonly prescribed for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is similar to cocaine in that it inhibits the dopamine transporter to elevate extracellular dopamine levels and has reinforcing effects. As ADHD diagnoses have increased, MPH abuse has increased as well. There is evidence that DA antagonists such as Clozapine may be effective in mitigating cocaine abuse. Therefore, it is hypothesized that Clozapine will inhibit the rewarding effects of MPH in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. The data showed that both MPH and Clozapine treated groups had a significant aversion to the drug-paired compartment. Because MPH produced a conditioned aversion, the effect of Clozapine on the rewarding effects of MPH remains to be elucidated. Future studies using lower doses of MPH, as well as those analyzing dopamine levels in the striatum and prefrontal cortex would provide evidence of the effect of Clozapine on mesolimbic dopamine systems.
Predictors of survival in African American patients with AD, VaD, or stroke without dementia

Background: A hospital-based cohort of African American patients in the Chicago area with AD, vascular dementia (VaD), or stroke without dementia (SWD) were followed for up to 7 years. Objective: To describe and analyze predictors of survival in this cohort. Methods: Proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze risk of death in 113 patients with AD (53 deaths), 79 patients with VaD (31 deaths), and 56 patients with SWD (14 deaths). Results: Patients with AD who were older and had more years of education and lower Barthel ADL scores were at higher risk of death. Patients with VaD who were taking antihypertensive medication were at higher risk of death; those who were taking aspirin or antiplatelet/anticoagulant medication were at lower risk of death; and higher diastolic blood pressure was protective against death. Risk factors for death in the SWD group were older age, having ever been a smoker, and history of atrial fibrillation. Differences in survival across the three groups were not significant after adjusting for age and clinical dementia rating. Conclusions: Results in patients with VaD support the use of antiplatelet therapy for persons with VaD and suggest that optimal blood pressure may be higher in cognitively compromised poststroke patients than persons in the general population.
Visual outcomes of macular retinoblastoma after external beam radiation therapy.

Purpose: To determine the risk factors that influence the visual outcomes of patients with macular retinoblastoma who are treated with radiation therapy. Methods: The medical records of all patients with macular retinoblastoma treated with radiation therapy between 1980 and 1990 were reviewed. Ten patients were entered into the study. Features analyzed included patient age, laterality of eye involvement, location and size of macular tumor(s) at the time of diagnosis, treatment course, and most recent visual acuity. Findings: Ten of 11 eyes (10 patients) were successfully treated with external beam radiation. Eight patients obtained visual acuities ranging from 20/25 to 20/100; two patients had visual acuities of 20/200 or less. The best visual acuities were noted in patients whose tumor(s) did not involve the fovea and were relatively small. The worse visual acuities were noted in patients with binocular vision whose tumors invaded the fovea and were larger in size. In two of three patients in whom both eyes were retained, superimposed amblyopia developed in the eye with macular retinoblastoma. Conclusion: The authors' findings indicate that most patients with macular retinoblastoma who are treated with external beam radiation have favorable visual outcomes, but final visual acuity depends on the size of the tumor and involvement of the fovea. Patients in whom both eyes are retained are predisposed to further visual loss from amblyopia.
Crystal structures of substrate complexes of malic enzyme and insights into the catalytic mechanism.

Abstract Malic enzymes catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of L -malate to pyruvate and CO 2 with the reduction of the NAD(P) + cofactor in the presence of divalent cations. We report the crystal structures at up to 2.1 A resolution of human mitochondrial NAD(P) + -dependent malic enzyme in different pentary complexes with the natural substrate malate or pyruvate, the dinucleotide cofactor NAD + or NADH, the divalent cation Mn 2+ , and the allosteric activator fumarate. Malate is bound deep in the active site, providing two ligands for the cation, and its C4 carboxylate group is out of plane with the C1-C2-C3 atoms, facilitating decarboxylation. The divalent cation is positioned optimally to catalyze the entire reaction. Lys183 is the general base for the oxidation step, extracting the proton from the C2 hydroxyl of malate. Tyr112-Lys183 functions as the general acid-base pair to catalyze the tautomerization of the enolpyruvate product from decarboxylation to pyruvate.
Distortion power in systems with nonsinusoidal voltage

The ‘distortion power’ DB, also termed ‘deformation power’, is one of the fundamental power quantities in circuits with nonsinusoidal voltages and currents, and power properties of such circuits are often specified in terms of this power. Unfortunately, it was introduced to the power theory of nonsinusoidal circuits because of substantial misinterpretation of these properties. The notion of ‘distortion power’ and its relation to the waveforms distortion is the main subject of this paper. It is shown that the necessary condition for the lack of waveforms distortion is in the contradiction to such a condition for the ‘distortion power’ zero value. Therefore, its value is not a measure of the waveforms distortion effect on the source apparent power S. Thus, this power should not be used in the apparent power equation of the source. Also it is shown that the quantity termed an ‘active distortion power’ has a misleading name and was identified earlier as a scattered power.
Who gets what, when, and how revisited: Voting and proposal powers in the allocation of the EU budget

What are the factors that help EU member states to secure favourable bargaining outcomes? Although existing research highlights the importance of the member states’ ‘political power’, scholars tend to equate this with their voting power. In this paper, I argue that proposal-making power associated with the EU presidency helps the member states to obtain preferable negotiation outcomes. Analysis of the cross-state allocation of the EU budget from 1977—2003 shows that holding the EU presidency during the time of allocation decisions brings financial benefits to individual member states.
Involvement of the vitamin D receptor in the regulation of NF-κB activity in fibroblasts

Abstract We have used mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from VDR(+/−) and VDR(−/−) mice to determine whether the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) is directly involved in the regulation of NF-κB activation. We found that the basal IκBα protein level was markedly decreased in VDR(−/−) MEFs compared to VDR(+/−) MEFs; however, degradation of IκBα and its phosphorylation were not altered in VDR(−/−) cells, neither were the levels of IKKα and IKKβ proteins. Consistently, p65 nuclear translocation was increased in unstimulated VDR(−/−) cells. The physical interaction between VDR and p65 was absent in VDR(−/−) MEFs, which may free p65 and increase its activity. Consequently, these alterations combined led to a marked increase in NF-κB transcriptional activity. Consistently, induction of IL-6 by TNFα or IL-1β was much more robust in VDR(−/−) than in VDR(+/−) cells, indicating that VDR(−/−) cells are more susceptible to inflammatory stimulation. Therefore, fibroblasts lacking VDR appear to be more pro-inflammatory due to the intrinsic high NF-κB activity. The reduction of IκBα in VDR(−/−) MEFs may be partially explained by the lack of VDR-mediated stabilization of IκBα by 1,25(OH)2D3. These data suggest that VDR plays an inhibitory role in the regulation of NF-κB activation.
Crosstalk analysis in nanometer technologies

Process variations have become a key concern of circuit designers because of their significant, yet hard to predict impact on performance and signal integrity of VLSI circuits. Statistical approaches have been suggested as the most effective substitute for corner-based approaches to deal with the variability of present process technology nodes. This paper introduces a statistical analysis of the crosstalk-aware delay of coupled interconnects considering process variations. The few existing works that have studied this problem suffer not only from shortcomings in their statistical models, but also from inaccurate crosstalk circuit models. We utilize an accurate distributed RC-p model of the interconnections to be able to model process variations close to reality. The considerable effect of correlation among the parameters of neighboring wire segments is also indicated. Statistical properties of the crosstalk-aware output delay are characterized and presented as closed-formed expressions. Monte Carlo Spice-based experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately modeling the correlation-aware process variations and their impact on interconnect delay when crosstalk is present.
THE CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES—A SELECTIVE REVIEW

The presently known carbonaceous chondrites are listed, and their densities and contents of Fe, Si, and Mg recorded. A review of classification schemes indicate that Wiik's (1956) division into Types I, II, and III reflects basic differences in chemical and mineralogical composition and structure, and is preferable to the Van Schmus-Wood (1967) classification into C1, C2, C3, and C4 types. Renazzo is a Type II meteorite. The Van Schmus division of Type III meteorites into two subtypes is sustained, and is shown to involve not only textural differences but also differences in total iron content. The genesis of the different types of carbonaceous chondrites is ascribed to condensation in different temperature regions within the early solar nebula.
Electrocatalysis in DNA sensors

Electrocatalysis is often thought of solely in the inorganic realm, most often applied to energy conversion in fuel cells. However, the ever-growing field of bioelectrocatalysis has made great strides in advancing technology for both biofuel cells as well as biological detection platforms. Within the context of bioelectrocatalytic detection systems, DNA-based platforms are especially prevalent. One subset of these platforms, the one we have developed, takes advantage of the inherent charge transport properties of DNA. Electrocatalysis coupled with DNA-mediated charge transport has enabled specific and sensitive detection of lesions, mismatches and DNA-binding proteins. Even greater signal amplification from these platforms is now being achieved through the incorporation of a secondary electrode to the platform both for patterning DNA arrays and for detection. Here, we describe the evolution of this new DNA sensor technology.