cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-free Grotthuss topochemistry for high-rate and long-life proton batteries

The design of Faradaic battery electrodes that exhibit high rate capability and long cycle life equivalent to those of the electrodes of electrical double-layer capacitors is a big challenge. Here we report a strategy to fill this performance gap using the concept of Grotthuss proton conduction, in which proton transfer takes place by means of concerted cleavage and formation of O–H bonds in a hydrogen-bonding network. We show that in a hydrated Prussian blue analogue (Turnbull’s blue) the abundant lattice water molecules with a contiguous hydrogen-bonding network facilitate Grotthuss proton conduction during redox reactions. When using it as a battery electrode, we find high-rate behaviours at 4,000 C (380 A g−1, 508 mA cm−2), and a long cycling life of 0.73 million cycles. These results for diffusion-free Grotthuss topochemistry of protons, in contrast to orthodox battery electrochemistry, which requires ion diffusion inside electrodes, indicate a potential direction to revolutionize electrochemical energy storage for high-power applications. This Article presents a battery with protons as the charge carrier, as opposed to Li-ion batteries, which rely on the transport of Li-ions. Protons are conducted by means of the Grotthuss mechanism in a hydrated Prussian blue analogue electrode, offering potential for ultrafast rate and long-life batteries.
Gender Differences in Self-Efficacy States in High School Physics.

Female students'physics self-efficacy tends to decrease after taking a high school physics course.
Managing the Use and Dissemination of Information about Biomarkers: The Importance of Incentive Structures.

The use of biomarkers holds great promise for the development of new therapeutics and the acceleration of clinical research. However, biomarkers must be validated — a complex and costly endeavor. I...
Manipulating the Patterns of Mechanical Forces That Shape Multicellular Tissues.

During embryonic development, spatial and temporal patterns of mechanical forces help to transform unstructured groups of cells into complex, functional tissue architectures. Here, we review emergi...
Making China modern: from the Great Qing to Xi Jinping: by Klaus Mulhahn, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2019, 717 pp., US$39.95 (hardback)

In 1999, Jonathan Spence published the second edition of The Search for Modern China (W. W. Norton, 1999). Twenty years later, Klaus Mulhahn promises a “reconsideration of China’s modern history” i...
Nothing Is Yet Set in (Hi)stone: Novel Post-Translational Modifications Regulating Chromatin Function.

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) have emerged as exciting mechanisms of biological regulation, impacting pathways related to cancer, immunity, brain function, and more. Over the past decade alone, several histone PTMs have been discovered, including acylation, lipidation, monoaminylation, and glycation, many of which appear to have crucial roles in nucleosome stability and transcriptional regulation. In this review, we discuss novel histone PTMs identified within the past 10 years, with an extended focus on enzymatic versus nonenzymatic mechanisms underlying modification and adduction. Furthermore, we consider how these novel histone PTMs might fit within the framework of a so-called ‘histone code’, emphasizing the physiological relevance of these PTMs in metabolism, development, and disease states.
The Opioid Requiring Patient: Evaluation and Management

Management of the patient on COT (chronic opioid therapy) is multifaceted due to the risks involved with therapy. Each patient must have adequate information documented in the medical record to support the current and specific pain diagnosis (for example, knee osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia). Treatment success with opioids must be measured by specific functional and/or pain intensity goals. Risks and benefits of opioid therapy must be assessed at every visit. Continuation of opioid therapy is conditional. It depends on the balance between patient benefit, risks of treatment, and evidence for aberrant behavior. Urine toxicology, prescription drug monitoring programs, and depression screening can help ensure the safety of patients. Naloxone prescription may also be warranted. How to prescribe naloxone is detailed in this section. Tapering may be required for those whose benefits do not outweigh risks. Various tapering methods are discussed. Opioid metabolism is important to understand as drug interactions can lead to accidental death. In addition, urine tests may need to be confirmed as opioid metabolites (such as hydromorphone) may confuse interpretation. Difficult conversations regarding opioid therapy and aberrant behavior may need to be undertaken. Suggested scripts and language are given and explained in order to facilitate these conversations.
Maximum amplitude measurement on thromboelastography is inversely associated with development of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high rates of venous thromboembolism despite prophylactic anticoagulation. Thromboelastography (TEG) has been suggested as a tool for identifying patients at increased risk of VTE. This study aims to determine if serial TEG evaluation predicts the development of VTE in patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 and respiratory failure without a prior diagnosis of acute VTE. Patients underwent TEG on days 1, 4, and 6 of ICU admission. The number of hypercoagulable days, defined as elevated TEG maximum amplitude, were recorded. The outcome was time from ICU admission to VTE during the hospital admission. Patients were censored at death and discharge. A Cox proportional hazards model was fit for time to first VTE controlling for patient age, sex, and exposure to antiplatelet agents. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were enrolled in the study (11 females/45 males);41.1% had a hypercoagulable TEG (MA above the upper limit of normal) on ICU day 1, 55.4% on day 4, and 48.2% on day 6. The primary outcome of VTE occurred in 17 patients (30.4%). The median time from ICU admission to VTE was 7 days (IQR 3-12). Of the 14 patients with hypercoagulable MA on all 3 measured days, 1 patient (7.1%) developed a VTE compared to 15.4% of those with hypercoagulable MA for 2 days (N=13), 30.8% of those hypercoagulable for 1 day (N=13), and 62.5% of patients not hypercoagulable any of the 3 days (N=16). Multivariable Cox-proportional hazards model found that increasing number of hypercoagulable days by MA was associated with a decreased risk of VTE (OR 0.48, CI 0.27-0.85, p=0.01). A Cox proportional hazards regression curve for the number of hypercoagulable days by MA holding all other covariates at their medians is shown in Figure 1. CONCLUSION: In this study, more hypercoagulable days on TEG MA measurement was counterintuitively associated with a decreased risk of VTE in patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure. The normal response to inflammation and infection is upregulation of pro-coagulant acute phase reactants suggesting that increased TEG MA may be physiologic. TEG MA measures below the upper limit of normal are associated with an increased risk of VTE and may mark the development of a consumptive coagulopathy.
Increased Likelihood of Relapse in Pediatric Anti-MOG Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Optic Neuritis (ON) vs. Seronegative ADEM and ON Patients (1061)

Objective: To determine correlation between MOG antibody status and symptom recurrence within three months of presentation. We present 22 patients who presented to Texas Children’s Hospital January 2018 – September 2019 diagnosed with ADEM and/or ON, characterizing presentation, presence of ant-MOG antibodies, and relapse rates. Background: ADEM is most commonly monophasic. While uncommon, new symptoms developing within three months of presentation are considered part of initial event. The presence of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies has been associated with relapse more than three months from initial presentation. The relationship between MOG antibodies and new symptomatology within first three months is unknown. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with ADEM and/or ON and tested for MOG antibodies. Charts reviewed for evidence of new MRI lesions or new symptoms. Results: 22 patients were identified with a mean age of 8.0 years. 16 patients (72.7%) were found to be antibody positive. At presentation, 17 patients were diagnosed with ADEM (12 MOG Ab positive), 3 with ON (2 MOG Ab positive), and 2 with ADEM and ON (both MOG Ab positive). 5 patients developed recurring attacks, with new symptoms and MRI findings of new lesion with contrast enhancement. Of these, all were positive for anti-MOG antibody, with an overall rate in the anti-MOG antibody population of 31.2%. 4 of these patients had new symptomatology within 3 months from presentation. All patients with recurrent attacks had an initial diagnosis of ADEM, with subsequent events including ADEM, ADEM and ON, and solely ON. Additionally, 3 patients have had more than one subsequent attack. Conclusions: Higher rates of relapse were seen in anti-MOG ADEM and ON in comparison to those who are seronegative. It was also found these patients are at increased risk of recurrent attacks less than 3 months from presentation, which is varying from the current classification of multiphasic ADEM. Disclosure: Dr. Fisher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Balasa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shukla has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lotze has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with He has served as a consultant/speaker for Biogen.. Dr. Lotze has received research support from PTC Therapeutics, Serepta Therapeutics and Catalyst Therapeutics.
CCCS: c ustomized spice-level c rossbar-array c ircuit s imulator for in-memory computing

Resistive crossbar arrays are known for their unique structure to implement analog in-memory vector-matrix-multiplications (VMM). However, general-purpose circuit simulators, such as HSPICE and HSIM, are too slow for large scale crossbar array simulations with consideration of circuit parasitics. Although there are some specific simulators designed for crossbar arrays, they mainly focus on area/power/delay estimation rather than accurate SPICE-level simulation, thus could not model its functionality on analog in-memory computing. In this paper, we firstly give a SPICE-level modeling of resistive crossbar array with consideration of circuit parasitics in MATLAB. We also propose efficient methods to further speedup simulations by model simplifications. Last but not least, ResNet-20 on CIFAR-10 is applied to demonstrate the work. With the proposed model simplification methods, simulation speed can be improved by ~31X with tolerable errors, and more than 5X speedup is achieved on ResNet-20 while the accuracy drop is 6%.
Discovering Cell Mechanisms: The Creation of Modern Cell Biology

Between 1940 and 1970 pioneers in the new field of cell biology discovered the operative parts of cells and their contributions to cell life. They offered mechanistic accounts that explained cellular phenomena by identifying the relevant parts of cells, the biochemical operations they performed, and the way in which these parts and operations were organised to accomplish important functions. Cell biology was a revolutionary science but in this book it also provides fuel for yet another revolution, one that focuses on the very conception of science itself. Laws have traditionally been regarded as the primary vehicle of explanation, but in the emerging philosophy of science it is mechanisms that do the explanatory work. Bechtel emphasises how mechanisms were discovered, focusing especially on the way in which new instruments made these inquiries possible. He also describes how new journals and societies provided institutional structure to this new enterprise.
Developing an Academic Medical Library Core Journal Collection in the (Almost) Post-Print Era: The Florida State University College of Medicine Medical Library Experience

The Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine Medical Library is the first academic medical library to be established since the Web's dramatic appearance during the 1990s. A large customer base for electronic medical information resources is both comfortable with and eager to migrate to the electronic format completely, and vendors are designing radical pricing models that make print journal cancellations economically advantageous. In this (almost) post-print environment, the new FSU Medical Library is being created and will continue to evolve. By analyzing print journal subscription lists of eighteen academic medical libraries with similar missions to the community-based FSU College of Medicine and by entering these and selected quality indicators into a Microsoft Access database, a core list was created. This list serves as a selection guide, as a point for discussion with faculty and curriculum leaders when creating budgets, and for financial negotiations in a broader university environment. After journal titles specific to allied health sciences, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, library science, and nursing were eliminated from the list, 4,225 unique journal titles emerged. Based on a ten-point scale including SERHOLD holdings and DOCLINE borrowing activity, a list of 449 core titles is identified. The core list has been saved in spreadsheet format for easy sorting by a number of parameters.
Abstract 782: Transmembrane 2-3 loop domain of the proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) forms a novel “reentrant loop” structure and is functionally important

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) is a proton-folate symporter with a twelve transmembrane domain (TMD) structure. Human PCFT (hPCFT) is highly expressed in many solid tumors and has an acidic pH optimum, suggesting its high activity in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Our recent studies have focused on exploiting PCFT for targeting solid tumors with novel cytotoxic antifolates. Predicted topology models suggest that the loop domain between TMDs 2 and 3 resides in the cytosol. However, mutations in TMD2-3 loop residues Asp109 or Arg113 result in loss of PCFT activity, suggesting an important role in transport activity. Additionally, TMD2 may itself form a part of the substrate binding domain, suggesting functional importance for TMD2 residues. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we replaced each of the seven cysteine (cys) residues of hPCFT with serine, creating functional “cys-less” PCFT for use in substituted cys accessibility methods (SCAM). We then used site-directed mutagenesis to create 34 single cys mutants spanning TMD2 and the TMD 2-3 loop region (positions 85-118) in a cys-less PCFT background. These mutants were transfected into R1-11 HeLa cells, which express no endogenous folate transporters. We measured [3H]methotrexate uptake at pH 5.5 as a readout of PCFT activity and confirmed PCFT protein expression by western blotting. All 34 mutants were detected on westerns and 29 mutants were active, while W107C, D109C, G112C, R113C, and R114C were inactive. Using functionally active mutants, we performed pull-down assays with 2-aminoethyl methanethiosulfonate-biotin (MTSEA-biotin) and steptavidin beads, in order to determine the aqueous accessibility of each mutant. We found that mutants G93C, F94W, G105C, A106C, S110C, and L116C reacted with MTSEA-biotin, suggesting that these residues are aqueous-accessible. For G93C, F94C, and L116C, MTSEA-biotin labeling was inhibited by pemetrexed pretreatment, and MTSEA-biotin treatment inhibited transport activity of G93C and F94C. Our results suggest that the TMD 2-3 loop domain is aqueous accessible and must form a novel functionally important “reentrant loop” structure. Additionally, residues located in TMD2 (Gly93 and Phe94) appear to play a key role in substrate binding to PCFT. Better understanding of functional and structural determinants of PCFT membrane transport will be critical to the development of novel PCFT-selective antifolate drugs for targeting solid tumors. Citation Format: Michael R. Wilson, Zhanjun Hou, Larry H. Matherly. Transmembrane 2-3 loop domain of the proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) forms a novel “reentrant loop” structure and is functionally important. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 782. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-782
Research Update: Synthesis, properties, and applications of ultrathin metallic nanowires and associated heterostructures

The properties of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials can change considerably and unexpectedly, when their diameters attain the “ultrathin” level, i.e., below 10 nm. Herein, we have summarized recent developments associated with not only the synthesis but also more importantly, the applications of ultrathin 1D nanowires. Specifically, various classes of ultrathin metallic nanowires have been shown to be excellent, high-performing structural motifs for electrocatalysts, superconducting materials, electrical devices, and nano-sized pressure sensors. Moreover, the fabrication of ultrathin-based 0D-1D, 1D-1D, and 1D-2D composite hybrid structures may represent one of the most promising designs for novel architectures in energy storage and conversion, photovoltaic devices, photoconductivity, and photoelectrocatalysis.
Ultraconserved elements, living fossil transposons, and rapid bursts of change: reconstructing the uneven evolutionary history of the human genome

Comparison of the human genome with the genomes of the mouse, rat, dog, cow, and other mammals reveals that at least 5% of the human genome is under negative selection. Negative selection occurs in important functional segments of the genome where random (mostly deleterious) mutations are rejected by natural selection, leaving the orthologous segments in different species more similar than would be expected under a neutral substitution model. Protein coding regions account for at most 1/3 of the segments that are under negative selection. In fact, the most conserved segments of the human genome do not appear to code for protein. These “ultraconserved” elements, of length from 200-800bp, are totally unchanged between human mouse and rat, and are on average 96% identical in chicken. The function of most is currently unknown, but we have evidence that many may be distal enhancers controlling the expression of genes involved in embryonic development. Other ultraconserved elements appear to be involved in the regulation of alternative splicing. Evolutionary analysis indicates that many of these elements date from a period very early in the evolution of vertebrates, as they have no orthologous counterparts in sea squirts, flies or worms. At least one group, involving a conserved enhancer of one gene and an ultraconserved altspliced exon of another, evolved from a novel retrotransposon family that was active in lobe-finned fishes, and is still active today in the “living fossil” coelacanth, the ancient link between marine and land vertebrates. In contrast with the slowly changing ultraconserved regions, in other areas of the genome recent genetic innovations that are specific to primates or specific to humans have caused relatively rapid bursts of localized changes, possibly through positive selection. Via simulation, we estimate that most of the DNA sequence of the common ancestor of all placental mammals, which lived in the last part Cretaceous period about 80-100 million years ago, can be predicted with 98% accuracy. We recently reconstructed and entire chromosome arm from the genome of this ancient species, and are currently working on a full genome reconstruction. Given this as a basis, and enough well-placed primate genomes to reconstruct intermediate states, we should eventually be able to document most of the genomic changes that occurred in the evolution of the human lineage from the placental ancestor over the last 100 million years, including innovations that arose by positive selection.
High fidelity sensor simulations for the virtual autonomous navigation environment

The Virtual Autonomous Navigation Environment (VANE) is a high-fidelity simulation environment for ground robotics. Physicsbased realism is the primary goal of the VANE. The VANE simulation incorporates realistic lighting, vehicle-terrain interaction, environmental attributions, and sensors. The sensor models, including camera, laser ranging, and GPS, are the focus of this work. These sensor models were designed to incorporate both internal (electronic) and external (environment) noise in order to produce a sensor output that closely matches that produced in real-world environments. This sensor output will allow roboticists to use simulation further into the development and debugging process before exposing robots to field conditions.
Open Source Software Development: Structural Tension in the American Experiment

At the dawn of the “digital millennium,” a new software paradigm has come on the scene to challenge the very foundations of the traditional, proprietary software companies. Open Source Development receives more and more attention each year as significant adoptions of open source solutions prove the viability of open source projects like Linux. At the center of this movement, the debate raises an unusual amount of emotional commotion. Even national headlines seem, at times, to lean towards the sensational. Does Open Source Development present a genuinely different alternative? Is it really a new paradigm? This chapter explores the significance of the Open Source Development model. Open Source Development is first positioned within the context of the “American Experiment,” a powerful blend of somewhat orthogonal political, social, and economic principles. Next, the historical and philosophical roots of open source software are examined, including an in-depth discussion of intellectual property rights. After this theoretical survey, a more technical comparison of Open Source Development and distributed systems theory serves to shed light on the essential mechanisms that drive the creation of open source software. Throughout the chapter, we attempt to take advantage of the heated energy emanating from the open source versus proprietary software debate to learn something about the system in which both exist. This chapter takes the position that neither model is “right,” that both are products of essential structural elements of our society, and that these elements naturally exhibit certain tensions from time to time. We believe these tensions are healthy bi-products of the vibrant and effusively dynamic American Experiment, and that their study is essential for anyone concerned with technology, economics, or creativity.
Precursor of an Ultra-Wideband Radar System

A precursor of an ultra-wideband mono-pulse radar system is presented. The design of the radar system is based on a new TEM-Horn antenna and a picosecond HV generator developed recently by the author. The purpose of the new radar design was to verify the ultra-wideband mono-pulse radar concept and to establish the ultimate design criteria for the ultra-wideband radar system.
Electrostatic destabilization of the cytochrome b6f complex in the thylakoid membrane.

Abstract Three of the membrane-spanning polypeptides of the chloroplast cytochrome (cyt) b6f complex were sequentially released from the thylakoid membrane, in the order cyt b6, suIV and Rieske iron-sulfur protein, as the pH was increased from 10 to 12, a protocol usually employed to remove peripheral proteins from membranes. The fourth polypeptide of the cyt b6f complex, cyt f, which spans the membrane once, was apparently not released. The pH values for half-release at low ionic strength were approximately 10.7, 11.1 and 11.3 respectively. The separation of the polypeptides of the complex and the sequential release is readily seen at pH 11, where the loss from the membrane of cyt b6, suIV and Fe iron-sulfur center is approximately 90%, 50% and 20%, respectively. the release of cyt b6 from the membrane was reflected by the absence of its characteristic reduced minus oxidized absorbance signal. The pH values at which the release occurred increased as the ionic strength was raised, implying that the release of the b6f polypeptides arises from extrusion due to repulsive electrostatic interactions probably caused by deprotonation of tyrosine and lysine residues. The lipid content of the released polypeptides was very low, consistent with the observation of a non-membranous state. It is proposed that the pH-dependent extrusion requires two electrostatic effects at alkaline pH higher than approximately 10.5: (i) increased electrostatic repulsion between neighbouring polypeptides of the complex, arising from increased net negative charge in the peripheral segments of these polypeptides, which can cause separation of the polypeptides from the complex; and (ii) ionization of residues such as tyrosine in the membrane-spanning alpha-helices, and neutralization of residues such as lysine which can bind to the negative membrane surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The natural law

Having considered Spinoza's view of our good, we can now turn to reason's guidance for obtaining it. One might expect reason's practical guidance to be very specific, since the best course of action likely depends on the particular circumstances; for instance, while it is usually in our best interests to exercise, there are times when it may not be, say, when recovering from an injury. Yet Spinoza holds that reason dictates practical laws, in other words, universal rules for action, which are the subject of this chapter. The first section examines Spinoza's discussion of practical laws, arguing that they are best understood as natural laws. The second section considers why reason would dictate lawlike commands. The section answers that reason, for Spinoza, requires us to adopt a kind of impartial perspective that does not attend to particular properties or one's position in space and time. The final section considers how Spinoza's view of the natural law bears on his view of autonomy. Since rationality consists in following impartial and universal rules for action, it follows that our autonomy does as well, a view that bears an unmistakable resemblance to Kant. The section examines this resemblance, arguing that Spinoza's ethics provides a different philosophical framework for defending claims often identified with Kantian ethics, that we become autonomous by being moral and that autonomy is the basis of morality.
Orthotopic liver transplantation for fulminant and subacute hepatic failure.

Fulminant or subacute hepatic failure (FHF/SAF) are characterized by massive necrosis of hepatocytes caused by any of a wide variety of hepatic insults (viral infection, chemicals, metabolic disorders, etc.). The condition is defined as true fulminant failure when it occurs within 8 weeks of the onset of the symptoms and subacute when the liver failure becomes evident sometime between the eighth and the twentieth week after the onset of the symptoms of liver disease. True FHF presents with progressive deterioration of hepatic function, leading to deepening jaundice, rapid onset and progression of hepatic encephalopathy, “foetor hepaticus,“ edema, ascites, severe coagulation disturbances and, in the later stages, hypoglycemia, hepatorenal syndrome, sepsis, acidosis, multiorgan failure, and eventually death. FHF is a disease syndrome with an extremely high degree of morbidity and mortality. The mortality is age- and etiology-dependent and averages 80 per cent when Stage IV coma has been reached, despite intensive medical treatment.1-4 In adults who reach stage IV coma, the mortality is 95 per cent or greater. SAF presents with a slower progression, but with a similar outcome in most of the cases. While liver transplantation (ortho- or heterotopic) has always been a tempting alternative to intensive medical therapy for this condition, it is only recently that whole organ liver replacement has achieved a success rate that justifies its use for FHF/SAF.3-5 In this article, the pre-, intra-, and postoperative management and decision-making process relative to liver transplantation for fulminant and subacute hepatic failure will be discussed, followed by a presentation of the results achieved by our group with orthotopic liver transplantation for these indications.
The Relation of Hiatal Hernia to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

The normal anti-reflux barrier of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is a complex anatomical region. The axial displacement of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) from the crural diaphragm that occurs with a hiatal hernia results in both anatomic and physiologic alterations that increase the susceptibility to gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The crural diaphragm acts as a sling around the GEJ that helps maintain GEJ closure by providing external compression and maintaining the “flap-valve” conformation of the GEJ. Increased GEJ distensibility in the presence of a hiatal hernia also increases susceptibility to flow of refluxate. In addition, the hiatal hernia sac can harbor acidic fluid that has the potential to re-reflux during subsequent swallows and consequently impairs normal esophageal acid clearance. The findings described in this chapter highlight the importance of an intact GEJ, which is disrupted in the presence of a HH, in preventing GER.
Spectroscopic markers of bone quality in alendronate-treated postmenopausal women.

Summary Comparison of infrared spectroscopic images of sections from biopsies of placebo-treated post-menopausal women and women treated for 3 years with 10 mg/day alendronate demonstrated significant increases in cortical bone mineral content, no alterations in other spectroscopic markers of “bone quality,” but a decrease in tissue heterogeneity.
Dispenser-printed planar thick-film thermoelectric energy generators

This work presents advancements in dispenser-printed thick film thermoelectric materials for the fabrication of planar and printable thermoelectric energy generators. The thermoelectric properties of the printed thermoelectric materials were measured as a function of temperature. The maximum dimensionless figures of merit (ZTs) at 302 K for the n-type Bi2Te3-epoxy composite and the p-type Sb2Te3-epoxy composite are 0.18 and 0.19, respectively. A 50-couple prototype with 5 mm × 640 µm × 90 µm printed element dimensions was fabricated on a polyimide substrate with evaporated metal contacts. The prototype device produced a power output of 10.5 µW at 61.3 µA and 171.6 mV for a temperature difference of 20 K resulting in a device areal power density of 75 µW cm−2.
Bridging marketing's intentions and consumer perceptions

Purpose – The paper's aim is to explore consumer perceptions of marketing and test the malleability of those perceptions. Design/methodology/approach – Study 1 is exploratory in nature, and employs a free-response sentence completion to, “marketing is […]”. Study 2 employs an experimental design, testing whether the framing of communications about marketer performance (firm-oriented vs consumer-oriented) influences consumer perceptions of marketing. Findings – Based on free responses to “marketing is […]”, findings indicate that US consumers generally see marketing as something that is bad for them, but good for businesses. However, this asymmetry disappears when marketer performance is communicated with a consumer orientation. Practical implications – Marketers aim to create relationships with consumers based on value exchange, yet consumers do not see such value exchange. They see the value of marketing for business, but not for consumers themselves. By being more cognizant of how marketer performance i...
Early childhood teacher education in Indonesia

As a background to understanding Indonesia's system of early‐childhood teacher education, it is first useful to learn something of the nation's social characteristics and educational development. Therefore, the following chapter begins with an overview of the country's sociopolitical condition and modes of schooling. Next, attention is directed at provisions for the education of children ages three through six. Subsequently, the preparation of teachers of young children is described in some detail.
Design and analysis of genetic association studies to finely map a locus identified by linkage analysis: assessment of the extent to which an association can account for the linkage.

Summary Association studies are often used to finely map quantitative trait loci identified by linkage analysis. Once a polymorphism associated with the trait has been identified, it may be useful to conduct linkage analyses which adjust for this polymorphism to determine the extent to which the association accounts for the linkage signal. However, methods for conducting statistical significance tests for an observed reduction in the linkage signal are not well developed. In the present study we develop methods for assessment of the statistical significance of an observed reduction in the variance due to the linked locus, with variance components or with Haseman-Elston linkage methods. Simulations indicate that these methods have appropriate levels of type I error and that, like other association statistics, their power depends on the magnitude of linkage disequilibrium between functional and marker alleles and on the extent of similarity between the frequency of the functional allele and the frequency of the associated marker allele. These methods can help determine which association results are likely due to strong linkage disequilibrium with functional alleles and, thus, can facilitate the selection of small chromosomal regions for more extensive study.
New light on Veblen's Work and Influence

. An important recent publication of writings by and about Thorstein Veblen, entitled Essays, Reviews, and Reports; Previously Uncollected Writings (1973), sheds new light on the social critic's work and influence. It was edited by Joseph Dorfman and includes a book by him entitled New Light on Veblen. Veblen's reviews are examined and evaluated. Dorfman's collection of material is surveyed, and it is seen that Veblen influenced an extremely wide range of important people besides the economists known as “institutionalists.” The book will be an essential source for anyone who tries to assess the impact of Veblen on our culture, and it is also a monument to Dorfman's dedication to its subject.
Microfluidic bubble-based gas sensor

This paper reports a new class of a gas sensor that utilizes the variation in bubble sizes when different gases are introduced into a liquid flow to identify gas types. The fabricated device enabled the detection of pentane (3μL) by producing the average bubble size of 130μm3, which showed size reduction by 2.4μm (1.7%) from the background bubble sizes (132.4μm) of nitrogen. The measurement also showed a preliminary correlation between the injection volume and the bubble size: increase in the injection volume of pentane from 3μL to 5μL (66.7% increases) resulted in the bubble size reduction from 1.7% to 2.1% (24% decreases) and the time span increase from 5s to 10s (100% increases).
Time Scales of Resonant Interactions Among Oceanic Internal Waves

Abstract Transfer rates and times of nonlinear resonant interactions within the oceanic internal wave field are evaluated analytically for the mechanisms which dominate the transfers within the Garrett-Munk spectral models (the elastic scattering, the induced diffusion, and the parametric subharmonic-instability mechanism). The analytic transfer rates assume that the interacting wave components are widely separated in wavenumber and/or frequency, and they are shown to agree well with the exact numerically calculated transfer rates. The analytic expressions are used to discuss conveniently and explicitly possible equilibrium states and the extent to which high-wavenumber internal waves can be treated in the weak-interaction limit. The Garrett-Munk spectral models are in equilibrium with respect to the elastic scattering, close to equilibrium with respect to the induced diffusion, and not in equilibrium with respect to the parametric subharmonic-instability mechanism. For an overall dissipation time scale o...
Aprotic Solvent Effects Upon the Fundamental Vibrational Peak of the Nitrile Group in Benzonitrile

The characteristic IR peak at 2230 cm-1 (298 K) for the C ≡ N group in benzonitrile shows a modest shift with changing solvent. A solvent reaction field model (SCRF-MO) perturbation model applied earlier to carbonyl species was tested with the ῡmax (C ≡ N) data for aprotic nonpolar, aprotic dipolar, aprotic highly dipolar, and aromatic liquids. For all the dielectric continuum functions tested as components in that model, there is evidence that solvent dipolarity and solvent polarizability are responsible for the nitrile band shift. However, as a solvent class, the aromatics exhibit a greater perturbation in ῡmax(C ≡ N) than predicted by any of the continuum descriptions.
Heme protein dynamics studied by phosphorescence of an external phosphorescent probe molecule.

Abstract The rate constant for quenching, k q , of the phosphorescence of 6-bromo-2-naphthyl sulfate (BNS) by cytochromes c, cytochrome c peroxidase, catalase, and myoglobin has been measured as a function of temperature and solvent viscosity. In aqueous solution at pH 7.0 for cytochromes c and myoglobin the value of k q is nearly equal to the rate constant for diffusional intermolecular contact, which is estimated from the value of k q for microperoxidase-11. For cytochrome c peroxidase and catalase k q is at least 350 times smaller than the rate of diffusional quenching, which shows that quenching of BNS phosphorescence occurs predominantly over the short distance between donor and acceptor. The mechanism for cytochrome c and myoglobin is found not to involve static quenching, deep penetration of BNS into the globin, or unfolding of the protein to allow contact between hems and BNS. It is concluded that quenching occurs by interaction of BNS with the exposed hems edge and by surface insertion of BNS into the protein to a depth sufficient for quenching by the unexposed heme. The effect of rapid-diffusional enhancement on k q is small. From a comparison of the results for the hems proteins, a model emerges that describes cytochrome c and myoglobin as having dynamic surfaces. Sufficient fluctuations persist to allow penetration of polyatomic probe molecules into the protein matrix, but the dynamics and/or interior microenvironment acts to increase resistance with increasing depth of penetration.
The VEST model: An alternative approach to value added

An analysis is provided of the general value added challenge faced by farmers, cooperatives, economic development boards, and others. The VEST model is developed by which publicly traded equities (stocks) can be used directly by farmers as an alternative to traditional value added investment strategies. Numeric VEST Coefficients are developed to serve as investment guidelines for farmers seeking the benefits of value added in the grains, red meat, and poultry sectors. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ocular fixation, vestibular dysfunction, and visual motion hypersensitivity.

Abstract Background A subgroup of individuals with vestibular dysfunction and visual motion hypersensitivity (VMH) become dizzy and imbalanced in response to movement of the visual environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate ocular fixational stability during gaze on a target, with and without visual background movement. Binocular vision functions were also examined as possible contributory factors to the dizziness and imbalance. Methods Twenty-four individuals with VMH, 20 with vestibular disorders without VMH and 20 healthy subjects were tested. Assignment to the experimental group was by symptoms of VMH. Outcome measures included electro-oculogram recordings of horizontal fixation and blink. Four clinical binocular vision functions were also tested. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory was used to assess the level of dizziness. Conclusion Subjects with VMH made significantly more refixational eye movements and had higher levels of dizziness than those in the other 2 diagnostic groups. There were abnormalities of binocular function in both the VMH and vestibular dysfunction groups compared with the control group. Individuals with VMH were unable to maintain stable gaze and inhibit eye movements to background motion. The large number of subjects with diagnosis of fluctuating vestibular function in the VMH group compared with the vestibular dysfunction group may indicate that VMH is a maladaptation of the system.
Repression of nucleolar organizer activity in an interspecific hybrid of the genux Xenopus

Abstract Nucleolar expression in reciprocal hybrids between African frogs of the species Xenopus laevis and X. mulleri has been examined throughout ontogeny. Evidence is presented for the stagespecific regulation of nucleolar expression in these hybrids, and for a maternal effect that operates during the early development. Advantage has been taken of the nucleolar organizer deletion in X. laevis to demonstrate that the uninucleolate conditions of hybrid nuclei at certain developmental stages is the result of an allelic repression of the mulleri nucleolar organizer region by the laevis genome. Differences in nucleolar expression between the reciprocal hybrids and the parental species have been put on a quantitative basis for several selected tissues.
The crisis of historicism and Troeltsch's Europeanism

(1995). The crisis of historicism and Troeltsch's Europeanism. History of European Ideas: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 195-207.
Thermal/optical effects in NSOM probes

Abstract The coupling of thermal and optical effects in near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) fitted with a coated tapered fiber probe is considered. Heating of the probe occurs due to the absorption of light in the metal coating in the tapered region of the probe at relatively large (tens of microns) distances from the probe apex. Conduction of heat that occurs with a time constant of tens of milliseconds results in an elevated probe temperature over a rather large region of the taper. This in turn, affects the optical throughput of the NSOM. Experimental measurement of thermal/optical coupling and a discussion of coupling mechanisms is included.
Surface damage of thin AlN films with increased oxygen content by nanosecond and femtosecond laser pulses

AlN films deposited on sapphire substrates were damaged by single UV nanosecond (at 248 nm) and IR femtosecond (at 775 nm) laser pulses in air at normal pressure. The films had high (27-35 atomic %) concentration of oxygen introduced into thin surface layer (5-10 nm thickness). We measured damage threshold and studied morphology of the damage sites with atomic force and Nomarski optical microscopes with the objective to determine a correlation between damage processes and oxygen content. The damage produced by nanosecond pulses was accompanied by significant thermal effects with evident signatures of melting, chemical modification of the film surface, and specific redistribution of micro-defect rings around the damage spots. The nanosecond-damage threshold exhibited pronounced increase with increase of the oxygen content. In contrast to that, the femtosecond pulses produced damage without any signs of thermal, thermo-mechanical or chemical effects. No correlation between femtosecond-damage threshold and oxygen content as well as presence of defects within the laser-damage spot was found. We discuss the influence of the oxygen contamination on film properties and related mechanisms responsible for the specific damage effects and morphology of the damage sites observed in the experiments.
The Fes tyrosine kinase: a signal transducer that regulates myeloid-specific gene expression through transcriptional activation

Abstract The c-fps/fes protooncogene encodes a 92-kDa protein tyrosine kinase that is involved in myeloid cell development and immune responses of granulocytes and macrophages. To help define its biological role and mechanism of action, we have developed a gain of function allele of Fes that has potent biological activity in myeloid cells. Introduction of constitutively active Fes into myeloid progenitors induced the appearance of fully differentiated macrophages or granulocytes depending on the lineage commitment of the transduced cells. We found that Fes-induced macrophage differentiation correlated with activation of the ets family transcription factor PU.1, which is essential for macrophage development. On the other hand, granulocyte differentiation by Fes was mediated through activation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) and STAT3, two transcription factors that are critical for granulocytic differentiation. We postulate that Fes transduces inductive signals for terminal macrophage and granulocyte differentiation, and that this biological activity is mediated through the activation of lineage-specific transcription factors.
The aqueous geochemistry of rare earth elements: V. Application of photoacoustic spectroscopy to speciation at low rare earth element concentrations

Abstract Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) yields information on complexation identical to that obtainable with conventional UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, but is up to three orders of magnitude more sensitive. The applicability of PAS to the study of Er 3+ oxalate and hydroxide complexes, at 25°C and 1 bar, has been demonstrated. Spectra can be obtained at concentrations as low as 10–20 μM, and observed spectral changes as a function of pH and oxalate concentration are consistent with the most reliable thermodynamic data available for these systems.
Lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia induce death of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and impede their development

Abstract Damage to oligodendrocyte (OL) progenitor cells (OPCs) and hypomyelination are two hallmark features of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), the most common form of brain damage in premature infants. Clinical and animal studies have linked the incidence of PVL to maternal infection/inflammation, and activated microglia have been proposed to play a central role. However, the precise mechanism of how activated microglia adversely affects the survival and development of OPCs is still not clear. Here we demonstrate that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia are deleterious to OPCs, that is, impeding OL lineage progression, reducing the production of myelin basic protein (MBP), and mediating OPC death. We further demonstrate that LPS-activated microglia mediate OPC death by two distinct mechanisms in a time-dependent manner. The early phase of cell damage occurs within 24 h after LPS treatment, which is mediated by nitric oxide (NO)-dependent oxidative damage and is prevented by NG-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME), a general inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. The delayed cell death is evident at 48 h after LPS treatment, is mediated by cytokines, and is prevented by blocking the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF), but not by l -NAME. Furthermore, microglia-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were significantly suppressed by LPS, and exogenous IGF-1 and CNTF synergistically protected OLs from death induced by LPS-treated microglia conditioned medium, indicating that a deficiency in trophic support may also be involved in OL death. Our finding that LPS-activated microglia not only induce two waves of cell death but also greatly impair OL development may shed some light on the mechanisms underlying selective white matter damage and hypomyelination in PVL.