cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roma rights on the world wide web The role of internet technologies in shaping minority and human rights discourses in post-socialist Central and Eastern Europe

This article addresses contemporary Roma rights issues in Central and Eastern Europe by exploring the relationship between internet technologies and the discourses surrounding human rights and the post-socialist transition. Because the Roma are a transnational European minority ethnic group, they have been used as a 'test case' by western human rights groups to evaluate minority rights in post-socialist nations. The article highlights the role of new media technologies in redirecting concerns about the lack of human rights in Europe as a whole to the former Eastern bloc countries. It draws attention to the limits of western liberal discourses and new media technologies to redress racial and material discrimination against the Roma.
Polymorphisms in DNA of Coprinus cinereus

Two types of DNA sequence polymorphisms were found among different geographic isolates of the basidiomycete fungus Coprinus einereus. These strains showed gains and losses of restriction enzyme recognition sites as well as extensive insertion/ deletion variation within DNA sequences present in a single copy per haploid genome. The same types of DNA sequence variants were also found within the tandemly repeated ribosomal RNA genes in these strains. There appears to be very little interspersed repetitive DNA in Coprinus, since all the randomly selected cloned DNA sequences studied in this survey were present only once in each haploid genome.
Thermal conductivity of self-assembled nano-structured ZnO bulk ceramics

In this study, we describe the changes in thermal conductivity behavior of ZnO-Al micro- and nano-two-phase self-assembled composites with varying grain sizes. The reduction in thermal conductivity values of micro-composites was limited to ∼15% for ZnO-4% Al. However, nano-composites exhibited large reduction, by a factor of about three, due to uniform distribution of nano-precipitates (ZnAl2O4) and large grain boundary area. Interestingly, the micro-composites revealed continuous decrease in thermal conductivity with increase in Al substitution while the nano-composites exhibited the lowest magnitudes for 2% Al concentration. Raman spectra indicated that phonon confinement in ZnO-Al nano-composites causes drastic decrease in the value of thermal conductivity.
Nanotechnology for sensing: emerging applications of aptamers based sensors for societal welfare

New developments in nanoscience are leading to a much better understanding and control of the natural sensors and actuators. Using its own version of what scientists call nanoengineering, nature transforms abundant and inanimate ingredients into self-generating and self-repairing entities that move, reproduce and possess intelligence. With recent advances in science and technology scientists can now envision development of materials that possess intelligence and show some of the salient characteristics of living things, especially a structure intricate enough to interact with the chemical environment with selectivity (molecular recognition) and with the ability to transform that chemical environment to suit its needs (actuation). Short- chain single stranded nucleic acids (called aptamers) adopt complex 3-dimensional conformations that can exhibit specific binding abilities and enzymatic activities at ppt level of ligands. The ability of nucleic acids to be chemically synthesized inexpensively and enzymatically amplified makes them molecules of choice for sensing and responding to detrimental entities. For e.g. copper, lead, arsenic detecting aptamers have been isolated and can be planted into sensors for biomedical diagnostics, water remediation, etc. These molecules will benefit from a vehicle for their use in a physiological environment. Nanoparticles are increasingly being studied for this purpose. While utilizing their beneficial functions, possibilities of engulfment of nanoparticles by biological cells and resultant toxicity must also be taken into account. The uncertainty of nanotechnology, especially potential environmental risks of nanoparticles cannot be ignored lest we have another asbestosis to deal with. Recent research shows that depending on their surface chemistry, size, surface area, crystallinity and surface charge, nanoparticles can produce toxicity on cells via different mechanisms and need to be studied in detail.
Does early physical activity predict body fat change throughout childhood

Abstract Background Declining levels of physical activity in the population at large may be responsible in part for the rising rates of childhood obesity. Studies to date, however, have not consistently demonstrated such a protective effect. We used longitudinal data from the Framingham Children’s Study (FCS) to address this important question. Methods We used 8 years of activity monitoring (Caltrac electronic motion sensors) and repeated anthropometry measures for 103 children to examine the effect of activity on body fat change from preschool to early adolescence. Longitudinal data analysis methods were employed to account for the use of repeated measures on these children. Results Children in the highest tertile of average daily activity from ages 4 to 11 years had consistently smaller gains in BMI, triceps, and sum of five skinfolds throughout childhood. By early adolescence (age 11), the sum of five skinfolds was 95.1, 94.5, and 74.1 for the low, middle, and high tertiles of activity, respectively ( P for trend = 0.045). This protective effect of activity was evident for both girls and boys. Conclusion This longitudinal study adds strong support for the hypothesis that higher levels of physical activity during childhood lead to the acquisition of less body fat by the time of early adolescence.
Injury-Induced Proteoglycans Inhibit the Potential for Laminin-Mediated Axon Growth on Astrocytic Scars

Abstract Following injury to the adult CNS, the expression of a number of extracellular matrix molecules increases in regions of reactive gliosis. This glial matrix includes certain chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CS-PGs) which have been correlated with an inhibition of axon outgrowth. In order to test the influence of glial associated CS-FGs on neurite elongation directly, we sought to determine whether enzymatic modification of injury-induced CS-PGs could enhance neurite outgrowth across the surface of intact glial scars formed in vivo after implanting nitrocellulose filters into the cortex of adult rats. This gliotic tissue was subsequently explanted in vitro and used as a substrate for growing embryonic retinal neurons. Treatment of adult explants with chondroitinase ABC led to a significant increase in mean neurite length over the scar surface. Heparitinase treatment caused a much smaller, although significant, increase in neurite outgrowth. This suggested that more than one type of PG was present or that a single PG with both CS and HS side chains was upregulated. Western analysis revealed that a PG(s) with a core protein between 180 and 400 kDa was found to be relatively more abundant in areas of reactive gliosis induced to form in adult rather than neonatal animals. Simultaneous treatment of adult glial scars with chondroitinase and antibodies to the β, β2 chain of laminin partially reversed the growth-enhancing effect of enzymatic digestion alone. These data demonstrate that the increase in neurite outgrowth along the surface of reactive astrocytes following enzymatic modification of injury-induced PGs was due, in part, to the presence of laminin. Thus, in this model of gliosis, particular PGs may act as inhibitors of neurite outgrowth by attenuating the potential for axon elongation that could occur due to the concomitant expression of growth-promoting molecules in regions of reactive gliosis.
Photoinhibition in Vitis californica: The Role of Temperature during High-Light Treatment

Leaves of Vitis californica Benth. (California wild grape) exposed to a photon flux density (PFD) equivalent to full sun exhibited temperature-dependent reductions in the rates or efficiencies of component photosynthetic processes. During high-PFD exposure, net CO2 uptake, photon yield of oxygen evolution, and photosystem II chlorophyll fluorescence at 77 Kelvin (Fm, Fv, and Fv/Fm) were more severely inhibited at high and low temperatures than at intermediate temperatures. Sun leaves tolerated high PFD more than growth chamber-grown leaves but exhibited qualitatively similar temperature-dependent responses to high-PFD exposures. Photosystem II fluorescence and net CO2 uptake exhibited different sensitivities to PFD and temperature. Fluorescence and gas exchange kinetics during exposure to high PFD suggested an interaction of multiple, temperature-dependent processes, involving both regulation of energy distribution and damage to photosynthetic components. Comparison of Fv/Fm to photon yield of oxygen evolution yielded a single, curvilinear relationship, regardless of growth condition or treatment temperature, whereas the relationship between Fm (or Fv) and photon yield varied with growth conditions. This indicated that Fv/Fm was the most reliable fluorescence indicator of PSII photochemical efficiency for leaves of different growth conditions and treatments.
Repressing the Repressor: A lincRNA as a MicroRNA Sponge in Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal

Large intergenic noncoding (linc) RNAs constitute a new dimension of posttranscriptional gene regulation. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Wang et al. (2013) find that linc-RoR maintains human embryonic stem cell self-renewal by functioning as a sponge to trap miR-145, thus regulating core pluripotency factors Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2.
Two-dimensional paper network format that enables simple multistep assays for use in low-resource settings in the context of malaria antigen detection.

The lateral flow test has become the standard bioassay format in low-resource settings because it is rapid, easy to use, and low in cost, uses reagents stored in dry form, and is equipment-free. However, lateral flow tests are often limited to a single chemical delivery step and not capable of the multistep processing characteristic of high performance laboratory-based assays. To address this limitation, we are developing a paper network platform that extends the conventional lateral flow test to two dimensions; this allows incorporation of multistep chemical processing, while still retaining the advantages of conventional lateral flow tests. Here, we demonstrate this format for an easy-to-use, signal-amplified sandwich format immunoassay for the malaria protein PfHRP2. The card contains reagents stored in dry form such that the user need only add sample and water. The multiple flows in the device are activated in a single user step of folding the card closed; the configuration of the paper network automa...
Battling Pornography: The American Feminist Anti-Pornography Movement, 1976-1986

Carolyn Bronstein's Battling Pornography is a historical account of the origins, development, and ultimate unraveling of anti-pornography organizing in the USA. It makes for riveting reading that c...
Differential labeling of glycerol moieties of phospholipids and triacylglycerols of cultured mammalian cells by [U-14C] glucose

Abstract Rabbit liver cells, in which fatty acid synthesis was suppressed by the rabbit serum component of the medium, were grown through 8- to 120-fold increases in cell numbers and mass of cell lipid in the presence of [U- 14 C]-glucose. Triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were isolated from the total cell lipid and deacylated. Carbons 1 and 3 of the glycerol from the triacylglycerols and the no. 1 glycerol carbons of the two deacylated phospholipids were oxidized by periodate and isolated as the dimedon derivative of formaldehyde. The specific activities of the glycerol carbons indicated that 58, 44, and 37% of the glycerol of the triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively, were derived from the glucose of the medium. An additional 8% and 1–2% of the glycerol of each lipid was derived, respectively, from [U- 14 C] glycerol and U 14 C-labeled amino acids added to the medium. In agreement with an experiment with albumin-bound [9,10- 3 - 3 H] -oleic acid, and with similar earlier experiments, it appears likely that approximately half of the cells' structural phospholipids and a third of their accumulated triacylglycerols originated from serum lipoproteins, or their partial hydrolysis products. An appreciable part of the ethanolamine of the cells' phosphatidylethanolamine originated from exogenous U- 14 C-labeled amino acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine, however, was not a primary source of phosphatidylcholine. Labeling of the fatty acids of triacylglycerols and phospholipids by radioactive glucose, glycerol and amino acids was negligible.
[Friedrich Nietzsche's last lucid year].

As an outstanding philosopher Nietzsche poses the question whetherhis creativeness persisted in spite of his deteriorating disease or appeared, among other features, asa consequence of his illness. A thorough psychopathological understanding of his last lucid year isattempted. He had an exaggerated self-esteem and grandiose sense of confidence andachievements. But his lack of insight did not lead him to engage in activities that could harmhimself or his loved ones. Between January 1888 and until his ultimate deterioration in January1889, Nietzsche was exceedingly productive. During this period, polar changes along withmoderately overlapping periods appeared (Rev Med Chile 2007; 135: 661-8).(
The effects of temperature and housing on water balance in a burrowing mouse,Peromyscus polionotus

The effects of temperature and humidity on the water balance of two races ofPeromyscus polionotus were compared to individuals of the same race given moist sand to burrow in. Temperature had the greatest effect on fluid consumption. A change from 20 to 30°C resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of water and 0.4 M NaCl solution consumed. Generally, there was no difference in the amount of water or 0.4 M NaCl consumed at 20°C under different housing conditions, but at 30°C both races consumed significantly more fluids at the low humidity than when occupying a burrow. Considering all types of housing, temperature had a significant effect on a mouse's ability to maintain body weight when stressed with salt water. Irrespective of temperature, weight loss was less and survival greater while drinking salt water for mice in a burrow (92% survival) compared with the high (77% survival) and low (67% survival) humidity conditions.
FREE WILL ACCORDING TO JOHN DUNS SCOTUS AND NEUROSCIENCE

. This paper examines two views of free will. It looks first at the fourteenth-century religious insights of John Duns Scotus, one of history's seminal thinkers about free will. It then examines what current neuroscience tells us about free will. Finally, it summarizes the past and present views and concludes by answering two questions: Does free will refer to an absence of external constraint, or does it refer to a human ability to decide in an acausal manner?
Assembly Process Selection to Minimize Existing Assembly System Modification Cost During New Product Family Member Design

Proper utilization of available assembly resources can reduce the development time and cost for platforms and new product family members. This paper presents a method to explicitly consider existing assembly plant configuration and resources during selection of assembly process for new product family members. In order to perform the trade-off studies, first constraints on the assembly sequence are identified and used to generate the feasible assembly sequence space, which is combinatorial in nature and is enumerated using recursive functions. The assembly sequence design spaces and representation of effects of constraints on these spaces to explicitly represent feasible regions, and efficiently enumerate designs within this space are investigated. A method that stops recursive growth based on constraints and minimization of assembly plant modification cost is used for efficient search of the feasible assembly sequence space. The assembly sequence modification cost is estimated by dividing assembly plant modification tasks into smaller activities and determining cost associated with each activity. Application of the Assembly Resource Utilization Design Module (ARUDM) to determine assembly sequence while increasing utilization of existing assembly plants is demonstrated using a coffeemaker family.© 2005 ASME
Management of bacterial spot of tomato with phosphorous acid salts

Abstract Phosphorous acid salts (PASs) were evaluated alone or in combination with other products for managing bacterial spot of tomato in greenhouse and field experiments in Florida during a 3-year period. Field treatments included a weekly schedule of PAS alone, PAS combined with standard copper-bactericide at full rate or half rate, PAS alternated with a standard copper-bactericide, and PAS every week plus biweekly applications of acibenzolar- S -methyl (ASM). Field data showed that disease control with PAS combined with standard copper-bactericide full rate, PAS alternated with a standard copper-bactericide, and PAS every week plus biweekly applications of ASM was similar to that obtained using the standard copper-bactericide program. In greenhouse experiments PAS alone had a similar level of disease compared to the standard program, whereas PAS combined with standard copper-bactericide full rate was significantly better than the standard program. Yields in the field experiments were not affected by any of these treatments. Phytotoxicity was observed when PAS was applied to the foliage of tomato seedlings under greenhouse conditions. These data suggest that PAS combined with standard copper-bactericide full rate and PAS plus ASM could be used for managing bacterial spot of tomato in the field in Florida. The mode of action of PAS is still unclear, as it only slightly affected multiplication of Xanthomonas perforans in vitro , and was also ineffective as a plant activator.
Past Desires and the Dead

I examine an argument that appears to take us from Parfit’s [Reasons and Persons, Oxford: Clarendon Press (1984)] thesis that we have no reason to fulfil desires we no longer care about to the conclusion that the effect of posthumous events on our desires is a matter of indifference (the post-mortem thesis). I suspect that many of Parfit’s readers, including Vorobej [Philosophical Studies 90 (1998) 305], think that he is committed to (something like) this reasoning, and that Parfit must therefore give up the post-mortem thesis. However, as it turns out, the argument is subtly equivocal and does not commit Parfit to the post-mortem thesis. I close with some doubts about Parfit’s case for his indifference thesis.
Dissociation of the vitreo-retinal junction following experimental embolization of retinal circulation.

Spheric plastic beads (7–25 μ in diameter) were injected into the central retinal artery of the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) using a micro-surgical technique.
A Review of the Neuropsychological Effects of Commonly Used Prescription Medications

The practice of clinical neuropsychology has traditionally accorded limited attention to the impact of prescription medications on cognitive functioning. Though neuropsychologists see a wide array of patients with cerebropathologic and other organ system disease that are under pharmacotherapy, systematic attention to how these compounds potentially affect neuropsychological functioning has lagged. Psychomotor functioning, concentration, and memory are the most common cognitive domains negatively affected by such medications. In general sedative, psychomotor, and, to a lesser extent, attention/concentration effects covary and typically show tolerance with sustained drug administration. Memory effects are more resistant probably due to ongoing anticholinergic effects and the established link between the cholinergic system and memory functioning. This review covers the basic science and clinical literature addressing neuropsychological functioning both in healthy nonpatients and in patients treated with antidepressants, anxiolytics, stimulants, antihypertensives, antiepileptics and antihistamines. Critical to the understanding of the effects of these agents is the integration of multiple factors that modulate medication-induced neurocognitive effects, such as chronicity of treatment, tolerance, age, ethnicity, metabolic capacity, psychological, and neurological disorders in the patient, and the benefits of successful treatment of these disorders.
Do Śrāvakas understand emptiness

The present study has attempted to artriculate a central issue of Mahayana soteriology through an examination of the writings of two Madhyamika masters, Bhavaviveka and Candrakirti. The purpose here has been to demonstrate a further criterion for the retrospective designation of their respective philosophies with the terms “Svātantrika” and “Prasangika” an exhaustive study of the nature of the Hinayana wisdom according to the Madhyamika school would entail an analysis of the writings of many other masters, especially those who produced what has been called the Yogacara-Madhyamika synthesis. To attempt to determine the position of Maitreyanatha, for example, on this issue would entail an analysis of the famous “Five Treatises” (the Dharmadharmatavibhana, the Madhyantavibhanga, the Mahayanasutrlamkara, the Uttratantra, and the Abhisamayalamkara) as well as the myriad commentaries on these works. It is possible to speculate briefly here on what the position of Nagarjuna may have been on this issue and then go on to discuss the implications and possible motivations of the views of Bhavaviveka and Candrakirti.
The Serotonergic 5-HT2C Agonist m-Chlorophenylpiperazine Increases Weight-Supported Locomotion without Development of Tolerance in Rats with Spinal Transections

Abstract The direct serotonergic agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), displays high efficacy at 5-HT2C receptors. Systemic administration of m-CPP increased dramatically the percentage of weight-supported steps made on a treadmill by rats with complete midthoracic spinal transections. The improvement in motor function occurred in rats with grafts of fetal spinal cord into the site of transection (transplant rats) and in spinal rats without grafts (spinal rats). m-CPP produced a therapeutic action with its first administration and after 14 single daily injections. In contrast, the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, chlorimipramine (CMI), failed to enhance weight support during 21 days of treatment. The results imply that stimulating directly 5-HT2C receptors restores postural support after spinal injury. Thus, 5-HT2C agonists are candidates for treating spinal patients chronically without the development of tolerance.
Kinetic theory of low-frequency Alfvén modes in tokamaks

The kinetic theory of low-frequency Alfven modes in tokamaks is presented. The inclusion of both diamagnetic effects and finite core-plasma ion compressibility generalizes previous theoretical analyses (Tsai S T and Chen L 1993 Phys. Fluids B 5 3284) of kinetic ballooning modes and clarifies their strong connection to beta-induced Alfven eigenmodes. The derivation of an analytic mode dispersion relation allows us to study the linear stability of both types of modes as a function of the parameters characterizing the local plasma equilibrium and to demonstrate that the most unstable regime corresponds to a strong coupling between the two branches due to the finite thermal ion temperature gradient. In addition, we also show that, under certain circumstances, non-collective modes may be present in the plasma, formed as a superposition of local oscillations which are quasi-exponentially growing in time.
Effect of a systems intervention on the quality and safety of patient handoffs in an internal medicine residency program.

BACKGROUND Poor quality handoffs have been identified as a major patient safety issue. In residency programs, problematic handoffs may be an unintended consequence of duty-hour restrictions, and key data are frequently omitted from written handoffs because of the lack of standardization of content.
Object-oriented DSS construction for hierarchical inventory control

Abstract The paper discusses an object-oriented approach for the construction of an integrated hierarchical DSS for inventory management. Analysis of data requirements and computational needs at various levels are used to define the data objects and model of the DSS. High level constructs of models and data are used to develop the displays feature for interactive decision making. The inheritance relation of the object-oriented approach is used to provide the framework for control of the multi-level operation.
SU-E-T-108: 3D Measurement of Neutron Dose from a Novel Neutron Imaging Technique.

Purpose: We have been developing a fast‐neutron spectroscopic technique to quantitatively image the distribution of elements in the body using quasi‐monochromatic neutron beams. Previously, we demonstrated the ability of the technique to quantify specific elements in the liver and breast while limiting radiation dose to clinically acceptable levels. Here we present the results of a physical dose measurement performed through neutron irradiation of 3D PRESAGE dosimetry phantoms. Methods: Two PRESAGE optical‐CT dosimeters were placed inside a physical phantom of the human torso and irradiated with 8 MeV neutrons produced via the 2H(d,n) reaction using a tandem Van‐de‐Graaff accelerator. The dosimeters, measuring 10 cm and 4 cm in diameter, were located in regions corresponding to the liver (10 cm), and the kidney (4 cm). Irradiation was performed with the neutron beam incident directly on the larger dosimeter. Cumulative neutron fluence incident upon each dosimeter was determined using an aluminum‐foil activation technique. Following irradiation, the change in optical density in both dosimeters was measured to determine the relative irradiation and dose distribution in each volume. Results: Both PRESAGE dosimeters exhibited detectable changes in optical density corresponding to the dose deposited in the volume. The two dosimeters registered doses of 8.5 Gy (direct incidence, 4.5 hour irradiation) and 0.25 Gy (off‐axis, 20 hour irradiation), respectively. The larger dosimeter showed highest intensity at the entry point of the beam with exponential drop‐off along the beam direction. The smaller dosimeter registered a more uniform change in intensity, consistent with the higher incidence of scatteredneutrons at this location. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the utility of PRESAGE dosimeters in measuring dose from neutron irradiation and highlight the difference in relative doses between primary and proximal organs when exposed to neutron beams. This work was supported by the United States Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Physics under Grant No. DE‐FG02‐97ER41033, the National Cancer Institute under grant R01CA100835, and by the Department of Defense under award W81XWH‐09‐1‐0066.
Viscous effects in the rheology of foams and concentrated emulsions

Abstract A microscopic model for the rheology of foams and concentrated emulsions is developed by considering small deformations of an idealized material with two-dimensional spatially periodic cell structure. Most of the continuous-phase liquid is considered to be in the Plateau borders. Following Schwartz and Princen, viscous effects are modeled by the film withdrawal mechanism of Mysels, Shinoda, and Frankel. The primary flow occurs where films with inextensible interfaces are withdrawn from or recede into quasistatic Plateau borders. The quasi-steady asymptotic analysis of the flow is developed for small capillary numbers Ca based on the macroscopic deformation rate. The viscous flow induces an excess tension that varies between films and alters the foam structure. The instantaneous structure and effective stress for a foam of arbitrary orientation are determined for simple shear and planar extension. To clarify the role of viscous flow and surface tension, the effective stress is calculated by two methods, which involve the volume average of either local stress or stress power. The viscous contribution to the effective stress is O(Ca 2 3 ) and depends on the foam orientation but not its liquid content. A dilatational viscosity of O(Ca −1 3 ) is predicted for uniform expansion.
Prevention of JNK Phosphorylation as a Mechanism for Rosiglitazone in Neuroprotection after Transient Cerebral Ischemia: Activation of Dual Specificity Phosphatase

Rosiglitazone, a synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist, prevents cell death after cerebral ischemia in animal models, but the underlying mechanism has not been clarified. In this study, we examined how rosiglitazone protects neurons against ischemia. Mice treated with rosiglitazone were subjected to 60 minutes of focal ischemia followed by reperfusion. Rosiglitazone reduced infarct volume after ischemia and reperfusion. We show that this neuroprotective effect was reversed with a PPARγ antagonist. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in expression of phosphorylated stress-activated protein kinases (c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38) in ischemic brain tissue. Rosiglitazone blocked this increase. Furthermore, we observed that rosiglitazone increased expression of the dual-specificity phosphatase 8 (DUSP8) protein and messenger RNA in ischemic brain tissue. Dual-specificity phosphatase 8 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase that can dephosphorylate JNK and p38. Another key finding of the present study was that knockdown of DUSP8 in primary cultured cortical neurons that were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation diminished rosiglitazone's effect on downregulation of JNK phosphorylation. Thus, rosiglitazone's neuroprotective effect after ischemia is mediated by blocking JNK phosphorylation induced by ischemia via DUSP8 upregulation.
Generation of Oxide Nanopatterns by Combining Self-Assembly of S-Layer Proteins and Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition

We report an effective method to fabricate two-dimensional (2D) periodic oxide nanopatterns using S-layer proteins as a template. Specifically, S-layer proteins with a unit cell dimension of 20 nm were reassembled on silicon substrate to form 2D arrays with ordered pores of nearly identical sizes (9 nm). Octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) was utilized to selectively react with the S-layer proteins, but not the Si surface exposed through the pores defined by the proteins. Because of the different surface functional groups on the ODTS-modified S-layer proteins and Si surface, area-selective atomic layer deposition of metal oxide-based high-k materials, such as hafnium oxide, in the pores was achieved. The periodic metal oxide nanopatterns were generated on Si substrate after selective removal of the ODTS-modified S-layer proteins. These nanopatterns of high-k materials are expected to facilitate further downscaling of logic and memory nanoelectronic devices.
Open cell analog of the screened trapped-ion cell using compensation electrodes for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Abstract The open cell collinear electrode geometry permits the inclusion of an auxiliary set of electrodes adjacent to the trap electrodes to perform several functions. Here they are used as compensation electrodes that virtually eliminate the radial electric field at the z = 0 midplane of the cell. The function of the compensation electrodes in reducing the radial electric field is analogous to the grounded transmissive screen inserted between the trap electrodes and the trapping volume in the closed screened cell whereby the interior of the cell is shielded from the trapping field. Segmenting the trap electrodes and applying oppositely biased potentials to each set of segments reduces the radial electric field at the z = 0 midplane of the cell by superposition of the opposing electric fields. In addition, dynamic adjustment of the potential well contour is performed by adjusting the relative potentials on each set of electrodes. The supplementary voltage applied to the inner set of compensation electrodes reduces the radial electric field by nearly two orders of magnitude and increases the potential well depth for greater ion capacity. In addition, the potential well assumes increased particle-in-a-box character without increasing the physical size of the cell, thereby reducing the effect of space charge. A FORTRAN program is developed that models the cell geometry and predicts the relationship between trap and compensation electrode voltage required to minimize the radial electric field throughout a specified cell volume. A theoretically optimum ratio of -0.33 V applied to the compensation electrodes for 1.0 V applied to the trap electrodes is predicted and is in close agreement with an experimentally determined optimum ratio of -0.36 V applied to the compensation electrodes for 1.0 V applied to the trap electrodes. This ratio reduces the cyclotron frequency shift from -70.8 Hz V-1 in an uncompensated open cell to -0.50 Hz V-1, a reduction of more than 99%. The radial electric field at the z = 0 midplane of the cell and 90% of the cell radius is reduced 97%, from 0.0139 V mm-1 to 0.0004 V mm-1. The reduction in frequency shift is accomplished without compromising mass accuracy. By collisionally damping ions to the center of the cell, mass accuracy over a one-decade range (60–600 u) approaches the mass accuracy of the hyperbolic cell geometry.
Effects of growth hormone in osteoporosis

The effect of chronic administration of growth hormone (GH) to osteoporotic patients was studied using the techniques of total body neutron activation analysis, whole body counting, calcium tracer kinetics, photon absorptiometry, quantitative microradiography, and urinary hydroxyproline. Two dosage schedules were utilized for six months each: 2 units daily and 0.2 w3/4 units of GH daily (where W represents body weight expressed in kg). The lower dosage (2 units) did not produce any appreciable change in the indices studied. Following the higher dose, no evidence of any anabolic effect was apparent in most patients (i.e., no increase in total body levels of Ca, Na, K, P, or Cl). Increases were noted in the urinary calcium excretion rate and in the urinary hydroxyproline excretion. Bone mineral content decreased. The bone biopsies displayed an increase in bone formation and resorption surfaces in response to treatment, but these changes were not statistically significant. It may be concluded that under the conditions of this study, GH administration did not result in an increment in skeletal mass. Several side effects that are characteristic of acromegaly were observed, including hyperglycemia, hypertension, arthralgia, and the carpal tunnel syndrome. Because of the lack of demonstrated benefit and the associated complications of therapy, GH administration does not appear to be of value in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Particle rezoning for multidimensional kinetic particle-in-cell simulations

The adaptation of PIC methods requires the ability to change the number of particles during the calculation. For PIC methods it is not sufficient to adapt the computational grid. It also necessary to control the local number of particles per cell (particle rezoning) by increasing or decreasing its value to control the local accuracy. In the present paper, we describe some general theoretical considerations regarding the accuracy of various particle rezoning methods. Four algorithms are derived and applied to 1D and 2D PIC simulations. The merits and drawbacks of the algorithms are discussed. Particle rezoning is then applied to 1D studies of collisionless shocks and the 2D simulations of charging of dust immersed in a plasma.
Investigation of the off-current in amorphous silicon thin film transistors for SiO2 and SiNx gate insulators

The off current behavior of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin film transistors (TFTs) with an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) silicon dioxide (SiO2) gate insulator were investigated at negative gate voltages. The a-Si:H TFT with SiO2 gate insulator has small off currents and large activation energy (Ea) of the off current compared to the a-Si:H TFT with SiNx gate insulator. The holes induced in the channel by negative gate voltage seem to be trapped in the defect states near the a-Si:H/SiO2 interface. The interface state density in the lower half of the band gap of a-Si:H/SiO2 appears to be much higher than that for a-Si:H/SiNx.
Doing gender, doing geography: emerging research in India/Gendered geographies: space and place in South Asia

Saraswati Raju and Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt, New Delhi and Oxon, Routledge, 2011, 317 pp., ISBN 978-0-415-59802-6 (hardback) Saraswati Raju, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2011, 316 pp., Rs. 725, I...
Hydrophobicity of Hydroxylated Amorphous Fused Silica Surfaces

Understanding the mechanism of water adsorption on silica is important in many fields of science and technology, such as geo- and atmospheric chemistry. Vibrational IR–visible sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy of hydroxyls (∼3100–3800 cm–1) at the amorphous SiO2 surface in contact with air of varying relative humidity provides information about the adsorption sites and orientation of water molecules. The similar magnitudes of the resonant and nonresonant contributions to the interfacial second-order susceptibility, χ(2), allow the phases of the various hydroxyls (SiOH; HOH), and thus their orientations with respect to the surface, to be determined. The surface silanols (SiOH) appear to interact weakly with adsorbed water as indicated by the persistence of the narrow surface silanol (SiOH) peak at ∼3750 cm–1 as the relative humidity of ambient air increases from 95%. Adsorbed water molecules are represented by two oppositely oriented hydroxyl modes, at ∼3350–3400 and ∼3650 cm–1, respectiv...
Output Volatility and Its Transmission in Transition Economies: Implications for European Integration

Following the 2008 financial crisis, the world’s attention was drawn to the periphery of the European Union, where economic openness and pegs to the Euro combined to destabilize the region. This study measures the output volatility of a set of Central and Eastern European countries from the early 1990s to 2011 using Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and GARCH-in-Mean models. Volatility “spillovers” are then tested with Vector Autoregressive and Multivariate GARCH techniques. Overall, six countries can be modeled as a GARCH process, and for three of these, volatility significantly reduces output growth. Volatility comovements are particularly strong among the Visegrad countries, while Romania seems fairly insulated from external shocks. This asymmetry of responses to other CEE countries and to foreign shocks suggests that expanding the Eurozone may lead to adjustment problems.
Predictors of Spontaneous and Systematically Assessed Suicidal Adverse Events in the Treatment of SSRI- Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) Study

Objective: The authors sought to identify predictors of self-harm adverse events in treatment-resistant, depressed adolescents during the first 12 weeks of treatment. Method: Depressed adolescents (N=334) who had not responded to a previous trial with an SSRI antidepressant were randomized to a switch to either another SSRI or venlafaxine, with or without cognitive behavior therapy. Self-harm events, i.e., suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury adverse events were assessed by spontaneous report for the first 181 participants, and by systematic weekly assessment for the last 153 participants. Results: Higher rates of suicidal (20.8% vs. 8.8%) and nonsuicidal self-injury (17.6% vs. 2.2%), but not serious adverse events (8.4% vs. 7.3%) were detected with systematic monitoring. Median time to a suicidal event was 3 weeks, predicted by high baseline suicidal ideation, family conflict, and drug and alcohol use. Median time to nonsuicidal self-injury was 2 weeks, predicted by previous history of nonsuicidal self-...
A vector memory system based on wafer-scale integrated memory arrays

The paper proposes a memory architecture called Wafer-scale Interconnected Memory Array (WIMA), which is intended to replace ultra-high-density monolithic DRAM ICs. This architecture employs the high-performance interconnects provided by multichip module technology, the cache-embedding concept, and prime degree interleaving to expose the DRAM's internal parallelism not exploitable by monolithic DRAMs. Using WIMA modules as the basic building blocks, a high-bandwidth, low latency, and low cost vector memory system is developed that supports parallelism among multiple vector access streams. To mask the long start-up latencies, vector memory accesses are architectured to be split-phased. To alleviate the performance impact of bank conflicts, prime degree memory interleaving is adopted. The major contribution of this work is the development of a novel indexing mechanism for prime degree interleaving, which takes at most two integer divisions for each logical vector memory access. >
FERTILITY OF WORKERS A COMPARISON OF LOGISTIC REGRESSION AND INDIRECT STANDARDIZATION

Estimates of the effect of occupational exposure on the fertility of men employed at three chemical plants were obtained from data stored at the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology using logistic regression and indirect standardization. Logistic regression was explored as a possible alternative to indirect standardization because it 1) permits consideration of potential confounding variables, such as the relative spacing between consecutive births, that are not included in the characterization of the fertility of an external reference population, and 2) may enable the study of occupational cohorts for which fertility data from an appropriate external reference population are not available. In addition to the main effects of age, parity, and birth cohort, main effects of certain lag variables which characterize the timing of birth events during the five-year period preceding each person-year were found to be significant at all three plants. Interactions of some of these lag variables with age also emerged as significant. Despite this, both methods were consistent in accepting or rejecting the null hypothesis regarding the effect of exposure at two of the plants. At the third plant, however, the logistic regression yielded a significant interaction between exposure status and one of the lag variables. The netmore » exposure effect was significantly increased fertility in exposed person-years for which no birth had occurred 2-3 years prior, and nonsignificantly decreased fertility in exposed person-years for which such a prior birth had occurred. While this may be a spurious finding, it suggests that both methods of analysis should continue to be explored until a larger body of similar comparative studies has accumulated.« less
Albumin-interferon-α in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Despite advances in treating chronic hepatitis C, newer treatments are required. Albumin fusion technology allows the enhanced pharmacokinetic properties of albumin to be combined with the pharmacodynamic properties of other agents. Albumin-interferon-α has an extended half-life that supports bimonthly or monthly dosing and may provide superior steady-state exposure to interferon. Preclinical studies show that albumin-interferon has better antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics than either standard or pegylated interferons. Phase I–II and Phase IIa studies that have explored a wide dose range (from 10 to 1200 μg) in interferon-experienced and -naive patients have shown the drug to be safe and well tolerated, with no dose-limiting adverse events. Its half-life is 6–7 days and it is detectable 4 weeks after a single dose. The longer term safety and efficacy of albumin-interferon and ribavirin is being evaluated in both interferon-naive patients and nonresponders to previous standard and pegylated interfero...
A kinetic and equilibrium model for nylon 6,6 polymerization

A simple, activity-based solution model is used to develop thermodynamically proper correlation forms for the description of the rate and equilibrium behavior of nonideal polyamidations. The approach is especially useful in systems for which limited equilibrium and kinetic data are available. This model is applied to the nylon 6,6 system. the resulting correlation is valid for water concentrations from 1 to 90 mol% and for temperatures from 200 to 265°C. The equilibrium correlation is a function of the water mole fraction and temperature. At a fixed temperature, there is a maximum in the apparent equilibrium constant at a water concentration of approximately 10 mol%. There is an apparent inversion in the sign of the heat of amidation, as well as a continuous change in the apparent rate of polymerization from second to third order in carboxyl concentration at low water content.
Anthropogenic Nutrient Sources Supplied to a Chesapeake Bay Tributary Support Algal Growth: A Bioassay and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Approach

Three anthropogenic sources (urban, soil, and industrial runoff) were characterized for bulk nutrient and dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition using wet chemistry and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Each source was unique based on its chemical composition. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) comprised 91, 60, and 20 % of the total N pool in the soil, urban, and industrial sources, respectively. The DOM composition was dominated by terrestrial compounds in the soil, condensed hydrocarbons, lipids and proteins in the urban, and lipid-like compounds in the industrial source. A York River (VA) phytoplankton assemblage, dominated by Cochlodinium polykrikoides, was amended with the sources during a 7-day bioassay. There was a doubling of chlorophyll a and/or cell concentrations within 2 days, in the +Urban and +Soil treatments. The + Industrial treatment supported algal growth, but increases in cell abundances were only statistically significant at the end of the experiment (days 5–7), suggesting that this material was less labile to the original York River community than the other anthropogenic nutrient sources, on the relatively short timescale of the study.
SPATIAL SCALE AND ABUNDANCE PATTERNS OF LARGE FISH COMMUNITIES IN FRESHWATER MARSHES OF THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES

Anthropogenic habitat alterations and water-management practices have imposed an artificial spatial scale onto the once contiguous freshwater marshes of the Florida Everglades. To gain insight into how these changes may affect biotic communities, we examined whether variation in the abundance and community structure of large fishes (SL > 8 cm) in Everglades marshes varied more at regional or intraregional scales, and whether this variation was related to hydroperiod, water depth, floating mat volume, and vegetation density. From October 1997 to October 2002, we used an airboat electrofisher to sample large fishes at sites within three regions of the Everglades. Each of these regions is subject to unique water-management schedules. Dry-down events (water depth <10 cm) occurred at several sites during spring in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. The 2001 dry-down event was the most severe and widespread. Abundance of several fishes decreased significantly through time, and the number of days post-dry-down covaried significantly with abundance for several species. Processes operating at the regional scale appear to play important roles in regulating large fishes. The most pronounced patterns in abundance and community structure occurred at the regional scale, and the effect size for region was greater than the effect size for sites nested within region for abundance of all species combined, all predators combined, and each of the seven most abundant species. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling revealed distinct groupings of sites corresponding to the three regions. We also found significant variation in community structure through time that correlated with the number of days post-dry-down. Our results suggest that hydroperiod and water management at the regional scale influence large fish communities of Everglades marshes.