cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-dependent density-functional theory for molecular processes in strong fields: Study of multiphoton processes and dynamical response of individual valence electrons of N2 in intense laser fields

We present a time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) with proper asymptotic long-range potential for nonperturbative treatment of multiphoton processes of many-electron molecular systems in intense laser fields. A time-dependent generalized pseudospectral method is extended for precision solution of the TDDFT equations for two-center diatomic systems. The procedure allows nonuniform optimal spatial grid discretization of the Hamiltonian in prolate spheroidal coordinates and a split-operator scheme in energy representation is used for the time propagation of the individual molecular spin orbital in space and time. The theory is applied to the first detailed all-electron study of multiphoton ionization and high-order harmonic generation (HHG) processes of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ in intense laser fields. The results reveal unexpected and intriguing nonlinear optical response behaviors of the individual valence spin orbital to strong fields. In particular, it is found that the dominant contribution to the total HHG power spectrum of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ is due to the constructive and destructive interferences of the induced dipoles of the two highest-occupied bonding $(3{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{g})$ and antibonding $(2{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{u})$ molecular orbitals in the presence of intense laser fields.
Evidence for Adipose-Muscle Cross Talk: Opposing Regulation of Muscle Proteolysis by Adiponectin and Fatty Acids

Illnesses associated with insulin resistance exhibit increases in whole-body protein degradation and amino acid oxidation. However, the mechanisms stimulating muscle catabolism under these conditions are not clear. Because insulin resistance is associated with accumulation of lipids in muscle, we measured protein degradation in muscles of mice fed a high-fat diet. Muscle protein catabolism was accelerated on the high-fat diet, and this was associated with an increase in plasma free fatty acid and a decrease in plasma levels of the adipocyte-derived cytokine adiponectin. To evaluate how free fatty acids influence adiponectin-mediated changes in muscle protein breakdown we examined C2C12 skeletal muscle cells exposed to free fatty acids. Both saturated fatty acids (palmitate) and unsaturated fatty acids (oleate) increased protein degradation (25 and 18%, respectively) in part by activating the E3 ubiquitin ligases. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of adiponectin blocked fatty acid-induced protein degradation in C2C12 cells. Palmitate activated the E3 ubiquitin ligases by suppressing insulin receptor substrate-1/Akt signaling in the C2C12 muscle cells, whereas adiponectin attenuated the E3 ubiquitin ligase activation by increasing both insulin receptor substrate-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and Akt Ser473 phosphorylation. In related experiments, adiponectin overexpression decreased TNFalpha and IL-6 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, whereas exposure to free fatty acids had the opposite effect. We conclude that the balance between free fatty acids and adiponectin impacts muscle proteolysis in insulin-resistant conditions and suggest a role for adipose tissue-muscle cross talk in diabetes and obesity.
Angiotensin AT2 Receptors Directly Stimulate Renal Nitric Oxide in Bradykinin B2-Receptor–Null Mice

Both bradykinin B2 and angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptors are known to stimulate renal production of nitric oxide (NO). To evaluate the individual contributions of AT2 and B2 receptors to renal NO production, we monitored renal interstitial, stable NO metabolites and cGMP by a microdialysis technique in conscious, bradykinin B 2-null and wild-type mice (n8 in each group) during low sodium intake alone or with the angiotensin AT1 or AT2 receptor blockers, valsartan (0.5 g/min) or PD123319 (0.15 g/min), or both. During normal salt intake, renal interstitial fluid NO and cGMP levels in B2-null mice were not different from those of wild-type mice. Low sodium intake increased NO and cGMP in wild-type mice but not in B2-null mice. Valsartan increased NO and cGMP in both wild-type and B2-null mice but to a significantly greater degree in the wild-type than in B 2-null mice. PD123319 decreased NO and cGMP in both wild-type and B2-null mice. Combined valsartan and PD123319 decreased NO and cGMP in both wild-type and B2-null mice, but there was no significant difference during combined treatment from their levels after administration of PD123319 alone. Our results indicate that during ingestion of a low-salt diet, production of NO is mediated mainly via the AT2-B2 receptor cascade. Blockade of the AT1 receptor enhances the production of NO via the AT2 receptor in both wild-type and B2-null mice. We conclude that NO can be produced by 2 alternative pathways: directly through the AT2 receptor or indirectly from AT2 receptor stimulation of bradykinin via the B2 receptor. (Hypertension. 2003;42:600- 604.)
Variation in serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in free-ranging New-World tropical bats

Vitamin D (represented by D2 or D3) is considered essential for normal calcium homeostasis. It is either synthesized in the skin following ultraviolet-B irradiation of provitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol), or ingested in the diet as vitamin D2 or vitamin D3. Most neotropical bats are nocturnal, roost in dark places, and consume diets that lack vitamin D and thus have no other known source of this important nutrient. A few species, namely fish-eating (piscivores) and blood-eating (sanguivores), however, have the potential to ingest large quantities of dietary vitamin D. In this study, blood serum collected from five nocturnal, neotropical bats (including three plant-visiting species, one fish-eating species and one blood-eating species), was analyzed using a competitive protein binding assay (CPBA) to determine concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the major circulating vitamin D metabolite. Caveroosting (absence of sunlight), plant-visiting species (Artibeus jamaicensis, Brachyphylla cavernarum...
Two-Dimensional Whisker Percolation in Ceramic Matrix–Ceramic Whisker Composites

A computer model that treats ceramic-powder matrix–ceramic whisker composites as a percolative network of whiskers has been developed. The model calculates the critical fraction of whiskers at the percolation threshold for a two-dimensional random network of whiskers. The computed critical fraction was found to display an inverse dependence on whisker aspect ratio. In addition, the computed critical fraction (27 vol% for a whisker aspect ratio of 7) agreed well with the zero-shrinkage whisker fraction of 30 vol% in the densification of a colloid-pressed alumina–silicon carbide composite that exhibited a two-dimensional orientation of such whiskers.
Dynamic and static shell properties of white and brown shell eggs exposed to modified pressure microcrack detection technology

ABSTRACT Dynamic and static shell properties of eggs provide important insight to egg quality. Understanding how processing and handling procedures affect both dynamic and static shell properties can enhance the safety and quality of eggs reaching the consumer. A study was conducted to determine if dynamic shell properties were altered due to modified pressure microcrack detection technology exposure in brown and white shell eggs. Three replicates of 100 eggs each of brown and white retail shell eggs were conducted. Dynamic stiffness (Kdyn) and egg weight were monitored immediately before and after microcrack detection. No changes in Kdyn or egg weight were detected for either shell color. Static compression shell strength and deformation were subsequently monitored and a correlation analysis conducted. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.53; P
Control of immunodeficiency and lymphoproliferation in mouse AIDS: studies of mice deficient in CD8+ T cells or perforin.

CD8+ T cells were previously shown to be important in preventing lymphoproliferation and immunodeficiency following infection of murine AIDS (MAIDS)-resistant mice with the LP-BM5 mixture of murine leukemia viruses. To further evaluate the mechanisms contributing to MAIDS resistance, we studied mice lacking CD8+ T cells or deficient in perforin due to knockout of the beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) or perforin gene, respectively. In contrast to wild-type, MAIDS-resistant controls, B10.A mice homozygous for the beta2M mutation and B10.D2 mice homozygous for the perforin mutation were diagnosed as having MAIDS by 5 to 8 weeks after infection by the criteria of lymphoproliferation, impaired proliferative responses to mitogens, and changes in cell populations as judged by histopathology and flow cytometry. Unexpectedly, there was no progression of lymphoproliferation through 24 weeks, even though immune functions were severely compromised. Expression of the defective virus responsible for MAIDS was enhanced in spleens of the knockouts in comparison with wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that perforin-dependent functions of CD8+ T cells contribute to MAIDS resistance but that other, non-CD8-dependent mechanisms are of equal or greater importance.
Middle–Class Mexican Americans, Neighborhood Affect, and Redevelopment in Houston's Northside Barrio:

Prior research has illuminated the destructive impact of redevelopment in racially marginalized U.S. barrios, but we know little about middle–class Mexican Americans’ perceptions of barrio redevelo...
Another Look at Load Duration Effects in Wood

Load duration behavior, arising from creep rupture, is one of the most significant effects distinguishing wood materials from other structural materials. The phenomenon of creep rupture has been wi...
Influence of Moderate Haemodilution with Fluosol or Normal Saline on Carbaryl Disposition in Sprague‐Dawley Rats

In rats carbaryl undergoes extensive biotransformation involving both albumin-mediated hydrolysis and cytochrome P-450-mediated metabolism; studies have suggested that approximately one-half of a carbaryl dose is hydrolysed and one-half is metabolized. Fluosol is known to be an inducer of cytochrome P-450, and Fluosol haemodilution reduces plasma albumin concentrations. The disposition of carbaryl was, therefore, determined in rats for 72 h after 40 mL kg−1 haemodilution with Fluosol or normal saline (0.9% NaCl). Volumes of distribution were significantly reduced after saline haemodilution for 72 h but only at 48 h after Fluosol haemodilution. Fluosol and saline haemodilution had little influence on carbaryl total body clearance (CL). These results indicate that both hepatic and non-hepatic clearance pathways were not influenced by the haemodiluents or the haemodilution procedure.
Studies in the Cleomaceae V: A New Genus and Ten New Combinations for the Flora of North America

ABSTRACT New combinations are made for 10 taxa previously included in the genus Cleome L. s.l. These are now considered to belong in the genera Cleoserrata Iltis, which is newly described herein, Hemiscola Rafinesque, Peritoma DC., and Tarenaya Rafinesque, as follows: Cleoserrata serrata (Jacquin) Iltis, C. speciosa (Rafinesque) Iltis, H. diffusa (Banks ex DC.) Iltis, P. arborea (Nuttall) Iltis, P. arborea var. angustata (Parish) Iltis, P. arborea var. globosa (Coville) Iltis, P. jonesii (J. F. Macbride) Iltis, P. multicaulis (Mocino & Sesse ex DC.) Iltis, P. platycarpa (Torrey) Iltis, and T. hassleriana (Chodat) Iltis. A lectotype is designated for the basionym of Cleoserrata speciosa, Cleome speciosa Rafinesque.
Moral communities: Religious and secular

This article considers the extent to which community groups (social/service clubs, professional organizations, churches, etc.) constitute “moral communities” (relatively coherent social networks which create and support meaningful human relationships by fostering common attitudes, values, and practices). It investigates the relationship between belonging to such a group and feelings of “mass society” (alienation, moral fragmentation, disengagement, and segmentation), self-esteem, and meaning and purpose. Questionnaire data were collected from three samples: 135 general psychology students, a randomly selected group of 440 adults who were contacted at home, and 405 adults who were attending church in one of 12 congregations. The data indicate that for many individuals community groups constitute moral communities, that such groups differ in the intensity and frequency of moral community feelings, and that the religious congregation is more likely to inspire feelings of moral community than is any other community group. Feelings of moral community were significantly correlated with reduced feelings of mass society and increased feelings of self-esteem and of meaning and purpose in life. Feelings of mass society were associated with lower self- esteem and a reduced sense of meaning and purpose in life.
International Competitiveness: Labor Productivity Leadership and Convergence Among 14 OECD Countries

From 1970 through 1991, the United States led other OECD countries in overall labor productivity, a key measure of national competitiveness. During this period, labor productivity in these countries converged, both towards the mean OECD labor productivity and the U.S. level of labor productivity. This suggests living standards among the OECD countries are becoming more alike. In the latter half of the period, the rate of convergence slowed. The industrial components of aggregate labor productivity offer insight into the causes of this convergence slowdown. Although most industry groups continued to converge between 1982 and 1991, two key industry groups--1) Manufacturing, and 2) Finance, insurance and real estate and business services--did not. Growth in Japanese labor productivity created the divergence in Finance, insurance and real estate and business services. Strong manufacturing labor productivity growth in United States high-technology industries was a primary cause of the divergence in Manufacturing. In 1991, the United States was among the labor productivity leaders in almost all manufacturing industries. It was, however, no longer the unequivocal labor productivity leader in these industries. Other countries had overtaken U.S. labor productivity in three of the nine industries and retained the lead in three other industries. Japan, for example, had a dominant lead in Chemicals and chemical petroleum, coal, rubber and plastic products. The United States, however, held a considerable lead in Fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment, which includes most key high-technology manufacturing industries. The slowdown of OECD labor productivity convergence toward the U.S. level since 1982 is a sign of continued U.S. competitiveness. The results of this analysis of selected OECD countries at the aggregate and industry levels suggest that the pundits of the 1980s were too quick to point to the demise of the U.S. competitiveness. These results show that although the United States? overall labor productivity lead is not as overwhelming as it once was, the United States continues to lead in overall labor productivity and in labor productivity in many important individual industries. This is not to say that there are no reasons to watch U.S. labor productivity measures closely and explore the roots of labor productivity changes. The situation is, however, much more complicated and not necessarily as dire as some analysts suggested during the 1980s.
Ultrasonography of a Gastroduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm

Splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms are not often encountered but are clinically significant because of the high mortality rate with rupture. Sonography is a noninvasive modality that can be used for assessment of the presence or absence of blood flow and in post treatment follow-up to confirm whether the intervention was successful. In this unusual case, sonography with color Doppler was used to evaluate a gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm before and after angiographic transcatheter arterial embolization, facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of this vascular phenomenon.
Tumor necrosis factor: Biology and therapeutic inhibitors

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was originally described as a protein factor capable of killing tumor cells in vitro and causing hemorrhagic necrosis of transplantable tumors in mice.1,2 A serum protein named “cachectin” isolated from chronically infected rabbits with Trypanosoma brucei was later found to be identical to TNF.3 TNF refers to two closely related cytokines: TNF-a and TNF-b (currently lymphotoxin-a, LT-a). Both interact with the same receptors and elicit a variety of responses and have been implicated as pathogenic mediators of human disease.4,5 This article focuses on TNF-a, simply referred to as TNF in the text. TNF elicits a wide spectrum of organismal and cellular responses, including fever, shock, tissue injury, tumor necrosis, anorexia, induction of other cytokines and immunoregulatory molecules, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.6 The pathogenic role of TNF has been implicated in many human diseases. In addition to its well-known role in septic shock, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic processes such as autoimmunity, graft-versus-host disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and the cachexia accompanying cancer and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.7 TNF has also been implicated in insulin resistance, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis, and alcohol-induced liver injury among others.8
Experimental and Analytical Evaluation of Available Bandwidth Estimation Tools

In this paper, we present a low cost and flexible testbed to evaluate the performance of available bandwidth estimation tools in a common and controlled environment. In addition, we include a model based on a network of M/M/1 queues to have an analytical reference to compare the experiments with. We then utilize the proposed testbed and model to evaluate the performance of Pathload, IGI, and Spruce, three well-known bandwidth estimation tools. Our main results indicate that Pathload is the most accurate tool but the slowest to converge. IGI, on the other hand, is the fastest tool but the least accurate. Spruce is the least intrusive tool with intermediate accuracy and convergence time.
Proof of the Main Theorem

In this chapter we prove Theorem 3.7: the local Morse data is the Cartesian product of the tangential Morse data with the normal Morse data.
Clustering Similar Actions in Sequential Decision Processes

The presence of a large number of available actions in the context of an automated, adaptive decision process can lead to an excessively large search space and thus significantly increase the overhead for the policy learning process. This issue occurs particularly in problem domains such as path planning or grid scheduling where the number of decision points is large and irreducible. The learning algorithm developed in this paper attempts to create a more compact representation of the state and action space by grouping similar actions that are likely leading to very similar future results. Actions are considered similar if they, with high probability, lead to future results with sufficient commonality. This paper develops this action clustering framework within the MDP formalism where actions in any given state are grouped if they result in similar reinforcement feedback based on the past learning experience. The resulting action sets are then considered as a whole in the decision process.
Stratospheric ozone interannual variability (1995-2011) as observed by lidar and satellite at Mauna Loa Observatory, HI and Table Mountain Facility, CA

Abstract. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) lidars, at the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii (MLO, 19.5° N, 155.6° W) and the JPL Table Mountain Facility (TMF, California, 34.5° N, 117.7° W), have been measuring vertical profiles of stratospheric ozone routinely since the early 1990's and late-1980s respectively. Interannual variability of ozone above these two sites was investigated using a multi-linear regression analysis on the deseasonalised monthly mean lidar and satellite time-series at 1 km intervals between 20 and 45 km from January 1995 to April 2011, a period of low volcanic aerosol loading. Explanatory variables representing the 11 yr solar cycle, the El Nino Southern Oscillation, the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, the Eliassen-Palm flux, and horizontal and vertical transport were used. A new proxy, the mid-latitude Ozone Depleting Gas Index, which shows a decrease with time as an outcome of the Montreal Protocol, was introduced and compared to the more commonly used linear trend method. The analysis also compares the lidar time-series and a merged time-series obtained from the space-borne Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II, Halogen Occultation Experiment, and Aura-Microwave Limb Sounder instruments. The results from both lidar and satellite measurements are consistent with recent model simulations which propose changes in tropical upwelling. Additionally, at TMF the Ozone Depleting Gas Index explains as much variance as the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation in the upper stratosphere. Over the past 17 yr a diminishing downward trend in ozone was observed before 2000 and a net increase, and sign of ozone recovery, is observed after 2005. Our results which include dynamical proxies suggest possible coupling between horizontal transport and the 11 yr solar cycle response, although a dataset spanning a period longer than one solar cycle is needed to confirm this result.
A practical approach to determination of low concentration uranium isotope ratios in small volumes of urine

Thermal ionization-mass spectrometry (TIMS) has long been the benchmark technique for determining uranium isotope ratios. Instrumentation improvements and application optimizations on inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instruments have enabled acquisition of data approaching the accuracy and precision obtained using TIMS. However, problems remain for urine uranium ICP-MS isotope ratio analyses at low concentrations. Microwave digestion of urine to eliminate organic interferences, solid phase chelation extraction of actinides from the matrix, use of a desolvating introduction system, and gas flow optimizations to minimize mass fractionation were employed to develop a magnetic sector ICP-MS method sensitive enough to accurately measure urine uranium isotope ratios at concentrations below 10 ng L−1 in 2 mL urine with little or no correction. This method was used to determine isotope ratios for internally and externally prepared natural and depleted uranium-spiked urine. Ratio accuracy obtained from triplicate digestions, preparations, and analyses were within 1% of expected values characterized or calculated from sources over concentrations ranging from 5 to 500 ng L−1 total uranium.
Future implantable systems

American physicist and Nobel laureate, Richard Feynman, in his famous lecture from 1959, “There's plenty of room at the bottom,” presented a wild idea of swallowable surgeons where tiny surgical robots are put inside the blood vessel, travel into the heart, look around, and send the information back to an external controller. These robots can even perform local operations and might be permanently incorporated in the body for continuous monitoring. The idea seems a science fiction dream. In recent years, however, there is major progress on implantable systems that support most of the functionalities of the swallowable surgeons. Nevertheless, these devices remain mostly restricted to research, in part due to limited miniaturization, power supply constraints, and lack of a reliable interface between implants and the external devices.
Lizard Community Response to a Desert Shrubland-Intertidal Transition Zone on the Coast of Sonora, Mexico

The Sonoran coast of Mexico is characterized by an abrupt transition from marine bay to inland desert. We surveyed lizard species along 141 transects in desert shrubland, desert-dune scrub transitional, dune scrub, and sandy intertidal habitat areas within this transition zone. Cnemidophorus tigris, Uta stansburiana, and Callisaurus draconoides accounted for > 99% (N = 353) of individuals identified. Cnemidophorus tigris was almost entirely restricted to desert shrubland, U. stansburiana was mostly restricted to desert shrubland and desert-dune scrub transitional habitats, and C. draconoides was the most generalized in habitat use. It exhibited strong preferences for bare ground and was the only species observed in the sandy intertidal zone, an area devoid of vegetation. The intertidal zone had the highest lizard biomass of the four habitats but was completely dominated by a single species. Total lizard density and biomass were substantially less in desert shrubland, but lizard diversity was greatest in this structurally complex habitat. We suggest that habitat structure regulates lizard diversity, whereas food resources control lizard density across the transition zone.
OPTICAL ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF ALKALI METAL SOLUTIONS IN AMINES AND ETHERS

The optical spectra of solutions of alkali metals in amine and ether solvents are studied in the range from about 250 mμ to about 2 000 mμ. Spectra of the following combinations of metal and solvent are obtained: lithium in ethylamine and ethylenediamine; sodium in ethylenediamine; potassium in ethylamine, ethylenediamine, tetrahydrofuran and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; rubidium in ethylenediamine; caesium in ethylamine. Results of salt addition experiments are also reported. Evidence is presented to show that the band commonly observed in solutions of all the alkali metals in the range from 600 mμ. to 720 mμ arises from a species containing sodium in solution. Because the experimental results obtained differ appreciably from some previously reported, the experimental techniques and procedures are presented in some detail. Three solvated species, in addition to the solvated metal cation, are postulated to explain the optical and spin resonance properties of the metal solutions.
Uncertainty analysis of quantitative imaging features extracted from contrast-enhanced CT in lung tumors.

Abstract Purpose To assess the uncertainty of quantitative imaging features extracted from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of lung cancer patients in terms of the dependency on the time after contrast injection and the feature reproducibility between scans. Methods Eight patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT scans of lung tumors on two sessions 2–7 days apart. Each session included 6 CT scans of the same anatomy taken every 15 s, starting 50 s after contrast injection. Image features based on intensity histogram, co-occurrence matrix, neighborhood gray-tone difference matrix, run-length matrix, and geometric shape were extracted from the tumor for each scan. Spearman's correlation was used to examine the dependency of features on the time after contrast injection, with values over 0.50 considered time-dependent. Concordance correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the reproducibility of each feature between times of scans after contrast injection and between scanning sessions, with values greater than 0.90 considered reproducible. Results The features were found to have little dependency on the time between the contrast injection and the CT scan. Most features were reproducible between times of scans after contrast injection and between scanning sessions. Some features were more reproducible when they were extracted from a CT scan performed at a longer time after contrast injection. Conclusion The quantitative imaging features tested here are mostly reproducible and show little dependency on the time after contrast injection.
Newer Applications in Environmental Analyses

Numerous times in the past the question has been raised as to the need for rapid environmental analytical methods. Do we need answers so rapidly? In many instances they are very important and are life-saving. This contribution will relate some additional uses of rapid method technology that are cost-saving and may contribute significantly to a better understanding of our environment and the effects of environmental contaminants on human health.
Medical therapy for intractable complex partial seizures.

Treatment of intractable complex partial seizures should reduce the frequency or severity of the attacks and reduce or eliminiate side effects from the medication. Most important, a correct diagnosis of seizure type should be attained. Frequently, an evaluation and subsequent treatment changes can best be carried out if the patient is hospitalized. The advantages of high-dose monotherapy with phenytoin, carbamazepine, or primidone are discussed. The effectiveness and methodology of the secondary anticonvulsants (benzodiazepines, valproic acid, methosuximide, acetazolamide, and progestational agents) are reviewed. Many patients can be treated with one nonsedating anticonvulsant.
Development of Micro Connector Using Synchrotron Radiation

マイクロマシンに搭載しマシン同士を連結するためのマイクロコネクタ (直径2.5mm, 厚さ2mm) を開発した。このマイクロコネクタは幅7μm, 高さ80μm, 長さ300μmの片持ち梁構造の端子を24本有し, 端子はシンクロトロン放射光のX線を用いたディープX線リソグラフィ技術と微細めっきを組み合わせて製作した。われわれは, 結晶子サイズを小さくし, 結晶子サイズや配向をめっき成長方向に揃えることで, Niめっき構造体のヤング率および靭性を高くし, 端子製作に適用した。マイクロコネクタの電気的特性を測定し, マイクロマシンからの要求仕様を満たすことを確認した。
Citrate-Free Synthesis of Silver Nanoplates and the Mechanistic Study

We report a citrate-free synthesis of Ag nanoplates with an edge length of 50 nm that involved the reduction of AgNO3 by poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in ethanol at 80 °C under a solvothermal condi...
Predisposing Factors in Mycoplasma hyosynoviae Arthritis of Swine

Mycoplasma hyosynoviae causes acute, nonsuppurative arthritis in 80-200-lb swine [1]. Clinical signs consist of variable degrees of lameness, stiffness, and difficulty in rising, inability to rise, and slight inappetence. The duration of lameness varies considerably, probably depending on the severity of the inflammatory response. Some animals evidence lameness for two to three days and recover, while others show little clinical change for seven to 10 days. Lesions seen in the acute stage of the disease consist of increased serofibrinous to serosanguineous synovial fluid and swollen, hyperemic synovial membranes. The femorotibial, coxofemoral, cubital, and tibiotarsal joints are most frequently involved. Initial attempts to reproduce the disease by inoculation of mycoplasmas met with relatively poor success [2]. Subsequently, consideration of factors such as growth and virulence of the organism, and age, breed, and conformation of experimental swine has improved considerably our ability to produce arthritis with M. hyosynoviae. A medium consisting of 85% v/v Bacto PPLO broth with 0.5% w/v Bacto mucin and 15% heated turkey serum enhanced the growth and possibly enhanced the virulence of M. hyosynoviae [3, 4]. In this medium, the organism grows to 108-109 cfu/ml within 20-24 hr. Intranasal or intravenous inoculation of 107-109 cfu from such cultures resulted in establishment of the organism in all swine and of arthritis in some [4]. In further work, it was found that strains of the organism vary considerably in their ability to produce arthritis. Data presented in table 1 illustrate findings in pigs inoculated intranasally with a virulent strain (33R) and an avirulent strain (8149) of the organism. M. hyosynoviae was present in arthritic as well as grossly normal joints and lymph nodes of two pigs inoculated with strain 33R. In addi-
From Populist to Institutionalist Politics: Political Cultures of Protest in Contemporary Andean Bolivia:

Social movements and acts of protest have played significant roles in charting the path of Bolivian history. Massive waves of protest against neoliberalism led to the overthrow of two presidents fr...
Atmospheric Entry Mechanics

The equations of motion for spacecraft entry into the atmosphere are derived and the general characteristics of gliding trajectories are discussed. The importance of the spacecraft ballistic coefficient and earth’s atmospheric density profile in limiting the effects of deceleration on human physiology are combined in defining an entry trajectory corridor in terms of a restricted range of acceptable dynamic pressure level. A similar corridor for assuring safe heating levels for entering spacecraft is also defined. Detailed studies of entry dynamics are divided into three categories: ballistic (zero-lift), low lift-to-drag ratio ( L / D ), and moderate L / D . This division may be illustrated by meteor and early space capsules (e.g., Mercury), next generation space capsules (e.g., Apollo and now Orion), and spaceplanes (e.g., the Space Shuttle Orbiter). The low-speed return and recovery analysis is divided into parachute-type systems like those used for capsule recovery and airplane-type systems like the Space Shuttle Orbiter.
Amplification of 25-ps AlGaAs Laser Diode Pulses at 1kHz in Titanium-Doped Sapphire

Amplification of 25-ps diode laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate in Ti:Al2O3 is reported. The method of injection seeding is suggested to construct subpicosecond laser sources near 850 nm.
Principles and equations governing fluid flow and deformation

Introduction In this chapter we review the basic governing equations for fluid flow in permeable media. Our treatment is general and includes coupled deformation and fluid flow. Starting with the basic conservation laws we derive the pressure and transport equations for single phase and multiphase flow in porous media. We cover physical processes involving both miscible and immiscible displacements as well as mass transfer from compositional effects and present the equations describing these processes. We have included a fairly extensive discussion on the underlying principles behind elastic deformation and how the concepts carry over for modeling fluid flow in deformable porous media. We conclude the chapter with a discussion on poroelasticity and the associated equations for fluid flow in deformable porous matrix in the presence of one or more fluid phases. In summary, this chapter provides the foundation and notation for subsequent developments. However, in each of the subsequent chapters we will start with the relevant governing equations so the reader may comfortably skip this chapter and refer back to it as necessary. Underlying principles Motion, force, momentum, work, and energy At the most basic level there are the concepts of motion and force. We can all agree when an object is stationary with respect to a ‘stable’ reference point. First, define a reference point in a chosen coordinate system by x 0 and the position of our object in that coordinate system by the vector x . An object is considered stationary when its position relative to the reference point is unchanging, that is, x − x 0 = c , where c is a constant. Such a motionless object is termed static . An object in motion changes its position over time and one may think of the position vector as a function of time x ( t ). In order to describe the motion of an object with some precision we define the velocity of an object v ( t ), the rate of change of an object's position with time, formally defined as the limit where In addition, we also need a measure of the change of an object's velocity over time because the deviation from motion at a constant velocity is an important indicator that a force is pushing or pulling on the object, acting to change its motion.
If You Mobilize Them, They Will Become Informed: Experimental Evidence that Information Acquisition Is Endogenous to Costs and Incentives to Participate

Because non-voters are less politically informed than voters, some propose that increasing voter turnout would reduce the quality of information among the active voting population, damaging electoral outcomes. However, the proposed tradeoff between increased participation and informed participation is a false dichotomy. This article demonstrates that political information is endogenous to participation. A field experiment integrates an intensive mobilization treatment into a panel survey conducted before and after a city-wide election. Subjects who were mobilized to vote also became more informed about the content of the election. The results suggest institutions that encourage participation not only increase voter turnout – mobilizing electoral participation also motivates citizens to become more politically informed.
Tri-SedimentBot: An underwater sediment sampling robot

In this paper, we present Tri-SedimentBot (TSB), an underwater sediment sampling robot that uses combined rotation and linear motion to collect sediment. A main contribution of this system is a novel design for the sampling system that employs a dual-motion system with feedback control in order to maintain the stability of the TSB and the sediment collection method. We demonstrate the performance of the TSB with a set of experiments using both open and closed-loop control systems; experiments show that the TSB with closed-loop control system outperforms the TSB with open-loop control system.
Assessment of in-vehicle cellphone locations in influencing driving performance and distraction:

Along with the fast development of smart phone technology, increased in-vehicle cellphone usage has become a general trend. Although numerous research studies have been conducted investigating how ...
Methods for determining the optimal number of simultaneous contributors for multi-user CAD parts

ABSTRACTThe development of multi-user CAD (MUCAD) tools has opened up exciting new opportunities and applications. The capability for multiple users to simultaneously model and design a CAD part has far-reaching potential. However, many basic questions remains unanswered, such as how many users should work together on a given part. This research proposes and develops a set of methods to determine the optimal number of users for a given part within a MUCAD environment, based on the characteristics of the part itself. Two candidate models are evaluated with a set of 60 experiments with design teams composed of different numbers of users. The models show modest correlations with the test data while more-refined models are explored to improve predictive power. On the other hand, highly significant correlations between the ability to predict completion time and multi-user team size were identified in the experimental data. Observations regarding the speed and quality of MUCAD teams are also made with future ar...
Small Emitter Tips for Native Mass Spectrometry of Proteins and Protein Complexes from Nonvolatile Buffers That Mimic the Intracellular Environment

Salts are often necessary to maintain the native structures and functions of many proteins and protein complexes, but many buffers adversely affect protein analysis by native mass spectrometry (MS). Here, protein and protein complex ions are formed directly from a 150 mM KCl and 25 mM Tris-HCl buffer at pH 7 that is widely used in protein chemistry to mimic the intracellular environment. The protein charge-state distributions are not resolved from electrospray ionization MS using 1.6 μm diameter emitter tips, resulting in no mass information. In contrast, the charge-state distributions are well-resolved using 0.5 μm tips, from which the masses of proteins and protein complexes can be obtained. Adduction of salt to protein ions decreases with decreasing tip size below ∼1.6 μm but not above this size. This suggests that the mechanism for reducing salt adduction is the formation of small initial droplets with on average fewer than one protein molecule per droplet, which lowers the salt:protein ratio in dropl...
Retailer Television Advertising: A Content Analysis of the Informational Cues Used By Retailers—An Abstract

In 2011, retailers spent $6.7 billion on television advertising and over the last ten decades have maintained the number one or two spot for television advertising spending. Yet, the academic literature has focused on brands/product categories when conducting television advertising research and retailers have received little attention. The current study is an extension of Resnik and Sterns (1977) content analysis of TV advertising of brands to retailers. Their work has been replicated and extended but not with a sample which investigated retailers. Ailawadi et al. (2009) identified major differences in the goals, tools, and outcome measures used by retailers and manufacturers (brands). Thus, advertising strategies used by manufacturers should not be generalized to retailers and this research is needed to fill the gap. For this research, the sample contained ads from all goods-based retailers on the Leading 100 Advertisers’ List from 2011. This study analyzed the framing of the advertisement and the advertisement was the unit of measurement. Videos of commercials found on YouTube were viewed for the content analysis. All ads downloaded from YouTube were the same version, no extended versions, as the ad shown on TV. YouTube was chosen as the source of the ads since many companies are now uploading their TV commercials immediately to YouTube. Whereas Resnik and Stern (1977) found just less than half (49.2 %) of ads to contain at least one informational cue, in the current sample of 179 ads, only one ad would be considered non-informative since it was the only one without any informational cues. Additional analysis included determining which criteria were used and if specific retailer types were likely to use certain criteria more than others.
Genetic control of autophagy underlies pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Autophagy contributes to cellular homeostasis in the face of nutrient deprivation and other cellular stresses. Cell type-specific functions for autophagy are critical in maintaining homeostasis at both the tissue level and at the whole-organism level. Recent work has highlighted the ways in which human genetic variants modulate autophagy to alter epithelial and immune responses in inflammatory bowel disease.
Phase I/II multicenter study of phy906/capecitabine in hepatocellular carcinoma

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 4466 PHY906, prepared under GMP conditions, is a multi-herbal, 1700-year-old Chinese medicine formula with claims for the treatment of diarrhea, vomiting, noxia, stomach cramps, and fever. PHY906 was found to enhance the antitumor efficacy of capecitabine against HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) cells implanted in mice. Accordingly, a Phase I/II clinical study has been conducted with the combination of capecitabine and PHY906 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the Phase I study was to determine the safety and tolerability of the two-drug combination given on a 21-day course of treatment as follows: capecitabine - BID for 14 consecutive days then 1 week drug-free; PHY906 - BID on days 1-4 and 8-11. In addition to antitumor response, objectives of the Phase II study included assessment of patients’ quality of life (QoL). The Phase I/II study, begun November 2003, was a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation, safety and efficacy study of a fixed dose of capecitabine in combination with variable doses of PHY906. Four centers in the US and two in Taiwan were used. Patients were required to have measurable, recurrent, metastatic, or unresectable HCC, a Karnofsky status of 70% or above, adequate organ and hematological functions, and not to have had additional optimal chemotherapy regimens. Patients were considered evaluable after two cycles of treatment. The initial dose regimen (capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 BID; PHY906 1000 mg BID) was found to have unfavorable toxicities. Consequently, capecitabine was reduced to 750 mg/m2 BID and combined with PHY906 600 mg BID initially. Subsequently, a new cohort of 750 mg/m2 BID capecitabine plus 800 mg BID PHY906 was added. Both of the latter regimens were well tolerated (N=4 for PHY906 600 mg BID, N=26 for PHY906 800 mg BID). The Phase II study was conducted using the regimen of capecitabine 750 mg/m2 BID and PHY906 800 mg BID; it was completed in August, 2007. Thirty patients were evaluated, 27 at US sites and 3 at Taiwan sites. Three (10%) patients achieved minor response (MR), 15 (50%) had stable disease (SD), and 12 (40%) exhibited progressive disease after two cycles of treatment. Overall median survival time was 9.1 months. For Child-Pugh A patients (N=20), median survival time was 10.9 months. Asian patients had a higher overall 12-month survival rate than non-Asians. QoL data implied that the HCC patients’ quality of life does not deteriorate significantly during the combination therapy. Based on the median survival time and QoL data obtained with Child-Pugh A patients in this study, additional Phase II studies in which patients treated with the combination of capecitabine and PHY906 are compared to those treated with sorefinib (recently-approved for HCC treatment) appear warranted.
Binding of the Microbial Cyclic Tetrapeptide Trapoxin A to the Class I Histone Deacetylase HDAC8

Trapoxin A is a microbial cyclic tetrapeptide that is an essentially irreversible inhibitor of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs). The inhibitory warhead is the α,β-epoxyketone side-chain of (2S,9S)-2-amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoic acid (l-Aoe), which mimics the side-chain of the HDAC substrate acetyl-l-lysine. We now report the crystal structure of the HDAC8–trapoxin A complex at 1.24 A resolution, revealing that the ketone moiety of l-Aoe undergoes nucleophilic attack to form a zinc-bound tetrahedral gem-diolate that mimics the tetrahedral intermediate and its flanking transition states in catalysis. Mass spectrometry, activity measurements, and isothermal titration calorimetry confirm that trapoxin A binds tightly (Kd = 3 ± 1 nM) and does not covalently modify the enzyme, so the epoxide moiety of l-Aoe remains intact. Comparison of the HDAC8–trapoxin A complex with the HDAC6-HC toxin complex provides new insight regarding the inhibitory potency of l-Aoe-containing natural products against class I and...
Influence of multi-cycle loading on the structure and mechanics of marine mussel plaques

The proteinaceous byssal plaque-thread structures created by marine mussels exhibit extraordinary load-bearing capability. Although the nanoscopic protein interactions that support interfacial adhesion are increasingly understood, major mechanistic questions about how mussel plaques maintain toughness on supramolecular scales remain unanswered. This study explores the mechanical properties of whole mussel plaques subjected to repetitive loading cycles, with varied recovery times. Mechanical measurements were complemented with scanning electron microscopy to investigate strain-induced structural changes after yield. Multicyclic loading of plaques decreases their low-strain stiffness and introduces irreversible, strain-dependent plastic damage within the plaque microstructure. However, strain history does not compromise critical strength or maximum extension compared with plaques monotonically loaded to failure. These results suggest that a multiplicity of force transfer mechanisms between the thread and plaque-substrate interface allow the plaque-thread structure to accommodate a wide range of extensions as it continues to bear load. This improved understanding of the mussel system at micron-to-millimeter lengthscales offers strategies for including similar fail-safe mechanisms in the design of soft, tough and resilient synthetic structures.
Chi-Square Goodness-of-Fit Tests Based on Dependent Observations

An attempt has been made in this article to investigate the sampling properties of standard goodness-of-fit chi-square tests based on interdependent observations which are obtained from a strictly stationary and strong-mixing random process. We conclude that the null distributions of the test statistics are largely determined by the multivariate probability structure of the process. A few examples are used to illustrate this point.
Acute Exacerbation of Erythrodermic Psoriasis with Phototherapy: Pathophysiology and Results of a National Psoriasis Foundation Survey regarding Photo-Management of Erythrodermic Skin:

The phenomenon whereby phototherapy exacerbates instead of reduces intensely inflamed skin may be known to most, but not all, phototherapy providers. Furthermore, it has never been articulated or n...