cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A solar concentrator design for uniform flux on a flat receiver

The paper presents a new design of solar concentrator (reflector) capable of concentrating a collimated beam of light of uniform flux onto a flat receiver to obtain a uniform flux distribution. The main advantage of this design is that the reflector consists of a series of flat panels of different sizes, enabling the use of commercially available plane mirrors. Another feature of this design is that the uniform flux distribution on the receiver is independent of the reflectivity, transmissivity and absorptivity variation with the incident angle of the incoming solar flux. Four different concentrator-receiver geometries have been analysed to determine the slope and width of the various reflector panels, concentration ratio and concentrator surface are requirements. The configuration with the back lit vertical receiver was found to be the best out of these four cases. The effect of the finite size of the sun on the flux distribution of the receiver is also included. A concentrator of this design, with back lit vertical receiver, was fabricated. Measurement of the flux on its receiver indicate a quite uniform flux distribution in about 80% of the area.
Characterization of Hypromellose Acetate Succinate by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) Using Viscotek Triple Detector

Abstract Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with Viscotek triple detection technique is used to characterize the molecular weight distributions of hypromellose acetate succinate polymers. The experimental results demonstrate that both conventional and universal calibrations failed due to solution phase conformation difference between HPMCAS and the calibration standard (polyethylene oxide). SEC with triple detection in TriCal mode is able to detect not only the absolute molecular weight distribution difference, but also the difference in molecular size and conformation changes of HPMCAS polymers. The decrease in Mark–Houwink–Sakurada constants with increasing molecular weight for the HPMCAS polymers indicates that both acetyl and succinoyl groups may not be evenly substituted along the HPMC polymer chains during the esterification process. This nonhomogeneity in the substitution pattern would cause HPMCAS polymer chains acting like a block co-polymer in terms of solution behavior.
Increased DNA fragmentation in isolated rat islets following 24 hour co-culture with cytokine transgene-bearing adenovirus is dose dependent, but does not reduce glucose-stimulated insulin secretion

Abstract Genetic manipulation of isolated rat islets before transplantation using adenoviral vectors is under investigation as a strategy to modulate the host immune response in the microenvironment of the graft. Viruses, including adenovirus, are known to be capable of modulating apoptosis by either including or suppressing specific processes, depending on the virus and cell system studied. Similar observations have been made using cytokines including the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF- β 2 . However, the effect of virus and inserted gene product on islet cell viability and function remain to be examined in detail. In this study, we investigated the effect of adenoviral infection and insertion of a novel gene (TGF-β) on inslet cell apoptosis and on glucose-stimulated insuling secretion (GSIS).
Recent progress in next-generation platform standards for physics instrumentation and controls

In 2009, after several years of workshop meetings and planning, several laboratories of the international Physics community launched a new instrument platform standardization effort with PICMG, the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. The goal was an extension of the new serial gigabit backplane ATCA Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture platform. The main strategy was to assign uncommitted serial ports in the backplane to extend the current features of ATCA and MicroTCA, based on the Advanced Mezzanine Card package, to gain a much larger range of IO options than needed for Telecom blade and server systems. In late 2011 the new xTCA for Physics Technical Committee issued its first two PICMG standards, one for the ATCA interface to the RTM (Rear Transition Module) and another for a double-wide AMC board and shelf standard with all the features of the main ATCA product including redundancy and a new RTM and extended options lines for clocks, triggers, interlocks and vector summing. This paper describes recent industry progress in establishing Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) infrastructure and new lab applications developments using the new standards.
Ethanediol monoester hydrolysis by monoacylglycerol lipase of rat liver microsomes

Abstract The hydrolysis of long-chain monoester of ethanediol by rat liver subcellular fractions was investigated in order to define the carboxylic acid ester hydrolase involved and to localize the enzymic activity. We found that with 1-O-hexadecanoyl [U-14C]ethanediol as substrate, hydrolytic activity was foremost associated with the rough microsomal fraction. The pH optimum occurred at 8.5. The apparent Km and V values were 6.5 · 10−4 M and 13 μmol/h per mg microsomal protein, respectively. Enzymic activity was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and by diisopropylfluorophosphate, whereas NaF was less effective and CaCl2 did not affect apparent activity. Amongst a number of carboxylic acid esters tested as substrate, only long-chain 1-acyl and 2-acyl glycerols inhibited acyl diol hydrolysis competitively (Ki ≈ 0.9 mM). It was concluded that long-chain monoesters of ethanediol are hydrolyzed by the monoacyl glycerol lipase system associated with the rat liver microsomal fraction. Because diol monoester is also utilized by the cholinephosphotransferase system of liver to form highly lytic acyl diol phosphocholines, efficient diol monoester hydrolysis by monoglyceride lipase may be a significant step in regulating acyl diol phosphocholine levels in biological systems.
A Study of Data Interlock in Computational Networks for Sparse Matrix Multiplication

The general question addressed in this study is: are regular networks suitable for sparse matrix computations? More specifically, we consider a special purpose self-timed computational array that is designed for a specific dense matrix computation. We add to each cell in the network the capability of recognizing and skipping operations that involve zero operands, and then ask how efficient is this resulting network for sparse matrix computation? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to study the effect of data interlock on the performance of self-timed networks. For this, the class of pseudosystolic networks is introduced as a hybrid class between systolic and self-timed networks. Networks in this class are easy to analyze, and provide a means for the study of the worst case performance of self-timed networks. The well known concept of computation fronts is also generalized to include irregular flow of data, and a technique based on the propagation of such computation fronts is suggested for the estimation of the processing time and the communication time of pseudosystolic networks.
A study of the thermal elimination reaction in a poly(p-phenylene vinylene) precursor

Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and its derivatives have recently received considerable attention in the field of electroactive organic materials chiefly because of their potential to replace the standard inorganic semi-conducting materials in light-emitting devices. Currently efforts are being made to reduce the carbonyl and hydroxyl defects in these materials which act as quenching sites for the injected charge. Thus, the understanding of the origin of these defects in PPV is extremely important in order to improve its electroluminescence efficiency. These defects are found to appear during the thermal conversion of PPV from its precursor. In this paper we have studied the thermal elimination reaction sequence in a PPV precursor using thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry and the observed results have been associated with standard reaction mechanisms to explain the formation of the aforementioned defects.
Synthesis of ring 14C-methyl labeled retinyl acetate

A method for incorporation of a 14C-label in the ring geminal methyl moiety of Vitamin A is described. The procedure involves mono methylation of 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanone with 14C-methyl iodide as catalyzed by potassium hydride to afford 2-14C, 2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone. Subsequent condensation with an 11-carbon acetylenic side chain, followed by reduction, acetylation and dehydration yielded 14C-retinyl acetate. Final purification was achieved by preparative thin layer chromatography.
Nerve sheath myxoma of the oral cavity: Case report and review

Nerve sheath myxoma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor that rarely occurs in the oral cavity; approximately 12 cases have been reported to date. On histologic evaluation the lesions consist of closely aggregated fascicles that vary considerably in cellularity. Some of the lesions are predominantly myxoid with widely spaced, stellate-shaped cells. Other lesions consist of closely aggregated spindle cells in a matrix that appears fibrous yet stains strongly for acid mucopolysaccharides (extracellular mucin). Small numbers of mitotic figures may be observed. Because of their rarity and unusual histologic appearance, it is advisable that the pathologist be familiar with these lesions; they may be mistaken for other myxoid lesions of the oral mucosa. We describe a single case of nerve sheath myxoma that arose in the buccal mucosa in a woman.
Inhibition of Bovine Brain Nitric-Oxide Synthase by α-Amino and α-Carboxyl Derivatives of NG-Allyl-L-Arginine

Abstract Three derivatives of the mechanism-based inhibitor N G -allyl-L-arginine, designed to eliminate the effect of charge on the α-functional groups, were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of purified bovine brain nitric oxide synthase. The inhibitory properties of N G -allyl-L-arginine, N G -allyl-L-arginine methyl ester, N α -acetyl- N G -allyl-L-arginine, and N α -acetyl- N G -allyl-L-arginine methyl ester were determined in steady-state kinetic assays. The K i s of the four compounds were 7 ± 1, 11 ± 1, 147 ± 13, and 480 ± 45 μM, respectively. These results demonstrate that conversion of the α-carboxylgroup of N G -allyl-L-arginine to a methyl ester had only a small effect on its inhibitory properties, whereas acetylation of the α-amino group increased the K i by more than an order of magnitude. Modification of both the α-amino and α-carboxyl groups increased the K i more dramatically from 7 to 480 μM. Derivatization of the α-amino and α-carboxyl groups of N G -allyl-L-arginine would not be expected to alter the chemistry of inactivation by the N G -allyl guanidine moiety, and therefore the increased K i s of the derivatives are probably due solely to changes in binding specificity. These data suggest that the arginine binding pocket of brain nitric oxide synthase prefers the unmodified α-amino group of arginine for binding, but that it can accommodate a modified α-carboxylate. Thus, conservative modification at the alpha-carboxyl may represent a starting point for the design and synthesis of other inhibitors targeted at nitric oxide synthase.
Images et Pouvoirs dans le Pacifique

Viviane Fayaud and Jean-Marc Regnault, Paris, Publications de la Societe francaise d'histoire d'outre-mer, 2011, 188 pp, €18, ISBN 978-285-970-048-5 This volume is the product of a conference organ...
Theoretical investigation of mass transport to arterial walls in various blood flow regions— II. oxygen transport and its relationship to lipoprotein accumulation

Abstract A theoretical investigation is presented to determine oxygen transport from blood to arterial walls in various blood flow regions and the relationship between oxygen transport and lipoprotein accumulation. The analysis was based on the conservation principles of fluid dynamics and diffusing oxygen molecules for laminar, boundary layer flow at a speed averaged over the cardiac cycle. Increased oxygen transport was predicted in accelerated flow regions, but significantly reduced oxygen transport was indicated in decelerated flow regions and at separation locations on the back side of atheromas, constrictions, and at arterial branches. These trends are opposite to those found for lipoprotein transport and suggest the critical nature of oxygen deprivation and larger lipoprotein accumulation on the back side of atheromas, at constrictions, and at arterial branches. This may manifest itself in more lipid accumulation and atheroma evolution characteristic of atherosclerosis that have been observed under hypoxic conditions. To test this hypothesis between metabolic and filtration concepts requires experimental measurements in vivo in various blood flow regions in arteries to support or substantiate the contention that alterations in oxygen transport and lipoprotein accumulation at selected sites are factors in the pathogenesis and progression of atheromas leading to further vessel narrowing.
Estimation of ester hydrolysis parameters by using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and the extended kalman filter

Abstract Fourier-transform (FTIR) spectroscopy has found a wide range of applications. Attempts have been made to make FTIR spectroscopy a reliable quantiative technique for obtaining chemical information foru complex systems, but it is often difficult to obtain even qualitative information about a complex system because of matrix, interaction, and background effects on the infrared on the spectra. In this study, FTIR spectroscopy was used in conjuction with the extended Kalaman filter, a recursive digital filter, to investigate the simple neutral hydrolysis of two esters in aqueous solutions. Interactions between the solvent, reactants and products of the hyrolysis perturb the spectrum, making a single-wavelength kinetic analysis impractical. With the extended Kalman filter, a range of frequencies where severe perturbation does not occur is processed to obtain not only the rate constant but also the initial reactant concentrations.
A review of perioperative corticosteroid use in dentoalveolar surgery.

Objectives: Dental surgeons are often advised to use corticosteroids during and after third molar removal and other dentoalveolar surgery to reduce postsurgical edema, but recommendations for use are rarely accompanied by definitive guidance regarding the type of steroid, dosage, or duration of administration. Many regimens in use appear to be based on anecdotal information from articles in the 1960s and 1970s and might be subtherapeutic. Few regimens have been updated with data from more recent studies, and well-designed comparison studies are lacking. Study Design: In this article, the literature from the past 30 years is reviewed, meaningful findings are highlighted, and available data are used as a basis for formulating interim clinical recommendations for corticosteroid use pending the emergence of more evidence-based data. A meta-analysis of data was not performed. Results: Recent data suggest that perioperative corticosteroid regimens should be administered in higher doses and for longer durations than recommended in the past and should be started before surgery for optimum benefit. Conclusions: Based on the literature review, interim recommendations for the use of corticosteroids are proposed, including dosages and regimens that appear rational for oral, intramuscular, or intravenous corticosteroid administration before and after extractions and other dentoalveolar surgery. These largely empiric recommendations might require adjustment when evidence-based data become available in future studies. There is a great need for well-designed clinical research to further evaluate protocols for corticosteroid use. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000;90:406-15)
Validation of a Monte Carlo based depletion methodology via High Flux Isotope Reactor HEU post-irradiation examination measurements

Abstract The purpose of this study is to validate a Monte Carlo based depletion methodology by comparing calculated post-irradiation uranium isotopic compositions in the fuel elements of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) core to values measured using uranium mass-spectrographic analysis. Three fuel plates were analyzed: two from the outer fuel element (OFE) and one from the inner fuel element (IFE). Fuel plates O-111-8, O-350-I, and I-417-24 from outer fuel elements 5-O and 21-O and inner fuel element 49-I, respectively, were selected for examination. Fuel elements 5-O, 21-O, and 49-I were loaded into HFIR during cycles 4, 16, and 35, respectively (mid to late 1960s). Approximately one year after each of these elements were irradiated, they were transferred to the High Radiation Level Examination Laboratory (HRLEL) where samples from these fuel plates were sectioned and examined via uranium mass-spectrographic analysis. The isotopic composition of each of the samples was used to determine the atomic percent of the uranium isotopes. A Monte Carlo based depletion computer program, ALEPH, which couples the MCNP and ORIGEN codes, was utilized to calculate the nuclide inventory at the end-of-cycle (EOC). A current ALEPH/MCNP input for HFIR fuel cycle 400 was modified to replicate cycles 4, 16, and 35. The control element withdrawal curves and flux trap loadings were revised, as well as the radial zone boundaries and nuclide concentrations in the MCNP model. The calculated EOC uranium isotopic compositions for the analyzed plates were found to be in good agreement with measurements, which reveals that ALEPH/MCNP can accurately calculate burn-up dependent uranium isotopic concentrations for the HFIR core. The spatial power distribution in HFIR changes significantly as irradiation time increases due to control element movement. Accurate calculation of the end-of-life uranium isotopic inventory is a good indicator that the power distribution variation as a function of space and time is accurately calculated, i.e. an integral check. Hence, the time dependent heat generation source terms needed for reactor core thermal hydraulic analysis, if derived from this methodology, have been shown to be accurate for highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel.
Advanced broadband imager for EUV and FUV studies with exquisite precision

Next generation, space-based, Sun-Earth System remote sensing missions place severe challenges on focal plane technologies to achieve their science goals. Among these are high sensitivity over a broad spectral range, small pixel size, fast readout, radiation tolerance, low power consumption, photometric accuracy & stability, and scalable mosaic technology for constructing large focal plane mosaics. Our Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of Alabama in Huntsville collaboration has begun the development of an Advanced Broadband Imager (ABI) to address these challenges for future Sun Solar System Connection science missions. We describe here the development of the delta-doped, high-purity, p channel charge coupled devices, which form the heart of the ABI imager, and our plans for future development. The current technical readiness levels of ABI component technologies are TRL 2 to TRL 4. Our proposed development program envisions achieving TRL 5 within 3 years with flight validation in the context of an Earth Sun System Science mission occurring within 6 years via the Quiet-Sun Transition Region Explorer EUV Telescope (Q-STREET) rocket-borne observatory.
Wick sampling of interstitial fluid in rat skin: further analysis and modifications of the method.

Abstract We compared modifications of the wick technique for analysis of interstitial fluid in rat subcutis. Nylon wicks were implanted for 60 min in back skin of rats after anesthesia with pentobarbital or after sacrifice by potassium chloride injection. Wicks were implanted dry or loaded with saline or varied dilutions of rat serum. Implantation of dry wicks and wicks loaded with diluted serum in living, anesthetized animals produced similar results; the protein concentration of wick fluid averaged about 60% that of the plasma protein concentration. The saline loaded wicks produced wick fluid with a lower protein concentration, average about 45% that of plasma protein concentration. The lower concentrations apparently resulted from simple dilution. Wick fluid sampled from dead animals had similar total protein concentrations, but in the dead animals there was a lower concentration of the large plasma proteins and a relatively higher concentration of the smaller proteins. Conclusions: Wick implantation in living animals causes a transitory inflammatory reaction and a decrease in the size selectivity of macromolecular sieving, but local osmotic forces bring about a concentration equilibrium with undisturbed interstitium. Implantation of dry wicks in subcutis either in vivo or post mortem provides a simple, direct method for sampling the total protein concentration and colloid osmotic pressure of interstitial fluid. Implantation of dry wicks postmortem permits measurement of individual component protein concentrations and evaluation of molecular selectivity between plasma and interstitium.
Effects of kappa opioids in the inflamed rat colon

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the antinociceptive effects of peripherally restricted κ-opioid receptor agonists (ORAs) in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease produced by intracolonic instillation of trinitrobenzine sulfonic acid (TNBS). Antinociceptive effects of μ-(morphine) and κ-ORAs (EMD 61 753 and ICI 204 488) were evaluated in a behavioral model of visceral nociception. The effects of these agonists and a δ-ORA (SNC 80) on responses of pelvic nerve afferent fibers innervating the colon were also tested. In the behavioral study, systemic injections of morphine and both κ-ORAs dose-dependently inhibited the visceromotor response to colorectal distension in rats with uninflamed or inflamed colons. The inhibitory effects of κ-ORAs, but not morphine, were significantly greater in rats with colons inflamed 4 days previously by TNBS. A μ-receptor-selective dose (30 μg/kg) of naloxone methiodide (NLXM) blocked the inhibitory effect of morphine, but not of EMD 61 753. In the single-fiber study, neither morphine nor the δ-ORA SNC 80 attenuated the responses of pelvic nerve afferent fibers, whereas κ-ORAs dose-dependently inhibited responses of pelvic nerve afferent fibers with significantly greater potency in the inflamed colon. Pretreatment with a non-opioid receptor-selective dose (2 mg/kg) of NLXM produced a rightward shift in the dose-response function of EMD 61 753. The greater potency of κ-ORAs in the TNBS-inflamed condition suggests a peripheral upregulation of κ-opioid receptors in colonic inflammation.
Speech prosody in Broca's aphasia.

Abstract Because speech prosody is thought to be impaired in Broca's aphasia, we conducted three experiments using Broca's aphasics and nonneurological control subjects in order to determine to what extent this statement is accurate. Using three acoustic measures of speech prosody—sentence-final fundamental frequency (F0) fall, F0 declination, and sentence-final lengthening—we found that some aspects of prosody were spared while others were abnormal. All Broca's aphasics, regardless of degree of impairment, exhibited sentence-final F0 fall. F0 declination was present in simple sentences but was absent over longer domains; moreover, the amount of declination was correlated with the degree of linguistic impairment. Sentence-final lengthening was clearly absent in Broca's aphasia; in fact, sentence-terminal words were actually shorter than their sentence-initial and medial counterparts.
Acid phosphatase. IV. Fluoride inhibition of prostatic acid phosphatase.

Abstract Inhibition of the acid phosphatase of human prostate by fluoride was shown to reach a maximum value at intermediate concentrations of fluoride and to be partially reversed by higher concentrations. The precise shape and location of the inhibition curve were influenced by ionic strength, by specific ions, and by protein concentration. A number of multivalent organic anions was shown to protect the enzyme against fluoride inhibition. The degree of protection afforded was greatest for anions such as citrate and oxalate. No evidence that this effect involves chelations of multivalent cations was found. A quantitative theory of these phenomena has been developed and shown to satisfy the experimental data, while some alternative theoretical possibilities have been eliminated or shown to be less plausible. The relation of these results to the structure of the active center of the enzyme is discussed.
Development of Extra-Long Staple Upland Cotton

An objective of U.S. cotton breeding programs is to provide raw material that processes effi ciently and produces better textile products without compromising yield. Annual domestic consumption dropped from 10.4 million bales in 1998 to 5.5 million bales in 2007. Exports increased from 4.3 to 16.2 million bales. Increased reliance on export markets will require the United States to compete more effectively in price and quality. The desired minimum upper half mean (UHM) fi ber length in international markets is 28 mm, while the traditional U.S. minimum is 27 mm. To compete at this higher UHM length expectation, breeding programs should target minimums well above the international base. Extra-long staple (ELS) upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines were developed by the Cotton Improvement Lab, Dep. of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, as part of an effort to create germplasm with combinations of improved fi ber quality, especially UHM length and fi ber bundle strength. These ELS upland lines exhibit high volume instrument UHM length >32.0 mm, and several strains exceed 34.8 mm, which is the minimum UHM length for pima (G. barbadense L.). These ELS strains range in agronomic performance from less than to equal to that of ‘Fiber Max 832’ (PI 603955). TAM 94L-25 (PI 631440), or its full sib 94L-2 (unreleased), is the common parent in these ELS strains and is proposed as the major contributor of favorable allelic combinations for this exceptional UHM length.
Production of 2,3-butanediol by Klebsiella oxytoca

High glucose concentrations result in high levels of 2,3-butanediol, improved yield and productivity, and a decrease in cell growth in batch cultures of Klebsiella oxytoca. A maximum of 84.2 g butanediol/l and a yield of 0.5 was obtained with an initial glucose concentration of 262.6g/l. Adding the substrate in two steps in a modified fed-batch operation resulted in 85.5 g butanediol/l, 6.4 g acetoin/l and 3.4 g ethanol/l with a net yield of 0.5. Increasing the cell density to 60g/l resulted in productivities as high as 3.22 g/l.h.
On loudness enhancement of a tone burst by a preceding tone burst

The loudness level of a second tone burst in a monotic burst pair is investigated as a function of the intensity and frequency of the first burst relative to the corresponding variables of the second burst and as a function of the interburst time interval. The loudness level is measured with the help of a third, comparison burst whose frequency is the same as that of the second burst. The results, in connection with preceding results, show beyond any reasonable doubt that loudness effects in pairs of sound bursts are controlled by two perceptual processes: loudness enhancement and loudness summation. The first refers to the loudness of the second burst, the second, to the overall loudness of the burst pair. The time and frequency functions of the two processes are fundamentally different.
ROTATIONAL EXCITATION OF A RIGID ROTOR: COMPARISON OF TWO APPROXIMATE CLASSICAL MODELS WITH EXACT CLASSICAL RESULTS.

A rigid body model and a perturbation technique are used to measure the rotational excitation of a rigid rotor in the determination of the moments of fractional rotational energy transfer in the Ar-N2 system. A table of data is included to compare the obtained results with exact results, showing the failure of the perturbation model to yield correct results.
Photoacoustic spectroscopy of gaseous biomarker in simulated breath

In this study, a photoacoustic detector integrated with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to measure biomarkers in gas samples independently. Simulated exhaled breath samples were created by mixing varying concentrations of acetone, ammonia and ethane. The results of these measurements demonstrate the potential of photoacoustic spectroscopy to detect biomarkers from human breath.
The movement of the shoulder in claviculate and aclaviculate mammals

The biomechanical role of the mammalian clavicle and the functional significance of the aclaviculate condition were investigated. Shoulder movements in rats (Rattus norvegicus) with excised clavicles were compared to those of normal rats by biplanar plate radiography. Shoulder movements during walking of the claviculate American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), and aclaviculate raccoons (Procyon lotor) and cats (Felis domestica) were compared by biplanar cineradiography. The mammalian clavicle, where present in its complete form, exerts both a “spoke” and a “strut” effect on shoulder movement. By maintaining a fixed distance between the acromion and manubrium, the clavicle ensures that relative movement between these structures is arcuate. Aclaviculate mammals, in contrast, have linear shoulder excursions that are nearly parallel or slightly oblique to the median plane, depending on the conformation of the thorax. Medial collapse of the shoulder in aclaviculate rats demonstrates that the clavicle is under compression, and thus acts as a strut. Reduction or loss of the clavicle, which has occurred independently in numerous mammalian phylogenies, has been regarded as an adaptation for greater shoulder movement and hence increased stride. However, on present evidence clavicular reduction in cursorial mammals appears to be more directly related to a linear excursion of the shoulder joint and a restriction of limb movements to a sagittal plane.
Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Tumor Suppression Are Controlled by a Reciprocal Feedback Loop between ZEB1 and Grainyhead-like-2

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in carcinoma cells enhances malignant progression by promoting invasion and survival. EMT is induced by microenvironmental factors, including TGF-β and Wnt agonists, and by the E-box-binding transcription factors Twist, Snail, and ZEB. Grainyhead-like-2 (GRHL2), a member of the mammalian Grainyhead family of wound-healing regulatory transcription factors, suppresses EMT and restores sensitivity to anoikis by repressing ZEB1 expression and inhibiting TGF-β signaling. In this study, we elucidate the functional relationship between GRHL2 and ZEB1 in EMT/MET and tumor biology. At least three homeodomain proteins, Six1, LBX1, and HoxA5, transactivated the ZEB1 promoter, in the case of Six1, through direct protein-promoter interaction. GRHL2 altered the Six1-DNA complex, inhibiting this transactivation. Correspondingly, GRHL2 expression prevented tumor initiation in xenograft assays, sensitized breast cancer cells to paclitaxel, and suppressed the emergence of CD44(high)CD24(low) cells (defining the cancer stem cell phenotype in the cell type studied). GRHL2 was downregulated in recurrent mouse tumors that had evolved to an oncogene-independent, EMT-like state, supporting a role for GRHL2 downregulation in this phenotypic transition, modeling disease recurrence. The combination of TGF-β and Wnt activation repressed GRHL2 expression by direct interaction of ZEB1 with the GRHL2 promoter, inducing EMT. Together, our observations indicate that a reciprocal feedback loop between GRHL2 and ZEB1 controls epithelial versus mesenchymal phenotypes and EMT-driven tumor progression.
If walls could talk

The plant cell wall is very complex, both in structure and function. The wall components and the mechanical properties of the wall have been implicated in conveying information that is important for morphogenesis. Proteoglycans, fragments of polysaccharides and the structural integrity of the wall may relay signals that influence cellular differentiation and growth control. Furthering our knowledge of cell wall structure and function is likely to have a profound impact on our understanding of how plant cells communicate with the extracellular environment.
Assessment of wire and tube penetration theories using a cluster aerosol

Diffusion samplers are commonly used for the measurement of aerosol size distributions (dp 3.5–4 nm. The validity of the theory in the ultrafine cluster size range has been assumed. In this study, a well-defined 218PoOx cluster aerosol, Davg = 0.078 ± 0.003 cm2s−1 (dp ≈ 0.6 nm) was generated for an assessment of the wire screen penetration theory for two low mesh number wire screens. The results indicated good agreement with the theory, within the domain of its underlying assumptions. In addition, a theoretical expression developed by Ingham [Ingham, D. B. (1975) J. Aerosol Sci.6, 125.] for uniform flow tube penetration was investigated using the cluster aerosol for its applicability in the estimation of diffusional losses in the entrance of a tube.
Dielectric susceptibility studies of the high-frequency shape of the primary relaxation in supercooled liquids

We present a detailed study of the shape of the high-frequency part of the primary relaxation in the dielectric response of several supercooled liquids both in equilibrium and during physical aging. With the equilibrium measurements we test assumptions of an argument based on the spectral shape which predicts that the static susceptibility diverges at the same temperature at which the dynamics are arrested. We find compelling evidence to support the presence of such a divergence. In the study of physical aging, we concentrate on aspects of the time dependence of the response during equilibration that are relevant to the equilibrium properties of deeply supercooled liquids.
Inert Gas Narcosis, the High Pressure Neurological Syndrome, and the Critical Volume Hypothesis

The hypothesis that general anesthesia or pressure-induced convulsions occur when a hydrophobic region is expanded or compressed, respectively, by critical amounts is consistent with recent data obtained with mice. Calculations show that anesthesia occurs at an expansion of 1.1 percent and convulsions at a compression of 0.85 percent, the latter site of action being more compressible.
Nanoparticle coding: size-based assays using atomic force microscopy.

Described herein is a novel strategy for the construction and interrogation of an assay platform based on (1) the size encoding of labeled nanoparticles; (2) the high imaging resolution of atomic force microscopy; and (3) evaporatively driven self-assembly of dense nanoparticle layers. This strategy employs two different sized nanoparticles that couple in the presence of a target analyte. In this example, one set of particles is a few hundred nanometers in size and acts as a capture substrate, while a second set of smaller particles serve as the analyte label. Thus, by forming an evaporatively assembled layer from a mixture of the two particle dispersions, the imaged size of the smaller particles when bound to the larger capture particles identifies the presence of the analyte. This letter demonstrates the feasibility of our bar-code strategy by concept tests using the binding specificity of biotin-modified silica nanoparticles (300-nm diameter) with streptavidin-labeled gold nanoparticles (10-nm diameter...
DoDAF analysis of the high bandwidth high throughput satellite terminal Government Reference Architecture

The army high capacity communications capability (HC3) Project is leading the development of a government reference architecture (GRA) for future joint warfighter high bandwidth high throughput (HBHT) satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals in partnership with the Joint Services industry, and government research centers. This paper shows how the DoD architecture framework (DoDAF) can be applied to the GRA development effort.
Meeting Highlights American Heart Association 21st International Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation, San Antonio, Tex, January 25-27, 1996

One of the major highlights of the meeting was the well-publicized presentation of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) TPA trial, which demonstrated that in appropriately selected stroke patients, treatment with TPA (0.9 mg/kg to 90 mg; 10% given as a bolus, 90% infused over 60 minutes) within 3 hours is associated with significantly less residual disability at 3 months than placebo. This study has already been published,1 but a number of other trials of thrombolytic therapy in acute stroke were also presented. Dr Marc Hommell, of Grenoble, France, presented the results of the Multicenter Acute Stroke Trial-Europe (MAST-E). MAST-E compared streptokinase (1.5 million U IV over 1 hour) with placebo in acute stroke patients presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset. As originally designed, the trial was to include 600 patients, with efficacy assessed as a composite of death and disability (measured by the Rankin scale, a simplified overall assessment of function). However, the trial was halted prematurely at 310 patients because of an excess of in-hospital mortality in the streptokinase group (46.8% versus 38.3% with placebo). The investigators also noted moderate improvement in disability in stroke survivors treated with streptokinase. Dr Geoffrey Donnan and Dr Stephen Davis, of Melbourne, Australia, presented the results of the Australian Streptokinase Study. In this study, involving 40 clinical centers in Australia, acute stroke patients were randomized to receive either streptokinase (1.5 million U IV over …
A novel sulfur mustard (HD) vapor inhalation exposure system for accurate inhaled dose delivery.

Abstract Introduction A custom designed HD exposure system was used to deliver controlled inhaled doses to an animal model through an endotracheal tube. Methods Target HD vapor challenges were generated by a temperature controlled bubbler/aerosol trap, while concentration was monitored near real-time by gas chromatography. Animal breathing parameters were monitored real-time by an in-line pneumotach, pressure transducer, and Buxco pulmonary analysis computer/software. For each exposure, the challenge atmosphere was allowed to stabilize at the desired concentration while the anesthetized animal was provided humidity controlled clean air. Once the target concentration was achieved and stable, a portion of the challenge atmosphere was drawn past the endotracheal tube, where the animal inhaled the exposure ad libitum. During the exposure, HD vapor concentration and animal weight were used to calculate the needed inhaled volume to achieve the target inhaled dose (μg/kg). The exposures were halted when the inhaled volume was achieved. Results The exposure system successfully controlled HD concentrations from 22.2 to 278 mg/m3 and accurately delivered inhaled doses between 49.3 and 1120 μg/kg with actual administered doses being within 4% of the target level. Discussion This exposure system administers specific HD inhaled doses to evaluate physiological effects and for evaluation of potential medical countermeasure treatments.
Optical fiber waveguides in radiation environments, II

Abstract This paper will review recent progress in understanding the behavior of optical fiber waveguides when they are exposed to ionizing radiation. Not only have the growth and recovery of the radiation-induced attenuations been thoroughly characterized, in some cases the defect centers which cause these absorptions have been identified, and means for reducing the radiation sensitivity of the fibers have become apparent. The behavior of the radiation-induced loss is described in terms of parameters such as fiber composition and dopants, fiber structure, wavelength and intensity of the light source, temperature, total dose, time after irradiation, dose rate, and radiation history.
Circuit-level NBTI macro-models for collaborative reliability monitoring

The increasing significance of Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) induced device-reliability degradation presents a compelling reason to perform efficient circuit-level reliability tracking. We propose a novel collaborative monitoring frame-work to track circuit level performance degradation caused specifically by NBTI. We use heterogeneous on-chip sensors to measure environmental and stress parameters and a macro-model to map the device-level degradation information into circuit-level reliability estimates. The macro-model is built using curve-fitted data and provides a practical upper bound of the path-delay-degradation to expect under a given set of dynamic parameters which includes operating conditions, process and stress parameters. Through usage of on-chip sensing resources we minimize the need for extensive circuit-specific analyses and also, the pessimism caused by assuming worst-case operating corners. We validate our approach on ISCAS-85 benchmarks and observe excellent correlation (>0.99) between worst-case SPICE observed and model-predicted path-delay degradation.
Obesity, self-complexity, and compartmentalization: on the implications of obesity for self-concept organization.

The relationship between obesity and structural aspects of the self-concept was examined in adult women. Participants were 119 adult women [age range: 18–73, M=26.9; body mass index (BMI) range: 16.2–54.7, M=27.3] who completed measures of self-esteem, self-complexity, and the spontaneous self-concept. BMI was associated with less complex and more compartmentalized self-knowledge and more frequent mention of weight-stereotypic traits as self-descriptive. The findings are discussed in the context of research on obesity- related stigma.
Bundle Description of Packing and Dynamics in Polycarbonate Homopolymers, Copolymers, and Blends

Dipolar-rotational spinecho 13C NMR spectra at 15.1 MHz have been obtained for 12 homopolymers, copolymers, and blends of polycarbonate, poly(ether carbonate), poly(ether sulfone), dimethyl polycarbonate, and tetramethyl polycarbonate. The spectra were used to determine the fraction of nonmethylated phenylene rings that are blocked from undergoing flips faster than 10 kHz at 300 K. This fraction is interpreted in terms of a simple two-chain bundle packing model in which empirically determined steric parameters specify the interchain interactions between flexible chain linkers and rigid chain extenders. The success of this bundle description suggests that the glassy state for all of these polycarbonate-like systems has local mainchain orientational order.
Resolving cancer–stroma interfacial signalling and interventions with micropatterned tumour–stromal assays

Tumour-stromal interactions are a determining factor in cancer progression. In vivo, the interaction interface is associated with spatially resolved distributions of cancer and stromal phenotypes. Here, we establish a micropatterned tumour-stromal assay (μTSA) with laser capture microdissection to control the location of co-cultured cells and analyse bulk and interfacial tumour-stromal signalling in driving cancer progression. μTSA reveals a spatial distribution of phenotypes in concordance with human oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer samples, and heterogeneous drug activity relative to the tumour-stroma interface. Specifically, an unknown mechanism of reversine is shown in targeting tumour-stromal interfacial interactions using ER+ MCF-7 breast cancer and bone marrow-derived stromal cells. Reversine suppresses MCF-7 tumour growth and bone metastasis in vivo by reducing tumour stromalization including collagen deposition and recruitment of activated stromal cells. This study advocates μTSA as a platform for studying tumour microenvironmental interactions and cancer field effects with applications in drug discovery and development.
Photosensitized synthesis of phenanthrene heterocycles from 1- and 9-(aminoalkyl)phenanthrenes

Abstract The photosensitized electron transfer reactions of several 1- and 9-(aminoalkyl)phenanthrenes with metadicyanobenzene have been investigated. These reactions provide an efficient method of synthesis for the skeletal structures of the aporphine, phenanthropiperidine, and phenanthroazepine alkaloids.
State Feminism since the 1980s: From Loose Notion to Operationalized Concept

We argue that since the term state feminism first appeared in the 1980s, it has gone through three stages of development, becoming a formal concept useful in cross-national analysis in the last stage. Scholars first used the term loosely to describe a range of state activities with a gender/women's issues focus. Next, the concept became associated with the study of women's policy agencies. Most recently, a group of comparative gender and policy scholars—the Research Network on Gender Politics and the State (RNGS)—has developed systematic nominal and operational definitions of state feminism to study if, how, and why women's policy agencies make alliances with women's movements within the state to achieve feminist outcomes.
Revisiting the Study of Family Businesses: Methodological Challenges, Dilemmas, and Alternative Approaches

Family businesses are vital but understudied economic and social units. Previous family business research is limited relative to its definitions, sampling, and resulting empirical evidence. This paper presents an alternative methodological approach to the study of family businesses with the potential for allowing multiperspective and detailed analyses of the nature and internal dynamics of both the family and the business and the interaction between the two.
Uterotropic and enzyme induction effects of 2,2′,5-trichlorobiphenyl

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are among the ubiquitously persistent chemicals possessing endocrine-disrupting effects. Most of the environmentally abundant CB congeners have one or more ortho chlorines in the biphenyl ring. Because ortho-chlorinated CB congeners do not avidly bind to the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor, this clearly suggests that the estrogenicity of PCBs is not related to potency as Ah receptor agonists. It is important to investigate the estrogenicity of those ortho-chlorinated CB congeners in order to more accurately predict the hazards from PCB residues in the environment. The hydroxylated metabolites are presumably more reactive with the estrogen receptor, but induction of phase 2 enzymes at the higher doses could sequester the metabolites resulting in the lower serum residues of parent compound and attenuated estrogenic activity observed at higher doses. It was of interest to determine if a di-ortho CB congener which is more readily metabolized and an ineffective PROD inducer exhibited similar nonlinear dose:response relationships for estrogenicity and serum residues as observed for CB 153. CB 18 (2,2{prime}, 5-trichlorobiphenyl) is very rapidly metabolized to more polar products by sheep liver microsomes, rats and house flies. The detection of greater amounts of mono-hydroxylated metabolites from slower metabolized congeners than from CB 18more » reflects further secondary metabolism in these extended (up to 1 hour) microsomal incubations. Such secondary metabolism should be relatively constant up to very high doses in vivo, since CB 18 should be a very poor P450 2B1 inducer. Even though CB 18 commonly occurs in environmental samples, there is little information regarding its biological effects. In this study, we used immature Sprague-Dawley female rats as an animal model to examine the uterotropic response, thyrotoxic effect and enzyme induction potency of CB 18. 17 refs., 3 tab.« less