cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A versatile low temperature synthetic route to Zintl phase precursors: Na4Si4, Na4Ge4 and K4Ge4 as examples.

Na4Si4 and Na4Ge4 are ideal chemical precursors for inorganic clathrate structures, clusters, and nanocrystals. The monoclinic Zintl phases, Na4Si4 and Na4Ge4, contain isolated homo-tetrahedranide [Si4]4− and [Ge4]4− clusters surrounded by alkali metal cations. In this study, a simple scalable route has been applied to prepare Zintl phases of composition Na4Si4 and Na4Ge4 using the reaction between NaH and Si or Ge at low temperature (420 °C for Na4Si4 and 270 °C for Na4Ge4). The method was also applied to K4Ge4, using KH and Ge as raw materials, to show the versatility of this approach. The influence of specific reaction conditions on the purity of these Zintl phases has been studied by controlling five factors: the method of reagent mixing (manual or ball milled), the stoichiometry between raw materials, the reaction temperature, the heating time and the gas flow rate. Moderate ball-milling and excess NaH or KH facilitate the formation of pure Na4Si4, Na4Ge4 or K4Ge4 at 420 °C (Na4Si4) or 270 °C (both M4Ge4 compounds, M = Na, K). TG/DSC analysis of the reaction of NaH and Ge indicates that ball milling reduces the temperature for reaction and confirms the formation temperature. This method provides large quantities of high quality Na4Si4 and Na4Ge4 without the need for specialized laboratory equipment, such as Schlenk lines, niobium/tantalum containers, or an arc welder, thereby expanding the accessibility and chemical utility of these phases by making them more convenient to prepare. This new synthetic method may also be extended to lithium-containing Zintl phases (LiH is commercially available) as well as to alkali metal-tetrel Zintl compounds of other compositions, e.g. K4Ge9.
Regulation of Ornithine Decarboxylase

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) initiates the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. The amount of ODC is altered in response to many growth factors, oncogenes, and tumor promoters and to changes in polyamine levels. Susceptibility to tumor development is increased in transgenic mice expressing high levels of ODC and is decreased in mice with reduced ODC due to loss of one ODC allele or elevated expression of antizyme, a protein that stimulates ODC degradation. This review describes key factors that contribute to the regulation of ODC levels, which can occur at the levels of transcription, translation, and protein turnover.
Design of a zero-voltage-switching large-air-gap wireless charger with low electrical stress for Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This paper proposes a design and development of a wireless power transfer system to charge the battery in the Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles. A Parallel-Parallel topology is adopted to realize 15 cm-distance power transfer using resonance theory. Finite Element Method is used to extract the coil parameters. The advantages of the proposed design compared to the previous similar research are 1) low operational frequency (42 kHz) to avoid the electromagnetic interference to on-board automotive electronics equipment, and 2) low electrical stress to the semiconductor switches through using zero-voltage-switching technique. A 2 kW prototype to charge 200 V battery was built to experimentally verify the theoretical analysis. The overall system efficiency is ~86%.
Inhibition of specific mRNA translation–possible mechanism of rapamycin's inhibition of T-cell proliferation

Inhibition of specific mRNA translation–possible mechanism of rapamycin's inhibition of T-cell proliferation
Intermediates and kinetic traps in the folding of a large ribozyme revealed by circular dichroism and UV absorbance spectroscopies and catalytic activity.

The folding thermodynamics and kinetics for the ribozyme from Bacillus subtilis RNase P are analyzed using circular dichroism and UV absorbance spectroscopies and catalytic activity. At 37 °C, the addition of Mg2+ (Kd ∼ 50 μM) to the unfolded state produces an intermediate state within 1 ms which contains a comparable amount of secondary structure as the native ribozyme. The subsequent transition to the native state (Kd[Mg] ∼ 0.8 mM, Hill coefficient ∼ 3.5) has a half-life of hundreds of seconds as measured by circular dichroism at 278 nm and by a ribozyme activity assay. Surprisingly, the formation of the native structure is accelerated strongly by the addition of a denaturant; ∼30-fold at 4.5 M urea. Thus, the rate-limiting step entails the disruption of a considerable number of interactions. The folding of this, and presumably other large RNAs, is slow due to the structural rearrangement of kinetically trapped species. Taken together with previous submillisecond relaxation kinetics of tRNA tertiary structure, we suggest that error-free RNA folding can be on the order of milliseconds.
Incorporation of lipid precursors into cytoplasmic membranes of poliovirus-infected HeLa cells☆

We have confirmed the earlier finding that incorporation of choline-3H into cytoplasmic membranes is stimulated by poliovirus infection. Cells were labeled with choline-3H for 30 min at different times after infection. When cytoplasmic extracts prepared from these cells are fractionated in discontinuous sucrose gradients, the radioactivity in infected cell membranes is distributed over the gradient in a pattern which indicates preferential synthesis of the smooth membranes. Poliovirus-infected HeLa cells also incorporate four to five times as much glycerol-2-3H as uninfected cells when given a 3-min pulse at 3.5 hr after infection. About 80% of the label is incorporated into a rough microsomal fraction in both uninfected and infected cells. After a 60-min chase period, the distribution of glycerol-2-3H does not change significantly in uninfected cells, but in infected cells much of the label shifts into the smooth membranes with which viral RNA synthesis is associated. Inhibition of viral RNA synthesis by treatment of cells early after infection with 1.0 to 2.0 mm guanidine · HCl reduces but does not block the virus-induced stimulation of choline incorporation. However, guanidine-treated, infected cells do not produce the large quantities of smooth-surfaced membranes that accumulate in untreated, infected cells. This suggests that poliovirus products may affect the control of cellular membrane synthesis in two separate ways: incorporation of precursors, and the specific production of smooth-surfaced membranes.
“Look what they've done to my song, ma”: The persuasiveness of song

The persuasiveness of song in social action movements is examined through the music of one advocate of social change, pacifist‐folksinger, Joan Baez. Song as a communicative tool is analyzed by examining types of songs, song construction, communication setting, historical and social setting, and emotional factors.
Improved two-step method for the assay of adenylate and guanylate cyclase.

Abstract A two-step assay for adenylate and guanylate cyclase is described utilizing α- 32 P-labeled ATP or GTP as substrate and involving purification of the resulting 32 P-labeled cAMP or cGMP by sequential chromatography on Dowex 50 and alumina. The Dowex 50 chromatography is performed in acid, 50 m m HCl for cGMP and 10 m m HClO 4 for cAMP, and achieves complete separation from the radiochemical impurities in the substrate which are responsible for blank. The cAMP or cGMP peaks are collected directly onto alumina columns and, under acid conditions, are completely retained by the alumina. After washing the alumina with water, the 32 P-labeled cAMP or cGMP is eluted with 0.2 m imidazole buffer and counted. The method delivers blanks amounting to .0005% of the substrate radioactivity, high recoveries, and excellent reproducibility.
Crystals of myohemerythrin.

Abstract Crystals have been grown of metazide myohemerythrin from the sipunculid Dendrostomum pyroides. The crystals are in space group P212121 and have unit cell dimensions of a = 41.6 A , b = 80.0 A and c = 37.8 A . An asymmetric unit contains a single myohemerythrin molecule.
Prevalence of dry eye disease among US men: estimates from the Physicians' Health Studies.

Objective To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for dry eye disease (DED) among US men. Methods Cross-sectional prevalence survey among male participants 50 years and older in the Physicians' Health Studies I (N = 18 596) and II (N = 6848). We defined DED as the presence of clinically diagnosed dry eye or severe symptoms (both dryness and irritation constantly or often). We calculated the age-standardized prevalence of DED adjusted to the age distribution of US men in 2004 and projected estimates forward to 2030. We compared DED prevalence with a similar cohort of women and examined associations with possible risk factors. Results The prevalence of DED increased with age, from 3.90% among men aged 50 to 54 years to 7.67% among men 80 years and older ( P for trend Conclusions Dry eye disease is prevalent and increases with age, hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and antidepressant use.
Isocon analysis: A brief review of the method and applications

Isocon analysis [Grant, J.A., 1986. The isocon diagram—a simple solution to Gresens’ equation for metasomatic alteration. Economic Geology 81, 1976–1982.] is a simple and effective means of quantitatively estimating changes in mass or volume or concentrations in mass transfer. It may be accomplished graphically by plotting an altered composition against an original composition with no significant manipulation of the data. Species that have remained immobile in the process define the isocon, which is a straight line through the origin. The paper reviews suggested means of identifying immobile species, graphical, statistical or by computation, and suggests that whatever the means, the geochemical characteristics of the species and of the process should be considered. It is shown that scaling of data need not affect the choice of immobile species or the slope of the isocon. Applications of the method to hydrothermal alteration, replacement, migmatites, shear zones, paleosols, silcretes, sedimentary exhalative deposits and fumarolic deposits are briefly reviewed.
Glutathionato-S-Gold(III) complexes formed as intermediates in the reduction of auricyanide by glutathione ☆

Abstract The reduction of auricyanide ([Au(CN) 4 ] − , a potential gold(III) metabolite of antiarthritic gold(I) compounds), by glutathione (G − SH, an anionic biological reductant) proceeds through two intermediates (I 230 and I 290 ) which have previously been identified by their UV–vis spectra, but not isolated. Negative-ion electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) has unambiguously identified them as [Au(CN) 3 (SG)] 2− and [Au(CN) 2 (SG) 2 ] 3− , respectively, and allowed their formation and decay to be monitored. The spectra also confirm that the products are aurocyanide ([Au(CN) 2 ] − , a known metabolite of chrysotherapy agents) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG 2− ). The reactions are dependent on the presence or absence of buffering agents and the pH of the reaction media. The reaction can be driven to the first intermediate by using an excess of auricyanide or by running the reaction at low pH which prevents further reaction. At neutral pH and/or with excess of glutathione present, the reaction proceeds to the second intermediate, which is then reduced to aurocyanide. The monoanions, [Au(CN) 3 (SGH)] − at m/z = 581.2 and [Au(CN) 2 (SGH) 2 ] − at m/z = 861.5 generate more intense signals than their respective dianions, [Au(CN) 3 (SG)] 2− at m/2 = 290.2 and [Au(CN) 2 (SG)(SGH)] 2− m/2 = 430.9, respectively, whereas the trianion [Au(CN) 2 (SG) 2 ] 3− ( m/3 = 281.2) was not observed. These studies demonstrate the value of ESI-MS methods for characterizing reactions of metallopharmaceuticals under biomimetic conditions and suggest that they will be useful for other systems which give strong ESI-MS signals.
What Needs to Develop in the Development of Inquiry Skills

To identify the challenges that students must meet to engage in effective self-directed inquiry, a class was followed for three years, from the fourth through the sixth grades, as they engaged in a sequence of progressively more demanding inquiry activities. Students made substantial progress in understanding the objectives of inquiry, identifying questions, attending to evidence, identifying patterns, making controlled comparisons, interpreting increasingly complex data, supporting claims, and drawing justified conclusions. Retaining awareness of inquiry objectives and integrating influences of multiple variables in predicting outcomes were two areas that remained challenging. A comparison group of seventh graders who had not been involved in the program displayed strikingly different approaches to an inquiry task, indicating that the skills identified here are not ones that develop in the absence of appropriate kinds of educational experiences.
An American board of orthodontics case report: A combined face mask-orthognathic surgical approach in the treatment of skeletal open bite and maxillary deficiency

This case report is presented following the specifications of the American Board of Orthodontics. The patient had a true skeletal open bite with maxillary and mandibular asymmetry. She was treated with an orthognathic surgical approach and face mask therapy to stabilize the postsurgical result.
The moment of inertia of superfluid fermion systems of finite temperature

The moment of inertia is studied as an example of the second order response of a superfluid to an external force. The theory of Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer is used to describe the superfluid. It is essential to use the extension of the theory which maintains gauge invariance. The result shows that the usual two-fluid model is applicable, with the superfluid component governed by the irrotational flow hydrodynamics. A correction is found to the expression for the normal fluid density which takes into account the effective mass of the excitations.
Results of dyeing male yellow-headed blackbirds solid black: implications for the arbitrary identity badge hypothesis

Territorial male yellow-headed blackbirds that were dyed solid black were similar to controls in their ability to attract mates. They also had no difficulty in defending their territories from floating males. The only remarkable effect of this dramatic color manipulation was that five of the 12 blackened males that regained a territory after being dyed also later took over the better quality territory of another male. Not one of the 11 control males that regained a territory succeeded in such an eviction. This surprising result is interpretable under the theory that conspicuous and distinctive coloration sometimes evolves as an arbitrary recognition badge by making good fighters more memorable to their opponents. With insight gained from these results, we modify and considerably expand the theoretical treatment of this Arbitrary Identity Badge Hypothesis. We also explain why our results for yellow-headed blackbrids should differ so dramatically from those for red-winged blackbirds where blackened males often lost their territories to floating males.
Effect of Partial 3-Dimensional Pin Fin Geometry for Heat Transfer Enhancement in High Aspect Ratio Channels

The efficiency of a TEG (Thermoelectric Generator) may be thought of as the ratio of the power output to the heat input at the hot junction. This ratio is governed by the laws of thermodynamics and cannot thus exceed the Carnot efficiency. It follows that the greater the difference between the hot and cold side temperatures, the greater the efficiency of the TEG. Heat transfer enhancement measurements with 3-Dimensional partial pin-fin arrays of varying shapes on a flat plate are presented. The fin height is fixed at 15% of channel height. The hydraulic diameter and configuration of the fins are chosen based on existing literature. The study is carried out at various Reynolds numbers based on full channel height. The shapes studied are circular, semi-circular, triangular, hexagonal and diamond shaped. These shapes are compared against a baseline case without fins. The experiment uses the transient liquid crystal (TLC) method to calculate the heat transfer coefficient on the test surface. The data shows that diamond shaped fins provide the highest turbulent mixing downstream of the pins leading to the highest heat transfer coefficients.© 2012 ASME
Fokker-Planck approach to the dynamics of mismatched charged-particle beams.

A semianalytic formalism is constructed for investigating the transverse dynamics of intense, mismatched charged-particle beams which are centered on, and propagate through, focusing channels. It uses the Fokker-Planck equation to account for the rapid evolution of the coarse-grained distribution function in the phase space of a single beam particle. It also incorporates the space-charge potential, which is calculated from Poisson's equation using the coarse-grained density. A simple phenomenological model of dynamical friction and diffusion represents the effects of turbulence triggered by charge redistribution. Sheet beams and fully two-dimensional beams are both considered in detail. In addition, closed-form solutions are presented for beams in which the space charge is negligible and noise arises from other stochastic processes.
The Acute Administration of Vasodilators in Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Experience from the National Institutes of Health Registry on Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

The hemodynamic responses to acute vasodilator administration were evaluated in 163 patients who were entered into the National Institutes of Health Registry on Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) between 1981 and 1985. Of a total of 491 drug administrations in these patients, 135 administrations in 104 patients were performed in a manner acceptable to the Registry. A single vasodilator was tried in 79 patients and more than one vasodilator in 25 patients. Two-thirds of the patients were in New York Heart Association Functional Classes III or IV. When the effects of all vasodilators were grouped together, there were significant decreases from baseline in mean pulmonary artery pressure (60 +/- 2 to 57 +/- 2 mm Hg, p less than 0.05) and total pulmonary resistance index (32.5 +/- 1.7 to 25.1 +/- 1.4 mm Hg/L/min/m2, p less than 0.0001), and increases in cardiac index (2.1 +/- 0.1 to 2.7 +/- 0.1 L/min/m2, p less than 0.0001). Mean systemic blood pressure fell (88 +/- 1 to 79 +/- 1 mm Hg, p less than 0.0001), whereas PaO2 was unchanged (70 +/- 3 to 71 +/- 3 mm Hg, p = NS). A fall in total pulmonary resistance greater than 20% was observed in 55% of the adequate drug trials. Adverse effects occurred in 32 of the total 491 patient-drug trials and were generally minor. Hypotension requiring treatment developed in six patients. There were two deaths attributable to vasodilator administration. Patients who died or had hypotension requiring treatment had higher right atrial pressures than did other treated patients (15 +/- 2 versus 9 +/- 1 mm Hg, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
UNIFORMLY VALID SECOND-ORDER SOLUTION FOR SUPERSONIC FLOW OVER CRUCIFORM SURFACES

Abstract : Second-order supersonic flow over a cruciform configuration is sudied for supersonic inlets, wing-body junctions and vehicle fins. Severe local failures are identified and adjusted for the ordinary second-order theory. For wings with discontinuous slopes, discontinuous potentials occur across the planar shock and squareroot singularities in the velocities occur at the intersection of these shocks with the ruciform surfaces. second-order solution uniformly valid to first order is constructed by adjustment of the ordinary second-order solution obtained first. The uniformly valid solution has two different series representations in the thickness parameter. This solution gives the detailed wave structure and shows a flow regime upstream of the vertex-centered undisturbed Mach cone not predicted by the ordinary theory. The wave structure consists of a pyramidal arrangement of planar shocks adjacent to and upstream of the above cone, followed by weaker oblique expansion fans and finally by two extremely weak shocks coincident with the vertex-centered undisturbed Mach cone. Results are given for the case of two iAD-287 426Div. 9 U (TITA/SEB) Bell Aerosystems Co., Buffalo, N. Y. THERMOELASTIC EFFECTS ON HYPERSONIC STABILITY AND CONTROL. PART II. VOLUME I. ELASTIC RESPONSE DETERINATIONS FOR SEVERELY HEATED WINGS. Final rept., by Richard H. Gllagher and Rolland D. Huff. Aug 62, 160p. incl. illus. tersecting wedges. (uthor)
Nuclear activation analysis 45 years after George Hevesy's discovery. Response upon receipt of the George Hevesy medal for 1979

A short history of the development and application of nuclear activation analysis (NAA) is given by the author, recipient of the George Hevesy Medal for 1979, together with some biographical aspects concerning the pioneering works of G. Hevesy. Greater part of the 17 references is used to illustrate the author's own work in the field of NAA.
Analysis of radiation-grafted membranes for fuel cell electrolytes

One of the primary obstacles to be overcome for the development of economical fuel cells is the high cost of the membrane electrolyte. The currently favoured polymer electrolytes consist of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) backbone structures and poly(perfluorosulphonic acid) side chains. In an effort to find lower cost membranes, some radiation-grafted copolymer membranes were investigated. All the membranes contained poly(styrenesulphonic acid) side chains. Three different backbone polymer structures were studied: low-density poly(styrene), poly(tetrafluoroethylene)/poly(perfluoropropylene), and poly(tetrafluoroethylene). The results indicate that the membrane consisting of a poly(tetrafluoroethylene)/poly(styrenesulphonic acid) copolymer is a promising candidate as a fuel-cell electrolyte.
Relationship of Thyroid Hormone Levels to Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Lead, p,p′- DDE, and Other Toxicants in Akwesasne Mohawk Youth

Background It is well documented that acute exposure to high levels of persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p′-dichlorophenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), can affect human health including thyroid function. Chronic exposure to multiple toxicants is common but difficult to analyze, and most prior studies have focused on adults or newborns, creating a gap in our understanding of multitoxicant effects among adolescents.
Transcranial magnetic brain stimulation: Therapeutic promises and scientific gaps

Since its commercial advent in 1985, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a technique for stimulating neurons in the cerebral cortex through the scalp, safely and with minimal discomfort, has captured the imaginations of scientists, clinicians and lay observers. Initially a laboratory tool for neurophysiologists studying the human motor system, TMS now has a growing list of applications in clinical and basic neuroscience. Although we understand many of its effects at the system level, detailed knowledge of its actions, particularly as a modulator of neural activity, has lagged, due mainly to the lack of suitable non-human models. Nevertheless, these gaps have not blocked the therapeutic application of TMS in brain disorders. Moderate success has been achieved in treating disorders such as depression, where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a TMS system for therapeutic use. In addition, there are small, but promising, bodies of data on the treatment of schizophrenic auditory hallucinations, tinnitus, anxiety disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, hemiparesis, and pain syndromes. Some other nascent areas of study also exist. While the fate of TMS as a therapeutic modality depends on continued innovation and experimentation, economic and other factors may be decisive.
SEMIDIRECT ELECTRON PROPAGATOR CALCULATIONS ON CHLOROBENZENE IONIZATION ENERGIES

Abstract Electron propagator calculations on the lowest twelve vertical ionization energies of chlorobenzene are performed with a semidirect algorithm. The OVGF and P3 approximations, where Feynman-Dyson amplitudes are equal to canonical molecular orbitals, were employed. The Cl pπ orbital destabilizes the b1 component of e1g set of benzene to produce the molecular orbital associated with the lowest ionization energy. Whereas the second highest occupied molecular orbital is nearly identical to a component of the benzene e1g set, the corresponding vertical ionization energy is larger than the lowest ionization energy of benzene. Holes corresponding to two higher final states have mostly Cl 3p character. The remaining molecular orbitals strongly resemble their benzene counterparts, but significant Cl admixtures are present in most cases. Basis set comparisons indicate that the predicted order of final states is reliable. Up to 284 contracted functions are used.
Meal reduces sensitivity of the stomach to pharmacologically induced dysrhythmia.

The aim of this study was to determine whether food ingestion causes a change in the susceptibility of the stomach to dysrhythmia or in the characteristics of gastric dysrhythmia. The susceptibility of the stomach to develop dysrhythmia was measured by determining the median effective dose of four different drugs known to produce gastric dysrhythmia. These drugs were epinephrine, PGE2, met-enkephalin, and glucagon. The median effective dose for inducing gastric dysrhythmia was measured in four healthy conscious dogs by Dixon's up-and-down method during fasting and after feeding. The median effective dose of epinephrine, PGE2, met-enkephalin, and glucagon were higher after feeding (16.6, 16.6, 35.1,>221 μg/kg, respectively) than during fasting (1.7, 5.2, 11.1, 61.0 μg/kg, respectively). The results indicate that feeding renders the stomach less susceptible to pharmacologically induced dysrhythmia. However, characteristics of gastric dysrhythmias, such as site of origin and direction of propagation, were similar whether they occurred during fasting or after feeding.
Digital Image-Based Method for Quality Control of Residual Bending Deformation in Slender Pseudoelastic NiTi Devices

Pseudoelastic NiTi-based devices are often required to recover their shape repeatedly and their working performance can be judged from the amount of residual deformation after use. The quality problem in this respect can even be removed from fatigue life or safety issues and impact on the functional and aesthetic value of the product. While linear deformation can be appreciated quantitatively in a straightforward manner, the bending strains are more difficult to assess directly. We devised a very simple digital image-based method to measure the residual bending deformation by comparison of the pristine shape of the device with the one resulting from bending and free recovery. The program was written in LabView and is capable of reporting about the deflection and location of strain concentration along slender pseudoelastic elements in a semi-quantitative way appropriate for quality sample checks. The method is semi-automatic and provides a user-friendly interface for the operator. Apart from simple shapes like straight wires and ribbons, the method was tested on devices as complex as spectacles frames. This application is particularly interesting, where shape recovery and functional and aesthetic value are tightly linked, and deformation by severe handling is a typical effect of use.
The Level of Viral Infection of Antigen-Presenting Cells Correlates with the Level of Development of Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus-Induced Demyelinating Disease

Intracerebral infection with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induces immune-mediated demyelinating disease in susceptible SJL/J mice but not in resistant C57BL/6 mice. Previous studies have indicated that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play the most prominent role in the development of TMEV-induced demyelinating disease. In this study, we used C57BL/6.S (B6.S) congenic mice, which carry H-2s MHC genes instead of H-2b MHC genes in conjunction with the C57BL/6 (B6) background genes. Our data show that virus-infected B6.S mice are free from disease and have significantly lower viral loads than susceptible SJL mice, particularly in the spinal cord. A strong protective Th1-type T helper response with virtually no pathogenic Th17 response was detected in B6.S mice, in contrast to the reduced Th1- and robust Th17-type responses in SJL mice. Notably, lower levels of viral infectivity in B6.S antigen-presenting cells (APCs) correlated with the disease resistance and T-cell-type response. In vitro studies using APCs from B6.S and SJL mice show that TLR2, -3, -4, and -7, but not TLR9, signaling can replace viral infection and augment the effect of viral infection in the differentiation of the pathogenic Th17 cell type. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the viral replication levels in APCs critically affect the induction of protective versus pathogenic Th cell types via the signaling of pattern recognition receptors for innate immune responses. Our current findings further imply that the levels of viral infectivity/replication and TLR-mediated signaling play critical roles in the pathogenesis of chronic viral diseases. IMPORTANCE This study indicates that innate immune cytokines produced in antigen-presenting cells stimulating the T cell immune responses during early viral infection play a critical role in determining the susceptibility of mice to the development of demyelinating disease. The level of innate immune cytokines reflects the level of initial viral infection in the antigen-presenting cells, and the level determines the development of T cell types, which are either protective or pathogenic. The level of initial viral infection to the cells is controlled by a gene or genes that are not associated with the major histocompatibility antigen complex genes. This finding has an important implication in controlling not only chronic viral infections but also infection-induced autoimmune-like diseases, which are closely associated with the pathogenic type of T cell responses.
Cross-Correlation Analysis and Multivariate Prediction of Spatial Time Series of Freeway Traffic Speeds

Short-term traffic prediction on freeways is one of the critical components of the advanced traveler information system (ATIS). The traditional methods of prediction have used univariate ARIMA time-series models based on the autocorrelation function of the time series of traffic variables at a location. However, the effect of upstream and downstream location information has been largely neglected or underused in the case of freeway traffic prediction. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect of upstream as well as downstream locations on the traffic at a specific location. To achieve this goal, a section of five stations extending over 2.5 mi on I-4 in the downtown region of Orlando, Florida, was selected. The speeds from a station at the center of this location were then checked for cross-correlations with stations upstream and downstream. The cross-correlation function is analogous to the autocorrelation function extended to two variables. It indicates whether the past values of an input s...
Large superfluidity enhancement in the penetration of the fission barrier

Abstract The least action principle is used to determine the semiclassical path in the penetration of a multidimensional fission barrier using the gap parameter as a dynamical variable. An increase in the gap parameter, the larger the deeper the penetration of the barrier is predicted.
Spatial Feature Matching for Visual Odometry: A Parametric Study

The goal of this paper is to perform a parametric study on a newly developed visual odometry algorithm for use with color-depth (RGB-D) camera pairs, such as the Microsoft Kinect. In this algorithm, features are detected in the color image and converted to 3D points using the depth image. These features are then described by their 3D location and matched across subsequent frames based on spatial proximity. The visual odometry is then calculated using a one-point inverse kinematic solution. The primary contribution of this work is the identification of critical operating parameters associated with the algorithm, the analysis of their effects on the visual odometry performance, and the verification of the analysis using experimentation.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
First infrared beamlines at the ALS: final commissioning and new end stations

The design and initial commissioning of the first IR beamline at the ALS has been described previously. We report the final commissioning and first results of the mid-IR spectromicroscopy beamline 1.4.3. In addition, several improvements and two new branchlines are presented. Beamline 1.4.2 is connected to the front end under vacuum and consists of a Bruker Rapid- and Step-Scan vacuum FTIR bench. The modulated light is then coupled into a UHV surface science chamber for grazing incidence reflection studies. Several more external ports are available from the Bruker bench. Beamline 1.4.1 receives light from a separate port on the beamline 1.4 front end and connects to an optical table for photoluminescence and other experiments using photons with energies up to 6 eV.
Kenaf—fiber-plant rival of jute

In India and other parts of the Old World kenaf has long been of value in the manufacture of gunny cloth, cordage, fishing nets, floor matting and rug backing, and since 1941 investigations have been conducted toward its cultivation in the New World.
Race and Voting: Continuity and Change in the District of Columbia

Racially patterned voting can be spurious (based on racially neutral criteria), racist (based solely on race), or racial (based on political, tactical, symbolic, or value-based deliberations in which race is an important consideration). In this article the author assesses the relationship between race and voting in the 140 precincts of the District of Columbia, focusing on competitive elections between 1978 and 1990. Race is an extremely potent and tenacious factor in structuring electoral patterns, but this reflects context-specific calculations mediated by strong group identity and shared assessments of the political environment.
Exactness of wave functions from two-body exponential transformations in many-body quantum theory

Recent studies have considered the possibility that the exact ground-state wavefunction from any Hamiltonian with two-particle interactions may be generated from a single finite two-body exponential transformation acting on an arbitrary Slater determinant [Piecuch et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 113001 (2003)]. Using the Campbell-Baker-Hausdorff relation, we show that it is difficult for the variational minimum of this trial wave function to satisfy the contracted Schr\"odinger equation which is a necessary and sufficient condition for the wave function to satisfy the Schr\"odinger equation. A counterexample is presented through the Lipkin quasispin model with 4--50 fermions. When the number of fermions exceeds four, the wave function from a finite two-body exponential transformation is shown to be inexact. If the trial wave function ansatz is extended to include products of finite two-body exponential transformations acting on an arbitrary Slater-determinant reference, then we show that the ansatz includes the exact ground-state wave function from any Hamiltonian with only two-particle interactions. Connections between the two-body exponential transformation of the wave function and recent research on two-body exponential similarity transformations of the Hamiltonian [S.R. White, J. Chem. Phys. 117, 7472 (2002)] are discussed.
Gibbs's Thermodynamical Model

IN Maxwell's “Theory of Heat” (p. 207) is a drawing showing some of the principal lines on a thermodynamical model suggested by Prof. J. Willard Gibbs, of Yale University. I have been told that Prof. Maxwell had two of these models constructed, one of which remained at Cambridge, England, the other being sent to Prof. Gibbs at Yale, There is also a copy of this model at Clark University, Worcester, the only one which I have seen. While there may be others in existence, these are the only ones which I have known of, and I suspect that very few have ever been constructed.
Multisite microprobes for neural recordings

Multisite, passive microprobes have been developed to allow simultaneous recording of action potential activity from multiple neurons at different locations in the brain. The microprobes were fabricated using standard integrated-circuit techniques. The probe is a planar structure that consists of gold electrodes sandwiched between two polyimide dielectric layers and bonded to a molybdenum structural support. Windows in the top dielectric layer expose the electrode sites and bonding pads. In two distinct versions of the probe, four or six recording sites of approximately 25 mu m/sup 2/ are arranged on a dagger-shaped structure which can penetrate the pia. The bonding pads and interconnect wires at the probe head are entirely encapsulated in a tubular fixture that is packed with silicone RTV and sealed with epoxy to protect the interconnections from contact with body fluids. The site impedances at 1 kHz are typically between 2 and 4 M Omega . Probe lifetimes for continuous immersion in physiological saline solution, as measured by impedance, have exceeded 750 h. The failure mechanism is believed to be due to moisture and ion absorption in the top dielectric layer. >
Teaching computer hardware to high school science teachers

The author describes an intensive three-week workshop, funded by the National Science Foundation and conducted at the University of Louisville in the summer of 1990, in which high school science teachers were introduced to the fundamentals of digital logic and computer hardware. The format included both formal lectures by University faculty and hands-on experience in the laboratory. >
Assembly of nanostructure using AFM based nanomanipulation system

Assembly of nano-structures involves manipulation of nanoparticles, nano-rods, nanowires and nanotubes. Modelling the behavior of a nano-rod or a nanotube pushed by an AFM tip is much more complex than that of a nano-particle because in the case of the nano-particle usually only translation occurs while for the nano-rod and nanotube both translational and rotational motion occurs during manipulation. In this work, the behavior of nano-rods under pushing is theoretically analyzed and the interaction among tip, substrate and nano-rods has been modelled. Based on these models, the real-time interactive forces are used to update the AFM image. The real-time visual display combined with the real-time force feedback provides an augmented reality environment in which the operator not only can feel the interaction forces but can also observe the real-time changes of the nano-environment. The new developed augmented reality system capable of manipulating not only nanoparticles but also nano-rods makes nano-assembly using AFM based nanomanipulation system feasible and applicable.
Traffic Flow Management Using Aggregate Flow Models and the Development of Disaggregation Methods

A linear time-varying aggregate traffic flow model can be used t o develop Traffic Flow Management strategies based on optimization algorithms. However, there are no methods available in the literature to translate these aggregate solutions into actions involving individual aircraft. This paper describes and implements a computationally efficient disaggregation algorithm, which converts an aggregate (flow-based) solution to a flight-specific control action. Numerical results generated by the optimization method and the disaggregation algorithm are presented and illustrated by applying them to generate TFM schedules for a typical day in the U.S. National Airspace System. The results show that the disaggregation algorithm generates control actions for individual flights while keeping the air traffic behavior very close to the optimal solution.
Fullerol nanoparticles suppress inflammatory response and adipogenesis of vertebral bone marrow stromal cells—a potential novel treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract Background context Intervertebral disc degeneration, leading to chronic back pain, is a major health problem in western societies. Vertebral bone marrow has been considered to play an important role in nutrition supply and metabolic exchange for discs. Vertebral bone marrow lesions, including fatty marrow replacement and inflammatory edema, noted on magnetic resonance imaging were first described in 1988. Purpose To investigate the potential of a free radical scavenger, fullerol nanoparticles, to prevent vertebral bone marrow lesion and prevent disc degeneration by inhibiting inflammation and adipogenic differentiation of vertebral bone marrow stromal cells (vBMSCs). Study design/setting Fullerol nanoparticle solutions were prepared to test their in vitro suppression effects on mouse vBMSC inflammation and adipogenic differentiation compared with non–fullerol-treated groups. Methods With or without fullerol treatment, vBMSCs from Swiss Webster mice were incubated with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β). The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with fluorescence staining and flow cytometry. In addition, vBMSCs were cultured with adipogenic medium (AM) with or without fullerol. Gene and protein expressions were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and histologic methods. Results Fluorescence staining and flow cytometry results showed that IL-1 β markedly increased intracellular ROS level, which could be prevented by fullerol administration. Fullerol also decreased the basal ROS level to 77%. Cellular production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, 3, and 13 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induced by IL-1 β was suppressed by fullerol treatment. Furthermore, adipogenic differentiation of the vBMSCs was retarded markedly by fullerol as revealed by less lipid droplets in the fullerol treatment group compared with the adipogenic group. The expression of adipogenic genes PPARγ and aP2 was highly elevated with AM but decreased on fullerol administration. Conclusions These results suggest that fullerol prevents the catabolic activity of vBMSCs under inflammatory stimulus by decreasing the level of ROS, MMPs, and TNF-α. Also, fat formation in vBMSCs is prevented by fullerol nanoparticles, and, therefore, fullerol may warrant further in vivo investigation as an effective biological therapy for disc degeneration.
Will “Multiracial” Survive to the Next Generation?: The Racial Classification of Children of Multiracial Parents

Will multiracial identification resonate with future generations? Using the 2000 U.S. Census, I analyze the impact of a multiracial parent on the classification of children in four types of multiracial families (e.g., white/non-white, black/non-black). Compared to families where parents are of two different single-race backgrounds, parental multiracial identity decreased the likelihood of multiracial classification due to the use of labels reflecting a shared single-race category (e.g. white-Asian mother and white father). When parents' races did not overlap, multiracial classification was more common in households if the other parent was white or American Indian. These results suggest that intergenerational transmission of a multiracial identity is more common in contexts of racial diversity.
Two-Dimensional Recurrent Random Walk

Just about all worthwhile known results concerning random walk (or concerning any stochastic process for that matter) are closely related to some stopping time T as defined in definition D3.3. Thus we plan to investigate stopping times. Given a stopping time T we shall usually be concerned with the random variable x T., the position of the random walk at a random time which depends only on the past of the process. There can be no doubt that problems concerning x T represent a natural generalization of the theory in Chapters I and II; for in those chapters our interest was confined to the iterates P n (0,x) of the transition function—in other words, to the probability law governing x n at an arbitrary but nonrandom time.
Predictors of quality of life in women with heart failure

Abstract Background Two and one half million women have heart failure (HF). Yet little is known about quality of life (QOL) in this population and the factors influencing it. Given the importance of QOL as an outcome of care, we conducted a study to evaluate predictors of QOL in women with HF. Methods Using baseline QOL data collected in the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) trials, we studied predictors of QOL in 691 women with HF. Univariate, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were used. Potential predictors included age, education, tobacco use, social isolation, life stresses, comorbidity index, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, HF symptoms, etiology, and medications. We measured global QOL and QOL dimensions of physical function, emotional distress, and social and general health. Results Women were older (61 ± 10.5 years), predominately Caucasian (75%), and their mean ejection fraction was 0.27 (±6.51). Variables with the strongest relationship to QOL included dyspnea, NYHA class, and life stresses. As dyspnea, life stresses, and NYHA class increased, QOL decreased. Additionally, smoking behavior and vasodilator use was associated with decreased QOL. Heart failure etiology of ischemic origin was associated with decreased social life satisfaction, and use of digitalis was predictive of increased social life satisfaction. Finally, increasing age was related to an increase in general life satisfaction. Conclusions Symptom amelioration, which may improve functional ability, has the greatest potential for increasing QOL in women with HF. Programs to increase physical activity in women with HF should be developed and tested. Finally, clinicians may need to optimize HF medications in women.
Effect of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists on endothelial NO synthase knockout mice with heart failure.

The beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AT 1 -ant) are reportedly mediated by NO in heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that in the absence of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), (1) left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and myocardial remodeling would be more severe after myocardial infarction (MI), and (2) the cardioprotective effect of ACEi and AT 1 -ant would be diminished or absent in mice with HF after MI. eNOS knockout mice (eNOS−/−) and wild-type C57BL/6J (C57) mice (+/+) were subjected to MI by ligating the left coronary artery. One month after MI, each strain was treated with vehicle, ACEi (enalapril, 20 mg/kg per day), or AT 1 -ant (valsartan, 50 mg/kg per day) for 5 months. Echocardiography was performed, and systolic blood pressure was measured before MI and monthly thereafter. Interstitial collagen fraction and myocyte cross-sectional area were examined histologically. We found that (1) compared with C57 mice, eNOS−/− mice that underwent sham surgery had significantly increased systolic blood pressure ( P P P 3 , respectively [ P 1 -ant had benefits similar to those of ACEi, which were also absent or diminished in eNOS−/− mice (for C57 versus eNOS−/−: increase in LVEF after AT 1 -ant, 13.5±1.8% versus −9.8±3%, respectively [ P P 1 -ant.