cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The TBP–PP2A mitotic complex bookmarks genes by preventing condensin action

To maintain phenotypes of cell lineages, cells must 'remember' which genes were active before mitosis entry and transmit this information to their daughter cells so that expression patterns can be faithfully re-established in G1. This phenomenon is called gene bookmarking. However, during mitosis transcription ceases, most sequence-specific proteins dissociate from DNA and the chromatin is tightly compacted, making it difficult to understand how gene activity 'memory' is maintained through this stage of the cell cycle. A feature of gene bookmarking is that in mitotic cells, the promoters of formerly active genes lack compaction, but how compaction of these regions is inhibited is unknown. Here we show that during mitosis, TATA-binding protein (TBP), which remains bound to DNA during mitosis, recruits PP2A. TBP also interacts with condensin to allow efficient dephosphorylation and inactivation of condensin near these promoters to inhibit their compaction. Further, ChIP-on-chip data show that TBP is bound to many chromosomal sites during mitosis, and is higher in transcribed regions but low in regions containing pseudogenes and genes whose expression is tissue-restricted. These results suggest that TBP is involved not only in gene transcription during interphase but also in preserving the memory of gene activity through mitosis to daughter cells.
Optics matching schemes for linac-based light source

Abstract Despite its small average beam current limit, a linac has features that make it attractive as an X-ray source: high energy, ultra-low emittance and energy spread, and flexible beamline optics. Unlike a storage ring, in which an undulator radiation source necessarily is short and positioned at the electron beam waist, in a linac the undulator can be long and the electron beam can be adjustable to have a virtual waist far downstream towards the X-ray target to produce a convergent X-ray beam. Using a planned CEBAF beamline as an example, we show here that we can overcome a factor of 2000 in the beam current to produce a monochromatic hard X-ray source comparable with, or even exceeding, the performance of an X-ray line at a third-generation storage ring. Even with no monochromator, the X-ray energy bandwidth can be as small as 0.1%. We discuss the optimal conditions which produce maximum X-ray flux density by focusing the electron beam for twocases: one is based on the waist-at-target (WAT) scheme, while the other goes beyond the WAT scheme. Both cases were verified by simulations using the SRW code.
Liquid caustic ingestions: An in vitro study of the effects of buffer, neutralization, and dilution

Changes in pH and temperature of solutions of common commercial liquid caustics were determined in vitro following the addition of neutralizing agent, buffer, and diluent. Neutralization of strong base was complete following the addition of less than twice the volume of weak acid with only a minimal release of heat. Buffer added to a strong acid caused an immediate temperature elevation without changing the pH; a gradual rise in pH followed. Large volumes of diluent caused little change in temperature or pH of either strong base or strong acid. We conclude that dilution as a first-aid measure is ineffective, whereas buffer is ineffective and possibly harmful. Neutralization is effective in reversing pH change, but in vivo studies are needed to confirm the relative roles of pH extremes and heat in the genesis of tissue injury.
Our Preoccupation With Coronary Luminology The Dissociation Between Clinical and Angiographic Findings in Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract Nearly 40 years after its invention, the angiogram is still considered by most physicians to be the “gold standard” for defining coronary anatomy. Careful investigations have revealed many deficiencies inherent in this approach. The purpose of this article is to outline the evidence that our current preoccupation with coronary “luminology” may be misguided and to propose a rational paradigm for future practice and investigation. Angiography depicts coronary anatomy from a planar two-dimensional silhouette of the lumen. Angiography is limited in resolution to four or five line pairs per millimeter. Confounding factors include vessel tortuosity, overlap of structures, and the effects of lumen shape. After intervention, a hazy, broadened silhouette may overestimate the actual gain in lumen size. Studies show marked disparity between the apparent severity of lesions and their physiological effects. After myocardial infarction, cardiologists too often do not make an attempt to demonstrate the physiolo...
Vascular Calcification: Pathophysiology and Risk Factors

Vascular calcification can occur in nearly all arterial beds and in both the medial and intimal layers. The initiating factors and clinical consequences depend on the underlying disease state and location of the calcification. The best studied manifestation is coronary artery calcification, in part because of the obvious clinical consequences, but also because of CT-based imaging modalities. In the general population, the presence of coronary artery calcification increases cardiovascular risk above that predicted by traditional Framingham risk factors, suggesting the presence of nontraditional risk factors. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery calcification is more prevalent and markedly more severe than in the general population. In these CKD patients, nontraditional risk factors such as oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, and disordered mineral metabolism are also more prevalent and more severe and offer mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of vascular calcification.
Dielectric stack passivation on boron- and phosphorus-diffused surfaces and 20% efficient PERT cell on n-CZ silicon substrate

We present a surface passivation study of a B-diffused emitter and P-diffused back-surface field (BSF) of n-CZ Si substrates. The optimized passivation layers are subsequently incorporated into a 20%-efficient passivated emitter, rear totally-diffused (PERT) cell with V oc of 672 mV. On the P-diffused, concentrated KOH-planarized BSF side, we compare different passivating plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) SiN x layer compositions. We demonstrate that a favorable combination of best passivation quality is achieved by a stack of thermal oxide grown at ∼700°C, followed by a bilayer SiN x , consisting of stoichiometric PECVD nitride and capped with Si-rich nitride, or H-dilution nitride. The stack results in surface passivation quality of J o ∼ 17 fA/cm2 for bilayer SiN x and 14 fA/cm2 for H-SiN x on lightly P-doped BSF, and is very resistive to HF-containing wet etches. Surface preparation, deposition parameters, and post-growth annealing collaborate to define the effectiveness of the passivation. Their optimization is critical for integration of SiN x :H into our high-efficiency solar cells. On the B-diffused textured emitter side, we use atomic layer deposition (ALD)-deposited Al 2 O 3 for surface passivation and low-temperature stoichiometric PECVD SiN x for the anti-reflection coating. We discuss deposition conditions and thermal treatments for both ALD Al 2 O 3 and PECVD nitride that result in the optimized passivation resulting in J o ∼ 52 fA/cm2 and that prevent the blistering of the film.
Generalizations of the Bellavitis partition identities

Abstract Let p = p(a, b, c) be the number of partitions of a into b parts, no part exceeding c. Bellavitis and perhaps some earlier writers noted that p satisfies three very simple identities. Here p is generalized to a function of k + 1 variables in a natural way. One of the identities then generalizes; the proof of this (which depends on the P. Hall commutator collecting process) is given only for k = 3.
Falling in love with style: Expressive functions of stylistic shifts in a Japanese television drama series

This study analyzes the emotive meanings of three strategies - vocatives/reference forms, desu/masu versus da verb forms, and the use and non-use of the interactional particle yo -in a particular Mode of Japanese discourse. The research site is a television drama series, Majo no Jooken (Conditions of a Witch), that depicts a forbidden love affair. With the chronological development of the relationship between the two main characters in focus, the stylistic shift observed in these strategies is understood in terms of different expressive functions, and as a means for presenting different aspects of selves. The analysis is conducted adopting advanced methodologies in conversation analysis and discourse analysis. This study reveals not only that emotion is imbued and omnipresent in language and interaction, but also and more importantly, that linguistic strategy such as stylistic shift expresses changing emotions between the characters, and, in particular, that stylistic shift indexes changing degrees of intimacy.
Terahertz Spectroscopy of Bacteriorhodopsin and Rhodopsin: Similarities and Differences

We studied the low-frequency terahertz spectroscopy of two photoactive protein systems, rhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin, as a means to characterize collective low-frequency motions in helical transmembrane proteins. From this work, we found that the nature of the vibrational motions activated by terahertz radiation is surprisingly similar between these two structurally similar proteins. Specifically, at the lowest frequencies probed, the cytoplasmic loop regions of the proteins are highly active; and at the higher terahertz frequencies studied, the extracellular loop regions of the protein systems become vibrationally activated. In the case of bacteriorhodopsin, the calculated terahertz spectra are compared with the experimental terahertz signature. This work illustrates the importance of terahertz spectroscopy to identify vibrational degrees of freedom which correlate to known conformational changes in these proteins.
Prevalence of Specific Language Impairment in Kindergarten Children

This epidemiologic study estimated the prevalence of specific language impairment (SLI) in monolingual English-speaking kindergarten children. From a stratified cluster sample in rural, urban, and ...
Effect of Ice Growth Rate on the Measured Workman−Reynolds Freezing Potential between Ice and Dilute NaCl Solutions

Workman−Reynolds freezing potentials have been measured across the interface between ice and dilute NaCl solutions as a function of ice growth rate for three salt concentrations. Growth rates of up to 40 μm·s−1 are used, and it is found that the measured voltage peaks at rates of ∼25 μm·s−1. Our initial results indicate that the freezing potential can be used as a probe into various aspects of the DC electrical resistance of ice as a function of variables such as salt concentration.
Metal edge coverage and control of charge accumulation in RF sputtered insulators

The successful application of rf sputtered SiO2 in the passivation of silicon semiconductor devices depends in part on the proper control of ionic charge migration in the insulator during sputtering, and on the adequate coverage of metal line edges by the insulator. It is shown that an appropriate combination of target purity, substrate temperature control and phosphosilicate blocking layer thickness can be used to achieve ionic charge densities at the silicon-SiO2 interface of less than 1 × 1012, charges per square centimeter. The effects of argon ion bombardment are shown to be acceptably low for typical operating conditions. In a conventional system, the adequate coverage of metal line edges is shown to be influenced primarily by argon pressure and magnetic field. In a special system where the substrate potential can be varied, it has been shown that adequate edge coverage can be obtained at sufficiently negative potentials. These data are consistent with a mechanism requiring some resputtering to obtain the desired film coverage.
Suppression of the periodontopathic microflora in localized juvenile periodontitis by systemic tetracycline

Since recent studies have implicated Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in the etiology of localized juvenile periodontitis, this investigation determined the effectiveness of subgingival debridement, topical Betadine Solution, and systemic tetracycline in suppressing subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans and other microorganisms. A total of 20 deep periodontal pockets and 10 normal periodontal sites of 6 localized juvenile periodontitis patients was included in the study. Each patient was treated in 3 stages over a period of 22 weeks, and the result of treatment was monitored for an additional 38 weeks. The first stage of treatment included plaque control, as well as thorough scaling and root planing, composed of at least 6 h of debridement. No concomitant periodontal surgery was performed. In the second stage, Betadine saturated cotton gauze was inserted into the periodontal pockets for 10 min. Stage 3 involved systemic tetracycline therapy (1 g/day) for 14 days. The subgingival microflora was determined at frequent intervals by selective culturing of A. actinomycetemcomitans and Capnocytophaga and by direct microscopic examination. The clinical effect was assessed by measuring changes in probing periodontal attachment level, probing periodontal pocket depth, radiographic alveolar bone mass, and other relevant clinical parameters. Scaling and root planing reduced the total subgingival bacterial counts and the proportions of certain Gram-negative bacteria, but no periodontal pocket became free of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Betadine application had little or no effect on the subgingival microflora. In contrast, tetracycline administered via the systemic route suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga, and spirochetes to low or undetectable levels in all test periodontal pockets. A. actinomycetemcomitans reappeared in 9 of the deep periodontal pockets after the administration of tetracycline. Most of these 9 pockets became free of detectable A. actinomycetemcomitans during the second week of tetracycline administration, whereas pockets which yielded no A. actinomycetemcomitans after tetracycline therapy became free of the organisms during the first week of tetracycline treatment. This data suggests that systemic tetracycline therapy of localized juvenile periodontitis should, as a practical rule, be continued for 3 weeks. Periodontal destruction continued in 4 deep pockets which all showed high posttetracycline A. actinomycetemcomitans counts. All 6 pockets which demonstrated a marked gain in periodontal attachment yielded no cultivable A. actinomycetemcomitans. No association was found between periodontal disease status and subgingival Capnocytophaga, spirochetes or motile rods. The present study indicates that A. actinomycetemcomitans is an important etiologic agent in localized juvenile periodontitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Motivational Dynamics of Disadvantaged Women

Two hundred and five disadvantaged women completed standardized psychometric inventories (Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Motivation Analysis Test, Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Internal-External Control Scale, Work Attitude Scale) and a structured interview (attitude-value, activity. Jife concerns items). Factor analysis was used to organize these data; correlational analyses indicated that the inventory and interview dimensions tapped essentially independent aspects within the total motivation domain. Compared with inventory norms, these women exhibited torpidity and submissiveness, depressed motivation, poor self-esteem, but positive work attitudes. Differences between dichotomous subgroups defined by six major demographic variables were consistent with previous literature; the most salient pattern of subgroup differences showed that black, less intelligent, and less educated women were less positive toward work and more externally oriented. In sum, these women appeared resigned and lethargic...
Reproduction at an advanced maternal age and maternal health

Advanced age is a risk factor for female infertility, pregnancy loss, fetal anomalies, stillbirth, and obstetric complications. These concerns are based on centuries-old observations, yet women are delaying childbearing to pursue educational and career goals in greater numbers than ever before. As a result, reproductive medicine specialists are treating more patients with age-related infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, while obstetricians are faced with managing pregnancies often complicated by both age and comorbidities. The media portrayal of a youthful but older woman, able to schedule her reproductive needs and balance family and job, has fueled the myth that "you can have it all," rarely characterizing the perils inherent to advanced-age reproduction. Reproductive medicine specialists and obstetrician/gynecologists should promote more realistic views of the evidence-based realities of advanced maternal age pregnancy, including its high-risk nature and often compromised outcomes. Doctors should also actively educate both patients and the public that there is a real danger of childlessness if individuals choose to delay reproduction.
Ethical Issues in the Design and Use of Internet-Based Career Assessment.

The availability of career assessment on the Internet has led to many potential benefits for the general public and for career service practitioners. However, many potential problems also exist in terms of the design and use of Internet-based resources and services. This article discusses the ethical issues which may impact the way in which individuals and counselors access and use assessments offered via the Internet. Recommendations are offered for improving the effectiveness of Internet-based career assessment, in terms of needs for research and development, training, standards development and revision, and stable funding for the development of quality assessments. It is hoped that practitioners, test developers, and policy makers will become more aware of the issues involved and what they can do to maximize the potential benefits and minimize the potential problems associated with Internet-based career assessment.
National trends in utilization and outcomes of antireflux surgery.

Background: Studies examining the outcomes of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have consisted primarily of case series. We sought to assess trends in both utilization and outcomes of antireflux surgery from a national perspective. Methods: Using ICD-9 codes, we identified all antireflux procedures (N = 24,208) performed on adults from 1990 to 1997 in hospitals participating in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States. Using sampling weights and U.S. Census data, we then calculated the national population-based rate of antireflux surgery for each year and examined secular trends in utilization, in-hospital mortality, splenectomy (a technical complication), and length of hospital stay. Using a coding algorithm, we also assessed trends in the proportion of procedures performed via the laparoscopic, open abdominal, and thoracic approaches. Results: From 1990 to 1997, the population-based annual rate of antireflux surgery increased from 4.4 to 12.0 per 100,000 adults. A substantial increase in utilization was observed from 1993 to 1995, but annual rates before and after this period were relatively stable. Between 1990 and 1997, in-hospital surgical mortality decreased from 1.2% to 0.5% (p = 0.002), splenectomy rates decreased from 3.9% to 1.5% (p < 0.001), and median length of stay decreased from 7 to 2 days (p < 0.01). The proportion of antireflux procedures performed laparoscopically increased from 0.5% to 64% (p < 0.001), and the proportion of procedures performed using a thoracic approach decreased from 12% to 1% (p < 0.001).' Conclusions: With the dissemination of the laparoscopic approach, the population-based rate of antireflux surgery has more than doubled. At the same time, operative mortality and splenectomy risks have diminished.
Gas breakdown with nanosecond CO2 laser radiation

The thresholds for CO2 laser induced breakdown and their variation with pulse width have been measured at various pressures for Ar, N2 and an 8/1/1 laser mixture of He/CO2/N2 using 3–40 ns duration pulses. These measurements indicate that excited state production plays a dominant role in determining the threshold for nanosecond duration pulses. This has been confirmed by the good agreement obtained between the measured and theoretical thresholds.
Coronal heating by the phase mixing of individual pulses propagating in coronal holes

The propagation of Alfvenic pulses into an inhomogeneous model of a coronal hole is investigated. It is demonstrated that the standard exponential damping of a harmonically generated wavetrain, due to phase mixing, is replaced by a slower algebraic damping when individual pulses are considered, suggesting that pulses will transport energy higher into the corona than a wavetrain. In addition, the initial shape of the pulse is rapidly transformed into a travelling Gaussian pulse. When two pulses of opposite sign travelling in the same direction are generated, the pulses diffuse into each other and the decay of the amplitude is faster, although still algebraic.
Ice particle concentrations in clouds

Abstract Measurements and observations have been made on the development of ice in 90 cumulus (cumulus and cumulonimbus) and 72 stratiform (altocumulus, altostratus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus, and stratus) clouds. Ice particle concentrations significantly in excess of those to be expected from ice nucleus measurements (i.e., ice enhancement) were measured in 42 of the cumuliform and 36 of the stratiform clouds. For the complete data set, and for cloud top temperatures (TT) between −6° and −32°C, the maximum concentrations of ice particles (Imax in L−1) in the clouds were essentially independent of TT(r=0.32). However, Imax was strongly dependent on the broadness of the cloud droplet size distribution near cloud top. If the breadth of the droplet size distribution is measured by DT, such that the cumulative concentration of droplets with diameters ≥DT exceeds a prescribed value, then for −32≤TT≤−6°C:where n=8.4 and DO=18.5 μm for the cumuliform clouds and n=6.6 and DO=19.4 μm for the stratiform clouds. W...
The non-existence of odd primary Arf invariant elements in stable homotopy

In this paper we will show that certain elements of order p ( p an odd prime) on the 2-line of the Adams-Novikov spectral sequence support non-trivial differentials and therefore do not detect elements in the stable homotopy groups of spheres. These elements are analogous to the so-called Arf invariant elements of order 2, hence the title. However, it is evident that the methods presented here do not extend to the prime 2.
A Model of Short-Run Bank Behavior

I. Recent literature, 97.—II. The business of banking and the adjustment gap, 99.—III. The model, 101.—IV. Empirical results, 109.—V. Conclusions, 117.
Trace amine associated receptor 1 modulates behavioral effects of ethanol.

Background: Few treatment options for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) exist and more are critically needed. Here, we assessed whether trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), a modulator of brain monoamine systems, is involved in the behavioral and reinforcement-related effects of ethanol and whether it could potentially serve as a therapeutic target. Methods: Wild-type (WT) and TAAR1 knockout (KO) mice (75% C57J/BL6 and 25% 129S1/Sv background) were compared in tests of ethanol consumption (two-bottle choice [TBC]), motor impairment (loss of righting reflex, [LORR], locomotor activity) and ethanol clearance (blood ethanol level [BEL]). Results: As compared with WT mice, KO mice displayed (1) significantly greater preference for and consumption of ethanol in a TBC paradigm (3%–11% vol/vol escalating over 10 weeks), with no significant difference observed in TBC with sucrose (1%–3%); (2) significantly greater sedative-like effects of acute ethanol (2.0 or 2.5 g/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) manifested as LORR observed at a lower dose and for longer time, with similar BELs and rates of ethanol clearance; and (3) lower cumulative locomotor activity over 60 minutes in response to an acute ethanol challenge (1.0–2.5 g/kg, i.p.). Conclusions: The present findings are the first to implicate TAAR1 in the behavioral and reinforcement-related effects of ethanol and raise the question of whether specific drugs that target TAAR1 could potentially reduce alcohol consumption in humans with AUDs.
If It's Difficult to Pronounce, It Must Be Risky Fluency, Familiarity, and Risk Perception

Low processing fluency fosters the impression that a stimulus is unfamiliar, which in turn results in perceptions of higher risk, independent of whether the risk is desirable or undesirable. In Studies 1 and 2, ostensible food additives were rated as more harmful when their names were difficult to pronounce than when their names were easy to pronounce; mediation analyses indicated that this effect was mediated by the perceived novelty of the substance. In Study 3, amusement-park rides were rated as more likely to make one sick (an undesirable risk) and also as more exciting and adventurous (a desirable risk) when their names were difficult to pronounce than when their names were easy to pronounce.
Modulation of cardiac Na+,K+-ATPase cell surface abundance by simulated ischemia-reperfusion and ouabain preconditioning.

Na+,K+-ATPase and cell survival were investigated in a cellular model of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury and protection by ouabain-induced preconditioning (OPC). Rat neonatal cardiac myocytes were subjected to 30 min of substrate and coverslip-induced ischemia followed by 30 min of simulated reperfusion. This significantly compromised cell viability as documented by lactate dehydrogenase release and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Total Na+,K+-ATPase α1- and α3-polypeptide expression remained unchanged, but cell surface biotinylation and immunostaining studies revealed that α1-cell surface abundance was significantly decreased. Na+,K+-ATPase-activity in crude homogenates and 86Rb+ transport in live cells were both significantly decreased by about 30% after I/R. OPC, induced by a 4-min exposure to 10 μM ouabain that ended 8 min before the beginning of ischemia, increased cell viability in a PKCe-dependent manner. This was comparable with the protective effect of OPC previously reported in intact heart preparations. OPC prevented I/R-induced decrease of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and surface expression. This model also revealed that Na+,K+-ATPase-mediated 86Rb+ uptake was not restored to control levels in the OPC group, suggesting that the increased viability was not conferred by an increased Na+,K+-ATPase-mediated ion transport capacity at the cell membrane. Consistent with this observation, transient expression of an internalization-resistant mutant form of Na+,K+-ATPase α1 known to have increased surface abundance without increased ion transport activity successfully reduced I/R-induced cell death. These results suggest that maintenance of Na+,K+-ATPase cell surface abundance is critical to myocyte survival after an ischemic attack and plays a role in OPC-induced protection. They further suggest that the protection conferred by increased surface expression of Na+,K+-ATPase may be independent of ion transport.
The Economic History of India 1857–1947 . By Tirthankar Roy. New Delhi: Oxford University Press India, 2001. Pp. xvi, 318. £16.99.

As Tirthankar Roy explains in his preface, this book “aims to be no more than an updated and shorter version of the Cambridge Economic History of India, Vol. II” (henceforth CEHI), one that will provide an accessible textbook on the economic history of colonial India for the compulsory course in the subject in most Indian universities. In this task he has been successful. Instead of ploughing through the detailed chapters of the otherwise indispensable CEHI, students—and their teachers—now have a useful educational aid which summarizes the latest research by economic historians of India.
The relationship between muscle and balance performance as a function of age

Abstract: Aging is associated with decreases in strength and muscle mass. In addition, the ability to maintain balance decreases with age. Few studies have examined the relationship between isokinetic muscle performance and balance performance. It was the purpose of this study to determine if there is a relationship between muscle and balance performance, and to discover how this relationship is affected by age. Fifty-five healthy females were recruited from two different age groups, 28 females who were 18-30 years of age {mean age = 22.9 years ( ± 3.4), height = 163.5 cm (±6.5), weight = 64.8 kg (± 15.7)) and 26 females who were > 60 years of age {mean age = 68.1 years (+ 4.8), height = 159.7 cm (± 10.0), weight = 68.0 kg (± 11.4)1. Concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle performance for the hip, knee, and ankle was measured using the KinCom isokinetic dynamometer. Balance performance was measured using the sharpened Romberg and one-legged stance tests. Younger subjects performed significantly better than older subjects on all muscle and balance performance variables (P = 0.05 to P = 0.0001), except the sharpened Romberg test with the eyes open. The older group exhibited significant relationships between balance and muscle performance measures (r — 0.10 to r — 0.57). In the older group, hip muscle performance was shown to correlate significantly better with balance performance than knee or ankle muscle performance. Also noted was a significantly greater relationship between muscle performance and balance performance with the eyes closed in the older group, as compared to the younger group. This is the first study known to thoroughly examine the relationship between muscle and balance performance. The presence of significant relationships warrants further examination. It is recommended that this relationship be examined in a broad spectrum of young, old, healthy and disabled populations.
Production and performance of a Photosystem I-based solar cell using nano-columnar TiO 2

To meet the world's growing energy demands in a renewable and cost-effective manner, Photosystem I has been studied as a model for solar energy capture. Previous work has demonstrated the ability to construct low cost biohybrid solar cells using Photosystem I and specialty surfactants onto metal oxide surfaces. Electrospray deposition has also been used for adsorption of plant proteins onto metal oxide surfaces. Attachment of Photosystem I onto nanostructured materials increases the surface area and activity of biohybrid solar cells. Recent work has shown that Photosystem I can be attached to metal oxide surfaces without using linkers and maintain high current density. However, the current density of the surface decreases over the course of weeks (unpublished data). This work investigated the performance of Photosystem I-based solar cells manufactured using electrospray deposition. Photosystem I was successfully deposited onto metal oxide surfaces, and current densities of up to 6.84 mA/cm2 were measured. Different amounts of protein were deposited and the solar performance was tested for each cell. It was shown that very small and very large amounts of PS I increase the current density, but there is an intermediate regime where performance drops. This intermediate regime was attributed to a shading effect of the protein on the surface and self-assembly effects of the protein on the surface.
Arms Transfers beyond the State-to-State Realm

Arms transfers beyond the state-to-state realm can have harmful effects for international security dramatically affecting the relations and behavior of states. This article examines why an emerging international norm on “prohibiting states to transfer arms to nonstate groups” has failed to diffuse at the international level. It discusses the already available international law framework existing at the regional and international levels upon which the potential norm could be built. The failure of the norm to diffuse at the international level can be primarily explained by the existence of a long-consolidated norm: the customary practice of states to transfer weapons to nonstate actors, that is, groups they deem legitimate to, without any interference or constraint.[1][1] The unrestrained transfer of weapons is an established foreign-policy practice. It is the way states form, uphold alliances, extend friendships, and build spheres of influence ([Sorokin 1994][2]). Clearly, no state willingly wants to give this up. Therefore, the multilateral agreement on a norm barring most or all transfers of weapons to nonstate actors would curtail the freedom of action to build spheres of influence as states please. There are genuine ethical and moral dilemmas in this discussion, a nonstate actor may be a freedom fighter or a terrorist depending on different perspectives. The distinction between the categories “state” and “nonstate” actors may risk classifying actors in two camps: the good and the bad, respectively. This is problematic as a few states are known to be the most brutal perpetrators of egregious violations against their own citizens, whereas certain nonstate actors are legitimately fighting for the protection of vulnerable populations. [1]: #fn-2 [2]: #ref-31
Ultrasound catheter for microbubble based drug delivery

An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter was designed to guide and locally deliver microbubbles carrying therapeutic agents. Optimal insonation parameters were determined by modeling microbubble translational displacements using the coupled 1D Rayleigh-Plesset and Drag-displacement equations. A transducer assembly was designed based on the results of microbubble simulations and a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Model. The transducer components were fabricated then assembled into a 1.4 mm (OD) catheter tube. Hydrophone tests were performed to measure transducer output and the resulting output was compared to the FEA model. The final catheter was tested for gene delivery effectiveness by transfecting cells with a cytomegalovirus - plasmid kinase (CMV-PK) Red plasmid DNA. Wall-less flow phantom experiments were also performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of translating microbubbles across a vessel using ultrasound radiation force by measuring change in image intensity of a B-mode scan of the vessel. The resulting change in image intensity was approximately 15 dB. A follow-up experiment with the wall-less flow phantom was performed where microbubbles were initially translated and then burst, resulting in an intensity change of up to 12 dB and then a decrease after destruction back down to 0 dB.
Inhibition of ERK1/2 and Activation of LXR Synergistically Reduce Atherosclerotic Lesions in ApoE-Deficient Mice

Objective—Activation of liver X receptor (LXR) inhibits atherosclerosis but induces hypertriglyceridemia. In vitro, it has been shown that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) inhibitor synergizes LXR ligand–induced macrophage ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux. In this study, we determined whether MEK1/2 (U0126) and LXR ligand (T0901317) can have a synergistic effect on the reduction of atherosclerosis while eliminating LXR ligand–induced fatty livers and hypertriglyceridemia. We also set out to identify the cellular mechanisms of the actions. Approach and Results—Wild-type mice were used to determine the effect of U0126 on a high-fat diet or high-fat diet plus T0901317-induced transient dyslipidemia and liver injury. ApoE deficient (apoE−/−) mice or mice with advanced lesions were used to determine the effect of the combination of T0901317 and U0126 on atherosclerosis and hypertriglyceridemia. We found that U0126 protected animals against T0901317-induced transient or long-term hepa...
CO2 concentration and pH alters subsurface microbial ecology at reservoir temperature and pressure

The security of long-term CO2 storage following geologic carbon sequestration may be impacted by biogeochemical reactions in the formation; yet little understanding exists about the impact of CO2 gradients on microorganisms that drive biogeochemistry in the deep subsurface. The effect of CO2 gradients on the microbial community from a brine aquifer was examined at reservoir pressure (14 MPa) and temperature (40 °C). The community was exposed to pCO2 at 0, 0.1, 1.4 and 14 MPa for up to 56 days and was examined using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and qPCR. Diversity indices (equitability) were also determined. In addition, the effect of lowered pH without CO2 exposure was examined. Exposure to CO2 resulted in a decrease in microbial diversity and a decrease in 16S rRNA gene concentrations. After 56 days, no 16S genes were recovered following exposure to 1.4 MPa pCO2 or greater. Exposure to 0.1 MPa pCO2 resulted in 16S gene concentrations an order of magnitude less than 0 MPa pCO2. The equitability of 0 MPa exposure (0.54) decreased with 0.1 MPa exposure to 0.29. Microbial community with the lowered pH (pH = 4.4) and 0 MPa pCO2 resulted in 5 orders of magnitude increased 16S gene concentration than reactors with CO2 exposure, indicating that CO2 was detrimental independent of pH. This suggests that even buffered reservoirs may have a decreased microbial population due to injected CO2. Halotolerant strains Halomonas and Marinobacter appeared to be the most tolerant to CO2 exposure and decreased pH. This is the first study to examine the initial microbial community response to a gradient of CO2 that would follow geologic carbon sequestration.
Identification of Aroma Compounds in Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese by Gas Chromatography/Olfactometry

The volatile compounds in Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese were isolated by solvent extraction/high vacuum distillation, followed by separation into acidic, basic, water-soluble, and neutral fractions. The neutral fraction was further fractionated by a normal-phase liquid chromatography. Aroma compounds were identified using gas chromatography/Osme-mass spectrometry and confirmed with retention index of standards. Butanoic, hexanoic, octanoic, and decanoic acids are the major free fatty acids contributing to cheesy, lipolyzed aroma. Ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl propanoate, ethyl pentanoate, ethyl heptanoate, and ethyl decanoate are the major esters contributing to fruity aroma. 2-Methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, 2,4-hexadienal, 2-butenal, pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, diacetyl, phenylacetaldehyde, dimethyltrisulfide, and methional were identified to be odor-active. It was found that 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethyl-pyrazine, 2,5-dimethyl-3-ethylpyrazine, trimethyl-pyrazine, 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine, 2,3-dimethyl-5-ethylpyrazine, 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-ethyl-pyrazine, furfural, and 2-furanmethanol contribute to the nutty, roasted aroma in this cheese.
Maximal Rank Minimum Aberration Foldover Plans for 2 m-k Fractional Factorial Designs

Two level regular fractional factorial designs are often used in industry as screening designs to help identify early on in an experimental process those experimental or system variables which have significant effects on the process being studied. In a recent paper, Li and Lin (2003) suggested a strategy for constructing optimal follow up designs using the well known foldover technique and the minimum aberration criterion. In this paper, we extend the results of Li and Lin (2003) by giving an alternate technique for constructing optimal follow up designs using the foldover technique in conjunction with the maximal rank–minimum aberration criterion suggested in Jacroux (2003).
A Novel Broadband Even-Mode Matching Network for Marchand Baluns

In this paper, we present the development of an even-mode matching network for a Marchand balun to achieve 50-? match and high isolation at the balanced ports. A very wide matching bandwidth can be accomplished with the novel addition of an open-circuit stub to the network. Experimental results demonstrate that the even-mode matched balun achieves return losses that are greater than 15 dB at the balanced ports from 6 to 17 GHz. The measured isolation between the balanced ports is greater than 15 dB from 4 to 19 GHz. For the unbalanced port, the return loss is greater than 15 dB from 4 to 19 GHz. The measured insertion loss is less than 1 dB, and amplitude and phase imbalances are ±0.5 dB and ±5° from 4 to 18 GHz, respectively.
CAM-8: a computer architecture based on cellular automata

The maximum computational density allowed by the laws of physics is available only in a format that mimics the basic spatial locality of physical law. Fine-grained uniform computations with this kind of local interconnectivity (Cellular Automata) are particularly good candidates for efficient and massive microphysical implementation.
The Structure of Cloud Data Centers

In previous chapters we looked at cloud computing from the outside; here, we will do so from the inside, within the data center. We focus on some well-known cloud components in enough detail to appreciate the basic ideas, why they work (and when they might not work), and we will speculate a bit about how they might be generalized for use in other settings.
Hybrid micellar network hydrogels of thermosensitive ABA triblock copolymer and polymer brush-grafted nanoparticles: Effect of LCST transition of polymer brushes on gel property

Abstract This article presents a study of the effect of LCST transition of polymer brushes on properties of hybrid micellar network hydrogels of a thermosensitive ABA triblock copolymer and polymer brush-grafted nanoparticles (hairy NPs) with NPs initially residing outside the core of micelles. Four batches of thermosensitive polymer brush-grafted, 20 nm silica NPs with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) and a thermosensitive ABA triblock copolymer composed of a poly(ethylene oxide) central block and thermosensitive outer blocks (ABA-N) were prepared. The LCSTs of hairy NPs were significantly higher than the critical micellization temperature of ABA-N, resulting in the NPs being initially located outside the core of micelles. The effects of LCST transition of hairy NPs and NP-to-polymer mass ratio on properties of hybrid micellar hydrogels of ABA-N with a concentration of 10 wt% and hairy NPs were investigated by rheological measurements. For all hybrid hydrogels studied in this work, the dynamic storage modulus G′ exhibited a sharp increase on top of a plateau that was forming in the heating ramp at a temperature corresponding to the LCST transition of hairy NPs. This phenomenon was caused by the collapse of the brushes on NPs triggering the absorption of thermosensitive outer blocks of ABA-N molecules in the dangling and loop forms and the reorganization of the 3-D gel network structure, which increased the density of bridging chains and thus the G′. This explanation was supported by the results from fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies. The maximum values of G′ (G′max) of the gels containing higher LCST hairy NPs were noticeably lower compared with the gels with lower LCST hairy NPs and the gel with no NPs. The G′max of all hybrid hydrogels decreased gradually with the increase of the NP-to-polymer ratio.
Social Movement Locals: Modal Member Structures*

ating ends of social movements. Despite their obvious importance to the analysis of movements, little attention has been given them and we seek to remedy this neglect. In surveying the literature, we have asked: What is the "modal member" of the movement organization local actually doing most of the time and what portion of her or his round of life is organized by it? So viewed, movement locals exhibit six basic patterns of construction and modal membership. These are listed and the simplest of them-the association sustained by volunteers-is analyzed in terms of its own forms of organization: the study group, fellowship, congregation, sect, and cell. Implications for the broader study of social movements are drawn out. Students of religious and political movement organizations (RMOs and PMOs, in the current jargon) are making notable progress in understanding a number of important questions about them, including why and how people join and leave them, how resources are aggregated or mobilized by them, and how environmental factors shape their founding, proliferation, and decline. (Recent surveys of the literature on these and other key questions include Jenkins, 1983; Wood and Jackson, 1982; Zurcher and Snow, 1981). 1. Movement Organizations as Structures
Anastomotic infections in lung transplant recipients.

Objectives Anastomotic infections are an uncommon but potentially devastating complication after lung transplantation. The incidence, microbiology, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes of anastomotic infections have not been well described. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of the first 283 lung or heart-lung transplant recipients performed at Duke University Medical Center and identified all cases of anastomotic infection. Results Fifteen patients (5.3%) developed anastomotic infections. Aspergillus caused infection in six patients, Candida in eight patients and Staphylococcus aureus in one patient. Bilateral or right lung transplantation and the use of induction immunosuppression with monoclonoal or polyclonal antibodies are associated with a higher incidence of anastomotic infections. All patients with fungal anastomotic infections were treated with a combination of systemic and inhaled antifungal agents. All patients had improvement of their anastomotic sites after treatment and no patients developed anastomotic dehiscence. Conclusions Anastomotic infection is an infrequent complication after lung transplantation, and is caused predominately by fungal pathogens. In contrast to previous reports, anastomotic dehiscence did not occur in any patient in our series. Treatment with the combination of inhaled and systemic antimicrobial agents may have favorably affected clinical outcomes.
Soft Direct-Adaptive Turbo Equalization for MIMO underwater acoustic communications

A Soft Direct-Adaptive Turbo Equalization (Soft DA-TEQ) is proposed for robust MIMO UWA communications. The proposed Soft DA-TEQ is derived under on the general frame of Expectation Maximization (E.M.) algorithm, which utilize the a priori soft decisions from the decoder to direct the equalizer's coefficients adaptation. The a priori soft decisions directed adaptation effectively lower the error propagation, which often cause catastrophic performance degradation in Hard DA-TEQ. Besides, in each iteration of the E.M. based soft adaption, the reliability of the symbol estimation is updated and used in the next iteration of soft adaption, which further enhances the convergence of the DA-TEQ. Experimental results show that the proposed Soft DA-TEQ is capable of robust detection in fast time varying MIMO UWA channels, even with low pilot overhead.
The Jamarri Silver Technique: A New Staining Modification for Senile Plaques and Neurofibrillary Tangles

A rapid, economical, and simple silver modification, the Jamarri silver technique, has been developed for senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles using a 10% aqueous solution of silver nitrate. It has applications in both the clinical and research areas of histotechnology, for it may be used on a single slide or a rack of 30 slides.
Study on dynamic diffusion characteristics of methane in coal matrix

The approach to modeling coal matrix methane transport is based upon the solution to Fick's first law or Fick's second law.This paper presents an experimental method for determining diffusivities from high-pressure methane adsorption-desorption volumetric isotherm data.The numerical model of this method is based on Fick's second law for spherically symmetric flow.The example of this measurement method is given through Jincheng's coal sample.The result shows that adsorption-rate is consistent with desorption-rate,both increasing with pressure.