cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elimination of keratin artifact bands from western blots by using low concentrations of reducing agents

We encountered beta-mercaptoethanol-dependent artifact signals in western blot analyses using polyclonal antisera. Replacing beta-mercaptoethanol with dithiothreitol in the loading buffer did not eliminate the artifact signals. However, lowering the concentration of either dithiothreitol or beta-mercaptoethanol eliminated the background problems and allowed specific detection of the target protein. These results are consistent with the background signal being caused by anti-keratin antibodies in the antisera and keratin contamination of reagents. This study highlights the importance of testing a range of reducing agent concentrations when trying to eliminate artifact bands from western blots. However, this method may not be applicable when target proteins have disulfide bridges.
Response to Psychologic Stress in Persons Who Are Potentially Hypertensive

College women who are prehypertensive and matched controls were exposed to emotion-provoking situations, psychologic tests, and psychiatric interviews. Patterns of response differentiating the groups were observed. The prehypertensives were less well controlled, more impulsive, more egocentric, and generally less adaptable in the stressful situations. In the psychiatric interviews, behavior similar to that of patients with hypertension was noted. The findings suggest that prehypertensives are more vulnerable in situations involving psychologic stress, and hence more subject to the autonomic concomitants of emotion, including repetitive rises of blood pressure.
A new model of embolic stroke produced by photochemical injury to the carotid artery in the rat

We report a new model of embolic stroke in the rat, based on endothelial disruption and platelet aggregation in the carotid artery, which leads to distal embolization and focal brain infarction. The common carotid artery was irradiated for 6.5 minutes with the focused beam of an argon laser operated at a wavelength of 514.5 nm with a peak power of 2 W and an average power of 400 mw. Ipsilateral cerebral infarcts, ranging in size from 0.1 to 1.7 mm, were produced by platelet emboli in 12 of 13 rats. A total of 44 infarcts were observed in the 12 rats: 29 in the cortex, 6 in the hippocampus, 5 in the thalamus, and 4 in the basal ganglia. Scanning electron microscopy identified platelet aggregates in the carotid artery and in a deep cortical arteriole 50 minutes after the photochemical lesion. Twenty-four hours after the experiment, scanning electron microscopy of the carotid artery revealed damaged endothelium but few remaining adherent platelets. More intense laser irradiation in 8 rats, leading to carotid occlusion, produced an infarct in only 1. This new model can be used to study the acute and chronic pathological changes in the brain associated with platelet embolism.
Doctoral Student Attrition in the STEM Fields: An Exploratory Event History Analysis.

The STEM fields, otherwise known as the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics areas, have become the focus of multiple studies and funding initiatives in recent years. Despite these efforts, lingering concerns exist about who enters, who is retained, and who completes the doctorate in STEM fields. This study utilizes discrete-time event history analysis to model doctoral attrition for 10,088 individuals, in 56 STEM departments, at one research-extensive institution, located in the South, over a 20-year period. Results show that the odds of attrition are the greatest in the first year. Additionally, the odds of attrition are greater for females, Asians, and for those who belong to a hard-applied science major (versus a hard-pure major). The odds of attrition are lower for married students and for those who have higher relative GRE scores than their peers in the same program. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between particular characteristics of doct...
Effect of Antioxidants on Cholesterol Oxidation in Spray-dried Egg Yolk during Extended Ambient Storage

ABSTRACT: Equimolar amounts of butylated hydroxyanisole, ascorbyl palmitate or a tocopherol blend were added to liquid yolk and spray-dried. One-g samples were stored in the dark at ambient temperature for 36 mo, then evaluated using gas chromatography. The tocopherol blend and BHA inhibited 7-ketocholesterol production. No significant differences were observed between the control and the various antioxidant treatments for the production of other cholesterol oxides. In contrast to the results of a previously conducted accelerated study, the added antioxidant levels were insufficient to significantly reduce cholesterol oxidation in spray-dried egg yolk held for an extended period of time, and additional means of inhibition may be required.
Numerical calculation of relaxation rates in amorphous silicon

Relaxation rates for strong and weak perturbations of the vibrational spectrum in amorphous silicon have been calculated using molecular dynamics simulations. A strong perturbation produced by creating a nonequilibrium normal mode distribution was found to relax on a 100 ps time scale. A weak perturbation generated by exciting a small number of modes in an equilibrated system yielded vibrational lifetimes on the order of 10 ps. Thermalization following the insertion of a heat pulse into the center of the simulation supercell also occurred on a 10 ps time scale. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
A Preliminary Flow Visualization Study in a Multiple Disk Centrifugal Artificial Ventricle

: Flow patterns in a multiple disk centrifugal pump were analyzed so that the device could be incorporated as a ventricular assist or a bridge-to-transplant device. The pump operates either in pulsatile or steady flow modes with the ability to change modes within a fraction of a second. The pump was tested on a mock circulatory system consisting of an arterial fluid capacitor, a systemic resistor, and a venous capacitor. Arterial volume flow rate, arterial pressure, inlet (venous) pressure, and pump rotation speed are continually monitored. A glycerin/ water solution is used as a blood analog. Flow visualization was performed with a 3 mW yellow laser, sheet lens, neutrally buoyant amberlite particles, and both still and motion picture photography. Flow patterns matched theoretical predictions very well; inlet flow spread radially outward through the disk annular spaces while propelled by shear and centrifugal forces.
New semi-active damping concept using eddy currents

A damping effect can be induced on a conductive structure that is vibrating in a magnetic field. This damping effect is caused by the eddy currents that are induced in the material due to a time varying magnetic field. The density of these currents is directly related to the velocity of the conductor in the magnetic field. However, once the currents are formed the internal resistance of the conductive material causes them to dissipate into heat, resulting in a removal of energy from the system and a damping effect. In a previous study, a permanent magnetic was fixed in a location such that the poling axis was perpendicular to the beam's motion and the radial magnetic flux was used to passively suppress the beam"s vibration. Using this passive damping concept and the idea that the damping force is directly related to the velocity of the conductor, a new semi-active damping mechanism will be created. This new damper will function by allowing the position of the magnet to change relative to the beam and thus allowing the net velocity between the two to be maximized and the damping force significantly increased. Using this concept, a model of both the passive and active portion of the system will be developed, allowing the beams response to be simulated. To verify the accuracy of this model, experiments will be performed that demonstrate both the accuracy of the model and the effectiveness of this semi-active control system for use in suppressing the transverse vibration of a structure.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ex vivo expansion of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells

Comment on Battaglia et al, page [4743][1] In this issue of Blood , Battaglia and colleagues propose that rapamycin can be used in ex vivo expansion protocols to solve the dilemma of generating sufficient numbers of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells for cell-based immunotherapy. C D4+CD25+ T
Effect of high temperature on cell wall modifications associated with tomato fruit ripening

Abstract Tomato fruit (cv. ‘Sunny’) were harvested at the mature green stage and kept for 4 days at either 21°C or 40°C, then subsequently stored at 21°C. Red color development was inhibited in heated fruit, as was softening. Fourteen days after treatment, heat-stressed fruit were twice as firm as the controls. The cell wall uronide content increased in heat-exposed fruit while remaining unchanged in samples stored constantly at 21°C. Heat treatment inhibited ripening-associated cell wall modification so that 14 days after treatment, stressed fruit contained only one-third the amount of soluble polyuronides that was present in the control fruit. Furthermore, the rate of loss of cell wall galactose and arabinose was reduced in heat-stressed tomatoes. Postharvest exposure of unripe tomato fruit to high temperature appears to reduce the rate of cell wall degradation, while the synthesis of polyuronide components continues normally.
Computing closest common subexpressions for view selection problems

Selecting a set of views for materialization is a required task in many current database and data warehousing applications including the design of a data warehouse, and the maintenance of multiple materialized views. The selected views can be materialized permanently or transiently depending on the specific view selection problem. The view selection algorithms are expensive due to the size of the search space of the problem.In this paper we propose an approach for generating candidate views for materialization for view selection problems based on the definition of the input queries. We also provide rewritings of the input queries using the generated candidate views. In generating candidate views, we do not apply costbased techniques but we try to maximize the operations in the views. Subsequently, view selection algorithms can exploit problem dependent cost functions to choose among the generated candidate views. Our approach is not restricted to a specific view selection problem. Compared to a previous one, it generates views that involve more relation occurrences (or operations) and can reduce the size of the search space which can be very large. We implement our approach and we report some experimental evaluation with comparison to previous works.
Neighbors and Friends An Overlooked Resource in the Informal Support System

This research presents empirical findings concerning the extent to which older people in the inner city neighborhoods of New York City have an informal network of friends and neighbors and the nature of the interactions which occur. The characteristics associated with individuals possessing extensive friend-neighbor networks are discussed, and the preferences of older people for assistance from kin versus nonkin in a variety of situations are explored. Several theoretical models concerning the operation of the informal support system are considered, and the author postulates a new model—the hierarchical-compensatory model-as best fitting the empirical data at hand. The findings are from the largest cross-cultural study of the elderly in urban poverty, The Elderly in the Inner City of New York with an N of 1,552, including 49% white, 37% black, and 13% Hispanic elderly.
Development of a required international experience for undergraduate engineering students

The School of Engineering at Rensselaer has recently announced the REACH Program (Rensselaer Engineering Education Across Cultural Horizons) as a component of our undergraduate engineering degree that we envision will become a requirement for every student. The major feature of this experience will be a bilateral semester abroad with partner international universities, whereby students will spend a full semester studying abroad as a part of their educational program, and students from the partner university will likewise spend a semester at Rensselaer. The Program will begin in 2009 with approximately 25% of the then junior class growing to virtually 100% by 2015. The critical issues in developing and scaling up to such a large program of exchange will be discussed, along with the alternative international experiences that are also under development. We envision that this program will radically alter the culture of our undergraduate programs and our campus environment and will establish Rensselaer as unique among major engineering universities in terms of commitment to providing such an expansive global perspective for all of our students.
On comparatively stable tridiagonalization methods

A method for choosing certain matrices necessary for the "tridiagonalization" of an arbitrary, real, square matrix is sketched. As opposed to previous methods which choose modifications of matrices developed for other purposes, we choose these matrices on the basis of a direct examination of the essential computational problem occuring in "sequential tridiagonalization" and require that our choices have relatively small condition numbers.
Alloying solid solution strengthening of Fe–Ga alloys: a first-principles study

First-principles spin polarized calculations have been implemented by using the Discrete Molecular (DMol3) package to investigate the strengthening effects of alloying addition including Nb, Mo, V and Co in a cubic solid solution of Fe–Ga alloys. Mayer bond order values were used to evaluate the atomic bond strengths in the alloys and were then used to assess the alloying strengthening characteristics. Results from the calculations suggest that the transition metal Nb achieves the best strengthening effect in Fe–Ga alloys. The solid solution strengthening follows a decreasing order trend from larger to smaller from Nb, Mo, V to Co. The effect of Ga on individual bond strength variations between Fe and alloying elements and also on alloying strengthening was examined.
The River Ordeal in Israelite Literature

In 1907, Edouard Dhorme first associated the term 'ēd in Gen. 2:6 with Sumerian id, “the cosmic river.” This identification accords well with the presumed Mesopotamian background to the Yahwistic creation account, and so has enjoyed wide acceptance. The term, as was quickly recognized, also occurs in Job 36:27 with similar force. That this name for the cosmic river was normally pronounced id in Akkadian as well as Sumerian is shown from syllabic spellings, so that the loan into Hebrew offers no linguistic difficulties. In the Mesopotamian materials, a primary function of id, the (divine) River, was, as is well known, to serve as judge in certain legal cases. Trial by river ordeal was a widespread phenomenon, in which the accused was plunged into the river, where his success in withstanding the rushing waters was supposed to determine his guilt or innocence.
Combining Motion And Segmentation Information For Localization Of Occlusion Boundaries

An algorithm is presented for the accurate detection of occlusion boundaries in an image sequence. Both segmentation and optical flow information is utilized to form a motion image. This fusion process employs an assumption of optical flow continuity within each segmentation region. Continuity is not assumed between segmentation regions, thereby preserving potential occlusion boundaries. Two approaches for the detection of occlusion boundaries in this motion image are presented and compared. The first is the Marr-Hildreth edge detector and the second applies cluster analysis and linear modeling techniques. The algorithm has been tested on infrared imagery, and occlusion boundaries have been detected with a high degree of localization accuracy.
Oxidants and the pathophysiology of burn and smoke inhalation injury.

Abstract A skin burn is a common traumatic injury that results in both local tissue damage and a systematic mediater-induced response. There is evidence of both local and sysemic oxidant changes manifsted by lipid peroxidation in animal burn models and also in burned man. Both increased xanthine oxidase and neutrophil activation appear to be the oxidant sources. Animal studies have also demonstrated decreased burn edema, and also decreased distant organ dysfunction with the use of antioxidants, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship, which needs to be tested in man. Smoke inhalation injury, a chemical injury to the airways caused incomplete products of combustion, is frequently seen in conjuction with a body burn. Lipid peroxidation, both in lung and in distant organs, is also seen with this injury. The combined body burn and smoke inhalation injury lead to a marked increase in mortality rate and also an increase in the degree of generalized oxidant release and lipid peroxidation. Although data in man are limited, the available information, along with that from animal research on burns and smoke inhalation, indicates oxidants may well play a key role, and antioxidants may be of clinical therapeutic use.
Advanced Development of a Smart Material Design, Modeling, and Selection Tool

Smart materials have significantly varied properties and their various types are used broadly in many different engineering applications. It is important to develop tools which enable one to determine the best material for a particular application. In this research, system-level simulation models and collected material data are compiled in a GUI-based computer software called Polymers and Smart Materials Database (PSMD). This material selection tool encompasses material properties and material-level models as well as potential smart material applications. This type of compiled data can expedite the material selection process when designing smart material based systems by allowing one to choose the most effective material for the application. The software tool offers a wide variety of design and selection features. Material property and performance charts are provided to compare material properties and to choose the best material for optimal performance. The tool enables users to categorize material properties and create their own databases. This paper also highlights the modeling strategies being conducted in the area of elastomers and smart materials.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Patterns of contaminant transport in a layered fractured aquifer

We investigated patterns of contaminant transport within the layered and fractured aquifer of a 7.3-km2 upland agricultural watershed in east-central Pennsylvania, USA. Geometry and hydraulic properties of the aquifer had been characterized by field testing and model calibration. These results were extended to simulate flow pathways and patterns of contaminant transport in both areal and cross-section formats within the watershed. The analyses indicated that the ground water flow system at the larger watershed scale is comprised of smaller units of subsurface flow which are self-contained at the scale of first- or second-order streams. For this scale subwatershed or larger, contaminant inputs to ground water from the mix of land use within the subwatershed should translate directly to the quality of nonstorm streamflow. For illustration, recharge water quality from typical land-use distributions were combined with a simple model of contaminant transport to simulate nitrate concentration patterns in ground water in a cross-section format. Land use in the vicinity of the drainage divides between streams was found to control ground water quality within the deeper layers of the aquifer, while land use over the remainder of the watershed area affected water quality only within the shallower layers of the aquifer. Streamflow nitrate data collected during a baseflow survey on the watershed were examined in context of these simulations and found to support the conclusions. Results of the study demonstrate the potential for localized contamination of ground water and nonstorm streamflow by agricultural land use, as well as the potential for managing stream quality and minimizing contamination within targeted zones of the ground water by controlling land use position.
Endoscopic Stent Placement for Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Abstract Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is caused by either intrinsic or extrinsic obstruction of the pylorus or duodenum. The technical success rates of duodenal stenting for malignant GOO are > 90%, and 60–80% of patients are able to eat at least soft mechanical diets. Combined endoscopic biliary and duodenal self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement is safe and effective for palliation in malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction. This video manuscript describes endoscopic techniques in gastroduodenal stenting, procedure-related complications, and two commonly used duodenal SEMS: Evolution® Duodenal (Cook Medical) and WallFlex® Duodenal (Boston Scientific) stents. This article is part of an expert video encyclopedia.
The reparation of the self: Clinical and theoretical dimensions in the treatment of Vietnam combat veterans

This paper discusses a broad range of theoretical and clinical issues pertaining to a proposed approach to individual psychotherapy with Vietnam combat veterans. Called theself-reparative process, this approach features four phases, ranging in the first from anactive behavioral-cognitive approach to the fourth phase that utilizes a less active, psychoanalytic approach. This range of approaches is essential in order to adapt to the ongoing progressivespectrum-of-needs of the veterans, with the objective of increasing psychological control to resolving narcissistic rage and building a cohesive self.
General aspects of barrier layers for very-large-scale integration applications II: Practice

Abstract Metallization schemes used to establish electrical contact to the silicon in planar integrated circuits are reviewed with an emphasis on the role that diffusion barriers play in them. Some of the ideas that led to the development of metallization schemes in the past are retraced on the basis of examples ( e.g. beam lead technology, TiN, Ti: W, Ni/Cu). It is shown that the implementation often embodied concepts not initially recognized. The increased understanding of thin film phenomena that has resulted from the development of new analytical methods is likely to lead to corresponding improvements in future barrier layer designs.
ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL INEQUALITY: HOW THE CONCLUSIONS WE DRAW VARY ACCORDING TO THE DEFINITIONS WE EMPLOY.

ABSTRACT This article demonstrates that the conclusions environmental inequality researchers draw vary according to the definitions of environmental inequality they employ and that researchers can use a single set of results to test for the existence of multiple forms of environmental inequality. In order to illustrate these points, I set forth five definitions of environmental inequality, list the kinds of evidence we must obtain in order to determine whether each form of environmental inequality exists, and show how conclusions drawn from several recent environmental inequality studies vary depending on the definition of environmental inequality we employ. My goal is not to show that any one definition is superior to the others; nor am I trying to generalize from the studies reported here to a broader set of research findings. Instead, my goal is to a) show that we can use a single set of results to address a variety of environmental justice concerns and b) demonstrate that our interpretations of enviro...
Heterogeneity in diabetes mellitus: a lesson in the complexity of human disease.

All too often in our approach to understanding human disease, we tend to be simplistic and overly reductionist in comprehending basic control mechanisms and regulatory influences. In this issue of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice is included an investigation from the Pittsburgh IDDM Study which addresses the overall area of heterogeneity in the patient population presenting with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [ 11. This is not a new concept as this group of investigators amongst others has presented similar information previously [ 2-71 The present study is somewhat limited in that it compares patients with a proven family history of diabetes (Familial IDDM) with subjects with Sporadic Diabetes (family history negative). One is troubled that heterogeneity of IDDM is not all that evident in this study whereas it was clearly evident in previous investigations. The model of studying Sporadic Diabetes may not be all that useful insofar as this population subset may include patients with familial diabetes which may become apparent at a later date. Nevertheless, the point is well taken that patients with IDDM may present with differing phenotypic expression of diabetes particularly at the outset and also seemingly in the propensity to develop long-term diabetic complications [2,5,6,8-l 11. Various
Technology transfers and optimal entry strategies for the multinational firm

This paper develops an oligopolistic model in which firms can choose between three different modes of entry to address three broad questions: (1) What is the role of trade costs and start-up costs in the entry decision if cross-border acquisitions involve no technology transfers? (2) How does the level of harmonization of technologies between the multinational and the acquired firm change the optimal mode of entry? (3) What is the role of market concentration on the entry decision given positive levels of technology transfers to the acquired firm? We show that in the case of cross-border acquisitions higher tariffs may act as an entry barrier by raising the reservation price of the acquisition target. Our analysis also underlines the importance of the usefulness of transferred technology. Acquisitions become more likely as the degree of harmonization between the multinational's and acquired firm's assets increases. Finally, we demonstrate that market concentration plays a non-trivial role in the entry dec...
3D Stacked Microprocessor: Are We There Yet?

We live in a 3D world. It is hard to imagine a large city, such as New York City, with only single-level structures. There would be no skyscrapers, no mixed-use, no live-work. It would be a long walk (or drive) between everything, especially between dissimilar uses-all in all, very inefficient! Integrated circuits today are typically designed using single-level Manhattan geometries, nothing like the layout of the real city. In this prolegomenon, Gabriel Loh and Yuan Xie survey 3D integrated circuit technology, demonstrating the virtues, potentials, and challenges of applying three dimensions to future microprocessor designs and exploiting the locality and diversity of real-world Manhattan geometries. In this article, we focus on 3D stacking technology based on through-silicon-via (TSV) technology (see Figure 1b), which provides much faster and higher density inter-die connections than SiP or PoP.
Charge-state dependence of the exit energy of F ions traversing carbon foils

Abstract A charge-state dependence has been observed for the exit energies of 0.87 MeV/u fluorine ions traversing carbon foils (13225 μg/cm2). Energy differences between ions exiting the foil in various charge states were measured by observing apparent shifts in the resonance energy of the 16.45 MeV resonance in the H 2 ( 19 F q+ , Heγ)16O reaction and by direct observations with a surface barrier detector. It is found that emerging F8+ions have an energy which is about 14 keV higher than that of F9+ ions. The observed energy differences are largest for ions emerging with K-shell vacancies and small or zero for ions with a full K-shell and differing numbers of L-shell electrons. A semi-quantitative explanation of the results suggests that ions emerging with K-shell vacancies are produced in a relatively thin layer near the exit side of the foil and that the stopping power for these ions is charge-state-dependent.
Holographic Routing Network For Parallel Processing Machines

Dynamic holographic architectures for connecting processors in parallel computers have been generally limited by the response time of the holographic recording media. In this paper we present a different approach to dynamic optical interconnects involving spatial light modulators (SLMs) and volume holograms. Multiple-exposure holograms are stored in a volume recording media, which associate the address of a destination processor encoded on a spatial light modulator with a distinct reference beam. A destination address programmed on the spatial light modulator is then holographically steered to the correct destination processor. We present the design and experimental results of a holographic router for connecting four originator processors to four destination processors.
Current treatment options for acute pain.

The pain that accompanies surgical procedures remains prevalent and is an aspect of the perioperative experience that generates the greatest concern for patients about to undergo surgery. There is also a growing recognition of the extent that acute painful experiences can lead to longer-term painful consequences, even when tissue healing appears to be complete. The neurobiologic basis of this has been partially elucidated. The key observations are that multiple sites and multiple receptors collectively contribute, and that noxious stimuli initiate a cascade of events that sensitise the nervous system so that subsequent noxious stimuli are perceived with greater intensity and even previously non-painful stimuli can be painful. Incorporating these observations into effective perioperative regimens designed to limit acute pain and its consequences leads to a multimodal pre-emptive approach to acute pain management. Acute perioperative pain is an ideal setting for the use of pre-emptive analgesic techniques b...
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF EARLY DEVELOPMENT IN THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF POLYSIPHONIA HARVEYI BAILEY (CERAMIALES, RHODOPHYTA)

Prefertilization and immediate postfertilization development in the female reproductive branch of Polysiphonia harveyi (Bailey) was studied with the electron microscope. Results pertaining to prefertilization morphology and development are consistent with those established in earlier light microscopic studies, but several unexpected ultrastructural characteristics were discovered. The mature carpogonium was found to have double membrane-bound vacuoles of nuclear origin and the carpogonial nucleus contained a nucleolus with a distinctive crystalline lattice. Trichogynes lacked a nucleus. Of particular interest was the discovery of a highly structured channel of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) which extended uninterrupted, except for pit connections, through the carpogonial branch. It is suggested that the message of fertilization is conducted through the SER channel from the carpogonium to the support cell. Few observations were made on postfertilization branches, but evidence of direct fusion between the carpogonium and auxiliary cell was fairly conclusive. Pit plugs in the female branch were found to be of three morphological types differing by the presence and number of pit membranes. We have designated these plugs Type I–III since differential functioning was not fully ascertained. Our data suggest that pit membranes may serve to stabilize the plug and that those plugs without membranes are more readily dismantled to allow cytoplasmic continuity between cells.
Stability of lid-driven shallow cavity heated from below

Abstract Hydrodynamic and thermal stability of combined thermal buoyancy and lid-driven shear flow in a shallow cavity is analyzed by means of linearized perturbation theory. The analysis considers a cavity heated from below and cooled at the upper moving lid. A numerical procedure, which has generality with respect to boundary conditions, Reynolds, and Prandtl numbers, is described for solution of the linearized model equations. A direct numerical integration (Runge-Kutta with Newton-Raphson) method is used to solve the differential conservation equations. This method gives an exact result for the classical Benard problem where the flow becomes unstable at a critical Rayleigh number, Rac = 1707.76. The numerical results show the existence of two critical wave numbers depending on whether the dominant force driving the flow is due to buoyancy or shear. For Pr ⩽ 0.1 the instability is due to the buoyancy force for constant heat flux boundary conditions, while for Pr = 1 the instability is due to the shear force. Increasing the Reynolds number stabilizes the flow, and reducing the Prandtl number makes the flow more unstable.
Incomplete Meissner effect of triplet superconductivity

Abstract The magnetic properties of a triplet superconductor are investigated using a phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theory. Due to the presence of a paramagnetic term in the free energy arising from the energy required to flip the spins of a triplet pair by the magnetic field, the system does not exhibit a complete Meissner effect below T c . This paramagnetic contribution to the magnetization is stabilized by the non-linear terms in the free energy, and for certain values of the parameters, can even cancel the diamagnetic term. The results are discussed in terms of the Anderson- Morel and Balian-Werthamer states.
Student-Generated Scientific Inquiry for Elementary Education Undergraduates: Course Development, Outcomes and Implications

While some researchers have argued for science classrooms that embrace open-inquiry by engaging students in doing science as scientists do (cf. National Research Council [NRC] 1996; Driver et al. in Sci Educ 84:287–312, 2000; Windschitl et al. in Sci Educ 87(1):112–143, 2008), others have argued that open-inquiry is impractical, ineffective, and perhaps even counter-productive towards promoting normative scientific ideas (cf. Kirschner et al. in Educ Psychol 41(2):75–86, 2006; Settlage in J Sci Teach Educ 18:461–467, 2007). One of the challenges in informing the debate on this issue is the scarcity of well-documented courses that engage students in open-inquiry characteristic of scientific research. This paper describes the design, implementation, and outcomes of such a course for undergraduates planning on becoming elementary teachers. The goal of the class was to immerse future teachers in authentic, open-inquiry (without specific learning goals related to scientific concepts) in hopes that students would come away with a deeper understanding of the nature of science (NOS) and improved attitudes towards science. Data collected from a variety of sources indicate that an authentic, open-inquiry experience is feasible to implement in an undergraduate setting, gives students a more sophisticated NOS understanding, improves students’ attitudes towards science and open-inquiry, and changes the way they intend to teach science in their future classrooms.
Complex formation between the lymphotropic papovavirus large tumor antigen and the tumor suppressor protein p53.

Abstract The simian B-lymphotropic papovavirus (LPV) encodes a large tumor antigen (T antigen) which is 45% identical to both the simian virus 40 (SV40) and the polyomavirus (PyV) large T antigens. In transgenic mice, the transforming properties of the LPV T antigen are similar to those of the SV40 T antigen. However, little is known about its biochemical activities. Since SV40 T antigen forms a complex with and stabilizes the host cell tumor suppressor protein p53 while the PyV large T antigen does not, we characterized the LPV T antigen for its ability to complex p53. We demonstrate an association between LPV T antigen and p53 in both a tumor-derived cell line and BALB/c 3T3 cells transformed in culture. A third protein of approximately 68 kDa which was found associated with the LPV T antigen-p53 complex in tumor-derived cells appears to be heat shock protein 70 (hsp70). The half-life of p53 in all LPV T-antigen-transformed cells was extended significantly; i.e., it was 3 to 7 h compared with 19 minutes in BALB/c 3T3 cells. The half-life of the LPV T antigen itself was 5 to 9 h depending on the cell line origin. That p53 was stabilized because of association with LPV T antigen and not because of mutation was demonstrated with the p53 conformation-dependent monoclonal antibody PAb246. This antibody distinguishes between wild-type p53 (PAb246+) and mutant, oncogenic p53 (PAb246-). Sequential immunoprecipitation showed all detectable p53 to be of the PAb246+ class in each LPV-transformed cell line, suggesting that the stable p53 was indeed wild type.
Studying Relationships between Human Gaze, Description, and Computer Vision

We posit that user behavior during natural viewing of images contains an abundance of information about the content of images as well as information related to user intent and user defined content importance. In this paper, we conduct experiments to better understand the relationship between images, the eye movements people make while viewing images, and how people construct natural language to describe images. We explore these relationships in the context of two commonly used computer vision datasets. We then further relate human cues with outputs of current visual recognition systems and demonstrate prototype applications for gaze-enabled detection and annotation.
Proposed mechanisms for the translocation of intestinal bacteria.

Members of the endogenous flora have become recognized as major pathogens in nosocomial infections, and the intestinal tract has become recognized as a major portal of entry for these pathogens. The English-language literature on this topic has been summarized and a working hypothesis devised describing a mechanism whereby intestinal bacteria can escape and cause systemic disease. It is postulated that the motile phagocyte ingests intestinal bacteria, transports them to extraintestinal sites, fails to accomplish intracellular killing, and then liberates the bacteria in the extraintestinal site. This hypothesis is consistent with many observations found in the literature: (1) The intestinal bacteria that most readily translocate out of the intestinal tract are classified as facultative intracellular pathogens. (2) Intestinal particles with no intrinsic motility (e.g., yeast, ferritin, starch) can translocate out of the intestinal lumen within hours after their ingestion. (3) The rate of translocation of intestinal bacteria can be altered with agents that modulate immune (including phagocytic) function. In the context of the mechanisms involved in intestinal immune responses, bacterial translocation appears to be a part of the normal antigen-sampling process of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Systemic disease caused by translocating intestinal bacteria could be due to a maladaptation of the antigen-sampling process that has been designed to regulate the immune response to intestinal antigens.
Epigenetic effects of early developmental experiences.

Experiences occurring in early development can exert long-term effects that lead to either heightened or attenuated risk of physical and psychiatric disease. Of particular importance for these outcomes is the quality of the relationship between a parent and an infant. Parental stress, reduced sensitivity of parents to infant cues, and childhood neglect/abuse may lead to a cascade of biological changes that compromise the func- tioning of infants, leading to effects that persist into adolescence and adulthood. Moreover, genetic and environmental factors may heighten the vulnerability of infants to these effects. For the high-risk neonate, both underlying vulnerability and adverse early-life experiences are characteristic and may ultimately lead to divergent develop- mental pathways that compromise future health and well-being. The deprivation or reduction in parental contact that is often experienced by these infants during the neonatal period may be a significant factor in determining the severity of these outcome measures. Thus, understanding the mechanisms through which parental care can alter infant development may provide insight into the potential interventions and practices that are critical in promoting healthy children, adolescents, and adults. During fetal and infant development, the brain is rapidly changing, leading to prolif- eration and refinement of neural pathways. The sensitive period created by this time of neuronal plasticity creates a window of opportunity during which experiences can exert long-term effects. Although the study of human brain development and the effects of experiences on these processes has been limited by the availability of appropriate methodological tools, decades of work using animal models has provided some valuable insights. Laboratory studies of rodents suggest that adverse experi- ences occurring during fetal and/or infant development lead to changes in brain architecture and function. These effects are particularly evident when the quality of the parent-infant interaction is affected, either through parental stress or through
Michael VIII Palaeologus and the Union of Lyons (1274)

The Union of Lyons between the Greek and Latin churches was largely the result of the political aims of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus. It was he who initiated the negotiations and who almost single-handedly attempted to force the union upon his Empire. He was convinced, as both Greek and Western historians repeatedly observe, that union was the one effective means to avert the menace of an expedition against Constantinople by the powerful coalition of Charles of Anjou, then King of Sicily. Recently recovered from the Latins by Palaeologus, Constantinople was still relatively weak, and it was mainly the Emperor's flexible diplomacy that had hitherto been able to maintain it against the Latins. To Palaeologus' mind only the offer of union could induce the Holy See to restrain Charles from his plan of conquest.
A novel framework for AC field-effects on action potential coherence and phase

Small electric fields will polarize neurons by only a small amount for this reason small electric fields have previously been suggested to have no physiologically relevant effects. We propose a mechanism whereby AC extracellular fields incrementally polarize a neuron's membrane and thus modulate the coherence and phase of synaptically driven action potentials. Knowing that a membrane polarizes in proportion to field strength (DeltaV = cE), and that spike timing changes linearly with increasing steady-state field strength (Deltat prop E), we make a number of quantitative predictions on the effects of AC extracellular fields on a neuron's spike timing oscillating fields will shift firing times with mean falling within or the oscillatory cycle (the rising edge). This mean firing time advances with increasing field strength and decreasing injected ramp slope, i.e. it increases with cE/Vdot. This effect is proportional to the inverse of the driving synaptic membrane potential slope Deltat=DeltaV/Vdot dot cE/Vdot. The strength of coherence as measured by Rayleigh coefficient (vector strength) also increases with cE/Vdot. The predictions were verified in rat hippocampal A pyramidal neurons.
Processor Performance Modeling using Symbolic Simulation

We propose a method of analytically characterizing processor performance as a function of circuit latencies. In our approach, we modify traditional simulation to use variables instead of fixed latencies for the internal functional units. The simulation engine then algebraically computes execution times, and the result is a mathematical equation which characterizes the performance space across numerous processor configurations. We discuss the computational complexity issues of this approach and show that instruction chunking and simple equation redundancy checking can make this approach feasible-we can model a large multi-dimensional design space with thousands to millions of design parameter combinations for about 10times the simulation time of a single conventional simulation run. We demonstrate our approach by exploring two different machines: a traditional MlPS-style in-order pipeline and the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3000.
Torque ripple reduction of the modular Interior Permanent Magnet machines using optimum current profiling technique

Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motors are widely used in various applications due to many advantages such as high power density, high efficiency, low manufacturing cost and wide constant power operating range. Compared to Surface Mounted Permanent Magnet (SMPM) motors, IPM motors have relatively higher torque ripples. The back-EMF voltages induced in the stator windings are not ideal sinusoids. This produces considerable torque ripple when the IPM motors are excited with sinusoidal currents. In this paper, an optimum current profiling technique is presented to minimize the torque ripple along with the copper losses in the stator windings. Analysis shows the simplicity of this optimization technique. Only the back-EMF information and the inductance differences in d-q frame are required, which can be easily obtained by finite element analysis (FEA) without intensive computation. It is shown the torque ripple is significantly reduced when the machine is supplied with the optimum currents.
The Power of a Question: A Case Study of Two Organizational Knowledge Capture Systems

Designers have many options for how to encode knowledge, although most are based ondeclarative representations. This paper explores the use of questions to represent knowledge.Practioner experiences implementing two knowledge resources using a question-basedrepresentation are described. In both resources, the use of "questions" was chosen as both a non-threatening way of engaging users and for its value in initiating thinking processes. Bothsystems have succeeded in capturing the interest of users and serve as valuable components of the organization's knowledge capture program. This paper describes the systems, the underlying design approach, and results from system evaluation. Since the goal of any knowledge resource is to facilitate the reuse of knowledge, it is important to understand the impact that different knowledge representations could have on system acceptance. This study raises several research issues based on experiences using the unusual representation of "questions."
Molecular engineering of liquid crystalline polymers by “living” polymerization. XXXII. Synthesis and “living” cationic polymerization of 3‐fluoro‐4′‐(ω‐vinyloxyalkoxy)‐4‐biphenylyl (2r,3s)‐2‐fluoro‐3‐methylpentanoate with undecanyl and octyl alkyl groups

The synthesis and living cationic polymerization of 3-fluoro-4'-(11-vinyloxyundecanyloxy)-4-biphenylyl (2R,3S)-2-fluoro-3-methylpentanoate (12-11) and 3-fluoro-4'-(8-vinyloxyoctyloxy)-4-biphenylyl (2R,3S)-2-fluoro-3-methylpentanoate (12-8) are presented. Poly(12-11)s and poly(12-8)s with degrees of polymerization from 4.0 to 16.5 and polydispersities ≤ 1.13 have been synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal optical polarized microscopy. Over the entire range of molecular weights poly(12-11)s and poly(12-8)s exhibit an enantiotropic S A and an unidentified S X phase. In addition, regardless of its molecular weight, poly(12-8) exhibits a S C * phase in between the S A and S X phases. Poly(12-11) and poly(12-8) show lower transition temperatures and broader temperature ranges of all their mesophases as compared to the corresponding polymers without a fluorine atom on the biphenyl group. The role of the connecting group between the biphenyl and chiral group of the mesogenic unit on the phase behavior of these polymers is also discussed. Copolymers of 12-8 with (2R,3S)-2-fluoro-3-methylpentyl 4'-(11-vinyloxyundecanyloxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate (13-11) {i.e., poly-[(12-8)-co-(13-11)](X/Y), where X/Y represents the molar ratio of monomer 12-8 to monomer 13-11} with DP of ca. 11 and polydispersities lower than 1.23 were also synthesized and characterized. Their S A and S C * mesophases exhibit continuous dependences of composition and this supports the assignment of the mesophases exhibited by poly(12-8). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.