cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic Optical Properties of Alkali Halides

Dielectric constants for KI, KBr, and KCl are deduced from reflectance data between 1 and 25 eV. The data may be described unambiguously in terms of individual particle and collective excitations. Strong absorption peaks originating from both the anion and the deeper lying ${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$ $3p$ band are believed to be associated primarily with excitons. The presence of collective effects is indicated by a plasma resonance which corresponds roughly to an electron density of six per molecule. It occurs in a spectral region where damping effects due to individual particle excitations from both filled bands are weak. A qualitative argument, based on a treatment of the many electron problem in the Hartree-Fock approximation, is given to show why excitons should predominate over ordinary interband transitions in alkali halides. Photoelectric emission data are re-examined and shown to be compatible with this viewpoint.
Agonistic effects of tyrphostins on human peripheral mononuclear cells.

Abstract Tyrosine kinases of the src family, p56 lck and p59 fyn , were implicated in the transduction of signals via the T-cell receptor complex. These kinases are negatively regulated by phosphorylation of a carboxyl-terminal tyrosine residue. Tyrphostins are synthetic low molecular weight compounds that selectively inhibit different protein tyrosine kinases. We report here on the agonistic and antagonistic effects of tyrphostins on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM). At low concentration, the tyrphostins enhanced glucose uptake and maximal stimulation was attained at a concentration characteristic for each of the tyrphostins used. Higher concentrations were less effective. The tyrphostins AG126 and AG183 were also found to enhance IL-2-induced cytotoxicity in human PBM in a biphasic manner. In contrast, the tyrphostin AG17 markedly inhibited IL-2-induced cytotoxicity at low AG17 concentration and no stimulation was observed. The tyrphostins tested had selective effects on [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation induced by the mixed lymphocyte culture and different agents. The most potent inhibitor was AG17. Tyrphostins also affect cytokine secretion by human PBM. AG126 and AG183 enhanced TNF-α secretion and this effect was more prominent in the presence of IL-2. AG126 enhanced IFN-γ, IL-1, and IL-6 production in PBM that were costimulated with the stress stimuli heat shock and phenylarsine oxide. The stimulatory effects of the tyrphostins on cytokine secretion and induction of cytotoxicity might be interrelated. The agonistic and antagonistic effects of tyrphostins on lymphocyte functions may have therapeutic potential.
Exploring immunological specificity using synthetic peptide combinatorial libraries

The definition of epitopes for human B and T cells is fundamental for the understanding of the immune response mechanism and its role in the prevention and cause of human disease. This understanding can be applied to the design of diagnostics and synthetic vaccines. In recent years, the understanding of the specificity of B and T cells has been advanced significantly by the development and use of combinatorial libraries made up of thousands to millions of synthetic peptides. The use of this approach has had four major effects: first, the definition of high affinity ligands both for T cells and antibodies; second, the application of alternative means for identifying immunologically relevant peptides for use as potential preventive and therapeutic vaccines; third, a new appreciation of the requirements for TCR interactions with peptide-MHC complexes in immunogenicity; fourth, the establishment of new principles regarding the level of cross-reactivity in immunological recognition.
Dental microwear texture analysis shows within-species diet variability in fossil hominins

Reconstructing the diets of extinct hominins is essential to understanding the paleobiology and evolutionary history of our lineage. Dental microwear, the study of microscopic tooth-wear resulting from use, provides direct evidence of what an individual ate in the past. Unfortunately, established methods of studying microwear are plagued with low repeatability and high observer error. Here we apply an objective, repeatable approach for studying three-dimensional microwear surface texture to extinct South African hominins. Scanning confocal microscopy together with scale-sensitive fractal analysis are used to characterize the complexity and anisotropy of microwear. Results for living primates show that this approach can distinguish among diets characterized by different fracture properties. When applied to hominins, microwear texture analysis indicates that Australopithecus africanus microwear is more anisotropic, but also more variable in anisotropy than Paranthropus robustus. This latter species has more complex microwear textures, but is also more variable in complexity than A. africanus. This suggests that A. africanus ate more tough foods and P. robustus consumed more hard and brittle items, but that both had variable and overlapping diets.
Crosstalk Modeling of Small-Pitch Two-Color HgCdTe Photodetectors

This paper investigates crosstalk in two-color HgCdTe detectors. It is particularly concerned with crosstalk in small-pitch detectors, and investigates pixel pitches from 6 μm to 20 μm using a finite-element modeling approach. It is found that crosstalk is above 20% at these pitches for simple layer designs, and can be controlled by layer design to ~5% to 10% for pitches of 12 μm to 20 μm. Smaller pitches and lower crosstalk require full mesa reticulation.
Directory of Nutrition and Aging Websites

and researchers to use powerful new tools to tap into resources and information that can potentially lighten their workload and enhance their productivity. The purpose of this directory is to help nutrition educators and researchers identify Websites relevant to the needs of older adults for use in teaching, research, and public service. The Websites compiled here were selected because of their potential for being useful, overtly reliable, scientifically accurate, and applicable to improving the nutritional status and quality of life of older adults. How and whether the sites are useful is left to your professional judgment. The list is current as of November 15, 2001. Since Websites are subject to change at any moment, the authors cannot be responsible for access or content changes after that date.The Directory was not meant to contain an exhaustive list of Websites. You are encouraged to clip and use this directory as a start to collecting a set of your own favorite nutrition education and aging Websites. At the Directory’s end, selected professional membership organizations relevant to nutrition and aging are listed with their Web address.
Determinants of 2-year outcome after coronary angioplasty in patients with multivessel disease on the basis of comprehensive preprocedural evaluation. Implications for patient selection. The Multivessel Angioplasty Prognosis Study Group.

BACKGROUNDTo assess the likelihood of intermediate-term event-free survival (freedom from death, coronary artery bypass surgery, and myocardial infarction) in patients with multivessel coronary disease undergoing coronary angioplasty, 350 consecutive patients from four clinical sites were carefully evaluated and followed for 22 +/- 10 months.METHODS AND RESULTSEight clinical variables were evaluated at the clinical sites, and 23 angiographic variables describing the number, morphology, and topography of coronary stenoses were evaluated at a core angiographic laboratory. Most patients had Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV angina (72%), two-vessel coronary disease (68%), and well-preserved left ventricular function (mean ejection fraction, 58 +/- 12%; range, 18-85%). Follow-up was complete in 99% of patients. At 2 years, event-free survival was 72%, overall survival was 96%, freedom from bypass surgery was 82%, and freedom from nonfatal myocardial infarction without surgery was 96%. Sequential...
Wide-field diffraction phase microscope for precision metrology

We demonstrate a wide-field diffraction phase microscope for large field of view quantitative phase imaging. The instrument provides an extremely stable, single-shot, full-field and robust imaging modality for nanoscale metrology and SLM characterization.
Contingency and Units in Interaction

Starting with Houtkoop and Mazeland’s (1985) study of discourse units, and touching upon recent studies aimed at detailing unit projection in interaction, this article argues that the drive toward abstract and discrete models for units and unit projection is potentially misleading. While it has been established that to engage in talk-in-interaction, as it unfolds in real time, participants rely on projectable units (Sacks et al., 1974, 1978), research aimed at defining units unintentionally backgrounds the contingency inherent in interaction. A central function of language for collaborative action is the management of simultaneously unfolding facets of action, sound production, gesture, and grammar – produced by multiple participants. This article draws upon classic and current data analyses foregrounding linguistic/interactional practices designed to manage local contingencies. It is argued that attention to participants’ regular methods for managing and exploiting contingencies be incorporated from the ...
The importance of DNA size for successful transfection of chicken embryo fibroblasts

Abstract Recovery of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) from chicken embryo fibroblasts exposed to DNA from RSV transformed rat cells (XC cells) was successful only after shearing the large molecular weight DNA. Transfection was demonstrated after a single exposure of chicken cells to the DNA, and was achieved as well in chf -negative chicken embryo cells.
Comparison of Academic Achievement between Montessori and Traditional Education Programs

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the academic achievement of 543 urban 4th- (n=291) and 8th- (n=252) grade students who attended Montessori or traditional education programs. The majority of the sample consisted of minority students (approximately 53 percent), and was considered low income (approximately 67 percent). Students who attended a public Montessori school were compared with students who attended structured magnet, open magnet, and traditional non-magnet public schools on standardized measures of math and language arts. Results of the study failed to support the hypothesis that enrollment in a Montessori school was associated with higher academic achievement. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
Solar Thermal Electrolytic Process for the Production of Zn From ZnO: An Ionic Conductivity Study

The ionic conductivities of mixtures of ZnO in Na 3 AlF 6 and in xCaF 2 -yNa 3 AlF 6 mixtures were established with a swept-sine measurement technique. A millivolt sinusoidal voltage at frequencies from 1000 Hz to 25,000 Hz was impressed on a system containing the electrolytes. The system's frequency response was used to establish the conductivities. The influence of these conductivities on the potential of a solar thermal electrolytic process was evaluated using two process performance parameters: the back-work ratio and the fraction of minimum solar thermal energy required to drive the metal production reaction. We found the conductivity of mixtures of ZnO-Na 3 ALF 6 to be independent of the concentration of ZnO for weight percentages of ZnO from 0.5% to 5%. For temperatures 1240-1325 K the conductivity is close to that of pure Na 3 AlF 6, 3 ± 0.5 Ω -1 cm -1 . At temperatures from 1350 K to 1425 K it jumps to 6 ± 0.5 Ω -1 1 cm -1 When CaF 2 is added to the mixture, the electrolyte's conductivity drops. We thus expect that calcium cations are not present to any important extent in the electrolyte. When CaF 2 is part of the chemical system, the concentration of ZnO can have a measurable impact on the electrolyte's conductivity. Combining the conductivity results with the two solar process performance parameters illustrates the importance of operating the solar process at low current densities when the temperature range is 1200-1 S00 K The results further suggest that one should consider studying the electrolytic process at 1800 K.
Functional characteristics of egg white solids obtained from papain treated albumen

Non-desugarized and desugarized liquid egg whites were treated with papain prior to drying. The hydrolysis effects of papain on color, solubility, foaming capacity, angel food cake volume and gel strength of egg white solids were evaluated. The color of non-desugarized egg white solid prepared with papain treatment was darker than those of the non-treated controls. This darkening was reduced in the desugarized egg solids. Regardless of desugarization treatment, the foaming capacity and cake volume of egg white solids increased (P<0.05), while gel strength decreased (P<0.05) for the papain treatment. In addition, the more papain used, the better (P<0.05) the solubility, foaming capacity and cake volume performances.
Real-time audio-visual tracking for meeting analysis

We demonstrate an audio-visual tracking system for meeting analysis. A stereo camera and a microphone array are used to track multiple people and their speech activity in real-time. Our system can estimate the location of multiple people, detect the current speaker and build a model of interaction between people in a meeting.
How can a successful multi-family residential recycling programme be initiated within Baltimore City, Maryland?:

Baltimore City formally began recycling in 1989 with all neighbourhoods having residential collection by 1992. Although the city of 637 000 has recycled for approximately 20 years, almost all residents in multi-family residential (MFR) housing have been and are still barred from participating at their residences. Discussions with City officials and residents have verified this antiquated policy of exclusion within MFR housing. Yet, the policy is still observed by the Department of Public Works even though the updated single-stream Code states that the ‘Director of Public Works must collect all. . .recyclable materials. . .from all dwellings, including multiple-family dwellings’. The purpose of this study’s is to provide policies, regulations, and recommendations for implementing requisite MFR recycling within Baltimore City. The study’s methodology follows a case study approach by examining three cities in the United States that currently mandate MFR recycling: Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; an...
Fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA): Challenges and applications

Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is a methodology for obtaining linguistic summarizations from data that are associated with cases. It was developed by the social scientist Prof. Charles C. Ragin. fsQCA seeks to establish logical connections between combinations of causal conditions and an outcome, the result being rules that describe how combinations of causal conditions would cause the desired outcome. So, each rule is a possible path from the causal conditions to the outcome. The rules are connected by the word OR to the output. To actually apply fsQCA to some engineering data problems, there are some challenges that had to be overcome. We explain the challenges and how they have been overcome. We also illustrate the application of fsQCA to the well-known Auto MPG dataset to obtain causal combinations that explain Low MPG 4-cylinder cars.
Software trustability analysis

A measure of software dependability called trustability is described. A program p has trustability T if we are at least T confident that p is free of faults. Trustability measurement depends on detectability. The detectability of a method is the probability that it will detect faults, when there are faults present. Detectability research can be used to characterize conditions under which one testing and analysis method is more effective than another. Several detectability results that were only previously described informally, and illustrated by example, are proved. Several new detectability results are also proved. The trustability model characterizes the kind of information that is needed to justify a given level of trustability. When the required information is available, the trustability approach can be used to determine strategies in which methods are combined for maximum effectiveness. It can be used to determine the minimum amount of resources needed to guarantee a required degree of trustability, and the maximum trustability that is achievable with a given amount of resources. Theorems proving several optimization results are given. Applications of the trustability model are discussed. Methods for the derivation of detectability factors, the relationship between trustability and operational reliability, and the relationship between the software development process and trustability are described.
A novel carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase from Aquifex aeolicus.

Aquifex aeolicus, an extreme hyperthermophile, has neither a full-length carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase (CPSase) resembling the enzyme found in all mesophilic organisms nor a carbamate kinase-like CPSase such as those present in several hyperthermophilic archaea. However, the genome has open reading frames encoding putative proteins that are homologous to the major CPSase domains. The glutaminase, CPS.A, and CPS.B homologs from A. aeolicus were cloned, overexpressed inEscherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity. The isolated proteins could catalyze several partial reactions but not the overall synthesis of carbamoyl phosphate. However, a stable 124-kDa complex could be reconstituted from stoichiometric amounts of CPS.A and CPS.B proteins that synthesized carbamoyl phosphate from ATP, bicarbonate, and ammonia. The inclusion of the glutaminase subunit resulted in the formation of a 171-kDa complex that could utilize glutamine as the nitrogen-donating substrate, although the catalytic efficiency was significantly compromised. Molecular modeling, using E. coli CPSase as a template, showed that the enzyme has a similar structural organization and interdomain interfaces and that all of the residues known to be essential for function are conserved and properly positioned. A steady state kinetic study at 78 °C indicated that although the substrate affinity was similar for bicarbonate, ammonia, and glutamine, the K m for ATP was appreciably higher than that of any known CPSase. The A. aeolicuscomplex, with a split gene encoding the major synthetase domains and relatively inefficient coupling of amidotransferase and synthetase functions, may be more closely related to the ancestral precursor of contemporary mesophilic CPSases.
Coagulation profile as a predictor for post-tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T + A) hemorrhage

The risk of hemorrhage after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T + A) was studied in 1061 children. Twenty-seven (2.5%) had at least one abnormality on a preoperative coagulation profile consisting of a prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), bleeding time (BT) and platelet count (PC). Of these 27 who had an initially abnormal test (PTT or bleeding times only), 8 had diagnosed coagulopathies by hematology evaluation (Group A), and 17 had repeat tests which returned to normal (Group B). Two borderline tests (PTT) were not repeated (Group C). Sixty-four patients (6.0%) bled after T + A. Six of these (9.3%) had an initially abnormal coagulation profile--one in Group A (12.5%), four in Group B (23.5%) and 1 in Group C (50%). This is in contrast to the bleed rate of 5.7% for the 1034 children with normal coagulation profiles. Although it is not surprising that 6 (22.2%) children with an initially abnormal coagulation profile bled, of note is that 4 of them had an initially abnormal coagulation profile which upon repeat testing returned to normal. However, none of these four bleeders required active intervention for control. Coagulopathies were newly diagnosed in 7 (0.57% of total group; 25.9% of 27 with abnormal laboratory values). One additional child had a known intrinsic platelet dysfunction prior to surgery. Only one child was newly identified by a positive family history for abnormal bleeding. These results suggest that new hematologic disorders were diagnosed infrequently. An initially abnormal coagulation profile may identify those more likely to bleed after surgery (22.6% vs. 5.5%). A coagulation profile which includes a PTT and BT may be a valuable screening tool for children undergoing T + A.
Measuring Religiosity in a Majority Muslim Context: Gender, Religious Salience, and Religious Experience Among Kuwaiti College Students—A Research Note

The meaning of traditional and alternative measures of religiosity in a majority Muslim context is examined using the Islamic Social Attitudes Survey (ISAS). Specifically, this article reports a test of whether traditional religiosity measures are useful in a majority Muslim context. Differences between men and women are explored as well as the extent to which demographics, schools of thought, and religious socialization are significantly correlated to religious salience and religious experience. Results suggest the need to use alternative measures of Islamic religiosity and to take gender difference into account. Islamist political affiliation and religious socialization are positively associated with religious salience and experience for women, while more traditional measures such as mosque attendance and Qur’anic reading are associated with religious salience and experience for men, even after controlling for religious sect.
Dysphagia in elderly men with myasthenia gravis

Eight elderly men whose primary symptoms of myasthenia gravis were decreased speech and swallowing ability were seen for speech pathology evaluations and videofluoroscopic swallow studies. All patients had fatigable flaccid dysarthria and greater than expected pharyngeal phase dysphagia on videofluoroscopy; eight had decreased pharyngeal motility as demonstrated by residual material in the valleculae and pyriform sinuses bilaterally; seven had episodes of laryngeal penetration secondary to overflow of residual material; and five experienced silent aspiration despite gag reflexes and the ability to cough to command. Five patients required feeding tubes because their dysphagia responded poorly to treatment. Videofluoroscopic swallow studies revealed a common swallowing profile with pharyngeal phase dysphagia greater than expected from patient symptoms. Dysphagia did not improve at the same rate as other manifestations of myasthenia gravis.
Malignant Mast Cell Tumor in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

In November 1995, a malignant mast cell tumor (mastocytoma) was diagnosed in an adult African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) from a zoological park (West Lafayette, Indiana, USA). The primary mast cell tumor presented as a firm subcutaneous mass along the ventrum of the neck. Metastasis to the right submandibular lymph node occurred.
Induction of Apoptosis by Protein Inhibitor of Activated Stat1 through c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase Activation

Members of the protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family (PIAS family) of proteins act as negative regulators of STATs in cytokine signaling. We report here that PIAS proteins have proapoptotic activity. PIAS1 induced apoptosis in both human 293T cells and human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. PIAS1 is localized in the nucleus as distinct nuclear dots. Ectopic expression of PIAS1 in U2OS cells activated JNK1 (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase). A dominant-negative JNK1, capable of inhibiting PIAS1-induced JNK1 activation, blocked PIAS1-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, a mutant PIAS1, lacking the first 9 amino acid residues, failed to repress Stat1-mediated gene activation although it retained its ability to activate JNK and to trigger apoptosis. Our results identify a novel function of PIAS1 in the induction of JNK-dependent apoptosis, independent of the previously known inhibitory activity of PIAS1 in STAT-mediated gene activation.
Enhancement of Fatigue Life of Self-Piercing Riveted Joints by Coining

Self-piercing riveting is receiving attention in the automotive industry as an alternative to spot welding for body panels and structures, especially if they are made of aluminum alloys. In this paper, we explore the possibility of enhancing fatigue life of self-piercing riveted joints in 5754-O aluminum alloy sheets. Different sheet thickness combinations are considered. Coining is found to increase fatigue life significantly for self-piercing riveted joints in thinner sheets. However, the fatigue life enhancement is found to be less significant if the sheet thickness is in the range of 3 mm. The enhancement of fatigue life is attributed to residual compressive stresses around the coined area.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
A beam vertex detector using scintillating fibers

Abstract A beam vertex detector system based on 200 μm square scintillating fibers has been built and utilized in an experiment with 6,8, and 10.8 GeV /u 197 Au beams with intensities of up to 3×105 particles per 1.6 s spill at the AGS at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The position of each beam particle traversing the target which subsequently caused a trigger was determined with a precision of σ≃150 μ m, independent of beam intensity. The detection efficiency exceeded 99% per detector layer. Information on radiation damage with relativistic heavy ions was obtained.
The reverse order law revisited

Abstract Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the triple reverse order law (ABC)† = C†B†A† to hold. Some special cases are considered.
Nuclear ferritin: A new role for ferritin in cell biology.

Abstract Background Ferritin has been traditionally considered a cytoplasmic iron storage protein. However, several studies over the last two decades have reported the nuclear localization of ferritin, specifically H-ferritin, in developing neurons, hepatocytes, corneal epithelial cells, and some cancer cells. These observations encouraged a new perspective on ferritin beyond iron storage, such as a role in the regulation of iron accessibility to nuclear components, DNA protection from iron-induced oxidative damage, and transcriptional regulation. Scope of Review This review will address the translocation and functional significance of nuclear ferritin in the context of human development and disease. Major conclusions The nuclear translocation of ferritin is a selective energy-dependent process that does not seem to require a consensus nuclear localization signal. It is still unclear what regulates the nuclear import/export of ferritin. Some reports have implicated the phosphorylation and O -glycosylation of the ferritin protein in nuclear transport; others suggested the existence of a specific nuclear chaperone for ferritin. The data argue strongly for nuclear ferritin as a factor in human development and disease. Ferritin can bind and protect DNA from oxidative damage. It also has the potential of playing a regulatory role in transcription. General significance Nuclear ferritin represents a novel new outlook on ferritin functionality beyond its classical role as an iron storage molecule.
Neonatal development of the diaphragm of the horse, Equus caballus

The diaphragm of neonatal horses is significantly different from the diaphragm of adult horses in terms of histochemical fiber type composition, myosin heavy chain isoform, and native myosin isoform composition. There is a significant increase in the percentage of type I fibers present in the diaphragm with increasing age from birth through about seven months postnatal age. A possible lack of postural tone in the hiatal region of the neonatal diaphragm is suggested to account for increased incidence of vomiting or aspiration pneumonia in younger horses. The isoform data lead to rejection of the hypothesis that the diaphragm of the horse should, as an ungulate, be relatively precocial in its rate of maturation relative to other non-ungulate mammals that have been studied.
Some problems with clinical trials. James Ewing lecture.

Dr Ewing was intimately associated with the Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, New York, NY, from 1913 until his retirement in 1939, and his outstanding leadership in oncology had a major impact on both his contemporaries and those of us who followed. This society, devoted to oncology, was founded in 1940 as the James Ewing Society both to "further our knowledge of cancer" and to honor this great man. Some of you will remember our historic meeting in New Orleans in 1975, when we changed the name from the James Ewing Society to the Society of Surgical Oncology. Our president at that meeting, Dr Edward Scanlon, had the foresight and courage to realize that the membership of the James Ewing Society was an outstanding base for launching a new and much-needed national organization of surgical oncologists. There was considerable controversy over the name change, however; the major argument
Up-regulation of the IKCa1 Potassium Channel during T-cell Activation MOLECULAR MECHANISM AND FUNCTIONAL CONSEQUENCES

We used whole cell recording to evaluate functional expression of the intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel,IKCa1, in response to various mitogenic stimuli. One to two days following engagement of T-cell receptors to trigger both PKC- and Ca2+-dependent events, IKCa1expression increased from an average of 8 to 300–800 channels/cell. Selective stimulation of the PKC pathway resulted in equivalent up-regulation, whereas a calcium ionophore was relatively ineffective. Enhancement in IKCa1 mRNA levels paralleled the increased channel number. The genomic organization ofIKCa1, SKCa2, and SKCa3 were defined, and IKCa and SKCa genes were found to have a remarkably similar intron-exon structure. Mitogens enhancedIKCa1 promoter activity proportional to the increase inIKCa1 mRNA, suggesting that transcriptional mechanisms underlie channel up-regulation. Mutation of motifs for AP1 and Ikaros-2 in the promoter abolished this induction. Selective Kv1.3inhibitors ShK-Dap22, margatoxin, and correolide suppressed mitogenesis of resting T-cells but not preactivated T-cells with up-regulated IKCa1 channel expression. Selectively blockingIKCa1 channels with clotrimazole or TRAM-34 suppressed mitogenesis of preactivated lymphocytes, whereas resting T-cells were less sensitive. Thus, Kv1.3 channels are essential for activation of quiescent cells, but signaling through the PKC pathway enhances expression of IKCa1 channels that are required for continued proliferation.
Making Social Science Work Across Space and Time: A Critical Reflection on Robert Putnam’s Making Democracy Work

Tarrow initially provides a synopsis of Putnam’s widely heralded Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy (1993 and with Leonardi and Nanetti). He is encouraging about Putnam’s early narrower project (see Putnam with Leonardi and Nanetti 1988), which shows how a 1970s central political reform was realized quite differently in the distinctive political cultures of northern and southern Italy. Tarrow agrees that this part of Putnam’s study demonstrates that distinctive political cultures are apt to shape initially similar institutions quite differently over time. So in this regard culture shapes political institutions. However, Putnam extended the initial scope of his analysis to inquire into the origins of these distinctive regional cultures, concluding that these regional peculiarities are long-standing, stemming from differences in civic republicanism (social capital or civil society) in the late medieval period that persist into the present. Thus, once again, Putnam portrays culture as shaping political institutions: Civic republicanism produces more thorough democracy. Tarrow disagrees with the causal flow Putnam suggests in his expanded project. Tarrow argues instead that, across this lengthy period, institutional differences shaped distinctive political cultures. Tarrow also thinks that Putnam’s operationalization of democracy has limitations, and we might add that Putnam’s indices of culture lack a theoretical superstructure.
Clouds and water vapor in the Northern Hemisphere summertime stratosphere

[1] Cloud top observations from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) instrument and water vapor measured by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) are used to study the occurrence of clouds in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) summertime lower stratosphere (20°−70°N) and their relation to water vapor. At low latitudes, clouds in the stratosphere tend to occur in regions of intense convection, while at high latitudes, there is little longitudinal preference for the clouds. In general, the 0.1% cloud top occurrence contour tends to be found ∼3 km or 40–50 K of potential temperature above the tropopause. At midlatitudes, the occurrence of clouds above the tropopause is associated with enhanced water vapor, suggesting that clouds are associated with moistening events in the lower stratosphere. In the subtropics, the occurrence of clouds is associated with reduced water vapor, suggesting that clouds are associated with dehydration events. Our results are consistent with hydration or dehydration being determined by the local relative humidity. Low relative humidity allows significant evaporation of lofted cloud ice, which is thought to be the key to moistening events. High relative humidity inhibits evaporation of lofted cloud ice and encourages in situ formation of clouds that are thought to play a role in dehydration.
Sharing big biomedical data

Background The promise of Big Biomedical Data may be offset by the enormous challenges in handling, analyzing, and sharing it. In this paper, we provide a framework for developing practical and reasonable data sharing policies that incorporate the sociological, financial, technical and scientific requirements of a sustainable Big Data dependent scientific community.
Comparing petroleum fiscal regimes under oil price uncertainty

Abstract This study investigates and compares five upstream petroleum fiscal systems under crude oil price uncertainty. The fiscal systems analyzed are: the Alberta Canada tax and royalty system, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) (pre-2003) traditional Rate of Return (ROR) system, the Sao Tome and Principe/Nigerian Joint Development Zone (SNJDZ) Production Sharing Contract (PSC), the Tanzanian PSC/ROR hybrid system and the Trinidad and Tobago PSC. Contingent claims analysis is used to value the governments’ tax claims under uncertainty using a numerical approach, viz., Monte Carlo simulation. Each system is tested to obtain the after-tax value accruing to firms as well as the distortionary effects introduced by the fiscal systems. The results are then ranked. The Alberta Canada and PNG fiscal systems provide companies with the highest after-tax values while also being the least distortionary. The Tanzanian system is the lowest in both rankings, providing relatively low after-tax values and introducing strong distortionary effects. The SNJDZ PSC imposed a relatively high tax burden on companies with median distortionary effects. The Trinidadian PSC generated a median tax burden on companies but has strong distortionary effects.
Plasticity of Cytochrome P450 2B4 as Investigated by Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry and X-ray Crystallography

Crystal structures of the xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 2B4 have demonstrated markedly different conformations in the presence of imidazole inhibitors or in the absence of ligand. However, knowledge of the plasticity of the enzyme in solution has remained scant. Thus, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS) was utilized to probe the conformations of ligand-free P450 2B4 and the complex with 4-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazole (4-CPI) or 1-biphenyl-4-methyl-1H-imidazole (1-PBI). The results of DXMS indicate that the binding of 4-CPI slowed the hydrogen-deuterium exchange rate over the B′- and C-helices and portions of the F-G-helix cassette compared with P450 2B4 in the absence of ligands. In contrast, there was little difference between the ligand-free and 1-PBI-bound exchange sets. In addition, DXMS suggests that the ligand-free P450 2B4 is predominantly open in solution. Interestingly, a new high resolution structure of ligand-free P450 2B4 was obtained in a closed conformation very similar to the 4-CPI complex. Molecular dynamics simulations performed with the closed ligand-free structure as the starting point were used to probe the energetically accessible conformations of P450 2B4. The simulations were found to equilibrate to a conformation resembling the 1-PBI-bound P450 2B4 crystal structure. The results indicate that conformational changes observed in available crystal structures of the promiscuous xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 2B4 are consistent with its solution structural behavior.
Supervised Phase Correction of Blind Space–Time DS-CDMA Channel Estimates

Blind channel-estimation algorithms return phase-ambiguous estimates. From a receiver design point of view, the phase-ambiguity problem can be by-passed by differential modulation and detection at the expense of a well-known performance loss, in comparison with direct modulation and coherent detection schemes. An alternative approach is followed in this paper. A theoretical minimum mean-square error phase-estimation criterion leads to a supervised phase-recovery procedure that directly corrects the phase of arbitrary linear filter receivers through a simple closed-form projection operation. Conveniently, any known blind channel-estimation algorithm can be used to provide the initial phase-ambiguous estimate. The presentation is given in the context of adaptive space-time receiver designs for binary phase-shift keying direct-sequence code-division-multiple-access antenna array systems. Numerical and simulation studies support the theoretical developments and show that effective phase correction and multiple-access interference suppression can be achieved with about 2% pilot signaling
A Sub-10mW 2Mbps BFSK Transceiver at 1.35 to 1.75GHz

This work presents the design and measurement of a 2 Mbps BFSK transceiver at 1.35 to 1.75 GHz for use in wireless sensor node applications. The receiver is a direct conversion architecture and has a sensitivity of -74 dBm at 2Mbps and consumes 8.0 mW. The transmitter generates orthogonal BFSK modulation through the use of digital pre-emphasis of the synthesizer frequency control word and consumes 9.7 mW including the power amplifier. The transmitter delivers >3 dBm of output power for a total transmitter power efficiency of 23% and a transmitter FOM of 4.85 nJ/bit at 2 Mbps.
The vector lattice cover of certain partially ordered groups

In this paper we introduce the notion of Riesz homomorphism on Archimedean directed partially ordered groups and use it to study the vector lattice cover of such groups.
DDR complex facilitates global association of RNA polymerase V to promoters and evolutionarily young transposons

The plant-specific DNA-dependent RNA polymerase V (Pol V) evolved from Pol II to function in an RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway. Here, we have identified targets of Pol V in Arabidopsis thaliana on a genome-wide scale using ChIP-seq of NRPE1, the largest catalytic subunit of Pol V. We found that Pol V is enriched at promoters and evolutionarily recent transposons. This localization pattern is highly correlated with Pol V-dependent DNA methylation and small RNA accumulation. We also show that genome-wide chromatin association of Pol V is dependent on all members of a putative chromatin-remodeling complex termed DDR. Our study presents the first genome-wide view of Pol V occupancy and sheds light on the mechanistic basis of Pol V localization. Furthermore, these findings suggest a role for Pol V and RNA-directed DNA methylation in genome surveillance and in responding to genome evolution.
Counting of six pRNAs of phi29 DNA-packaging motor with customized single-molecule dual-view system

Direct imaging or counting of RNA molecules has been difficult owing to its relatively low electron density for EM and insufficient resolution in AFM. Bacteriophage phi29 DNA-packaging motor is geared by a packaging RNA (pRNA) ring. Currently, whether the ring is a pentagon or hexagon is under fervent debate. We report here the assembly of a highly sensitive imaging system for direct counting of the copy number of pRNA within this 20-nm motor. Single fluorophore imaging clearly identified the quantized photobleaching steps from pRNA labeled with a single fluorophore and concluded its stoichiometry within the motor. Almost all of the motors contained six copies of pRNA before and during DNA translocation, identified by dual-color detection of the stalled intermediates of motors containing Cy3-pRNA and Cy5-DNA. The stalled motors were restarted to observe the motion of DNA packaging in real time. Heat-denaturation analysis confirmed that the stoichiometry of pRNA is the common multiple of 2 and 3. EM imaging of procapsid/pRNA complexes clearly revealed six ferritin particles that were conjugated to each pRNA ring.
SE-trees outperform decision trees in noisy domains

As a classifier, a Set Enumeration (SE) tree can be viewed as a generalization of decision trees. At the cost of a higher complexity, a single SE-tree encapsulates many alternative decision tree structures. An SE-tree enjoys several advantages over decision trees: it allows for domain-based user-specified bias; it supports a flexible tradeoff between the resources allocated to learning and the resulting accuracy; and it can combine knowledge induced from examples with other knowledge sources. We show that SE-trees enjoy a particular advantage over simple decision trees in noisy domains. This advantage manifests itself both in terms of accuracy, and in terms of consistency.
iREX MPO : A Multi-Path Option for the iREX Inter-Domain QoS Policy Architecture

The inter-domain Resource Exchange (iREX) architecture uses economic market mechanisms to automate the deployment of end-to-end (E2E) inter-domain (ID) quality of service (QoS) policy among resource consumer and resource provider Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In iREX, each policy reservation is deployed on a single E2E ID path made up of the most "desirable" (i.e. cheapest and least congested) ISP resources. To accommodate ISPs that prefer redundancy when deploying ID QoS policy, in this paper we introduce an extension to the iREX architecture that gives an originating ISP a multi- path option (MPO) when deploying a reservation. MPO takes an initiating ISP's preference for redundancy and provides information about the available path options to achieve this preference in a distributed manner. Our simulation results show that while providing redundancy to the originating ISP using MPO does increase its resource costs in accordance to an ISP's preference, it only marginally increases overhead, and does not affect overall network performance - in fact the use of MPO lowers congestion.
The Nocturnal Council in Plato's Laws

Serious problems are encountered in integrating the nocturnal council, described in Book XII of the Laws, into the institutional structure presented in Plato's earlier Books. These difficulties are addressed by Glenn Morrow in Plato's Cretan City, and most authorities have accepted Morrow's ‘informal view’. This article contends that an alternative account, the ‘institutional view’, accords more closely with the evidence.
Downstream electromigration improvement in 45nm technology

The broad time-to-failure distribution and bimodality of downstream electromigration (EM) in 45nm technology node are investigated. Liner void and end of line void at wafer edge on downstream EM structure after M1 CMP is a clear physical vapor deposition (PVD) shadowing effect signature caused by poor liner gap fill capability. Furthermore, void growth study during early electromigration stage effectively indicates that the void is initiated at the bottom corner of the via interfacing with cap layer for early failures and slit void is consistently observed at same location on unstressed sample. These pre-existed voids create poor contact either on via bottom interface or trench and cap layer interface or via bottom corner which produce a difference in failure time resulting in poor time to failure (TTF) spread and lower t50. New Cu seed deposition technique eliminates end of line void and liner void and it turns out to improve downstream EM performance. Optimized post etch treatment (PET) chemicals help to reduce Cu oxidation to improve via bottom integrity and eliminate slit void. This effective post etch treatment was demonstrated to improve downstream EM bimodality behavior to tight mono-modal distribution. Via above to metal below overlay is also one of key factors for downstream EM improvement. There is a strong correlation between the TTF and the via to metal overlay and stringent overlay control is beneficial to improve downstream EM sigma and t50.
HandiMate: Create and Animate using Everyday Objects as Material

The combination of technological progress and a growing interest in design has promoted the prevalence of DIY (Do It Yourself) and craft activities. We introduce HandiMate, a platform that makes it easier for people without technical expertise to fabricate and animate electro-mechanical systems from everyday objects. Our goal is to encourage creativity, expressiveness and playfulness. The user can assemble his or her hand crafted creations with HandiMate--s joint modules and animate them via gestures. The joint modules are packaged with an actuator, a wireless communication device and a micro-controller. This modularization makes quick electro-mechanical prototyping just a matter of pressing together velcro. Animating these constructions is made intuitive and simple by a glove-based gestural controller. Our study conducted with children and adults demonstrates a high level of usability (system usability score 79.9). It also indicates that creative ideas emerge and are realized in a constructive and iterative manner in less than 90 minutes. This paper describes the design goals, framework, interaction methods, sample creations and evaluations methods.
Text Mining e-Complaints Data From e-Auction Store With Implications For Internet Marketing Research

This study seeks to analyze the effectiveness of the text mining process. Complaint forums on various consumer report websites will be analyzed using text and data mining software. Data from feedback forums will be compiled and analyzed using a text miner software program. The relationships and patterns among keywords and their associations will be cluster-analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of the data. A case study will also be conducted to assay the effectiveness of text mined. The data of Internet complaint forum, http://www.planetfeeback.com , will be text mined. The decision to use an Internet complaint forum as the case subject was made because of its easy access and reputation as storage medium for large sources of data. The main goal of this study is to gauge the effectiveness of text mining. The complaint forum will be text mined to find relationships. The results will then be analyzed and then interpreted to determine the effectiveness of the text and data mining process.