cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modular Multilevel Converter with Minimum Arm Inductance and Automatic Sub-module Voltage Balance - Y-Matrix Modulation and its Theoretical Proof of the Automatic Voltage Balance

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is one of the most promising topologies for high- and medium-voltage applications. However, the conventional MMC relies on large arm inductance and complicated feedback control to maintain submodule (SM) capacitor voltages balanced, which requires a large number of voltage sensors and complicated arm current control loops. In contrast to the conventional perspective, the MMC can be regarded as a derivative from the general multilevel topology based on switched-capacitor (SC) structure. The SC structure endows excellent properties to the MMC, such as minimum or no arm inductor and automatic SM capacitor voltage balancing capability. This MMC with minimum or no arm inductor is named as SC-MMC. Since the arm inductances are very small, the SM capacitor voltages can be balanced automatically. Small stray/parasitic inductance is enough to limit inrush current during SM's switching instants to the rated current level. To unleash the automatic SM capacitor voltage balancing capability of the SC-MMC, a Y-matrix modulation (YMM) has been proposed, which does not require closed loop control or any sensor, has no limitations on the number of SMs, and works for both half-bridge and full-bridge SMs. An unresolved issue of the emerging YMM is that, in the published literature, the existence of the Y matrix with full rank has not been proved theoretically beyond the observation for the SC-MMC when the number of SMs is large. In this paper, an analytical proof of the existence of the full rank Y matrix is provided, which implies the automatic voltage balance of SMs for the MMC with arbitrary number of SMs in each arm. Simulation results using the YMM on a 21-level SC-MMC with minimum arm inductance are provided to verify the voltage balance theory/observation of the SC-MMC using the YMM.
Leveraging Mobile Sensing to Understand and Develop Intervention Strategies to Improve Medication Adherence

Interventions to improve the medication adherence have had limited success and can require significant human resources to implement. Research focused on improving medication adherence has undergone a paradigm shift, of late, with a shift toward developing personalized, theory-driven interventions. The current research integrates foundational and translational science to implement a mechanism-focused, context-aware approach. Increasing adoption of mobile and wearable sensing systems presents new opportunities for understanding how medication-taking behaviors unfold in natural settings, especially in populations who have difficulty adhering to medications. When combined with survey and ecological momentary assessment data, these mobile and wearable sensing systems can directly capture the context of medication adherence in situ, including personal, behavioral, and environmental factors. The purpose of this article is to present a new transdisciplinary research framework in medication adherence, highlight critical advances in this rapidly evolving research field, and outline potential future directions for both research and clinical applications.
Micro Fabricated MEMS Colorimetric Devices to Measure Zika-Induced Residual Stress and Mass Loading

Microfabricated silicon nitride cantilever beams, with gold disks and triangles were used to study and quantify residual stresses generated by binding with the thiol end groups of Zika aptamers and then with Zika. Binding with aptamers and Zika generated large tensile residual stresses ~ 53 MPa that deflected the beams and changed their reflective color. It also caused the triangular gold patches to detach from their nitride substrates affecting the substrates’ “golden” color. Dynamic measurements of the nitride beams’ vibrations were used to measure mass loading by Zika with the sensitivity of 2 kHz/ng. The residual stress built-up due to binding with Zika in excess of $9\times 10 ^{\mathbf {4}}$ Zika/beam caused nitride beams to buckle. Zika-induced residual stress measured using the triangular patches was 96 MPa. Large-scale cellulose acetate beams were then used to observe the residual stresses caused by 20 nm gold layer (0.24 MPa), aptamers (0.3 MPa), and then with Zika (0.5 MPa). Acetate beam displacement was used to “sense” Zika with $2\times 10 ^{\mathbf {-6}}\,\,\mu \text{m}$ /Zika sensitivity.
Place, candidate roots, and voter preferences in an age of partisan polarization: Observational and experimental evidence

Abstract Throughout the mid-twentieth century, scholars identified considerable contextual variation in American electoral politics. Party platforms varied significantly across the country, split ticket voting was commonplace, and candidate idiosyncrasies appeared to matter a great deal to voters. According to previous research, candidates' roots seemed especially important to voters, with “homegrown” candidates enjoying a boost at the polls. There is good reason to expect, however, that voters may no longer care about candidate roots. Partisan politics have polarized, both ideologically amongst elites and “affectively” amongst the electorate, continually since the mid-1990s (Mason, 2018). In addition, recent work suggests that American political behavior has “nationalized; ” meaning that national level partisan cues dominate voters' decision calculus, from presidential to mayoral races (Hopkins 2018). Both trends suggest little to no role for apolitical candidate characteristics to factor into voters' evaluations of candidates. To reassess voters’ appetite for homegrown candidates, this paper features observational and conjoint experimental studies designed to discern whether individuals in the United States still care about candidate roots. Results indicate that, despite trends of partisan polarization and nationalization, voters continue to consider candidate roots important. Furthermore, this preference appears especially strong among those with a strong place identity, suggesting that those for whom geographical identity is most important are particularly sensitive to geographical cues.
Dysregulated Diurnal Cortisol Pattern and Heightened Night-Time Cortisol in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder.

Introduction Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation may contribute to the symptom burden in bipolar disorder (BD). Further characterization of cortisol secretion is needed to improve understanding of the connection between mood, sleep, and the HPA axis. Here, we observe diurnal cortisol patterns in individuals with BD and healthy controls (HCs) to determine time points where differences may occur. Methods Salivary cortisol was measured at 6 time points (wake, 15, 30, and 45 min after wake, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) for 3 consecutive days in individuals with symptomatic BD (N = 27) and HC participants (N = 31). A general linear model with correlated errors was utilized to determine if salivary cortisol changed differently throughout the day between the 2 study groups. Results A significant interaction (F = 2.74, df = 5, and p = 0.02) was observed between the time of day and the study group (BD vs. HC) when modeling salivary cortisol over time, indicating that salivary cortisol levels throughout the day significantly differed between the study groups. Specifically, salivary cortisol in BD was elevated compared to HCs at the 10:00 p.m. time point (p = 0.01). Conclusion Significantly higher levels of cortisol in participants with BD in the night-time suggest that the attenuation of cortisol observed in healthy individuals may be impaired in those with BD. Reregulation of cortisol levels may be a target of further study and treatment intervention for individuals with BD.
Deep‐tow Seismic Investigations of Methane Hydrates

High-resolution deep-tow multichannel seismic technology, developed by the Naval Research Laboratory, has been used to study natural gas hydrates in the marine environment. The 48-channel deep-tow system uses a 250-650 Hz source; the source and receiver array are towed approximately 300 m above the, seafloor. The combination of the geometry achieved and source frequency allows us to study the geologic structure and compressional velocities within the Hydrate Stability Zone (HSZ) with significantly greater resolution than any other available technique. The data taken with this system have revealed features that require modifications of simple models for the HSZ. For example, extensive faulting has been resolved that extends from the seafloor to the base of the HSZ. Further, compressional velocity estimates obtained from these data suggest vertical zones of elevated velocity that appear to be associated with these faults. This is consistent with chemical/hydrologic models that indicate hydrates are created preferentially where fluid flux rates are high enough to exceed saturation. Data acquired at two locations on the Blake Ridge off the east coast of the U. S. and on the Cascadia margin off the Canadian west coast exhibit significantly different seismic character, implying different manifestations of flux through the HSZ. The high-resolution seismic data indicate the need for a 3-D, dynamic model of the HSZ to more fully explain the generation and dissociation of natural gas hydrates.
Abstract 4158: Novel PAK4-mediated regulation of endothelial CXCL1/CXCR2 signaling and angiogenesis in glioblastoma

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Increased endothelial cell proliferation and aberrant neovascularization are pathological hallmarks of glioblastoma that correlate with clinical outcome. Recent studies have also implicated ionizing radiation (IR)-induced angiogenesis as a potential cause for tumor recurrence and metastases in several malignancies. Its impact in gliomas has not been characterized. Factors that drive endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis and interaction of endothelial cells with tumor cells in the context of radiotherapy are potentially novel targets for glioma therapy. Our previous studies demonstrated high levels of expression of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) in gliomas; analyses of tumor cell medium (CM) prepared from shRNA-mediated PAK4-knockdown cells using an angiogenesis antibody array showed a significant decrease in key angiogenic factors including CXCL1. Treatment of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) with CM from PAK4-knockdown cells (PAK4-kd CM) significantly inhibited proliferation, migration and microtubule formation compared with CM from control and scrambled vector-expressing glioma cells. PAK4-kd CM treatment also suppressed CXCR2 activation and decreased the expression levels of p-STAT3, VEGF, MMP-2 and cyclinD1 in HBMECs. Additionally, treatment with CM from ionizing radiation (IR, 8 Gy)-treated cells resulted in elevated CXCL1, MMP-2 and VEGF levels in HBMECs, and induced high levels of endothelial capillary network formation on matrigel, indicating an IR-induced angiogenesis in these cells. Conversely, PAK4-kd inhibited IR-induced angiogenesis and decreased p-STAT3, VEGF and MMP-2 levels in IR-treated HBMECS. Further, in vivo experiments with orthotopic intracranial tumors in nude mice showed growth suppression in PAK4-knockdown tumors compared to control tumors. Immunohistochemical analyses of brain tumor sections revealed a significant decrease in CXCL1, VEGF and MMP-2 in PAK4.sh tumors. In summary, our studies emphasize a novel regulation of angiogenic switch and endothelial CXCL1/CXCR2 signaling by PAK4 in tumor cells, thereby, suggests the role of PAK4 as a critical mediator of tumor-endothelial cell interactions in glioblastoma. Abrogation of key angiogenic signaling after IR treatment and inhibition of in vivo tumor growth by PAK4 suppression indicates its therapeutic potential in the treatment of glioma. Citation Format: Divya Kesanakurti, Jihong Xu, Alessandro Canella, Prabhakaran Nagarajan, Balveen Kaur, Vinay K. Puduvalli. Novel PAK4-mediated regulation of endothelial CXCL1/CXCR2 signaling and angiogenesis in glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4158. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4158
A horizontally integrated micromachined filter

A 32 GHz filter constructed of micromachined cavities in silicon is presented. The filter structure consists of two side-by-side, horizontally-oriented cavities, which are coupled by evanescent waveguide sections, and are fed by microstrip lines through slot apertures. The measured results are presented and compared to those predicted by an FEM model. The simulated filter response has a bandwidth of 2.3% centered at 31.74 GHz with an insertion loss of 1.2 dB. The measured performance indicates a 2.2% bandwidth centered at 31.70 GHz with a de-embedded insertion loss of 1.2 dB, and an unloaded Q of 1422.
Explaining corporate governance: Boards, bylaws, and charter provisions

We provide arguments and present evidence that corporate governance structures are endogenous responses to the costs and benefits firms face when they choose the mechanisms that comprise those structures. In particular, an industry's investment opportunities, product uniqueness, competitive environment, information environment, and leverage help explain its corporate governance. Examining groups of similar corporate governance mechanisms shows that firm and industry factors can have quite different associations (in strength and direction) with the monitoring capabilities of the board of directors versus the shareholder orientation of corporate charter provisions. Although industry factors play a dominant role in explaining an index of total governance, we find that firm and industry factors contribute almost equally in explaining the variation of sub-indices capturing aspects of board structure and charter provision use.
Digital microscopy: past, present, and future.

Abstract Context.—Digital viewing of histologic images is moving from presentations and publications to incorporation into the daily work of practicing pathologists. Many technologic limitations ha...
Targeting Hsp90 in urothelial carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma, or transitional cell carcinoma, is the most common urologic malignancy that carries significant morbidity, mortality, recurrence risk and associated health care costs. Despite use of current chemotherapies and immunotherapies, long-term remission in patients with muscle-invasive or metastatic disease remains low, and disease recurrence is common. The molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein-90 (Hsp90) may offer an ideal treatment target, as it is a critical signaling hub in urothelial carcinoma pathogenesis and potentiates chemoradiation. Preclinical testing with Hsp90 inhibitors has demonstrated reduced proliferation, enhanced apoptosis and synergism with chemotherapies and radiation. Despite promising preclinical data, clinical trials utilizing Hsp90 inhibitors for other malignancies had modest efficacy. Therefore, we propose that Hsp90 inhibition would best serve as an adjuvant treatment in advanced muscle-invasive or metastatic bladder cancers to potentiate other therapies. An overview of bladder cancer biology, current treatments, molecular targeted therapies, and the role for Hsp90 inhibitors in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma is the focus of this review.
Grand Challenges of 21st-century engineering education

Our educational system needs to adapt to ever-changing scientific, industrial, economic, and social systems. However, since changes in the educational system have long-term repercussions, one has to apply care in preserving the relative stability of existing educational structures so that changes are adapted towards only those trends that have enduring and significant impact on society. At the turn of the 21st century, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering identified 14 engineering grand challenges for the 21st century. We discuss how undergraduate education can be shaped to address these grand challenges.
A state space approach for the 2-D harmonic retrieval problem

In this paper, a State Space approach to the 2-D harmonic retrieval problem is presented. Under certain assumptions, it is shown that the data and covariance matrices have finite rank and also possess a desirable algebraic structure. Then methods employing the Principal components algorithm are developed to estimate the state space parameters and the sinusoid parameters directly from the data and from the covariance information. Simulation results to support the methods are also provided.
Phase-matched four-photon mixing processes in birefringent fibers

We describe several new phase-matching processes for four-photon mixing in polarization-preserving birefringent fibers. The frequency shifts and polarization conditions of the waves involved in this nonlinear interaction are specified for a single-mode fused silica birefringent fiber. Our calculations include the effect of dispersion in the birefringence of the fibers.
Gene Expression Is Required for Correct Axon Guidance

As axons form connections in the developing brain, they often change course before they reach their final target. An outstanding question concerning changes in axon guidance is whether autonomous gene expression directs axons to their targets. If autonomous gene expression is required during axon guidance, then at least some aspects of guidance may be irreversible. Once commissural axons cross the midline in the central nervous system (CNS), they usually make guidance decisions that differ from those made on the ipsilateral side. Here I explore whether a change in gene expression is involved in postcommissural axon guidance. Grasshopper serotonergic neurons were microinjected with a fluorescent tracer dye and either a translation blocker or a transcription blocker. After 24 hr of development, the guidance decisions of these microinjected axons were assayed. If the growth cones had already made a postcommissural guidance choice after crossing the midline, they continued growth even when gene expression was inhibited. If growth cones had just crossed the midline and not yet reached the choice point, they made a distinct guidance error when gene expression was inhibited. These results show that there is a discrete step in which gene expression plays a critical role in postcommissural axon guidance.
Laptop energy-saving opportunities based on user behaviors

In order to improve the energy efficiency of laptop use and design, it is important to gain knowledge of how laptops are being used in real-world settings. However, the current workload studies have focused on computer-usage patterns of business users, but not those of consumer users. As part of the u!Green project at ABC University, a pilot study was undertaken to develop and test software tools and methods for monitoring the laptop computer usage of 13 college students for a period of 1 month. This paper describes such tools and methods for monitoring and collecting laptop usage data. It also illustrates how the collected data can be analyzed to obtain high-impact energy usage patterns, which include long idle periods, excessive use of the AC power source, and high backlight levels. These identified high-impact usage patterns, if confirmed by our subsequent study, offer valuable user behavioral insights to advance more energy-efficient laptop use and design.
Characteristics of somatotropic growth hormone binding to homologous liv plasma membranes

Abstract The binding of 125I-labeled oGH, rGH and hGH to homologous liver membranes is compared to define the characteristics of somatotropic hormone-receptor interactions. The effect of pH and cations and the time-course of binding of these different GHs was similar when binding was determined in liver membranes from the homologous species. The time-course of binding was characterized by stable binding by 90–120 min of incubation at 22°C with relatively high nonspecific binding that continued to increase with time. This resulted in a peak of specific binding for each hormone. Addition of excess unlabeled hormone at 30 min of the binding incubation resulted in partial displacement of the bound GH. The binding of rGH was somewhat dependent upon the presence of divalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+) in the incubation medium. In the absence of added divalent cation, a small but appreciable amount of binding was detected at pH 7–8. With 10 mM calcium, binding increased several-fold with a definite peak of rGH binding at pH 4–5. Both oGH and hGH exhibited a broad peak of binding at pH 5–7. Monovalent cations (Na+, K+) were either ineffective in enhancing GH binding or produced a slight enhancement at higher concentrations (100 mM). Competitive displacement curves confirm the somatotropic nature of the GH-receptor interaction. Human Pl was ineffective in competing for GH binding. We conclude that ‘somatotropic’ growth hormone binding to its homologous liver receptor exhibits phylogenetically consistent and distinguishing characteristics of binding. Comparison of the characteristics of hGH binding to human, female rodent and bovine liver membranes suggests the presence of three separate receptors for hGH in human, female rodent and nonhuman mammalian liver.
Changes in the bovine zona pellucida induced by plasmin or embryonic plasminogen activator.

Effects of bovine plasmin and plasminogen activator recovered from bovine embryo-conditioned medium (bePA) on the polypeptide profile and solubility of bovine zonae pellucidae (ZP) were evaluated. ZP were isolated from bovine ovarian oocytes and incubated at 39°C with 0, 100, or 200 μg/ml plasmin for 0, 24, or 48 hr or bePA with 0 or 100 μg/ml human plasminogen for 0 or 48 hr. ZP were evaluated either by SDS-PAGE or for changes in solubility using a zona pellucida dissolution time (ZPDT) assay. Two prominent polypeptides, molecular weight (MW) 76,000 and 65,000, and two minor polypeptides, MW 23,000 and 22,000, were resolved by SDS-PAGE. No changes occurred in the polypeptide profile for ZP incubated with 0 μg/ml plasmin for 0, 24, or 48 hr, and ZPDT did not differ (P > 0.10). Treatment with 100 or 200 μg/ml plasmin induced reductions in the MW 76,000, 23,000, and 22,000 polypeptides and the appearance of MW 45,000 and 0.10) to ZP incubated with unconditioned medium. Addition of human plasminogen to ZP incubated with bePA reduced the MW 76,000, 23,000, and 22,000 polypeptides, caused the appearance of MW 45,000 and 20,000 polypeptides, and decreased ZPDT (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that bovine plasmin is capable of proteolytically degrading the bovine ZP and that bePA can indirectly affect the ZP by converting plasminogen to plasmin. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:330–338, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cross-phase Modulation Microscopy

We report our recently developed spectral re-shaping technique for cross-phase modulation imaging, which extends widely employed phase microscopy to the nonlinear regime.
Offspring consume a more obesogenic diet than mothers in response to changing socioeconomic status and urbanization in Cebu, Philippines

Overweight increased among Filipino mothers and offspring from 1994 to 2005 however, a higher rate of increase among mothers resulted in a prevalence 4 times higher than that among offspring in 2005. Our aim was to explore the differential effects of changing income, assets, maternal education, and urbanicity on dietary behaviors of mothers and offspring that may affect overweight risk. The study included a cohort of Filipino offspring and their mothers participating in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey at four time points from 1994 (n = 1,885 pairs) to 2005 (n = 1,349 pairs). The effect of socioeconomic factors and urbanicity, on dietary behaviors including energy adequacy, percent fat and carbohydrates were examined using longitudinal random-effects regression models. Mothers and offspring were consistently more likely to consume more calories relative to basal needs as well as a higher percent of calories from fat and a lower percent from carbohydrates with higher socioeconomic status and urbanization. Despite the substantially higher rates of overweight among mothers compared to offspring, offspring consumed a significantly more obesogenic diet than mothers experiencing the same increases in wealth and urbanicity. Family-based interventions should be developed to counteract the shift towards a more obesogenic diet observed for both Filipino mothers and offspring.
Minimum Phase Response in Digitally Controlled Boost and Flyback Converters

This paper addresses modeling and control issues related to practical high-frequency digital PWM control of constant-frequency boost, buck-boost and flyback converters. Discrete-time models, including the effects of A/D sampling and delays in the digital control loop, are derived for two cases: output voltage A/D sampling during transistor off time in combination with trailing-edge (TE) DPWM, and A/D sampling during transistor on time in combination with leading-edge (LE) DPWM. We show that off-time sampling with TE-DPWM, which is a common approach in digital controller realizations, can result in desirable minimum-phase responses, thus simplifying compensator design in wide bandwidth closed-loop voltage regulators based on boost or flyback converters. The results are verified by simulation and experimental results on a boost converter prototype.
Correlation analysis of stochastic gravitational wave background around 0.1 1 Hz

We discuss prospects for direct measurement of stochastic gravitational wave background around 0.1–1 Hz with future space missions. It is assumed to use correlation analysis technique with the optimal time-delay-interferometry (TDI) variables for two sets of LISA-type interferometers. The signal to noise for detection of the background and the estimation errors for its basic parameters (amplitude, spectral index) are evaluated for proposed missions.
In Situ Raman Spectroscopy of Supported Chromium Oxide Catalysts: 18O2-16O2 Isotopic Labeling Studies

The isothermal isotopic exchange reaction of 18O2 with 16O of chromium(VI) oxide supported on zirconia, alumina, and titania has been investigated with in situ laser Raman spectroscopy. The isotopic exchange reaction is dependent on the support type, the Cr loading, and the reaction temperature. Complete isotopic exchange of chromium(VI) oxide with 18O2 is difficult to achieve and requires several successive butane reduction−18O2 oxidation cycles at relatively high temperatures. The efficiency of the isothermal isotopic exchange reaction increases from alumina over titania to zirconia and with increasing Cr loading and reduction temperature. The observed Raman shifts upon isotopic labeling are consistent with a mono-oxo surface chromium oxide(VI) species.
STRUCTURE AND CONFORMATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS 7. ON THE CONFORMATION OF THE METHYL ESTER OF (20‐METHYLPHYTOCHLORINATO)NICKEL(II)‐A BAaERIOCHLOROPHYLL c MODEL COMPOUND

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structure shows the typical S4-ruffled conformation observed for Ni(II) tetrapyrroles. Compared to the structure of the methyl ester of (13(2)-demethoxycarbonyl-pheophorbidato a)nickel(II), 4 shows a smaller Ca-Cm-Ca angle and a higher degree of conformational distortion at the methyl-substituted C20 position. This local distortion of the macrocycle might account for the bathochromic shifted absorption spectra of the bacteriochlorophylls c compared to the d-series. Crystal data: C35H38N4NiO3; tetragonal, P4(3)2(1)2, a = 15.335(7) A, c = 25.11(2) A, V = 5904, Z = 8, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.701 mm-1, F(000) = 2624, 130 K, R = 0.058 for 5700 reflections with F > 4.0 sigma(F).
The rotation graph of binary trees is hamiltonian

Abstract In this paper we study the rotation transformation on binary trees and consider the properties of binary trees under this operation. The rotation is the universal primitive used to rebalance dynamic binary search trees. New binary search tree algorithms have recently been introduced by Sleator and Tarjan. It has been conjectured that these algorithms are as efficient as any algorithm that dynamically restructures the tree using rotations. We hope that by studying rotations in binary trees we shall gain a better understanding of the nature of binary search trees, which in turn will lead to a proof of this “dynamic optimality conjecture”. We define a graph, RG(n), whose vertex set consists of all binary trees containing n nodes, and which has an edge between two trees if they differ by only one rotation. We shall introduce a new characterization of the structure of RG(n) and use it to demonstrate the existence of a Hamiltonian cycle in the graph. The proof is constructive and can be used to enumerate all binary trees with n nodes in constant time per tree.
Multi-Spectral Raman Gain in Atomic Rubidium Vapor

Optically off-resonant stimulated Raman scattering of 85-Rb is studied experimentally to implement a scheme that eliminates the key sources of fidelity loss in macroscopic entanglement and quantum information storage using atomic vapor or trapped atoms.
Analysis of mouse metaphase II oocytes as an assay for chemically induced aneuploidy.

Abstract Our initial objective was to develop an in vivo mammalian, female aneuploid assay that is consistent, fime efficient, and that yields a large number of oocytes amenable to objective analyses. Subsequently, we desired to use such an assay for identifying chemicals and dosages that could increase the incidence of aneuploidy in mouse metaphase II oocytes. The experimental protocol involved superovulating CD-1 mice with PMS: HCG was given 48 h later. At the time of HCG injection, different dosages of diethylstilbestrol diphosphate, cadmium chloride, chloral hydrate, or colchicine were injected intraperitoneally. 17 h later, oocytes were collected and fixed prior to C-binding the chromosomes. The procedure required about 3 h ot process oocytes from 25 mice and yielded over 100 analyzable metaphase II oocytes. Colchicine was the only compound tested that resulted in a statistically significant (P 20) oocytes over controls. The incidence of hyperploid oocytes in the colchicine group was 2 167 , 1 182 , 21 220 , and 38 202 , for control, 0.1 mg/kg, 0.2 mg/kg, and 0.3 mg/kgm, respectively. This assay appears sensitive for aneuploidy detection but requires further validation.
YNK1, the yeast homolog of human metastasis suppressor NM23, is required for repair of UV radiation- and etoposide-induced DNA damage

In humans, NM23-H1 is a metastasis suppressor whose expression is reduced in metastatic melanoma and breast carcinoma cells, and which possesses the ability to inhibit metastatic growth without significant impact on the transformed phenotype. NM23-H1 exhibits three enzymatic activities in vitro, each with potential to maintain genomic stability, a 3'-5' exonuclease and two kinases, nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK), and protein histidine kinase. Herein we have investigated the potential contributions of NM23 proteins to DNA repair in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains a single NM23 homolog, YNK1. Ablation of YNK1 delayed repair of UV- and etoposide-induced nuclear DNA damage by 3-6h. However, YNK1 had no impact upon the kinetics of MMS-induced DNA repair. Furthermore, YNK1 was not required for repair of mitochondrial DNA damage. To determine whether the nuclear DNA repair deficit manifested as an increase in mutation frequency, the CAN1 forward assay was employed. An YNK1 deletion was associated with increased mutation rates following treatment with either UV (2.6x) or MMS (1.6 x). Mutation spectral analysis further revealed significantly increased rates of base substitution and frameshift mutations following UV treatment in the ynk1Delta strain. This study indicates a novel role for YNK1 in DNA repair in yeast, and suggests an anti-mutator function that may contribute to the metastasis suppressor function of NM23-H1 in humans.
Rheological properties of gelatin from silver carp skin compared to commercially available gelatins from different sources.

ABSTRACT: Gelatin is used as a functional ingredient in many foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics as a stabilizing, thickening, and gelling agent. The rheological properties of gelatins are important in the potential functionality of gelatin. This study is designed to determine the rheological properties of gelatin extracted from the skins of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes 1844). The extracted gelatin is compared with commercially available gelatins from different sources. The results indicate that the stress–strain relationship of gelatin gels remained in the linear region over a broad range of strains and stresses and gave similar elastic moduli at varying frequency, stress, and strain levels. One exception was a commercial high molecular weight fish skin gelatin that gave a lower elastic modulus indicating that its gel strength was low compared to the other gelatin samples studied. Gel strength varied between 220 and 1230 g while viscosity varied between 4.53 and 6.91 cP among the samples. Melting and gelling temperatures varied between 14.2 and 32.3 °C and 3.2 and 25.4 °C, respectively. Texture profile analysis was done at 2 deformation levels, 25% and 75%, and the results correlated well with gel strength. The correlations between hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess and gel strength were 0.98, 0.82, and 0.99, respectively, at 25% deformation but lower at 75% deformation. The results suggest that rheological measurements might be used to quickly estimate gel strength using less material. In addition, the silver carp skin gelatin seemed to be of equal quality to some of the commercial gelatins.
Modeling of intermediate behavior in Co/Pt vertical magnetization multilayers

Abstract Magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) hysteresis loops were acquired at various radial positions on a 25 mm diameter disk of a (0.3 nm Co/1.2 nm Pt) 15 multilayer. Two distinct types of behavior: unimodal, with two stable states, and bimodal, with four stable states, were observed. At the center of the disk, the loop exhibited bimodal features. At the outer edge, the reversal behavior was significantly altered, and the loop was unimodal. The radial variations in the magnetization are attributed to diffusion and interface effects arising from nonuniform heating in the film deposition process. We model these media to understand the physics of the magnetization processes. The bimodal loops are characterized by columns of CoPt 3 and of Pt threading the multilayers, strongly coupling them, and fully polarizing the Pt layers. Then, this thread is lost due to the different growth conditions at the edge of the disk, altering the polarization of the Pt layers. The overall behavior is modeled by assuming that in the unimodal region, there are a certain number of smooth layers starting at the substrate, and the remaining layers are rougher. In the intermediate region, vertical threads start forming at random points whose length increases as the medium becomes more bimodal. When the medium is fully bimodal, it consists solely of CoPt 3 and Pt threads that pierce the entire medium.
Management of aldose reductase mRNA abundance in rat lens undergoing reversal of galactose induced cataracts. A model for gene response to changes in the environment

Aldose reductase (AR) mRNA concentration in rat lens was quantitated by hybridization of a RNA transcript from a previously described AR cDNA clone to mRNA found in epithelial and cortical cytosols. This was done on normal rat lens and on lens initially made cataractous by feeding of a diet of Purina Chow containing 50% galactose, followed by reversal of the cataracts due to the removal of the galactose from the diet. Recent data from this laboratory has shown that AR mRNA was increased in lens epithelial cells upon administration of galactose; while in the cortex it was reduced to insignificant levels when fiber cell damage became extensive by day 20 on galactose. Present data reveals that, upon removal of galactose from the diet, the lens epithelial AR mRNA was gradually reduced from the high levels found at day 20 of galactose feeding to low levels by day 30 of reversal. On the other hand, the cortex exhibited an initial sudden increase in AR mRNA at days 1 to 6 of reversal and by day 30 it was reduced to levels below those found in the untreated lens. DNA content in the epithelium also began to decrease to normal levels by day 16 following reversal of the cataracts. The data demonstrate that the concentration of AR mRNA in lens of reversed cataracts appears to faithfully reflect the loss of epithelial cellular need for AR mRNA in favor of enhanced differentiation of epithelial cells to secondary fiber cells.
Device utilizations in approximate MVA

Using a specific form of the estimate for queueing delays at FCFS servers, it is shown that approximate Mean Value Analysis will predict utilizations below 100% at FCFS servers. However, other estimates of queueing delays may yield utilizations exceeding 100%.
Recruitment of ponderosa pine seedlings in the Cascade Range

Abstract Abiotic stresses on seedling regeneration in xeric ecosystems are great, hence recruitment processes can be facilitated by stand factors that ameliorate the germinant-scale microenvironment. An experiment was conducted on the eastern slope of the Cascade Range to test the effects of shrub cover, simulated seed caching, and substrate on the recruitment of Pacific ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) seedlings. Failure rates of seeds sowed in exclosures were large, with less than 30% emerging as germinants in the spring following fall sowing. Simulated seed caching improved emergence rates by more than sevenfold and was responsible for 88% of all spring germinants. Emergence rates were lowest from uncached seeds on litter. Just 16% of the crop survived the summer and fall to the month of November, or less than 5 months after emergence. Shrub cover did not affect emergence rates, but establishment rates were higher: seedlings beneath shrubs succumbed to desiccation at a slower rate than unshaded seedlings. By August there were 2.3 times more survivors at shrub-shaded sites than unshaded sites, and by the end of fall, when seedlings were considered established, more than 78% existed beneath shrubs. This study provides evidence that the natural recruitment of ponderosa pine seedlings is facilitated by the occurrence of the species’ common shrub associates.
Adaptive designs for identifying optimal biological dose for molecularly targeted agents

Background Traditionally, the purpose of a dose-finding design in cancer is to find the maximum tolerated dose based solely on toxicity. However, for molecularly targeted agents, little toxicity may arise within the therapeutic dose range and the dose-response curves may not be monotonic. This challenges the principle that more is better, which is widely accepted for conventional chemotherapy. Methods We propose three adaptive dose-finding designs for trials evaluating molecularly targeted agents, for which the dose-response curves are unimodal or plateaued. The goal of these designs is to find the optimal biological dose, which is defined as the lowest dose with the highest rate of efficacy while safe. The first proposed design is parametric and assumes a logistic dose-efficacy curve for dose finding, the second design is nonparametric and uses the isotonic regression to identify the optimal biological dose, and the third design has the spirit of a 'semiparametric' approach by assuming a logistic model only locally around the current dose. Results We conducted extensive simulation studies to investigate the operating characteristics of the proposed designs. Simulation studies show that the nonparametric and semiparametric designs have good operating characteristics for finding the optimal biological dose. Limitations The proposed designs assume a binary endpoint. Extension of the proposed designs to ordinal and time-to-event endpoints is worth further investigation. Conclusion Among the three proposed designs, the nonparametric and semiparametric designs yield consistently good operating characteristics and thus are recommended for practical use. The software to implement these two designs is available for free download at http://odin.mdacc.tmc.edu/~yyuan/ .
Preparation of rat liver plasma membrane with respect to glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase☆☆☆

Further modification of Neville's method of preparation of rat liver plasma membrane has been made in order to study glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase. This modified method introduces two additional steps to the Neville procedures. One involves saving an intermediate layer above the pellet following 1500g centrifugation. The other adds a centrifugation step at 20,000g. The improved method increases the yield of membrane protein by 5-fold and increases forskolin, glucagon, and 5'-guanyl imidodiphosphate stimulated activity of adenylate cyclase by 2.8-fold. A 13-fold increase in the yield of total adenylate cyclase activity above the current method was obtained. The membrane adenylate cyclase and its hormone sensitivity was stable in liquid nitrogen for at least 8 months. This modified method appears to be useful in preparing a better yield and quality of rat liver plasma membrane from given starting hepatic tissue for studies of glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase.
The Use of a World Wide Web-based Consultation Site to Provide Support to Telephone Staff in a Traumatic Brain Injury Demonstration Project

Objectives Distance from expertise in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often an impediment to appropriate TBI care from local health care providers, especially in rural areas. To overcome this barrier to care and to support a randomized, controlled trial of telephone follow-up after discharge from acute rehabilitation, we demonstrated the use of a confidential consultation Web site to provide expert recommendations and advice to front-line telephone staff at a different site. Conclusions This use of Internet communication proved convenient to all users, improved client confidence, and served as an excellent training tool to less experienced staff. In addition, use of a Web-based consultation method provided for archiving of all discussions for later review.
A policy framework for Web-Service based Business Activity Management (BAM)

Business Activity Management (BAM) is becoming one of the most critical areas to transform a business into an adaptive enterprise. To manage business activities and the related resources is a very complex task. BAM systems need to address potentially large number of business rules and unpredictable changes of business situations. Using BAM policies to drive BAM scenarios makes such challenging tasks practical and feasible. In this paper, we present a policy framework for Web-Service based BAM systems. We will cover the conceptual foundation, policy specification, policy architecture, and a case study for the framework and related components. Comparison with other similar works will be given at the end of this paper.
High-pressure (1 Torr) scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study of the coadsorption and exchange of CO and NO on the Rh(111) crystal face.

The coadsorption of CO and NO on Rh(111) at room temperature was studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in the catalytically relevant range of ∼1 Torr. For gas mixtures where NO is not in large excess, a mixed layer with (2×2) structure is formed. The difference in binding energy between CO and NO on top sites was determined from the measured surface (by direct counting in STM images) and gas mole fractions of each species. A model for the molecular structure is proposed based on the analysis of exchange events between CO and NO molecules in the images. In this model as the partial pressure of NO increases, NO molecules occupy hollow sites first, by displacing CO, and top sites later, where they coexist with CO. As the surface fraction of NO increases, favorable NO−NO interactions cause the formation of segregated NO-rich regions. As with pure NO, a phase transition from the (2×2)-NO to the (3×3)-NO structure takes place in the NO-rich regions at high NO concentration. These results demonstrate ...
Droplet dynamics: Raindrops large and small

Rain hits the ground in drops of different sizes, but the mechanism that produces this distribution is unclear. Could it be that all we need to know is contained in the death of a single drop?
Seasonal and annual respiration of a ponderosa pine ecosystem

The net ecosystem exchange of CO2 between forests and the atmosphere, measured by eddy covariance, is the small difference between two large fluxes of photosynthesis and respiration. Chamber measurements of soil surface CO2 efflux (Fs), wood respiration (Fw) and foliage respiration (Ff) help identify the contributions of these individual components to net ecosystem exchange. Models developed from the chamber data also provide independent estimates of respiration costs. We measured CO2 efflux with chambers periodically in 1996–97 in a ponderosa pine forest in Oregon, scaled these measurements to the ecosystem, and computed annual totals for respiration by component. We also compared estimated half-hourly ecosystem respiration at night (Fnc) with eddy covariance measurements. Mean foliage respiration normalized to 10 °C was 0.20 μmol m–2 (hemi-leaf surface area) s–1, and reached a maximum of 0.24 μmol m–2 HSA s–1 between days 162 and 208. Mean wood respiration normalized to 10 °C was 5.9 μmol m–3 sapwood s–1, with slightly higher rates in mid-summer, when growth occurs. There was no significant difference (P > 0.10) between wood respiration of young (45 years) and old trees (250 years). Soil surface respiration normalized to 10 °C ranged from 0.7 to 3.0 μmol m–2 (ground) s–1 from days 23 to 329, with the lowest rates in winter and highest rates in late spring. Annual CO2 flux from soil surface, foliage and wood was 683, 157, and 54 g C m–2 y–1, with soil fluxes responsible for 76% of ecosystem respiration. The ratio of net primary production to gross primary production was 0.45, consistent with values for conifer sites in Oregon and Australia, but higher than values reported for boreal coniferous forests. Below-ground carbon allocation (root turnover and respiration, estimated as Fs– litterfall carbon) consumed 61% of GPP; high ratios such as this are typical of sites with more water and nutrient constraints. The chamber estimates were moderately correlated with change in CO2 storage in the canopy (Fstor) on calm nights (friction velocity u* 0.25 m s–1), the sum of turbulent flux measured above the canopy by eddy covariance and Fstor was only weakly correlated with summed chamber estimates (R2 = 0.14); the eddy covariance estimates were lower than chamber estimates by 50%.
Fiber clustering: a comparison of two resin flow models

The present paper provides a comparative analysis of the potential of two different resin flow models, the Ideal Fibre-Reinforced fluid and the Stokes' flow model, to account for fiber clustering. It is shown that both of these models represent well the resin flow during different periods of the curing process. On that basis, it is shown that fiber clustering occurs early in the curing process when viscosity is still low. Then, as time increases, the resin becomes more viscous and prevents any further relative motions of the fibers.