cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficiency impact of MOSFET output junction capacitance on a high step down ratio phase shift full bridge DC/DC converter

In this paper, the design of a high step down ratio (66∶1) phase shift full bridge (PSFB) DC/DC converter used for data center power supplies in terms of primary side MOSFETs selection is covered. A detailed analysis of the converter's operation considering the impact of the output junction capacitance of primary side MOSFETs on the current RMS value has been performed. The study shows that a smaller output junction capacitance will lead to a smaller RMS current value on both primary and secondary side. For the high step down phase shift full bridge converter, transformer winding loss is the dominant loss; the reduction of current through the transformer will lead to a higher efficiency of the whole converter. This phenomenon is observed in experimental waveforms, and its impact on the converter's efficiency is also validated through experiment.
Identification and Characterization of a FcR Homolog in an Ectothermic Vertebrate, the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

An FcR homolog (IpFcRI), representing the first such receptor from an ectothermic vertebrate, has been identified in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Mining of the catfish expressed sequence tag databases using mammalian FcR sequences for CD16, CD32, and CD64 resulted in the identification of a teleost Ig-binding receptor. IpFcRI is encoded by a single-copy gene containing three Ig C2-like domains, but lacking a transmembrane segment and cytoplasmic tail. The encoded Ig domains of IpFcRI are phylogenetically and structurally related to mammalian FcR and the presence of a putative Fc-binding region appears to be conserved. IpFcRI-related genomic sequences are also present in both pufferfish and rainbow trout, indicating the likely presence of a soluble FcR in other fish species. Northern blot and qualitative PCR analyses demonstrated that IpFcRI is primarily expressed in IgM-negative leukocytes derived from the lymphoid kidney tissues and PBL. Significantly lower levels of IpFcRI expression were detected in catfish clonal leukocyte cell lines. Using the native leader, IpFcRI was secreted when transfected into insect cells and importantly the native IpFcRI glycoprotein was detected in catfish plasma using a polyclonal Ab. Recombinant IpFcRI binds catfish IgM as assessed by both coimmunoprecipation and cell transfection studies and it is presumed that it functions as a secreted FcR akin to the soluble FcR found in mammals. The identification of an FcR homolog in an ectothermic vertebrate is an important first step toward understanding the evolutionary history and functional importance of vertebrate Ig-binding receptors.
Communications is more than I/O

For the purposes of this paper, it is my premise that hardware is not the problem for the acceptance and utilization of massively parallel computing. If hardware is not the problem, what is? The answer has to be software and a deeper understanding of parallel algorithms. However, I believe that software has to be different if massively parallel computing is to be a major factor in computing in the future. And to become so, we must make major shifts in software to facilitate this development. I present my views on appropriate software for massively parallel computing environments. Before outlining possible directions for future development, I review where we have come from. >
Absorption, transport, distribution in tissues and bioavailability.

Carotenoids can be detected in human blood and tissues, though usually only at quite low concentration. They are not biosynthesized in the human body but have to be provided in the diet, in food or as supplements. The processes by which the ingested carotenoids are absorbed, transported in the body and deposited in tissues and organs are of fundamental importance in relation to any effect of carotenoids on human health. The term ‘bioavailability’ is used to refer to how much of a consumed carotenoid is accessible for utilization in normal physiological functioning, metabolism, or storage and it encompasses absorption, i.e. how carotenoids become soluble and incorporated into mixed micelles, transport, i.e. how carotenoids are moved into the intestinal enterocytes, packaged into chylomicrons and moved throughout the blood in lipoproteins, and the tissue-specific accumulation in the human body. The conversion of β-carotene and other carotenoids into vitamin A is treated in Chapter 8.
In-vitro susceptibilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas spp. to the new fluoroquinolones clinafloxacin and PD 131628 and nine other antimicrobial agents

The in-vitro activities of two new fluoroquinolones, clinafloxacin (CI-960, PD 127391, AM-1091) and PD 131628 (the active component of the pro-drug CI-990, PD 131112) and nine other antibiotics were tested against 107 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 12 isolates of Xanthomonas maltophilia, and 19 isolates of other Pseudomonas spp. Of the 107 P. aeruginosa isolates, 33 were resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin, 17 were resistant to only one or two of these aminoglycosides and 24 were aminoglycoside sensitive. Thirty-three were isolates from cystic fibrosis patients. Susceptibility studies were performed using the agar dilution technique and kinetic time kill curves. With the exception of aminoglycoside-sensitive P. aeruginosa isolates where ciprofloxacin had similar activity to clinafloxacin and PD 131628, the two new fluoroquinolones were the most active agents against all isolates tested (MIC90 0.25-2.0 mg/L). Cross-resistance was identified with ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin-resistant strains, but the superior activity of clinafloxacin and PD 131628 resulted in 90% of the isolates having MICs < 2 mg/L. Kinetic kill curves with aminoglycoside-sensitive P. aeruginosa revealed ciprofloxacin to have the most rapid and sustained killing. However, with amino-glycoside-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, clinafloxacin and PD 131628 were more rapidly bactericidal than ciprofloxacin.
Thin section petrography of northern Lesser Antilles ceramics

Thin sections from 44 sherds representing eight prehistoric sites on four islands (Barbuda, Montserrat, Anguilla, St. Martin) in the northern Lesser Antilles (West Indies) were examined using a petrographic microscope. Point counting distinguished three temper associations: (1) exclusively volcanic, (2) volcanic and carbonate, and (3) volcanic, carbonate, and grog. Exclusively volcanic or dominantly volcanic (with low carbonate) temper associations occur in all Saladoid and many post-Saladoid sherds, with plagioclase feldspar and volcanic rock fragments being most abundant. Thin sections with significant carbonate content or with grog were restricted to post-Saladoid sherds from Barbuda and to a lesser extent Anguilla. The presence of volcanic grains in sherds from the limestone islands of Barbuda and Anguilla indicates that volcanic islands in the region served as sources of pottery (or volcanic temper) for these two islands.
Whither T-suppressors: if they didn't exist would we have to invent them?

Abstract Arriving at an understanding of the role of suppressor T-cells (regulatory T-cells, CD4 + CD25 + ) depends on whether their functional repertoire is somatically selected to be anti-Self or anti-Nonself. Immunologists are ambivalent; often publications espousing opposite views share an author. Here the arguments are detailed that the suppressor repertoire is not somatically selected to be anti-Self, but rather it is anti-Nonself. Therefore, suppression cannot regulate the Self–Nonself discrimination; its function is to regulate the magnitude and class of the anti-Nonself effector response.
The effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on scentmarking in the C57BL/6J and C3H/He mouse strains.

Abstract In utero exposure to ethanol has been shown to alter sexually dimorphic behaviors in rats. However, it is not clear whether this phenomenon is robust in other species, such as the mouse, which is sensitive to ethanol-induced birth defects. Further, it is not known whether significant differences exist across murine strains. If similar to the classic teratogenic effects of ethanol, it would be expected that strain differences in sensitivity should be evident, with some strains demonstrating an alteration in sexually dimorphic behavior and other strains demonstrating little or no effect. As a first attempt to address these issues, we have examined two mouse strains widely used in prenatal alcohol research, the inbred C3H/He and C57BL/6J strains. Scentmarking was selected as the behavior of interest. It is robustly sexually dimorphic in the rat and mouse, with males marking more than females and preliminary reports have demonstrated that in utero ethanol exposure reduces this behavior in the male rat. In the mouse strains selected for study, pregnant females were provided with either a liquid diet consisting of 25% ethanol-derived calories or pair-fed an isocaloric liquid diet from gestation days 6–18. An additional control group was included which was fed laboratory chow ad lib throughout gestation. Male and female offspring of each strain were tested for scentmarking at 65–75 days of age. As expected, results showed that the effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on scentmarking varied with both strain and sex. In the C3H/He strain, scentmarking was reduced significantly in male ethanol-exposed offspring (i.e., the males were feminized). In contrast, prenatally exposed C57BL/6J males did not differ significantly from their control. No changes in scentmarking due to prenatal treatment were detected in females of either strain. These findings suggest that the demasculinization of behavior noted in rats also can be found in mice but that not all murine strains are equally susceptible. Thus, mice may prove to be valuable murine complements to other rodent models in the investigation of the mechanism(s) underlying changes in sexually dimorphic behaviors due to prenatal ethanol exposure.
Identification of a whitefly species by genomic and behavioral studies

An introduced whitefly species, responsible for over a half billion dollars in damage to U.S. agricultural production in 1991, is morphologically indistinguishable from Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). However, with the use of polymerase chain reaction-based DNA differentiation tests, allozymic frequency analyses, crossing experiments, and mating behavior studies, the introduced whitefly is found to be a distinct species. Recognition of this new species, the silverleaf whitefly, is critical in the search for management options.
DIFFERENTIAL ACTIVITY OF SOLUBLE VERSUS CELLULAR FAS LIGAND : REGULATION BY AN ACCESSORY MOLECULE

Fas ligand induces apoptosis by binding to its receptor Fas. This process has been shown to be important for activation-induced cell death of T lymphocytes, homeostasis of T cell numbers, cytotoxicity, and the maintenance of immunological privilege. Fas ligand is a type II membrane protein that is cleaved by a metalloproteinase to produce an active, soluble molecule. It has been found that a variety of target cells are differentially sensitive to soluble and membrane-associated forms of Fas ligand. However, the explanation for this differential activity has not been determined. One proposed explanation for this differential activity is that membrane-associated Fas ligand is more efficiently aggregated than soluble Fas ligand. Another possibility that we have investigated is that accessory molecules may act to enhance the activity of cellular Fas ligand. We have transfected cells to express membrane-associated Fas ligand and have characterized clones of these transfected cells in terms of Fas ligand and ICAM-1 surface expression. Enhanced activity was associated with enhanced levels of both Fas ligand and ICAM-1. Moreover, inhibition of ICAM-1 modulated the activity of membrane-associated Fas ligand so that its cellular specificity was similar to that of soluble Fas ligand. Thus, ICAM-1 plays a significant role in regulating Fas ligand activity, and this role explains, at least in part, the different functional attributes of the soluble versus the cell-associated molecule.
Toward an Ethics of Character

No ETHIC is formulated in isolation from the social conditions of its time. The contemporary emphasis in Christian ethics on the dynamic and self-creating nature of man is a reflection of the kind of society in which we live. Perhaps our ancestors were born to pre-established roles in a world where faithfulness to those roles guaranteed the fulfilment of moral duty. But we are born into a social world that forces us to be free, to be autonomous; for now the moral imperative is to actually fashion our lives by choosing among the numerous alternatives our social world presents to us. In such a world it is not surprising that current moral discourse employs the language of freedom and responsibility to focus on man as self-creator. The moral life is not constituted by correspondence to an objective moral order; rather it is to be constantly readjusted to the nuances and ambiguities of our ethical choices and experiences. Modern ethicists recognize that there is often more to our moral situation than our principles and rules contain; so much of our significant moral experience and life simply does not fall within the areas marked off by clearly defined roles or principles. "Responsibility" names the fact that often we are simply forced to fall back on ourselves in order to make decisions that have no relationship to objective standards of right and wrong. In a social situation that seems to force the individual to be on his own, it is no surprise that the subject matter of ethics is centered around "problems/' i.e., situations in which it is difficult to know what one should do. Ethical discussion then focuses on the best way to respond to such "problems": Should an ethical decision be determined primarily in relation to principles and rules, or by a loving response to the peculiarities of the immediate situation? Those who argue for "principles" suggest that only their approach assures objectivity in morals, or that love is sentimentalized if it is not "imprincipled." Contextualists maintain that adherence to principles results in a false security that makes one insensitive to the complexity of modern moral issues. 1 For a much fuller account of the idea of responsibility and its use in contemporary theological ethics, see Albert Jonsen, Responsibility in Modern Religious Ethics (Washington: Corpus, 1968). 2 For an extraordinarily perceptive article that makes this point in a philosophical context, see E. Pincoffs, "Quandary Ethics," Mind 80 (1971) 552-71.
Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, for optimizing reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that has been reported to be effective in salvaging postischemic reperfused myocardium by its ability to function as a free radical-scavenging agent. A study was performed in the isolated porcine-heart model evaluating the influence of pretreatment with captopril on salvage of myocardium after an induced myocardial infarction. Measurement was carried out of regional and global myocardial function, myocardial high-energy phosphate levels, creatine kinase release, malonaldehyde formation, and 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α generation. In an in vitro preparation, the influence of captopril for scavenging various free radicals was evaluated. A dose-response curve was carried out using this free radical-generating system and differing levels of captopril. Results of the study demonstrate that pretreatment with captopril at a 45-μmol/L level reduced reperfusion injury in the pig heart model. This was manifested by improved cardiac performance, a reduction in creatine kinase release, and reduced malonaldehyde generation. In vitro evaluation of captopril and its free radical-scavenging ability indicated that it is a weak scavenger of superoxide anions (O 2 − ) but behaves as a potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals ( − OH) as well as hypohalite radicals (OCl − ). Based on the influence of captopril in reducing lipid peroxidation (decreased malonaldehyde formation) and its documented ability to scavenge − OH as well as OCl − , it is suggested that myocardial preservation in a postinfarction model is due primarily to its free radicalscavenging activity, primarily of the potent free radicals − OH and OCl − .
Visual Results after Early Surgical Treatment of Unilateral Con enital Cataracts

Abstract The authors reviewed the records of 25 consecutive patients who had been operated on for unilateral congenital cataracts at 1 year of age or younger and who had been followed for a period of 5 years or longer. Excluded were patients who demonstrated retinal and optic nerve anomalies. Five eyes achieved 20/40 or better Snellen visual acuity, 5 eyes achieved 20/50 to 20/ 100 visual acuity, and 15 eyes had 20/200 or less visual acuity. All patients with visual acuity of 20/40 or better had cataract surgery performed before 17 weeks of age, the critical period, and surgery was scattered within this time frame. For surgery performed between 17 weeks and 1 year of age, the best achieved visual acuity in children with surgically significant unilateral congenital cataracts was between 20/50 and 20/100. There was no correlation between the age at the time of surgery and the attainment of these visual levels in this patient subset. Ophthalmology 1991; 98:903-910
Vanadium Bromoperoxidase-Catalyzed Biosynthesis of Halogenated Marine Natural Products

Marine red algae (Rhodophyta) are a rich source of bioactive halogenated natural products. The biogenesis of the cyclic halogenated terpene marine natural products, in particular, has attracted sustained interest in part because terpenes are the biogenic precursors of many bioactive metabolites. The first enzymatic asymmetric bromination and cyclization of a terpene, producing marine natural products isolated from red algae, is reported. Vanadium bromoperoxidase (V-BrPO) isolated from marine red algae (species of Laurencia, Plocamium, Corallina) catalyzes the bromination of the sesquiterpene (E)-(+)-nerolidol producing R-, ‚-, and A-snyderol and (+)-3‚-bromo-8-epicaparrapi oxide. R-Snyderol, ‚-snyderol, and (+)- 3‚-bromo-8-epicaparrapi oxide have been isolated from Laurencia obtusa, and each have also been isolated from other species of marine red algae. A-Snyderol is a proposed intermediate in other bicyclo natural products. Single diastereomers of ‚-snyderol, A-snyderol, and mixed diastereomers of (+)-3‚-bromo-8- epicaparrapi oxide (de ) 20-25%) are produced in the enzyme reaction, whereas two diastereomers of these compounds are formed in the synthesis with 2,4,4,6-tetrabromocyclohexa-2,5-dienone (TBCO). V-BrPO likely functions by catalyzing the two-electron oxidation of bromide ion by hydrogen peroxide producing a bromonium ion or equivalent in the active site that brominates one face of the terminal olefin of nerolidol. These results establish V-BrPO's role in the biosynthesis of brominated cyclic sesquiterpene structures from marine red algae for the first time.
Laboratory–Numerical Model Comparisons of Flow over a Coastal Canyon

Abstract Different modeling approaches are applied to the same geophysical flow in order to assess the ability of laboratory models to provide useful benchmarks in the development of oceanic numerical models. The test case considered here—that of the flow driven by an oscillatory forcing over a submarine canyon—involves background rotation, density stratification, and steep topography. Velocity fields measured by particle-tracking velocimetry and time series of density fluctuations are directly compared to the corresponding outputs from a high-order finite-element numerical ocean model. Quantitative comparison of the laboratory and numerical models shows good overall agreement in the structure and magnitude of the strongest residual currents, which occur at the level of the shelf break in the configuration presented here. The associated residual vorticity field is also structurally consistent between the two models, although the residual divergence is not. Residual currents higher up and lower down in the...
Assessment of PCNA (19A2) and Ki-67 (MIB1) Cell Proliferation Markers in Formalin Fixed Tissues

AbstractStudies have shown that PCNA and Ki-67 increase in lateG1 phase, become maximal in S phase and decline in G2 and M phase of the cell cycle. Correlation of increased PCNA and Ki- 67 immunostaining with tissue injury, repair, and tumor cell growth has been observed. In the present study, the immunohistochemical staining pattern of formalin fixed ileum from man, dog, cat, pig, rabbit, rat and mouse were examined. Liver was also examined in dog, cat, pig, rat, and mouse. PCNA staining was superior to Ki-67 staining in all species examined except the pig and rabbit. Ki-67 staining was stronger than PCNA only in the rabbit. In the rat and mouse, the Ki-67 antibody stained goblet cells in the GI tract and not the cell nuclei, as should have been observed. Overall, the PCNA antibody was better than the Ki-67 antibody for determining cell proliferation in the various animal species examined. (The J Histotechnol 18:99, 1995)
Recharging cognition with DC brain polarization

Electrical direct current (DC) has been applied to the human head throughout history for various reasons and with claims of behavioral effects and clinical benefits. This technique has recently been rediscovered and its effects validated with modern quantitative techniques and experimental designs. Despite the very weak current used, DC polarization applied to specific brain areas can alter verbal fluency, motor learning and perceptual thresholds, and can be used in conjunction with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Compact and safe, this old technique seems poised to allow major advances cognitive science and therapy.
Prenatal diazepam exposure: Effects on auditory temporal resolution in rats

The maturation of temporal acuity in the auditory system of the rat was evaluated following prenatal exposure to diazepam (DZ; 0, 2.5, 10 mg/kg to the dam on each of the last 8 days of gestation). Acuity was defined by the effectiveness of brief silent periods in white noise (gaps) as inhibitors of an immediately subsequent acoustic startle reflex. In uninjected control rats the gaps became effective at 25–28 days of age, and onset was delayed in prenatally exposed animals according to dose. No DZ was present in the rat fffspring at this time of testing. Injections of DZ were given to these same animals in adulthood (0, 0.5, 1.5, 4.5 mg/kg). These injections reduced the inhibitory effect of the gap on startle behavior in all animals, but less so in those previously exposed to DZ in utero. The threshold of temporal acuity in the rat approximates that found in humans and the function matures at the same relative rate in the two species. Further, administration of DZ in the adult human has the same effect on temporal acuity in the auditory system as it does in the adult rat. There are presently no data available on the effects on human auditory development of exposure to DZ in utero. The data we present have considerable relevance for clinical investigation given the importance of temporal acuity in the perception of speech and, thus, in the maturation of language ability.
The development and characterization of polymer microinjection molded gratings

Ruled diffraction gratings were fabricated via injection micromolding and characterized via atomic force and scanning-electron microscopy. A unique aspect of this study was the utilization of commercially available optical grating as the injection molding tooling. After depositing a reflective aluminum (Al) coating with 150 and 250 nm thickness onto the untreated polymer replicas, diffracted power profiles of the polymer gratings were compared with that of the mold. It was found that both the mold and nozzle temperatures, Tmold and Tnoz, respectively, are important parameters influencing the fidelity of replication. Statistical analysis, however, revealed that the cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) replicated well the microtopography of the mold but did not replicate properly (within ∼20 nm) the nanotopography formed by the Al grains. Grain size quantification revealed that the Al coating with 150-nm thickness had smaller grains than that with the 250-nm coating. Furthermore, testing of delamination of the reflective coatings revealed good adhesion between the COC and Al interface. Lastly, photoelasticity measurements showed stress levels only around the gate of the molded components, suggesting that COCs are excellent materials for optical applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Sharp bounds for the mean time to failure (MTTF) using partial moments

Abstract In this paper, we develop bounds for the mean time to failure (MTTF) of a nonmarkovian two-unit system with repairable units when the complete information on repair time distribution is not available. We develop these bounds using the theory of Chebychev systems of functions together with the Markov-Krein theorem. These theorems provide sharp bounds for a fairly general function of a random variable in terms of its moments. We demonstrate the quality of these bounds by presenting numerical results. We also present values obtained approximating the Laplace Transforms using the Taylor expansion. These theorems have several applications in reliability and queueing theories.
Critical uncertainties in time: an experiment in method

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an experiment that asked what kinds of scenarios are perceived as more informative to managers in light of current decisions: scenarios that describe how critical uncertainties might develop; or, scenarios that describe what might happen if the critical uncertainties did, indeed, develop.Design/methodology/approach – Using a commonly identified set of opinions (pending decisions, actors of influence, persistent trends, a surprise‐free scenario, and two critical uncertainties), participants were divided into two sub‐groups, each of which developed a set of scenarios. Sub‐group A articulated futures that described how the critical uncertainties might emerge. Sub‐group B articulated futures that described what might follow if the same critical uncertainties developed.Findings – Sub‐group A believed their individual scenarios were slightly more logically comprehensible and that their set of scenarios better captured the range of concerns relevant to their pen...
The effect of phytohormones produced by Arthrobacter sp. on the phosphatase activity in plant roots.

Phytohormonal activity (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins) was tested in the supernatant of a culture ofArthrobacter sp. Crude extract of the phytohormonal fraction was used as substrate for the growth of Lactuca sativa seedlings. Treating with bacterial hormones resulted in an increased plant development. Furthermore, a sharp increase of the acid phosphatase activity was observed in the roots.
Vascular-Directed Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor Overexpression Regulates Plasma Cholesterol and Reduces Atherosclerotic Plaque Development

Rationale: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a potent regulator of the tissue factor pathway and is found in plasma in association with lipoproteins. Objective: To determine the role of TFPI in the development of atherosclerosis, we bred mice which overexpress TFPI into the apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE−/−) background. Methods and Results: On a high-fat diet, smooth muscle 22α (SM22α)-TFPI/apoE−/− mice were shown to have less aortic plaque burden compared to apoE−/− mice. Unexpectedly, SM22α-TFPI/apoE−/− had lower plasma cholesterol levels compared to apoE−/− mice. Furthermore, SM22α-TFPI mice fed a high-fat diet had lower cholesterol levels than did wild-type mice. Because TFPI is associated with lipoproteins and its carboxyl terminus (TFPIct) has been shown to be a ligand for the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor, we hypothesized that TFPI overexpression may regulate lipoprotein distribution. We quantified VLDL binding and uptake in vitro in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells from SM...
Origin of millennial-scale climate signals in the subtropical North Atlantic

We present a high-resolution planktonic foraminiferal stable isotope record (Globigerinoides ruber) spanning marine oxygen isotope stages (MISs) 6 through 8 in the northwestern subtropical Atlantic Ocean (Ocean Drilling Program Leg 172 Site 1059). The record fills a gap to produce an about 1.3 Myr long continuous time series of high-frequency (> ~1/12 kyr) surface ocean hydrography, the first of this kind. We test the hypothesis that the suborbital climate signals (i.e., half and quarter precession cycles) are linked to precession forcing in tropical latitudes. Semiprecession cycles present between 0 and 320 ka are of the right periodicity to relate to the dominant precession forcing (23 kyr). These cycles are evident as double peaks within the given precession framework, and there is good match in the amplitude modulation of the filter output and the δ18O time series. Quarter precession cycles dominate the suborbital spectra between 320 ka and 1.3 Ma. Periodicities are close to those expected from the harmonics of the dominant precession peaks in the δ18O record, but present in the time series only intermittently, and their amplitude modulation does not match that of the primary precession period. Thus, only the half precession cycles evidence a response to low-latitude insolation such as that introduced by insolation maxima at the equinoxes or solstices during the course of a precession cycle. Additionally, we find well-defined, rapid (~1.5–2 kyr) variations across the first of the interglacial maxima of MIS 7 adding to evidence of non–ice sheet-related forcing factors in driving climate instabilities.
Characterization of the size, shape, and state of dispersion of nanoparticles for toxicological studies

This paper describes the issues relating to the measurement of nanoparticle size, shape and dispersion when evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles. Complete characterization of these materials includes much more than size, size distribution and shape; nonetheless, these attributes are usually the essential foundation. The measurement of particle size, particularly at scales of 100 nm or less, can be challenging under the best of conditions. Measurements that are routine in the laboratory setting become even more difficult when made under the physiological conditions relevant to toxicity studies, where the environment of the particles can be quite complex. Passive and active cellular responses, as well as the presence of a variety of nano-scale biological structures, often complicate the collection and interpretation of size and shape data. In this paper, we highlight several of the common issues faced when characterizing nanoparticles for toxicity testing and suggest general protocols to address these p...
Petroleum research grants

Five earth sciences grants are available through the American Chemical Society's Petroleum Research Fund (PRF). These grants are intended to assist ‘advanced scientific education and fundamental research in the “petroleum field,” which may include any field of pure science which … may afford a basis for subsequent research directly connected with the petroleum field,’ according to Justin W. Collat, PRF program administrator. The grants are divided into three categories, Collat said. The first, called type AC, generally supports graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. Awards may be up to $15,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years. The second, type B, is for faculty research with undergraduate students in academic departments which do not offer a Ph.D. degree. The maximum award is $6500 annually for 2 years. And last, a special ‘starter’ grant program is available for beginning faculty investigators. These grants consist of $10,000 for 2 years, Collat said, and are limited to faculty members in the first 3 years of their first faculty appointment. These faculty members cannot have any major support of their research, except for that provided by their institution.
Designing a case study method for tutorials: A prelude to research

(1985). Designing a case study method for tutorials: A prelude to research. Rhetoric Review: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 88-97.
Emissions from heavy-duty vehicles under actual on-road driving conditions

Abstract Emission measurements of five 1996–2005 heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs), representing three engine certification levels, were made using a Mobile Emissions Laboratory under actual on-road driving conditions on surface streets and highways. The results show that emissions depend on the emission component, the age/certification of vehicle/engine, as well as driving condition. For NOx emissions, there was a trend of decreasing emissions in going from older to newer model years and certification standards. Some vehicles showed a tendency toward higher NOx emissions per mile for the higher speed events (⩾55 mph) as compared to the 40 mph cruise and the other surface street driving, while others did not show large differences between different types of driving. For particulate matter (PM), the three oldest trucks had the highest emissions for surface street driving, while the two newest trucks had the highest PM emissions for highway driving. For total hydrocarbons (THC) emissions, some vehicles showed a tendency for higher emissions for the surface street segments compared to the steady-state segments, while others showed a tendency for higher emissions for the 40 mph cruise segments compared to the highway cruise segments. CO emissions under steady-state driving conditions were relatively low (1–3 g mile−1).
Abstract 2186: Function and regulation of Polo-like Kinase 3 in human pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Despite the recent advances in pancreatic cancer research, patients with this devastating disease still have a poor prognosis. Therefore, deciphering pancreatic cancer-related gene expression and defining the individual gene9s specific functions will make a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Recently, our lab has demonstrated the tumorigenic transformation in an immortalized pancreatic cell line, HPNE/hTERT by sequential introduction of multiple genetic alterations. We found that Polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3) is significantly down-regulated in transformed tumor cell lines. Plk3 belongs to the Polo-like kinase family and is a multi-functional kinase. We previously reported that Plk3 played a pro-apoptotic role in pancreatic cancer lines when it was overexpressed. Plk3 down-regulation in transformed HPNE cells suggests that Plk3 may have tumor suppression function during pancreatic tumor development. In addition, we found Plk3 expression is regulated by Pten. In Pten-knockout MEF cells, Plk3 expression was significantly down-regulated. So Plk3 may be downstream of Pten in the tumor suppression pathway. These data suggest that Plk3 play an important role in pancreatic cancer development. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2186. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2186
Mind tools for enhancing thinking and learning skills

As early adopters of an emerging technology, the Tablet PC (TPC), certain University of Houston Information Systems Technology faculty began to integrate TPCs into the undergraduate curriculum in Fall 2003. Classroom experiences revealed the tool as particularly engaging to Information Systems Technology students. Thus, the authors now believe that TPCs have great potential to improve critical thinking skills of Information Systems Technology students if activities can be developed that capitalize on the inherent capability of the TPC to support visualization.We have just begun a formal investigation of the effectiveness of the TPC as an instructional tool that facilitates the development of critical thinking and learning skills in undergraduate Information Systems Technology students. The investigation extends previous work on the effectiveness of mind maps for improving critical thinking and problem solving skills by combining the visual learning technique of mindmapping with the emerging technology of the TPC and pen-enabled mindmapping software. The research question to be answered is: Do critical thinking skills of Information Systems Technology students improve when mindmapping activities are incorporated into the classroom and delivered via technology.In this paper, we first provide background information on the development of critical thinking and learning skills, the role of visual learning in the development of critical thinking and learning skills, and visual learning tools and techniques such as semantic networks, concept mapping, and mind mapping. We then describe the scope of the project we are undertaking and provide initial results of development efforts to create instructional modules and activities focused on mindmaps.
An overview of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's storm and combined sewer program collection system research

Abstract A state-of-the-art and assessment of the USEPA'S Storm and Combined Sewer Program collection system research pertaining to management alternatives for wet- and dry-weather wastewater transport and interception is presented. These include: maintenance; catchbasins; new sewer design; sewer flushing; polymer injection; infiltration/inflow controls including inflow reduction. Insituform, impregnated concrete pipe and trenchless sewer; upstream storage/attenuation; flow routing and in-pipe storage; new types of flow regulators including swirl and helical bend regulator/concentrators, fluidic regulator and Hydrobrake; and a new rubber “duck-bill” tide gate. The emphasis is on optimal use of the existing sewerage system and optimal city-wide cost-effective strategy for the dual purpose of combined sewer drainage and overflow pollution control.
Points, lines and planes: vortex pinning in high-temperature superconductors

Abstract Recent work on how disorder and thermal fluctuations influence the configurations of flexible vortex lines in high-temperature superconductors is reviewed. Weak point disorder in flux liquids is easily screened out by thermally induced vortex collisions in high- T c materials. Correlated disorder, however, in the form of twin boundaries, screw dislocations or columnar defects (the latter injected via heavy ion irradiation) can be much more resistant to thermal fluctuations. The thermal renormalization of critical currents for vortices confined by twins (calculated via an analogy with the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics) is much less severe than for point pinning. Pinning is enhanced, even for small magnetic fields, by a pronounced “Coulomb gap” in the distribution of pinning energies in the Bose glass phase induced by columnar pins.
Effects of 12‐0‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) on rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells: Interactions with epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor

The phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) specifically inhibited the binding of radioiodinated epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) to rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in a noncompetitive fashion with an apparent Ki of 11–26 nM. Both TPA and EGF elicited similar biological responses in PC12 cells including enhanced incorporation of 3H-choline and 32P-orthophosphate into macromolecules, induction of ornithine decarboxylase, and stimulation of the phosphorylation of a 30,000 MW nonhistone, chromosome-associated protein. These effects were also elicited by nerve growth factor (NGF) which, in contrast to the former agents, is a differentiating stimulus for the PC12 cells. The effects of TPA were additive or more than additive to the effects of NGF and EGF. When PC12 cells were induced to differentiate by treatment with NGF for 72 hours, the binding of 125I-EGF and responses to EGF were reduced by approximately 70%. The response of PC12 cells to the tumor promoter TPA was unaffected by treatment with NGF. Thus, the qualitatively similar effects of TPA and EGF seemed to be mediated through separate receptor systems with only the EGF receptor system reduced by NGF treatment.
Demonstration of phosphatidylinositol anchors on Ly-6 molecules by specific phospholipase C digestion and gel electrophoresis in octylglucoside.

Summary Release by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholiase C is frequently provided as evidence for membrane anchorage of a protein through phosphatidylinositol. Demonstration that the enzyme removes a lipophilic moiety from the protein is stronger evidence, and is presented here for members of the Ly-6 family of lymphocyte antigens: Ly-6A, C and E. Treatment of these molecules with the enzyme greatly increased their electrophoretic mobilities on polyacrylamide gels containing nonionic detergent. Furthermore, the mobilities of the digested, but not native Ly-6 molecules, were independent of detergent. This analytical method was applied to pure antigen, radiolabelled immunoprecipitate, or immunochemically detected Ly-6 antigens on blots.
Are ADHD gender patterns moderated by sample source

Objective: To examine whether ADHD gender patterns with respect to social-demographic characteristics, comorbidity, and impairment vary as a function of service use for emotional or behavioral prob...
Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Learning-Related Classroom Behaviors

The Classroom Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) was developed to provide school psychologists with a measure of learning-related classroom behaviors of elementary school pupils. The initial item pool co...
Pressure-sensitive insulated gate field-effect transistor (PSIGFET)

Abstract A pressure-sensitive insulated gate field-effect transistor has been developed. The device is an elevated gate field-effect transistor. It consists of a p-type silicon substrate in which two n+ regions, the source and drain, are formed. The gate electrode is an Al film sandwiched in a PECVD Si3N4 microdiaphragm, resembling a pillbox, which covers the gate oxide, drain and source. The space between the gate electrode and the oxide is vacuum or an air gap (0.5 μm). When pressure is applied on the diaphragm, it deflects and causes a change in the gate capacitance, and thus modulates the conductance of the channel between source and drain. A general theory dealing with the characteristics of this pressure-sensitive insulated gate field-effect transistor has been derived, and the device fabricated. The chip size of the device is 600 × 1050 μm. The diaphragm size is 200 × 200 μm, with a measured pressure range of 300 Torr. Characterization of the device has been performed. The current—voltage characteristics, with pressure as parameters, have been demonstrated to closely follow the theoretical result. They show, as predicted, nonlinear characteristics. The linearity of threshold voltage versus pressure transfer curves has also been demonstrated. The temperature effect on the device performance has been analyzed and measured. Two temperature compensation schemes are presented. The temperature coefficient can be improved to 0.08 mmHg/°C. The noise of the device and the measurement circuit is about ±0.4 mmHg in a period of 10 min and the cut-off frequency is about 20 kHz.
Behavioural responses of marine poikilotherms to pollutants

Selected behavioural responses of marine fishes and invertebrates which are reportedly capable of disruption or impairment by petroleum, heavy metals, pesticides and other pollutants are listed. The usefulness of these and other performance functions to regulatory agencies charged with formulation of saline water quality criteria appears somewhat limited. At present, however, motor functions such as swimming performance, locomotion, and equilibrium, as well as physiological responses, especially respiratory patterns, may have some potential for biomonitoring of wastes discharged into coastal environments.
Use of multidrug transporters as first lines of defense against toxins in aquatic organisms

Abstract Multidrug transporters are ATP-dependent transport proteins which efflux a variety of moderately hydrophobic compounds out of cells. This article reviews the biology and chemistry of one member of this family, the P -glycoprotein-like transporters, and the extent to which the activity of these transporters protects aquatic organisms from natural and anthropogenic toxins. Topics covered include measurement of activity, distribution in aquatic organisms, efficacy in protection from toxins, characteristics of substrates of the transporters in aquatic organisms and finally the question of induction of activity in response to toxin load in the environment. The available evidence indicates that these transporters can indeed function as a first line of defense against some toxins, but important questions remain to be answered especially relating to costs of this defense, the inducibility of the defense and whether there might be other types of transport molecules other than the P -glycoprotein example.
Role of robotics in ground combat of the future: UGCV, PreceptOR, and FCS

As a study in late 1999, and subsequently as an official program in early 2000, the Army and DARPA agreed to jointly fund a research effort which became known as Future Combat Systems (FCS) to fast track the introduction of new capability to our ground forces which were increasingly being asked to respond rapidly to hostile situations around the world.3 The Chief of Staff of the Army clearly articulated this crucial need in his thrust to make the light forces more lethal and the heavy forces more deployable. 4 The DARPA/Army agreement consisted of two parts: a) program to have industry lead teams develop concepts for how the FCS would be composed and integrated 5 and b) a series of technology development programs which were expected to generate potentially radical improvements in the overall effectiveness of the FCS concept. Two of these technology development programs were directly related to ground vehicle robotics, and evolved by the end of 2000 to be the Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle (UGCV) and Perception for Off-road Robotics (PerceptOR) programs. These programs and the underlying assumptions are described in this paper. To accommodate the fast track timelines needed by the Army to transition the FCS capability to the field, the technology development programs are being executed in parallel with the overall FCS concept development. Without the traditional availability of mission and force structure in these technology development programs, the system integration risk is inherently increased. This timeline and associated programmatic process places a significant burden on all the programs to enable cross flow of information. It was recognized from the outset that this cross flow can be hampered by competition sensitivity. DARPA was selected to manage these programs based on its experience in fast track technology development under these types of programmatic conditions. It is also important to note that the technology development efforts (with the possible exception of the Netfires Program which was significantly more mature that the others) are not intended to provide final form fit and function prototypes for insertion into the overall FCS concepts. These programs will develop the high risk technologies in brassboard prototypes and support technology insertion and integration in an Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase follow-on program for FCS. This limitation is a direct result of balancing the desire to leverage emerging technology for high payoff performance, and the noted uncertainty in mission and force structure definition for FCS at this time. Both the UGCV and PerceptOR programs are consistent with this mission and procurement strategy.