cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tubular atrophy in the end-stage kidney: A lectin and immunohistochemical study

Atrophic tubules in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may have various morphologic appearances: some show microscopic features of "classic" atrophic tubules (thick, wrinkled tubular basement membrane and simplified epithelium), others show "thyroidization" (round tubules with simplified epithelium and casts), and many have the appearance of "endocrine" tubules (small tubules with narrow lumina, clear cells, and relatively thin basement membranes). Other tubules in ESRD may be enlarged and dilated with hypertrophic cells ("super" tubules). The exact segment of the nephron from which these tubules arise in ESRD has not been well studied. We examined paraffin sections of 28 end-stage kidneys with a panel of nephron-segment-specific renal epithelial markers (proximal nephron markers: Tetragonolobus purpureas and Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin lectins; distal nephron markers: antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen, low molecular weight cytokeratin [AE1/AE3], the lectin Arachis hypogaea, and an antibody to Tamm-Horsfall protein labeling the thick ascending limb of Henle). In addition, an antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen was applied to determine the proliferation index (proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive nuclei/all counted nuclei x 100, ie, the percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive nuclei) of the various atrophic and "super" tubules in ESRD. Classic atrophic tubules and the "super" tubules showed primarily a proximal phenotype. Tubules showing thyroidization were consistently positive with markers of the distal tubular epithelium. "Endocrine" tubules stained primarily with distal tubular markers; however, some proximal staining also was noted. The widened renal interstitium contained single cells or loosely organized small cell clusters positive with both the AE1/AE3 and the epithelial membrane antigen antibodies. Serial sectioning showed that the majority of these single cells were not forming tubules. The proliferation index of the "classic" atrophic tubules was the highest (3.08%), followed by the "super" tubules (2.39%), the "endocrine" tubules (1.58%), and the "thyroid" tubules (1.09%). These indexes are all considerably higher than the proliferation index of the normal renal tubular epithelium. Our findings suggest that different types of tubular atrophy may arise from different segments of the nephron, and that the renal interstitium in ESRD may harbor isolated cells with epithelial characteristics. Furthermore, the end-stage kidney is not a resting organ; on the contrary, it shows a high proliferative activity, particularly in the epithelium of the "classic" atrophic and the "super" tubules.
Optical two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy of semiconductor nanostructures

Our recent work on optical two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy (2DCS) of semiconductor materials is reviewed. We present and compare two approaches that are appropriate for the study of semiconductor nanostructures. The first one is based on a non-collinear geometry, where the Four-Wave-Mixing (FWM) signal is detected in the form of a radiated optical field. This approach works for samples with translational symmetry, such as Quantum Wells (QWs), or large and dense ensembles of Quantum Dots (QDs). The second method is based on a collinear geometry, where the FWM is detected in the form of a photocurrent. This second approach enables 2DCS of samples where translational symmetry is broken, such as single QDs, nanowires, or nanotubes, and small ensembles thereof. For each method, we provide an example of experimental results obtained on semiconductor QWs. In particular, it is shown how 2DCS can reveal coherent excitonic coupling between adjacent QWs.
Fabrication of Lead Halide Perovskite Film by Controlling Reactivity at Room Temperature in Mixed Solvents

Uniform and fully converted CH3NH3PbI3 films were synthesized at room temperature by converting PbI2 in a saturated solution of CH3NH3I in 2-propanol–hexane (cyclohexane). This simple and robust me...
An assessment of nurses’ sufficient immunity when treating infectious patients using bumped-up binomial model -

Background: In times of an outbreak of a contagious deadly epidemic 1-4 such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the patients are quarantined and rushed to an emergency department of a hospital for treatment. Paradoxically, the nurses who treat them to become healthy get infected in spite of the nurses’ precautionary defensive alertness. This is so unfortunate because the nurses might not have been in close contact with the virus otherwise in their life. The nurses’ sufficient immunity level is a key factor to avert hospital site infection. Is it possible to quantify informatics about the nurses’ immunity from the virus? Methods: The above question is answered with a development of an appropriate new model and methodology. This new frequency trend is named Bumped-up Binomial Distribution (BBD). Several useful properties of the BBD are derived, applied, and explained using SARS data 5 in the literature. Though SARS data are considered in the illustration, the contents of the article are versatile enough to analyze and interpret data from other contagious diseases. Results: With the help of BBD (3) and the Toronto data in Table 1, we have identified the informatics about the attending nurses’ sufficient immunity level. There were 32 nurses providing 16 patient care services. Though the nurses were precautionary to avoid infection, not all of them were immune to infection in those activities. Using the new methodology of this article, their sufficient immunity level is estimated to be only 0.25 in a scale of zero to one with a p-value of 0.001. It suggests that the nurses’ sufficient immunity level is statistically significant. The power of accepting the true alternative hypothesis of 0.50 immunity level, if it occurs, is calculated to be 0.948 in a scale of zero to one. It suggests that the methodology is powerful. Conclusions: The estimate of nurse’s sufficient immunity level is a helpful factor for the hospital administrators in the time of making work schedules and assignments of the nurses to highly contagious patients who come in to the emergency or regular wings of the hospital for treatment. When the approach and methodology of this article are applied, it would reduce if not a total elimination of the hospital site infections among the nurses and physicians.
Amygdala kindling rate is altered in rats with a deficit in the responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis

Abstract Fisher and Lewis rats were amygdala kindled in the morning and in the evening. Fisher rats displayed a diurnal variation in the rate of kindling through stage 2 which did not exist in the Lewis rats. Lewis rats also take much longer to kindle through stage 2 and a subcutaneous corticosterone pellet accelerates this rate. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the hormones of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly the glucorcorticoids, play a role in epileptogenesis.
Crithidia fasciculata: Acriflavine-induced changes in soluble enzyme levels☆

Abstract Crithidia fasciculata ATCC 11745 was grown in the presence of 5 μM acriflavine. Drug-treated organisms had ∼50% less respiratory activity and total growth than the controls and accumulated larger amounts of pyruvate and ethanol in the growth medium. Supernatant fractions were prepared by the alumina method. The activities of seven enzymes in the supernatant (cytosol) fraction were compared with corresponding enzyme activities in control cells. Hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase were at least 30% higher in acriflavine-treated preparations. α-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase increased most (85%) and was the most active of all enzymes measured. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, increased 66%. NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme had lower levels (50 and 20%, respectively) in the acriflavine-treated cells. The concentrations of NAD + and NADP + remained relatively constant in both types of cells. The significance of these changes with regard to the metabolism of dyskinetoplastic trypanosomatids is discussed.
Deep donor trapping effects on the pulsed characteristics of AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs

It is demonstrated both by experiments and by numerical model calculations that electron capture/emission on deep Si related donors (‘DX centres’) in the AlGaAs can lead to significant changes of the pulsed transfer characteristic of AlGaAs/GaAs high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) at room temperature compared with the static case.
The Role of Social Networks in Determining Earnings: A Comparison Analysis of Four Racial and Ethnic Groups

Previous literature shows that social networks built on weak ties provide greater advantages to individual earnings in the labor market. In this research, we evaluate the effect of social networks on earnings for different racial and ethnic groups by operationalizing social networks to the quality social network scores (QNS). We utilize the Multi-City Study of Urban Inequality (MCSUI) dataset to create the QNS for four different racial and ethnic groups: non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians. We assess how the earning disparities among these racial and ethnic groups are attributable to the quality of social networks of the subgroups in the US labor market. The findings suggest that significant differences exist among these groups concerning the extent to which the QSN predicts earnings. A positive association between the QSN and earnings is found only among non-Hispanic Whites. In contrast, Blacks and Hispanics gain higher wages from replying on strong ties. They benefit equivalently from the same QSN, whereas Asians earn significantly less than Blacks and Hispanics who have the same QSN. The results suggest that Asians are more likely to rely on human capital rather than social capital to improve earnings.
Innovative Measures of Accelerating the Construction of Chinese International Pricing Center of Staple Resource-Based Commodities

In the context of economic globalization, the lack of staple resource-based commodity pricing power results in significant losses of China's economy and endangering China's economic security. One of the main reasons is the inadequate functioning of Chinese futures market, and the lack of international pricing center of staple resource-based commodities, leading to the deficiency of international pricing power of staple resource-based commodity. This paper analyzes the main reasons of the lack of international pricing center of staple resource-based commodities in China, and puts forward innovative proposals of accelerating the construction of Chinese international pricing center and controlling the international pricing power of staple resource-based commodities, in order to facilitate Chinese futures market to better serve the stable and rapid development of national economy, and to safeguard national economic security.
Deposition of Cerium-Based Conversion Coatings on Aluminum Alloy 380

Cerium-based conversion coatings were deposited on as-cast aluminum alloy 380 substrates by a spontaneous immersion process. In this study, the effects of rinsing temperature prior to immersion in the coating deposition solution were studied with respect to the surface morphology, electrochemical response, and corrosion resistance of the coatings. Panels rinsed at 25∘C prior to coating had large cracks and holes in the coating. In contrast, panels rinsed at 100∘C prior to coating had a uniform coating morphology with fewer, smaller cracks. Electrochemical testing revealed that coatings deposited on substrates rinsed at 100∘C had higher impedance (~80 kΩ·cm2) and lower corrosion current (~0.34 𝜇A/cm2) compared to coatings deposited on substrates rinsed at 25∘C, which had 10 kΩ·cm2 impedance and 2.7 𝜇A/cm2 corrosion current. Finally, ASTM B117 salt spray testing showed that rinsing at 100∘C prior to coating resulted in cerium-based conversion coatings that could resist the formation of salt tails for at least 8 days.
Fostering Teacher Professionalism in Schools The Role of Leadership Orientation and Trust

Purpose: Schools necessarily employ elements of a bureaucratic structure to organize the complex task of educating large and diverse groups of students— elements such as a hierarchy of authority, a...
Evolving multicellularity in digital organisms through reproductive altruism

The processes by which multicellular organisms first emerged from their unicellular ancestors are fundamental to the biology of complex, differentiated life forms. Previous work suggests that reproductive division of labor between specialized germ and soma cells was central to this evolution in some cases. Here, we use the digital life platform Avida to examine the trade-off between survival and replication in multicellular organisms. Avida uses a grid of self-replicating computer programs capable of mutation and evolution to address biological questions computationally. We model our digital organisms after the Volvocales, a flagellated order of photosynthetic green algae that includes both unicellular and multicellular species. We show that, given selective pressures similar to those experienced by the Volvocales in nature, digital organisms are capable of evolving multicellularity within the Avida platform. The strategies we observed that best handled the trade-off between survival and replication involved germ cells producing sterile, somatic offspring. These strategies are similar to those observed in volvocine algae, which suggests that digital platforms are appropriate to use in the study of reproductive altruism.
Controlled proteolysis of amelogenins reveals exposure of both carboxy- and amino-terminal regions.

The matrix-mediated enamel biomineralization involves secretion of the enamel specific amelogenin proteins that through self-assembly into nanosphere structures provide the framework within which the initial enamel crystallites are formed. During enamel mineralization, amelogenin proteins are processed by tooth-specific proteinases. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that affect the activity of enamel proteases to process amelogenins. Two factors including amelogenin self-assembly and enzyme specificity are considered. We applied a limited proteolysis approach, combined with mass spectrometry, in order to determine the surface accessibility of conserved domains of amelogenin assemblies. A series of commercially available proteinases as well as a recombinant enamelysin were used, and their proteolytic actions on recombinant amelogenin were examined under controlled and limited conditions. The N-terminal region of the recombinant mouse amelogenin rM179 was found to be more accessible to tryptic digest than the C-terminal region. The endoproteinase Glu-C cleaved amelogenin at both the N-terminal (E18/V) and C-terminal (E178/V) sites. Chymotrypsin cleaved amelogenin at both the carboxy- (F151/S) and amino-terminal (W25/Y) regions. Interestingly, the peptide bond F/S152 was also recognized by the action of enamelysin on recombinant mouse amelogenin whereas thermolysin cleaved the S152/M153 peptide bond in addition to T63/L64 and I159/L160 and M29/I30 bonds. It was then concluded that regions at both the carboxy- and amino-terminal were exposed on the surface of amelogenin nanospheres when the N-terminal 17 amino acid residues were proposed to be protected from proteolysis, presumably as the result of their involvement in direct protein-protein interaction. Cleavage around the FSM locus occurred by recombinant enamelysin under limited conditions, in both mouse (F151/S152) and pig amelogenins (S148/M). Our in vitro observations on the limited proteolysis of amelogenin by enamelysin suggest that enamelysin cleaved amelogenin at the C-terminal region showing a preference of the enzyme to cleave the S/M and F/S bonds. The present limited proteolysis studies provided insight into the mechanisms of amelogenin degradation during amelogenesis.
Re-defining South Korean Scholarship and Education within the Context of Globalization

In his article "Re-defining South Korean Scholarship and Education within the Context of Globalization" Simon C. Estok discusses effects of globalization on the educational and scholarly goals and realities of Korea. Estok argues that although the transformational impacts of globalization in terms of sports, entertainment, politics, and business in Korea are visible, efforts to produce more globally visible Korean scholarship have been ineffective and counter-productive. Estok shows that the imagined dangers to Korean nationhood are rooted in fears of invasion which have strong historical and contemporary justification. Colonized for a third of the twentieth century, Korea in the twenty-first century is a recipient, not a contributor, of global scholarly capital. True transformations of Korean education and scholarship, Estok argues, will only happen once Korea addresses the key issues: that solutions are often superficial, that there are fundamental differences between educational philosophies of Korea and the West, that policy makers are out-of-touch with the schools and universities, and that racism and xenophobia within Korea are hindrances. Simon C. Estok, "Re-defining South Korean Scholarship and Education within the Context of Globalization" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 15.2 (2013): Thematic Issue Asian Culture(s) and Globalization. Ed. I-Chun Wang and Li Guo
The Myth of Proliferation-Resistant Technology

The specter of nuclear proliferation must be understood as both a political issue and a technological one. For the intent of would-be proliferators needs to be addressed together with the science.
The kinetics of hydrogen photoproduction by adapted Scenedesmus.

In our earlier work we have shown that hydrogen photoproduction by photosystem I of Scenedesmus does not require O2 evolution or cyclic photophosphorylation but must be due to non-cyclic electron flow from organic substrate(s) through photosystem I to hydrogenase, where molecular H2 is released. The kinetics of this reaction are rather complex, in that H2 photoproduction by Scenedesmus evidently occurs in two phases: a rapid initial phase which depends upon the dehydrogenation of a “pool” of H donors, and a later and slower second phase which is limited by the flow of electrons from fermentation. When adapted cells were incubated in the dark with an inhibitor (Cl-CCP or salicylaldoxime), the pool utilized by photosystem I gradually disappeared. However, the pool gave a rapid rate of hydrogen photoproduction when the adapted cells were illuminated immediately after adding the inhibitor. The rate at which the pool was utilized depended upon the light intensity and was not light-saturated at the highest intensity tested (3.4×103 μW cm-2). With light of at least medium intensity (1.67×103 μW cm-2), the pool was rapidly exhausted and the reaction became dependent upon the “leak” of electrons from fermentation. The size of the “leak” was found to depend upon the level of reduced organic compounds in the cell, since this process was depressed by starving the cells and was much enhanced by adding glucose or by growing the cells heterotrophically. A quantitative relationship was found between the amount of glucose added and the resulting stimulation of H2 photoproduction, in that one μmole of glucose gave about 0.5 μmole of H2 gas.
Participants’Use of Cultural Knowledge as Cultural Capital in a Dot-Com Start-Up Organization:

This case study examines how participants in a dot-com start-up organization produced and reproduced cultural knowledge. Enlisting Pierre Bourdieu’s perspective, the analysis shows the ways members used cultural knowledge as a form of cultural capital in their organizational setting. Some individuals and groups shaped and used this knowledge in personally beneficial ways that obstructed the pursuit of organizationally espoused priorities. The case underscores the importance of forming and reproducing widely shared knowledge through equitable, participatory processes.
Development of high damage threshold optics for petawatt-class short-pulse lasers

The authors report laser-induced damage threshold measurements on pure and multilayer dielectrics and gold-coated optics at 1053 and 526 nm for pulse durations, {tau}, ranging from 140 fs to 1 ns. Damage thresholds of gold coatings are limited to 500 mJ/cm{sup 2} in the subpicosecond range for 1053-nm pulses. In dielectrics, qualitative differences in the morphology of damage and a departure from the diffusion-dominated {tau}1/2 scaling indicate that damage results from plasma formation and ablation for {tau}{le}10 ps and from conventional melting and boiling for {tau}>50 ps. A theoretical model based on electron production via multiphoton ionization, Joule heating, and collisional (avalanche) ionization is in quantitative agreement with both the pulsewidth and wavelength scaling of experimental results.
Effects of in-utero opiate exposure: new paradigms for old questions

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of existing research on prenatal opiate exposure, identifying limitations of past work and in so doing provide a useful paradigm for contemporary investigations. Initial opiate exposure research in the 70's and early 80's typically employed a bi-variate approach with little or no attention to multiple confounding factors. By the mid-80's most researchers recognized that not only biological but social and environmental risk factors must be considered and began to call for a multi-factorial approach to investigate perinatal and developmental outcomes associated with prenatal opiate exposure. However, concurrent with this direction toward a multivariate approach, prenatal cocaine exposure became a priority and funding interest in the effects of opiates began to wane. Unfortunately, rather than employ the model emerging from the experience of opiate investigations, initial research directed at identifying effects of cocaine exposure often employed the same type of bi-variate approach, naive to the cumulative risks concomitant to maternal substance abuse. Subsequently, one is left with a sense of de ja vu as researchers investigating the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure begin to recognize the complexity of delineating the effects of prenatal drug exposure and the need to address multiple confounding factors. It is within this context that an overview of existing research on prenatal opiate exposure will be presented with the hope that the limitations of the past can be used to construct a useful paradigm for the future.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Strategic alliance team diversity, coordination, and effectiveness

Drawing upon literatures on strategic alliances, teams, and diversity, we propose that strategic alliance team diversity warrants further examination. We suggest that strategic alliance team coordination moderates the relationship between strategic alliance team diversity and effectiveness. Specifically, we hypothesize that coordination strengthens the negative relationship between observable diversity characteristics of nationality and gender and team effectiveness. We also argue that coordination strengthens the positive relationship between nonobservable diversity characteristic of functional background and team effectiveness. Results from 109 team members, 44 team leaders, and 34 alliance executives involved with 44 strategic alliance teams in 15 firms partially support our hypotheses.
The Effects of Specific and Ad Valorem Taxes

Introduction, 198. — I. Specific tax, 198. — II. Ad valorem tax, 202. — III. Comparisons of specific and ad valorem taxes, 204. — IV. Tax burdens, 208; pure competition with pecuniary external diseconomies, 209; pure competition with real external diseconomies, 212; monopoly with fixed factor, 213; monopoly plus monopsony, 215; monopoly with other internal disecono|mies, 216; other cost and supply patterns, 217.
Drainage network simulation

Abstract A program is written to generate a drainage network on an arbitrary land surface based on the principle that water runs down the steepest slope. The drainage network includes not only stream lines but also lakes which are formed within any closed topographic depressions. The drainage network simulation is performed on a rough slope which is composed of a number of random elevations superimposed on a smooth slope. Horton analysis then is made on the drainage pattern of simulated slope. The result agrees generally with the laws of linear relationships between the stream order and the logarithms of drainage area, stream number, and stream length. A slightly higher bifurcation ratio is observed due to lakes and multiple junctions. Differing the roughness and minimum discharge, different landform, and drainage pattern also can be simulated. This new drainage network simulation method can be performed on a digitized elevation data of any area and may offer an opportunity for a greater understanding of actual stream networks.
A cognitive model fleshes out Kahneman’s fast and slow systems

Abstract Daniel Kahneman (2011) posits two main processes that characterize thinking: “System 1” is a fast decision making system responsible for intuitive decision making based on emotions, vivid imagery, and associative memory. “System 2” is a slow system that observes System 1’s outputs, and intervenes when “intuition” is insufficient. Such an intervention occurs “when an event is detected that violates the model of the world that System 1 maintains” (Kahneman, 2011, p. 24). Here, we propose specific underlying mechanisms for Kahneman’s Systems 1 and 2, in terms of the LIDA model, a broad, systems-level, cognitive architecture (Franklin et al., 2014). LIDA postulates that human cognition consists of a continuing, overlapping iteration of cognitive cycles, each a cognitive “atom,” out of which higher-order processes are built. In LIDA terms, System 1 employs consciously mediated action selection in which a stimulus is acted upon within one or two cognitive cycles. In contrast, System 2, which LIDA posits to operate according to James’ ideomotor theory (James, 1950), requires more cognitive cycles in its deliberative decision making. Thus, we suggest that System 2 employs multiple occurrences of System 1 in its operation. To test the proposed mechanisms, we perform an in silico experiment using a LIDA-based software agent.
Interfacial properties of hydrocarbons

The interfacial tension of aliphatic hydrocarbon-water systems has been found to increase in a linear fashion as a function of the log of hydrocarbon chain length. Contrary to the literature, values of ϕ and γ H2dO were observed to be also dependent on hydrocarbon chain length. The relationship between hydrocarbon chain length and interfacial tension is actually opposite to that predicted by Antonow’s rule. The results are discussed in terms of hydrocarbon-water interaction and water-structure at the interface.
Time-Dependent Solid State Polymorphism of a Series of Donor-Acceptor Dyads.

In order to exploit the use of favorable electrostatic interactions between aromatic units in directing the assembly of donor–acceptor (D–A) dyads, the present work examines the ability of conjugated aromatic D–A dyads with symmetric side chains to exhibit solid-state polymorphism as a function of time during the solid formation process. Four such dyads were synthesized, and their packing in the solid state from either slower (10–20 days) or faster (1–2 days) evaporation from solvent was investigated using single crystal X-ray analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. Two of the dyads exhibited tail-to-tail (A–A) packing upon slower evaporation from solvent and head-to-tail (D–A) packing upon faster evaporation from solvent. A combination of single-crystal analysis and XRD patterns were used to create models, wherein a packing model for the other two dyads is proposed. Our findings suggest that while side chain interactions in asymmetric aromatic dyads can play an important role in enforcing segregated D–A d...
Man un/made: male homosocial and homosexual desire in anarchist culture of the Spanish Civil War

This paper explores the problematic construction of masculinity in anarchist culture of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). Anarchist ideologies and libertarian cultural practices played an extraordinary role in re-shaping gender relations in 1930s Spain, particularly concerning the position of women in society. However, through the repetition of the most stereotypical versions of masculinity, Spanish anarchism also reproduced the same power structures that it sought to undermine. This reiteration not only affected women, but homosexual men as well. On the one hand, these men were the object of scorn and homophobic writing; on the other, the course of the war allowed them to establish affective relationships with other men – the veiled manifestation of homoerotic sexual desire – and visually consume the countless repetitions of a hyperbolic masculinity created by the propaganda effort. From this perspective, I argue that the iconography of the male body in anarchist propaganda of the Spanish Civil War repl...
WE‐C‐224C‐04: Correlated Sampling for Accelerating CT‐Based Monte Carlo Dose Calculations for Brachytherapy Treatment Planning

Purpose: To investigate the potential of correlated sampling variance reduction technique for accelerating CT‐based Monte Carlo(MC) simulations for calculating 3D brachytherapydose distributions. Method and Materials: Correlated MC (CMC) simulations generate photon histories in the homogeneous geometry. By recomputing particle weights to account for non‐water composition of the CT voxels and applicator and seed components, a second highly correlated set of histories is constructed, resulting in a lower variance estimate of the dose difference, ΔD=Dhet‐Dhom To evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of CMC, a clinical permanent prostate implant with 78 I‐125 seeds was simulated using both CMC and UMC versions of our accelerated CT‐based MCdose‐computation code, PTRAN_CT for voxel sizes ranging from 1×1×1mm3 to 2×2×2mm3. Mean efficiency gains were estimated for regions with minimum doses greater than 20%, 50% and 90% of D90, as well as different anatomical regions. Results: Systematic differences between UMC and CMC PTRAN_CT were less than 0.4%. Efficiency gains ranged from 4.68 to 15.76 depending on the voxel size and region. CMC can achieve a 2% average precision with 2 mm cubic voxels in 23 seconds on a single P4 processor for voxels with doses > 50%D90. Voxels with very low doses and/or large dose perturbations can experience efficiency losses. Because ΔD is a relatively smoothly varying quantity compared to Dhet, CMC efficiency maybe enhanced using coarser voxel sizes than UMC for the same level of volume‐averaging artifact. Conclusion: Correlated sampling MC can reduce CPU times by an additional 4–15 fold compared to accelerated uncorrelated MC. In practice, larger efficiency enhancements can be achieved because correlated sampling volume‐averaging errors are smaller. MC‐based brachytherapytreatment planning, requiring only a few seconds of CPU time, is achievable. (Supported by NIH‐R01CA46640).
Elastoplastic Analysis of Layered Metal Matrix Composite Cylinders—Part II: Numerical Results

Part 1 (Salzar et al., 1996) of the paper presented an exact elastic-plastic analytical solution for an arbitrarily laminated metal matrix composite tube subjected to axisymmetric thermo-mechanical and torsional loading. In Part 2, this solution strategy is first validated by comparison with available closed-form solutions, as well as with results obtained using the finite-element approach. Subsequently, examples are presented that illustrate the utility of the developed solution methodology in predicting the elastic-plastic response of arbitrarily layered metal matrix composite tubes. In particular, optimization of the response of composite tubes under internal pressure is considered through the use of functionally graded architectures.
Long term trends in US inventory to sales ratios

Abstract In contrast to earlier studies, we find that inventory holding in the US has become much more efficient since the mid-1980s. This result is found by examining trends in fixed weight aggregate inventory to sales ratios rather than traditional inventory to sales ratios, whose trends are shown to have been distorted by shifts in the composition of sales towards sectors carrying heavier stocks. Nearly all of the reductions in inventory holdings relative to sales are found to have occurred in sectors carrying durable goods. The adoption of just-in-time (JIT) and other inventory control systems by Durable Manufacturers is shown to have greatly reduced their inventory holdings.
Expression of the Distalless-B gene in Ciona is regulated by a pan-ectodermal enhancer module

The Ci-Dll-B gene is an early regulator of ectodermal development in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis (Imai et al., 2006). Ci-Dll-B is located in a convergently transcribed bigene cluster with a tandem duplicate, Ci-Dll-A. This clustered genomic arrangement is the same as those of the homologous vertebrate Dlx genes, which are also arranged in convergently transcribed bigene clusters. Sequence analysis of the C. intestinalis Dll-A-B cluster reveals a 378 bp region upstream of Ci-Dll-B, termed B1, which is highly conserved with the corresponding region from the congener Ciona savignyi. The B1 element is necessary and sufficient to drive expression of a lacZ reporter gene in a pattern mimicking the endogenous expression of Ci-Dll-B at gastrula stages. This expression pattern which is specific to the entire animal hemisphere is activated preferentially in posterior, or b-lineage, cells by a central portion of B1. Expression in anterior, or a-lineage cells, can be activated by this central portion in combination with the distal part of B1. Anterior expression can also be activated by the central part of B1 plus both the proximal part of B1 and non-conserved sequence upstream of B1. Thus, cis-regulation of early Ci-Dll-B expression is activated by a required submodule in the center of B1, driving posterior expression, which works in combination with redundant submodules that respond to differentially localized anterior factors to produce the total animal hemisphere expression pattern. Interestingly, the intergenic region of the cluster, which is important for expression of the Dlx genes in vertebrates, does not have a specific activating function in the reporter genes tested, but acts as an attenuator in combination with upstream sequences.
The Women of Brassempouy: A Century of Research and Interpretation

The discovery of female figurines at Brassempouy in the 1890's would launch more than a century of debate and interpretation concerning Paleolithic representations of women. The figurines emerged from the ground into a colonial intellectual and socio-political context nearly obsessed with matters of race. This early racial interpretive frame would only be replaced in the mid 20th century, when prehistorians turned to questions such as fertility and womanhood. The first figurines were discovered in 1892 under rather tortured circumstances in which their very ownership was the subject of a heated dispute between Edouard Piette and Emile Cartailhac. Their toxic relationship would lead Piette, in his subsequent excavations, to be extremely precise about issues of stratigraphic and spatial provenience. Piette's publications and archives enabled Henri Delporte to confirm the Gravettian attribution of the figurines and have allowed the present author to create a map of their spatial distribution within the site. Technological and microscopic analysis of the Brassempouy figurines resolves some lingering questions about the sex of certain of the figurines and suggests an original context of figurine fabrication and the abandonment of unsuccessful sculpting attempts.
Economic Growth with Negative Externalities in Innovation

It is argued that the linearity of the R&D sector’s technology in Paul Romer’s model of endogenous technological progress is very restrictive. An externality, stemming from the simultaneity and overlap in researchers’ activities, is modeled into the R&D sector. The optimality analysis of this model leads to a sceptical view of the case for government subsidies for investments in R&D. The quality of human capital, a subject discussed rarely if ever in theories of endogenous technological progress, is shown to affect the model economy’s long-run growth rate.
Discovery of novel hydrogen storage materials: an atomic scale computational approach

Practical hydrogen storage for mobile applications requires materials that exhibit high hydrogen densities, low decomposition temperatures, and fast kinetics for absorption and desorption. Unfortunately, no reversible materials are currently known that possess all of these attributes. Here we present an overview of our recent efforts aimed at developing a first-principles computational approach to the discovery of novel hydrogen storage materials. Such an approach requires several key capabilities to be effective: (i) accurate prediction of decomposition thermodynamics, (ii) prediction of crystal structures for unknown hydrides, and (iii) prediction of preferred decomposition pathways. We present examples that illustrate each of these three capabilities: (i) prediction of hydriding enthalpies and free energies across a wide range of hydride materials, (ii) prediction of low energy crystal structures for complex hydrides (such as Ca(AlH4)2 CaAlH5, and Li2NH), and (iii) predicted decomposition pathways for Li4BN3H10 and destabilized systems based on combinations of LiBH4, Ca(BH4)2 and metal hydrides. For the destabilized systems, we propose a set of thermodynamic guidelines to help identify thermodynamically viable reactions. These capabilities have led to the prediction of several novel high density hydrogen storage materials and reactions.
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Changes and additions to the new edition of this classic textbook include a new chapter on symmetries, new problems and examples, improved explanations, more numerical problems to be worked on a computer, new applications to solid state physics, and consolidated treatment of time-dependent potentials.
New protein-resistant coatings for water filtration membranes based on quaternary ammonium and phosphonium polymers

Several simple, lightly cross-linked quaternary phosphonium- and ammonium-based polymer coatings were found to effectively resist the non-specific adsorption of proteins (i.e., bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibrinogen (Fg)) from aqueous solution under both static exposure and dynamic membrane fouling conditions. In some cases, their protein-resistance performance is comparable to, or even better than, cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) (i.e., PEG)-based polymers, which are considered benchmark protein-resistant coating materials. Similarly, these quaternary phosphonium and ammonium polymers exhibit comparable or better resistance to protein adsorption compared to polymeric analogues of some of the best organic functional groups identified in prior self-assembled monolayer-based protein-resistance studies. In particular, initial results of dynamic membrane fouling experiments showed that lightly cross-linked poly[trimethyl-(4-vinyl-benzyl)-phosphonium bromide] has exceptional protein-fouling resistance and better water transport properties than a representative PEG-based polymer coating. In addition to surface functional group chemistry, it was also found that the sub-surface chemistry; the nature of the substrate that the coating is on (i.e., substrate type and morphology); and the protein exposure conditions (i.e., static adsorption vs. dynamic filtration testing) can greatly affect the overall protein adsorption-resistance behavior of the coating. Finally, preliminary studies show that the presence of a regular nanostructure on the polymeric coating surface can lead to enhancement of protein resistance under static exposure conditions even with the same functional groups present, similar to what has been observed with inorganic surfaces.
The adsorption of no on Ni(111); an esdiad/leed study

Abstract The ESDIAD method (electron stimulated desorption ion angular distributions) has been combined with LEED (low energy electron diffraction) in a study of the adsorption of NO on Ni(111). For adsorption at 80 K, NO appears to be bonded with its molecular axis perpendicular to the Ni(111) surface at all coverages. Heating the 80 K layer leads to a striking structural change which we interpret as the formation of inclined or bent NO in the range 120 ⩽ T ⩽ 250 K. Upon adsorption at 150 K, only the bent form of NO is present at low coverages; at higher coverages at 150 K, the perpendicular form appears, in agreement with recent electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) data of Lehwald, Yates, and Ibach. When NO is coadsorbed with p(2 × 2) oxygen, the perpendicular form of NO dominates at all coverages and temperatures studied. Dissociated NO adsorbed at steps and defect sites on Ni(111) produces a welldefined hexagonal ESDIAD pattern.
Phosphate diester hydrolysis promoted by new Cu(II) alkoxide complexes

Abstract Three Cu(II) complexes of N3 donor pyridyl-amine ligands, bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amine (L1), which does not have an alcohol pendant, and 2-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol (L2) and 3-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-propan-1-ol (L3), both containing alcohol pendants, have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The reactivities of CuL1 (1), CuL2 (2), and CuL3 (3) for promoting the hydrolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) have been investigated, showing that 3 is much more active (observed second order rate constant k = 6.1 × 10−1 M−1 s−1 at pH 8.4, 50 °C) than 1 (k = 9.4 × 10−3 M−1 s−1 at pH 8.4, 50 °C) or 3 (observed second order rate constant k = 5.2 × 10−3 M−1 s−1 at pH 8.4, 50 °C) at promoting the hydrolysis of BNPP. The much higher reactivity of 3 compared to 2 and 1 may be explained by the higher flexibility of the alkoxide tether in 3, which may allow the nucleophilic alkoxide O-atom in 3 better access to attack a metal-bound BNPP substrate, whereas 2, which has a shorter alkoxide tether, may resort to hydrolyzing the BNPP substrate with a metal-bound hydroxide instead of utilizing its alkoxide moiety because of constraints in the ligand tether. The similar reactivities of 1 and 2 suggest that this is a possible scenario. Another possible explanation for the difference in reactivity between 3 and 2 may be attributed to the alcohol pendant in 3 being better oriented to serve as a proton acceptor from a Cu(II)-bound aqua ligand, which would facilitate its deprotonation and the subsequent nucleophilic attack of the Cu(II)-hydroxide moiety towards the substrate. The reactivities of 2 and 3 towards hydrolyzing BNPP are also compared with that of their Zn(II) analogues, showing that the Cu(II) complexes of the same ligand sets are more hydrolytically active than the corresponding Zn(II) complexes. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1, 2, and 3 are also reported, which show that complexes 2 and 3 form dimers with bridging alkoxide ligands in the solid state, while 1 forms a dimer with bridging chloride ligands in the solid state.
Murine leptin deficiency alters Kupffer cell production of cytokines that regulate the innate immune system

Abstract Background & Aims: ob/ob mice are used to study the mechanisms that regulate the progression from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The livers of ob/ob mice are depleted of CD4-positive natural killer cells, components of the innate immune system that induce anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although this may explain the sensitivity of fatty livers to lipopolysaccharide, why such hepatic CD4-positive natural killer cell depletion occurs is uncertain. Because leptin regulates macrophages, our hypothesis is that leptin deficiency alters Kupffer cell production of cytokines that inhibit (e.g., interleukin [IL]-12) or enhance (e.g., IL-15) hepatic CD4-positive natural killer cell viability. Methods: Kupffer cell cytokine production and the hepatic content of CD4-positive natural killer cells were compared in ob/ob and lean mice. ob/ob mice were then treated with IL-15 or leptin to determine whether either factor improved their immunologic abnormalities. Results: Compared with control Kupffer cells, ob/ob Kupffer cells produced less IL-15 basally and more IL-12 after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Treatment of ob/ob mice with IL-15 for 1 week normalizes their hepatic CD4-positive natural killer cell content. Leptin increases the hepatic expression of IL-15 in ob/ob mice and partially replenishes their hepatic CD4-positive natural killer cells. Conclusions: Leptin deficiency increases hepatic IL-12 and reduces hepatic IL-15 expression. The abnormal production of these Kupffer cell factors promotes hepatic CD4-positive natural killer cell depletion in ob/ob livers. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2002;123:1304-1310
The effect of citric acid, lactic acid, sodium citrate and sodium lactate, alone and in combination with nisin, on the growth of Arcobacter butzleri

The importance of Arcobacter spp. as a cause of human foodborne illness is unresolved. Organic acids and their sodium salts, and nisin are preservatives commonly used in the type of foods from which the organism is recovered. In this study their effect on the growth of A. butzleri in culture, alone and in combination, was investigated. At 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% lactic and citric acids inhibited A. butzleri growth; 2% sodium lactate was effective in inhibiting growth over 8 h incubation but not over longer periods. Sodium citrate was more effective than sodium lactate. Nisin alone inhibited A. butzleri growth at 500 IU ml-1 over 5 h. It did not enhance the effect of sodium citrate inhibition but it did augment the effect of sodium lactate alone over 8 h.
Histone H4 lysine 16 acetylated isoform synthesis opens new route to biophysical studies

Histone H4 lysine acetylation regulated by MOF (males absent on the first) was initially discovered as a dosage compensation epigenetic mark. Recent studies have revealed, however, that the epigenetic mark has a critical role in cellular function both during oogenesis as well as oncogenesis. Detailed molecular analysis of H4K16 isoforms and other posttranslational modified histones has been limited by the lack of means to prepare sufficient material for in vitro study. This paper describes an improved method to prepare acetylated H4K16 as well as other covalently modified histone H4 isoform for biophysical studies.
Model simulations of carbon sequestration in the northwest Pacific by patch fertilization

µ µ µmol kg -1 . These anomalies are probably too small to seriously threaten deep sea biota, but they are underestimated in the model because of its large grid size. The results from this study offer little to advocate purposeful surface fertilization as a serious means to address the anthropogenic carbon prob- lem.
The Synthetic Character Ritchie: First Steps Towards a Virtual Companion for Mixed Reality

Unlike most existing work on traversable interfaces, we focus on the use of synthetic characters to accompany the user in mixed reality (MR) applications. We examine virtual companions as a promising means to design smooth transitions between different worlds and to avoid orientation problems. We propose a taxonomy to describe the spatial relationship between character and user which has an important impact on the style of interaction. To flexibly transfer user and character into different spaces, we have created a platform that supports the design of interfaces derived from the proposed taxonomy as well as transitions between them.