cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detoxification of biomass hydrolysates with nucleophilic amino acids enhances alcoholic fermentation

Carbonyl compounds generated in biomass pretreatment hinder the biochemical conversion of biomass hydrolysates to biofuels. A novel approach of detoxifying hydrolysates with amino acids for ethanol production was developed. Among the 20 amino acids assessed for their detoxification efficiency and nucleophilicity, cysteine was the most effective one. It increased both ethanol productivity and final yield of biomass hydrolysates from 0.18 (untreated) to 1.77 g/L/h and from 0.02 to 0.42 g/g, respectively. Detoxification efficiency was followed by histidine and it increased the final yield to 0.42 g/g, then by lysine, tryptophan and asparagine. It was observed all five effective amino acids contained reactive side-chain functional groups, which played important roles in the amino acid detoxification reaction. The study further showed cysteine and glycine detoxifications were temperature and pH dependent. The mechanistic study using mass spectrometry revealed thiazolidine carboxylic acid, a Schiff base, was formed by condensation of aldehyde and cysteine.
Preparation of porous and nonporous biodegradable polymeric hollow microspheres

Abstract A simple method to prepare various porous and nonporous hollow microspheres composed of poly( d,l -lactic-co-glycolic acid) using a water/oil/water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion solvent evaporation technique is described. The volume of the inner aqueous phase was varied to observe the effect on microsphere morphology. Hollow microspheres possessing dense, nonporous polymer shell layers were prepared when an initial inner aqueous phase volume fraction of 5.6% was employed, while an initial volume fraction of 22.7% resulted in hollow microspheres with porous surface structures. This appeared to be related to the morphological composition of a viscous polymer layer which developed during the early phase of rapid solvent removal. The formation of porous and nonporous polymer shell layers, determined by the inner aqueous phase volume, affected the rate of solvent removal. A complex series of kinetic events including polymer solidification and emulsion instability played an important role in determining the final morphology. Release of bovine serum albumin during solvent removal indicated that the microsphere morphology was a critical factor influencing the loading efficiency of the protein.
Too hot to handle: an unusual exposure of HDI in specialty painters.

Background Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) is a color stable aliphatic isocyanate that is used in specialty paints as a hardener. Due to the lower vapor pressure of its commercial biuret form, it is considered a relatively "safe" isocyanate from an exposure standpoint. This case series reports on an unusual toxic exposure to HDI. Between November 1993 and May 1994, seven specialty painters and one boiler maker who were working at three different power plants were examined at the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health at West Virginia University. At their respective work sites, HDI was applied to the hot surfaces of boilers that were not shut down, and allowed sufficient time to cool. Consequently, these workers were exposed to volatile HDI and its thermal decomposition products. Methods All of these workers underwent a complete physical examination, spirometry, and methacholine challenge testing. Results All 8 workers complained of dyspnea, while 4 of the 8 also complained of rash. On examination 3 workers were methacholine challenge positive and 2 had persistent rash. At follow-up 4 years later, 5 workers still had to use inhalation medication and one had progressive asthma and dermatitis. All 8 workers, by the time of the follow-up, had gone through economic and occupational changes. Conclusions This case series reports on an unusual exposure to HDI. It is unusual in that: 1) There were two simultaneous sentinel cases with two different Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the same product, 2) Exposure was to volatile HDI and its decomposition products and 3) Hazardous conditions of exposure occurred at three different sites.
Fermi-surface calculation of the anomalous Hall conductivity

While the intrinsic anomalous Hall conductivity is normally written in terms of an integral of the electronic Berry curvature over the occupied portions of the Brillouin zone, Haldane has recently pointed out that this quantity (or more precisely, its ``nonquantized part'') may alternatively be expressed as a Fermi-surface property. Here we present an ab initio approach for computing the anomalous Hall conductivity that takes advantage of this observation by converting the integral over the Fermi sea into a more efficient integral on the Fermi surface only. First, a conventional electronic-structure calculation is performed with spin-orbit interaction included. Maximally localized Wannier functions are then constructed by a postprocessing step in order to convert the ab initio electronic structure around the Fermi level into a tight-binding-like form. Working in the Wannier representation, the Brillouin zone is sampled on a large number of equally spaced parallel slices oriented normal to the total magnetization. On each slice, we find the intersections of the Fermi-surface sheets with the slice by standard contour methods, organize these into a set of closed loops, and compute the Berry phases of the Bloch states as they are transported around these loops. The anomalous Hall conductivity is proportional to the sum of the Berry phases of all the loops on all the slices. Illustrative calculations are performed for Fe, Co, and Ni.
Dynamic cellular location of bacterial plasmids

Recent studies have shown that plasmids are organized inside bacterial cells in a remarkably complex way. Plasmids containing active partitioning systems are tethered to specific regions of the cell, and the number and position of plasmid molecules within the cell are coordinated with the bacterial host cell cycle and growth rate. Plasmids belonging to different incompatibility groups are also tethered to different sites within the cell, and segregate at different times relative to one another and to the bacterial cell cycle. Recent studies suggest that many of these observations regarding subcellular plasmid dynamics formulated for Escherichia coli plasmids may be broadly conserved.
Teratogenesis and the Movement of Ions

SUMMARY There is evidence that in early embryos, mechanisms exist for the control of the movement of monovalent ions; that sodium is extruded during gastrulation and neurulation, and that in two- to three-day-old chick embryos with head abnormalities, ratios of sodium to potassium may be abnormally high. It is suggested that the origin of neural tube defects in early development may be associated with failure of control of ionic movements. RESUME Teratogenese et mouvement des ions Il y a des indications certaines que chez les tres jeunes embryons il existe des mecanismes de controle des ions monovalents: ainsi le sodium est rejete durant la gastrulation et la neurulation et chez les embryons de poulet de deux ou trois jours avec anomalies cephaliques, le rapport sodium/potassium peut etre anormalement eleve. II est suggere que l'origine des malformations du tube neural au cours du developpement precoce peut etre associea un defaut de controle des mouvements ioniques. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Teratogenese und lonenbewegungen Es gibt Beweise dafur, das beim fruhen Embryo Mechanismen zur Kontrolle von Bewegungen monovalenter lonen existieren; das Natrium wahrend der Gastrulation und Neurulation ausgetrieben wird und das bei 2–3 Tage alten Huhnerembryonen mit Schadelanomalitaten die Natrium/Kalium Rate abnorm hoch sein kann. Es wird vermutet, das die Entstehung von Defekten des Neuralrohres in der fruhen Entwicklung mit einer fehlerhaften Kontrolle der Ionenbewegungen verbunden sein kann. RESUMEN Teratogenisis y el movimiento de iones Hay evidencia de que en embriones jovenes, existen mecanismos para el control del movimiento de iones monovalentes, que el sodio es expelido durante la gastrulacion y la morulacion y que en embriones de polio de 2 a 3 dias con anomalias de cabeza, la relacion entre sodio y potasio puede ser anormalmente alta. Se sugiere que el origen de los defectos del tubo neural en la fase precoz del desarrollo puede estar asociado con un fallo en el control de los movimientos de iones.
Comparison between DVR and SFCL for fault ride through capability improvement of fixed-speed wind generator

This Paper makes a comparison between the Superconductor Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) and Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) in terms of fault ride through capability improvement of a fixed speed wind generator system. The performance, controller complexity, and cost are considered as criteria for comparison between the mentioned two devices. Simulations are performed using Matlab/Simulink software, where the tested system consists of one synchronous generator and one squirrel cage induction machine based wind generator, which feed an infinite bus through a double circuit transmission line. Simulation results show that both the DVR and SFCL perform well, however, the DVR has better fault ride through capability than the SFCL, and is more efficient in reducing the fluctuations of voltage, power, and speed of the wind generator. In addition, the DVR helps wind generators keep voltage sag within the grid code requirement with lower cost as compared to the SFCL.
Using Foreign Films to Develop Proficiency and to Motivate the Foreign Language Student

ABSTRACT: This article will look at the problems of showing a foreign film to foreign language students. It will then go over the means of using a film to develop proficiency and to motivate the students. The film used as an example is Jean Cocteau's La Belle et La Bete (Beauty and the Beast). The author selected this film because it can be used in courses on both the high school and college levels. A foreign film in any language can be substituted successfully using these guidelines to improve foreign language learning.
Nitric-Oxide Mediates Suppression of Cartilage Proteoglycan Synthesis by Interleukin-1

Slices of rabbit articular cartilage synthesized large quantities of nitric oxide (NO) following exposure to human recombinant interleukin-1β (hrIL-1β) or rabbit synovial cytokines (CAF). Each of these stimuli also strongly suppressed the biosynthetic incorporation of into the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of cartilage proteoglycans. Treatment of cartilage fragments with L-NG-monomethylarginine (L-NMA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase, both inhibited NO synthesis in response to IL-1 and CAF and restored proteoglycan synthesis. D-NMA was inactive in this regard, and L-arginine reversed the effects of L-NMA. S-nitrosylacetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an organic donor of NO, reversibly mimicked the effect of IL-1 and CAF on 35SO2−4 incorporation. These data suggest that endogenously synthesized NO is the mediator which reduces cartilage proteoglycan synthesis in response to cytokines such as IL-1 and CAF. Antagonists of NO production may promote cartilage matrix synthesis and thus have potential as chondroprotective or chondroreparative agents.
Hormones and social behavior in the lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of homologous and heterologous gonadal hormones on sexual and aggressive behavior in a reptilian species. Thirty adult male and thirty adult female lizards (Anolis carolinensis) were divided into 10 groups of six each (five groups per sex) and each group was given one of five treatments: either left intact, sham-castrated and injected with the hormone vehicle, castrated and injected with the hormone vehicle, castrated and injected with estradiol benzoate, or castrated and injected with testosterone propionate. After a week of visual isolation and daily hormone injection, animals were tested four times, twice with a stimulus animal of each sex. Females treated with estrogen were receptive, but did not court. Females treated with androgen were receptive and also courted and pursued stimulus females as frequently as males given androgen. No males in any group were receptive, and thus the female appears to be more capable of heterotypical sexual behavior than the male. Castrated males failed to court. Courtship and pursuit of stimulus females was readily stimulated in males with testosterone, and weakly stimulated by estrogen. Intact males were very aggressive, but lower levels of aggression were independent of gonadal hormones, as was subordination (head-nodding). The results for aggression and subordination are interpreted with reference to naturally-occurring Anolis behavior, and the results for sexual behavior are compared with similar experiments with mammals and birds.
Eigenvalue estimates and the Trace Theorem

Abstract We consider inequalities of the form ∝ ∂Ω u 2 ds ⩽ C ∝ Ω (u 2 + u, i u i ) d x (∗) for sufficiently regular functions u(x) defined on a bounded domain Ω in Rn. The inequality (∗) follows from the Trace Theorem in interpolation spaces and so is called a trace inequality. Information on the optimal constants C (which depend on the domain geometry) is obtained through consideration of associated eigenvalue problems.
Finding Calibrator Stars for Optical Interferometry Visibility Measurements

By construction, optical (and near-infrared) interferometers typically have resolutions designed to resolve stellar and circumstellar features. Therefore gaging the point-source response of the interferometer in its operating environment is critical to the scientific interpretation of data from these devices. This is typically performed with observations of calibration sources that are modeled to be simple and quasi-unresolved by the interferometer. Herein I will discuss the goals and strategies for and issues with the selection of objects to serve as calibration sources for optical interferometry visibility measurements.
Qualification of a homogeneous cell-based neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binding assay and its application to studies on Fc functionality of IgG-based therapeutics

The Fc region of IgG-based molecules plays an important role in determining their in vivo pharmacokinetic profile by its pH-dependent binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) which is expressed on the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. By virtue of this pH-specific interaction with IgG-Fc, FcRn mediates IgG homeostasis in human adults by maintaining serum IgG levels, and also transfers maternal IgGs from mother to fetus via the placenta. The Fc-FcRn interaction is also critical for keeping IgG-based therapeutic molecules in circulation thereby enhancing their serum half life. A homogeneous cell-based flow cytometric FcRn binding assay was established to characterize the Fc-FcRn interaction of therapeutic IgG-based molecules. It is a competition-based assay, wherein the IgG-Fc containing test molecule competes with a fixed concentration of fluorescently-labeled IgG-Fc moiety in solution for binding to the cell-expressed FcRn. The cell-bound fluorescence is read on a flow cytometer. Response of the test sample is analyzed relative to the standard sample and the results are reported as % relative binding. The assay is robust and meets the qualification criteria for specificity, method linearity, accuracy and precision over the relative binding range of 60%-160%. This assay was shown to effectively characterize altered Fc-FcRn interactions for photo-stressed, heat-stressed, oxidized, and Fc mutant samples. It was observed that the relative binding of the IgG-Fc to the cell-surface-expressed FcRn in the assay varies across different molecules, even within the same IgG subclass. This indicates that the Fc-FcRn binding can be influenced by the antigen-binding region of the molecules in addition to the IgG subclass. Overall, this assay is reflective of the in vivo mechanism of immunoglobulin binding to membrane-bound FcRn, and can be used as an analytical tool for assessing lot-to-lot consistency and stability testing across different batches of the same molecule. Additionally, the assay can be used as an effective tool for elucidating the amino acids in the IgG-Fc domain that are critical for FcRn binding and also for comparing the binding of different IgG-Fc containing molecules to FcRn.
Meckel's diverticulum

Abstract 1. 1. A brief review is given of the history, embryology and incidence of Meckel's diverticulum. 2. 2. The complications which may result from the presence of such a diverticulum are noted. 3. 3. A case of bowel obstruction associated with torsion and gangrene of a Meckel's diverticulum is presented. 4. 4. A case of bleeding Meckel's diverticulum in an eleven months old infant is presented.
A multinuclear NMR study of N-(chlorodimethylsilylmethyl) amides

Abstract A series of N -(chlorodimethylsilylmethyl) amides of the type RCONR′(CH 2 Si(CH 3 ) 2 Cl), where R=H, R′=CH 3 ; R = CH 3 , R′ = CH 3 ; R = H, R′ = C 6 H 5 ; and R = CH 3 , R′ = p -XC 6 H 4 (X = H, OCH 3 , Cl, Br, CF 3 , NO 2 ) were prepared by amination or transsilyation. The 1 H, 13 C, 14 N, 17 O, and 29 Si NMR spectra were obtained and used t to determine the structure of the compounds. The 14 N and 17 O shifts are indicative of the amide structure reported previously. The 17 O and 29 Si shifts can be related to the extent of dative interaction between the carbonyl oxygen and the silicon and correlate with the carbonyl stretching frequencies. The 1 H spectra of most of the acetanilides in CDCl 3 contain a broad peak for the Si(CH 3 ) 2 protons. At lower temperatures this peak separates into two sharp peaks of unequal intensities. The two peaks can be attributed to rotamers, with the large peak at higher frequencies being due to the rotamer with the CH 2 Si(CH 3 ) 2 Cl group cis to the carbonyl oxygen. In toluene, CH 2 Cl 2 and THF, the Si(CH 3 ) 2 protons appear as a sharp peak which does not broaden upon heating to the boiling point of the solvent. The free energies of activation for rotation about the carbon-nitrogen bond were determined by the approximate method of Shanan-Atidi and Bar-Eli and show a rough correlation with the sigma constant of the substituent.
A volume and pH determination of tracheal residue postaspiration

An endotracheal tube containing pH sensors for rapid detection of episodic acid aspiration was combined with a design that provides a means of suctioning tracheal residue resulting from gastric regurgitation and aspiration. The efficacy of the tube operation was demonstrated in two patients who aspirated gastric contents.
Nematic solvent effect on the deuteron quadrupole coupling constant of acetylene

Pour determiner l'effet d'un solvant nematique sur la constante de couplage quadripolaire du deuteron dans C 2 D 2 on utilise comme solvant EBBA et ZLI-1167
Assessment of Plasma Enhanced Machining for Improved Machinability of Inconel 718

An experimental study has been performed to assess the feasibility of using a hybrid machining system to improve the machinability of Inconel 718. An assembled plasma enhanced machining (PEM) system is described, and experimental results obtained from both conventional and plasma enhanced machining of Inconel 718 are compared. Several advantages of PEM over conventional machining are demonstrated, including improvement of surface roughness, lower cutting forces and extended tool life.
African American Adolescents’ Future Education Orientation: Associations with Self-efficacy, Ethnic Identity, and Perceived Parental Support

The current study, using data from 374 African American students (59.4% female) in grades 7–12 attending a rural, southern county public school, addressed associations of self-efficacy, ethnic identity and parental support with “future education orientation.” Both gender and current level of achievement distinguished adolescents with differing levels of future education orientation. The strongest predictors of future education orientation were self-efficacy, ethnic identity and maternal support. Gender did not moderate these associations. Implications for future research include the need to conduct longitudinal studies and research that integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to elucidate further the nature and importance of future education orientation for African American youth. Also needed are policies and programs that facilitate school bonding and academic performance, as are efforts that focus specifically on enhancing the future education orientation and academic success of African American male adolescents.
Silver(I) ion complexation by carbonate and oxalate at 25 °C

Abstract The complexation of silver(I) ions by carbonate and oxalate was measured by potentiometric means using a silver-ion-sensitive electrode. The conditional formation constants at 25 °C and μ = 1.0 M with NaClO4 as background electrolyte are log{β ∗ (AgCO 3 − )} ⩽ 1.5 and log{β ∗ (AgC 2 O 4 − )} ⩽ 0.9 . Both complexes are rather weak. The relative contribution of the carbonate complexation of silver to speciation schemes of this ion in natural waters will be minor because of competing complexation and precipitation reactions with hydroxide and chloride ions.
Finite amplitude acceleration waves in incompressible BKZ viscoelastic fluids— The propagation condition

Abstract A general propagation condition is derived which permits the calculation of the speed of propagation of a second-order acceleration wave passing through a particular non-linear incompressible viscoelastic fluid. The viscoelastic fluid is taken to obey the Bernstein, Kearsley and Zapas single integral constitutive model. The analysis is valid for arbitrary finite amplitude waves propagating through a medium undergoing an arbitrary large deformation. Three examples, rest history, steady simple shearing flow and steady simple extensional flow, are given to demonstrate the utility of the propagation condition.
Reduction and slicing of hierarchical state machines

Formal specification languages are often criticized for being difficult to understand, difficult to use, and unacceptable by software practitioners. Notations based on state machines, such as, Statecharts, Requirements State Machine Language (RSML), and SCR, are suitable for modeling of embedded systems and eliminate many of the main drawbacks of formal specification languages. Although a specification language can help eliminate accidental complexity, the inherent complexity of many of today's systems inevitably leads to large and complex specifications. Thus, there is a need for mechanisms to simplify a formal specification and present information to analysts and reviewers in digestible chunks.
Improving central line infection rates in the neonatal intensive care unit: Effect of hospital location, site of insertion, and implementation of catheter-associated bloodstream infection protocols.

Abstract Introduction Catheter associated blood stream infections (CABSIs) are morbid and expensive for all ages, including neonates. Thus far, the impact of CABSI prevention protocols, such as insertion and maintenance bundles, in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is largely unknown. We hypothesized that lines placed in the operating room (OR) would have a lower infection rate due to established insertion protocols and a more sterile environment. Methods A retrospective chart review of NICU patients who received a percutaneous or tunneled central venous catheter between 2005 and 2012 was performed. ECMO cannulas, PICC and umbilical catheters were excluded. Variables of interest included demographics, anatomical site, hospital location, line days, and line infection. Line infection was defined as a positive blood culture drawn through the catheter. Results A total of 368 catheters were placed in 285 NICU patients. Majority of catheters (65.5%) were placed in OR. Saphenous and femoral veins were most common anatomical sites (50.8%). Twenty-eight catheters were infected (7.6%). After adjusting for preoperative antibiotics, anatomical site, and SNAPPE-II scores, lines placed in OR were three times less likely to become infected (Odds Ratio=0.32, p=0.038). Although implementation of CABSI prevention protocols resulted in statistically significant reductions in infection (Odds Ratio=0.4, p=0.043), lines placed in the OR remained less likely to become infected. Conclusions NICU line infection rates decreased with implementation of CABSI prevention protocols. Despite this implementation, catheters placed in the NICU continued to have higher infection rates. As a result, when patient status allows it, we recommend that central lines in newborns be placed in the operating room.
PHASE EQUILIBRIA AND CRYSTALLOGRAPHY FOR THE NIOBIUM-TIN SYSTEM

On the basis of data gathered by means of X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis and metallographical techniques, a constitution diagram for the niobium-tin binary alloy system, is proposed. The equilibrium solubility of niobium in liquid tin varies from 0.027 wt. % niobium at 580°C to 0.198 wt. % niobium at 1000°C. The equilibrium solubility of tin in niobium varies from approximately 2.5 wt.% tin at 550°C to approximately 3.0 wt.% tin at 1000°C. In addition to Nb3Sn, two other intermetallic compounds, both having orthorhombic crystal structures, were found in the alloys of the system. These two orthorhombic compounds are assumed to be Nb3Sn2 and Nb2Sn3. All the compounds in the system were observed to decompose peritectically: Nb3Sn at 2130° ± 25°C, Nb3Sn2 at 915° ± 5°C and Nb2Sn3 at 820° ± 3°C. The Nb3Sn2 compound has a body-centered orthorhombic crystal structure with lattice parameters of 5.656 ± 0.002 A, 9.199 ± 0.003 A. and 16.843 ± 0.004 A. The number of possible space groups for the Nb3Sn2 has been reduced to four, D28-I222, D29-2i2i2i, D2h25-Immm and C2v20-Imm2. The Nb2Sn3 has a face-centered orthorhombic crystal structure with lattice parameters of 5.655 ± 0.001 A, 9.860 ± 0.001 A and 19.152 ± 0.004 A., The space group for the Nb2Sn3 isD2h24-Fddd.
Capillary Array Electrophoretic NMR of Proteins in Biological Buffer Solutions

Abstract The capillary array electrophoretic NMR (CA-ENMR) was developed to study protein mixtures in biological buffer solutions of high ionic strength. By enhancing the strength of the effective electric field across the sample, the technique permits the detection of the electrophoretic motion of 1 mM lysozyme in 50 mM NaH 2 PO 4 aqueous solution, which was previously not achievable using conventional ENMR. Heat-induced convection was dramatically reduced by blocking convective current loops and by improving the efficiency of heat exchange. Thus, the capability of ENMR study of electrolyte solutions was extended from low to high ionic strength. In addition, capillary walls reduced rf-induced electrical eddy current, thereby maintaining good probe Q factors. Because of its parallel configuration to the static magnetic field, the capillary array chamber produced no susceptibility distortions of the ENMR signal. The technique offers great potential in characterizing multiple protein conformations and protein interactions in solution.
Survival analysis of microarray expression data by transformation models

Many microarray experiments involve examining the time elapsed prior to the occurrence of a specific event. One purpose of these studies is to relate the gene expressions to the survival times. The Cox proportional hazards model has been the major tool for analyzing such data. The transformation model provides a viable alternative to the classical Cox's model. We investigate the use of transformation models in microarray survival data in this paper. The transformation model, which can be viewed as a generalization of proportional hazards model and the proportional odds model, is more robust than the proportional hazards model, because it is not susceptible to erroneous results for cases when the assumption of proportional hazards is violated. We analyze a gene expression dataset from Beer et al. [Beer, D.G., Kardia, S.L., Huang, C.C., Giordano, T.J., Levin, A.M., Misek, D.E., Lin, L., Chen, G., Gharib, T.G., Thomas, D.G., Lizyness, M.L., Kuick, R., Hayasaka, S., Taylor, J.M., Iannettoni, M.D., Orringer, M.B., Hanash, S., 2002. Gene-expression profiles predict survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Nat. Med. 8 (8), 816-824] and show that the transformation model provides higher prediction precision than the proportional hazards model.
Operation of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites in Water

The Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) for flexible hydrodynamic propulsor blades can provide many new opportunities in the naval platforms, especially in developing robotic unmanned vehicles for both surveillance and combat. IPMC materials are quietly operational since they have no vibration causing components, i.e. gears, motors, shafts, and etc. For small Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), these features are truly attractive due to limited space. Also, IPMCs are friendly to solid-state electronics with digital programming capabilities. Active control is thus possible. Another advantage of these materials should be recognized from the fact that they can be operational in a self-oscillatory manner. There are several issues that still need to be addressed such as propulsor design, testing, robotic control as well as theoretical modeling of the appropriate design. In this effort, IPMC is investigated for propulsor blades applications in NaCl solution and a propulsor model with a robust control scheme is explored. An analytical model of a segmented IPMC propulsor was formulated to be used as a building block for furthering the model to adequately accommodate the relaxation behavior of IPMCs and for describing the dynamics of the flexible IPMC bending actuator.
The Equipment Hypothesis and U.S. Economic Growth

In several articles published in the 1990s, de Long and Summers argued that investment in producer durables had a high propensity to generate externalities in using industries, resulting in a systematic and substantial divergence between its social and private return. They maintained, moreover, that this was not the case for structures investment. Together, these claims constitute the equipment hypothesis. This paper explores the degree to which the history of U.S. economic growth in the twentieth century supports it.
Kinetic evaluations of exciplex-mediated photochemical reactions

Abstract Kinetic expressions are derived for photochemical reactions proceeding through singlet exciplexes. It is shown that approximately linear plots of the inverse of product appearance quantum yield versus the inverse of quencher concentration can arise from more than one mechanism. Heavy atom enhancement of intersystem crossing can be used in some cases to study the reaction pathways.
Bladder carcinoma in patients age 40 years or younger

The records of 26 men and nine women aged 40 years or younger, with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, were reviewed. Twenty-eight of the patients presented with gross painless hematuria, and 30 were regular smokers. Twenty-two patients presented with noninvasive disease, five with superficial invasion and eight with deep invasion. The risk of the disease progressing to invasion increased with the grade of the tumor, rising from 24% with Grade 1 to 75% with Grade 3. The patients younger than 30 years presented with a lower grade and a lower stage disease than those older than age 30. Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in young adults has a natural history similar to that seen in older patients.
Characterization of offensive responses during the maturation of play-fighting into aggression in male golden hamsters.

In hamsters, the maturation of aggression during puberty is associated with a gradual reduction of offensive responses. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes during this decrease to provide an enhanced description of the behavior. During early puberty, play-fighting is characterized by long and continuous contact duration throughout the encounter and repetitive attacks within bouts of agonistic interaction. By mid-puberty, adult patterns of offensive behavior emerge. Contact time becomes shorter in duration and shifts to the beginning of the test, while attacks become less repetitive per bout. In late puberty, animals show an enhanced efficiency of behavior, as indicated by an increased percentage of attacks followed by bites. This study provides a better understanding of the development of aggression by characterizing the differences between juvenile play-fighting and adult aggression and the process of the maturation of aggression. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 87–97, 2007.
On the Performance of Variable Fractional Delay Arbitrary Sample Rate Conversion for Digital Signals

Arbitrary sample rate conversion (ASRC) is a critical digital signal processing function for any signal that is received and down converted from analog RF to either digital-IF or-base band. There are numerous ASRC applications, including, but not limited to commercial and military communications, radar- and audio-signal processing, and multi-function systems (such as coexistence of EW and communication systems). Furthermore, variable fractional delay (VFD) processing is critical when synchronizing to any transmit signal, for precise timing in geolocation processing or for any receiver process where accurate timing is required. There are many designs for VFD-ASRC which may operate across a wide range of parameters in a functional sense, but which do not perform equally across their operational range. Few methods exist in the literature for evaluating the performance of these designs in a generalized fashion for applicability to project specifications. This work proposes a method for evaluating the performance of any VFD-ASRC system. The generalized technique uses a high performance filter bank followed by frequency-domain magnitude- and group delay-error metrics to provide a measure of the quality of a VFD-ASRC design. The method can be applied to any single- and multiple-carrier modulation signal.
Identification of a rapid mammalian deadenylation-dependent decay pathway and its inhibition by a viral RNA element

Cellular RNAs are subject to quality-control pathways that insure the fidelity of gene expression. We previously identified a 79 nt element, the ENE, that is essential for the nuclear accumulation of a viral polyadenylated nuclear (PAN) RNA. Here, we show that intron-less polyadenylated transcripts such as PAN RNA and beta-globin cRNA exhibit two-component exponential decay kinetics in which some transcripts are rapidly degraded (t(1/2) = approximately 15 min) while others decay more slowly (t(1/2) = approximately 3 hr). Inclusion of the ENE protects such transcripts from rapid decay in a poly(A)-dependent fashion. The ENE inhibits deadenylation and decay in nuclear extract and prevents deadenylation of naked RNA by a purified deadenylase, likely through snoRNA-like intramolecular hybridization with the poly(A) tail. The ENE causes increased accumulation of splicing-defective beta-globin pre-mRNAs in vivo. We propose that the ENE-controlled rapid-decay mechanism for polyadenylated transcripts comprises a nuclear pre-mRNA surveillance system in mammalian cells.
The coordination number of granular cylinders

We report the first experimental measurements of the contact number distribution between randomly packed granular right cylinders (rods and disks) as a function of aspect ratio. The average coordination number z for cylinders varies smoothly with aspect ratio rising from z ~ 6 for aspect ratios close to one to z ~ 10 for large aspect ratio. Additionally, our measurements demonstrate the validity of the random contact model for compacted piles of long granular cylinders.
Measurement properties of a hand-held inclinometer during straight leg raise neurodynamic testing.

Abstract Objectives The most common lower quarter neurodynamic test is the straight leg raise (SLR) test. Quantification of limb motion during SLR testing should utilize reliable and valid measurement tools that are highly sensitive to change. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of a hand-held inclinometer commonly utilized during SLR testing. Design Cross-sectional measurement, intra-rater reliability and validity study. Setting Research laboratory. Participants Twenty individuals without pain in their low back or extremities and no history of nerve injury participated in the study. Main outcome measures Two repetitions of the SLR were performed in each limb in two ankle positions (plantar flexion and dorsiflexion). A digital inclinometer and digital goniometer were utilized as the comparisons for range of motion measurements. Results Intra-rater reliability for the hand-held inclinometer during SLR testing was excellent (ICCs, 0.95 to 0.98). The standard error of measurement was between 0.54° and 1.22° and the minimal detectable change was between 1.50° and 3.41°. Construct validity revealed hand-held inclinometer measurements were highly correlated with both the digital inclinometer and digital goniometer measures. The mean difference scores between hand-held inclinometer and digital inclinometer (∼1.5°) and digital goniometer (∼10°) suggest that the hand-held inclinometer better matches the construct measured by the digital inclinometer (limb elevation angle) compared to the digital goniometer (hip flexion angle). Conclusions The hand-held inclinometer is a valid method for measuring limb elevation angle during the SLR neurodynamic test in a research setting. The hand-held inclinometer has high reliability and low minimal detectable change when used in healthy individuals.
Determination of 29Si−1H Spin−Spin Coupling Constants in Organoalkoxysilanes with Nontrivial Scalar Coupling Patterns

Application of polarization transfer techniques such as DEPT and INEPT in 29Si NMR investigation of bridged silane polymerization requires knowledge of indirect 29Si−1H scalar coupling constants in the silane system. However, the fully coupled 29Si NMR spectra of these molecules, specifically those containing ethylene bridging groups, are too complicated to measure the coupling constants directly by visual inspection. This is because unlike hydrocarbon systems where one-bond proton−carbon coupling constants exceed other coupling constants by an order of magnitude, in silanes the closest proton−silicon pairs are separated by two bonds and all coupling coefficients (both homonuclear and heteronuclear) are of similar magnitude. In these systems, theoretical tools are required to interpret the spectra of even simple molecules. Here, we determine density functional theory estimates of 29Si−1H scalar coupling constants and use these along with homonuclear coupling constant estimates to resolve the nontrivial na...
Thermal Conductivity of Intumescent Chars

A procedure is developed to estimate the effective thermal conductivity of chars of intumescent systems. The procedure is based on a heat transfer analy sis of temperature-time data from one-dimensionally designed experiments of coated coupons exposed to a fire environment typical of aviation-type fuel fires. Thermal conductivities computed from both a first-order and second-order pro cedure are given, and are found to be within a factor of 2 or 3 of each other for the binders tested. Additionally, a simple theoretical approach, based on a one- dimensional equivalent thermal resistance model, yields estimates that are within a factor of three compared to the experimentally determined thermal conductivities. The conclusion of the theoretical model is that the low thermal conductivity of intumescent chars results from the insulating abilities of pockets of trapped gas within a porous char material, even though the char of an intumescent coating is a complex structure which has convective currents due to pyr...
Initial Validation of the Unfolding Forgiveness Process in a Natural Environment

Although the literature on forgiveness is growing, little research exists on the process of forgiveness itself. This study was an initial effort to investigate the forgiveness process within a short-term longitudinal design. Participants (N = 41) completed 2 measures of forgiveness and a set of short-answer questions multiple times over 12 weeks. Participants made significant progress toward forgiveness, and the movement toward forgiveness was consistent with the Forgiveness Process Model (Enright & Fitzgibbons, 2000). The qualitative data collected begin to identify the mechanisms people use to move through the forgiveness process. Implications for counseling are drawn.
Sigma receptor photolabeling and sigma receptor-mediated modulation of potassium channels in tumor cells.

Abstract Recent work has indicated that sigma receptor ligands can modulate potassium channels. However, the only sigma receptor characterized at the molecular level has a novel structure unlike any other receptor known to modulate ion channels. This 26-kDa protein has a hydropathy profile suggestive of a single membrane-spanning domain, with no apparent regions capable of G-protein activation or protein phosphorylation. In the present study patch clamp techniques and photoaffinity labeling were used in DMS-114 cells (a tumor cell line known to express sigma receptors) to investigate the role of the 26-kDa protein in ion channel modulation and probe the mechanism of signal transduction. The sigma receptor ligandsN-allylnormetazocine (SKF10047), ditolylguanidine, and (±)-2-(N-phenylethyl-N-propyl)-amino-5-hydroxytetralin all inhibited voltage-activated potassium current (I K). Iodoazidococaine (IAC), a high affinity sigma receptor photoprobe, produced a similar inhibition inI K, and when cell homogenates were illuminated in the presence of IAC, a protein with a molecular mass of 26 kDa was covalently labeled. Photolabeling of this protein by IAC was inhibited by SKF10047 with half-maximal effect at 7 μm. SKF10047 also inhibited I K with a similar EC50 (14 μm). Thus, physiological responses to sigma receptor ligands are mediated by a protein with the same molecular weight as the cloned sigma receptor. This indicates that ion channel modulation is indeed mediated by this novel protein. Physiological responses were the same when cells were perfused internally with either guanosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) or GTP, indicating that signal transduction is independent of G-proteins. These results demonstrate that ion channels can be modulated by a receptor that does not have seven membrane-spanning domains and does not employ G-proteins. Sigma receptors thus modulate ion channels by a novel transduction mechanism.
On-chip silicon photonic wavelength control of optical fiber lasers.

Tunable silicon microring filters are used to demonstrate CMOS-compatible on-chip wavelength control of Er+ doped fiber-lasers. An on-chip Ni-Cr micro-heater consuming up to 20 mW is capable of tuning the Si microring filter by 1.3 nm with a lasing linewidths narrower than 0.02 nm. This approach enables arbitrary multiple wavelength generation on a silicon chip. Possible applications include on-chip and chip-to-chip dense-wavelength division multiplexed communications and sensor interrogation.
High Angular Resolution Study of the Ion and Neutral Spectra as a Probe of the Magnetic Field Structure

We present the observations and analysis of teh spectral linewidths of neutral and ion species across teh DR21(OH) core to investigate the cyclotron interaction as a probe of magnetic fields.
Exposing Hidden Relations: Storytelling, Pedagogy, and the Study of Policy:

Within a Technical Communication classroom, policywork has been used to teach students the vital discursive and conceptual skills valued by technical fields. However, given the move of technical communicators into the public sphere, these skills can and should be expanded to include diverse practices and modes of thought. As such, this article suggests that storytelling can be used as a pedagogical tool to help students think more critically about the (sometimes hidden) relationships that policywork inheres. This article articulates relational work as a target skills set for students and suggests specific activities and handouts for developing these skills.
Evidence for Compartmentation of Tryptophan in Cultured Plant Tissues: Free Tryptophan Levels and Inhibition of Anthranilate Synthetase

1. Anthranilate synthetase activity in crude extracts from tissue cultures of Daucus carota L. (carrot), Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco; cv. Wisconsin 38 and xanthi), Glycine max Merr. (soybean) and Oryza sativa L. (rice) was completely inhibited by l-tryptophan (5 to 50 μM). Mutant carrot and tobacco lines, capable of growth in the presence of 5-methyltryptophan, required 500 to more than 1000 μM tryptophan for complete inhibition of enzyme activity, respectively. 2. Except for the mutant tobacco line, the concentrations of free tryptophan in all tissue cultures tested were greater than the levels necessary to completely inhibit the respective anthranilate synthetase activities in vitro. These findings would indicate that much of the free tryptophan is compartmentalized away from the regulatory enzyme, anthranilate synthetase. This could implicate compartmentalization of the inhibitor as a biosynthetic control mechanism. 3. During the growth of normal and mutant carrot tissues the anthranilate synthetase enzyme must be at least 7.8 and 10.8% active, respectively, in order to accumulate the amount of tryptophan found in the tissues. 4. Of the substrates and cofactors required for anthranilate synthetase activity in vitro, Mg2+ and glutamine were present at near optimal levels in the carrot and tobacco tissues, but chorismate was found to be significantly below the optimal concentrations.
Review of Dextromethorphan Administration in 18 Patients With Subacute Methotrexate Central Nervous System Toxicity

Abstract Background The pathogenesis of methotrexate central nervous system toxicity is multifactorial, but it is likely related to central nervous system folate homeostasis. The use of folinate rescue has been described to decrease toxicity in patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. It has also been described in previous studies that there is an elevated level of homocysteine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. Homocysteine is an N -methyl-d-aspartate receptor agonist. The use of dextromethorphan, noncompetitive N -methyl-d-aspartate receptor receptor antagonist, has been used in the treatment of sudden onset of neurological dysfunction associated with methotrexate toxicity. It remains unclear whether the dextromethorphan impacted the speed of recovery, and its use remains controversial. This study reviews the use of dextromethorphan in the setting of subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Methods Charts of 18 patients who had sudden onset of neurological impairments after receiving methotrexate and were treated with dextromethorphan were reviewed. Result The use of dextromethorphan in most of our patients resulted in symptomatic improvement. In this patient population, earlier administration of dextromethorphan resulted in faster improvement of impairments and led to prevention of recurrence of seizure activity induced by methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Conclusions Our study provides support for the use of dextromethorphan in patients with subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity.