cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geochemical characteristic of paleokarstification of Ordovician Majiagou carbonates in Xingxian and Liulin, Shanxi, China

The Fifth Member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in Xingxian and Liulin, Shanxi Province consists of carbonates and evaporates that deposited in low-energy, restricted, saline environments of an epicontinental-sea. After deposition, these carbonates and evaporites underwent a long-period of exposure and karstification until Carboniferous regional submerging occurred.
An Automated Classification Scheme Designed to Better Elucidate the Dependence of Ozone on Meteorology

Abstract This paper utilizes a two-stage (average linkage then convergent k means) clustering approach as part of an automated meteorological classification scheme designed to better elucidate the dependence of ozone on meteorology. When applied to 10 years (198190) of meteorological data for Birmingham, Alabama, the classification scheme identified seven statistically distinct meteorological regimes, the majority of which exhibited significantly different daily 1-h maximum ozone concentration distributions. Results from this two-stage clustering approach were then used to develop seven “refined” stepwise regression models designed to 1) identify the optimum set of independent meteorological parameters influencing the O3 concentrations within each meteorological cluster, and 2) weigh each independent parameter according to its unique influence within that cluster. Large differences were noted in the number, order, and selection of independent variables found to significantly contribute (α = 0.10) to the ...
Conserved dorsal–ventral gradient of dopamine release and uptake rate in mice, rats and rhesus macaques

Although the vast majority of research on the dopamine system has been performed in rodents, and it is assumed that this work will inform us about the human condition, there have been very few direct comparisons of presynaptic dopamine terminal function across multiple species. Because it is difficult to query rapid sub-second dopamine signaling in humans using voltammetric methods, we chose to compare dopamine signals across multiple striatal subregions in slices from C57BL/6J mice, Sprague–Dawley rats and rhesus macaques. We found a dorsal to ventral gradient of dopamine uptake rates with highest levels in the dorsal striatum and lowest levels in the nucleus accumbens shell, which is conserved across species. In addition to uptake rates, there was also a dorsal to ventral, high to low, gradient in the magnitude of stimulated DA release observed in monkeys, mice, and rats. These data demonstrate that there is considerable functional homology across striatal regions in non-human primates and rodents, lending support to the use of rodents as model systems to study dopamine-related circuitry and disorders that are clinically relevant to the human population.
Cardiac mTOR rescues the detrimental effects of diet-induced obesity in the heart after ischemia-reperfusion

Diet-induced obesity deteriorates the recovery of cardiac function after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. While mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key mediator of energy metabolism, the effects of cardiac mTOR in ischemic injury under metabolic syndrome remains undefined. Using cardiac-specific transgenic mice overexpressing mTOR (mTOR-Tg mice), we studied the effect of mTOR on cardiac function in both ex vivo and in vivo models of I/R injury in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. mTOR-Tg and wild-type (WT) mice were fed a HFD (60% fat by calories) for 12 wk. Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance induced by the HFD were comparable between WT HFD-fed and mTOR-Tg HFD-fed mice. Functional recovery after I/R in the ex vivo Langendorff perfusion model was significantly lower in HFD-fed mice than normal chow diet-fed mice. mTOR-Tg mice demonstrated better cardiac function recovery and had less of the necrotic markers creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in both feeding conditions. Additionally, mTOR overexpression suppressed expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, in both feeding conditions after I/R injury. In vivo I/R models showed that at 1 wk after I/R, HFD-fed mice exhibited worse cardiac function and larger myocardial scarring along myofibers compared with normal chow diet-fed mice. In both feeding conditions, mTOR overexpression preserved cardiac function and prevented myocardial scarring. These findings suggest that cardiac mTOR overexpression is sufficient to prevent the detrimental effects of diet-induced obesity on the heart after I/R, by reducing cardiac dysfunction and myocardial scarring.
Effects of long-term treatment with 17 β-estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate on water maze performance in middle aged female rats

Abstract Although previous research has indicated that hormone replacement therapy benefits memory in menopausal women, several recent studies have shown either detrimental or no effects of treatment. These inconsistencies emphasize the need to evaluate the role of ovarian hormones in protecting against age-related cognitive decline in an animal model. The present study investigated the effects of long-term hormone treatment during aging on the Morris water maze. Female Long Evans hooded rats were ovariectomized at middle age (12–13 months) and were immediately placed in one of five groups: no replacement, chronic 17 β-estradiol only, chronic 17 β-estradiol and progesterone, chronic 17 β-estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or cyclic 17 β-estradiol only. 17 β-estradiol was administered in the drinking water in either a chronic or cyclic (3 out of 4 days) fashion. Progesterone and MPA were administered via subcutaneous pellets. Following 6 months of hormone treatment, animals were tested on the Morris water maze. Animals performed four trials a day for 4 days and after the final day of testing a subset of animals completed a probe trial. Across 4 days of testing, rats receiving 17 β-estradiol in combination with MPA performed significantly worse than all other groups receiving hormone replacement. In addition on the last day of testing, chronic 17 β-estradiol administration was more beneficial than cyclic administration and no replacement. Thus compared to other hormone-treated groups, long-term 17 β-estradiol treatment in combination with MPA results in impaired performance on the spatial Morris water maze.
Effect of laser source nonlinearity on optical heterodyne interferometry

In this paper, an optical heterodyne interferometric detection model with a frequency-ramped laser diode (LD) has been analyzed. The effect of the nonlinearity of the LD source on the optical heterodyne interferometry has been investigated in two different ways, which are the power-distortion Fourier series analysis and the harmonic distortion analysis. The general formulation between the tangent of the tested phase and the interference fringe have been presented with the analysis of the beat signal in the frequency domain by each methodology. The numerical results of these formulations have been presented.
The Generation of Continental Shelf Waves by Alongshore Variations in Bottom Topography

Abstract The effects of alongshore variations in bottom topography on wind-stress-forced barotropic motion over a continental shelf and slope are studied. An idealized channel model with a weakly sloping bottom and with small-amplitude alongshore variations in topography is utilized. Perturbation methods and numerical inversion of Fourier transforms are employed. The effect of a localized alongshore topographic disturbance is examined in the context of an initial-value problem, where a spatially uniform wind stress is applied at t = 0. The wind stress forces a basic unperturbed alongshore velocity V which is constant in space. Shelf waves are forced by the interaction of V with the topographic disturbance. Two types of time variation of the wind stress are considered, a Dirac delta function and a Heaviside unit function. These force, respectively, V = constant and V = tVt, where Vt = constant. The effect of the alongshore scale of the topographic feature is examined. For small scales, adjective effects of...
Breast carcinoma: An overview☆

Breast cancer incidence in the United States is increasing, and the role of the gynecologist is becoming increasingly important in early detection of this common tumor of women. This article presents basic information on the anatomy and physiology of the female breast and their relationship to benign and malignant conditions commonly seen in clinical practice. An overview of detection screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast carcinoma is also provided.
The geologic development of Mars - A review

The overall view of Mars has changed from earthlike in the prespacecraft era to moonlike following the flyby missions and finally to a planet with intermediate characteristics. There are many impact craters as on the moon, but tectonic and volcanic features resembling structures on earth are also present. However, there is a lack of evidence for the compressional deformation associated with terrestrial plate tectonics and continental drift. Current analyses indicate that Mars has a differentiated interior with a crust and mantle and perhaps a core. Whenever the nature of interior processes, whether overall mantle expansion, plumes, or full-scale convection, the effects at the surface have been predominantly vertical with formation of broad regions of uplift and depression. One of the results is hemispheric asymmetry with cratered terrain in the south and younger uncratered plains in the north.
Antarctic notothenioid fishes as subjects for research in evolutionary biology

Antarctica is a continental island and the waters of its shelfand upper slope are an insular evolutionary site. The shelf waters resemble a closed basin in the Southern Ocean, separated from other continents by distance, current patterns and subzero temperatures. The benthc fish fauna of the shelf and upper slope of the Antarctic Region includes 213 species with higher taxonomic diversity confined to 18 families. Ninety-six notothenioids, 67 liparids and 23 zoarcids comprise 45%, 32% and 11% of the fauna, a combined total of 88%. In high latitude (71-78"s) shelf areas notothenioids dominate abundance and biomass at levels of 90-95%. Notothenioids are also morphologically and ecologically diverse. Although they lack a swim bladder, the hallmark of the notothenioid radiation has been repeated diverslfication into water column habitats. There are pelagic, semipelagic, cryopelagc and epibenthic species. Notothenioids exhbit the Qsproportionate speciosity and high endemism characteristic offish species flock. Antifreeze glycopeptides originating from a transformed trypsinogen gene are a key innovation. It is not known when the modem Antarctic shelffauna assumed its current taxonomic composition. A late Eocene fossil fauna was taxonoinically diverse and cosmopolitan. There was a subsequent faunal replacement with little carryover of families into the modem fauna. Basal notothenioid clades probably diverged in Gondwanan shelf locations during the early Tertiary. Dates inferred from molecular sequences suggest that phyletically derived Antarctic clades arose 15-5 n1.y.a.
Hydrogen atom with a Yukawa potential: Perturbation theory and continued-fractions-Padé approximants at large order.

A simple power-series method is developed to calculate to large order the Rayleigh-Schr\"odinger perturbation expansions for energy levels of a hydrogen atom with a Yukawa-type screened Coulomb potential. Perturbation series for the 1s, 2s, and 2p levels, shown not to be of the Stieltjes type, are calculated to 100th order. Nevertheless, the poles of the Pad\'e approximants to these series generally avoid the region of the positive real axis 0${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\mathrm{*}}$, where ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ represents the coupling constant threshold. As a result, the Pad\'e sums afford accurate approximations to E(\ensuremath{\lambda}) in this domain. The continued-fraction representations to these perturbation series have been accurately calculated to large (100th) order and demonstrate a curious ``quasioscillatory,'' but non-Stieltjes, behavior. Accurate values of E(\ensuremath{\lambda}) as well as ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ for the 1s, 2s, and 2p levels are reported.
Determining the effects of Coulomb friction on the dynamics of bearings and transmissions in robot mechanisms

In order to accurately model robots for precision applications where dynamics are significant, it is important to include the effects of Coulomb friction in the bearings and transmissions. The general guidelines for analyzing friction at the joints will be discussed. It will be shown that friction can be related to the joint coordinates and their first and second time derivatives. The resulting extended robot dynamics formulation will be investigated as it applies to the inverse and forward robot dynamics problems. The analytical dependency of Coulomb friction on joint interactions is explicitly examined. As an illustration of friction effects in transmissions, we elaborate on the friction in harmonic drives and develop a method for its evaluation. The effect of friction in the bearings on the dynamics is also considered and a quantitative characterization of several specific cases is provided. This study is significant to understanding the design and control issues as they relate to achieving high speed precision robot motion.
Immersion Cooling of a Simulated Electronic Chip Protruding into a Flow Channel

Nucleate boiling and critical heat e ux from the top and side surfaces of a simulated electronic chip protruding into a rectangular channel has been studied. To ascertain the contributions of heat transfer from the sides and top of the simulated electronic chip, boiling from the sides was virtually eliminated by the use of a thin (0.025 mm) foil heater on top of a block of insulating material. It was found that single-phase heat transfer and critical heat e ux are markedly greater for a surface protrusion height of 0.71 mm as compared to a e ush surface. This increase was seen for e ow velocities greater than 1 m/s and a subcooling of 20 8C. The results are compared to that for a copper block heated from below under similar e uid and geometry constraints. These comparisons show that the vapor emanating from the upstream side of the copper block plays an important role in either decreasing or increasing the critical heat e ux. Additional results were obtained for the copper block where heat transfer from the upstream side was obstructed. These results indicate that under some conditions of subcooling and e ow rate an optimal amount of upstream side vapor production exists.
Dissolution promotion in novolac-diazoquinone resists

Phenols or polyphenols of low molecular weight are added to novolak resists to increase the dissolution rate. They function as dissolution promoters by introducing additional hydrophilic percolation sites (OH-groups) into the system. All low molecular weight phenols act as dissolution accelerators, but some are also able to increase the image contrast of the material, i.e. the difference in dissolution rate between exposed and unexposed areas of the resist film. Additives that function in this way are those that are included in the phenolic clusters formed by the inhibitor. It appears that the criterion for inclusion in the clusters is the acidity of the OH-groups of the additive.
Modulation of neuropeptide-stimulated pituitary hormone secretion in hatchling turtles.

Abstract Neuropeptides that have relatively narrow actions on mammalian pituitary secretion may have divergent effects on pituitary hormone secretion in ectothermal vertebrates. In turtles, secretion of both thyrotropin (TSH) and growth hormone (GH) can be stimulated in vitro by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and by members of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) peptide families. To determine if these neuropeptides share common modes of action, and to study other potential regulators of the turtle pituitary, somatostatin-14 (SRIH) and monoamines were tested for direct effects on in vitro basal and neuropeptide-stimulated TSH and GH secretion. Pituitary glands from young turtles ( Pseudemys scripta ) were cultured in the presence of 25 n M TRH, ovine CRH, or rat GHRH with or without SRIH. Glands were incubated for several 2-hr periods in medium alone or in medium containing peptides. Preincubation for 4 hr with SRIH (6 or 60 n M ) significantly reduced basal and TRH-stimulated TSH and GH output (SRIH present during entire incubation). In another experiment, basal hormone secretion was reduced when SRIH (60 n M ) was present only during the 2-hr basal period; however, reduction of TSH and GH responses to TRH required the presence of SRIH (60 n M ) during the basal period and the period of stimulation. TSH responses to 25 n M ) oCRH and GGHRH and GH responses to GGHRH were significantly reduced by preincubation with 60 n M ) SRIH. The biogenic amines, dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT), and norepinephrine (NE) (50 or 500 n M ) were tested for possible direct actions on basal and neuropeptide-stimulated pituitary TSH and GH secretion. Only 5HT at the highest dose tested (500 n M ) elevated TSH secretion in the absence of neuropeptides. None of the amines had any effect on neuropeptide-stimulated TSH release. In contrast, GH responses to 25 n M ) TRH and GHRH were enhanced by DA (50 and 500 n M ) and reduced by 5HT (500 n M ) Only NE (500 n M ) elevated GH secretion in the absence of neuropeptides, and NE enhanced TRH-stimulated GH secretion (NE was not tested for effects on CRH and GHRH responses). These data show that mammalian SRIH and monoamines can modify basal and neuropeptide-stimulated TSH and GH secretion in turtles. While the mechanism(s) by which the different neuropeptides stimulate the release of TSH and GH from turtle pituitaries is not known (i.e., direct or paracrine), some commonality in their mode of action seems likely, since exposure to SRIH or amines affected the responses to each of the different neuropeptides similarly. Finally, these results implicate several other brain factors in the regulation of pituitary hormone secretion in turtles.
Of gateways and gatekeepers: Language, education and mobility in francophone Africa

Abstract Over the past 15 years, a range of alternative education programs have been launched in Burkina Faso. The programs have been developed primarily by international or national NGOs, within a supportive policy space provided by the national government. They aim to respond to the widely recognized inadequacy of the French-language ecoles classiques to provide a meaningful primary education experience for most Burkinabe children. One of the values which these programs all espouse is support for the lived realities of Burkinabe communities, particularly the communities that are least well served by the traditional school system. This value is reflected in, among other things, the use of the learner's mother tongue as a gateway to effective learning. However the influence of the French-dominated educational system is evident in the curriculum choices made in these programs; clearly, success in that system is a crucial step in navigating one's way past the social and economic gatekeepers of success in Burkina Faso. Thus language is seen as both gateway and gatekeeper, depending on its role in facilitating academic success or inhibiting social mobility. This paradoxical allegiance to both local realities and the colonially established education system has led to the development of bilingual education models which are at variance with the models promoted by theorists in the North. This paper examines several of these programs in the context of larger issues of mobility, literacy, language and culture in francophone Africa.
TEACHING NOTE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUBSTANCE ABUSE CURRICULUM IN A MASTER'S OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

Substance abuse has been identified as a significant social problem. Social work is uniquely positioned to affect this problem. Kennesaw State University has established a substance abuse concentration as part of its master's of social work program. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of this curriculum. The curriculum is based on a biopsychosocial view of human functioning and consists of 6 advanced courses: 2 practice, 2 behavior, 1 policy, and 1 seminar. Because of its proximity to the consequences, its ability to work at multiple societal levels, and its value base, it is imperative that the social work profession continues to embrace and enhance its role as a leader in treating and researching substance abuse issues.
Super-homogeneous microwave-photonic gain and its impact on optoelectronic oscillators

We develop the theory of microwave-photonic (MWP) gain saturation when two tones (one large and one small) are transmitted over an intensity-modulated direct-detection photonic link. We show that MWP gain is “super-homogeneous” with the larger signal saturating the gain of the smaller signal faster than the saturation of its own gain. This model is applied to the steady-state simulation of an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) incorporating slab-coupled optical waveguide (SCOW) based laser and photodiode components. Our simulations and experimental measurements indicate that large sidemode suppression can be achieved even when multiple modes are supported within the cavity.
Preliminary geological mapping of Io

A preliminary summary of information gained by Voyager 1 on the colored, terrain and landform surface units of Io and their global distribution is presented. Colored units are classified as white to bluish-white regions which may be sulfur or sulfur dioxide deposits, red, orange, or yellow regions thought to contain various sublimates or alterations of sulfur, brownish regions limited to the polar areas and dark brown areas surrounding some vents. Terrain features observed include plains broken by scarps, isolated mountainous regions and volcanic vents resembling terrestrial caldera or pit craters. Maps of the distribution of these features, compiled by photogeological mapping techniques developed for terrestrial volcanic mapping, are presented, and the implications of the surface unit distributions for the volcanology, crustal composition, internal convection patterns and surface age of Io are discussed.
Design and synthesis of chelating diamide sorbents for the separation of lanthanides

Abstract A nanoporous sorbent designed around chelating iminodiacetamide (“IDA-Amide”) moiety was made on mesoporous silica (MCM-41) and evaluated for lanthanide separations (Ce3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, and Lu3+). The effects of solution pH on lanthanide binding were studied, as well as sorption kinetics, and competition from other metal ions. The IDA-Amide SAMMS® demonstrated an interesting difference in the kinetics of sorption of the lanthanide ions in the order of Lu3+ > Eu3+ > Gd3+ > Nd3+ > Ce3+. The close proximity of the ligands in the IDA-Amide SAMMS® may allow for multiple metal–ligand interactions (“macromolecular chelation”).
Using UNFOLD to remove artifacts in parallel imaging and in partial-Fourier imaging.

In dynamic MRI, it is often difficult to achieve the acquisition speed required to resolve or freeze the temporal variations of the imaged object. Several MRI methods aim at speeding up the image acquisition process. Through assumptions and/or prior knowledge, these dynamic MRI methods allow part of the needed data to be calculated instead of acquired. For example, partial-Fourier imaging assumes that phase varies smoothly within the object, and parallel imaging (e.g., simultaneous acquisition of spatial harmonics (SMASH) and sensitivity encoding (SENSE)) uses prior knowledge about receiver-coil sensitivity. While these methods accelerate acquisition, they can introduce artifacts or amplify noise in doing so. The present work aims at accelerating image acquisition significantly, while introducing almost no artifacts or noise amplification. It is shown here that new, extra information is gained if dynamic MRI methods are modified so that the sampling function changes in specific ways from time-frame to time-frame. In other words, the set of k-space locations that are acquired (instead of calculated) changes with time. The present temporal strategy, based on the UNaliasing by Fourier-encoding the Overlaps in the temporaL Dimension (UNFOLD) method, can be incorporated into common dynamic MRI methods. Results with partial-Fourier, SMASH, and SENSE imaging are presented here, where UNFOLD's contribution is to very significantly reduce the artifact and/or amplified noise content. Used in this way, UNFOLD contributes indirectly, rather than directly to the improvement in image acquisition speed, as it allows companion methods to operate properly at greater acceleration settings than would otherwise be feasible.
Role for both spinal cord COX-1 and COX-2 in maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury.

The effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in treating neuropathic pain caused by nerve injury has been controversial. In the present study, 4 weeks following partial sciatic nerve ligation, a single intrathecal injection of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 preferring inhibitor ketorolac (50 μg) significantly attenuated tactile allodynia for 6 days. The COX-2 preferring inhibitor, NS-398 (60 μg) significantly reversed tactile allodynia 2 h following injection but this anti-allodynic effect did not last greater than 24 h. Surprisingly, the non-selective COX inhibitor, piroxicam (60 μg) was without effect. These data agree with previous studies suggesting that spinal prostaglandin synthesis is important in the maintenance of hypersensitivity states following nerve injury. They differ from results in other models by suggesting that both COX isoenzymes are important in this spinal process, and for the first time demonstrate a remarkably long duration of action from a single intrathecal injection of ketorolac. Inhibition of spinal COX may be an important mechanism of action in treating some patients with neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury.
A duration model with unobserved heterogeneity as a mixture of Dirichlet processes

Abstract We present a semiparametric procedure for the estimation of duration models in the presence of unobservable heterogeneity. The heterogeneity distribution is modelled as a mixture of Dirichlet processes. This places weak restrictions on its functional form and yields the popular Weibull model with Gamma mixing as a limiting case. 1 © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.
A note on Jardine and Sibson's Cu-cluster methods

Abstract An error in the formulation of the Cu-cluster methods is pointed out, and a correct version is presented.
Interactions ofRhizobium japonicum strains in soybean nodules and their contribution to nitrogen fixation

Rhizobium japonicum strain 8-0 StrR applied as inoculum to Clark 63 soybeans formed small ineffective nodules which had very low nitrogenase activity compared to nodules formed by two effective strains, 110 TetR and 138 KanR. Mean numbers of cells per milligram of nodule tissue for plants up to 34 days old were 7.7×106 for 8-0 StrR, 4.1×108 for 110 TetR and 7.6×108 for 138 KanR. Cell counts per unit mass of nodule were independent of plant age for strains 110 TetR and 138 KanR, however, for strain 8-0 StrR, 25 and 34 days old plants had fewer viable cells per nodule mass than 18 day old plants. When a mixture of two effective strains was used, the nodules of individual plants were predominantly caused by either 110 TetR or 138 KanR. In one experiment the predominance was random, but in another, strain 110 TetR clearly dominated. Strain 138 KanR was absent in some nodules on 18 day old plants, and in others, less than 102 cells per nodule were found. When strains 8-0 StrR and 138 KanR were used as mixed inoculum, most of the nodules had strain 8-0 StrR but strain 138 KanR was detected in many nodules and was generally evident in the largest nodules. Nitrogenase activity by many individual nodules was low except for nodules which had cells of 138 KanR. Nitrogenase activity by whole root systems of these plants was relatively high and similar to plants that had only nodules of strain 138 KanR. Similar relationships were observed for a mixed inoculum of 8-0 StrR and 110 TetR. In general, mixed inoculations resulted in nodules with a particular strain being dominant for each individual plant. Double infections within individual nodules were not uncommon and such nodules often had disproportionate numbers of cells of two competingR. japonicum strains.
Stability Assessment on a 3% Bilayer PbS/ZnO Quantum Dot Heterojunction Solar Cell

We provide the first NREL-certified efficiency measurement on an all-inorganic, solution-processed, nanocrystal solar cell. The 3% efficient device is composed of ZnO nanocrystals and 1.3 eV PbS quantum dots with gold as the top contact. This configuration yields a stable device, retaining 95% of the starting efficiency after a 1000-hour light soak in air without encapsulation.
Study on Pd functionalization of microcantilever for hydrogen detection promotion

An absorption-actuated cantilever sensor often suffers from the severe problem of interface sliding between the functionalization coating and the cantilever surface due to overlying structural expansion of the surface coating. In this work, the microcantilever with Pd functionalization was employed for hydrogen detection. Two effects of Pd deposition technique and cantilever surface design were first contributed towards the effective Pd functionalization for superior hydrogen sensing performance. Experimental results indicated that the sputtering deposition technique benefited the Pd functionalization with compact structure and preferable adhesion for efficient sensing transduction. Surface design via trench modification could further provide the effective interlocking of Pd functionalization with the cantilever surface. For hydrogen detection, the Pd-functionalized cantilever with trench modification showed the superior sensing characteristics with higher sensitivity and a lower detection limit.
Purification and properties of subunits of sterol ester hydrolase from rat pancreas.

Abstract A procedure has been developed for solubilizing subunits of sterol ester hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.13) from rat pancreas by treatment of a tissue homogenate with 0.5% ( w v ) digitonin. The crude, solubilized enzyme subunit was shown to have a molecular weight of approximately 70,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. This enzyme subunit has been purified 500-fold by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, hydroxylapatite, and gel-filtration chromatography. The 70,000 molecular-weight subunits have been shown to aggregate in the presence of cholic acid or sodium taurocholate to a 400,000 molecular-weight form which is the active enzyme. Studies on binding of cholic acid to the subunit protein suggest that after the binding of one molecule of the bile acid, the subunit undergoes a conformational change(s) which makes additional binding sites for cholic acid available. Three types of differential inactivation studies (thermal, guanidine hydrochloride, and pH) indicated significantly greater stability of the active enzyme when compared to the subunits. These data are consistent with the tentative conclusion that a conformational change(s) accompanies the binding of the bile salt to the enzyme subunits, which results in their aggregation and enzyme activity. The theoretical and physiological significance of this interaction between the subunit protein and bile salt is discussed.
Formulae for estimating skeletal height in modern South-East Asians.

ABSTRACT: Estimating stature in human skeletal remains of Asian ancestry is problematic for forensic anthropologists due to the paucityand uncertain suitability of regression formulae. To address this issue, our study analyzed 64 individuals from a modern skeletal collection ofSouth-East Asian origin and developed population-specific ordinary least squares regression formulae to estimate skeletal height from each ofthe long bones of the upper and lower limbs, as well as from trunk length. Results indicate that the most accurate estimates of skeletal heightfrom a single bone (as measured by standard error of the estimate—SEE) are from tibial length in males (SEE = 2.40 cm) and from humerallength in females (SEE = 2.59 cm), followed by femoral length (SEE = 2.84 cm). When multiple elements are considered, the combination offemoral and tibial length yields the best estimates in both sexes as well as combined sex samples (male SEE = 2.40 cm; femaleSEE = 2.77 cm; combined sex SEE = 2.54 cm).
Estimation of polyacrylamide gel pore size from Ferguson plots of linear DNA fragments. II. Comparison of gels with different crosslinker concentrations, added agarose and added linear polyacrylamide.

The mobilities of various DNA fragments in two normally migrating molecular weight ladders were studied in polyacrylamide gels containing different concentrations of the crosslinker N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (Bis). The acrylamide concentration ranged from 2.5-10.5%T (w/v); the Bis concentration ranged from 0.5-10%C (w/w), with respect to total acrylamide. Ferguson plots were constructed for each of the DNA fragments in gels of each composition. The Ferguson plots of the different multimers in each molecular weight ladder were nearly parallel in gels containing 0.5-3%C, converged close to a common intercept at zero gel concentration in gels containing 4%C, and crossed at approximately 1.5%T in gels containing 5 and 10%C. If the mobilities observed for the different DNA fragments at zero gel concentration were also extrapolated to zero DNA molecular weight, a common limiting mobility was observed in gels of all crosslinker concentrations. This limiting mobility was approximately equal to the free solution mobility of DNA. The effective pore radius of each gel was estimated from Ferguson plots based on relative mobilities, using the mobility of the smallest DNA fragment in each molecular weight ladder as the reference mobility. The calculated gel pore radii ranged from 142 nm to 19 nm, respectively, for gels containing 4.6%T, 1.5%C, and 10.5%T, 5 or 10%C. These pore radii are an order of magnitude larger than previously accepted values, but are consistent with scanning electron microscope measurements (Ruchel, R., et al., J. Chromatogr. 1978, 42, 77-90).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Heat Generation in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

This study was conducted to investigate thermal aspects of municipal solid waste landfills as a function of operational conditions and climatic region. Spatial and temporal distributions of waste temperatures were determined at four landfills located in North America (Michigan, New Mexico, Alaska, and British Columbia). Temperatures of wastes at shallow depths (extending to 6 to 8 m depth) and near the edges of a cell (within approximately 20 m) conformed to seasonal temperature variations, whereas steady elevated temperatures (23 to 57°C) with respect to air and ground temperatures were reached at depth and at central locations. Waste temperatures decreased from the elevated levels near the base of landfills, yet remained higher than ground temperatures. Thermal gradients in the range of approximately −30 to +22°C∕m with average absolute values typically less than 5°C∕m were measured within the wastes. Heat content (HC) of wastes was determined as the difference between measured waste mass temperatures a...
Effects of joint flexibility on the behavior of steel frames

Abstract The first part of this paper presents an analytical procedure for the analysis of framed structures considering the flexibility of steel beam-to-column connections. This is followed by a presentation of several numerical examples to enumerate the behavior of these frames. Finally, some phenomena that are associated with flexibly connected frames are discussed.
Remote sensing of ocean color: assessment of water-leaving radiance bidirectional effects on atmospheric diffuse transmittance

Two factors influence the diffuse transmittance (t) of water-leaving radiance (Lw) to the top of the atmosphere: the angular distribution of upwelling radiance beneath the sea surface (Lu) and the concentration and optical properties of aerosols in the atmosphere. We examine these factors and (1) show that the error in Lw that is induced by assuming Lu is uniform (i.e., in treating the subsurface reflectance by the water body as Lambertian) is significant in comparison with the other errors expected in Lw only at low phytoplankton concentration and then only in the blue region of the spectrum; (2) show that when radiance ratios are used in biophysical algorithms the effect of the uniform- Lu approximation is even smaller; and (3) provide an avenue for introducing accurate computation of the uniform Lu diffuse transmittance into atmospheric correction algorithms. In an Appendix the reciprocity principle is derived for a medium in which the refractive index is a continuous function of position.
Veno-occlusive disease of the liver after blood and marrow transplantation: analysis of pre- and post-transplant risk factors associated with severity and results of therapy with tissue plasminogen activator.

We reviewed our blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) database from April 1982 to July 1996 and identified 111 of 474 patients with serum bilirubin concentration (SBR) > or = 34 micromol/l for two consecutive days within the first 20 days after related allogeneic or autologous BMT. Of the 111, 73 fulfilled the Seattle criteria for veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD) and had no other obvious cause for liver dysfunction. The patients were 16-60 years old (median, 39 years), and 41 were male (56%). Fourteen patients (19%) had autologous BMT, and 59 (81%) had allogeneic BMT. Twenty-eight (38%), 12 (16%), and 33 (45%) patients had severe, moderate, and mild VOD, respectively, by Seattle criteria. None of 23 patients with maximum (max) SBR > or = 257 micromol/l survived, all patients with max SBR or = 150 micromol/l) were treated with tissue plasminogen activator; only two had a significant response and only one survived beyond day 120.
Political Culture and the Death Penalty

Since the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that the death penalty was not inherently unconstitutional, most states have adopted capital punishment statutes. Yet execution rates vary considerably from state to state. The objective of this work is to analyze the degree by which political culture is a determinant of states' implementation of capital punishment. This article finds that political culture, as measured by Daniel Elazar's prototype classifications of American political subcultures, is an important determinant of the adoption of death penalty statutes and the frequency of executions. Specifically, states that are characterized by a more traditionalistic political culture are more likely to have adopted a death penalty statute and to execute inmates more frequently. The link between political culture and the death penalty remains strong and stable even when controlling for a host of other factors that have been linked to the death penalty in prior research.
Macrophage chemotactic factor partially purified from granulomatous inflammation.

Abstract Pathophysiologieal roles of macrophage chemotactic factor (MCF) in granulomatous inflammation were investigated. MCF was extracted in 10 mM phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, from experimentally produced epithelioid cell granulomas in the liver and skin of mice. MCF activity reached a peak in the lesions prior to the time when granulomatous inflammation became maximal. MCFwas then purified from 10-week-old hepatic granulomas and 2-week-old sk in lesions by gel filtration, ion exchange column chromatography, and HPLC gel filtration. MCF from either liver or skin had a molecular weight about 650 kDa. MCF from hepatic granulomas was coupled to Affi-Gel beads and transplanted subcutaneously into naive mice. In vivo macrophage chemotaxis was observed around the beads and the cells formed a sheet, but organization of macrophages into granulomas did not occur with the MCF-active fractions. Macrophage chemotaxis alone is insufficient to elicit granulomatous inflammation.
China's Growth and the Agricultural Exports of Sub-Saharan Southern Africa

The implications of China’s growth for the development prospects of sub-Saharan Africa have been the subject of recent attention. Interest in this topic is motivated by the increasing presence of China in the region, which in turn is reflected in the growing bilateral trade links. Against this background, this paper explores whether China’s growth has stimulated agricultural exports in selected countries of Southern Africa, namely, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Southern African Custom Unions and Zambia. We find little complementarity between China’s agricultural import demand and the Southern African (SA) countries’ agricultural export supply. We also explore the possibility of China affecting SA agricultural exports through higher world agricultural prices associated with China’s growing demand for food. We find that, although China has moderately increased agricultural prices (in an aggregated sense), SA exports do not seem to benefit from these price increases.
Human renal carcinoma: asparagine independence with asparaginase susceptibility in culture.

A human renal carcinoma cell line (Caki-1) was examined for asparagine (Asn) dependence and susceptibility to Escherichia coli asparaginase. Because this enzyme hydrolyzes glutamine (Gln) as well as Asn, even though at only 2–3% the rate, Asn− Gln+ and Asn− Gln− media were prepared. Only the former supported Caki growth. The Asn− Gln− medium was then repleted with Asn, Gln, or both. Although Asn repletion failed to promote growth, addition of Gln alone or the combination supported growth as well as complete medium. With [3H]leucine and [3H]mannose incorporation to indicate protein and glycoprotein synthesis, respectively, the Gln repleted medium supported these processes as well as complete medium. Asparaginase added to complete medium was highly toxic to the Caki cells, but this is a reflection of Gln depletion rather than Asn depletion.
HSV-1-Mediated Modulation of Cytokine Gene Expression in a Permissive Cell Line: Selective Upregulation of IL-6 Gene Expression

Abstract Pathological effects of herpes simplex virus (HSV) can result due to a combination of direct viropathic effects and immunological reactions to viral antigens. The immunological reactions are orchestrated by a variety of cytokines and chemokines released by the host cells. Therefore, the cytokine gene expression in response to HSV-1 infection in a permissive murine cell line was investigated. The data demonstrate that HSV-1 induced a selective activation of IL-6 gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels, in the permissive cell line. The cell line used was capable of expressing IL-1, IL-7, and IL-10 in addition to IL-6, upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. UV or heat-inactivated viruses were unable to upregulate IL-6 expression. However, mutant HSV-1 strains lacking fully functional ICP0, ICP4, ICP8, or ICP27 genes, thereby rendering them replication incompetent or impaired in in vitro cell growth (ICP0), enhanced IL-6 expression selectively. Considering the role of IL-6 in inflammation, immune response, and its known association with increased levels of MyD116 and GADD 34 mRNAs (genes involved in the prevention of apoptotic death of cells), the present data may have relevance to HSV-1-mediated diseases as well as to the prevalence of HSV-1 in the host.
Cerebrovascular neurosurgery in 2012

Considerable advances in our understanding of the natural history and treatment of cerebrovascular disease were made in 2012. The landmark Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm Study in Japan was published, illustrating a significantly greater rupture risk than previously reported for small anterior and posterior communicating artery aneurysms, those with daughter domes, and giant aneurysms. Results from the Cerecyte (DePuy Synthes, West Chester, PN, USA) coil trial did not demonstrate a statistically significant positive impact of these bioactive coils on angiographic occlusion rates or outcome. The Clazosentan to Overcome Neurological Ischemia and Infarct Occurring after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage study was also published and unfortunately did not demonstrate an overall favorable long-term functional outcome rate for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage receiving clazosentan. Studies furthering our understanding of the natural history and treatment of vascular malformations were also published, including large prospective natural history studies of cavernous malformations from the Mayo Clinic and the Scottish Audit of Intracranial Vascular Malformations database. Although pregnancy was found to be a significant risk factor for arteriovenous malformation hemorrhage, several studies did not demonstrate pregnancy as a significant risk factor for cavernous malformation hemorrhage. Finally, prospective randomized control trials illustrated significantly improved angiographic and clinical outcome results for both the Solitaire (ev3 Endovascular, Plymouth, MN, USA; SWIFT trial) and Trevo (Concentric Medical, Mountainview, CA, USA; TREVO 2 trial) stent retrievers as compared to the Merci (Concentric Medical) clot retriever.
ON THE SUCCINCTNESS PROPERTIES OF UNORDERED CONTEXT-FREE GRAMMARS

We prove in this paper that unordered, or ID/LP grammars, are exponentially more succinct than context-free grammars, by exhibiting a sequence (Ln) of finite languages such that the size of any CFG for Ln must grow exponentially in n, but which can be described by polynomial-size ID/LP grammars. The results have implications for the description of free word order languages.
CMAP: A Real-Time Prototype for Cognitive Medium Access

In this paper we present CMAP, a real-time prototype for Cognitive Medium Access (CMA). We have previously proposed CMA as a protocol that enhances coexistence with a set of independently evolving WLAN bands by constraining collisions. Based on a time-slotted physical layer, the cognitive radio uses a sense-before-transmit strategy to control its medium access. We further employ a model-based design approach to predict the WLAN's transmission behavior and reduce collisions. In this paper we present the implementation of the real-time prototype CMAP. The cognitive radio consists of a high-performance DSP/FPGA board as well as a commercial radio frontend for the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The performance of CMAP shows an excellent fit with analytical and simulation results solidifying our previous work. In addition, we use CMAP to measure its dynamic impact on the WLAN.
Effective implementation of SPC in wide area manufacturing systems (A case study)

Statistical process control (SPC) is a tool for monitoring the manufacturing process. To be effective, SPC must be coupled with a system for solving problems. The use of computer systems and a special organizational structure to achieve an effective SPC implementation are discussed. The facility is considered to be a wide area manufacturing system (WAMS) because various manufacturing support groups are located in different buildings around the manufacturing facility. >