cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial metabolism is essential for invariant natural killer T cell development and function.

Conventional T cell fate and function are determined by coordination between cellular signaling and mitochondrial metabolism. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are an important subset of “innate-like” T cells that exist in a preactivated effector state, and their dependence on mitochondrial metabolism has not been previously defined genetically or in vivo. Here, we show that mature iNKT cells have reduced mitochondrial respiratory reserve and iNKT cell development was highly sensitive to perturbation of mitochondrial function. Mice with T cell-specific ablation of Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP; T-Uqcrfs1−/−), an essential subunit of mitochondrial complex III, had a dramatic reduction of iNKT cells in the thymus and periphery, but no significant perturbation on the development of conventional T cells. The impaired development observed in T-Uqcrfs1−/− mice stems from a cell-autonomous defect in iNKT cells, resulting in a differentiation block at the early stages of iNKT cell development. Residual iNKT cells in T-Uqcrfs1−/− mice displayed increased apoptosis but retained the ability to proliferate in vivo, suggesting that their bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands were not compromised. However, they exhibited reduced expression of activation markers, decreased T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and impaired responses to TCR and interleukin-15 stimulation. Furthermore, knocking down RISP in mature iNKT cells diminished their cytokine production, correlating with reduced NFATc2 activity. Collectively, our data provide evidence for a critical role of mitochondrial metabolism in iNKT cell development and activation outside of its traditional role in supporting cellular bioenergetic demands.
Masks, Empathy, and a Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis During COVID-19.

* Abbreviations: COVID-19 — : coronavirus disease 2019 PPE — : personal protective equipment In March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was starting to take hold across the United States, turning routine patient care into potentially life-threatening encounters between patients and health care providers. Hospitals quickly enacted policies limiting visitors and requiring social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) on all personnel. Although such interventions are necessary to promote safety, the impact on traditional means of communication and empathy are significant. This narrative describes the impact of early pandemic fears and associated policies on the interaction between a parent and provider in the setting of a new pediatric cancer diagnosis. Before I was the parent of a patient with cancer, I was a clinical psychologist. I spent most of my career embedded within pediatric medical care teams, first in oncology and then in palliative care. As such, I have participated in hundreds of conversations in which bad news about a child was given to a family. Yet despite my training and my professional experiences, I felt totally unprepared to be the parent on the receiving end of bad news. Dr Schiltz and I have worked closely together over the past 3 years as members of the pediatric palliative care team and through Dr Schiltz’s role as a pediatric critical care physician. The day before my daughter was diagnosed with cancer, we were both on hospital service and saw a young adult patient and his family together to whom we introduced end-of-life planning. During our debrief, I remember discussing how strange it had felt discussing such an emotional topic while wearing a mask and how I had fought my natural instinct … Address correspondence to Sarah R. Brand McCarthy, PHD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905. E-mail: mccarthy.sarah{at}mayo.edu
Soldier production and maintenance of soldier proportions in laboratory experimental groups of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki.

Experimental groups of 100 percent pseudergates ofCoptotermes formosanus Shiraki were set up in the laboratory and allowed to differentiate for either 4, 8 or 12 weeks. The average percentage of pseudergates differentiating into presoldiers and soldiers at these time intervals was 3.8, 14.2, and 21.9 percent, respectively. Differentiation to the soldier caste was affected both by initial group size and colony origin. Groups initially composed of 100 pseudergates produced a significantly smaller proportion of soldiers than did groups of 300, 500, or 1000. Recently collected field colonies produced soldiers at significantly higher rates than one which had been maintained in the laboratory for 8 years. The number of soldiers produced was highly correlated with the total number of all individuals at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, which indicates a precise physiological mechanism for regulating soldier proportions.
Genetic Analysis of Meristem Structure and Function in Arabidopsis Thaliana

Meristems are small regions of undifferentiated, dividing cells located at the tips of roots and shoots. Shoot and root apical meristems are formed in the embryo and upon germination give rise to all the above and below ground structures of the plant respectively. Not only do these apical meristems themselves generate plant organs such as leaves, flowers, stems and roots but they typically also generate additional, or lateral, meristems.
A Slippery Descent: Adolescent Traumatic Brain Injury

With prom approaching in the spring, Judy's high school planned several fundraisers to cover the cost of decorations. This included an annual fall carnival that typically attracted several hundred schoolchildren from small towns across several rural counties. Judy, a beautiful 15-year-old sophomore, was working atop the inflatable slide, where she was in charge of making sure that children safely made the transition from the top of the steps to the slippery descent. Judy gladly paid her dues by working the carnival, because she knew that her junior and senior proms would be supported by the efforts of underclassmen similar to herself.
Translingual context zones: Critical reconceptualizing of teachers’ work within the context of globalism

Abstract The authors draw on Blommaert's (2010) concept of mobile semiotic resources and Canagarajah's concept of translingual contact zones (2013) to argue that the articles in this special edition of Linguistics and Education push forward the boundaries of the interdisciplinary fields of critical applied linguistics and research in teacher education by placing the work of teachers, teacher educators, and literacy researchers in the center of semiotic analyses of language education in the context of globalism. Based on this discussion, the authors call for a reconceptualization of teachers’ work from a critical language awareness perspective.
MSQL: A Query Language for Database Mining

The tremendous number of rules generated in the mining process makes it necessary for any good data mining system to provide for powerful query primitives to post-process the generated rulebase, as well as for performing selective, query based generation. In this paper, we present the design and compilation of MSQL, the rule query language developed as part of the Discovery Board system.
Problem-solving strategies.

Problem-solving therapy is a cognitive behavioral intervention, based on a biopsychosocial, diathesis–stress model of psychopathology, that involves training individuals in a series of skills geared to enhance their ability to cope effectively with a variety of life stressors thought to engender negative health and mental health outcomes. Problem-solving therapy incorporates various training exercises, activities, and lessons that help clients overcome the following major obstacles to effective coping: cognitive overload, emotional dysregulation, negative thinking, low motivation, and ineffective problem-solving strategies. Several meta-analyses support its efficacy as an evidenced-based intervention to treat a wide variety of clinical problems and patient populations, particularly depression. Research has also documented its flexibility in terms of differing implementation venues, including individual, couples, and group approaches, as well as over the telephone and Internet. Keywords: problem-solving therapy; problem-solving skills training; social problem solving; coping; stress; depression; Social Problem-Solving Inventory; collaborative care
A 144MHz integrated resonant regulating rectifier with hybrid pulse modulation

This paper presents a CMOS fully-integrated resonant regulating rectifier (IR3) for inductive power telemetry in implantable devices. Employing PWM and PFM feedback, the IR3 achieves 1.87% of ΔV DD /V DD ratio despite a tenfold change in load with a 1nF decoupling capacitor. At 1V regulation of a 100μW load from a 144MHz RF input, the measured voltage conversion efficiency is greater than 92% at under 5.2mV pp ripple and 54% power conversion efficiency. Implemented in 180nm SOI CMOS, the IR3 circuit occupies 0.078mm2 active area.
Probing lung microstructure with hyperpolarized noble gas diffusion MRI: theoretical models and experimental results.

The introduction of hyperpolarized gases (3He and 129Xe) has opened the door to applications for which gaseous agents are uniquely suited—lung MRI. One of the pulmonary applications, diffusion MRI, relies on measuring Brownian motion of inhaled hyperpolarized gas atoms diffusing in lung airspaces. In this article we provide an overview of the theoretical ideas behind hyperpolarized gas diffusion MRI and the results obtained over the decade-long research. We describe a simple technique based on measuring gas apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and an advanced technique, in vivo lung morphometry, that quantifies lung microstructure both in terms of Weibel parameters (acinar airways radii and alveolar depth) and standard metrics (mean linear intercept, surface-to-volume ratio, and alveolar density) that are widely used by lung researchers but were previously available only from invasive lung biopsy. This technique has the ability to provide unique three-dimensional tomographic information on lung microstructure from a less than 15 s MRI scan with results that are in good agreement with direct histological measurements. These safe and sensitive diffusion measurements improve our understanding of lung structure and functioning in health and disease, providing a platform for monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in clinical trials. Magn Reson Med 71:486–505, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Encoding of Production Rules in a Connectionist Network

The task of implementing a simple rule-based production system in a connectionist architecture is discussed. To implement a connectionist-based production system, it is essential to be capable of representing explicit rules by means of simple neuronlike computing units. The architecture described here uses a local representation based upon the instance oriented symbolic/connectionist expert system SC net. The problems of variable binding and variable value instantiation are solved in the context of this system. The network is built such that only one value is bound to a variable during each rule firing cycle. Issues regarding serialization and working memory consistency are also solved. An example implementation, the Farmer's Dilemma planning problem, is given to illustrate the potential of this approach. The article shows how many different rule bases may be mapped onto a connectionist architecture for parallel execution.
Discussion of atmospheric heat sources based on the analysis of satellite drag data.

This review describes the main effects found to affect the physical properties of the upper atmosphere: the solar activity effect, the diurnal variation, the geomagnetic activity effect and the semiannual and annual variation. Furthermore a theoretical investigation of the energy balance of the upper atmosphere has been carried out by solving the time–dependent heat conduction equation combined with the hydrostatic law. Three reasons are given that the heating of the thermosphere due to absorption of solar extreme ultraviolet radiation alone cannot explain the observed diurnal variation of density and temperature. Thus it is necessary to have another heat source in addition. There is evidence that this source derives its energy ultimately from the solar corpuscular radiation and the solar wind. If an additional heat source is used, which has a maximum at about 9h local time and a flux of 1 erg cm-2 sec-1, a time-dependent model of the upper atmosphere is obtained that is in good agreement with the observed densities.
A cooperative vehicle application for dynamic lane-level model generation

Lane-level roadway modeling is a key enabling technology in the deployment of automated vehicles and connected vehicle systems. A variety of applications for these systems would be enabled by the availability of up-to-date lane-level maps; however, current mapping solutions lack this resolution and are not dynamically updated. This paper will present a method for passively collecting vehicle basic safety messages (BSM), as defined by SAE J2735, through roadside equipment (RSE), and a set of learning algorithms that utilize the information contained in the BSM to produce a local map of the roadway at an accuracy level of individual lanes. This map can then be transmitted back to vehicles in the local area as a set of sparse GPS waypoints.
Vehicle image classification via expectation-maximization algorithm

In this paper, we present a statistical method to extract images of passenger cars from highway traffic scenes. The expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is used to classify the vehicles in the images as either being passenger cars or some other bigger vehicles, cars versus non-cars. The vehicle classification algorithm uses training sets of 100-frame video sequences. The car group is comprised of passenger cars and light trucks. The non-car group is comprised of heavy single trucks as well as 3-axle and more combination trucks. We use the properties of their dimensional distribution and the probability of their appearance to identify the vehicle group. We present a validation of our algorithm using real-world traffic scenes.
The kinetics of the main phase transition of aqueous dispersions of phospholipids induced by pressure jump and monitored by raman spectroscopy

The sensitivity of the melting transition temperature of aqueous dispersions of dipalmitoyl- and distearoylphosphatidylcholine to hydrostatic pressure is used to allow measurement of the rates of isothermal freezing and melting of the lipids by rapidly changing the pressure. The degree of order of the lipids is measured by monitoring a ratio of two points in the Raman spectrum of the lipids which changes sharply at the melting temperature. Use of this Raman order ratio allows correlation between the order of the sample and the rates of transition in a manner which is impossible by monitoring only turbidity. Our longest relaxation times range upwards from a few seconds for both compounds. The freezing rates are slowest when the samples are initially fully melted, and the melting rates are slowest when the samples are initially frozen. These results imply that nucleation of the growing phase dominates the kinetics of both freezing and melting.
The functional anatomy of the shoulder of the savannah monitor lizard (Varanus exanthematicus)

The excursions of the scapulocoracoid and forelimb and the activity of 18 shoulder muscles were studied by simultaneous cineradiography and electromyography in Savannah Monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) walking on a treadmill at speeds of 0.7–1.1 km/hour. During the propulsive phase, the humerus moves anteroposteriorly 40–55° and rotates a total of 30–40°. Simultaneously, the coracoid translates posteriorly along the tongue-and-groove coracosternal joint by a distance equivalent to about 40% the length of the coracoid. Biceps brachii, coraco-brachialis brevis and longus, the middle and posterior parts of the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis, serratus anterior, serratus anterior superficialis, subscapularis, supracoracoideus, and triceps usually become active during the late swing phase and continue activity throughout most or all of propulsion. The anterior part of the latissimus dorsi is active during the transition from propulsive to swing phases. Brachialis, deltoideus scapularis, levator scapulae, the anterior part of pectoralis, scapulo-humeralis posterior, and subcoracoideus are active primarily during the swing phase; they are occasionally active during propulsion. Deltoideus clavicularis, scapulo-humeralis posterior, sternocoracoideus, and the posterior part of the trapezius are biphasic, with activity in both the propulsive and swing phases. A number of shoulder muscles in Varanus exanthematicus and Didelphis virginiana (the Virginia opossum) are similar in attachments, in activity patterns with respect to phases of the step cycle, and in apparent actions. These similarities are interpreted as a pattern inherited from the ancestors of higher tetrapods. The sliding coracosternal joint permits an increase in step length without demanding greater excursion at the shoulder and elbow joints.
On the noise performance of bipolar transistors in untuned amplifiers

Abstract From a generalized approach this paper reexamines the noise performance of bipolar transistors in untuned amplifiers. New results are obtained for the upper corner frequency which fully characterize the frequency dependent noise figure curves under conditions of arbitrary and optimum source conductance termination. The effects of the collector bias current on the minimum noise figure, the optimum source conductance and the upper noise corner frequency are presented both analytically and graphically. The results also include the effects of source capacitance on noise figures. A systematic design of low-noise untuned low-pass amplifiers with desired gain-bandwidth performance can be readily achieved with the help of the results presented.
Nonlinear model-based in-line control of wastewater pH: A laboratory study

Abstract A nonlinear model-based controller has been developed and demonstrated for in-line neutralization of acidic mixtures. The controller consists of a simple, steady-state, three-parameter, nonlinear phenomenological model which mimics a wide range of titration curves from strong acid to highly buffered systems. The model is parameterized from on-line process data whenever nearly steady-state conditions are statistically identified. Results show excellent control performance in the presence of both ramp and step changes in acid type, acid concentration and flow rate upsets.
Differential modulation of human beta-defensin-3 expression in human oral epithelial cells by HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7: potential implication in oral cancer

Background Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect stratified squamous mucosal and cutaneous epithelia, causing diseases ranging from benign warts to invasive tumors. Failure of the immune system to detect and clear persistent HPV infections frequently leads to the development of oral warts and cancer. HPV infection has been etiologically linked with oral warts and a subset of oral squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in HIV infected patients. The incidence of HPV-related oral lesions is increased in HIV+ subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We previously showed that tumor cells in oral carcinoma in situ (CIS) lesions overexpress human beta-defensin-3 (hBD-3), an antimicrobial peptide with immunomodulatory capabilities. Expression of hBD-3 in CIS contributes to the local pro-tumor immune response by selectively chemoattracting tumorassociated macrophages and by enhancing tumor development and progression.
Barrier dynamics for GIS: a design pattern for geospatial barriers

When separation between geospatial features is desired, an obstacle or barrier is used to maintain distance between the features. Barriers are used in a wide variety of domains, such as hazards, transportation, and public safety. Floodwalls, for example, prevent flooding rivers or lakes from inundating buildings. This work presents an ontology design pattern for barriers and barring events useful for GIS. In this ontology design pattern, active features e.g., the water-body that is causing flooding and target features e.g., buildings requiring flood protection are defined. Along with these key features, the ontology design pattern also captures certain barring events. These are the dynamics that arise from the placement of barriers and include Blocking, Enclosing, KeepingIn and KeepingOut, involving interactions among barriers, and active and target features. The set of classes that model these features and events as well as the relations between them are presented and formalized. This design pattern is ready for integration in a GIS to allow queries on barriers and barring events that do not currently have explicit support in most GIS.
Quantitative evaluation of the relative cell permeability of peptoids and peptides

We evaluated quantitatively the relative cell permeability of peptoids and peptides using a cell-based reporter gene-based assay. Generally, peptoids were much more cell permeable than the corresponding peptides, though the difference decreased with increasing length. These results suggest that peptoids may be useful reagents for manipulating the activities of intracellular proteins.
The Kaiser's Voters: Electors and Elections in Imperial Germany . By Jonathan Sperber. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1997. Pp. xiii + 389. $64.95. ISBN 0521-59138-4.

Published: Central European History, vol. 34, no. 1 (2001): Margaret Lavinia Anderson, Review of The Kaiser's Voters. Electors and elections in Imperial Germany. By Jonathan Sperber. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Pp. xiii + 389. $64.95. ISBN 0521 59138 4. For more than a century scholars have argued about the social bases of German electoral politics. In the 1905 Archiv fur Sozialwissenschaft und Sozialpolitik Robert Blank dropped a statistical bombshell with his claim to have proven that a significant proportion of Socialist voters in recent elections must be coming from the middle class. Though Blank's findings gave ammunition both to Bernsteinians then and Bolsheviks later (albeit for different reasons), scholars--beginning with Max Weber's instant rebuttal in the same issue--decided overwhelmingly against him. Now here comes Jonathan Sperber with his computer and argues that Blank's challenge to Marxist orthodoxy was too modest. Although our view of the SPD electorate as largely urban and Protestant survives Sperber's ecological regressions, the picture of the SPD as a labor party does not. The Social Democrats after 1900 won nearly as many of their voters from the middle as from the working classes: perhaps as much as forty-five percent. And if the middle classes voted socialist, a fairly constant thirty-five percent of Protestant workers after 1890 voted conservative or (increasingly over time) liberal. Sperber makes short work of
Contacting rough surfaces hertzian contacts versus welded areas

For two rough plates pressed against one another, two types of contacts can be distinguished: Hertzian ones and “welded” areas. We find that the two types produce the same effect on the incremental stiffness of the interface and on the effective conductivity across it if their contact areas are the same.
The role of dopamine agonists in early Parkinson's disease

Recent evidence from clinical studies suggests an expanded role for dopamine agonists as initial dopaminergic monotherapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The rationale for the use of dopamine agonist monotherapy in early disease is to delay the initiation of levodopa or to decrease the total exposure to levodopa, thereby reducing the motor complications of long-term levodopa therapy. Dopamine agonists, when used alone, rarely promote the development of dyskinesias and motor fluctuations that complicate levodopa treatment. Theoretically, there is potential for a neuroprotective effect by decreasing the oxidative breakdown of dopamine and free radical generation. Because they act on postsynaptic dopamine receptors of the striatum, dopamine agonists act independent of the synthetic dopaminergic enzyme system and are not dependent on degenerating presynaptic neurons in the substantia nigra. This article will review the traditional role of dopamine agonists and will focus on emerging strategies for the treatment of PD, including early monotherapy with dopamine agonists and early combination therapy with dopamine agonists and levodopa.
The Meanings of Lesbianism in Post-War America

I had been a closet gay before I got married, about 1948, which means I had a relationship with a woman, and I'd been in love with her but I thought I was the only person in the world. There was no others in the world. I had never read a gay book. I didn't even know the word ‘gay’… I didn't know the word ‘lesbian’… And I really believe that women used to dress mannish simply to get you to know who they were … In those days it was very important.1
In vitro delivery of doxycycline hydrochloride based on a porous membrane-based aqueous–organic partitioning system

This work investigated the controlled release of an antibiotic drug, doxycycline HCl, from its solution/suspension in an organic solvent in a reservoir through a porous membrane employing aqueous-organic partitioning with or without a mouse skin to simulate a skin patch. The reservoir contained the agent in solution in the solvent 1-octanol or its dispersion/solution in the solvent mineral oil with or without an enhancer. The porous membranes employed with water-in-pores were hydrophobic Celgard 2400 of polypropylene and hydrophilized polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Conventional Franz diffusion cells as well as a skin patch were used. The transport rates of the agent observed through both Celgard and PVDF membranes could be successfully described by Fickian diffusion through the water-filled pores when the appropriate organic-aqueous partition coefficient was incorporated. The light mineral oil-based system yielded much higher permeability due to the much lower organic-aqueous partition coefficient of the antibiotic in light mineral oil. The optimized skin patch systems yielded drug flux and permeability values similar to their relevant membrane systems. The addition of a mouse skin beneath the patch drastically reduced the drug transfer rate. Among a number of enhancers used to correct this deficiency, linoleic acid at 10% level in the reservoir solution was found to yield a flux of 2.7 +/- 0.5 microg/cm(2) h and a permeability of 2.7e - 04 +/- 5.0e - 05 cm/h. These values are higher than the values available in literature obtained with full thickness human cadaver skin.
K a -band loaded-line phase shifter design on flexible substrate

This paper describes a phase shifter design on flexible liquid crystal polymer substrate, in which a coplanar waveguide line is periodically loaded with tunable inter-digital capacitors. The metal layer of the capacitors is positioned beneath a tunable BST layer. This leads to capacitance variation when different DC biasing voltages are applied. The proposed phase shifter has been designed at K a band and simulated using both full-wave EM solver and circuit simulator. This phase shifter shows an insertion loss of 1.4 dB and a phase shift of 55.7° at 32 GHz. Return losses at both ports are more than 20 dB, which indicates very good impedance matching.
Evaluation and Treatment of Transfusional Iron Overload in Children

Red blood cell transfusions are increasingly used in the management of various anemias, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Because the body lacks physiologic mechanisms for removing excess iron, transfusional iron overload is a common complication in children receiving regular transfusions. Iron chelation is necessary to remove the excess iron that causes injury to the heart, liver, and endocrine organs. Three chelators, deferoxamine, deferasirox, and deferiprone, are currently available in the United States. When choosing a chelator regimen, patients, parents, and providers may consider a variety of factors, including the severity of iron overload, administration schedule, and adverse effect profile.
The influence of substrate absorbency on coating surface chemistry

Abstract The composition of the top surface of a coating layer can influence its functional properties or subsequent processing steps. The effect of the substrate absorbency on the coating surface chemistry is reported. Different coating systems containing a kaolin clay pigment, fine or coarse precipitated calcium carbonates, and a common latex binder were examined. The influence of a soluble polymer added into the coating was characterized. The surface chemistry was measured with attenuated total internal reflectance (ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Absorbent substrates generate bulky coatings with high voids and low gloss. Rapid dewatering by the absorbent substrate pulls the small particles, like latex binder, away from the top layers causing a low latex concentration at the surface. On non-absorbent substrates, the addition of the soluble polymer generates coating layers with higher void volume, lower gloss, and lower latex concentrations at the coating surface. However, on absorbent substrates, polymer addition causes coatings with lower void volumes and higher gloss. In this case, the rapid dewatering and mobility of particles is reduced by the polymer, which helps to retain the small particles at the surface. As a result, latex concentration at the surface increases with polymer addition on absorbent substrates.
Engineering Properties of Carbonate Marine Sediments

Geotechnical properties of deep-sea sediments are examined in terms of their plasticity, compressibility and frictional strength characteristics, especially in terms of the relative abundance of carbonate and clay fractions. The effect of carbonate content in excess of 40% is to reduce Atterberg limits and compressibility, and to increase peak friction angles, compared to sediments from the deep ocean that have lower carbonate amounts. The presence of carbonate also tends to reduce flocculation and in situ water content.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Noise verification techniques for the mixed-signal chip/package/board of digital TV systems

Digital noise caused by power and signal distribution networks propagates to a noise-sensitive analog macro through the chip, package and board in a mixed-signal system. The noise propagation degrades electrical performances of the mixed-signal system. The latest digital TV systems, especially, mounting an image-processing system LSI request 10-bits accuracy ADCs (Analog-Digital Converter) and the noise suppression of less than 0.24mV(12-bit resolution) in order to realize high-definition video pictures. This paper describes very small noise chip-package-board co-design and verification techniques we developed for mixed-signal systems, like digital TV systems, mounting high-resolution ADCs. Simulations and measurements using a 90-nm process TEG (Test Element Group) chip involving ADCs demonstrate the validation of these techniques. Near magnetic field distributions widely used to diagnose sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems also apply to these noise co-design and co-simulation. We have defined the very small noise described in this paper as “micro noise”.
Protein Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Carriers for Cancer Therapy

Nanoparticles have increasingly been used for a variety of applications, most notably for the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. A large number of nanoparticle drug delivery systems have been developed for cancer treatment and various materials have been explored as drug delivery agents to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety of anticancer drugs. Natural biomolecules such as proteins are an attractive alternative to synthetic polymers which are commonly used in drug formulations because of their safety. In general, protein nanoparticles offer a number of advantages including biocompatibility and biodegradability. They can be prepared under mild conditions without the use of toxic chemicals or organic solvents. Moreover, due to their defined primary structure, protein-based nanoparticles offer various possibilities for surface modifications including covalent attachment of drugs and targeting ligands. In this paper, we review the most significant advancements in protein nanoparticle technology and their use in drug delivery arena. We then examine the various sources of protein materials that have been used successfully for the construction of protein nanoparticles as well as their methods of preparation. Finally, we discuss the applications of protein nanoparticles in cancer therapy.
Precocious Male Cone Production associated with Low Nutrient Status in Clones of Pinus radiata

WAREING1 has reported that in Pinus sylvestris male and female cones are frequently borne on separate shoot systems. Female cones develop first, appearing on strong leading shoots on the main stem, and later also on vigorous first-order branches. Male cones are not produced until some years after the first female cones, and then appear on weaker twigs in the basal region of the lower branches. This distinction in the position of male and female cones suggests that the type of cone developing on a branch system is dependent on the internal condition of that system. Moorby and Wareing2 have since suggested that the condition necessary for the onset of male coning is a certain degree of ageing, and they showed that ageing occurs in a branch system when this becomes sufficiently complex to lead to intensified competition for nutrients between the constituent shoots of the system. That is, male cones may tend to occur on twigs where the nutrient supply is limited.
Chromium and its relation to carbohydrate metabolism

Chromium is an essential nutrient and can be expected to be effective only in the treatment or prevention of a deficiency. Chromium occurs in numerous foods in the form of a complex with nicotinic acid and, possibly, three amino acids. This complex is called glucose tolerance factor. In this form, chromium is better absorbed, it is excreted almost exclusively via the urine. Therefore, the measurement of daily urinary chromium excretion is a promising tool for the diagnosis of gross abnormalities in chromium metabolism in animals and man.
Polyethylene glycol-induced stabilization of subtilisin

Abstract Methoxypolyethylene glycol (PEG, molecular weight 5,000), activated by cyanuric chloride or nitrophenol carbonate, was used to modify subtilisin Carlsberg. The thermostabilities of both the native and PEG-modified enzymes were studied via activity assays and differential scanning calorimetry. The two PEG-modified enzymes were significantly more stable against both temperature and pH, but the thermal transition temperature of the enzyme was not greatly changed. The kinetics of enzyme deactivation for each enzyme indicate that the increased stability upon PEG modification is probably the result of a decrease in the rate of autolysis rather than an increase in intrinsic stability.
The distance between the anticodon loops of two tRNAs bound to the 70 S Escherichia coli ribosome.

Abstract Using singlet-singlet energy transfer, we have measured the distance between the anticodons of two transfer RNAs simultaneously bound to a messengerprogramed Escherichia coli 70 S ribosome. The fluorescent Y base adjacent to the anticodon of yeast tRNAYPhe serves as a donor. A proflavine (Pf) chemically substituted for the Y base in tRNAPfPhe serves as an acceptor. By exploiting the sequential binding properties of 70 S ribosomes for two deacylated tRNAs, we can fill the strong site with either tRNAYPhe or tRNAPfPhe and then the weak site with the other tRNA. In both cases donor quenching and sensitized emission of the acceptor are observed. Analysis of these results leads to an estimate for the Y-proflavine distance of 18 ± 2 A. This distance is very short and suggests strongly that the two tRNAs are simultaneously in contact with adjacent codons of the message. Separate experiments show that binding of a tRNA to the weak site does not perturb the environment of the hypermodified base of a tRNA bound to the strong site. This supports the assignment of the strong site as the peptidyl site. It also indicates that binding of the second tRNA proceeds without a change in the anticodon structure of a pre-existing tRNA at the peptidyl site.
Measurements of high-frequency sound propagation in /sup 3/He-B

Measurements of the attenuation and velocity of pulsed high-frequency sound have been performed up to 133 MHz in superfluid $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-$B$. A new collective mode of the order parameter was discovered at a frequency extrapolated to ${T}_{c}$ of $\ensuremath{\omega}=(1.165\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05){\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{BCS}}({T}_{c})$, where ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{BCS}}(T)$ is the energy gap in the weak-coupling BCS theory. The group velocity has been observed to decrease by as much as $\frac{2}{3}$ of the zero-sound velocity.
Inverse global illumination: recovering reflectance models of real scenes from photographs

In this paper we present a method for recovering the reflectance properties of all surfaces in a real scene from a sparse set of photographs, taking into account both direct and indirect illumination. The result is a lighting-independent model of the scene’s geometry and reflectance properties, which can be rendered with arbitrary modifications to structure and lighting via traditional rendering methods. Our technique models reflectance with a lowparameter reflectance model, and allows diffuse albedo to vary arbitrarily over surfaces while assuming that non-diffuse characteristics remain constant across particular regions. The method’s input is a geometric model of the scene and a set of calibrated high dynamic range photographs taken with known direct illumination. The algorithm hierarchically partitions the scene into a polygonal mesh, and uses image-based rendering to construct estimates of both the radiance and irradiance of each patch from the photographic data. The algorithm computes the expected location of specular highlights, and then analyzes the highlight areas in the images by running a novel iterative optimization procedure to recover the diffuse and specular reflectance parameters for each region. Lastly, these parameters are used in constructing high-resolution diffuse albedo maps for each surface. The algorithm has been applied to both real and synthetic data, including a synthetic cubical room and a real meeting room. Rerenderings are produced using a global illumination system under both original and novel lighting, and with the addition of synthetic objects. Side-by-side comparisons show success at predicting the appearance of the scene under novel lighting conditions. CR Categories: I.2.10 [Artificial Intelligence]: Vision and Scene Understanding—modeling and recovery of physical attributes I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-dimensional Graphics and Realism—color, shading, shadowing, and texture I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism— Radiosity I.4.8 [Image Processing]: Scene Analysis—Color, photometry, shading
A reliable method for recovering cryopreserved hybridoma cells for cloning

A method is described for the reliable recovery of hybridoma cell lines from cryogenic storage. This procedure provides for (a) the efficient retrieval of cells secreting antibody for rapid confirmation of specific antibody production; (b) cells for cloning; (c) cells for restocking the liquid nitrogen storage banks; and (d) cultures to detect and possibly eliminate contamination.
Are social class measures interchangeable

This study analyzes the internal and external consistency of standard and alternative measures of stratification position. Researchers and theorists have used a number of concepts to describe individual's position within the stratification system, e.g., level of education, occupational prestige, and Marxist class position. The central issues of this paper are the degree to which each of the operationalizations of these concepts (current in the literature) are related to one another, the degree to which the operationalizations of each concept are related to the operationalizations of other concepts that measure stratification position, and the extent to which these operational measures are “interchangeable.” Using data collected in the SRC/CPS 1980 American National Election Study, we find the strongest relationships to exist among those indicators which measure the same concept (e.g., the NORC Prestige Scale and the Duncan SEI), although all indicators are positively related. Regression analyses employing different criterion variables as dependent variables and several measures of stratification position as independent variables reveal that these measures are not “interchangeable.”
Graphene-based contrast agents for photoacoustic and thermoacoustic tomography.

In this work, graphene nanoribbons and nanoplatelets were investigated as contrast agents for photoacoustic and thermoacoustic tomography (PAT and TAT). We show that oxidized single- and multi-walled graphene oxide nanoribbons (O-SWGNRs, O-MWGNRs) exhibit approximately 5–10 fold signal enhancement for PAT in comparison to blood at the wavelength of 755 nm, and approximately 10–28% signal enhancement for TAT in comparison to deionized (DI) water at 3 GHz. Oxidized graphite microparticles (O-GMPs) and exfoliated graphene oxide nanoplatelets (O-GNPs) show no significant signal enhancement for PAT, and approximately 12–29% signal enhancement for TAT. These results indicate that O-GNRs show promise as multi-modal PAT and TAT contrast agents, and that O-GNPs are suitable contrast agents for TAT.
Design of a plastic scintillator hodoscope with one millimeter spatial resolution

Abstract The design of two high resolution plastic scintillator hodoscopes is described. The hodoscopes have 1 mm spatial resolution and 6 ns time resolution. Each hodoscope has an active area of approximately 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm. Test results are presented.
Tribological properties of nanocrystalline diamond films with different nanoscale morphology and bonding characteristics

The morphology and bonding characteristics of nanocrystalline diamond films prepared with different Ar:H ratios have been studied and are correlated to tribological performance. A coating made with high Ar:H ratio displayed low friction of 0.05 and very minimal wear, while the low Ar:H film showed high friction (> 0.2), rapid wear, and complete failure after 50 cycles. As both films had the same rms roughness, their different tribology appears to stem from a change in morphology.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Selective monovalent cation association and exchange around Keplerate polyoxometalate macroanions in dilute aqueous solutions.

The interaction between water-soluble Keplerate polyoxometalate {Mo72Fe30} macroions and small countercations is explored by laser light scattering, anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) techniques. The macroions are found to be able to select the type of associated counterions based upon the counterions’ valence state and hydrated size, when multiple types of additional cations are present in solution (even among different monovalent cations). The preference goes to the cations with higher valences or smaller hydrated sizes if the valences are identical. This counterion exchange process changes the magnitude of the macroion−counterion interaction and, thus, is reflected in the dimension of the self-assembled {Mo72Fe30} blackberry supramolecular structures. The hydrophilic macroions exhibit a competitive recognition of various monovalent counterions in dilute solutions. A critical salt concentration (CSC) for each type of cation exists for the blackberr...
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON A CASE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL ALBUMINURIA.

1. The proteids consisted of albumins and globulins, varying in quantity between the extremes of .9010 grm. and .2592 grm. in the 24 hours, but usually between .7 and .37 grm., the average being .5317 grm. 2. The quantity of the proteids varies directly as the urea, inversely as the external temperature. The relation between the quantity of urine and the quantity of proteid is not constant. The quantity of the proteida is little affected by diuretics; it tends to be increased by certain drugs that act upon the circulation. It is lessened during sleep. It is apt to suffer a sudden temporary increase, returning as suddenly to the usual average. For this phenomenon we have no explanation. 3. From .5449 to .6616 grm. of coagulable proteids a day (.0079 to .0094 grm. per kilo of body-weight) may be excreted through the urine for an indefinite time by an otherwise healthy individual without damage to either kidneys or organism.
Organism size promotes the evolution of specialized cells in multicellular digital organisms

Specialized cells are the essence of complex multicellular life. Fossils allow us to study the modification of specialized, multicellular features such as jaws, scales, and muscular appendages. But it is still unclear what organismal properties contributed to the transition from undifferentiated organisms, which contain only a single cell type, to multicellular organisms with specialized cells. Using digital organisms I studied this transition. My simulations show that the transition to specialized cells happens faster in organism composed of many cells than in organisms composed of few cells. Large organisms suffer less from temporarily unsuccessful evolutionary experiments with individual cells, allowing them to evolve specialized cells via evolutionary trajectories that are unavailable to smaller organisms. This demonstrates that the evolution of simple multicellular organisms which are composed of many functionally identical cells accelerates the evolution of more complex organisms with specialized cells.
An economic analysis of non-Bt corn refuges

Abstract Planting Bt transgenic corn in large areas of the environment may lead to European corn borer (ECB) [ Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] resistance to Bt toxins. Scientists recommend planting a non-Bt corn refuge of at least 20% of total corn area in close proximity to Bt corn as part of an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategy. A partial budget analysis was used to estimate the costs of implementing alternative refuge configurations in the US Corn Belt. A strip configuration is the least cost method of planting a 20% non-Bt corn refuge. A block-U refuge combination is only slightly more costly.The costs are small regardless of configuration choice and it is likely that other considerations, such as potential GMO segregation requirements, will dictate choice of configuration.
Comparison of lung and kidney allografts in induction of tolerance by a mixed-chimerism approach in cynomolgus monkeys.

Lung transplantation is an established therapeutic option for a variety of end-stage lung diseases. However, despite improvements in immunosuppression, five-year survival is only approximately 50% (1). One of the most robust means of inducing transplantation tolerance is through the creation of a mixed-chimeric recipient. (2–6). Based on studies in mice, we have developed a non-myeloablative regimen that can induce mixed chimerism and renal allograft tolerance in MHC-mismatched cynomolgus monkey kidney recipients (4, 5). Here we applied the analogous approach to MHC-mismatched lung allografts in cynomolgus monkeys and compared the results with those previously reported in kidney recipients (5).