cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactive oxygen species as signaling molecules in the development of lung fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a relatively rare but devastating disease characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. The increased matrix results in reduced lung compliance and increased work of breathing, while the obliteration of alveolar-capillary structures can result in hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension, which manifests clinically as worsening shortness of breath, respiratory failure, and death. Unbiased genome-wide association studies combined with animal models suggest that damage to the alveolar epithelium is the initiating factor in pulmonary fibrosis. This epithelial injury leads to the activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts that secrete extracellular matrix proteins characteristic of fibrosis. The best described molecular link between alveolar epithelial dysfunction and myofibroblast activation and proliferation is the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). We and others have found that mitochondrial and NAD(P)H oxidase-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a signaling role to enhance TGF-β signaling and promote fibrosis. The purpose of this article is to review how ROS signaling leads to the activation of TGF-β. We suggest that an improved understanding of these pathways might explain the failure of nonselective antioxidants to improve outcomes in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and might identify novel targets for therapy.
Efficacy of biopesticides on spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura in fall red raspberries

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura is a significant pest of soft-skinned fruit. Larvae of D. suzukii develop within the fruit making it unmarketable as fresh berries and increasing the risk of rejection by processors. We evaluated selected biopesticides for control of D. suzukii in fall red raspberries, Rubus idaeus L. The trial results highlight a small number of biopesticides with the potential to reduce infestation of Drosophila larvae in raspberries. In addition to the standard biopesticide spinosad, we found that sabadilla alkaloids and Chromobacterium subtsugae both reduced the number of Drosophila larvae in raspberry fruit. Treatments that included corn syrup as a feeding stimulant showed no significant difference in their infestation levels compared to treatments without the syrup. In the final week of the 5-week trial, treatments with rotations of either spinosad/C. subtsugae or spinosad/sabadilla alkaloids had a 67% and 57% reduction in infestation when compared to untreated raspberries. Treatments of spinosad alone on a 7 day rotation and C. subtsugae alone on a 3–5 day rotation both had a 62% and 61% reduction in larval infestation when compared to untreated raspberries. Third instar larvae, the largest and most damaging, were significantly reduced in plots treated with spinosad only, a rotation of spinosad/sabadilla alkaloids and the rotation of spinosad/C. subtsugae with corn syrup added when compared to untreated plots. This suggests that either of these biopesticides could be used as effective rotation partners along with spinosad for control of D. suzukii. Our results highlight that biopesticides can provide significant reduction in this devastating pest when used alone or in combination, providing options to support resistance management.
All-dry transferred single- and few-layer MoS2 field effect transistor with enhanced performance by thermal annealing

We report on the experimental demonstration of all-dry stamp transferred single- and few-layer (1L to 3L) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field effect transistors (FETs), with a significant enhancement of device performance by employing thermal annealing in moderate vacuum. Three orders of magnitude reduction in both contact and channel resistances have been attained via thermal annealing. We obtain a low contact resistance of 22 kΩ μm after thermal annealing of 1L MoS2 FETs stamp-transferred onto gold (Au) contact electrodes. Furthermore, nearly two orders of magnitude enhancement of field effect mobility are also observed after thermal annealing. Finally, we employ Raman and photoluminescence measurements to reveal the phenomena of alloying or hybridization between 1L MoS2 and its contacting electrodes during annealing, which is responsible for attaining the low contact resistance.
Articulating the “How,” the “For What,” the “For Whom,” and the “With Whom” in Concert: A Call to Broaden the Benchmarks of our Scholarship

Cognition and Instruction has developed a well-deserved reputation for publishing empirically grounded scholarship that makes rich theoretical contributions to what it means to “think, learn, know,...
Age and Recovery from Brain Damage

More than a century has passed since Cotard (1868) reported that early or congenital left-hemisphere damage does not lead to aphasia. Confirmatory observations showing that aphasia acquired after a child has learned speech is less severe and less permanent than in adults contributed to the widely held view that the young brain is more resilient to insults than the mature brain (cf. Guttman, 1942). However, this view has recently come under criticism for being accepted as “unquestioned dogma” (St. James-Roberts, 1979). Focusing on age at injury as an explanatory variable de-emphasizes a number of equally important interactive variables such as the functional maturation of the involved tissue, age at assessment, testing procedures, and experiential factors related to both the preinsult and recovery periods (St. James-Roberts, 1979)
Shock Wave Physics

Stress waves can be produced in solids by impact with another object, by gas pressure of adjacent detonating explosive, or by sudden deposition of radiation. These waves are in general very complicated, even for simple geometries, because of the strong interaction that occurs between the wave propagation behavior and the material response behavior when the stresses exceed the elastic limit. In this lecture we will limit our attention to plane longitudinal waves, non-linear in general, and emphasize the relation between the thermomechanical behavior of the material and the wave propagation behavior. Many interesting physical phenomena are not included in such a continuum approach. In part this elision is due to lack of space and in part because many microscopic phenomena such as conductivity, magnetic effects, dislocation mechanics, etc., are still in the exploration stage; many of the papers of this symposium deal with several of those aspects of shock wave physics. The thermomechanical behavior, however, is not only of intrinsic interest but occupies a central and essential role in the study of all shock related phenomena. To display the interrelationship between material properties and wave propagation it is customary to begin with the well-developed theory of high speed flow of fluids. Our approach will be similar except that we will delay somewhat the introduction of any assumptions concerning material properties. In this way we hope to avoid some confusion about the applicability of the results to solids.
Basics of Complex Morse Theory

In this final chapter, we would like to introduce the reader to the complex version of Morse theory that has proved to be very useful in the study of the topology of complex projective varieties, and more recently in the study of the topology of symplectic manifolds.
Examining the True Self as a Wellspring of Meaning

This chapter explores the idea that the true self is a fundamental source of meaning in people’s lives. Specifically, we argue that people’s beliefs about who they really are (i.e., their true self-concepts) form the foundation for idiosyncratic life philosophies, which in turn inform decision making by providing guidance about which choices are worthwhile. In the chapter, we review the existing literature that suggests the true self-concept is a source of meaning and then propose a variety of potential explanations for why the true self-concept is used in this way, with particular consideration for the idea that there may not actually be a true self. This perspective helps explain why some choices are viewed as meaningful to some people but not others, even if the existence of a single true self may be a myth.
Best Practices in Nursing Homes: Clinical Supervision, Management, and Human Resource Practices

Human resource practices including supervision and management are associated with organizational performance. Evidence supportive of such an association in nursing homes is found in the results of numerous research studies conducted during the past 17 years. In this article, best practices related to this topic have been culled from descriptive, explanatory, and intervention studies in a range of interdisciplinary research journals published between 1990 and 2007. Identified best practices include implementation of training programs on supervision and management for licensed nurses, certified nursing assistant job enrichment programs, implementation of consistent nursing assignments, and the use of electronic documentation. Organizational barriers and facilitators of these best practices are described.
Fanning the Flames: Understanding Gang Involvement Among Philippine Prisoners.

Utilizing intensive interview and observational data from inmates in one of the most overcrowded and underresourced jail in Metro Manila, Philippines, this study presents the first in-depth analysi...
Emotional distress in mothers of early-preterm infants, late-preterm infants, and full-term infants in Malawi.

Abstract Background Mothers of preterm infants, early or late, report more distress than mothers of full-term infants. Malawi has the highest preterm birth rate in the world, but nothing is known about the relation of preterm birth to maternal mental health. Purpose To compare emotional distress among mothers of early-preterm, late-preterm, and full-term infants. Methods We recruited 28 mothers of early-preterm, 29 mothers of late-preterm, and 28 mothers of full-term infants. Emotional distress was assessed 24-72 hr following birth. One-way ANOVA and regression analysis were used to compare the three groups. Findings Mothers of early-preterm infants reported more distress symptoms than mothers of full-term infants, and scores of mothers of late-preterm infants fell between the other two groups. Having a support person present was associated with lower symptoms and caesarean birth was associated with more symptoms. Discussion Promoting maternal mental health is important following preterm birth and health care providers need to support mothers.
Modeling the interface structure of type II twin boundary in B19′ NiTi from an atomistic and topological standpoint

Abstract This study addresses fundamental quandaries in the understanding of Type II twin interface in B19′ NiTi. A combined atomistic-topological approach is proposed to resolve a longstanding debate on the interface structure, affirming the hypothesis of a semi-coherent ledged geometry comprising of disconnected terraces. Atomic registry across the terrace is shown to require interface coherence strains. The twinning plane is shown to be a non-crystallographic virtual boundary separating the strained twin variants. Consequently, the issue of lattice offset arises and is addressed by an atomistic evaluation of interface energetics upon parametric variation of an offset parameter. Required atomic movements for migration of the terrace are established from a crystallographic analysis of the strained interface structure, and validated by a Molecular Statics (MS) simulation of the twin migration segment in the Generalized Planar Fault Energy (GPFE) curve. The GPFE calculation estimates a twinning partial magnitude consistent with an earlier ab initio prediction. This twinning partial serves as a “perfect” interface dislocation which, along with the coherence strain, feed into a topological model causally explaining the known irrational indices of the effective Twin Boundary (TB). A complete mechanistic picture of diffusionless TB migration is presented, the importance of which is discussed.
One-step RNA extraction for RT-qPCR detection of 2019-nCoV

ABSTRACT The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has placed an unprecedented burden on healthcare systems as the virus spread from the initial 27 reported cases in the city of Wuhan, China to a global pandemic in under three months1. Resources essential to monitoring virus transmission have been challenged with a demand for expanded surveillance. The CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time Diagnostic Panel uses a real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) consisting of two TaqMan probe and primer sets specific for the 2019-nCoV N gene, which codes for the nucleocapsid structural protein that encapsulates viral RNA, for the qualitative detection of 2019-nCoV viral RNA in respiratory samples. To isolate RNA from respiratory samples, the CDC lists RNA extraction kits from three manufacturers. In anticipation of a limited supply chain of RNA extraction kits and the need for test scalability, we sought to identify alternative RNA extraction methods. Here we show that direct lysis of respiratory samples can be used in place of RNA extraction kits to run the CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time Diagnostic assay with the additional benefits of higher throughput, lower cost, faster turnaround and possibly higher senitivity and improved saftey.
Stabilization of Liner Implosions via a Dynamic Screw Pinch

Magnetically driven implosions are susceptible to magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, including the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRTI). To reduce MRTI growth in solid-metal liner implosions, the use of a dynamic screw pinch (DSP) has been proposed [P. F. Schmit et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 205001 (2016)]. In a DSP configuration, a helical return-current structure surrounds the liner, resulting in a helical magnetic field that drives the implosion. Here, we present the first experimental tests of a solid-metal liner implosion driven by a DSP. Using the 1-MA, 100--200-ns COBRA pulsed-power driver, we tested three DSP cases (with peak axial magnetic fields of 2 T, 14 T, and 20 T) and a standard $z$-pinch (SZP) case (with a straight return-current structure and thus zero axial field). The liners had an initial radius of 3.2 mm and were made from 650-nm-thick aluminum foil. Images collected during the experiments reveal that helical MRTI modes developed in the DSP cases, while nonhelical (azimuthally symmetric) MRTI modes developed in the SZP case. Additionally, the MRTI amplitudes for the 14-T and 20-T DSP cases were smaller than in the SZP case. Specifically, when the liner had imploded to half of its initial radius, the MRTI amplitudes for the SZP case and for the 14-T and 20-T DSP cases were, respectively, $1.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mm}$, $0.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mm}$, and $0.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mm}$. Relative to the SZP, the stabilization obtained using the DSP agrees reasonably well with theoretical estimates.
Traveling waves in Hall-magnetohydrodynamics and the ion-acoustic shock structure

Hall-magnetohydrodynamics (HMHD) is a mixed hyperbolic-parabolic partial differential equation that describes the dynamics of an ideal two fluid plasma with massless electrons. We study the only shock wave family that exists in this system (the other discontinuities being contact discontinuities and not shocks). We study planar traveling wave solutions and we find solutions with discontinuities in the hydrodynamic variables, which arise due to the presence of real characteristics in Hall-MHD. We introduce a small viscosity into the equations and use the method of matched asymptotic expansions to show that solutions with a discontinuity satisfying the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions and also an entropy condition have continuous shock structures. The lowest order inner equations reduce to the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, plus an equation which implies the constancy of the magnetic field inside the shock structure. We are able to show that the current is discontinuous across the shock, even as the magnetic field is continuous, and that the lowest order outer equations, which are the equations for traveling waves in inviscid Hall-MHD, are exactly integrable. We show that the inner and outer solutions match, which allows us to construct a family of uniformly valid continuous composite solutions that become discontinuous when the diffusivity vanishes.
Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Attitude Toward Cancer Survivorship

The number of cancer survivors is expected to rise to up to 20 million by 2026. It is of utmost importance that nurses who provide survivorship care enhance their knowledge and skills to meet the needs of cancer survivors. The purpose of this project is to propose a pilot evidence-based educational project to incorporate the concept and framework of the survivorship care plan for nursing students. We evaluated feedback from nursing students for their knowledge and attitude on cancer survivorship care. A pilot educational project was given to 38 undergraduate students and 17 graduate students. Pre- and post-test feedback were collected from these students. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. At least 60% of both undergraduate and graduate nursing students had experience in either adult or pediatric oncology units. Only 11% of undergraduate and 18% of graduate students reported awareness of survivorship care plans. However, all of the students believed the survivorship care plan will be helpful for cancer patients. We recommend that it is imperative to incorporate the concept of cancer survivorship in the early stage of nursing education.
Cortical Contributions to Higher-Order Conditioning: A Review of Retrosplenial Cortex Function

In higher-order conditioning paradigms, such as sensory preconditioning or second-order conditioning, discrete (e.g., phasic) or contextual (e.g., static) stimuli can gain the ability to elicit learned responses despite never being directly paired with reinforcement. The purpose of this mini-review is to examine the neuroanatomical basis of high-order conditioning, by selectively reviewing research that has examined the role of the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) in sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning. For both forms of higher-order conditioning, we first discuss the types of associations that may occur and then review findings from RSC lesion/inactivation experiments. These experiments demonstrate a role for the RSC in sensory preconditioning, suggesting that this cortical region might contribute to higher-order conditioning via the encoding of neutral stimulus-stimulus associations. In addition, we address knowledge gaps, avenues for future research, and consider the contribution of the RSC to higher-order conditioning in relation to related brain structures.
The First Amendment Bubble: How Privacy and Paparazzi Threaten a Free Press

In determining the news that s fit to print, U.S. courts have traditionally declined to second-guess professional journalists. But in an age when news, entertainment, and new media outlets are constantly pushing the envelope of acceptable content, the consensus over press freedoms is eroding. The First Amendment Bubble" examines how unbridled media are endangering the constitutional privileges journalists gained in the past century.For decades, judges have generally affirmed that individual privacy takes a back seat to the public s right to know. But the growth of the Internet and the resulting market pressures on traditional journalism have made it ever harder to distinguish public from private, news from titillation, journalists from provocateurs. Is a television program that outs criminals or a website that posts salacious videos entitled to First Amendment protections based on newsworthiness? U.S. courts are increasingly inclined to answer no, demonstrating new resolve in protecting individuals from invasive media scrutiny and enforcing their own sense of the proper boundaries of news.This judicial backlash now extends beyond ethically dubious purveyors of infotainment, to mainstream journalists, who are seeing their ability to investigate crime and corruption curtailed. Yet many heedless of judicial demands for accountability continue to push for ever broader constitutional privileges. In so doing, Amy Gajda warns, they may be creating a First Amendment bubble that will rupture in the courts, with disastrous consequences for conventional news."
Explicit and Implicit Semantic Content of The Genetic Information

The latter-day success of molecular biology in providing a physical account of the structure and function of the hereditary material was in large part due to the focus of its founders on the concept of ‘genetic information’. As was spelled out thirty years ago by Erwin Schrodinger (1945) in his seminal book What Is Life, the gene, as a hereditary determinant, can be viewed as an information carrier whose physical structure corresponds to an aperiodic succession of a small number of isomeric elements of a hereditary codescript. Eventually, the gene was identified as a segment of a double helical DNA molecule residing in the chromosomes of the cell nucleus. The isomeric elements of the hereditary codescript turned out to be the four nucleotide bases adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine, which embody the genetic information by their aperiodic linear sequence along the DNA molecule. And as far as the meaning of the information contained in an individual gene is concerned, it was first put forward as an a prioridogmatic postulate and later established as an empirical fact, that the linear sequence of DNA nucleotide bases stands for the linear sequence of amino acids of a particular protein molecule. The two sequences are related to each other via a genetic code, under which each nucleotide base triplet stands for one of the twenty kinds of amino acids of which protein molecules are built. However, the chromosomal DNA also contains some nucleotide base sequence segments which do not stand for protein molecules, and, strictly speaking, do not constitute genes. Some of these segments serve as templates for the assembly of nucleic acid components of the cellular apparatus for protein synthesis, such as transfer and ribosomal RNA molecules, and other segments serve as control sites at which the expression of the genes is regulated. Thus it is fair to say that there exists at present a highly satisfactory state of understanding of the nature of the informational content and meaning of the structural elements of the genetic material. Indeed, efforts are now underway to subject the semantic character of DNA nucleotide sequences to a detailed linguistic analysis and to formulate a grammar of a “genetic language” (Ratner, 1974).
Mechanics of gravitational spreading of steep-sided ridges («sackung»)

Large-scale gravitational spreading of steep-sided ridges characterized by linear fissures, trenches, and uphill-facing scarps high on the sides and tops of ridges are known worldwide. Such spreading, termed sackung, is commonly attributed to pervasive plastic deformation of a rock mass, and is here analyzed as such. Beginning with a previously developed exact elastic solution for gravity-induced stresses in a symmetric ridge, stresses calculated from the exact solution are used in the Coulomb failure criterion to determine the extent of ridge failure under self-weight. Finally, when the regions of failure are established, a plastic flow solution is applied to predict the location of and sense of movement on upward-facing scarps near ridge crests and other features common in sackung.
Network Support: The Radio Environment Map

This chapter discusses the strategy of exploiting network support in cognitive radio (CR) systems architectures introducing the radio environment map (REM) as an innovative vehicle of providing network support to CRs. As a systematic top-down approach to providing network support to CRs, the radio environment map is proposed as an integrated database consisting of multi domain information such as geographical features, available services, spectral regulations, locations and activities of radios, policies of the user and/or service provider, and past experience. An radio environment map (REM) can be exploited by a CE to enhance or achieve most of cognitive functionalities such as SA, reasoning, learning, planning, and decision support. Leveraging both internal and external network support through global and local REMs presents a sensible approach to implementing CRs in a reliable, flexible, and cost effective way. Network support can dramatically relax the requirements on a CR device as well as improve the performance of the whole CR network. Considering the dynamic nature of spectral regulation and operation policy, the REM-based CR is flexible and future proof in the sense that it allows regulators or service providers to modify or change their rules or policies simply by updating REMs accordingly.
Acquiring User Preferences for Product Customization

Mass customization requires acquisition of customer preferences, which can be modeled with multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT). Unfortunately current methods of acquiring MAUT weights and utility functions require too many queries. In Iona, the user is first queried for absolute/preferred constraints and categorical preferences to cull the product pool. Next Iona selects queries to maximally reduce the utility uncertainty of the remaining product choices. Implemented queries include stereotype membership and contexts (the purchase situation), which give probabilistic MAUT data modeled as ranges of weights. The usefulness of a query is based on the reduction in uncertainty (smaller range) weighted by the likelihood that the user belongs to a stereotype/context based on similarity to the current user model. Querying proceeds until the usefulness of the best query is below the threshold of user impatience. Finally integer programming is used to select the best product for the user.
Age changes in oral epithelia. Progenitor population, synthesis index and tissue turnover.

Abstract Male rats in four different age groups of 2, 9, 19 and 27 months were injected with tritiated thymidine and sacrificed 45 min later. Autoradiographic sections from the palatal and the lingual epithelia were studied. The number of basal cells per mm of length, the number of labeled cells in the basal layer, and in the suprabasal area, were counted. It was found that the progenitor cell population was not limited to the basal layer alone. Thus, the number of basal cells did not coincide with the number of progenitor cells. This study deals with changes in the oral epithelia of the rat at two age periods. One, between 2 and 9 months, is a decrease of the synthesis index while the progenitor size stays constant associated with a change from a rapid growing animal to a mature one. The second, between 9 and 27 months, is a decrease in the progenitor population and an increase in the synthesis index.
Flexible and adaptive socio-emotional problem solving in adult development and aging.

Purpose Despite decline in basic cognitive mechanisms, aging adults may also possess abilities that allow them to function quite effectively, particularly when cognition is examined in a socio-emotional context. In this article, I highlight the importance of the functional dynamics or the ability to effectively adapt to the demands and opportunities that individuals are confronted with on an everyday basis. Methods This overview takes into consideration how life experiences, social interactions, beliefs, and emotions influence motivational goals for processing information in daily life. I present an integrative representation of my empirical work and theorizing on the impact of socio-emotional contextual factors in older adulthood by identifying developmental mechanisms and contexts that determine when older adults' everyday problem solving and emotion regulation is optimal or adaptive and when it is not. Results Older adults display flexibility in problem solving and emotion regulation strategy use as well as a decrease in the amount of resources necessary to maintain or regain emotional well-being, while performing well at other tasks. Conclusions We suggest that growing older has the adaptive potential to effectively solve problems, regulate emotions, and reduce the cognitive costs of emotion regulation, further corroborating findings of a positive and flexible developmental trajectory for emotional control with increasing age.
The structural basis for insulin-like growth factor I receptor high affinity binding.

We have recently identified high and low affinity insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) binding sites in solubilized human placental membranes and purified the high affinity IGF I receptor by IGF I affinity chromatography (Tollefsen, S. E., Thompson, K., and Petersen, D. J. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 16461-16469). To define the structural basis for high affinity IGF I binding, we have examined the effect of disulfide bond reduction on the binding parameters of the high affinity IGF I receptor. We find that the disulfide bonds linking the two alpha beta dimers of the IGF I receptor heterotetramer are reduced by incubation at pH 8.75 with 2 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) for 5 min at room temperature. Gel filtration chromatography on a Superose 12 fast protein liquid chromatography column indicates that the alpha beta dimers do not remain associated by noncovalent interactions after reduction. Scatchard plots of IGF I binding to the IGF I receptor incubated at pH 8.75 with or without DTT indicate that the IGF I receptor alpha beta dimers have a 6.1 +/- 1.6 (mean +/- S.D.) times lower affinity than the heterotetramer for IGF I. The total binding capacity of the IGF I receptor treated with DTT is 1.6 +/- 0.3 (mean +/- S.D.) times higher than that of an equal amount of receptor treated without DTT. These results are consistent with a model in which the heterotetramer binds a single IGF I molecule with high affinity, whereas each of the two alpha beta dimers binds an IGF I molecule with lower affinity after dissociation. We conclude that association of two alpha beta dimers is required for formation of an IGF I receptor with high affinity for its ligand.
100 THz Broadband High-Power Antennas – Results of Modeling and Antennas Future Applications

The purpose of this publication is to demonstrate the results of supercomputer modeling of broadband antennas operating up to 100 THz. The aim of modeling was to achieve the highest possible antenna gain and peak power, the highest gain uniformity and lowest sidelobes, while maintaining the smallest antenna aperture and lowest multi-antenna coupling.
Quantum Dot Surfaces for Use In Vivo and In Vitro

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the recent advances in the use of quantum dots for biological imaging and the work done on the effects of chemically varying quantum dot surface properties to improve cellular uptake and imaging in vivo. Quantum dots—first introduced for biological labeling in 1998—have proved to be extraordinarily useful fluorescence reagents that have significant advantages over other types of fluorescent dyes. They combine very high brightness,because of high absorbency and high quantum yields, with unprecedented resistance to photo-bleaching. Emission wavelengths, governed primarily by composition and secondarily by size, range from near‐ultraviolet to infrared. The combination of high brightness, photo-stability, and narrow-emission bandwidths with the ability to excite many colors naturally leads to the possibility of using multicolor combinations of quantum dots to label or “bar‐code” large numbers of different objects. Quantum dots may be used for single‐molecule imaging in living cells. Quantum dots are well suited for two‐photon microscopy. There are potential drawbacks to the use of quantum dots: their large size and high molecular weights may limit applications that require measurement of molecular mobility, and attached quantum dots might interfere with molecular interactions. Since the current generation of quantum dots is composed of toxic heavy metals (CdSe and cadmium telluride [CdTe] cores, with ZnS shells), toxicity might be anticipated if the quantum dots degrade during use.
Chapter 27 Diffusion of inhibitors across the cell wall

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the diffusion of inhibitors across the cell wall. One major function of the bacterial cell envelope is to prevent, or at least slow down, the influx of deleterious compounds from the environment. The Outer Membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is very effective in this function. The cell wall of at least some Gram-positive species, such as mycobacteria, acts as an effective permeability barrier. Gram-negative bacteria are covered by the OM, which is located outside the peptidoglycan layer. Its basic continuum is a lipid bilayer containing both Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the more common glycerophospholipids, and most of the intrinsic OM proteins appear to function in providing selective permeability. Most β-lactam compounds are small, and have an elongated shape. Thus, they are predicted to diffuse through the E. coli porin channels without much difficulty. Quantitative determination of β-lactam diffusion rates in intact cells and in reconstituted liposomes showed that the rates are influenced by several parameters.
Low temperature plasma amorphous carbon encapsulation for reliable multilevel interconnections-with applications to wafer scale multichip packaging

The possibility of using amorphous carbon as an encapsulant for integrated circuits is investigated. As this is a low-temperature plasma-deposited carbon film, low stresses result. This reduces the possibility of bond wire breakages and stress on the underlying film. Its low-temperature deposition, chemical inactivity, highly electrical insulating properties, and imperviousness to the passage of contaminating gases, liquids, and ions make it a suitable encapsulant for circuits. These properties also make it a potential replacement for silicon nitride. The possibility of using amorphous carbon as a wire encapsulant at interconnect level is also explored. >
Human interdigestive motility: variations in patterns from esophagus to colon.

Abstract In most fasting mammals, motility of the foregut and small intestine undergoes regular cycles of activity. Much of the expanding knowledge of this phenomenon comes from species other than humans; however, disorders of these patterns are proposed as being clinically important. We report studies in 16 healthy humans in whom motility was recorded from intraluminal pressure sensors, both when fasting and after a meal, for prolonged periods. The recording system spanned the area from stomach to proximal colon in all subjects and included the lower esophagus in 11 of the 16 studied. Half the interdigestive cycles involved the esophagus, approximately one-third began in the gastroduodenal region, and the remainder commenced more distally. Fewer than half the migrating motor complexes were recognizable beyond the midpoint of the small bowel, and
Applications of SSM/I Data in the Analysis of Hurricane Florence (1988)

Abstract Data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) on board a Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite are used to study the precipitation patterns and wind fields associated with Hurricane Florence (1988). SSM/I estimates indicate that the intensification of Florence was coincident with the increase in total latent beat release. Additionally, an increase in the concentration and areal coverage of heavier rain rates near the center is observed. SSM/I marine surface winds of Florence are examined and compared to in situ data, and to an enhanced objective isotach analysis over the Gulf of Mexico. Results indicate that the SSM/I winds are weaker than those depicted in the enhanced objective analysis and slightly stronger than in situ observations. Finally, center positions of Florence are estimated using the 85-GHz brightness temperature imagery. Much improved estimates are achieved using this imagery compared to using GOES infrared imagery. These results concur with previous studies th...
Selling Time: Swatch Group and the Global Watch Industry

This illustrative case analyzes and evaluates Swatch Group and its core competencies and global strategies in the changing and highly segmented watch industry. Originating from Switzerland, the Group is a major watch manufacturer in the world with a unique brand portfolio that includes low priced as well as luxury watches such as Breguet, Blancpain, Longines, Rado, Omega, and the like. Swatch Group, formerly known as Socitede Microelectronique et d'Horlogerie (SMH), sells its products through 500 Swatch watch shops, uses 15,000 retailers and 1,000 shop-in-shops, and over 140 kiosks in global markets. The Group is vertically integrated and supplies virtually all the components and parts for its line of watches. In 2009, Swatch Group's sales stood at $5.37 billion and the company continues to be an entrepreneurial entity with efficient research and development (R&D), creating many technological breakthroughs and marketing campaigns. Swatch Group is expected to grow in the coming years although the 2008 financial crisis, competition, and changing markets remain some of the major hurdles for the company. The article ends with selected developments and future changes that may impact the company in the coming years. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Progress in normal-incidence III-V quantum well infrared photodetectors

Intersubband transitions in GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum wells have been successfully used in the design of novel infrared detectors for over a decade now. Both conduction- and valence-band based detectors have been investigated. In general, the conduction-band based detectors fabricated from direct gap GaAs/(Al,Ga)As heterostructures are not sensitive to normal-incidence light. This is a consequence of the quantum mechanical rules that govern light absorption in these structures. In order to detect normal-incidence light, a grating structure which scatters the incident light into higher order, transverse magnetic modes is used. To avoid the use of gratings, research is being carried out in (In,Ga,Al)As/(Al,Ga)As conduction-band quantum well structures that can absorb normal-incidence light. This paper reviews recent progress in such detectors.
The Wnt Signaling Receptor Lrp5 Is Required for Mammary Ductal Stem Cell Activity and Wnt1-induced Tumorigenesis

Canonical Wnt signaling has emerged as a critical regulatory pathway for stem cells. The association between ectopic activation of Wnt signaling and many different types of human cancer suggests that Wnt ligands can initiate tumor formation through altered regulation of stem cell populations. Here we have shown that mice deficient for the Wnt co-receptor Lrp5 are resistant to Wnt1-induced mammary tumors, which have been shown to be derived from the mammary stem/progenitor cell population. These mice exhibit a profound delay in tumorigenesis that is associated with reduced Wnt1-induced accumulation of mammary progenitor cells. In addition to the tumor resistance phenotype, loss of Lrp5 delays normal mammary development. The ductal trees of 5-week-old Lrp5-/- females have fewer terminal end buds, which are structures critical for juvenile ductal extension presumed to be rich in stem/progenitor cells. Consequently, the mature ductal tree is hypomorphic and does not completely fill the fat pad. Furthermore, Lrp5-/- ductal cells from mature females exhibit little to no stem cell activity in limiting dilution transplants. Finally, we have shown that Lrp5-/- embryos exhibit substantially impaired canonical Wnt signaling in the primitive stem cell compartment of the mammary placodes. These findings suggest that Lrp5-mediated canonical signaling is required for mammary ductal stem cell activity and for tumor development in response to oncogenic Wnt effectors.
Orientation-Dependent Hardness in As-Deposited and Low-Temperature Annealed Ti/Ni Multilayer Thin Films

Strong orientation dependent hardness has been observed in both as-deposited and low-temperature annealed Ti/Ni multilayer thin films. The anisotropic hardness of as-deposited films is attributed to dominant deformation mechanism switch from dislocation pile-up against the interfaces to confined layer slip (CLS) within the layers as the loading direction changes from perpendicular to parallel to the interfaces. Additional strengthening of the multilayers is achieved after low-temperature annealing without noticeable microstructure modification due to temperature-induced grain boundary relaxation. This thermal strengthening is found to increase with decreasing layer thickness and increasing annealing temperature, and is more pronounced for loading directions parallel to the interfaces.
Genome-wide association study of antibody response to smallpox vaccine.

We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of antibody levels in a multi-ethnic group of 1071 healthy smallpox vaccine recipients. In Caucasians, the most prominent association was found with promoter SNP rs10489759 in the LOC647132 pseudogene on chromosome 1 (p = 7.77 × 10−8). In African-Americans, we identified eight genetic loci at p < 5 × 10−7. The SNP association with the lowest p-value (rs10508727, p = 1.05 × 10−10) was in the Mohawk homeobox (MKX) gene on chromosome 10. Other candidate genes included LOC388460, GPR158, ZHX2, SPIRE1, GREM2, CSMD1, and RUNX1. In Hispanics, the top six associations between genetic variants and antibody levels had p-values less than 5 × 10−7, with p = 1.78 × 10−10 for the strongest statistical association (promoter SNP rs12256830 in the PCDH15 gene). In addition, SNP rs4748153 in the immune response gene PRKCQ (protein kinase C, theta) was significantly associated with neutralizing antibody levels (p = 2.51 × 10−8). Additional SNP associations in Hispanics (p ≤ 3.40 × 10−7) were mapped to the KIF6/LOC100131899, CYP2C9, and ANKLE2/GOLGA3 genes. This study has identified candidate SNPs that may be important in regulating humoral immunity to smallpox vaccination. Replication studies, as well as studies elucidating the functional consequences of contributing genes and polymorphisms, are underway.
A Study for a 6 GeV Undulator Based Synchrotron Radiation Source

A partial study for a 6 GeV undulator based synchrotron radiation source for production of high brightness undulator radiation, in the A, is presented. The basic lattice adopted for the storage ring is a hybrid FODO Chasman-Green lattice, making use of gradient in the dipoles. We discuss also the e beam current limits and the injection parameters.
Use of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in Neuropsychological Testing of Psychiatric Outpatients

The relationship between clinical scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) and neuropsychological test results was investigated in a sample of psychiatric outpatients. Bivariate correlations showed only the Somatic Complaints scale of the PAI to be related to the Memory subscales of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Better performance on Trails A was negatively related to the Somatic Complaints (SOM), Anxiety (ANX), Depression (DEP), and Borderline Features (BOR) scales of the PAI. No combination of PAI scales was related to neuropsychological test results, and no combination of PAI scales could discriminate upper- and lower-scoring groups on RBANS Delayed Memory or RBANS Total Index scores. In addition, neuropsychological status was found to be independent of all but the SOM clinical scale of the PAI. The results of this study provide additional evidence that the PAI and neuropsychological measures provide unique and essentially nonoverlapping data.
PVP contrasted with dextran and a multifactor theory of cryoprotection

Abstract Washed human erythrocytes were suspended in 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% PVP in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Fifty lambda samples were frozen in alcohol baths at temperatures ranging from −10 ° to −80 °C. The specimens were frozen either for 1 or 16 min, rapidly thawed, and resuspended in PBS or PBS plus PVP. Percent hemolysis was determined colorimetrically. Results indicate that there is a high degree of latent damage when red cells are frozen in the presence of PVP. This damage is evident from the large increase in hemolysis when freeze-thawed, intact red cells are resuspended in the PBS. Under some circumstances 16 min freezing is significantly less damaging than 1 min freezing. This indicates a partial recovery from the freezing stress during subzero storage of the red cells. The general cryoprotective properties of PVP were described in terms of: (1) latent damage; (2) storage damage; (3) optimal cooling and rewarming rates (as a function of freezing bath temperature); (4) optimum PVP concentration; and (5) post-thaw cryoprotection. The data were compared with that from a similar study using dextran-40. This comparison indicated six similarities and ten differences in the cryoprotective properties of dextran and PVP. The remarkable differences between dextran and PVP was counted as an important common characteristics of macromolecular cryoprotective agents. That is, their cryoproteetive properties cannot be reduced to one or a few physical characteristics held in common. Nine other common characteristics were listed. Several of these, which include latent damage and recovery from latent damage, cannot be explained by current theories of cryoprotection. A multifactor theory was proposed to account for these ten common features of macromolecular cryoprotective agents.
Use of quinolinium salts in parallel synthesis for the preparation of 4-amino-2-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline.

Compounds of pharmacological interest containing a 4-amino-2-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline core structure were prepared starting from 4-chloroquinoline. This has been executed both in solution with a 1-benzyl-4-chloroquinolinium salt and on a solid support with a 1-(4-benzyloxybenzyl-PS)-4-chloroquinolinium resin as key intermediates. Diversification of such intermediates was accomplished through N-arylation of position 4 and subsequent nucleophilic addition of Grignard reagents of position 2 to deliver the expected 4-amino-2-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines in 20−60% yields. The methods described within clearly demonstrate that the quinolinium salts are very efficient intermediates for parallel synthesis.
Tag co-occurrence analysis using the association data mining rule

This paper presents a study in progress on tag co-occurrence employing data mining algorithms. Based on the assumption that the tag terms occurring together are closely related with each other, the study intended to investigate the relationship of tag terms that appear together in a tag set. The association data mining rule was used to find the tag pairs that occur frequently together to identify those of relatively strong association. Analysis was followed to look at the semantic relations of the terms in the selected tag pairs. Preliminary data analysis found that the two tag terms appearing together with stronger association tended to be related syntagmatically with each other (i.e., they were from different concepts of terms that related to the context of use) rather than conceptually similar terms in taxonomic relations.
What goes on must come off: phosphatases gate-crash the DNA damage response

DNA-damage-induced phospho-signaling has been studied for decades, with a focus mainly on initiation of the signaling cascade, and the kinases activated by DNA lesions. It is widely accepted that the balance of phosphorylation needs to be restored and/or maintained by phosphatases, yet there have only been sporadic efforts to investigate the impact of phosphatases on DNA repair. Recent advances in phosphoproteomic strategies and implementation of large genetic screens indicate that these enzymes play pivotal roles in these signaling networks. Dephosphorylation of repair proteins is crucial for efficient DNA repair, and the recommencement of cell division post-repair. Here, we focus on serine/threonine phosphatases implicated in dephosphorylation of DNA repair factors, summarizing recent findings and speculating on untested roles of phosphatases in the DNA damage response.