cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 28 – Meteorites

Meteorites, the “Poor Man's Space Probe”, are important because they contain the oldest solar system materials for research, and sample a wide range of parent bodies—exteriors and interiors—some primitive, some highly evolved. Meteorites record certain solar and galactic effects, and yield otherwise unobtainable data relevant to the genesis, evolution, and composition of the Earth; other major planets, satellites, and asteroids; and the Sun. Some contain inclusions created before solar system formation; others contain organic matter produced on grain boundaries in the early nebula and/or in giant interstellar clouds. Meteorites also constitute important “ground truth” in a chemical and physical sense, critical to interpreting planetary data obtained by remote sensing. Most importantly, meteorites are on Earth available for laboratory study by the simplest to the most sophisticated analytical techniques.
The role of trehalose in the global spread of epidemic Clostridium difficile

In a recent study, we reported on two distantly related, epidemic lineages of Clostridium difficile that have acquired independent mechanisms to metabolize low concentrations of trehalose. Here we provide further comment and evidence that a third epidemic lineage common in Asia and Europe, ribotype 017, has evolved this ability.
Typification of the Genus Dicaryum (Verbenaceae)

The genus Dicaryum Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. was described in 1819 and does not have a type species. Two species were described, and one, D. subdentatum Willd. ex Roem. & Schult., is better selected as the type because the other species, D. serrulatum Willd. ex Roem. & Schult., is not a Verbenaceae but rather a Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae and belongs to Geissanthus Hook. f. Given the circumstances, we choose D. subdentatum as the type species of Dicaryum, which is a synonym of Citharexylum ilicifolium Kunth.
Performance Analysis of Silicon Carbide Composite Clad Uranium Carbide Fuel for a Long-Life Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor Under Normal Operation—Part I: Design Criteria and Material Data

Fuel performance analysis was conducted for the silicon carbide (SiC) composite clad uranium carbide (UC) fuel of a 500-MW(thermal) gas-cooled fast reactor, specifically the energy multiplier modul...
Process and context: Longitudinal effects of the interactions between parental involvement, parental warmth, and SES on academic achievement.

Abstract Parents' involvement in their children's education and parental warmth have been linked to many positive child outcomes. In addition to these positive associations, contemporary developmental theory stresses the interaction between different parenting variables and the interaction between parenting and broad contextual factors such as family socioeconomic status (SES). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine main and interaction effects of parent home-based involvement and parental warmth on achievement outcomes. Additionally, we evaluated whether these variables also interacted with SES to predict students' achievement growth. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Cohort of 2010–11 (N = 2352), growth of academic outcomes was modeled from kindergarten to the fourth grade. We then used latent variable interaction (Maslowsky, Jager, & Hemken, 2015) procedures to examine interaction effects of our primary study variables. Few significant effects were noted for children's reading and mathematics scores, but more substantial main (home-based involvement) and interaction (parental warmth and SES) effects emerged for science achievement. At high SES levels, warmth negatively predicted growth in science, whereas at lower SES levels, warmth positively predicted growth. Findings are discussed in relation to importance of parent involvement, differential effects across SES contexts, and curricular emphasis in contemporary schools.
Novel microwave synthesis of near-metallic copper sulfide nanodiscs with size control: experimental and DFT studies of charge carrier density

A simple unprecedented microwave synthesis of size controllable copper sufide (CuS) nanodiscs is reported. The experimental results and density functional theory (DFT)-calculated results show charge carrier densities on the order of 1021 cm-3 with an effective mass of 0.3me, resulting in near-metallic properties. [The original abstract for this article contains (characters/images) that cannot be displayed here. Please click on the link below to read the full abstract and article.]
Review of ‘Crusader for Justice: Federal Judge Damon J. Keith’ Written and Edited by Peter J. Hammer and Trevor W. Coleman

This is a book review of Crusader for Justice: Federal Judge Damon J. Keith, written and edited by Peter J. Hammer and Trevor W. Coleman with the foreword by author Mitch Albom. Crusader for Justice captures the life and works of federal judge Damon J. Keith, one of America's most respected and longest-serving federal judges.
An Experiment to observe Macroscopic Quantum Coherence in an rf-SQUID

We present the design of an on-chip time domain experiment to demonstrate macroscopic quantum coherence in an rf-SQUID, a superconducting loop interrupted by a Josephson junction. If suc- cessful the SQUID will serve as a qubit for a superconducting quantum computer. The chip is currently in fabrication. odinger' s parable, a clear demonstration of rf-SQUID MQC would dramatically challenge our concepts of the quantum / classical boundary. The rf-SQUID MQC state was proposed as a candidate to serve as the qubit for a possible superconducting quantum computer (2). Very recently, spectroscopic experiments showed the energy level structure expected for MQC phenomena in an rf-SQUID (3) and in the very similar "persistent current qubit" (4). It is our intention to conduct a time domain experiment in which the macroscopic quantum coherent oscillations will be observed directly as they evolve. The Hamiltonian of the rf-SQUID system, under the assumption of no dissipation, is
Two-photon excitation fluorescent spectral and decay properties of retrograde neuronal tracer Fluoro-Gold.

Fluoro-Gold is a fluorescent neuronal tracer suitable for targeted deep imaging of the nervous system. Widefield fluorescence microscopy enables visualization of Fluoro-Gold, but lacks depth discrimination. Though scanning laser confocal microscopy yields volumetric data, imaging depth is limited, and optimal single-photon excitation of Fluoro-Gold requires an unconventional ultraviolet excitation line. Two-photon excitation microscopy employs ultrafast pulsed infrared lasers to image fluorophores at high-resolution at unparalleled depths in opaque tissue. Deep imaging of Fluoro-Gold-labeled neurons carries potential to advance understanding of the central and peripheral nervous systems, yet its two-photon spectral and temporal properties remain uncharacterized. Herein, we report the two-photon excitation spectrum of Fluoro-Gold between 720 and 990 nm, and its fluorescence decay rate in aqueous solution and murine brainstem tissue. We demonstrate unprecedented imaging depth of whole-mounted murine brainstem via two-photon excitation microscopy of Fluoro-Gold labeled facial motor nuclei. Optimal two-photon excitation of Fluoro-Gold within microscope tuning range occurred at 720 nm, while maximum lifetime contrast was observed at 760 nm with mean fluorescence lifetime of 1.4 ns. Whole-mount brainstem explants were readily imaged to depths in excess of 450 µm via immersion in refractive-index matching solution.
REV7 directs DNA repair pathway choice

REV7 is a small multifunctional protein that participates in multiple DNA repair pathways, most notably translesion DNA synthesis and double-strand break (DSB) repair. While the role of REV7 in translesion synthesis has been known for several decades, its function in DSB repair is a recent discovery. Investigations into the DSB repair function of REV7 have led to the discovery of a new DNA repair complex known as Shieldin. Recent studies have also highlighted the importance of REV7's HORMA domain, an ancient structural motif, in REV7 function and have identified the HORMA regulators, TRIP13 and p31, as novel DNA repair factors. In this review, we discuss these recent findings and their implications for repair pathway choice, at both DSBs and replication forks. We suggest that REV7, in particular the activation state of its HORMA domain, can act as a critical determinant of mutagenic versus error-free repair in multiple contexts.
Estimation of Distributional Parameters for Censored Water Quality Data

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the aspects of estimating distributional parameters from censored data. The key aspects of estimating distributional parameters from censored data include (1) the performance of several estimation methods when estimating distributional parameters from small samples drawn from a wide range of underlying distributions and censored to varying degrees. (2) criteria for determining, based only on attributes of data remaining after censoring, which estimation method is most likely to be best for each dataset, and (3) the reliability of estimates from censored data of four distributional parameters, the mean, standard deviation, median, and interquartile range. The most robust estimation method for minimizing errors in estimates of the mean, standard deviation, median, and inter quartile range of censored data is the log–probability regression method (LR). This method is based on the assumption that censored observations follow the zero to censoring level portion of a log normal distribution obtained by a least squares regression between logarithms of uncensored concentration observations and their normal scores. LR results in the lowest root mean squared errors (RMSEs) for the mean and standard deviation. The lognormal maximum likelihood estimator for censored data (LM) produces lowest RMSEs for the median and interquartile range. These two methods constitute the best procedures for their respective parameters.
Pathological and Immunological Effects of Surgically Induced Varicocele in Juvenile and Adult Rats

The presence of a varicocele in adult men has been correlated with infertility. This study documents the effect of an experimentally induced unilateral varicocele in 21-day-old juvenile prepubertal and 51-day-old adult rats (n = 10 per group) on subsequent adult testicular function. Varicoceles were induced by partial occlusion of the spermatic vein. There were ten sham-operated and five nonoperated control rats in each age group. The rats were sacrificed 1 month after surgery. Intrascrotal temperatures were elevated in both groups with varicoceles. Histologically, the ipsilateral testes of rats in both age groups demonstrated a decrease in the numbers of functioning seminiferous tubules and germ cells, but the decrease was significantly greater in the juveniles than in the adult rats. No changes were seen in the contralateral testes. Significant titers of cytotoxic sperm antibodies were present in all animals with varicoceles, which is in contrast to controls. The juveniles had significantly lower antibody titers (mean log2 +/- SEM; 3.2 +/- 0.09 vs. 8.5 +/- 1.1, P less than 0.001) than the adults. The induction of a unilateral varicocele damaged spermatogenesis and testicular function to a greater extent in juveniles than in adult rats. This damage may be immune complex-mediated.
Patient-reported symptoms in acute myocardial infarction: differences related to ST-segment elevation: the MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Kirchberger I, Meisinger C, Heier M, Kling B, Wende R, Greschik C, von Scheidt W, Kuch B. (Central Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg; and Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg; Germany). Patient-reported symptoms in acute myocardial infarction: differences related to ST-segment elevation. J Intern Med 2011; 270: 58–64. Abstract. Objectives. The early recognition of symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial for patients with both ST-segment elevation (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI). However, to date, only a few studies have examined the differences between patients with STEMI and NSTEMI with regard to the range of presenting MI symptoms. Design. The study population comprised 889 individuals with STEMI and 1268 with NSTEMI, aged 25–74, hospitalized with a first-time MI between January 2001 and December 2006 recruited from a population-based MI registry. The occurrence of 13 symptoms was recorded during a standardized patient interview. Results. Patients with STEMI were significantly younger, more likely to be smokers and less likely to have a history of hypertension or sleep disturbances prior to the acute MI (AMI) event than those with NSTEMI. A total of 50% of the patients attributed their experienced symptoms to the heart. Logistic regression modelling revealed that patients with STEMI were significantly more likely than patients with NSTEMI to complain of vomiting [odds ratio (OR) 2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.76–3.05], dizziness (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.30–2.03) and diaphoresis (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.23–1.81). Furthermore, patients with STEMI were less likely to experience dyspnoea (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.98) or pain in the throat/jaw (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.98). Conclusions. Only half of all patients correctly attributed their symptoms to the heart. Patients with STEMI and NSTEMI showed differences regarding several presenting symptoms. Further research is needed to replicate our results, and public awareness of AMI symptoms needs to be improved.
Local charge of the ν = 5/2 fractional quantum Hall state

Electrons moving in two dimensions under the influence of strong magnetic fields effectively lose their kinetic energy and display exotic behaviour dominated by Coulomb forces. When the ratio of electrons to magnetic flux quanta in the system (ν) is near 5/2, the electrons are predicted to condense into a correlated phase with fractionally charged quasiparticles and a ground-state degeneracy that grows exponentially as these quasiparticles are introduced. The only way for electrons to transform between the many ground states would be to braid the fractional excitations around each other. This property has been proposed as the basis of a fault-tolerant quantum computer. Here we present observations of localized quasiparticles at ν = 5/2, confined to puddles by disorder. Using a local electrometer to compare how quasiparticles at ν = 5/2 and ν = 7/3 charge these puddles, we were able to extract the ratio of local charges for these states. Averaged over several disorder configurations and samples, we found the ratio to be 4/3, suggesting that the local charges are = e/3 and = e/4, where e is the charge of an electron. This is in agreement with theoretical predictions for a paired state at ν = 5/2. Confirming the existence of localized e/4 quasiparticles shows that proposed interferometry experiments to test statistics and computational ability of the state at ν = 5/2 would be possible.
Practice Update What Professionals Who Are Not Brain Injury Specialists Need to Know About Intimate Partner Violence–Related Traumatic Brain Injury

There is growing recognition of the risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among victims and survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). A wide range of physically abusive behaviors may lead to injuries to the head or neck and place an individual at risk for a TBI. The purpose of this article is to consolidate current research and present practical guidelines for professionals, who are not brain injury specialists, but work with clients who may have sustained a TBI in the context of IPV. Recommendations are provided for TBI risk screening, making appropriate referrals, and providing services in light of a potential TBI.
Physical Growth of the Shuar: Height, Weight, and BMI References for an Indigenous Amazonian Population

Author(s): Urlacher, Samuel S; Blackwell, Aaron D; Liebert, Melissa A; Madimenos, Felicia C; Cepon-Robins, Tara J; Gildner, Theresa E; Snodgrass, J Josh; Sugiyama, Lawrence S | Abstract: ObjectivesInformation concerning physical growth among small-scale populations remains limited, yet such data are critical to local health efforts and to foster basic understandings of human life history and variation in childhood development. Using a large dataset and robust modeling methods, this study aims to describe growth from birth to adulthood among the indigenous Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador.MethodsMixed-longitudinal measures of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were collected from Shuar participants (n = 2,463; age: 0-29 years). Centile growth curves and tables were created for each anthropometric variable of interest using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS). Pseudo-velocity and Lambda-Mu-Sigma curves were generated to further investigate Shuar patterns of growth and to facilitate comparison with United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention and multinational World Health Organization growth references.ResultsThe Shuar are small throughout life and exhibit complex patterns of growth that differ substantially from those of international references. Similar to other Amazonians, Shuar growth in weight compares more favorably to references than growth in height, resulting in BMI curves that approximate international medians. Several additional characteristics of Shuar development are noteworthy, including large observed variation in body size early in life, significant infant growth faltering, extended male growth into adulthood, and a markedly early female pubertal growth spurt in height. Phenotypic plasticity and genetic selection in response to local environmental factors may explain many of these patterns.ConclusionsProviding a detailed reference of growth for the Shuar and other Amazonian populations, this study possesses direct clinical application and affords valuable insight into childhood health and the ecology of human growth.
Albite-rich domains in potash feldspar

Detection of sodium-rich areas in orthoclase by electron microprobe analyses supports a theory for perthite formation that involves a preexsolution stage with sodium atoms clustering to form albite domains coherent with the overall lattice. Orthoclase with a heterogeneous matrix, ranging in composition from one up to 14 weight percent albite, and ranging in size from 2 to 10 microns are present in a hypabyssal nepheline syenite from Beemerville, New Jersey, U.S.A. These become unstable at relatively low concentrations of albite (less than 15 weight percent albite) and exsolve forming incoherent albite grains.
Mitochondrial Decay in Aging: Reversal through Supplementation of Acetyl‐l‐Carnitine and N‐tert‐Butyl‐α‐phenyl‐nitronea

We show that mitochondrial function in the majority of hepatocytes isolated from old rats (24 mo) is significantly impaired. Mitochondrial membrane potential, cardiolipin levels, respiratory control ratio, and overall cellular O2 consumption decline, and the level of oxidants increases. To examine whether dietary supplementation of micronutrients that may have become essential with age could reverse the decline in mitochondrial function, we supplemented the diet of old rats with 1% (w/v) acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) in drinking water. ALCAR supplementation (1 month) resulted in significant increases in cellular respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cardiolipin values. However, supplementation also increased the rate of oxidant production, indicating that the efficiency of mitochondrial electron transport had not improved. To counteract the potential increase in oxidative stress, animals were administered N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenyl-nitrone (30 mg/kg) (PBN) with or without ALCAR. Results showed that PBN significantly lowered oxidant production as measured by 2,7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH), even when ALCAR was coadministered to the animals. Thus, dietary supplementation with ALCAR, particularly in combination with PBN, improves mitochondrial function without a significant increase in oxidative stress.
Effective capillary electrophoresis-based heteroduplex analysis through optimization of surface coating and polymer networks.

The efficacy of capillary electrophoresis for detecting DNA mutations via heteroduplex analysis (HDA) is dependent upon both the effective passivition of the capillary surface and the choice of the...
Impacts of state laws on the consumption of wine per capita

Wines are exempt from the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as are tobacco and firearms. Each state can regulate the commerce including the taxation, pricing, and authorized sales agencies of such products. This paper examines the impact of taxation levels and other regulations on the consumption of wine per capita in six selected states. Each state is composed of a different set of consumers who react differently to tax levels and retail price levels, as well as product availability. In general, sales tax and excise tax on wine were found to have decreasing impacts on wine consumption. Greater product availability made possible by relaxation of off-sale authorization regulations had an increasing impact on wine consumption.
Status Conflict in Groups

We introduce status conflicts—defined as disputes over people's relative status (i.e., respect) positions in their group's social hierarchy—as a key group process that affects task group performance. Using mixed research methods, we qualitatively identify the characteristics of status conflicts, validate a four-item survey scale that distinctly measures status conflict, and investigate the relationship between status conflict and group performance. We determine that status conflict exerts a significant negative main effect, moderates the effects of task conflict on group performance, and hurts performance by undermining information sharing more than other types of conflict do.
Quality management applied to web-based courses

Abstract In this paper we develop a total quality management model to apply to web-based courses development. The model is based on the concepts suggested by quality leaders Deming and Juran. Throughout the paper we supplement the discussion with our own and our colleagues Web teaching experiences. We believe this is the pioneer attempt in this direction.
Modes to replace transitional asymptotic ray fields in a vertically inhomogeneous earth model

Summary. Asymptotic ray theory (ART) fails in transition regions near critically reflected, bottom glancing or caustic-forming rays in a vertically inhomogeneous layered earth. These deficiencies are repaired here by replacing the transitional ray fields with guided modes plus truncation remainders. Exact ray-mode equivalences and their high-frequency asymptotic approximations are formulated, and their validity and efficiency are verified by numerical comparisons for SH motion in a two-layer earth model comprised of an inhomogeneous sediment above an homogeneous semi-infinite bedrock.
A generalized eigenproblem for the Laplacian which arises in lightning

Abstract The following generalized eigenproblem is analyzed: Find u ∈ H 0 1 ( Ω ) , u ≠ 0 , and λ ∈ R such that 〈 ∇ u , ∇ v 〉 D = λ 〈 ∇ u , ∇ v 〉 Ω for all v ∈ H 0 1 ( Ω ) , where Ω ⊂ R n is a bounded domain, D is a subdomain with closure contained in Ω, and 〈 ⋅ , ⋅ 〉 Ω is the inner product 〈 ∇ u , ∇ v 〉 Ω = ∫ Ω ∇ u ⋅ ∇ v d x . It is proved that any f ∈ H 0 1 ( Ω ) can be expanded in terms of orthogonal eigenfunctions for the generalized eigenproblem. During the analysis, we present a new inner product on H 1 / 2 ( ∂ D ) with the following properties: (a) the norm associated with the inner product is equivalent to the usual norm on H 1 / 2 ( ∂ D ) , and (b) the double layer potential operator is self adjoint with respect to the new inner product and compact as a mapping from H 1 / 2 ( ∂ D ) into itself. The analysis identifies four classes of eigenfunctions for the generalized eigenproblem: 1. The function Π which is 1 on D and harmonic on Ω ∖ D ; the eigenvalue is 0. 2. Functions in H 0 1 ( Ω ) with support in Ω ∖ D ; the eigenvalue is 0. 3. Functions in H 0 1 ( Ω ) with support in D; the eigenvalue is 1. 4. Excluding Π, the harmonic extension of the eigenfunctions of a double layer potential on ∂D. The eigenvalues are contained in the open interval ( 0 , 1 ) . The only possible accumulation point is λ = 1 / 2 . A positive lower bound for the smallest positive eigenvalue is obtained. These results can be used to evaluate the change in the electric potential due to a lightning discharge.
DNA-coated microbubbles with biochemically tunable ultrasound contrast activity.

Changing the mechanical properties of the microbubble shell in response to a biochemical stimulus leads to vast changes in both ultrasound-induced bubble dynamics and contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. Here, DNA-coated microbubbles are shown to be a simple and highly versatile platform that can silence and re-activate contrast activity in response to the introduction and removal of biochemical stimuli.
A Joyful and Exhilarating Ride: An Interview With Frank J. Vattano

Frank J. Vattano is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Emeritus University Distinguished Teaching Scholar at Colorado State University (CSU), his undergraduate alma mater. He earned his PhD in experimental psychology from The Ohio State University and served as Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Denver before returning to CSU as Assistant Academic Vice-President for Instructional Services and later as Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. He returned to teaching full-time in 1987 and served as coordinator of CSU's Introduction to Psychology course, which has an annual enrollment of more than 3,000 students. He developed, along with his colleagues, the widely adopted video teaching modules The BRAIN (Vattano, Bennett, & Butler, 1997), The MIND (Vattano, Bennett, & Butler, 2000), The Social Connection (Vattano, Bolt, & Myers, 2002), and The Many Faces of Psychology (Bolt & Vattano, 2003). Vattano is a Fellow of APA Divis...
FEDERAL REGULATORY CONTROL OF OIL SPILL REMOVAL METHODS

ABSTRACT The development of federal regulatory controls for oil removal methods is traced from the concerns that were developed over the use of dispersants during the Torrey Canyon incident. The evolution of annexes for chemical use control in the National Contingency Plan is described starting with the 1968 plan to the 1974 version being prepared for publication by the Council on Environmental Quality. Chemical and biological agent data requirements being included in the 1974 version are explained with emphasis on the rationale for selecting the type of data being requested. Possible directions for future federal regulatory control for removal methods are discussed.
The shapes of adaptation: Historical ecology of anthropogenic landscapes in the southeastern United States

Native inhabitants of the Southeastern United States traditionally practiced land management strategies, including burning and clearing, that created ‘anthropogenic landscapes’. From the viewpoint of landscape ecology, analysis of historic documents including drawings and deerskin maps from the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries depicted the Native Southeastern landscape as a series of circular patches surrounded by buffer areas. This character contrasted sharply with early European coastal settlements which were more typically rectangular in shape. Differences between Native American and European land use patterns and implied perceptions of the landscape reflect distinct differences in their respective cultural models and intentionality.
Probing protein: DNA interactions using a uniform monolayer of DNA and surface plasmon resonance

A method is described for immobilizing double-stranded DNAs to a planar gold surface with high density and uniform spacing. This is accomplished by adsorbing biotinylated DNAs onto a nearly close-packed monolayer of the protein streptavidin. This streptavidin monolayer, which offers approximately 5 X 1012 biotin sites per cm2, is prepared first by adsorbing it onto a mixed self-assembled monolayer on gold which contains biotin-terminated and oligo-terminated alkylthiolates in a 3/7 ratio. This DNA- functionalized surface resists non-specific protein adsorption and is useful for probing the kinetics and equilibrium binding of proteins to DNA with surface plasmon resonance. This is demonstrated with the Mnt protein, which is found to bind in 3.8:1 ratio to its immobilized DNA operator sequence. This is consistent with its behavior in homogeneous solution, where it binds as a tetramer to its DNA. A sequence with a single base-pair mutation shows nearly as much Mnt binding, but a completely random DNA sequence shows only 5 percent of this binding. This proves that DNA-binding proteins bind sequence-specifically to double-stranded DNAs which are immobilized to gold with this streptavidin linker layer.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Deuterium NMR studies of guest motions in urea inclusion compounds of 1,6-dibromohexane with analytical evaluation of spectra in the fast motion limit

2H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction experiments, was used to characterize the guest motions of 1,6-dibromohexane in its urea inclusion compound. These motions are characterized by alkyl chain jumps between two conformations, each approximately gauche to the terminal bromines, which remain stationary. In this distorted urea channel, one conformer is heavily preferred, but thermally activated population of the unfavorable conformer leads to reversible, temperature-dependent changes in the unit cell parameters. Although rapid motions of the guest chain give rise to ambiguities in the interpretation of the2H NMR spectra, fortuitous temperature-independent spectral features of guests containing deuterium at the α, β and γ positions indicate that the guest motion resembles a two-site jump with unequal probabilities. Analytical lineshape calculations on the three sets of2H NMR spectra indicate a single jump mechanism in which the range of jump angles is narrowly prescribed. This NMR model provided a starting point for successful solution and refinement of the crystal structures at 213 and 298 K, which had been complicated by motional disorder.
High performance, large area graphene transistors on quasi-free-standing graphene using synthetic hexagonal boron nitride gate dielectrics

In recent years, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has gained interest as a material for use in graphene based electronics, where its ultra-smooth two-dimensional structure, lack of dangling bonds, and high energy surface optical phonon modes are desirable when considering the effect of dielectric materials in introducing additional sources of scattering for carriers within graphene. Initial work has indicated that use of h-BN in place of SiO 2 supporting substrates can lead to 2–3x improvements in device performance [1,2], suggesting that h-BN may be an excellent choice as top-gate dielectric for graphene devices. In this work, we integrate h-BN with quasi-freestanding graphene (QFEG) for the first time and demonstrate a 2x improvement in radio frequency (RF) performance and the highest ƒ T ·L g product yet reported for h-BN integrated graphene devices (25 GHz·µm).
Selective inhibition of c-myc expression by the ribonucleic acid synthesis inhibitor mithramycin.

Abstract Expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene has been shown to correlate with the rate of cellular proliferation and malignant transformation in a number of cell types. JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells demonstrate c-myc transcript levels that are greater than those of nonmalignant trophoblastic tissue at any stage of gestation. Southern blot analysis documents c-myc gene amplification in JEG 3 cells, with a gene copy number of approximately 20. The methylation pattern and genomic structure of the amplified c-myc oncogene in JEG-3 choriocaricoma cells are identical to those of normal placenta. Treatment of JEG-3 cells with mithramycin, a ribonucleic acid synthesis inhibitor, results in a dramatic decrease in c-myc expression relative to that of the c-Ha-Ras gene. The apparent selectivity of mithramycin for c-myc expression represents the only example, to date, of the selective pharmacologic modulation of oncogene expression.
The shortened cochlea: its classification and histopathologic features.

Abstract Introduction: The term ‘Mondini dysplasia’ has been used to describe virtually any congenital abnormality of the osseous labyrinth resulting in confusion and seemingly contradictory observations and conclusions about this type of deformity. The purpose of this study is to histopathologically classify and describe temporal bones whose cochleas have less than 2.5 turns. Methods: Of the 1800 temporal bones in our collection, 21 from 12 cases were found to have cochleas with less than 2.5 cochlear turns. Ages ranged from stillborn to 50 years. Temporal bones were harvested at autopsy, processed and embedded in celloidin. Sections were cut at a thickness of 20 μm and every 10th section stained with hematoxylin–eosin and examined using light microscopy. The number of turns, length of cochlea, integrity of cochlear base, length of modiolus, abnormalities of the semicircular canals and vestibule, enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct and middle ears were documented. Twenty-one temporal bones from age-matched patients without cochlear deformities were used as controls for modiolar length measurements. Results: Malformation of the shortened cochlea was histopathologically classified into three groups as follows: (1) Common cavity, cochlear dysplasia (one ear)—severe dysplasia of the cochlea without a complete basal turn; (2) Mondini dysplasia (11 ears)—1.5 cochlear turns, a complete basal turn, an incomplete or absent interscalar septum and a complete bone at the base of the modiolus; and (3) Mondini-like dysplasia type A (five ears)—2 turns to the cochlea including a complete basal turn and complete bone at the base of the modiolus; and type B (four ears)—1.5–2 turns to the cochlea, hypoplasia of or a missing bone at the base of the modiolus (either with or without a communication between the internal auditory canal and the cochlea) and a complete basal turn. Conclusion: The range of congenital malformations in short cochlea is highly variable. Fundamental to the accurate evaluation of a labyrinthine anomaly, malformations of the inner ear should be classified according to the findings in the labyrinth. We suggest the use of common cavity cochlear dysplasia, Mondini dysplasia and Mondini—like dysplasia to describe these variable anomalies.
Comparison of BMI and Physical Activity Between Old Order Amish Children and Non-Amish Children

OBJECTIVE The Old Order Amish (OOA) is a conservative Christian sect of European origin living in Pennsylvania. Diabetes is rare in adult OOA despite a mean BMI rivaling that in the general U.S. non-Hispanic white population. The current study examines childhood factors that may contribute to the low prevalence of diabetes in the OOA by comparing OOA children aged 8 to 19 years with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data and children from Maryland’s Eastern Shore (ES), a nearby, non-Amish, rural community. We hypothesized that pediatric overweight is less common in OOA children, that physical activity (PA) and BMI are inversely correlated, and that OOA children are more physically active than ES children. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We obtained anthropometric data in 270 OOA children and 229 ES children (166 non-Hispanic white, 60 non-Hispanic black, 3 Hispanic). PA was measured by hip-worn accelerometers in all ES children and in 198 OOA children. Instrumentation in 43 OOA children was identical to ES children. RESULTS OOA children were approximately 3.3 times less likely than non-Hispanic white ES children and NHANES estimates to be overweight (BMI ≥85th percentile, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Time spent in moderate/vigorous PA (MVPA) was inversely correlated to BMI z score ( r = −0.24, P = 0.0006). PA levels did not differ by ethnicity within the ES group, but OOA children spent an additional 34 min/day in light activity (442 ± 56 vs. 408 ± 75, P = 0.005) and, impressively, an additional 53 min/day in MVPA (106 ± 54 vs. 53 ± 32, P CONCLUSIONS We confirmed all three hypotheses. Together with our previous data, the study implies that the OOA tend to gain their excess weight relatively late in life and that OOA children are very physically active, both of which may provide some long-term protection against diabetes.
Nigerian Heads of Households' Attitudes Toward Modern and Traditional Medicines*

Two hundred and fifty five heads of households were surveyed in Iyekuselu district, Bendel state, Nigeria. Fifteen villages were randomly selected from the list of 107 villages that constitute the district. A total of seventeen heads of households were interviewed in each of the fifteen villages. This survey was conducted to assess the attitudes of subjects toward modern medicine and traditional medicine. The heads of households generally expressed positive attitudes toward the health services provided at the modern medicine facilities. Some of them also reported accepting traditional healing administered by native doctors as legitimate alternative health care. For the illnesses considered in this study, the majority of the respondents were willing to consider modern medicine.
Fabrication of three-dimensional opal and inverse opal structure for photonic crystal devices

A new process based upon a combination of centrifugation and spin-annealing has been developed to fabricate photonic crystals with stop gaps in the mid-IR portion of the spectrum. The results of Fourier-transform IR reflection spectroscopy characterization are in excellent agreement with band structure diffraction calculations.
Understanding the drivers for the development of design rules for the synthesis of cylindrical flexures

Abstract. Cylindrical flexures (CFs), defined as flexures with only one finite radius of curvature loaded normal to the plane of curvature, present an interesting research direction in compliant mechanisms. CFs are constructed out of a cylindrical stock which leads to geometry, manufacturability, and compatibility advantages. Synthesis rules must be developed to design these new systems effectively. Current knowledge in flexure design pertains to straight-beam flexures or curved flexures loaded along the plane of curvature. CFs present a challenge because their mechanics differ from those of straight beams, and although their modelling has been researched thoroughly it has yet to be distilled into element and system creation rules. This paper uses models and finite element analysis to demonstrate that current design rules for straight-beam flexures are insufficient and inadequate for the design of CF systems. The presented discussion will show that CFs differ both at the element and systems levels, and therefore future research will focus on developing the three components of the building block approach: (i) reworking of element mechanics models to reveal the parameters which cause the kinematics of the curved beam to differ from those of the straight beam, (ii) development of a visual stiffness representation, and (iii) formation of system creation rules.
Symbolic evaluation of performance models for tradeoff visualization

Often during the design process, it is necessary to analyzethe effects of tradeoff among various performance attributesof the design.Visual representations in the formof plots, graphs, and tables are typically used.These visualizationscan be generated using different applications suchas MatLab®, Mathematica®, Excel®, and so forth.Inorder to use these tools, performance equations for the designmust be rendered in an equational form with only afew variables, usually 2-3.However, performance modelsusually consist of a large number of attributes and evaluzationprocedures, typically written using the full power of aprogramming or hardware description language.We introducea symbolic evaluation procedure to simplify performancemodels.Given partial data, such evaluation yields a residualperformance model which is simpler than the original model.Symbolic evaluation can be effectively used to obtain residualperformance equations in terms of the variables whosetradeoff visualization is of interest to the user.
Development of a multi-mechanistic, dual-porosity, dual-permeability, numerical flow model for coalbed methane reservoirs

Abstract Most existing coalbed methane (CBM) simulators usually treat coal seams as dual-porosity, single-permeability systems ignoring the effects of water presence in the coal matrix. In this study, a compositional dual-porosity, dual-permeability CBM simulator has been developed. The CBM reservoir is treated as a dual-porosity, dual-permeability system consisting of coal matrix and fracture network. The development of the proposed numerical model incorporates the effects of water presence in the coal matrix and the phenomena of coal shrinkage and swelling. The transport of gas follows a multi-mechanistic flow mechanism triggered by pressure and concentration gradients. In addition, the proposed simulator is able to collapse to simpler coal seam representations and was successfully tested against the existing commercial and research CBM simulators for CO2-enhanced CBM recovery process. Successful history matching exercises were performed on pure CO2 injection and flue gas injection tests using the actual field data.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of some biological molecules

Abstract The ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS) of the following biologically-active compounds are reported and/or assigned: 2,4-dinitrophenol, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, barbituric acid, xanthine, hypoxanthine, uric acid, uracil, thymine, cytosine, adenine, guanine, β-carotene, menadione, purine and pyrimidine. The importance of UPS data is exemplified in two ways: First, by investigating the validity of the Pullman k -index approach 14 to ionization energies; and, second, by generating an experimental scale of electron-donating ability.
Construction of a confocal microscope for real-time x-y and x-z imaging.

Abstract We1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltddescribe the construction of a simple ‘real-time’ laser-scanning confocal microscope, and illustrate its use for rapid imaging of elementary intracellular calcium signaling events. A resonant scanning galvanometer (8 kHz) allows x-y frame acquisition rates of 15 or 30 Hz, and the use of mirrors to scan the laser beam permits use of true, pinhole confocal detection to provide diffraction-limited spatial resolution. Furthermore, use of a piezoelectric device to rapidly focus the objective lens allows axial ( x-z ) images to be obtained from thick specimens at similar frame rates. A computer with image acquisition and graphics cards converts the output from the microscope to a standard video signal, which can then be recorded on videotape and analyzed by regular image processing systems. The system is largely made from commercially available components and requires little custom construction of mechanical parts or electronic circuitry. It costs only a small fraction of that of comparable commercial instruments, yet offers greater versatility and similar or better performance.
A Simple Spinning Joint for a Rotary Film Evaporator

WHEN constructing a rotary film evaporator1 without a rotating vessel for solvent recovery, we required a spinning joint which would remain airtight at a reduced pressure of 15–20 mm. mercury.
Molecular mechanism and functional implications of thrombin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ in platelets

Thrombin has been known to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) in platelets, but the molecular mechanisms and function of this tyrosine phosphorylation is not known. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathways used by protease-activated receptors (PARs) to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ and the role of this event in platelet function. PKCδ was tyrosine phosphorylated by either PAR1 or PAR4 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in human platelets. In particular, the tyrosine 311 residue was phosphorylated downstream of PAR receptors. Also the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ did not occur in Gαq-deficient mouse platelets and was inhibited in the presence of a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 and calcium chelator BAPTA (5,5′-dimethyl-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N ′, N ′-tetraacetic acid), suggesting a role for Gαq pathways and calcium in this event. Both PAR1 and PAR4 caused a time-dependent activation of Src (pp60c-src) tyrosine kinase and Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors completely blocked the tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation or the kinase activity of PKCδ dramatically blocked PAR-mediated thromboxane A2 generation. We conclude that thrombin causes tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ in a calcium- and Src-family kinase–dependent manner in platelets, with functional implications in thromboxane A2 generation.
Notes from a pedant

James Roy MacBean. Film and Revolution. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1976. 339 pp. $15.00 cloth; $4.95 paper.
Intercellular trafficking of Alu RNAs causes geographic atrophy expansion in AMD

Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accounts for the bulk of blindness in the elderly in Western societies. The hallmark of advanced atrophic AMD, geographic atrophy (GA), is loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells that expands centrifugally over time. We previously identified decreased abundance of the enzyme DICER1 and accumulation of its substrate Alu RNA in RPE cells as a cause of GA (Kaneko et al. Nature, 2011). We hypothesized that disease progression is due to transfer of cytotoxic Alu RNA from dying RPE to neighboring healthy cells by means of bleb/microvesicle RNA trafficking. Methods Human RPE or 661W cells were transfected with DICER AS oligonuclotide. Blebs/exosomes were collected from conditioned media by differential centrifugation. RNA content of the isolated fractions was quantified by qPCR. For live cell imaging, FITC-Alu RNA transfected hRPE were stained with Fluorescent Cellvue®. Subretinally injected mouse eyes were stained (anti-ZO1), flatmounted and imaged with confocal microscopy. Results Blebs and microvesicles isolated from DICER1-deficient RPE cells show increased abundance of Alu RNA. Additionally, exposing healthy RPE or photoreceptors to conditioned medium from Alu-enriched cells leads to cell death. Live cell imaging identified the presence of FITC-Alu RNA in Alu-naive cells co-cultured with cells transfected with the fluorescently tagged RNA. Further, we demonstrate that subretinally injected vesicles induce RPE degeneration in mice. Conclusion These data provide evidence for “neighborhood poisoning” as a mechanistic basis for progression of atrophic AMD. Targeting intercellular spread of Alu RNA holds therapeutic promise for inhibiting expansion of this devastating disease.