cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Far Infrared Spectra of Rare-Earth Iron Garnets

Transmission measurements on a number of ferrimagnetic rare-earth iron garnets at low temperatures indicate that both collective and single-ion excitations are observable. Kaplan-Kittel exchange resonances, wherein a mutual precession of the iron and rare-earth sublattices occurs, have been observed at 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K in YbIG (14.0 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$), ErIG (10.0 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$), SmIG (33.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$), and HoIG (38.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$). The exchange resonances are usually easily identified by their characteristic temperature dependence, which stems from the marked temperature dependence of the rare-earth sublattice magnetization. On the other hand, the single-ion transitions, resulting from transitions between rare-earth ion energy levels split by the crystalline electric field and the iron exchange field, are relatively independent of temperature below 70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, because the iron sublattice producing the exchange field remains nearly completely ordered. The observation of single-ion transitions has permitted a rather detailed study of the fields acting on an individual rare-earth ion in the garnet structure. For example, measurement of the angular dependence and Zeeman shift of the exchange-split Kramers doublet of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ in YbIG indicates that both the spectroscopic $g$ values of the ground doublet and the exchange field acting on the doublet are anisotropic. Also, a slight temperature dependence of the single-ion splitting in both ErIG and SmIG suggests that a weak ferromagnetic rare-earth-rare-earth coupling exists. Further, single-ion transitions from the ground state of the rare-earth ion to higher crystal-field states as modified by the iron exchange field have been identified in ErIG and HoIG, but a detailed level assignment has not been possible. Finally, the absence of observable single-ion transitions in GdIG confirms the predicted dependence of these on crystal field-induced inequivalence of rare-earth ions, which is negligible for an $S$-state ion such as ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$.
Immunotherapy-responsive pain in an abattoir worker with Fluctuating potassium channel-complex IgG

In late 2007, a neurologic disorder was identified in the midwestern United States among swine abattoir workers who were exposed to aerosolized brain tissue.1,2 All patients reported positive sensory symptoms with pain. Neurologic signs and electrophysiologic testing abnormalities were limited and compatible with a sensory-predominant painful polyradiculoneuropathy.1 Serologic analysis revealed an unusual profile of neural-specific autoantibodies.1,3 Here we describe an early presenting case from this outbreak who was followed longitudinally with pain-predominant symptomatology, a newly recognized manifestation of voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC)-complex autoimmunity.4 In the course of IV immune globulin therapy, the patient's pain symptoms paralleled fluctuating levels of VGKC-complex autoantibodies.
Study of harmonic power generation

OCCASIONALLY it is desirable and even necessary to have available sources of voltage supply of harmonic frequencies. Rotating machines with the appropriate number of poles have been used for this purpose. When the power requirements are low, electronic devices may be used. This article presents results of an analysis of a nonlinear static element circuit which also may be useful as an efficient source of voltage supply of harmonic frequency of good waveform. The circuit is unique in that it uses neither rotating parts nor electronic devices.
Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting as multiple soft tissue masses

Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare clinical disorder which may present in many forms. While classically a disease of lymph nodes, soft tissue involvement is fairly common. Soft tissue involvement can occur without any lymphatic or systemic involvement, and may be difficult to diagnose. We describe a patient presenting with multiple soft tissue masses which on biopsy proved to be isolated cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease. MR imaging showed two well-defined nonspecific superficial masses that enhanced intensely. Review of the literature suggests that when this disease presents in soft tissue, multiple foci of involvement may be common. Although rare, Rosai-Dorfman disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with multiple soft tissue masses.
A true multistandard, programmable, low-power, full HD video-codec engine for smartphone SoC

Full HD video coding has become an essential requirement for consumer mobile applications. The functionality ranges from single channel encoding (camcorder) and decoding (video playback), to more complex use cases such as video conferencing (encode + decode) and transcoding. There is increasing demand for higher visual quality, and the wide spectrum of video content requires support for multiple standards. Low power and area efficiency are also equally critical requirements for these applications. Low power video codecs [1–3] employ hardwired implementations targeted to a specific standard and address either encode or decode. Low power is typically achieved by using single codec optimized circuitry and massive parallelism so that the design can run at lower voltage and frequency. Such an approach is not area efficient for an application processor which needs to support multiple (10+) video standards and a range of rate-distortion flexible encoding algorithms. Multicore programmable processors [5] can support multiple standards, but are not scalable to meet full HD performance of complex standards like H.264 High Profile (HP) in a low-power CMOS process, and are inefficient in terms of area and power. The approach [4] of decoupling stream processing and pixel processing, and using a 2 mac-roblock pipeline helps meet the performance, but introduces a frame delay resulting in higher latency. Video conferencing not only requires low latency but also requires encoding with a fixed limit on the number of bits per slice [RFC3984: RTP Payload Format for H.264 Video]. The 2 macroblock pipeline cannot support this requirement without impacting the performance or the bitrate. The TI OMAP 4 application processor addresses these challenges with a dedicated video coding engine built with algorithm-specific hardware accelerators.
Testing of kisspeptin levels in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty and its significance

The aim of this study was to explore the significance of plasma kisspeptin levels in diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation through the analysis of the kisspeptin levels of girls diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) prior to treatment and after 6-months of treatment and those with simple premature thelarche (PT). A total of 70 girls including 24 girls diagnosed with ICPP, 21 girls with PT and 25 normal girls were enrolled in the study. ELISA analysis was conducted to detect the plasma levels of kisspeptin. The kisspeptin level of the ICPP group prior to treatment (1.80±0.13 ng/ml) was significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The kisspeptin level of the ICPP group after 6 months of treatment (1.49±0.21 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that prior to treatment (P<0.05). It may be concluded that the plasma level of kisspeptin is associated with the initiation of pubertal development, and it may serve as an important parameter in the diagnosis of ICPP and the evaluation of therapeutic effects.
The role of Mongolian nomadic pastoralists' ecological knowledge in rangeland management.

Past stereotypes of indigenous pastoralists as ignorant and environmentally destructive are being revised as ecological and social science research advances. As yet, little documentation of pastoralists' ecological knowledge exists, and even less is known about how this knowledge is, or can be, applied to resource management. This paper outlines the ecological knowledge of Mongolian nomadic pastoralists and its role in rangeland management, showing how herders' knowledge is reflected in pasture use norms and attitudes toward pasture privatization, as well as herding practices. The paper explores the potentially contradictory roles of pastoralists' ecological knowledge and perceptions in the current management context.
The role of RNA interference (RNAi) in arbovirus-vector interactions.

RNA interference (RNAi) was shown over 18 years ago to be a mechanism by which arbovirus replication and transmission could be controlled in arthropod vectors. During the intervening period, research on RNAi has defined many of the components and mechanisms of this antiviral pathway in arthropods, yet a number of unexplored questions remain. RNAi refers to RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression. Originally, the term described silencing of endogenous genes by introduction of exogenous double-stranded (ds)RNA with the same sequence as the gene to be silenced. Further research has shown that RNAi comprises three gene regulation pathways that are mediated by small RNAs: the small interfering (si)RNA, micro (mi)RNA, and Piwi-interacting (pi)RNA pathways. The exogenous (exo-)siRNA pathway is now recognized as a major antiviral innate immune response of arthropods. More recent studies suggest that the piRNA and miRNA pathways might also have important roles in arbovirus-vector interactions. This review will focus on current knowledge of the role of the exo-siRNA pathway as an arthropod vector antiviral response and on emerging research into vector piRNA and miRNA pathway modulation of arbovirus-vector interactions. Although it is assumed that arboviruses must evade the vector’s antiviral RNAi response in order to maintain their natural transmission cycles, the strategies by which this is accomplished are not well defined. RNAi is also an important tool for arthropod gene knock-down in functional genomics studies and in development of arbovirus-resistant mosquito populations. Possible arbovirus strategies for evasion of RNAi and applications of RNAi in functional genomics analysis and arbovirus transmission control will also be reviewed.
Mortality, survival and prevalence: Traumatic spinal cord injury in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1935–1981☆

Mortality, prevalence, and survival from traumatic spinal cord injury were examined in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1935 through 1981. One hundred and fifty-four incident cases and 30 additional cases who were Olmsted County residents on at least one of four prevalence dates were identified. The average annual age-adjusted mortality for spinal cord injury, including deaths attributable to spinal cord injury occurring at any time after injury was 28.5 per million population. The rates in males were consistently greater than females, peaking to 61.0 in the period 1965–1974. Thirty-eight percent of cases did not survive long enough to be hospitalized. Survival was 58% in the first week post-injury. However, for those who survived the first day and the first year, the 10-year survival was 77 and 87%, respectively. Early fatality in males was associated with single marital status (p = 0.0033) and comcommitant head trauma (p = 0.0122), and in females with pedestrian or bicyclist status at injury (p < 0.0001). Long-term survival was dependent on age (p < 0.0001) and functional disability (p = 0.04). Point prevalence of spinal cord injured patients increased from 197 per million population in 1950 to 473 in 1980. This increase in prevalence was due at least in part to increasing incidence over time. An improvement in survival over the time period of the study could not be detected.
Error control of the translation operator in 3D MLFMA

This paper presents an extension of a new approach to select the truncation number for translation operators in a 3D multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA). Although error is harder to control in 3D than in 2D problems, this recently developed new approach provides better error control in 3D problems over the excess bandwidth formula. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 184–188, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10862
A characterization of Hering's plane of order 27

Hering's translation plane of order 27 has been characterized by its order and the fact that it admits SL(2, 13) in its translation complement (see [1]). We show that, aside from the Desarguian plane and a Generalized, Andre plane, it is the only plane of order 27 which admits a subgroup of SL(2, 13) of order 13×12.
Cell Lineage Identification and Stem Cell Culture in a Porcine Model for the Study of Intestinal Epithelial Regeneration

Significant advances in intestinal stem cell biology have been made in murine models; however, anatomical and physiological differences between mice and humans limit mice as a translational model for stem cell based research. The pig has been an effective translational model, and represents a candidate species to study intestinal epithelial stem cell (IESC) driven regeneration. The lack of validated reagents and epithelial culture methods is an obstacle to investigating IESC driven regeneration in a pig model. In this study, antibodies against Epithelial Adhesion Molecule 1 (EpCAM) and Villin marked cells of epithelial origin. Antibodies against Proliferative Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), Minichromosome Maintenance Complex 2 (MCM2), Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and phosphorylated Histone H3 (pH3) distinguished proliferating cells at various stages of the cell cycle. SOX9, localized to the stem/progenitor cells zone, while HOPX was restricted to the +4/‘reserve’ stem cell zone. Immunostaining also identified major differentiated lineages. Goblet cells were identified by Mucin 2 (MUC2); enteroendocrine cells by Chromogranin A (CGA), Gastrin and Somatostatin; and absorptive enterocytes by carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) and sucrase isomaltase (SIM). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated morphologic and sub-cellular characteristics of stem cell and differentiated intestinal epithelial cell types. Quantitative PCR gene expression analysis enabled identification of stem/progenitor cells, post mitotic cell lineages, and important growth and differentiation pathways. Additionally, a method for long-term culture of porcine crypts was developed. Biomarker characterization and development of IESC culture in the porcine model represents a foundation for translational studies of IESC-driven regeneration of the intestinal epithelium in physiology and disease.
Chemical pollutants in relation to diseases in fish.

Studies were conducted on the frequency of oncogenic disease in fishes in polluted waters and interrelationships of human pathogens to aquatic problems. Chemical surveys were made of the polluted Fox River and the pollution-free Canadian Lake of the Woods. A table is presented to show fish diseases in polluted and nonpolluted waters. An experiment on the effects of certain minerals on bluegills showed a deleterious effect on longevity of the fish. The following diseases are discussed with regard to causative organism, symptoms, and incidence: columnaris disease, hemorrhagic disease, Dee (kidney) disease, saprolegnia, black spot, catfish virus disease, lymphocystis, lymphoreticular neoplasms, and hepatoma. To determine the efficiency and toxicity of disinfectants used in the treatment of sewage, minnows were raised in effluent from sewage treatment plants and additionally treated with disinfectants. Polio types 1-3 were present in intestinal tracts of fish raised in effluent that was not disinfected and in fish exposed to effluent treated with bromochloride and ozone. Levels of chlorine used were capable of eliminating a potential health hazard; other treatments such as bromochlorination and ozonation were not able to eliminate this possibility. Studies on the toxicity of vinyl chloride to northern pike showed that the fish were killedmore » rapidly by this chemical. (HLW)« less
Synthesis of 3′-Phosphate Adducts of Cyclopenta[cd]Pyrene with Deoxyguanosine via 3′-H-Phosphonate Intermediates

Abstract 32P-postlabeling, a highly sensitive chromatographic technique used to detect DNA adducts in vivo, requires synthetic chromatographic standards to definitively identify stereochemical configurations of adducts. Herein is reported a versatile synthetic route to stereo-chemically pure deoxyguanosine-3′-phosphate adducts of cyclopenta[cd]pyrene (CPP), a widespread environmental mutagenic and carcinogenic nonalternant PAH. The synthetic route, applicable to deoxyadenosine and other PAH nucleotide adducts, proceeds through a 3′-H-phosphonate intermediate which also serves as a valuable synthon for site-specifically modified oligomers. Stereochemically pure nucleotide adducts of CPP with deoxyguanosine were obtained by condensation of racemic trans 3-amino-4-hydroxy-CPP with 2-fluoro-2′-deoxyinosine-3′-H-phosphonate derivatives followed by oxidation to the corresponding 3′-phosphate and subsequent separation of the diastereomers by reverse phase HPLC. The separated adducts were characterized by proton ...
Fusion of multi-sensor surface elevation data for improved characterization of rapidly changing outlet glaciers in Greenland

Abstract During the last two decades surface elevation data haven been gathered over the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) from a variety of sensor, ranging from laser altimetry to stereoscopic DEMs derived from imaging sensors. The spatio-temporal resolution, the accuracy and the spatial coverage among the data differ widely. For example, ICESat, a spaceborne laser profiler, has a high temporal resolution but sparse spatial coverage which places the nearest ground track to the calving front of the Kangerlussuaq Glacier in East Greenland, our study site, 30 km up stream. On the other hand, stereoscopic DEMs provide almost continuous spatial coverage, but at a lower accuracy. This is a typical scenario for many rapidly changing outlet glaciers in Greenland where a fusion of the disparate data sets is highly desirable to construct detailed spatio-temporal histories of elevation change. We present in this paper how our recently developed SERAC method (Surface Elevation Reconstruction And Change detection) is well suited to cope with this fusion problem. More specifically, we describe a novel approach to adjust stereoscopic DEMs to the laser altimetry point cloud, based on height corrections determined from the time-series of elevation changes calculated by SERAC. These corrections are then used in a height adjustment of the DEMs.
Aortic perforation by active-fixation atrial pacing lead

This report describes perforation of the aorta related to the implantation of an active-fixation atrial pacing lead, a previously undocumented complication of pacemaker implantation. The complication was related to excessive tissue penetration by the screw at the tip of the lead or perforation of the lead body by the positioning stylet during manipulation whereupon the stylet traversed the atrial wall and aortic wall. Perforation of the aorta should be part of the differential diagnosis of cardiac tamponade after pacemaker implantation.
The Type I Hsp40 Zinc Finger-like Region Is Required for Hsp70 to Capture Non-native Polypeptides from Ydj1

The cytosolic yeast Hsp40 Ydj1 contains a conserved zinc finger-like region (ZFLR), which has two zinc-binding domains (ZBD), that helps regulate and specify Hsp70 function. To investigate the mechanism for Ydj1 ZFLR action, ZBDI and ZBDII mutants were constructed and characterized. ZBDII mutants exhibited temperature-sensitive growth defects, but yeast tolerated mutation of ZBDI. However, ZBDI and ZBDII mutants were defective at facilitating androgen receptor (AR) folding. Defective AR folding was associated with the accumulation of complexes between AR and Ydj1 ZFLR mutants and a reduction in Hsp70·AR complex formation. Purified Ydj1 ZBDI and ZBDII mutants could bind non-native polypeptides but could not deliver luciferase to Hsp70 and were defective at luciferase refolding. Interestingly, the ability of Ydj1 to synergize with Hsp70 to suppress thermally induced protein aggregation was blocked by mutation of ZBDII, but not ZBDI. Hence, ZBDII is required for yeast to survive heat stress because it is essential for Ydj1 to cooperate with Hsp70 to suppress protein aggregation. On the other hand, protein folding is dependent upon the action of both ZBDI and ZBDII because each is required for Hsp70 to capture non-native polypeptides from Ydj1.
The theory of absolute surface shear viscosity V. The effect of finite ring thickness

Abstract In the theory of Couette surface viscometers it is convenient to idealize a rotating ring thrust into a fluid interface supporting an adsorbed surface film as making a knife-edge contact of zero thickness. The validity of this assumption is examined by calculating from theory the flow patterns to be expected when the ring makes a contact of finite thickness with the interface. The zero thickness idealization is found to be valid for films of moderate to large surface viscosity, but it fails badly for films of low surface viscosity and places a limit upon the sensitivity of the ring method.
Thermodynamic properties of actinides and rare earth fission products in liquid cadmium

Liquid cadmium has been applied as a liquid solvent or a liquid cathode in pyroprocessing to separate actinides from used fuels or high level radioactive nuclear wastes. The thermodynamic properties, such as the element solubility, the stable metallic compounds, the activity coefficients, and the diffusion coefficients, of actinides and rare earth fission products in liquid Cd determine or strongly affect the separation performance of pyroprocessing. In the present article, the existing experimental data of these properties are critically reviewed and analyzed. Considering the liquid cadmium applications in pyroprocessing, the present article focuses on the properties in the Cd-rich region.
A phrase-driven grammar system for interactive data visualization

A Phrase-Driven Grammar System (PDGS) is a novel GUI for facilitating the visualization of data. The PDGS integrates data source applications and external visualization tools into its framework and functions as a middle-layer application to coordinate their operations. It allows users to formulate data query and visualization descriptions by selecting graphical icons in a menu or on a map. To specify data query and visualization intuitively and efficiently, we designed Graphical User Interface and a natural-language-like grammar, Phrase-Driven Grammar (PDG). The formulation of PDG data query and visualization descriptions is a constrained natural-language phrase building process. PDG phrases produce graphical visualizations of the data query, allowing users to interactively explore meaningful data relationships, trends, and exceptions.
Semiconductor manufacturing: ASAP applications of simulation modeling in a wafer fab

The authors define 4 levels of complexity in simulation modeling. The ability of the models to predict bottlenecks in the fab. Capability of the model to be used for strategic applications such as cycle time reduction. Simulate complex dispatch rules using the model, Capability of the model to predict operational output of the wafer fab that is clean room outs by product by day. This paper presents the operational applications of the ASAP simulation model to provide wip flush to the test probe area and the flush provided to planning for financial estimates and fab commitments. WIP flush is defined as a prediction of the fab output by device/technology by day. In general the ability to predict the shorter the time horizon the more difficult it is to predict the output accurately. Excursions are defined as any deviations in the normal processing of wafers such as unusually high particles being shown on Statistical Process Control charts etc.
Levels of thermodynamic treatment of biochemical reaction systems

Equilibrium calculations on biochemical reaction systems can be made at three levels. Level 1 is the usual chemical calculation with species at specified temperature and pressure using standard Gibbs energies of formation of species or equilibrium constants K. Level 2 utilizes reactants such as ATP (a sum of species) at specified T, P, pH, and pMg with standard transformed Gibbs energies of formation of reactants or apparent equilibrium constants K'. Calculations at this level can also be made on the enzymatic mechanism for a biochemical reaction. Level 3 utilizes reactants at specified T, P, pH, and pMg, but the equilibrium concentrations of certain reactants are also specified. The fundamental equation of thermodynamics is derived here for Level 3. Equilibrium calculations at this level use standard transformed Gibbs energies of formation of reactants at specified concentrations of certain reactants or apparent equilibrium constants K". Level 3 is useful in calculating equilibrium concentrations of reactants that can be reached in a living cell when some of the reactants are available at steady-state concentrations. Calculations at all three levels are facilitated by the use of conservation matrices and stoichiometric number matrices for systems. Three cases involving glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and ATPase are discussed.
Allylic interactions in organometallics: probing Electronic structure in (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2R, R = CH3, η1-C3H5, η1-C5H5.

The He(I) photoelectron spectra of (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2R, where R = CH3, η1-C3H5 and η1-C5H5, have been recorded. The lowest lying ion states result from ionization of molecular orbitals with large Fe 3d character; these move to lower anergy when R places double bonds in an allylic relationship to the metal atom. The cyclic voltammetric oxidation potential correlates well with the energies of the lowest ion states. A significant interaction between olefin π orbitals and the allylic metal center is proposed.
Substance Abuse Severity in Female Adolescents: Association Between Age at Menarche and Chronological Age

The authors investigated the association between age at menarche and age at onset of substance use with frequency of alcohol consumption in mid-adolescence; age at first DSM-III-R diagnosis of psychoactive substance use disorder (PSUD); severity of physical health, substance use, and psychosocial problems; and psychiatric disorders in female adolescents. Twenty-eight PSUD female adolescents (age 14-28 years) were studied. Chronological age at first substance use, and not age at menarche, was associated with the four variables mentioned above. These findings indicate that substance use in this population is encompassed within significant psychiatric disturbance that most commonly precedes the onset of PSUD.
Shape-shifting tetranuclear oxo-bridged manganese cluster: Relevance to photosystem II water oxidase active site

The redox properties of the "dimer-of-dimers" complex, [{Mn2(mu-O)2(tphpn)}2]4+ (1) (where Htphpn = N,N,N',N'-tetra(2-methylpyridyl)-2-hydroxypropane-diamine) were investigated. The structure changes dramatically to an adamantane-shaped core upon one-electron oxidation. On the other hand, the one-electron reduced product of 1, [Mn4O4(tphpn)2]3+, exhibits a hyperfine-structured multiline EPR signal very similar to the so-called S0 state of the tetramanganese cluster, which resides at the Photosystem II water oxidase active site.
THE HELICAL PUMP: USE AS A MULTIZONE PROCESSING SYSTEM

SUMMARY– A hydrostatic processing system consisting of a compression zone, a holding zone, and a decompression zone has been built from a single coil of pipe. Theoretical maximum operating pressure is the product of the number of turns in the compression zone and the diameter of the coil. Problems of air compression and disruptive air expansion, noted in a previous model, have been overcome by an innovative air feedback system. Crosstubes, another innovation, are used to maintain a constant pressure in the holding zone of the coil. Experimental results on a model operating at 9 psig show that hydrostatic pressures in the holding zone under continuous conditions are about 90% of theoretical. Packages moving through the unit were found to have a pressure history similar to conventional hydrostatic processing systems that use single tall vertical legs for compression and decompression.
Graphite oxide as a dehydrative polymerization catalyst: A one-step synthesis of carbon-reinforced poly(phenylene methylene) composites

The synthesis and characterization of poly(phenylene methylene) (PPM) and carbon composites thereof are described. The materials were prepared using graphite oxide (GO), which was discovered to function in two distinct roles. First, the GO was found to facilitate the dehydrative polymerization of benzyl alcohol (BnOH) to form PPM. Second, the residual carbon from the GO catalyst, having undergone thermal deoxygenation during the polymerization reaction, served as a graphene-like additive in the resulting composite. While pure (i.e., additive-free) PPM was found to be mechanically compliant (E′ = 40 MPa), inclusion of 0.1 wt % GO in the starting reaction mixture improved the material’s mechanical properties significantly (E′ = 320 MPa). Homogeneous dispersion of the additive in the matrix was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The carbon additive was separated from the PPM via trituration in dichloromethane, and the GO star...
Mitochondria-targeted Cytochrome P450 2E1 Induces Oxidative Damage and Augments Alcohol-mediated Oxidative Stress

The ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is also induced under different pathological and physiological conditions. Studies including ours have shown that CYP2E1 is bimodally targeted to both the endoplasmic reticulum (microsomes) (mc CYP2E1) and mitochondria (mt CYP2E1). In this study we investigated the role of mtCYP2E1 in ethanol-mediated oxidative stress in stable cell lines expressing predominantly mt CYP2E1 or mc CYP2E1. The ER+ mutation (A2L, A9L), which increases the affinity of the nascent protein for binding to the signal recognition particle, preferentially targets CYP2E1 to the endoplasmic reticulum. The Mt+ (L17G) and Mt++ (I8R, L11R, L17R) mutant proteins, showing progressively lower affinity for signal recognition particle binding, were targeted to mitochondria at correspondingly higher levels. The rate of GSH depletion, used as a measure of oxidative stress, was higher in cells expressing Mt++ and Mt+ proteins as compared with cells expressing ER+ protein. In addition, the cellular level of F2-isoprostanes, a direct indicator of oxidative stress, was increased markedly in Mt++ cells after ethanol treatment. Notably, expression of Mt++ CYP2E1 protein in yeast cells caused more severe mitochondrial DNA damage and respiratory deficiency than the wild type or ER+ proteins as tested by the inability of cells to grow on glycerol or ethanol. Additionally, liver mitochondria from ethanol-fed rats containing high mt CYP2E1 showed higher levels of F2-isoprostane production. These results strongly suggest that mt CYP2E1 induces oxidative stress and augments alcohol-mediated cell/tissue injury.
Rethinking Radicalism: African Americans and the Liberation Struggles in Somalia, Libya, and Eritrea, 1945–1949

In 1949, scholar W. E. B. Du Bois complained bitterly that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was useless in the fight to free Africa from colonialism because the association was just a “bourgeois set-up, afraid to do anything that is not respectable.”1 Indeed, historians’ understanding of one of the most significant transformations in the twentieth century, decolonization, often echoes Du Bois’s assessment that only “radicals” had the mettle to take on this battle for the right to self-determination.2
Validation of a Tropical Cyclone Steering Response Function with a Barotropic Adjoint Model

Thesteeringof atropicalcyclone (TC)vortexis commonly understoodasthe advectionof theTC vortexby an ‘‘environmental wind.’’ In past studies, the environmental steering wind vector has been defined by the horizontal and vertical averaging of the horizontal winds in a box centered on the TC. The components of this environmentalsteeringhavebeenproposedasresponsefunctionstoderiveadjoint-derivedsensitivitiesofTC zonalandmeridionalsteering.Theappropriatenessoftheseresponsefunctionsinadjointsensitivitystudiesof TC steering is tested using a two-dimensional barotropic model and its adjoint for a 24-h forecast. It is found that these response functions do not produce sensitivities to TC steering because perturbations to the model initial conditions that change the final-time location of the TC also change the response functions in ways that have nothing to do with the steering of the TC at model verification. An alternate response function is proposed wherein the environmental steering vector is defined as the wind averaged over the response function box attributed to vorticity outside of that box. By redefining the responsefunctionsfor the zonal andmeridionalsteering as components of this environmental steering vector, the effect of small changes to the final-time location of the TC is removed, and the resultant sensitivity gradients can be shown to truly represent the sensitivity of TC steering to perturbations of the model forecast state.
The scope of apologetic discourse: Establishing generic parameters

Theorists and critics agree that the apologia exists as a rhetorical genre and that apologiae are discourses in which individuals defend their characters. However, no detailed definition exists that allows specification of which materials should be identified as apologiae and which materials should not. This essay attempts to establish the generic boundaries of the apologia so that critics can treat apologetic products more effectively and with greater precision.
Requirements for a VLSI Graphics Processor

This article will discuss issues that must be considered in the design of a VLSI (very large scale integration) 32-bit microprocessor specialized for graphics applications. With a properly chosen architecture, a single-chip graphics processor should provide a cost-effective means for achieving high performance in color bit-mapped graphics displays for PCs and workstations. The goal in selecting an architecture is to reduce the components required for a medium-to high-resolution display so they fit easily on a single, small, printed-circuit card. At the same time the processing speed must result in screen updates that occur without perceptible delay. These improvements should enable bit-mapped graphics displays to replace the text-only displays that have seen wide-spread use in cost-sensitive applications.
Paragenetic evolution in Peejay Field, British Columbia, Canada

Triassic sediments from the Halfway Formation of Peejay Field in British Columbia, Canada, are described here with special reference to the mineral alterations during diagenesis. These sediments were deposited along the irregular coastline during the middle Triassic transgression. The vertical lithologic succession is complex and considerably altered. The major lithologies concerned are silty sandstones, dolarenite, dololutite, sporadic coquinoid, and accumulated shell debris largely composed of pelecypods, which have been diagenetically altered to dolomite. Evaporites were either introduced through solution and precipitation or by replacement. In certain sandstone units, intense corrosion to complete replacement of clastic quartz as well as matrix by dolomite is observed. The introduction or removal of minerals in the sediments during diagenesis may result from physico-chemical changes in the equilibrium between sediments and the interstitial fluid caused by burial. Hence, the study of diagenetic minerals and paragenesis may be an important tool for interpreting the environment of deposition and the postdepositional history.
Reduced contractile responses to forskolin and a cyclic AMP analogue in myocytes from failing human ventricle.

Abstract Myocytes were isolated from the right or left ventricles of failing and non-failing human hearts. Contractile responses to increasing concentrations of Ca2+, isoprenaline, forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (a lipophilic analogue of cyclic AMP) were determined. Responses were correlated with the age of the patient, and the severity of failure as defined by New York Heart Association class of symptoms (NYHA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and dose of diuretics prescribed (diuretic class). The maximum contraction amplitude in high Ca2+ did not change with either age or severity of failure (n = 31–40 patients). Responses to isoprenalinc (relative to Ca2+ in the same cell, isoprenaline/calcium ratio) decreased with increasing age (P 0.1, n = 13), or severity as defined by LVEDP (P = 0.05–0.1, n = 12) but did decrease with increasing NYHA class (P
Noise-induced synchronous neuronal oscillations.

We investigate a model for synchronous neural activity in networks of coupled neurons. The individual systems are governed by nonlinear dynamics and can continuously vary between excitable and oscillatory behavior. Analytical calculations and computer simulations show that coupled excitable systems can undergo two different phase transitions from synchronous to asynchronous firing behavior. One of the transitions is akin to the synchronization transitions in coupled oscillator systems, while the second transition can only be found in coupled excitable systems. We present an analytical derivation of the two transitions and discuss implications for synchronization transitions in biological neural networks.
The origins of the Drosophila leg revealed by the cis-regulatory architecture of the Distalless gene

Limb development requires the elaboration of a proximodistal (PD) axis, which forms orthogonally to previously defined dorsoventral (DV) and anteroposterior (AP) axes. In arthropods, the PD axis of the adult leg is subdivided into two broad domains, a proximal coxopodite and a distal telopodite. We show that the progressive subdivision of the PD axis into these two domains occurs during embryogenesis and is reflected in the cis-regulatory architecture of the Distalless (Dll) gene. Early Dll expression, governed by the Dll304 enhancer, is in cells that can give rise to both domains of the leg as well as to the entire dorsal (wing) appendage. A few hours after Dll304 is activated, the activity of this enhancer fades, and two later-acting enhancers assume control over Dll expression. The LT enhancer is expressed in cells that will give rise to the entire telopodite, and only the telopodite. By contrast, cells that activate the DKO enhancer will give rise to a leg-associated larval sensory structure known as the Keilin9s organ (KO). Cells that activate neither LT nor DKO, but had activated Dll304, will give rise to the coxopodite. In addition, we describe the trans-acting signals controlling the LT and DKO enhancers, and show, surprisingly, that the coxopodite progenitors begin to proliferate ∼24 hours earlier than the telopodite progenitors. Together, these findings provide a complete and high-resolution fate map of the Drosophila appendage primordia, linking the primary domains to specific cis-regulatory elements in Dll.
Mobility-based selective on-line preconcentration of proteins in capillary electrophoresis by controlling electroosmotic flow

Abstract A simple method to perform selective on-line preconcentration of protein samples in capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described. The selectivity, based on protein electrophoretic mobility, was achieved by controlling electroosmotic flow (EOF). A short section of dialysis hollow fiber, serving as a porous joint, was connected between two lengths of fused silica capillary. High voltage was applied separately to each capillary, and the EOF in the system was controlled independently of the local electric field intensity by controlling the total voltage drop. An equation relating the EOF with the total voltage drop was derived and evaluated experimentally. On-line preconcentration of both positively charged and negatively charged model proteins was demonstrated without using discontinuous background electrolytes, and protein analytes were concentrated by approximately 60–200-fold under various conditions. For positively charged proteins, positive voltages of the same magnitude were applied at the free ends of the connected capillaries while the porous joint was grounded. This provided a zero EOF in the system and a non-zero local electric field in each capillary to drive the positively charged analytes to the porous joint. CE separation was then initiated by switching the polarity of the high voltage over the second capillary. For negatively charged proteins, the procedure was the same except negative voltages were applied at the free ends of the capillaries. Mobility-based selective on-line preconcentration was also demonstrated with two negatively charged proteins, i.e. β-lactoglobulin B and myoglobin. In this case, negative voltages of different values were applied at the free ends of the capillaries with different values, which provided a non-zero EOF in the system. The direction of EOF was the same as that of the electrophoretic migration velocities of the protein analytes in the first capillary and opposite in the second capillary. By controlling the EOF, β-lactoglobulin B, which has a higher mobility, could be concentrated over 150-fold with a 15 min injection while myoglobin, which has a lower mobility, was eliminated from the system.
Airway stenoses after lung transplantation: Incidence, management, and outcome

Objective Airway stenoses have been a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. We reviewed our 11-year experience with dilatation and silicone stent treatment of airway strictures after lung transplantation. We adopted this approach after managing the complications of nitinol/wire mesh stents, including stent fracture, granulation tissue overgrowth, and difficulty with removal. Methods Between January of 1996 and December of 2007, 240 patients underwent lung transplantation (132 single lung, 108 double lung; 121 male, 119 female; mean age 49.4 ± 12.9 years). Twenty patients (8.3%) developed >50% stenosis in 22 airways over 35 to 135 days following surgery. Short and long-segment strictures were managed with rigid bronchoscopy, mechanical/laser debridement, balloon dilatation, and silicone stent placement. Mean follow-up was 4.9 ± 3.5 years after stent removal. Results The mean time to diagnosis of airway stenosis was 81.5 ± 26.9 days. Pulmonary aspergillosis and pseudomonal infection, age less than 45 years, and early rejection correlated with airway stenosis; however, ischemic time, side of transplant, and preoperative disease did not. Airway patency and symptom improvement were achieved in 18 of 20 patients. Sixteen patients were able to have their stents removed at a mean of 362.3 ± 126.4 days with permanent resolution of airway stenosis. Overall survival was similar for patients with and without airway stenosis. Conclusion Airway stenosis after lung transplantation can be successfully managed with bronchoscopic dilatation and temporary silicone stent placement. With time, most short and long airway stenoses resolve with atraumatic stenting of the affected areas. Removal of stents with permanent airway patency is achievable in most lung transplant recipients with airway stenosis.
Nanoscale Metal–Organic Frameworks for Biomedical Imaging and Drug Delivery

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of hybrid materials formed by the self-assembly of polydentate bridging ligands and metal-connecting points, have been studied for a variety of applications. Recently, these materials have been scaled down to nanometer sizes, and this Account details the development of nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (NMOFs) for biomedical applications. NMOFs possess several potential advantages over conventional nanomedicines such as their structural and chemical diversity, their high loading capacity, and their intrinsic biodegradability. Under relatively mild conditions, NMOFs can be obtained as either crystalline or amorphous materials. The particle composition, size, and morphology can be easily tuned to optimize the final particle properties. Researchers have employed two general strategies to deliver active agents using NMOFs: by incorporating active agents into the frameworks or by loading active agents into the pores and channels of the NMOFs. The modification of NMOF s...
Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is a painful procedure most commonly performed after intravenous sedation. Despite systemic opiates and benzodiazepines, most patients experience significant pain during the procedure and in the recovery period. Paravertebral blocks allow the spinal nerve roots and sympathetic chain in the paravertebral space to be anesthetized, and their role in providing analgesia for thoracic and upper abdominal surgical procedures is well-established. Herein a case is described in which thoracic paravertebral blockade dramatically reduced standard intra- and postprocedural analgesic needs and provided superior pain control.
DNA Sequences Downstream from the Vitamin D Response Element of the Rat Osteocalcin Gene Are Required for Ligand-Dependent Transactivation

The sequences in the rat osteocalcin gene that lie 3′ to the vitamin D response element (VDRE) have been shown to augment transcriptional activation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[ 1,25-(OH)2D3]. These DNA sequences, however, are unable to bind the VDR or mediate 1,25-(OH)2D3 responsiveness independently of the VDRE. To further characterize this region, the functional properties of a series of mutant oligonucleotides were examined in transiently transfected ROS 17/2.8 cells. When these mutant oligonucleotides were expressed upstream of the heterologous herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, the bases between −420 and −414 of the rat osteocalcin gene were identified as critical for maximal transactivation by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Furthermore, mutation of these sequences in the context of the native osteocalcin promoter and enhancer totally abolished the ability of the VDRE to mediate 1,25-(OH)2D3 responsiveness. These bases, which are essential for the 1,25-(OH)2D3 responsiveness of the rat osteocalcin gene,...
Nanoindentation studies of sublimed fullerene films using atomic force microscopy

Nanoindentation studies of sublimed fullerene films have been conducted using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Transfer of fullerene molecules from the as-deposited films to the AFM tip was observed during the indentation of AFM tip into some of the samples, whereas such a transfer was not observed for ion-bombarded films. The fullerene molecules transferred to the AFM tip were subsequently transported to a diamond surface when the diamond sample was scanned with the contaminated tip. This demonstrates the capability of material manipulation on a molecular scale using AFM. Atomic-scale friction of the fullerene films was measured to be low. Ability of fullerene films to form transfer film on the mating AFM tip surface may be partly responsible for low friction.