cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stretchable Selective Emitters based on Carbon Nanotube Films for Adaptive Thermal Control

Selective emitters based on nanostructured materials have received increasing attention around the world as a novel branch in the development of thermal control systems. However, conventional selective emitter designs do not offer a dynamic control mechanism that is highly desired in many applications such as surface cooling. The self-adaptation properties of selective emitters are essential to address large-scale surface cooling and heating demands for buildings and civil infrastructures. In this work, we demonstrate the tunable emissivity of the thermal emitter consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) film on top of a stretchable silicone gel substrate. The broad wavelength-selective spectral emissivity in the Near-Infrared (NIR) and Middle-Infrared (mid-IR) ranges for this thermal emitter is illustrated and it can be continuously tuned when the film is under different strains. For instance, the average emissivity decreases by 0.2 in the UV-Vis-NIR range and 0.1 in the mid-IR range when the film goes through a strain of 80%. The hypothesis is that the emissivity changes with porosity inside the CNTs film when it suffers certain amounts of strains. We characterize the switchable emissivity by Ultraviolet-Visible-Near IR Spectroscopy (UV-Vis-NIR) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Our recycling measurement also confirms the repeatability of this emissivity change. The temperature prediction based on emissivity data suggests that the temperature difference can be up to $8 \ K$ between strained and unstrained samples assuming a steady ambient environment, typical weather condition and solar irradiance in California. Through this successful control of thermal emissivity, the way is paved towards some potential applications in thermal areas like heat management, thermal energy harvesting and passive radiative cooling.
Information Generative Bayesian Adversarial Networks: A Representation Learning Model for Transmission Gear Parameters

Representation learning of transmission gear parameters has been a challenging industrial problem due to its difficulty in learning the inherence of gear data with high dimension and coupling characteristics. To solve this issue, this article presents information generative Bayesian adversarial networks (IGBAN) to learn the interpretable representation of gear parameters with insufficient data and improve the effectiveness of evaluating corresponding gear reliability with the learned representation. In particular, to offset the assumption of Gaussian distribution in the generative adversarial network (GAN), a Bayesian discriminator is designed to distinguish original from generated samples. Then, we establish a Q-net to obtain information gain measuring the difference between original samples and learned representations. Furthermore, in IGBAN, the performance on gear reliability by the variation of key parameters is discovered through maximizing mutual information between latent representations and the reliability. Experimental results on real-world transmission gear data validate the effectiveness of our proposed model.
In vitro rearing of Edovum puttleri, an egg parasitoid of the Colorado potato beetle, from egg to pupal stage in artificial diets devoid of insect sources: Effects of dietary amino acid and carbohydrate levels

Previous studies have demonstrated that Edovum puttleri, an egg parasitoid of the Colorado potato beetle, can be reared through the pupal stage in an artificial diet containing either hemolymph from Manduca sexta or CPB embryonic cell line-conditioned medium. In order to improve the diet and reduce production costs, i.e., eliminate the insect-derived components, the effects of 13 amino acids and 20 carbohydrates on the growth and development of the parasitoid were determined. In the presence of any one of five of the amino acids (arginine, glutamine, lysine, threonine and valine) at a concentration of 1%, or eight of the carbohydrates (cellobiose, fructose, gentiobiose, glucose, lactose, melinbiose, sorbitol and threhalose), also at a concentration of 1%, more than 75% of the larvae molted to the second instar. At higher concentrations (2 and 3%), all five of the amino acids and most of the eight sugars promoted third instar formation. Prepupal formation was also observed. In the presence of threonine (at 2 and 3%) or glutamine (at 3%), between 22 and 29% of the parasitoids formed prepupae. Of the six sugars (at 3%) that promoted prepupal formation, lactose and sorbitol which promoted 18 and 20% prepupation, respectively, were the most effective. In the presence of all 13 amino acids (each at 3%) or all 20 carbohydrates (each at 3%), 36 and 39%, respectively, of the parasitoids formed prepupae. At lower concentrations, reduced percentages of prepupal formation were observed. Since the amino acids, glutamine and threonine, and the sugars, fructose, gentiobiose, glucose, lactose, sorbitol and trehalose, when added individually to the diet (at a concentration of 3%) were most effective in promoting prepupal formation, the effect of one of these two amino acids in combination with each of the six sugars was tested. Glutamine in combination with lactose or sorbitol was able to promote pupation (≤6.3%), and threonine in combination with any one of five of the sugars (lactose and sorbitol were most effective) supported pupal formation (≤6.7%). Our study demonstrated that E. puttleri can be successfully reared from the egg through the pupal stage in an artificial diet devoid of insect materials.
Abstract 822: Enhanced Left Ventricle TGFβ2 Signaling in a Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Pathological gene transcription and induction of proinflammatory signaling is a hallmark of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and HF. Previous studies from our lab identified TGFβ2 as a putative driver ...
Impact of Detector Configuration on Performance Measurement and Signal Operations

In recent years, automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPMs) have emerged as a means of developing situational awareness of traffic conditions at intersections and assessing the quality ...
29.9 A 4×4 Distributed Multi-Layer Oscillator Network for Harmonic Injection and THz Beamforming with 14dBm EIRP at 416GHz in a Lensless 65nm CMOS IC

Integrated high-power THz arrays with beamforming ability can enable new applications in communication, sensing, imaging, and spectroscopy [1]. However, due to the limited power-generation capability of a single source above the device f max [2], efficient spatial power combining from multiple coherent sources becomes necessary to generate mW level of power. To create this 2D array of distributed frequency and phase-locked sources, prior works have shown central LO-signal distribution with local harmonic upconversion [3]. However, this requires high power consumption in the LO distribution. In addition, phase-matching with PVT variations across the sources at the harmonic-radiating THz frequency can be quite challenging. A small ∆θ perturbation at the fundamental frequency translates to N∆θ at the radiated Nth harmonic, thus corrupting the array beam pattern. Another method to synchronize multiple distributed radiating sources (ƛ/2 spaced at Nfo) is through a mutual coupling network with active/passive elements in a coupled oscillator array [4], [5]. However, the locking range in these methods is typically narrow (∆f locking ~ f 0 /20 to f 0 /10) and PVT variations can easily cause desynchronization. In such a network, each cell is a self-sustaining oscillator, and the coupling network tries to establish injection signals to force synchronization between these individual free-running oscillators. In this paper, we used a 2D oscillating network with negative G m (–G m ) cells at each node that do not oscillate individually but only collectively, establishing a robust frequency and phase distribution network across the chip for high THz-power generation. By making this network as the lowest layer, we can now separate the locking mechanism and the power-generation sources. This avoids loading and sub-optimal operation of the power sources. The distributed oscillating network at the lowest layer operates at 69.3GHz, and multi-layer local harmonic generation produces a radiated power of −3dBm and +14dBm EIRP at 416GHz in a 4×4 array.
Power in Commercial and Industrial Societies

Capital and entrepreneurship are the most significant factors of production in commercial and industrial societies. The development of commerce and industry facilitates the separation of economic from political power because unlike land, capital is mobile, and even when it is not, it depreciates. Entrepreneurship is even more mobile than capital. If those with political power in commercial societies try to confiscate economic power, economic power will migrate to friendlier jurisdictions. This chapter traces the historical development of power relationships in commercial and industrial societies in Italian city-states, in the low countries in what is now the Netherlands, and in Britain, to illustrate the concepts that have been developed in earlier chapters.
Power Grab: Political Survival through Extractive Resource Nationalization

For rulers whose territories are blessed with extractive resources - such as petroleum, metals, and minerals that will power the clean energy transition - converting natural wealth into fiscal wealth is key. Squandering the opportunity to secure these revenues will guarantee short tenures, while capitalizing on windfalls and managing the resulting wealth will fortify the foundations of enduring rule. This book argues that leaders nationalize extractive resources to extend the duration of their power. By taking control of the means of production and establishing state-owned enterprises, leaders capture revenues that might otherwise flow to private firms, and use this increased capital to secure political support. Using a combination of case studies and cross-national statistical analysis with novel techniques, Mahdavi sketches the contours of a crucial political gamble: nationalize and reap immediate gains while risking future prosperity, or maintain private operations, thereby passing on revenue windfalls but securing long-term fiscal streams.
Duff: A Dataset-Distance-Based Utility Function Family for the Exponential Mechanism.

We propose and analyze a general-purpose dataset-distance-based utility function family, Duff, for differential privacy's exponential mechanism. Given a particular dataset and a statistic (e.g., median, mode), this function family assigns utility to a possible output o based on the number of individuals whose data would have to be added to or removed from the dataset in order for the statistic to take on value o. We show that the exponential mechanism based on Duff often offers provably higher fidelity to the statistic's true value compared to existing differential privacy mechanisms based on smooth sensitivity. In particular, Duff is an affirmative answer to the open question of whether it is possible to have a noise distribution whose variance is proportional to smooth sensitivity and whose tails decay at a faster-than-polynomial rate. We conclude our paper with an empirical evaluation of the practical advantages of Duff for the task of computing medians.
Identification of Phospho-Tyrosine Targets as a Strategy for the Treatment of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Introduction Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive cancer type that is increasing at a high rate in the US and worldwide. Extensive sequencing of EC specimens has shown that there are no consistent driver mutations that can impact treatment strategies. The goal of this study was to identify activated tyrosine kinase receptors (TKRs) in EC samples as potential targets in the treatment of EC. Methods Activated tyrosine kinase receptors were detected using a dot-blot array for human TK receptors. Human esophageal cancer cell lines were transplanted into immunocompromised mice, and tumor xenografts were subjected to tyrosine kinase inhibitors based on the dot-blot array data. Results Using the OE33 esophageal cancer cell line, we identified activated EGF receptor (EGFR), as well as ErbB2 and ErbB3. Treatment of this cell line with erlotinib, a specific inhibitor of EGFR, did not impact the growth of this tumor cell line. Treating the OE33 cell line with afatinib, a pan-EGFR family inhibitor resulted in the growth inhibition of OE33, indicating that the ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors were contributing to tumor cell proliferation. Afatinib treatment of mice growing OE33 tumors inhibited growth of the OE33 tumor cells. Discussion Activated tyrosine kinase receptors were readily detected in both cancer cell lines and human esophageal cancer samples. By identifying the activated receptors and then using the appropriate tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we can block tumor growth in vitro and in animal xenografts. We propose that identifying and targeting activated TKRs can be used as a personalized EC tumor treatment strategy.
Improving Blood Pressure Accuracy in the Outpatient Adolescent Setting.

Introduction Hypertension (HTN) is increasing in the pediatric population, and hypertensive children become hypertensive adults. Blood pressure (BP) is often overlooked due to factors including distrust in readings, lack of time in visits, and discomfort prescribing antihypertensive medications. The objective of our multistage, clinically based quality improvement project was to improve BP measurement and HTN diagnosis and intervention in adolescents. Methods Study investigators performed interventions in an adolescent medicine clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado (ages 12-24 years), which included equipment inventory, mapping clinic processes, manual/automated BP training for staff, education of faculty/staff on guidelines, and creation/implementation of updated best practice alerts (BPAs) based on age-appropriate guidelines for stage 1, 2 HTN in patients younger/older 18years. Results With equipment updates, medical assistant manual BP certifications, educational sessions for faculty/staff, and creation of a BPA with instruction before the go-live date, confidence in using automated and manual BP measurements increased for faculty/staff. The number of unique patient visits presenting with elevated BPs decreased significantly in the postintervention period reflecting the education/training. Staff used the new order set minimally, but there was an increase in correct diagnoses of elevated BP and laboratory workup. Conclusions Having appropriate equipment while introducing BP guideline education in the ambulatory setting with electronic health record reminders and utility of BPAs can decrease erroneous BP values saving providers and staff encounter time. Real-time alerts can aid in accurate diagnosis rates and improved intervention for youth with elevated BP readings. Providers still inconsistently interact with order sets despite such parameters.
Four-dimensional chromosome reconstruction elucidates the spatiotemporal reorganization of the mammalian X chromosome.

Chromosomes are segmented into domains and compartments, but how these structures are spatially related in three dimensions (3D) is unclear. Here, we developed tools that directly extract 3D information from Hi-C experiments and integrate the data across time. With our “4DHiC” method, we use X chromosome inactivation (XCI) as a model to examine the time evolution of 3D chromosome architecture during large-scale changes in gene expression. Our modeling resulted in several insights. Both A/B and S1/S2 compartments divide the X chromosome into hemisphere-like structures suggestive of a spatial phase-separation. During the XCI, the X chromosome transits through A/B, S1/S2, and megadomain structures by undergoing only partial mixing to assume new structures. Interestingly, when an active X chromosome (Xa) is reorganized into an inactive X chromosome (Xi), original underlying compartment structures are not fully eliminated within the Xi superstructure. Our study affirms slow mixing dynamics in the inner chromosome core and faster dynamics near the surface where escapees reside. Once established, the Xa and Xi resemble glassy polymers where mixing no longer occurs. Finally, Xist RNA molecules initially reside within the A compartment but transition to the interface between the A and B hemispheres and then spread between hemispheres via both surface and core to establish the Xi.
Conductive Hearing Loss and the Jugular Bulb

which noted some thinning of bone over superior semi-circular canal and high riding jugular bulb (Fig. 2). However, neither of these findings were considered to be the cause of his conductive hearing loss at the time. Based on the history of repeated effusions/infection, an ossicular affection was suspected and an exploratory tympanotomy was performed. Upon elevation of the tympanomeatal flap, a large bony structure was encountered in the tympanic cavity. It was confirmed to be a high riding jugular bulb and bony adhesions were identified between the bulb and the malleus, the stapes and the tympanic membrane. Additionally the jugular bulb was overlying the round window. In retrospect, these can also be seen on the CT multiplanar reformatted images (Fig. 3 and 4). The bony attachments were freed and the stapes foot plate was noted to be mobile. The jugular bulb however was not moved. The patient healed well from the surgery, but an audiogram following the procedure showed persistent moderate lowand mid-frequency 40 dB conductive loss on the right side.
Analysis and life prediction of a composite laminate under cyclic loading

Abstract A thermographic approach is applied to study the fatigue behavior of a Glass/Epoxy (G10/FR4) composite laminate. A series of uniaxial tension–compression and fully-reversed bending fatigue tests are performed at different stress levels and load ratios with both constant and variable amplitude loading. It is found that under the conditions tested, there is a fairly linear correlation between the rate of temperature rise obtained from the specimen and the time rate of hysteresis energy generation. It is shown that the slope of temperature rise obtained from the specimen increases steadily as the damage accumulates due to cyclic loading. It is also found that the slope of temperature rise is a useful parameter for the characterization of composite fatigue life in constant as well as variable amplitude loading. Several validation tests are performed both constant and variable amplitude loading, and the results are found to be in good agreement to those obtained from the experiments.
Defining the Notion of Complete Intersection for Regular Graded Skew Clifford Algebras

In recent work of T. Cassidy and the author, a notion of complete intersection was defined for regular skew polynomial rings, defining it using both algebraic and geometric tools. In this article, the definition is modified and extended to a larger class of algebras, namely regular graded skew Clifford algebras. Some of the ideas are also discussed for AuslanderGorenstein algebras satisfying certain hypotheses.
The Future Viability of the Current Antitrust Treatment of Vertical Restraints

It seems to me that there really are but two questions posed on the subject of vertical restraints. First, is the current state of the law of vertical restraints likely to change? And second, how does one evaluate the present posture in any event? As to whether the law is likely to change, although I do not pretend to be a historian or a scholar on the point, I believe the antitrust laws, like most legislation, were born out of the political and economic climate prevailing at the time. While I will not attempt to debate whether there are or are not political values that ought to be applied in antitrust cases, the very plain truth is that anyone who thinks that legislation is not the product of prevailing politics has not been to Washington. Thus, to believe that the mood and swing in antitrust is not a result or reflection, at least in part, of the political and economic climate of this country is to ignore a very definite reality. If one is going to predict the future in this area of the law, therefore, one should be mindful of the changing political mood and views of the country. For instance, will we look for more or less government participation? Will we favor protectionism or a reduction in import barriers? The answers to those questions and others will tell us a great deal about the course of antitrust law.
Atmosphere-entry behavior of a modular, disk-shaped, isotope heat source.

The authors have studied the entry and impact behavior of an isotope heat source for space nuclear power that disassembles into a number of modules that would enter the Earth's atmosphere separately if a flight aborted. These modules are disk-shaped units, each with its own re-entry heat shield and protective impact container. In normal operation, the disk modules are stacked inside the generator, but during a re-entry abort they separate and fly as individual units of low ballistic coefficient. Flight tests at hypersonic speeds have confirmed that a stack of disks will separate and assume a flat-forward mode of flight. Free-fall tests of single disks have demonstrated a nominal impact velocity of 30 m/sec at sea level for a practical range of ballistic coefficients. Thermal and structural calculations indicate re-entry survival under all possible re-entry conditions for speeds up to and including Earth escape speed.
A histopathologic study of retinal lesions inflicted by transscleral iontophoresis.

In the present study, retinal lesions were induced by transscleral iontophoresis (1.5 mA) in rabbits. The size and severity of the lesions increased with the duration of application (2–25 min). No lesion was noted after <1 min application. Immediately after 5 min iontophoresis, the edematous retina exhibited necrotic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), loss of outer segments, and thinning of the inner and outer nuclear layers. At 5 days after iontophoresis, there was a proliferation of RPE cells and macrophages in the subretinal space, with thinning of the inner and outer retinal layers continuing. By day 14, the retina had been reduced to a glial membrane. Immediately after 15 min iontophoresis, the damaged retina appeared in a mummified form containing no cellular elements. By day 5 thereafter, macrophages and actively proliferating RPE cells had been noted in the necrotic retina. By day 14, a glial membrane had formed.
Review of Elizabeth Morrison’s Engines of Influence: Newspapers of Country Victoria, 1840–1890

Alan Atkinson of the University of New England reviews Engines of Influence: Newspapers of Country Victoria, 1840–1890 , by Elizabeth Morrison (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press [Academic Monograph Series], 2005, pp. xi + 366. $49.95pb. Also available as an e-book).
Obtaining intra-articular bone grafts arthroscopically for intra-articular grafting

Autogenous bone graft is frequently necessary for arthroscopic procedures and even small open procedures that involve cruciate revision, osteochondritis dissecans repair, and fracture reduction and internal fixation. Currently used sites to obtain bone graft are the iliac crest and Gerdy's tubercle. This article describes an arthroscopic technique for harvest of small amounts of bone graft from the distal femur. This avoids the morbidity of the extra-articular harvest. Tube harvesters frequently used for osteochondral autografts are the primary tool required for this technique. However, as described, the obtaining of bone graft is much less technically exacting than when procuring osteochondral bone plugs. This provides a safe, simple way to obtain extra autogenous bone at minimal additional operative morbidity.
Crop condition assessment using high temporal resolution satellite images

Early and accurate reporting of crop condition is desired for its importance and sensitivity to commodity exchange markets and other related sectors. Traditional approach to create the weekly report on crop condition relies on the survey of selected farmers. The results are subjective and inconsistent throughout the crop growing season. Selected remote sensing approaches have been implemented and evaluated against the same dataset. The most challenge for operatically using remotely sensed approach to assess crop condition is the difficult in constructing a high temporal resolution time series of consistent vegetation indices due to cloud contamination or atmospheric effect. In this study, an operational approach was developed to estimate the crop condition using a series of smoothed Normalized Vegetation Indices. Five categories of smoothing algorithms were implemented and compared. They are high order polynomial fitting, “4253H, Twice”, cubic B-Spline, Savitzky-Golay filtering, and double sigmoid kernel fitting. Surveyed data were used to evaluate the results of 48 experiments. The results showed that Savitzky-Golay filtering has a good performance on crop condition assessment. Smoothing improved accuracy of crop condition assessment.
Hydroformylation of octene-1 with a poly(arylene ether triaryl phosphine) rhodium complex

Abstract Poly(arylene ether triaryl phosphine oxide)s were synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of bisphenolates and bis(4,4′-fluorophenyl)phenyl phosphine oxide. Amorphous, transparent, high glass transition temperature materials are produced that are soluble in a number of solvents. The macromolecular aryl phosphine oxide structure was successfully reduced with phenylsilane in chlorobenzene at 110°C to produce the corresponding poly(arylene ether triphenyl phosphine). The model precursor polymer was soluble in toluene and was used as a ligand for the hydroformylation of octene-1. The soluble rhodium species was based upon Rh(acac)(CO) 2 . When the two component solutions were combined they produced a heterogeneous catalyst which was reacted with octene-1 and purified synthesis gas in a pressure reactor. Various ratios of polymeric phosphene ligands were investigated and an 8:1 ratio produced 95% conversion in 3 h at 120°C. The polymeric catalyst demonstrated improved selectivity of normal to branched aldehydes relative to a control conventional catalyst.
Management Development in the United States: A New Era in Human Resources Development

Management development in the US has now reached its most critical stage in the past three decades. As we are presently emerging from a nation‐wide recession, which has left in its wake disemployed white and blue collar workers on all organisational levels, a depletion of management resources necessary for organisational reconstruction and the re‐engagement of the skilled and talented in our workforce, human resources professionals throughout the country are planning for a concerted effort to influence corporate leaders to take action on implementing practical management development programmes based on quality of content and delivery which encompass an array of professional managerial disciplines.
Topiramate in pregnancy and risk of oral clefts: Margulis et al

See related article, page 405 Topiramate was approved in the United States in 1996 for the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures. An indication for migraine prophylaxis was added in 2004. The drug has been used on an off-label basis for eating, sleep, and psychiatric disorders. Recently, a combination of phentermine and topiramate was approved for chronic weight management in overweight or obese adults with a weight-related disorder. Margulis and colleagues, noting that some of these conditions are particularly prevalent among women of child-bearing age, looked for a link between topiramate use in pregnancy and cleft lip with or without cleft palate in offspring.
Teacher education and soothing strategies with infants and toddlers

Observations of soothing strategies that daycare teachers used with infants and toddlers in 10 centres, revealed that distress episodes lasted the longest for the youngest babies (0–12 months). The youngest babies received more positive caregiver responses when distressed compared with babies 13–24 months or toddlers 25–36 months old. The frequency of distress cues did not differ by child gender. Recorded levels of distress were significantly lower for babies cared for by teachers who had high school education or less, and those teachers responded more rapidly to infant/toddler distress signals than did teachers with college-level education.
Introduction: Symposium on economic growth, theory and computations

Abstract The eleven papers in this symposium study questions about the factors contributing to long-run growth. One group of papers deals with savings and investment decisions, another with welfare aspects of fiscal and monetary policy, and a third with human capital accumulation and its external effects. Finally, one paper surveys and assesses methods that may be useful for computing solutions to models of the type that arise in modern growth theory.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation. Modulation by plasma adenosine and methylxanthines.

Abstract This study examined the role of plasma adenosine in the modulation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) activity on platelet aggregation and serotonin (5-HT) release in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In addition, the effects of methylxanthines (e.g. theophylline and caffeine) were studied on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in PRP isolated from blood samples from healthy subjects. Also, PAF-induced platelet aggregation was examined in PRP samples of patients receiving theophylline treatment. These studies demonstrate that plasma adenosine levels (0.1 to 0.3 μM) play a key role in negative modulation of PAF activity on platelet aggregation and 5-HT release. After depletion of plasma adenosine, the platelet-aggregating activity of PAF was increased greatly (>10-fold). PAF at concentrations of 0.1 to 12 μM caused no 5-HT release in PRP containing normal amounts of adenosine (blood collected in the presence of 2′-deoxycoformycin and dilazep), whereas PAF at 0.1 μM caused 5-HT release (45%) in adenosine-depleted PRP, demonstrating that plasma adenosine is much more inhibitory of 5-HT release than platelet aggregation. The adenosine antagonists theophylline (50 μM), caffeine (50 μM) and a xanthine derivative, 3,7-dimethyl-l-propargylxanthine (DMPX, 10 μM) (a more specific adenosine A2 receptor antagonist), potentiated PAF activity on platelet aggregation in PRP samples containing adenosine. Also, patients receiving theophylline treatments showed significantly greater platelet aggregation induced by PAF in their PRP samples. PAF induced a rapid increase (80% in 15 sec) in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, which was strongly inhibited by adenosine (IC50, 0.3 μM). Our studies suggest that agents that can increase plasma adenosine levels (e.g. inhibitors of adenosine uptake and adenosine metabolism) or methylxanthines may be useful in altering (inhibiting or enhancing, respectively) PAF actions on platelets and other tissues.
Modulation of cell junctions during differentiation of the chicken otocyst sensory epithelium.

Abstract The differentiation of sensory and support cells within the embryonic chick otocyst is accompanied by alterations in the distribution of preexisting intercellular junctions. Prior to innervation of this epithelium, tight, gap and adhering junctions exist between all cells. Upon differentiation of the epithelium, apical bands of tight and adhering junctions are maintained throughout, while gap junctions and desmosomes are found only between support cells. Thus, some of the gap junctions that join homogeneous epithelial cells prior to innervation are removed as sensory cells differentiate, and a separate population of very large gap junctions is formed between differentiating support cells. Morphological evidence suggests two possible mechanisms which may be responsible for the observed changes in gap junctional distribution: removal of gap junctions by internalization, and formation of gap junctions by aggregation of precursor particles. The temporal correlation between junctional modulation, cytological differentiation of sensory and support cells, and ingrowth of nerve fibers makes the latter event a likely developmental cue for differentiation of this epithelium.
Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) of aqueous nonsurfactant salts, ionic surfactants, and mixed ionic surfactants

When a chromophore in solution is not surface active, it can still be detected via IRRAS at the air/water interface, down to the concentration level of 1−10 mM. This is demonstrated with new data o...
Self-regulation in an undergraduate psychology course: Results from a performance examination

Forty-four undergraduate students enrolled in a psychology course entitled “Biofeedback and Self-Regulation” over a period of three semesters. Twenty percent of each student's grade in the course was derived from the level of self-regulation skills, as measured in an individual performance examination. Results show students can develop impressive self-regulation skills in a course format. Results also indicate that the performance examination measures abilities which are altogether different from those utilized in written examinations.
Spectrophotometric calibration of the Swope and duPont telescopes for the Carnegie supernova project 2

We present results from the spectrophotometric calibration of the new E2V CCD camera on the Swope telescope and of RetroCam on the DuPont Telescope. We measured the relative sensitivity of each pixel vs wavelength over the whole wavelength sensitivity range of each camera, for all the filters that will be used during the 5 years of the CSP2 survey. We used a tunable light source and fiber delivery system conceived and built in our lab to achieve +/-1% precision calibration from 300nm to 1100nm and +/-3% from 1100nm to 1800nm. Achieving this relatively high precision at low light levels was made possible by using Si, Ge and InGaAs photodiodes coupled to custom high gain amplifiers. Comparison of these results to results obtained 3 years before, allowed us to confirm that the intrinsic transmission bandpass of the filters has not changed over time but that the mirror reflectivity and the introduction of a new CCD camera drastically changed the total telescope sensitivity. The analysis of the spatial response of the new E2V CCD vs wavelength also shows a slight gradient in the color response of the CCD both in the UV and Infrared.
Development of multiblock copolymers with novel hydroquinone-based hydrophilic blocks for proton exchange membrane (PEM) applications

Abstract Hydrophilic–hydrophobic sequenced multiblock copolymers were synthesized and evaluated for use as proton exchange membranes (PEMs). The multiblock copolymers were prepared by a coupling reaction between fully disulfonated hydroquinone-based hydrophilic oligomers (HQS100) and unsulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) hydrophobic oligomers (BPS0). The hydroquinone-based hydrophilic oligomers possess several advantages over previously utilized biphenol-based hydrophilic oligomers (BPS100), including higher hydrophilicity, enhanced nano-phase separation with hydrophobic segments, and lower cost. To maintain the hydrophilic–hydrophobic sequences in the system, the coupling reactions were conducted at low temperature (e.g., 105 °C) to avoid ether–ether exchange reactions. The coupling reaction was solvent sensitive due to a low reactivity of the hydroquinone-phenoxide end-group on the HQS100. All copolymers produced tough ductile films when cast from an NMP or DMF solution. Fundamental membrane parameters including water uptake, proton conductivity, and swelling ratio were investigated along with morphology characterizations by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
The dynamic surface chemistry during the interaction of CO with ceria captured by Raman spectroscopy

The interaction of CO with ceria under conditions typically used to measure the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of automotive three way catalysts (TWC) has been investigated by in situ Raman spectroscopy. During exposure of the ceria to CO at 623 K vibrational bands at 1582–1600 and 1331–1340 cm−1 appeared; these bands increased with increasing time of exposure to CO. The band positions are consistent with phonon modes of carbon; however, assignment to carboxylate species or carbonate species cannot be excluded. Subsequent exposure to O2 at room temperature resulted in a decrease in the intensities of the 1582–1600 and 1331–1340 cm−1 bands by more than 90%. As well, exposure to O2 at room temperature also resulted in the appearance of Raman modes characteristic of formate and peroxide surface species. The mechanism by which formate forms upon room temperature O2 exposure is discussed in the context of the assignment of the 1582–1600 and 1331–1340 cm−1 bands to carbon phonon modes which result from the disproportionation of CO on reduced ceria.
Peptide-mediated deposition of nanostructured TiO 2 into the periodic structure of diatom biosilica

Diatoms are single-celled algae that make silica shells called frustules that possess periodic structures ordered at the micro- and nanoscale. Nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) was deposited onto the frustule biosilica of the diatom Pinnularia sp. Poly-l-lysine (PLL) conformally adsorbed onto surface of the frustule biosilica. The condensation of soluble Ti-BALDH to TiO2 by PLL-adsorbed diatom biosilica deposited 1.32 ± 0.17 g TiO2/g SiO2 onto the frustule. The periodic pore array of the diatom frustule served as a template for the deposition of the TiO2 nanoparticles, which completely filled the 200-nm frustule pores and also coated the frustule outer surface. Thermal annealing at 680 °C converted the as-deposited TiO2 to its anatase form with an average nanocrystal size of 19 nm, as verified by x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and SEM/TEM. This is the first reported study of directing the peptide-mediated deposition of TiO2 into a hierarchical nanostructure using a biologically fabricated template.
Replacing the wild type loxP site in BACs from the public domain with lox66 using a lox66 transposon

Chromatin adjoining the site of integration of a transgene affects expression and renders comparisons of closely related transgenes, such as those derived from a BAC deletion series retrofitted with enhancer-traps, unreliable. Gene targeting to a pre-determined site on the chromosome is likely to alleviate the problem. A general procedure to replace the loxP site located at one end of genomic DNA inserts in BACs with lox66 is described. Truncating insert DNA from the loxP end with a Tn10 transposon carrying a lox66 site simultaneously substitutes the loxP with a lox66 sequence. The replacement occurs with high stringency, and the procedure should be applicable to all BACs in the public domain. Cre recombination of loxP with lox66 or lox71 was found to be as efficient as another loxP site during phage P1 transduction of small plasmids containing those sites. However the end-deletion of insert DNA in BACs using a lox66 transposon occurred at no more than 20% the efficiency observed with a loxP transposon. Differences in the ability of Cre protein available at different stages of the P1 life cycle to recombine identical versus non-identical lox-sites is likely responsible for this discrepancy. A possible mechanism to explain these findings is discussed. The loxP/lox66 replacement procedure should allow targeting BACs to a pre-positioned lox71 site in zebrafish chromosomes; a system where homologous recombination-mediated "knock-in" technology is unavailable.
A Shared Point of Access to Facilitate Interagency Collaboration

Elders and their caregivers oftentimes have difficulty coordinating services among human service agencies. In addition, service providers spend countless hours collecting information that has already been collected by other service providers, and suboptimal communication between agencies hinders the ability to coordinate services. The project discussed in this paper prototyped the use of a Shared Point of Access (SPA) between a group of nonprofit agencies providing services to senior citizens to facilitate interagency case management. Its design and development, specifically including leadership issues, database system models, HIPAA, and governance structures, are outlined in this paper.
Development of micro-machining techniques for air-assisted liquid atomization

Abstract Micro-machining techniques based on the LIGA X-ray lithographic process have been applied to liquid spray atomization. Gas flow orifices were produced with diameters below 10 μm and large depth-to-diameter ratios (23:1). Electrodeposited nickel membranes, 25 mm in diameter and up to 0.16 mm thick were produced containing 4200 gas flow orifices. The membranes were used to control the interface between the gas and liquid phases for the air-assisted atomization experiments. A high degree of control over the gas/liquid interaction, possible with the LIGA membranes, yielded efficient production of small drops unobtainable from commercially available electrodeposited micro-orifice membranes.
Studies on the procoagulant activity of human amniotic fluid I. Stability and coagulation factor requirements

A fraction of human amniotic fluid possessing procoagulant activity was purified 35–70 fold by gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. The activity eluted in the void volume indicating a particle size in excess of 5 x 10 daltons. The amniotic fluid factor (AFF) activity is stabilized on stage in the presence of Ca++ ions which could not be replaced by Mg++. Addition of phospholipids resulted in accelerated loss of activity. Steps taken to remove factor VII did not affect the activity, but factor X and V are required.
International Obligations and the Morality of War

Americans are not as religiously divided on foreign policy questions as they are over such hot-button, culture war domestic issues as abortion and gay marriage. Nevertheless, surveys suggest that Americans’ attitudes on several foreign policy fronts are consistent with a religious worldview. This analysis draws primarily on the findings of various PRC polls to examine the relationship between religion and three areas of foreign policy: the role of the USA in the world; the nature of international obligations; and the morality of war.
Effects of potential changes in coresidence on matched older parent-adult child dyads

Abstract One important consequence of the rise in the number and proportion of older adults in our society may be an increased occurrence of living patterns where the older person shares a household with one or more of his or her adult children. To this point, only limited research has addressed the effects of coresidence on the quality of life of the members of the dyad. Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we examined perceived effects of a discontinuance of a current pattern of coresidence on matched pairs of older parents and their adult children. While a majority of both groups report that specific life dimensions would remain largely unchanged if they were not sharing a household, elderly parents anticipate much more negative consequences from the hypothetical separation than do their adult children. The responses of the older parents apparently reflect the greater dependence and vulnerability that result from a variety of economic and health-related problems. Perceptions of both groups are only modestly affected by several sociodemographic and structural characteristics, though age is a fairly consistent predictor of more negative perceptions among the elders. Future research should move beyond these structural factors to address a variety of process variables that might better describe the dynamics of the relationship.
Pumping power of nanofluids in a flowing system

Nanofluids have the potential to increase thermal conductivities and heat transfer coefficients compared to their base fluids. However, the addition of nanoparticles to a fluid also increases the viscosity and therefore increases the power required to pump the fluid through the system. When the benefit of the increased heat transfer is larger than the penalty of the increased pumping power, the nanofluid has the potential for commercial viability. The pumping power for nanofluids has been considered previously for flow in straight tubes. In this study, the pumping power was measured for nanofluids flowing in a complete system including straight tubing, elbows, and expansions. The objective was to determine the significance of two-phase flow effects on system performance. Two types of nanofluids were used in this study: a water-based nanofluid containing 2.0–8.0 vol% of 40-nm alumina nanoparticles, and a 50/50 ethylene glycol/water mixture-based nanofluid containing 2.2 vol% of 29-nm SiC nanoparticles. All experiments were performed in the turbulent flow region in the entire test system simulating features typically found in heat exchanger systems. Experimental results were compared to the pumping power calculated from a mathematical model of the system to evaluate the system effects. The pumping power results were also combined with the heat transfer enhancement to evaluate the viability of the two nanofluids.
Development of a rapid knee cartilage damage quantification method using magnetic resonance images.

Cartilage morphometry based on magnetic resonance images (MRIs) is an emerging outcome measure for clinical trials among patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, current methods for cartilage morphometry take many hours per knee and require extensive training on the use of the associated software. In this study we tested the feasibility, reliability, and construct validity of a novel osteoarthritis cartilage damage quantification method (Cartilage Damage Index [CDI]) that utilizes informative locations on knee MRIs. We selected 102 knee MRIs from the Osteoarthritis Initiative that represented a range of KOA structural severity (Kellgren Lawrence [KL] Grade 0 – 4). We tested the intra- and inter-tester reliability of the CDI and compared the CDI scores against different measures of severity (radiographic joint space narrowing [JSN] grade, KL score, joint space width [JSW]) and static knee alignment, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Determination of the CDI took on average14.4 minutes (s.d. 2.1) per knee pair (baseline and follow-up of one knee). Repeatability was good (intra- and inter-tester reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient >0.86). The mean CDI scores related to all four measures of osteoarthritis severity (JSN grade, KL score, JSW, and knee alignment; all p values < 0.05). Baseline JSN grade and knee alignment also predicted subsequent 24-month longitudinal change in the CDI (p trends <0.05). During 24 months, knees with worsening in JSN or KL grade (i.e. progressors) had greater change in CDI score. The CDI is a novel knee cartilage quantification method that is rapid, reliable, and has construct validity for assessment of medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis structural severity and its progression. It has the potential to addresses the barriers inherent to studies requiring assessment of cartilage damage on large numbers of knees, and as a biomarker for knee osteoarthritis progression.
Translation, simulacra, resistance

Translation can constitute a cultural means of resistance against multinational capitalism and the political institutions to which the current global economy is allied. A translated text might tamper with the print and electronic simulacra on which capital relies so as to question them and the practices of consumption that they solicit. This political intervention may be imagined as a local revolt that challenges dominant discourses. It can involve discursive practices that are not only interlingual but intersemiotic, that not only deploy translation in the strict sense but such other forms of rewriting as adaptation. The social impact of a politically engaged translation depends on the ways in which diverse cultural constituencies receive it, although the very rapidity and heterogeneity of the simulacra can foster a critical reflexivity in social agents.