cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proliferation of sub-Regional Trade Agreements in the Americas: an assessment of key analytical and policy issues

Abstract This article provides an overview of the realities and reasons for proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and then proceeds to assess the evidence from the region as regards the following key analytical and policy issues raised by proliferation: has trade diversion been a serious problem in the RTAs and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) engaged by LAC countries? Have RTAs been able to make more progress in liberalization than multilateral negotiations, or allowed member countries to integrate more deeply? Has proliferation in Latin America diverted attention away from multilateral negotiations? What problems have been created by overlaps between RTAs and how significant these problems have been? Have RTAs contributed to domestic policy reform and, if so, how? What has been the role of macro- and micro-economic policies in RTAs? Finally, the paper summarizes the main conclusions and challenges posed by proliferation of RTAs in Latin America.
Biosphere 2 and Biodiversity--The Lessons So Far

A committee of ecologists recently visited the enclosed ecosystem of Biosphere 2 in order to advise the new scientific managers of the structure on how it may be used in ecological research. Cohen, a member of the committee, describes the lessons that have emerged to date from the confinement of eight individuals in Biosphere 2 for 2 years about the interrelatedness of plants and animals in ecological systems.
Efficient software implementation of embedded communication protocol controllers using asynchronous software thread integration with time- and space-efficient procedure calls

The overhead of context switching limits efficient scheduling of multiple concurrent threads on a uniprocessor when real-time requirements exist. A software-implemented protocol controller may be crippled by this problem. The available idle time may be too short to recover through context switching, so only the primary thread can execute during message activity, slowing the secondary threads and potentially missing deadlines. Asynchronous software thread integration (ASTI) uses coroutine calls and integration, letting threads make independent progress efficiently, and reducing the needed context switches. We demonstrate the methods with a software implementation of an automotive communication protocol (J1850) and several secondary threads.
Conformality effects on the wear of low-speed, large aspect ratio silicon journal microbearings

Abstract The development of a novel microbearing test apparatus to investigate the wear behavior of large length to diameter aspect ratio silicon-based journal microbearings is presented. The apparatus is characterized by a manually assembled rotor–hub system driven by compressed air through rectangular microchannels. Hub and rotor fabrication, test fixture fabrication, wear assessment, and speed measurement methodology are described in detail. The deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) fabrication process produces small axial tapers on rotor and hub surfaces which allows for the assembly of conformal and non-conformal bearing system configurations. A set of repeatable durability tests indicate that the wear rate on conformal bearing configurations is consistently greater than that found in non-conformal configurations. It is also shown that the measured volumetric wear trends cannot be attributed to an adhesion wear model, and observed wear morphology is strongly suggestive of impact or surface fatigue wear.
Mechanism of protein synthesis inhibition by vaccinia viral core and reversal of this inhibition by reticulocyte peptide chain initiation factors

Vaccinia viral core inhibits protein synthesis in heme-supplemented reticulocyte lysate. A reticulocyte cell suPernatant factor, which reversed Protein synthesis inhibition in heme-deficient reticulocyte lysate also reversed vaccinia viral core induced Protein synthesis inhibition in heme-suPPlemented reticulocyte lysate. Significant inhibition reversal activity was also observed with a partially purified eukaryotic initiation factor-2 PreParation and this activity was lost uPon further Purification of eukaryotic initiation factor-2.The ribosomal salt-wash factor Co-eukaryotic initiation factor-2 which like reticulocyte suPernatant factor contains guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity, was comPletely inactive. Vaccinia viral core induced detectable level of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 α-subunit phosphorylation when incubated in the heme-supplemented reticulocyte lysate. This lysate preparation contains guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity. However, when the same reticulocyte lysate was previously incubated with the vaccinia viral core, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity during subsequent incubation was almost comPletely inhibited.
Inertial range scaling of laminar shear flow as a model of turbulent transport

Asymptotic scaling behavior, characteristic of the inertial range, is obtained for a fractal stochastic system proposed as a model for turbulent transport.
Evaluation of anion-exchange liquid chromatography for purification of hemoglobin from peptides and other proteins

Abstract Solutions of hemoglobin (Hb) are under development for use as “red blood cell substitutes”. In order to reduce the presence of immunogenic and vasoactive factors in these solutions, the elimination of non-Hb proteins and peptides is necessary. The ability of anion-exchange liquid chromatography (LC) to purify Hb, using the Waters HPLC 600E system and five different columns (HP-PEI, MA7P, DEAE-5PW, MA7Q and Mono-Q HR) was evaluated. Bovine Hb, prepared by hyposmotic dialysis-ultrafiltration of isolated red blood cells, was subjected to chromatography by each column. The major fraction (HbAo) was analyzed by re-separation through the same column and by isoelectric focusing (IEF) with silver staining. The second chromatogram revealed HbAo to contain 2–4 non-Hb contaminants, some of which adherent to and some separate from hemoglobin. IEF revealed the full spectrum of Hb contamination, with 3–5 protein bands plus 10–15 peptide bands in association with HbAo. The results suggest that anion-exchange cannot completely purify hemoglobin and IEF with silver staining is more sensitive than LC.
Specific Heat of Sodium at Low Temperatures

Specific heat measurements in the temperature range 0.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 1.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K on two samples of sodium metal are reported. A thermal cycling procedure was used to partly inhibit the martensitic transformation and thus obtain information on the properties of the two phases of sodium. It is concluded that the electronic specific heat coefficient ($\ensuremath{\gamma}$) of the bcc phase is probably slightly larger than that of the hcp phase but with 95% confidence the difference does not exceed 20%. A statistically significant variation (of unknown cause) of the apparent $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ of one sample was observed. It is suggested that the wide variation in experimental $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ values reported may be due to this cause rather than to the martensitic transformation.
Air pollution and daily mortality: a hypothesis concerning the role of impaired homeostasis.

We propose a hypothesis to explain the association between daily fluctuations in ambient air pollution, especially airborne particles, and death rates that can be tested in an experimental model. The association between airborne particulates and mortality has been observed internationally across cities with differing sources of pollution, climates, and demographies and has involved chiefly individuals with advanced chronic illnesses and the elderly. As these individuals lose the capacity to maintain stable, optimal internal environments (i.e., as their homeostatic capacity declines), they become increasingly vulnerable to external stress. To model homeostatic capacity for predicting this vulnerability, a variety of regulated physiologic variables may be monitored prospectively. They include the maintenance of deep body temperature and heart rate, as well as the circadian oscillations around these set-points. Examples are provided of the disruptive changes shown by these variables in inbred mice as the animals approach death. We consider briefly the implications that the hypothesis may hold for several epidemiologic issues, including the degree of prematurity of the deaths, the unlikelihood of a threshold effect, and the role that coarse, noncombustive particles may play in the association.
High Quality ZnSe and ZnS Nanocrystals Formed by Activating Zinc Carboxylate Precursors

Nearly monodisperse ZnSe and ZnS nanocrystals were formed in noncoordinating solvents using alternative precursors. The parameter window for the growth of high quality zinc chalcogenide nanocrystals was found to be much narrower than that of the corresponding cadmium chalcogenide nanocrystals. In contrast to syntheses performed in coordinating solvents, generic oxygen containing ligands, such as fatty acids, were found to be reasonable ligands for the formation of ZnSe and ZnS nanocrystals. Activation of the zinc precursor (zinc fatty acid salts) by alkylamines was found to be critical for the formation of high quality ZnSe nanocrystals. The photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) of ZnSe nanocrystals reached as high as 50% with a full width of half-maximum (fwhm) as narrow as 14 nm. The band gap PL of ZnS nanocrystals was always mixed with a deep-trap tail. The PL fwhm of the band gap emission of the ZnS nanocrystals was typically between 10 and 12 nm.
Lessons learned from gifted children about differentiation

Abstract Differentiation of curricula and instruction has long been an accepted principle in educating gifted and talented students. Despite its history, definitions and practices continue to vary widely. Current differentiation practices in schools, if present at all, tend to provide instructional and curricular modifications ensuring that teaching and/or curricula are distinct from those provided other learners, differentiation being determined primarily through needs of the gifted as a group. In this article, four gifted and talented students, aged 9 to 12, are studied over a 1‐ to 3‐year period to examine the nature of their educations and the differentiation offered to them. Based on problems in these students’ school programs that were unearthed through the case studies, systematic interventions were implemented to improve differentiation for each student on a personal level. Results support personalized differentiation as the optimal means for accommodating the needs of the diversity of gifted and ...
Intron exclusion and the mystery of intron loss

Mechanisms for loss and gain of introns are elusive. Reported here is a new pattern of intron loss which features a random loss of a single intron in a multiple-intron gene with its neighboring introns remained, which process is defined as intron exclusion. Intron exclusion is reminiscent of removal of a limited stretch of non-homologous sequence in a homologous recombination (HR) triggered by a double strand break (DSB), and therefore lends further evidence for a theory of intron loss through HR between a cDNA and its genomic intron-containing locus. Thus, a model for intron loss is formulated.
Effects of High Electric Fields on the Magnitudes of Current Steps Produced by Single Particle Displacement Damage

Measurements of single particle displacement damage are presented as discrete increases in reverse-biased diode leakage current, or current steps, caused by individual heavy ions in 252Cf-irradiated JFET diodes. The maximum size of measured current steps agrees with calculations obtained from the expression for Shockley-Read-Hall generation when the radiation-induced defect density is derived from Monte Carlo simulations of atomic displacements and the electric field enhancement of defect emission is taken into account. The distribution of the current steps shows good agreement with experimental data.
TRANSIENT WATER QUALITY MODELING IN STREAMS

. A general planning model for simulation of water quality in streams and canals is formulated and verified. The model simulates the temporal and spatial variations in conservative and nonconservative constituents. The nitrogen cycle and its interaction with other nutrients and the dissolved oxygen resources of the stream are included. A fully implicit finite difference approximation is used to solve the mass transport equations describing variations in constituent concentrations throughout the stream systems. The model is applied to the Truckee River in northern California. Results indicate the applicability of the model for assessing the impact of alternative water quality management strategies on the stream system.
Increased in vitro Tuberculin Leucocyte Cytolysis following a Tuberculin Skin Test.

SummaryGuinea pigs which have been sensitized to tuberculin by the injection of heat-killed tubercle bacilli in paraffin oil show and increased in vitro tuberculin leucocyte cytolysis within 48 hours after a positive intracutaneous tuberculin reaction.
Amiodarone: Reevaluation of an Old Drug

Purpose: To review the pharmacology, electrophysiology, and toxicity of amiodarone and to discuss the clinical results produced when amiodarone is used as therapy for patients with atrial fibrillat...
Nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis with prostatic adenocarcinoma

Granulomatous prostatitis is an infrequently seen entity in routine practice. One of its most common subtypes is nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis (NSGP), the etiology of which is still under debate. Such cases may be mistaken for adenocarcinoma clinically and radiologically. Histological resemblance to adenocarcinoma may arise when there is a xanthogranulomatous pattern or a prominence of epithelioid histiocytes. However, NSGP may rarely coexist with adenocarcinoma and it is critical to sample these cases thoroughly to exclude the presence of malignancy.
The Effects of Sitosterol, Nicotinic Acid and Triparanol on Fat Tolerance

D URING recent times, much attention has been focused on hypercholesterolemia as an important factor in the genesis of atherosclerosis, especially of the coronary arteries.’8 On the basis of such a concept, the decrease of the various blood lipid fractions is now commonly advised. Certain inconsistencies in the relationship between hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis do exist, however, and these have stimulated an inquiry into more precise methods of studying fat metabolism. Among them is the radioactive fat tolerance test wherein the blood radioactivity levels are measured over a twenty-four hour period following the ingestion of a test meal containing a tracer dose of radioactive iodinated triolein in a diluent of 1 ml./kg. of peanut oil. Results obtained in a group of 100 normal subjects have demonstrated that the maximum postprandial blood radioactivity value is less than 15 per cent, and the twenty-four hour level less than 5 per cent of the ingested radioactivity. In patients with proved coronary disease, on the other hand, levels have been higher than normal, the results being much more consistently abnormal than the cholesterol or any other
The use of simple, rapid tests to detect antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 in pooled serum specimens

Abstract Background: The use of pooled specimens has been proposed as a means of expanding testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies in population studies and in blood screening, while reducing laboratory costs. Objectives: To develop a strategic specimen pooling method to be used with rapid HIV antibody assays to detect positive specimens and to evaluate its performance in comparison with testing with commercial EIA and WB. Study Design: Two lateral flow rapid HIV antibody assays, Sero Strip HIV-1/2 1 and Determine HIV-1/2, were evaluated for their ability to detect HIV-1 antibodies in serum and/or plasma specimens pooled in sizes ranging from two to 20 following the respective manufacturers’ protocols. One thousand prospectively collected specimens and 55 seroconversion specimens were prepared in pools of five for evaluation by the two rapid HIV assays. Results: Optimal detection and discrimination of HIV-1 antibody-positive and HIV-1 antibody-negative specimens was observed in pool sizes of five to ten for both assays. The ability of the two rapid assays to detect HIV-1 antibody-positive samples from commercial HIV-1 seroconversion panels contained in the pools was equivalent to that of commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and Western blot (WB) to detect HIV-1 antibody in the non-pooled samples. Application of the pooling method in prospectively collected specimens yielded excellent concordance with EIA/WB results in both sensitivity (98.88% for Sero Strip HIV-1/2, 100% for Determine HIV-1/2) and specificity (99.56% for Sero Strip HIV-1/2, 99.45% for Determine HIV-1/2). Conclusion: Use of a pooling strategy with either assay reduced the number of tests required by almost 50% and could provide substantial cost reductions for HIV screening in settings where HIV-1 prevalence is less than 10%.
The Ferrohemoglobin Solubility Test Its Accuracy and Precision Together with Values Found in the Presence of Some Abnormal Hemoglobins

1. Accuracy and precision of the ferrohemoglobin solubility test, a modification of the Itano procedure, have been discussed. 2. Excellent reproducibility was achieved using 10 buffers and 10 samples with a wide range of solubilities. 3. Ranges for normal adult hemoglobin, hemoglobins A and S, S in the presence of a small amount of fetal hemoglobin, S and C, and A and C are given, together with single values for hemoglobins A and D, A and I, A and L, and A and J.
Characteristics of the Estrous Cycle and Antioxidant Status of Lactating Holstein Cows Exposed to Heat Stress

Follicular growth, lifespan of the corpus luteum, and antioxidant status of lactating Holsteins that experienced heat stress were monitored. Eleven multiparous cows, 60 to 110 d in milk, were maintained from 0800 to 1800 h daily in environmental chambers from d 11 to 21 of the estrous cycle. Cows were randomly assigned to a heat stress (mean dry bulb temperature peaked at 38.3 degrees C) or control treatment (mean dry bulb temperatures varied from 20.8 to 25.6 degrees C). Rectal temperature and respiration rates of heat-stressed cows were higher at 1600 h than were those of control cows. The length of the estrous cycle and the interval from estrus until luteolysis were not different between treatments. Two of 6 control cows and 1 of 5 heat-stressed cows had extended cycles (> 24 d). Heat-stressed cows had more class 1 (2 to 5 mm) follicles from d 11 to 15 of the estrous cycle. Numbers of class 2 (6 to 9 mm) and class 3 (> or = 9 mm) follicles were similar between treatments. Plasma progesterone concentrations were higher for heat-stressed cows until d 19 of the estrous cycle. Treatment did not affect concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, retinol, retinyl palmitate, or total protein in plasma or concentrations of malondialdehyde in muscle. In conclusion, heat stress did not extend luteal function or the length of the estrous cycle of lactating Holstein cows but did affect follicular growth and progesterone concentrations in plasma. Heat stress did not appear to increase lipid peroxidation or decrease lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations in blood.
A versatile architecture for the distributed sensor integration problem

Proposes a versatile architecture for a distributed sensor network which consists of a multilevel network with the nodes (processing element/sensor pairs) at each level interconnected as a deBruijn network. The authors show that this multilevel network has reasonable fault tolerance, admits simple and decentralized routing, and offers easy extensibility. They model information from sensors as real valued intervals and derive an interesting property related to information integration in the presence of faults. Using this property, the search for a fault is narrowed down to two potentially faulty sensors or communication links. In a distributed environment, information has to be integrated from "temporally close" signals in the presence of imperfect clocks in a distributed environment. The authors apply the results of past research in this area to state various relationships between the clocks of the processing elements in the network for proper information integration. >
On-Chip Copper-Based vs. Optical Interconnects: Delay Uncertainty, Latency, Power, and Bandwidth Density Comparative Predictions

As CMOS technology is scaled, it has become increasingly difficult for conventional copper interconnect to satisfy different design requirements. On-chip optical interconnect has been considered as a potential substitute for electrical interconnect. In this paper, predictions of the performance of CMOS compatible optical devices are made based on current state-of-art optical technologies. Based on these predictions, electrical and optical interconnects are compared for delay uncertainty, latency, power, and bandwidth density
The Globalization of Liberalization: Policy Diffusion in the International Political Economy

One of the most important developments over the past three decades has been the spread of liberal economic ideas and policies throughout the world. These policies have affected the lives of millions of people, yet our most sophisticated political economy models do not adequately capture influences on these policy choices. Evidence suggests that the adoption of liberal economic practices is highly clustered both temporally and spatially. We hypothesize that this clustering might be due to processes of policy diffusion. We think of diffusion as resulting from one of two broad sets of forces: one in which mounting adoptions of a policy alter the benefits of adopting for others and another in which adoptions provide policy relevant information about the benefits of adopting. We develop arguments within these broad classes of mechanisms, construct appropriate measures of the relevant concepts, and test their effects on liberalization and restriction of the current account, the capital account, and the exchange rate regime. Our findings suggest that domestic models of foreign economic policy making are insufficient. The evidence shows that policy transitions are influenced by international economic competition as well as the policies of a country's sociocultural peers. We interpret the latter influence as a form of channeled learning reflecting governments' search for appropriate models for economic policy.
Transpressive uplift and exhumation of continental lower crust revealed by synkinematic monazite reactions

Exposures of continental lower crust provide fundamental constraints on the thermal-mechanical behavior of continental lithosphere during orogeny. The applicability of fi results, however, requires knowledge of whether these data pertain to deformation during lowercrustal residence or during uplift and exhumation of deep crust. Dating synkinematic monazite-producing reactions provides one way to evaluate deformation styles in the deep crust. We report on the implications of monazite reaction dating for the timing of fabric formation and movement along three crustal-scale shear zones in northern Saskatchewan, western Canadian Shield. The structures accommodated dextral transpressive strain during oblique- and thrust-sense displacement that was coeval with uplift and exhumation of >20,000 km 2 of continental lower crust (>1.0 GPa) to middle-crustal levels (<0.5 GPa). In situ Th-U‐total Pb monazite data reveal that monazite rims in all three shear zones grew synkinematically at 1849 ± 6 Ma (2σ, mean square of weighted deviates = 0.8). The style of deformation involved localized strain concurrent with segmentation and translation of rheologically strong blocks of deep crust along mutually interacting shear zones during transpression.
Applications of silicon detectors

The principle of operations and the development and applications of silicon detectors are discussed. The application of strip detectors in high-energy physics follows Moore's law in both the area and the channel count. New developments include pixel and drift detectors. Examples of use in space sciences and the growing use in medical applications are given. The role of silicon detectors in the detection of photons is explained. Frequent reference is made to papers submitted to the IEEE2000 NSS-MIC.
Continuous, real-time, full-field waveform measurements via spectral slicing and parallel digital coherent detection

Single-shot, amplitude and phase characterization of 160-GHz bandwidth optical waveforms with 2-μs record lengths using a bandwidth- and time-record scalable technique based on parallelized balanced four-quadrature homodyne detection and DSP reconstruction.
THE STRATEGIC CHOICES OF NGOS: LOCATION DECISIONS IN RURAL BANGLADESH

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an increasingly important role in the delivery of public services in developing countries, but little systematic evidence is available about their strategic choices. We develop two stylised accounts of NGO strategies: one in which pragmatic and organisational concerns determine location decisions, and another in which charitable motivations are the principal determinants. We then use data from the 1995 and 2000 rounds of the Bangladesh Household and Income and Expenditure Survey to analyse location decisions of NGO programmes established between those two sample years. Whether disaggregated by sector of work or mother organisation, the data show that the net change in NGO programmes in a community was not related to indicators of community need, that NGOs established new programmes where they themselves had no programmes previously, and that they did not avoid duplicating the efforts of other NGOs. Overall, the analysis is consistent with an account of NGO choice...
Reranking search results for sparse queries

It is well known that clickthrough data can be used to improve the effectiveness of search results: broadly speaking, a query's past clicks are a predictor of future clicks on documents. However, when a new or unusual query appears, or when a system is not as widely used as a mainstream web search system, there may be little to no click data available to improve the results. Existing methods to boost query performance for sparse queries extend the query-document click relationship to more documents or queries, but require substantial clickthrough data from other queries. In this work we describe a way to boost rarely-clicked queries in a system where limited clickthrough data is available for all queries. We describe a probabilistic approach for carrying out that estimation and use it to rerank retrieved documents. We utilize information from co-click queries, subset queries, and synonym queries to estimate the clickthrough for a sparse query. Our experiments on a query log from a medical informatics company demonstrate that when overall clickthrough data is sparse, reranking search results using clickthrough information from related queries significantly outperforms reranking that employs clickthrough information from the query alone.
Measurement and modeling of the mechanical and electrochemical response of amorphous Si thin film electrodes during cyclic lithiation

A combination of experimental measurements and numerical simulations are used to characterize the mechanical and electrochemical response of thin film amorphous Si electrodes during cyclic lithiation. Parameters extracted from the experiment include the variation of elastic modulus and the flow stress as functions of Li concentration; the strain rate sensitivity; the diffusion coefficient for Li transport in the electrode; the free energy of mixing as a function of Li concentration in the electrode; the exchange current density for the Lithium insertion reaction; as well as reaction rates and diffusion coefficients characterizing the rate of formation of solid-electrolyte interphase layer at the electrode surface. Model predictions are compared with experimental measurements; and the implications for practical Si based electrodes are discussed.
Analyzing Proximate Causes of Behavior

Of the several ways of describing behavior the one most frequently employed by students of evolution and ecology is that based on consequences or goals. Within this framework behavior can be classified in terms of immediate causation or by particular functional (adaptive) consequences (e.g., courtship, parental behavior, egg-laying, territorial behavior, etc.). Many of the papers presented in this colloquium fall into this category. They include discussions of: desiccation survival, territoriality, cannibalism, courtship, mating success, foraging, oviposition preference, life history differences, host utilization, maternal defense, pheromone production, and feeding. Experiments are described in which sophisticated genetic analyses and techniques were employed to gain insight to the relative contributions of genetic, environmental, and experiential factors to the expressed behaviors. In many cases the experiments were undertaken with a view toward understanding the forces directing fitness, selection, speciation, and evolution.
Caring for children who die unexpectedly: patterns that emerge out of chaos

Despite medical advances in technology, improved socioeconomics, and medical knowledge, an estimated 55,000 children die every year in the United States. A phenomenological study was conducted at a tertiary-quaternary children's hospital to determine the emerging patterns amidst the chaos with nurses caring for children dying unexpectedly. Implications for nursing practice include a progression of caring, a set of patterns that emerge out of the seeming chaos of a coding patient. These patterns shed light on the interactive relationships within the hospital and can foster collaboration among bedside nurses, advanced practice nurses, inter-professional team members, directors, and hospital administrators.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,4‐Dienes by Allylation of Alkenylalanes:α‐Farnesene

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 1,4-dienes by allylation of alkenylalanes:α-farnesene product: α-farnesene product: 6-Z isomer of α-farnesene Keywords: addition, to CC; alkenylation, C-alkenylation; alkylation, C-alkylation; carbometallation; metal-catalyzed reactions, palladium; 1,2-dichloroethane; tetrahydrofuran; tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium; trimethylaluminum
22 GHz performance of the permeable base transistor

Small-signal performance and power performance of GaAs permeable-base transistors (PBTs) at 22 GHz are reported. A small-signal gain of 14.5 dB was demonstrated over a 1-GHz bandwidth from a device having a 3200-AA-periodicity base grating and an 8*20 mu m/sup 2/ active area. A similar device, biased for class AB operation, achieved 45% power-added efficiency with an output power of 83 mW, and an associated gain of 5.7 dB. An output power of 210 mW with 4.7-dB of gain and 37% efficiency were obtained from a larger device having an 8*40 mu m/sup 2/ active area. A pair of these large devices in parallel delivered 370 mW with 3.7 dB gain and 33% efficiency, and 410 mW with 3.1 dB gain and 31% efficiency. >
Deubiquitinating enzyme A20 negatively regulates NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle in mdx mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the lack of a functional dystrophin protein that results in muscle fiber membrane disruption and, ultimately, degeneration. Regeneration of muscle fibers fails progressively, and muscle tissue is replaced with connective tissue. As a result, DMD causes progressive limb muscle weakness and cardiac and respiratory failure. The absence of dystrophin from muscle fibers triggers the chronic activation of the nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB). Chronic activation of NF-κB in muscle leads to infiltration of macrophages, up-regulation of the ubiquitin-proteosome system, and down-regulation of the helix-loop-helix muscle regulatory factor, MyoD. These processes, triggered by NF-κB activation, promote muscle degeneration and failure of muscle regeneration. A20 (TNFAIP3) is a critical negative regulator of NF-κB. In this study, we characterize the role of A20 in regulating NF-κB activation in skeletal muscle, identifying a novel role in muscle regeneration. A20 is highly expressed in regenerating muscle fibers, and knockdown of A20 impairs muscle differentiation in vitro, which suggests that A20 expression is critically important for regeneration of dystrophic muscle tissue. Furthermore, down-regulation of the classic pathway of NF-κB activation is associated with up-regulation of the alternate pathway in regenerating muscle fibers, suggesting a mechanism by which A20 promotes muscle regeneration. These results demonstrate the important role of A20 in muscle fiber repair and suggest the potential of A20 as a therapeutic target to ameliorate the pathology and clinical symptoms of DMD.
Rain and Wind Estimation from Seawinds in Hurricanes at Ultra High Resolution

A Bayesian method for estimating wind and rain in hurricanes from SeaWinds at ultra-high resolution is developed. We use a hurricane model to generate prior distributions for the wind speed, wind direction, and rain rate. The rain prior is derived from data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Precipitation Radar (TRMM-PR). The new method reduces the variability of the standard simultaneous wind and rain estimates while preserving meso-scale detail.
Building Accuracies in Finite Element Models for Life Prediction of Solder Joints

With the rapid transition to Pb free solder in electronic industry, reliability of solder joints and life prediction has seen a renewed interest. Using the knowledge gained from modeling SnPb solder, a number of life prediction models have been suggested for SnAgCu based solder joints. These models are determined utilizing certain modeling assumptions and material behavior. Assuming accuracy in test data, the methodology used for calculating the strain or energy density is a significant source of error which limits the application of life prediction model. Since measuring inelastic strain or energy density in a tiny solder joint is not practical, these values are usually calculated using analytical or numerical approach. All simulation approaches use some assumptions, which can impact the accuracy of life prediction model. For finite element analysis, these assumptions include factors such as the level of structural details, 2-D or 3-D representation, mesh density, boundary conditions, and material models used. This paper presents how these factors affect the accuracy and efficiency of finite element based simulations when applied for solder joint life prediction. The modeling approaches previously published for temperature cycling and drop/impact loading by the author have been reviewed and enhanced by using advanced simulation techniques. The effect of meshing, material properties, and solder behavior under slow and fast loading conditions are investigated.
Nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine 3,5 monophosphate response to cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibition in a rabbit model of RU486-induced preterm birth

RESPONSE TO CYCLOOXYGENASE (COX)-2 INHIBITION IN A RABBIT MODEL OF RU486-INDUCED PRETERM BIRTH DAVID GORENBERG, KAY BEHARRY, AAMIR AKMAL, KENJI NISHIHARA, JOSHUA WALTZMAN, TAMEROU ASRAT, University of California, Irvine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orange, CA University of California, Irvine, Pediatrics, Orange, CA Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Long Beach, CA OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) may maintain uterine quiescence during pregnancy. The onset of labor is associated with an increase in cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity. We investigated whether COX-2 inhibition in a rabbit model of RU486-induced preterm pregnancy loss would influence the NO/cGMP signaling mechanisms in the uterus and cervix. STUDY DESIGN: 3 groups of pregnant rabbits (n = 8/group) were induced with a single 50-mg IM dose of RU486 at 22 days’ gestation. 60, 90, or 120 mg/ kg/day of celecoxib (Cel) or vehicle (Veh) was administered orally and daily until delivery. Gestational age-matched controls (n = 6/group) were induced with 100% ethanol IM and were administered equivalent oral doses of Cel or Veh. Serum levels of NOmetabolites, NOx and cGMP, were determined prior to induction and following delivery. Uterine and cervical levels were determined at delivery. RESULTS: A prolongation of gestation was seen among rabbits induced with RU486 that received celecoxib vs vehicle (78.9 vs 57.4 hrs). Uterine NO levels were elevated in all ETOH groups compared to their age-matched RU486 groups (P < 0.05 to P < 0.0001). No differences in cervical NO levels were noted. In contrast, cervical cGMP levels were elevated in all ETOH groups compared to the RU486 groups (P < 0.05), with no change in uterine cGMP levels. Treatment with Cel induced greater serum NO production (mmol/L) with significance achieved in the Cel 120 group (368.3 ± 59.3) vs Veh (117.0 ± 22.3, P < 0.01). This response was abolished in the RU486-treated group receiving a similar dose of 120 mg/kg/day (53.2 ± 6.2, P < 0.0001). Cel treatment had no significant effect on serum cGMP levels. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate an association between COX-2 and NO/cGMP signaling system. COX-2 inhibition appears to induce NO synthesis, which may further promote uterine quiescence. This effect is abolished with progesterone antagonism, suggesting an interaction between COX-2 and progesterone receptor.
Influence of Lateral Advection on Residual Currents in Microtidal Estuaries

Abstract The influence of nonlinear lateral advection on estuarine exchange flow is examined with a scaling analysis and eight groups of idealized numerical experiments. Nonlinear lateral advection is related to the linkage between lateral circulation and the lateral shear of the along-estuary flow. The relative contribution of lateral advection to the overall dynamics of a microtidal estuary is found to be a function of width and depth, and of vertical mixing. Lateral advection is dynamically important in narrow and deep estuaries, particularly under relatively weak vertical mixing. The relative importance of lateral advection and the earth’s rotation on estuarine dynamics can be evaluated in terms of the nondimensional Rossby and Ekman numbers (Ro and Ek). Lateral advection is most effective at large Ro and small Ek and is negligible at small Ro and large Ek. As expected, the earth’s rotation is most significant at small Ro and Ek, and is negligible at large Ro and Ek. Under the influence of lateral adv...
Synthesis of Renewable Bisphenols from Creosol

A series of renewable bisphenols has been synthesized from creosol (2-methoxy-4-methylphenol) through stoichiometric condensation with short-chain aldehydes. Creosol can be readily produced from lignin, potentially allowing for the large scale synthesis of bisphenol A replacements from abundant waste biomass. The renewable bisphenols were isolated in good yields and purities without resorting to solvent-intense purification methods. Zinc acetate was shown to be a selective catalyst for the ortho-coupling of formaldehyde, but was unreactive when more sterically demanding aldehydes were used. Dilute HCl and HBr solutions were shown to be effective catalysts for the selective coupling of aldehydes in the position meta to the hydroxyl group. The acid solutions could be recycled and reused multiple times without decrease in activity or yield.
Jacobsen/Paris-Trousseau Syndrome: Report of a Case with Emphasis on Platelet’s Light Microscopic and Ultrastructure Findings

Jacobsen syndrome (JS) is a rare, inherited disorder, characterized by facial and skull dysmorphism, mental retardation, and platelet abnormalities. Paris-Trousseau syndrome (PTS) is a platelet function disorder that may be encountered in patients affected by JS. PTS is manifested by a mild lifelong bleeding tendency. Morphologically, the presence of large fused platelet alpha granules is characteristic. We present a case of Jacobsen syndrome in a child and highlight the typical morphologic and ultrastructure findings of platelets.
Coupled soil oxygen and greenhouse gas dynamics under variable hydrology

Abstract Hot spots and hot moments of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes can contribute significantly to overall GHG budgets. Hot spots and hot moments occur when dynamic soil hydrology triggers important shifts in soil biogeochemical and physical processes that control GHG emissions. Soil oxygen (O2), a direct control on biogenic GHG production (i.e., nitrous oxide-N2O, carbon dioxide-CO2 and methane-CH4), may serve as both an important proxy for determining sudden shifts in subsurface biogenic GHG production, as well as the physical transport of soil GHG to the atmosphere. Recent technological advancements offer opportunities to link in-situ, near-continuous measurements of soil O2 concentration to soil biogeochemical processes and soil gas transport. Using high frequency data, this study asked: Do soil O2 dynamics following short-term (
Research Ethics Case Study: The Water Purification Study

This case study is used to explore ethical issues related to the use of deception in research.
As Promised, Free Trade Agreements Deliver More Trade: Manufacturing Exports Receive Extra Boost

As Congress and the administration decide the fate of pending free-trade agreements (FTAs) with Korea, Panama, and Colombia, advocates and opponents will likely point to the experience of other recent bilateral and regional trade deals to support their positions. In the past decade, FTAs with 14 other nations have been signed, approved, and enacted, providing evidence to evaluate the effects of such agreements on bilateral trade flows. After a hiatus in the 1990s, a number of free-trade agreements have been enacted in the past decade. The U.S. government entered into an FTA with Jordan in December 2001, an agreement first negotiated by the Clinton administration. After Congress approved trade promotion authority during the Bush administration in 2002, the United States entered FTAs with Chile and Singapore in January 2004, Australia in January 2005, Morocco and Bahrain in January 2006, El Salvador in March 2006, Honduras and Nicaragua in April 2006, Guatemala in July 2006, the Dominican Republic in March 2007, Costa Rica and Oman in January 2009, and Peru in February 2009.1 Collectively, these countries accounted for $96.4 billion in U.S. goods exports in 2010 and $71.3 billion in imports. If these 14 nations were considered a single economic unit, they would collectively be America’s third largest export market, and our sixth largest source of imports.2 An analysis of trade flows with each of these 14 countries reveals that, on the whole, these agreements have delivered on their central promise to promote more trade between the United States and its agreement partners. Both U.S. exports and imports with this group of countries have expanded more rapidly than overall U.S. trade since each agreement was enacted. This has delivered a double benefit to the U.S. economy, as exports have expanded markets for U.S. producers, while imports have delivered lower prices and more variety for American consumers and more affordable inputs for U.S. producers. Specifically, total U.S. exports to our more recent FTA partners were 5 percent higher in 2010 than they would have been if exports to each country had grown at the same rate as our overall exports since each agreement was enacted. Imports from our FTA partners were 9 percent higher compared to overall import growth. By this rough method, imports were $5.9 billion higher and exports $4.5 billion higher, for a total boost to trade of $10.4 billion.4 For the politically sensitive manufacturing and agricultural sectors, the story was similar, with the recent FTAs boosting two-way trade compared to the overall trend in U.S. trade, with the additional growth concentrated in exports. Although country-specific data on services exports are more limited, the agreements appear to have delivered a boost to both imports and exports with Chile, Singapore, and Australia.
Miscellaneous Problems of the Male Genitalia

At birth, the foreskin is naturally adherent to the glans. From about 2–4 years of age, there is a dissolution of the bond presumably with the formation of pockets of sebaceous material (smegmal “pearls”), allowing it to retract. From about 5 years, most boys should have the ability of full unimpeded foreskin retraction.
Girls rising for human rights: Not magic, politics

“Girls rising” offers a grounded, critical, and human rights theory of political responsibility for global injustice. This theory of human rights tells us not just what rights are but how to take r...
Using Low Concentrations of Nano-Carbons to Induce Polymer Self-Reinforcement of Composites for High-Performance Applications

The current study focuses on the influence of low nano-carbon loading in polymer based composite fibers to modify matrix microstructure. With regards to the processing–structure–property relationship, post-spinning heat treatments (i.e., drawing, annealing without tension, and annealing with tension) was used to track microstructural development and associated mechanical property changes. Drawing and annealing procedures were found to influence the interphase volume fraction, fibril dimensions, sub-fibrillar lamellae, and sub-lamellae grain size for each sample. Annealing at 160 °C was found to have the largest impact on interphase percentage, fibril length, and grain packing density. These improvements corresponded to excellent mechanical properties for both control and composite fibers. Understanding the relationship between processing and property provides a novel perspective for producing high-performance composite materials from flexible polymers by only minimal amounts of carbon nano-fillers.
Compact Assumption Applied to the Monopole Term of Farassat's Formulations

Farassat's formulations provide an acoustic prediction at an observer location provided a source surface, including motion and flow conditions. This paper presents compact forms for the monopole term of several of Farassat's formulations. When the physical surface is elongated, such as the case of a high aspect ratio rotorcraft blade, compact forms can be derived which are shown to be a function of the blade cross sectional area by reducing the computation from a surface integral to a line integral. The compact forms of all formulations are applied to two example cases: a short span wing with constant airfoil cross section moving at three forward flight Mach numbers and a rotor at two advance ratios. Acoustic pressure time histories and power spectral densities of monopole noise predicted from the compact forms of all the formulations at several observer positions are shown to compare very closely to the predictions from their non-compact counterparts. A study on the influence of rotorcraft blade shape on the high frequency portion of the power spectral density shows that there is a direct correlation between the aspect ratio of the airfoil and the error incurred by using the compact form. Finally, a prediction of pressure gradient from the non-compact and compact forms of the thickness term of Formulation G1A shows that using the compact forms results in a 99.6% improvement in computation time, which will be critical when noise is incorporated into a design environment.