cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Platelets Influence Vascularized Organ Transplants from Start to Finish

This review relates the basic functions of platelets to specific aspects of organ allograft rejection. Platelet activation can occur in the donor or recipient before transplantation as well as during antibody- and cell-mediated rejection. Biopsies taken during organ procurement from cadaver donors have documented that activated platelets are attached to vascular endothelial cells or leukocytes. In addition, many patients waiting for transplants have activated platelets due to the diseases that lead to organ failure or as a result of interventions used to support patients before and during transplantation. The contribution of platelets to hyperacute rejection of both allografts and xenografts is well recognized. Intravascular aggregates of platelets can also be prominent in experimental and clinical transplants that undergo acute antibody or cell-mediated rejection. In acute rejection, platelets can recruit mononuclear cells by secretion of chemokines. After contact, monocytes, macrophages and T cells interact with platelets through receptor/ligand pairs, including P-selectin/PSGL-1 and CD40/CD154. There is a potential for therapy to inhibit platelet mediated immune stimulation, but it is counterbalanced by the need to maintain coagulation in the perioperative period.
Investigation of the energy transfer and consumption of adaptive structures

The authors describe a coupled electromechanical approach to analyzing the energy transfer and consumption in adaptive structures. A simple piezoelectric ceramic actuator driven one-degree-of-freedom spring-mass-damper system is presented as an example. In such a material system with integrated lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuators, the power consumed by the PZT actuators consists of two parts: the power used to drive the system, which is dissipated in terms of heat as a result of the structural damping, and the power dissipated by the PZT actuators themselves because of their dielectric loss and internal damping. The reactive power resulting from the kinetic and potential energy of the mechanical system, as well as the electric field energy of the PZT actuators as reactance elements, is also quantified. The method presented may be applied to complicated systems. >
Safe lower bounds for graph coloring

The best known method for determining lower bounds on the vertex coloring number of a graph is the linear-programming columngeneration technique first employed by Mehrotra and Trick in 1996. We present an implementation of the method that provides numerically safe results, independent of the floating-point accuracy of linear-programming software. Our work includes an improved branch-and-bound algorithm for maximum-weight stable sets and a parallel branch-and-price framework for graph coloring. Computational results are presented on a collection of standard test instances, including the unsolved challenge problems created by David S. Johnson in 1989.
New network to monitor climate change

Recent reports by the World Climate Research Programme and the National Research Council, including “Adequacy of Climate Observing Systems” (1999), have noted that current observational networks are inadequate for monitoring the Earth's climate system. The accuracy and fidelity of the data used to measure climate variability are crucial to both U.S. government monitoring efforts and U.S. industry. Even small biases can alter the interpretation of decadal climate variability and change. Although the United States is a leader in climate research, no national observing network is capable of ensuring long-term climate records free of artificial biases—also known as inhomogeneitie—due to factors such as instrument changes, station relocations, and changes in the surrounding environment.
Gel‐entrapment of perfluorocarbons: A fluorine‐19 NMR spectroscopic method for monitoring oxygen concentration in cell perfusion systems

Oxygenation is a major determinant of the physiological state of cultured cells. 19F NMR can be used to determine the oxygen concentration available to cells immobilized in a gel matrix by measuring the relaxation rate (1/T1) of perfluorocarbons (PFC) incorporated into the gel matrix. In calcium alginate gel beads without cells the relaxation rate (1/T1) of the trifluoromethyl group of perfluorotripropylamine (FTPA) varies linearly with oxygen concentration, with a slope of 1.26 ± 0.15 × 10−3 s−1μM−1 and an intercept of 0.50 ± 0.04 s−1. During perfusion with medium equilibrated with 95%/5% O2/CO2, changes in PFC T1s indicate that the average oxygen concentration was reduced from 894 ± 102 μM in the absence of cells to 476 ± 65 μM and 475 ± 50 μM in the presence of 0.7 × 108 EMT6/Ro and RIF-1 murine tumor cells per milliliter of gel, respectively. The presence of 0.2 μl of FTPA/ml of gel had no effect on the energy status of the cells as indicated by 31P NMR spectra. To calculate oxygen gradients within the beads from the average PFC T1 of the sample, a mathematical model was used assuming that oxygen is the limiting nutrient for cell metabolism and that the cellular oxygen consumption rate is independent of oxygen concentration. Data for EMT6/RO cells were fit using experimentally determined perfusion parameters together with literature values for cell volume and oxygen consumption rate. The average PFC 1/T1s predicted using different literature values for volume and oxygen consumption− 1.10 ± 0.10 and 1.28 ± 0.36 s−1−agreed well with the experimentally measured value-1.104 ± 0.004 s−1. Thus, the model is a suitable tool for calculation of oxygen consumption rates from PFC T1s in well-oxygenated cell perfusion systems.
Mass transport in supported zinc halide solutions—I. Effective diffusivities of zinc

Abstract The effective diffusivity of zinc in concentrated zinc halide solutions has been determined from polarographic limiting current measurements. The experimental technique used yields well-defined limiting current plateaux even in highly concentrated solutions. The diffusivities of zinc calculated, using the Koutecky equation, from measurements in ZnCl 2 and ZnBr 2 solutions of concentration 0.01-3 M, with 3 M KCl supporting electrolyte, show little effect of the anion but decrease strongly with increasing zinc concentration. A slight effect of pH suggests that hydrogen-containing zinc complexes may be involved in the discharge process at low pH.
Stay Home, Little Sheba: On Placement, Displacement, and Social Change

Geographical displacements threaten social stability. The resistance of policy makers and of the public to such measures as the busing of school children and childcare centers can be understood from the point of view of the threat of invasion into guarded territory. Displacements are considered antisocial when not patterned or controlled to maintain existing status relations. It follows that social policy that fosters geographical displacements would contribute to social change.
Entrepreneurship and socioeconomic development in Africa: a reality or myth?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of entrepreneurship education and training in Kenya as a strategic approach to addressing the unemployment problem among the school and university graduates in Kenya and Africa in general.Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted a critical review of the literature method to achieve its purpose and to answer the key research question. The literature search included a computerized search of accessible and available material on entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial spirit, entrepreneurship education and training programs, history of entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship models, Africa and entrepreneurship development.Findings – It is shown that the development of entrepreneurial spirit and competencies should be a lifelong process. Addressing Africa's socioeconomic development in an entrepreneurial way requires learning successful lessons from within and without Africa. Specific examples of successful use of entrepreneurship to develop mic...
Trichogramma pretiosum and a new cryptic species occurring sympatrically in southwestern North America (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, the most widespread and important member of its genus in North America, occurs with a similar and previously undetected species over a large part of its range. This new species, T. deion Pinto & Oatman, can be separated by the number of basiconic capitate peg sensilla on the antennae and by minor differences in male genitalia. Seasonal, geographic, host, and habitat distributions of the two species are compared.
Circuits controlling vertebrate locomotion: moving in a new direction

Neurobiologists have long sought to understand how circuits in the nervous system are organized to generate the precise neural outputs that underlie particular behaviours. The motor circuits in the spinal cord that control locomotion, commonly referred to as central pattern generator networks, provide an experimentally tractable model system for investigating how moderately complex ensembles of neurons generate select motor behaviours. The advent of novel molecular and genetic techniques coupled with recent advances in our knowledge of spinal cord development means that a comprehensive understanding of how the motor circuitry is organized and operates may be within our grasp.
Leukocyte labeling with technetium-99m.

Abstract Erythrocyte labeling with 51Cr or 99mTc is a well-established procedure in nuclear medicine. The labeled cells are useful in the measurement of red cell mass, in erythrocyte survival studies, and in the localization of erythrocyte pools. Attempts to label the leukocyte with the same radionuclides have not been as successful. This study reports on various laboratory parameters of labeling leukocytes with 99mTc. Microgram quantities of stannous chloride are used in the labeling process to reduce 99mTc-pertechnetate to a lower valence state. Other reducing agents such as ferrous ion and penicillamine are not effective. Pertechnetate itself is only loosely bound to the leukocyte. An electrophoretic technique is used to determine labeling yield. Differences in labeling efficiency between the cells from normal donors and the cells from chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) donors have been detected. Leukocytes from normal donors generally label with greater efficiency than leukocytes from CML donors, but subject age is probably a contributing factor, with cells from young normal donors labeling more like cells from CML donors. The leukocyte and erythrocyte can be labeled under identical conditions in about the same yield. Labeled leukocytes retain good viability and phagocytic capability. Although autoradiographic studies are not completely conclusive because of the poor radiation characteristics of 99mTc, it appears possible that the -Sn-99mTc label is on the surface of the cell and is not intracellular. The labeling process is being adapted to an aseptic process for future experimentation in animals and in human subjects.
Structural Complexity Enhancement increases fungal species richness in northern hardwood forests

Forest management practices directly influence microhabitat characteristics important to the survival of fungi. Because fungal populations perform key ecological processes, there is interest in forestry practices that minimize deleterious effects on their habitats. We investigated the effects on fungal sporocarp diversity of modified uneven-aged forest management practices in northern hardwood ecosystems, including a technique called Structural Complexity Enhancement (SCE). SCE is designed to accelerate late-successional stand development; it was compared against two conventional selection systems (single tree and group) and unmanipulated controls. These were applied in a randomized block design to a mature, multi-aged forest in Vermont, USA. Eight years after treatment, fungal species richness was significantly greater in SCE plots compared to conventional selection harvests and controls ( p < 0.001). Seven forest structure variables were tested for their influence on fungal species richness using a Classification and Regression Tree. The results suggested that dead tree and downed log recruitment, as well as maintenance of high levels of aboveground biomass, under SCE had a particularly strong effect on fungal diversity. Our findings show it is possible to increase fungal diversity using forestry practices that enhance stand structural complexity and late-successional forest characteristics.
Evaluation of animal age and muscle type on beef log juice colour and residual GOT activity when cooked to target end‐point temperature of 79.4 °C†

The effectiveness of the pink-juice test to determine 79.4 °C end-point temperature (EPT) of cooked beef logs was appraised. Logs made from five cuts of meat from three animal age groups were fabricated in triplicate to simulate products received at ports of entry and then cooked to EPTs of 78.0–81.8 °C. CIELAB L*, a*, b*, C and h ° values of internal surfaces of freshly sliced meat and pressed juices from samples were determined. Sensory ratings were made by six trained panelists to determine intensities of residual red color of the juices. Animal age and cut of meat had little effect on the CIELAB color values. Residual red color was apparent in all samples by both sensory and a* values analysis. Sensory ratings did not vary significantly (P < 0.05) by animal age or cut of meat. Average values of 3.2 (intensity range, 1–9) corresponded to an EPT slightly greater than 80 °C; absence of red color in the juices would therefore indicate an EPT in excess of the target temp of 79.4 °C. Residual glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT) activity, used as a collateral test for EPT, ranged from 482.5 to 1641.8 SFU ml−1 of juice and differed significantly by cut of meat (P < 0.05), but not by animal age. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry
Far-infrared observation of cyclotron and spin-flip resonances in HgSe

Far-infrared (FIR) magnetotransmission experiments were carried out at 4.2 K on high-purity HgSe crystals, with the use of a C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$-pumped FIR laser and magnetic fields up to 14 T. Measurements were performed in the Voigt geometry, at three FIR wavelengths: 96.5, 119, and 163 \ensuremath{\mu}m. In addition to the usual plasma-shifted cyclotron resonance occurring in the transverse Voigt geometry, we have observed electric-dipole-excited electron-spin-resonance (EDE-ESR) and combined-resonance transitions. These resonances are made possible by the relaxation of selection rules due to spin-orbit coupling, as a consequence of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}$ interaction and/or inversion asymmetry. Our data suggest that the inversion-asymmetry mechanism is stronger in HgSe than in other materials studied by FIR magnetotransmission, e.g., InSb. We have also observed a small but unambiguous magnetoplasma shift in EDE-ESR occurring in the transverse Voigt geometry. The positions of the observed resonances at the three laser frequencies were used to obtain band-structure parameters for HgSe within the framework of the Pidgeon-Brown model.
Binding of triiodothyronine by bullfrog tadpole liver and tail fin cytosol proteins

The binding of triiodothyronine by Rana catesbeiana tadpole liver and tail fin cytoplasmic proteins was studied using protamine sulfate to separate bound and free hormone. The number of binding sites and the dissociation constant for triiodothyronine in liver cytosol did not differ between tissue taken from animals of stage I to V (premetamorphic) and tissue from tadpoles of stage XX (metamorphic climax). The same was true for the binding of triiodothyronine to tail fin cytosol from animals of the two stages. There were, however, significant differences between the liver and tail fin cytosol of tissue from animals of stage I to V for the number of binding sites for triiodothyronine (2.0 × 10−11 mol/mg protein vs. 6.2 × 10−11 mol/mg protein) and the dissociation constant (4.6 × 10−8 M vs. 1.6 × 10−8 M). Similarly, significant differences between liver and tail fin cytosol from tadpoles of stage XX in the number of binding sites (1.9 × 10−11 mol/mg protein vs. 7.6 × 10−11 mol/mg protein) and dissociation constant (3.0 × 10−8 M vs. 1.3 × 10−8 M) were observed. No distinctive differences were noted in the rate of dissociation of triiodothyronine from cytoplasmic proteins from the two tissues (t 12 from liver cytosol of 31.5 min vs. t 12 from tail fin cytosol of 24.0 min) or in the relative binding of various thyroid hormone analogs. Of interest was the observation that L-thyroxine is a 1000-fold weaker competitor than L-triiodothyronine for displacement of labeled triidothyronine in view of the observation that thyroxine is only a 10-fold weaker inducer of metamorphosis.
Vapor generation of nonmetals coupled to microwave plasma-torch mass spectrometry

Abstract A chemical vapor-generation (CVG) method is compared with solution nebulization for determination of nonmetals by microwave plasma-torch mass spectrometry (MPT-MS). In contrast to solution nebulization, the CVG approach produces volatile species that are more efficiently transported to the plasma and influence the discharge to a lesser extent; furthermore, it enables analyte species to be separated from the sample matrix and solvent, so the likelihood of spectral interferences is lessened. The optimal operating conditions for generating sulfur, chlorine, bromine and iodine vapors have been determined, and several analytical characteristics (including linear dynamic range, detection limits and matrix effects) have been evaluated. The detection limits for several nonmetal elements are in the range from low ng ml −1 to high pg ml −1 , between one and three orders of magnitude better than those for the same elements obtained with an inductively coupled plasma on the same mass spectrometer. The linear dynamic range is between four and five orders of magnitude.
Development of an assay for a biomarker of pregnancy and early fetal loss.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone, secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast cells of the fertilized ovum, that enters the maternal circulation at the time of endometrial impla...
On Λ-Type Doubling in 3 Π States of Diatomic Molecules Intermediate Between Hund's Cases a and b

Theoretical formulas based on the work of Van Vleck are developed for the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type doubling in $^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ states with coupling intermediate between Hund's cases $a$ and $b$. Heretofore only the limiting cases $a$ and $b$ had been considered for triplet states. It is shown that, in addition to the usual splitting caused by the $\ensuremath{\Pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ interaction, there is a contribution to the doubling of the $^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{0}$ component which arises from the magnetic spin-spin coupling between individual electrons. The expressions for the doubling necessitate the numerical solution of a cubic equation for each value of $J$ but are otherwise simple and easy of application. Comparison with experiment is made in the case of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ where good numerical agreement is found. The fine structure of $^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ states which is called $\ensuremath{\rho}$-type tripling is also considered. It is shown that this fine structure can arise from perturbation by $\ensuremath{\Pi}$ states---a sort of reflection of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type doubling in these states. Curiously, it is found that the formulas which are derived in this manner give separations depending on the rotational quantum number $K$ in exactly the same way as the formulas of Kramers which were obtained from quite a different origin, viz., spin-spin interaction and coupling of the spin to the rotational magnetic moment of the molecule.
305 INCREASED MONOSPERMIC PENETRATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES USING A VISCOUS IN VITRO FERTILIZATION SYSTEM

The high incidence of polyspermy remains a major problem in porcine IVF systems. The high number of sperm bound to the oocyte is one of the major causes for pathological polyploidy (Funahashi 2003 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 15, 167–177). In this experiment, we tested the hypothesis that limiting the number of competent sperm able to participate in fertilization during IVF will result in a reduction in polyspermic penetration. Combinations of various sperm (3 levels) and Percoll concentrations (3 levels) were used in a modified Tris-buffered medium (mTBM) with 3% polyvinylpyrrolidone supplementation to find the optimal combination that could result in a significant reduction in polyspermy rate compared with that resulting from the current porcine IVF system (Abeydeera and Day 1997 Theriogenology 48, 537–544). In vitro-matured gilt oocytes (n = 844) were randomly allocated into 1 of 10 treatment groups in groups of 30. Motile sperm were selected from frozen–thawed samples by density gradient centrifugation using a discontinuous Percoll gradient consisting of 3 mL of 54% Percoll in PBS on top of 1 mL of 72% Percoll in a 15-mL conical tube at 600g for 15 min. After centrifugation, the supernatant was removed as much as possible without disturbing the sperm pellet. Sperm stock solutions were made in a manner that resulted in the desired final concentration of sperm when 5 µL of the sperm solution were added to 95 µL of fertilization medium. During IVF, the sperm stock solutions were placed at one side of an IVF droplet so that most sperm were trapped inside the viscous Percoll solution and only a limited number of sperm, with high progressive motility, were capable of fertilizing the oocytes. A group of oocytes fertilized using our standard IVF protocol with a sperm concentration of 5 × 105 sperm mL−1 in mTBM served as a control. Pronuclear formation after 12 h of fertilization was used to assess sperm penetration. The data from 3 replicates were analyzed by standard ANOVA procedures using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The treatment group of 5 × 105 sperm mL−1 + 10% Percoll resulted in a significantly higher monospermy rate than the control or the treatment group of 1 × 106 sperm mL−1 + 30% Percoll (Table 1; P < 0.05). These data support the hypothesis that the polyspermy rate in a porcine IVF system can be reduced by limiting the number of competent sperm fertilizing the oocytes. Table 1.Monospermy rates in a viscous IVF system (mean ± SEM%) This project was supported by NIH U42 RR 018877.
Sensitivity, Sensibility, and Aesthetic Realism

Aesthetic realism, surely as attractive a view as moral realism or scientific realism, is unfortunately at least as problematic as its compatriot theories. There are numerous challenges that confront aesthetic realism, but this paper will focus on one that has not received as much attention as some others, but that may be the hardest to rebut. I will argue that plausible variations in individuals' sensitivity to various perceptual properties of art have significant implications for our warranted ascription of aesthetic properties to those artworks. These implications, I think, make realism about aesthetic properties a waning possibility. Variations in sensitivity pose a more trenchant problem for realism than, for instance, variations in aesthetic standards or sensibilities do because it is much more difficult to argue that sensitivities ought to converge as more experience or expertise with the art is accumulated.
A dynamic optimization framework for a Java just-in-time compiler

The high performance implementation of Java Virtual Machines (JVM) and just-in-time (JIT) compilers is directed toward adaptive compilation optimizations on the basis of online runtime profile information. This paper describes the design and implementation of a dynamic optimization framework in a production-level Java JIT compiler. Our approach is to employ a mixed mode interpreter and a three level optimizing compiler, supporting quick, full, and special optimization, each of which has a different set of tradeoffs between compilation overhead and execution speed. a lightweight sampling profiler operates continuously during the entire program's exectuion. When necessary, detailed information on runtime behavior is collected by dynmiacally generating instrumentation code which can be installed to and uninstalled from the specified recompilation target code. Value profiling with this instrumentation mechanism allows fully automatic code specialization to be performed on the basis of specific parameter values or global data at the highest optimization level. The experimental results show that our approach offers high performance and a low code expansion ratio in both program startup and steady state measurements in comparison to the compile-only approach, and that the code specialization can also contribute modest performance improvement
A survey of medical imaging techniques used for breast cancer detection

In this survey paper, we explore different medical imaging techniques used in the diagnosis of breast cancer. We compare their effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages for detecting early-stage breast cancer. We mainly focuse on X-ray mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as they are the primary imaging modalities used in the clinic for the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Biochemical characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus PcrA helicase and its role in plasmid rolling circle replication

Previous genetic studies have suggested that a putative chromosome-encoded helicase, PcrA, is required for the rolling circle replication of plasmid pT181 in Staphylococcus aureus. We have overexpressed and purified the staphylococcal PcrA protein and studied its biochemical propertiesin vitro. Purified PcrA helicase supported the in vitro replication of plasmid pT181. It had ATPase activity that was stimulated in the presence of single-stranded DNA. Unlike many replicative helicases, PcrA was highly active as a 5′ → 3′ helicase and had a weaker 3′ → 5′ helicase activity. The RepC initiator protein encoded by pT181 nicks at the origin of replication and becomes covalently attached to the 5′ end of the DNA. The 3′ OH end at the nick then serves as a primer for displacement synthesis. PcrA helicase showed an origin-specific unwinding activity with supercoiled plasmid pT181 DNA that had been nicked at the origin by RepC. We also provide direct evidence for a protein-protein interaction between PcrA and RepC proteins. Our results are consistent with a model in which the PcrA helicase is targeted to the pT181 origin through a protein-protein interaction with RepC and facilitates the movement of the replisome by initiating unwinding from the RepC-generated nick.
Corpus luteum-pituitary relationship: the effect of progesterone on the folliculotropic potency of the pituitary in the rat.

In order to determine whether progestorone suppressed formation or release of pituitary folliculotropins (FSH and LH, abbreviated as FTH), the pituitaries of cycling and of pseudopregnant rats were assayed for FTH potency by the mouse uterine weight method and compared with those of cycling rats treated with progesterone. The effect of progesterone on the pituitary of the castrated rat was similarly studied. The pituitaries from the various groups were pooled, dried and injected into assay mice at from 4 to 7 different doses per run. The pituitaries of cycling rats doubled mouse uterine weight at a dose of approximately 0.6 mg, while the pituitaries of pseudopregnant rats (7th or 12th diestrus day) did so at a dose of approximately 0.3 mg. The pituitaries of cycling rats treated with either 5.0 or 10.0 mg of progesterone/day for 14 days were in the same potency range as those of pseudopregnant rats. The pituitaries of rats treated with 1.0 mg of progesterone were slightly more potent than those of untreat...
The Construction of Interregional Business Cycle Models

The basic purpose of this paper is to extend the scope of multisector income generation theory by constructing interregional business cycle models. This is done — and the approach is no more nor less than an essential first step — by a wedding of conventional international trade and business cycle theory.
Radiation hardness of FDSOI and FinFET technologies

Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) has long been recognized to provide inherent resistance to transient ionizing radiation effects due to the isolation from the substrate. The buried insulating layer (buried oxide - BOX) is also known to introduce problematic considerations for total ionizing dose (TID) radiation effects, particularly for fully-depleted (FD) SOI. Recent work in characterization of TID effects in partially depleted (PD) SOI indicates that the inherently high doping levels of the body region result in insensitivity to TID [1–2]. The pros and cons generally apply to all SOI-based technologies, including thin-film CMOS as well as thick film bipolar, LDMOS, and power MOSFETs. Space and military devices continue to be an opportunity for thin and thick SOI devices where the BOX limits global photocurrets in high dose-rate environments, and local photocurrents in heavy-ion space environments. At the same time, single-event effects (SEE) have become an increasing reliability concern in terrestrial electronics, particularly in sub-65 nm CMOS circuits. Small amounts of charge representing each bit of information, high clock speeds, low operating voltages, and high packing densities all exacerbate the sensitivity to ionizing particles. Terrestrial neutron effects, and more recently direct ionization by protons and muons, are significant considerations in present and emerging electronic devices [3–4], motivating a closer look at SEE in ultra-thin (UT) FDSOI.
Impact of student training on the perceived ease of use and ease of navigation of a learning management system

The impact of training for a new Learning Management System (LMS) was examined in this action research project. The study surveyed students (n=276) and determined that training did not affect the students' perceived ease of use of the LMS. The time to complete the training was significantly lower (m = 35.54) than estimated (2 hours), and it was concluded that online training may not be an effective intervention to improve technology use and adoption for a younger demographic. An unanticipated result of the study was that students grossly over-reported completion of training, and create a sample size too small for generalization to any population. This over reporting may be confirmation that survey fatigue is growing among the younger demographic. Over-reporting may be worthy of future study.
A Free Electron Laser-Photoemission Electron Microscope System (FEL-PEEM)

We report first results from our effort to couple a high resolution photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) to the OK-4 ultraviolet free electron laser at Duke University (OK-4/Duke UV FEL). The OK-4/Duke UV FEL is a high intensity source of tunable monochromatic photons in the 3–10 eV energy range. This tunability is unique and allows us to operate near the photoemission threshold of any samples and thus maximize sample contrast while keeping chromatic berrations in the PEEM minimal. We have recorded first images from a variety of samples using spontaneous radiation from the OK-4/ Duke UV FEL in the photon energy range of 4.0–6.5 eV. Due to different photothreshold emission from different sample areas, emission from these areas could be turned on (or off) selectively. We have also observed relative intensity reversal with changes in photon energy which are interpreted as density-of-state contrast. Usable image quality has been achieved, even though the output power of the FEL in spontaneous emission mod...
Antioxidant single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and ultrashort SWCNTs (US-SWCNTs) were functionalized with derivatives of the phenolic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). By using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, the oxygen radical scavenging ability of the SWCNT antioxidants is nearly 40 times greater than that of the radioprotective dendritic fullerene, DF-1. In addition, ORAC results revealed two divergent trends in the antioxidant potential of SWCNTs, depending on the type of functionalization employed. When existing pendant sites on US-SWCNTs were further functionalized by either covalent or noncovalent interactions of the existing pendant sites with a BHT derivative, the amount of BHT-derivative loading proportionately increased the overall antioxidant activity. If, however, functionalization occurred via covalent functionalization of a BHT-derivative directly to the SWCNT sidewall, the amount of BHT-derivative loading was inversely proportional to the overall antioxidant activi...
Confusion worse confounded: Incompetence among public school teachers

(1986). Confusion worse confounded: Incompetence among public‐school teachers. The Teacher Educator: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 19-28.
Stratigraphic expression of basement fault zones in northern West Virginia

Stratigraphic relationships of Upper Devonian-Lower Mississippian subsurface and outcrop strata in northern West Virginia indicate that two basement structures influenced the deposition of the Catskill and Price-Rockwell delta complexes. These structures are herein named the "Harrison fault zone" and the "Barbour fault zone." The Harrison fault zone trends north-south through north-central West Virginia and is recognized by the stacking arrangement of shoreline and marine sandstones and by trends of rapid interval thickening of shelf deposits. The trend and sense of movement indicated by these features is consistent with that expected for Cambrian-age basement normal faults along the eastern margin of the Rome trough. The Barbour fault zone is a cross-strike feature recognized by the vertical stacking of Hampshire Group fluvial sandstones, facies relationships within the Price Formation, and the configuration of the sub-Greenbrier Lime-stone unconformity. The Barbour fault zone marks the northern edge of the West Virginia dome.
Interaction of ceramides with phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and sphingomyelin/cholesterol bilayers.

Abstract Ceramides (Cers) may exert their biological activity through changes in membrane structure and organization. To understand this mechanism, the effect of Cer on the biophysical properties of phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin (SM) and SM/cholesterol bilayers was determined using fluorescence probe techniques. The Cers were bovine brain Cer and synthetic Cers that contained a single acyl chain species. The phospholipids were 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glyero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and bovine brain, egg yolk and bovine erythrocyte SM. The addition of Cer to POPC and DPPC bilayers that were in the liquid-crystalline phase resulted in a linear increase in acyl chain order and decrease in membrane polarity. The addition of Cer to DPPC and SM bilayers also resulted in a linear increase in the gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition temperature (TM). The magnitude of the change was dependent upon Cer lipid composition and was much higher in SM bilayers than DPPC bilayers. The addition of 33 mol% cholesterol essentially eliminated the thermal transition of SM and SM/Cer bilayers. However, there is still a linear increase in acyl chain order induced by the addition of Cer. The results are interpreted as the formation of DPPC/Cer and SM/Cer lipid complexes. SM/Cer lipid complexes have higher TMs than the corresponding SM because the addition of Cer reduces the repulsion between the bulky headgroup and allows closer packing of the acyl chains. The biophysical properties of a SM/Cer-rich bilayer are dependent upon the amount of cholesterol present. In a cholesterol-poor membrane, a sphingomyelinase could catalyze the isothermal conversion of a liquid-crystalline SM bilayer to a gel phase SM/Cer complex at physiological temperature.
Separator theorems and Turán-type results for planar intersection graphs

We establish several geometric extensions of the Lipton�Tarjan separator theorem for planar graphs. For instance, we show that any collection C of Jordan curves in the plane with a total of m crossings has a partition into three parts C=SC1C2 such that , , and no element of C1 has a point in common with any element of C2. These results are used to obtain various properties of intersection patterns of geometric objects in the plane. In particular, we prove that if a graph G can be obtained as the intersection graph of n convex sets in the plane and it contains no complete bipartite graph Kt,t as a subgraph, then the number of edges of G cannot exceed ctn, for a suitable constant ct.
Oxygen-selective immobilized liquid membranes for operation of lithium-air batteries in ambient air

Abstract In this work, nonaqueous electrolyte-based Li-air batteries with an O 2 -selective membrane have been developed for operation in ambient air of 20–30% relative humidity (RH). The O 2 gas is continuously supplied through a membrane barrier layer at the interface of the cathode and ambient air. The membrane allows O 2 to permeate through while blocking moisture. Such membranes can be prepared by loading O 2 -selective silicone oils into porous supports such as porous metal sheets and Teflon (PTFE) films. It was found that the silicone oil of high viscosity shows better performance. The immobilized silicone oil membrane in the porous PTFE film enabled the Li-air batteries with carbon black air electrodes to operate in ambient air (at 20% RH) for 16.3 days with a specific capacity of 789 mAh g −1 carbon and a specific energy of 2182 Wh kg −1 carbon. Its performance is much better than a reference battery assembled with a commercial, porous PTFE diffusion membranes as the moisture barrier layer on the cathode, which only had a discharge time of 5.5 days corresponding to a specific capacity of 267 mAh g −1 carbon and a specific energy of 704 Wh kg −1 carbon. The Li-air battery with the present selective membrane barrier layer even showed better performance in ambient air operation (20% RH) than the reference battery tested in the dry air box (
Therapeutic choice in the treatment of hypertension: Initial treatment of newly diagnosed hypertension and secular trends in the prescribing of anti hypertensive medications for medicaid patients

A "stepped-care" approach has been widely recommended for more than 10 years as an empiric method for the treatment of hypertension. This approach encourages the use of diuretics or beta blockers as initial monotherapy for hypertension. Although these and other antihypertensive regimens tested in clinical trials have substantially reduced morbidity and mortality from cerebrovascular disease, their relative effectiveness in reducing the sequelae of coronary artery disease is not as well established. These findings, coupled with the development of new drug regimens, have led to a re-examination of the stepped-care guidelines. This re-examination will stimulate increased interest in the therapeutic choices made by practicing physicians, particularly because the newer drugs are more costly than the traditional treatments. To address this question, we performed two specific studies, using data bases from Michigan and Tennessee Medicaid programs. The first study analyzed prescriptions for newly diagnosed cases of essential hypertension. The second study analyzed secular trends in the prescribing of antihypertensive regimens since that time. The data suggest that in 1982 and 1983 (the time period under consideration in the first part of the study), physicians treating hypertension for Medicaid enrollees followed the stepped-care recommendations, the majority using diuretics as step-one monotherapy. The secular trend data in the second study showed a moderate decrease in the use of diuretics since 1983. There were marked increases in the use of newer antihypertensive medications such as calcium channel blockers and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. Because the costs of the newer drugs are substantially higher, a shift to these drugs would significantly increase the cost of treating hypertension in this country. Prospective, controlled trials are necessary to ascertain if the increased costs of the newly developed drugs are justified by potential benefits.
Browsing for Bridegrooms Matchmaking and Modernity in Mumbai

This article demonstrates how a traditional cultural practice such as the arranged marriage system is given a modern meaning by young women in urban India. Through young women’s narratives on love, marriage and careers, it highlights how neo-liberalisation and its resultant culture of consumerism has offered them a vocabulary through which they articulate and resolve the continuing tension between traditional notions of family-making and modern desires of individual growth. These young women’s strategic deployment of arranged marriage practices points to various shifting configurations of power; it allows us to understand women’s resistance beyond dichotomies of absolute complicity and complete opposition and provides us with an example of how an alternate modernity might be imagined and lived.
Liquid droplet radiator thermal characteristics

The effects of droplet size, emissivity, and spacing on the liquid droplet radiator (LDR) performance space heat rejection system are investigated. The procedures for predicting surface emissivity of semitransparent droplets as a function of absorptivity and radius are examined. The relation between absorptivity, reflectivity, transmissivity, and emissivity is studied. It is observed that for droplets in the 25-200 micron range the radius affects emissivity. The thermal performance of an array of droplet streams is described using a thermal radiation model. Droplet temperatures are calculated; it is shown that outside droplet streams are more effective than interior droplets for arrays in the range of radius to spacing ratio from 0.05-0.2. Temperature distributions as a function of droplet size, emissivity, and velocity are presented. The heat transfer performance of a LDR is evaluated in terms of fin effectiveness. The equivalent sheet emissivities of droplet streams are examined.
Nickel carbonate induces DNA-protein crosslinks and DNA strand breaks in rat kidney.

DNA lesions were observed in kidney nuclei isolated from rats 20 h after i.p. injection with nickel carbonate. Dose-dependent, nickel-induced DNA crosslinks and DNA single strand breaks were detected using the alkaline elution technique. The DNA crosslinks were determined to be completely DNA-protein in nature. The DNA damage induced by nickel carbonate is discussed relative to the carcinogenicity of nickel compounds.
Sensitivity of the Halstead Category Test factor scores to brain damage.

Recent factor-analytic studies of the Halstead Category Test (HCT) indicate that its seven subtests form three factors including a Counting factor (subtests I and II), a Spatial Positional Reasoning factor (subtests III, IV, and VII), and a Proportional Reasoning factor (subtests V, VI, and VII). The sensitivity and specificity of these factors to heterogeneous forms of brain damage was examined in a large sample of patients and a normal comparison sample. A prorated Impairment Index, which excluded the HCT error score, was used to assign participants with brain damage into mild, moderate, and severe impairment groups. Also, groups with various forms of neuropathology were contrasted. Results indicated that both the Spatial Positional Reasoning and the Proportional Reasoning factors were sensitive to brain damage. However, in all of the brain-damage groups, a greater percentage of errors were made on the Spatial Positional factor, suggesting that of the two it was more difficult for those with brain damag...
Modification of delayed rectifier potassium currents by the Kv9.1 potassium channel subunit

Within auditory pathways, the intrinsic electrical properties of neurons, and in particular their complement of potassium channels, play a key role in shaping the timing and pattern of action potentials produced by sound stimuli. The Kv9.1 gene encodes a potassium channel alpha subunit that is expressed in a variety of neurons, including those of the inferior colliculus. When cRNA encoding this subunit is injected into Xenopus oocytes, no functional channels are expressed. When, however, Kv9.1 is co-expressed with certain other alpha potassium channel subunits, it changes the characteristics of the currents produced by these functional channel proteins. We have found that Kv9.1 isolated from a rat brain cDNA library alters the kinetics and the voltage-dependence of activation and inactivation of Kv2.1, a channel subunit that generates slowly inactivating delayed rectifier potassium currents. The rate of activation of Kv2.1 is slowed by co-expression with Kv9.1. With Kv2.1 alone, the amplitude of evoked currents increases monotonically with increasing command potentials. In contrast, when Kv2.1 is co-expressed with Kv9.1, the amplitude of currents increases with increasing depolarization up to potentials of only approximately +60 mV, after which increasing depolarization results in a decrease in current amplitude. Currents produced by Kv2. 1 alone and by Kv2.1/Kv9.1 are both sensitive to the potassium channel blocker tetraethyl ammonium ions (TEA), but higher concentrations of TEA (20 mM) eliminate the biphasic voltage-dependence of the Kv2.1/Kv9.1 currents. Co-expression with Kv9.1 also produces an apparent negative shift in the voltage-dependence of inactivation and activation. Computer simulations of model neurons suggest that co-expression of Kv9.1 with Kv2.1 may have different effects in neurons depending on whether their firing pattern is limited by the inactivation of inward currents. In excitable cells in which the inward currents do not inactivate, co-expression with Kv9.1 could produce an inhibition of firing during sustained depolarization. In contrast, in model neurons with rapidly inactivating inward current, the change in the voltage-dependence of activation produced by Kv9.1 may allow the cells to follow high frequency stimulation more effectively.
Charting the Late Cretaceous Seas: Mosasaur Richness and Morphological Diversification

ABSTRACT Abundant, readily identifiable, and biostratigraphically resolved specimens make mosasaurs ideal candidates to test fluxes in generic richness and morphological trends among marine vertebrates during the late Cretaceous. More than 1800 globally distributed mosasaur specimens are allocated to fifteen substage-level stratigraphically correlated assemblages. These data are quantitatively analyzed to illuminate trends within the group. Following their first appearance in the Cenomanian, mosasaurs experienced a significant radiation in the Coniacian and Santonian. Richness levels continued increasing into the Maastrichtian while mosasaurs incrementally exploited new predatory niches recognized via accumulation of novel dental morphologies. Their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous occurred at the zenith of mosasaur morphological and ecological diversity.
Investigation of power mosfet fbsoa using a non-destruct tester

This paper describes a nondestruct tester for measuring and verifying the FBSOA limits of power MOSFETs. Because the tester is nondestructive, an entire curve can be plotted with one transistor. Device trends thus become apparent and clues to failure mechanisms can sometimes be obtained. On a standard log-log plot, the curve usually describes a straight line with a slope slightly steeper than the -1 slope of constant power dissipation. Whether this phenomena is due to power dissipation or second breakdown is investigated.