cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of the small sample variances of the minque estimators of variance components in the two-way factorial design

In 1970 Rao introduced the minimum norm, quadratic, unbiased estimators for estimating variance components. These estimators have been expanded into a class of estimators. This paper will present computational considerations for calculating the small sample variance of estimators in this class and present a numerical study of the small sample variances. The study is designed to examine the small sample properties of a one-step iterative form of the MINQUE estimators, also.
Cathode Secondary Emission: a New Effect in Thermionic Valves at very short Wave-lengths

THE object of this note is to describe a case in which electrons were observed to arrive at the most negative electrode in a thermionic valve with sufficient energy to cause secondary emission.
A case of idiopathic tracheal stenosis

Acquired tracheal stenosis is a condition that often results from trauma, neoplasm, infection, vasculitis, inflammatory or infiltrative processes. Idiopathic tracheal stenosis is a rare entity and represents a diagnosis of exclusion. We report a case of severe localized extrathoracic tracheal stenosis in a 35 year old female who was initially suspected to have asthma as the cause of several months of chronic dyspnea.
A Calorimetric Determination of the Standard Enthalpy and Heat Capacity Changes that Accompany Micelle Formation for Four Long Chain Alkyldimethylphosphine Oxides in H2O and D2O Solution from 15 to 79 °C

Relative partial molar enthalpy data were obtained at five degree intervals between 15 and 79 °C for n-C8-, C9-, and C10-dimethylphosphine oxides and between 15 and 60 °C for n-C11-dimethylphosphine oxide in H2O and D2O. The results were used to calculate the standard molar enthalpy and heat capacity changes for micelle formation for comparison with the data previously reported for the C12 homologue. These values were then used to calculate the temperature dependence of the cmc, which was always lower in D2O than in H2O solutions. A small temperature dependence of the heat capacity change for micelle formation was observed in both solvents. Changes in thermodynamic parameters that accompany the transfer of the surfactant from H2O to D2O solution were also determined. It is interesting that differences in heat capacity noted for micelle formation or transfer of monomeric surfactant between the two solvents exhibited a greater dependence on the molecular weight of the surfactants than the corresponding enth...
Spatial frequency tuned covariance channels for red-green and luminance-modulated gratings : psychophysical data from human infants

Abstract This study concerns the spatial-frequency-tuned channels underlying infants’ contrast sensitivity functions (CSFs) for red–green chromatic stimuli, and their relationship to the channels underlying infants’ CSFs for luminance-modulated stimuli. Behavioral (forced-choice preferential-looking) techniques and stationary stimuli were used. In experiment 1, contrast thresholds were measured in 4- and 6-month-olds, using isoluminant red–green gratings with spatial frequencies ranging from 0.27 to 1.53 c/deg. In experiment 2, contrast thresholds were measured in 4-month-olds, using both red–green and luminance-modulated gratings in the same low spatial frequency range. Covariance analyses of individual differences were performed. Experiment 1 revealed one dominant covariance channel for the detection of red–green gratings, with a second channel contributing to detection of the highest spatial frequencies used. Experiment 2 revealed two to three channels serving color and luminance; but surprisingly these channels were not statistically separable for luminance versus chromatic stimuli. Thus, covariance channels for color and luminance that are independent for adults [Peterzell & Teller (2000). Spatial frequency tuned covariance channels for red–green and luminance-modulated gratings: psychophysical data from human adults. Vision Research, 40, 417–430] are apparently interdependent in infants. These data suggest that for infants, detection thresholds for chromatic and luminance-modulated stimuli may be limited by common mechanisms.
Predicting Company Quitting From Online Social Enterprise Activity

Modeling and predicting attrition in organizations has real-world business significance. In this paper, we take a novel approach of analyzing a corporate social network (Yammer) to predict if people are likely to quit their company. Via a data-driven approach, we compute a rich set of features derived from graph structure, content, and work practice characteristics derived from Yammer. Our experiment shows that the proposed data-driven approach can be used to predict employee quitting with a fair accuracy of approximately 68% and a moderately high recall rate of 62%. Given the difficulty of the quitting prediction problem, these accuracy and recall rates are fairly encouraging.
High level expression of the NMDAR1 glutamate receptor subunit in electroporated COS cells

The rat N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor subunit NR1-1a was transiently expressed in COS cells using the technique of electroporation, which was fivefold more efficient than the calcium phosphate precipitation method of transfection. The glycine site antagonist 5,7-[3H]dichlorokynurenic acid labeled a single high-affinity site (K D = 29.6 ± 6 nM ; B max = 19.4 ± 1.6 pmol/mg of protein) in membranes derived from COS cells electroporated with NR1-1a. In contrast to previous reports using transiently transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells, binding of the noncompetitive antagonist (+)-5-[ 3 H]methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine ([ 3 H]MK-801) was not detected in NRI-1a-transfected COS cells. Although immunofluorescent labeling of electroporated COS cells demonstrated that the NRI-1a protein appears to be associated with the cell membrane, neither NMDA nor glutamate effected an increase in intracellular calcium concentration in fura-2-loaded cells, suggesting that homomeric NR1-1a receptors do not act as functional ligand-gated ion channels. Therefore, COS cells appear to differ from Xenopus oocytes with respect to the transient expression of functional homomeric NR1 receptors. Although expression of NR1-1 is sufficient to reconstitute a glycine binding site with wild-type affinity for antagonists in COS cells, recombinant homomeric NR1-1 receptors do not display properties that are characteristic of native NMDA receptors, such as permeability to Ca 2+ and channel occupancy by MK-801, when expressed in this mammalian cell line.
Failure and Success: Using the Morbidity & Mortality Process in a Social Service Setting

Since the early 20th century, medical institutions have examined their failures through the convocation of regularly scheduled morbidity and mortality conferences. The purpose of these conferences has been to institutionalize learning from errors in a blame-free environment. The current paper extends the application of the morbidity and mortality conference to an administrative setting, specifically as an organizational learning and assessment tool for confronting failure in social service or educational settings. The underlying argument is that examining failures in organizations can lead to fundamental insights about the value added by the agencies' programs.
EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROL OF SOUTHWESTERN CORN BORER IN FIELD CORN, 2001

Field corn 'Terral 2140', a non-BT cultivar, was planted with a John Deere 7100 Maximerge planter at a rate of two seeds per row ft at the Cotton Branch Experimental Station, Mariana, AR, on 8 May. Soil type was silt loam and had been planted to cotton in 2000. Plots consisted of four 38-inch rows, 20 ft long. Replications were separated by 5-ft bare ground buffers. The experimental design was a RCB with four replications. The granular insecticide was applied at planting through the hopper box within the drill line. Liquid insecticides were applied through a single TeeJet18002E nozzle placed directly behind the planter shoe. Spray volume was 600 ml per nozzle per minute. Insecticide effectiveness was assessed as follows. On 28 Aug, 10 randomly selected plants were cut at soil level from the outer two rows of each plot. Each stalk was split with a band saw, and corn borer damage was assessed for each stalk area between plant nodes. This area was designated "internode." On each plant, damage to the first 15 internodes beginning at ground level and counting upward was determined. The 1 or 2 internodes above node #15 are generally too narrow for corn borer larvae development and were not split. Additional observations included corn borer damage to ear shanks.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 protects mesenteric endothelium from injury during inflammation.

Abstract Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a proglucagon-derived hormone with cellular protective actions. We hypothesized that GLP-1 would protect the endothelium from injury during inflammation. Our aims were to determine the: (1) effect of GLP-1 on basal microvascular permeability, (2) effect of GLP-1 on increased microvascular permeability induced by lipopolysaccaride (LPS), (3) involvement of the GLP-1 receptor in GLP-1 activity, and (4) involvement of the cAMP/PKA pathway in GLP-1 activity. Microvascular permeability ( L p ) of rat mesenteric post-capillary venules was measured in vivo . First, the effect of GLP-1 on basal L p was measured. Second, after systemic LPS injection, L p was measured after subsequent perfusion with GLP-1. Thirdly, L p was measured after LPS injection and perfusion with GLP-1 + GLP-1 receptor antagonist. Lastly, L p was measured after LPS injection and perfusion with GLP-1 + inhibitors of the cAMP/PKA pathway. Results are presented as mean area under the curve (AUC) ± SEM. GLP-1 had no effect on L p (AUC: baseline = 27 ± 1.4, GLP-1 = 1 ± 0.4, p = 0.08). LPS increased L p two-fold (AUC: LPS = 54 ± 1.7, p L p by 75% (AUC: LPS + GLP-1 = 34 ± 1.5, p p p p
Social Criticism and Nineteenth-Century American Fictions

The changing market society of the nineteenth century had a deep impact on American writers and their works. The writers responded with important insights into the alienation brought on by the country s capitalist development. Shulman uses theorists from Tocqueville to Gramsci and the New Left historians, as well as drawing on other recent historical and critical studies, to examine major nineteenth-century American works as they illuminate and are illuminated by their society. Using works by Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Charles Chesnutt, Walt Witman, Edith Wharton, and Theodore Dreiser, he shows the urgency, energy, and variety of response that capitalism elicited from a range of writers."
The virtues of positive-definite reconstruction of X-ray and gamma-ray images

Abstract This paper reports laboratory tests of a Fourier-type rotational modulation collimator system for imaging hard X-rays and gamma rays. The images have been reconstructed by two methods - a conventional back-projection procedure and a positively-constrained iterative technique based on maximum likelihood. The results clearly show better spatial resolution and contrast in the maximum-likelihood images.
Complexation of borate with poly(1-(acrylamido)-1-deoxylactitol) : Dilute solution viscosity, 11B NMR, and 13C NMR studies

The interaction of borate ions with poly(1-(acrylamido)-1-deoxylactitol) (PACL) in aqueous media was investigated. Dilute solution viscometry revealed that low concentrations of Borax (Na2B4O7) increased the intrinsic viscosity of PACL, while higher concentrations reduced it. 11B NMR spectra of borate complexes of methyl β-d-galactopyranoside (MβDGP) (taken to model the C-1‘ through C-6‘ portion of the PACL repeating unit) and the monomer 1-(acrylamido)-1-deoxylactitol (2) showed evidence for α,β-bidentate, α,β-dimer, and α,γ-bidentate borate complexes. The 11B NMR spectrum of PACL−borate showed α,β-bidentate and α,β-dimer only. The binding constants for the α,β-bidentate and α,β-dimer complexes were determined for MβDGP and 2 by integration of the 11B NMR signals. 13C NMR was used to identify the putative sites of complexation on PACL by comparing the spectra of borate complexes of MβDGP and 2 with PACL−borate. Complexation was found to occur predominantly at the C-6‘, C-4‘, and C-3‘ positions.
Phase retrieval for undersampled broadband images

Phase-retrieval algorithms have been used for wave-front sensing to determine the aberrations of an optical system from system point-spread functions (blurred images of point sources). Previously, computationally efficient algorithms were developed and applied to data from the Hubble Space Telescope [Appl. Opt.32, 1737 (1993); Appl. Opt.32, 1747 (1993)], but those algorithms, which employ analytic expressions for the gradient of an error metric, required narrow-band light and adequately sampled images. Generalizations of those phase-retrieval algorithms, which accommodate broadband light, allow for undersampled images, permit fitting of multiple images simultaneously, and have a flexible description of the aberrations, are described in this study.
AuPdFe ternary solution model and applications to understanding the fO2 of hydrous, high-pressure experiments

This study provides an experimental calibration of the equilibrium constant for AuPdFe alloys with Fe-bearing silicate melts. The ideal metal capsules for H2O-bearing experiments are pure Au, because of its slow hydrogen diffusivity. However, above the melting point of Au, other materials must be used. The solution to this problem is to use AuPd alloy capsules. However, under most relevant fO2 conditions, this alloy absorbs Fe from the coexisting silicate melt, thus changing the bulk composition of the experimental charge. This study combines previous work on the Au–Pd, Pd–Fe, and Au–Fe binary systems to develop a ternary thermodynamic solution model for AuPdFe. This solution model is used with experiments to calculate an equilibrium reaction coefficient for the FeOmelt → Fealloy + 1/2O2 exchange reaction. Using a non-ideal ternary solution model, the fO2 conditions of hydrous, piston cylinder experiments can be estimated by analyzing the sample capsule alloy and the coexisting liquid composition.
Allergy in panic disorder patients: a preliminary report

In this study of panic disorder patients, 71.8% were found to have allergies. Compared to the nonallergic subjects, the allergic subjects had more full-blown situational panic attacks and significantly higher scores on 7 of the 14 symptoms in the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. More subjects in the allergic group had comorbid anxiety disorders, but only the number with specific phobias was significantly higher than for the nonallergic. These results are discussed in terms of our present theories of panic disorder.
Thickened Liquids as a Treatment for Children With Dysphagia and Associated Adverse Effects A Systematic Review

Thickened liquids are a common treatment for dysphagia; however, little is known about their effects in children. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the state and quality of evidence for the use of thickened liquids on swallowing physiology, oral feeding, weight gain/growth, hydration, and pulmonary health outcomes in children with dysphagia. Another aim was to identify any increased occurrence of adverse effects that may be associated with their use in all children, not just those with dysphagia. A total of 24 electronic databases were systematically searched. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were evaluated for methodological quality by 2 reviewers and vetted by a third. In total, 22 studies were included. Six studies, with significant methodological limitations, examined the effects of thickened liquids on swallowing physiology or pulmonary health outcomes and reported mixed findings. Sixteen studies examined adverse effects and indicated that among a select pediatric population w...
Electron-Impact Excitation and Negative-Ion Formation in N H 3 and N D 3

Threshold electron-impact excitation of ammonia has been studied using both "trapped electron" and "S${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$ electron-scavenger" techniques. Results from the two excitation studies show four well-defined peaks in the energy range from 6 to 12 eV. The scavenger spectrum exhibits a small peak below the first singlet state which is analogous to that previously found for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O and is tentatively attributed to a triplet state. Also, an intense peak is observed at approximately 17 eV. Dissociative electron-capture cross sections for N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$ and N${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ have been measured with a total ionization chamber and the various ions contributing to these cross sections were recorded as functions of the electron energy with a TOF mass spectrometer using electron beams with resolution of \ensuremath{\sim}0.1 eV. The total negative-ion cross section for N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$ (5.74 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$) peaking at 5.65 eV is approximately 1.1 times larger than the N${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ cross section (5.36 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$) peaking at 5.86 eV which is analogous to previous results for water and heavy water. The total ionization cross section for N${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ peaked at \ensuremath{\sim}0.21-eV higher energy than that for N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$. This is ascribed to a difference in the zero-point energy for the two molecules. The electron energy scale determined from ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$/HCl in the mass-spectrometer study of the various ion-current peaks (e.g., ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, N${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, N${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, etc.) corresponded exactly to that obtained for the cross sections using the 19.31-eV ${\mathrm{He}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ resonance in the total ionization measurements. Accurate measurements of the ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$(${\mathrm{D}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) ion kinetic energy as a function of incident electron energy yield a dissociation energy of 4.35 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.15 eV for N${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ - H (or N${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ - D).
New modular architectures for regular multihop lightwave networks

By using WDM channels and tunable transceivers, arbitrary virtual topologies can be mapped onto physical-topology optical networks. Regular connectivity patterns with small nodal degree, simple routing, and small network diameter are attractive candidates for logical topologies. ShuffleNet1 and de Bruijn graph2,3 are two such networks, but they are not easily scalable. For example, ShuffleNet and de Bruijn graph must have KP“and P’ nodes, respectively, where D,P= 2, 3,…, and K = 1, 2, 3, .… We propose two new network architectures, GEMNET and MRNET, that are modular and scalable. The modularity of these networks equals the nodal degree P, and generally they both have properties comparable to or better than de Bruijn graph, ShuffleNet, and Manhattan Street Network.4 GEMNET is based on a generalized shuffle-exchange connectivity pattern,4 and MRNET is based on a modification of RegularNet5 for simplified routing. Formal descriptions of GEMNET and MRNET and the comparative performance of various regular multihop network architectures are given below. However, derivations are omitted to conserve space.
Studies on cellular immunity and its serum mediated inhibition in Moloney-virus-induced mouse sarcomas.

A colony-inhibition technique was used to demonstrate lymph-node cell (LNC) mediated immune reactions against tumor-specific transplantation antigens of primary, Moloney sarcoma virus induced mouse sarcomas. Lymph-node cells from mice in which Moloney sarcomas had regressed spontaneously (regressors), as well as LNC from mice carrying progressively growing tumors (progressors), induced by virus inoculation at an age of 14 days or older, reduced the plating efficiency of Moloney sarcoma target cells. Serum from mice with progressively growing Moloney sarcomas, but not from mice with spontaneous mammary carcinomas or methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas, abrogated the inhibitory effect of regressor LNC on Moloney sarcoma cells. Additional evidence for the specificity of the serum effect was obtained in experiments showing that the protective effect of progressor sera could be specifically removed by absorption with Moloney sarcoma cells. Regressor sera gave no protection against target cell inhibition by regressor LNC. It is suggested that progressor sera contain antibodies which mediate an efferent form of immunological enhancement. Inhibition Serique de l'Immunite a la Tumeur de Moloney On a utilse une technique d'inhibition des colonies pour mettre en evidence les reactions immunitaires des cellules des ganglions lymphatiques (CGL) contre les antigenes spcifiques de transplnatation de sarcomes primitifs de souris provoques par le virus du sarcome de Moloney. Les CGL des souris chez lesquelles le sarcome de Moloney avait spontanement regresse (“regresseurs”) et les CGL des souris porteuses de tumeurs a croissance progressive (“progresseurs”) induites par inoculation de virus a l'ǎge de 14 jours ou plus ont abaisse la vitalite des colonies de cellulescibles du sarcome de Moloney. Du serum de souris presentatnt des sarcomes de Moloney croissant progressivement — a la difference du serum de souris atteintes d'epitheliomas mammaires spontanes ou de sarcomes provoques par le methylcholanthrene — a supprime l'effet inhibiteur des CGL “regesseurs” sur les cellules du sarcome de Moloney. On a obteny une preuve supplementaire de la specificite de l'effet du serum par des experiences montrant que l'effet du serum par des experiences montrant que l'effet protecteur des serums “progresseurs” pouvait ětre specifiquement supprime par absorption au moyen de cellules du sarcome de Moloney. Les serums “regresseurs” n'ont donne aucune protection contre l'inhibition des cellules-cibles par les CGL “regresseurs”. On peut avancer l'hypothese que les srums “progresseurs” contiennent des anticorps (ou des fragments d'anticorps) mediateurs d'une forme efferente de facilitation immunologique ou eventuellement de modulation antigenique.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Cough Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Revisited”

We are grateful for the opportunity to respond to McLachlan et al, because the brevity of our communication1 precluded anticipating misunderstandings about cough cardiopulmonary resuscitation in ventricular fibrillation (VF). Our response to their statement that “humans cannot physically cough” every 0.42 seconds is that our recordings were consistent with documented episodes of cough cardiopulmonary resuscitation in human …
Clinical impact of food processing

Food processing unit operations can have effects on food allergens and their capacity to provoke reactions. The vast majority of food allergens are proteins, although most individual proteins in foods do not possess allergenic activity. Thus, the physical removal of proteins e.g. oil refining can eliminate the allergenic activity as is well documented for highly refined peanut oil. Furthermore, the chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolytic destruction of proteins can dramatically decrease allergen risk as evidenced by the use of extensively hydrolyzed casein, a major milk allergen, in hypoallergenic infant formula intended for milk-allergic infants. However, since exposure to trace amounts of allergenic proteins can provoke reactions in some allergic individuals, the efficacy of these unit operations in eliminating allergen risk is of considerable concern. The assessment of the residual allergenicity of processed foods can be difficult. The methods employed in such assessments must yield results that can predict allergenicity upon ingestion of the processed food. Clearly, blinded oral challenges on allergic individuals are the ultimate approach to document the safety of a particular processed food product. However, this approach is arduous, expensive and potentially risky. Because the allergenic activity of a protein depends upon its ability to bind to specific IgE antibodies from the blood sera of allergic individuals, the effect of processing on the IgE-binding capacity of an extract of the processed food may offer some indication of its allergenic potential. However, IgE binding is often assessed by immunoassay, an approach that depends upon the solubility of the processing-modified protein. Processing can diminish the solubility of proteins and thereby decrease apparent IgE binding in immunoassays. But the possibility exists that insoluble allergens may remain allergenic after ingestion. A full understanding of the effects of processing on allergenicity, the specific allergens, and detection methods does not exist for any allergenic food.
Studies of layering and chirality of smectic A* liquid crystals

We discuss mathematical and physical aspects of the phase transition from nematic to smectic A liquid crystals. The first approach deals with analyzing a model obtained from the Maier-Saupe theory of nematic by taking into account that elongated liquid crystal molecules present distinguishable ends. Moreover, we represent long range microscopic interactions by means of nonlocal free energy functionals. The smectic configurations emerge as solutions of the extended nematic theory, through a modulation process. The second part of the article deals with energy minimization of the de Gennes free energy for smectic A* liquid crystals, and with the study of uniform twist grain boundary (TGB) structures. The goal is to mathematically justify parameter regions of the phase diagram of the transition between nematic and smectic A liquid crystals. Both approaches complement each other from the point of view that, while the first one deals with mechanisms causing layer arrangements, the second approach focuses on how chirality and layer effects interact, in a system with preassumed periodicity. The A* notation refers to chiral liquid crystals.
An abbreviated synthesis of tetrahydropteridines

5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrobiopterin, the naturally occurring essential cofactor for the enzymatic hydroxylations of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, and its synthetic analog 2-amino-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4(3H)-pteridinone, have been synthesized in good yeild by the direct hydrogenation of 1-(2-amino-1,6-dihydro-5-nitro-6-oxopyrimidin-4-yl-amino)-1,5-dideoxy-l-erythro-pentulose and 2-amino-6-hydroxy-5-phenylazo-4-pyrimidylamino-acetone, respectively. The reactions were carried out at room temperature in trifluoroacetic acid over a platinum catalyst at 2 atm and the products, each containing a mixture of the two possible C-6 isomers, were isolated by precipitation. The simplicity of the preparative method suggests the procedure may be applied generally to the synthesis of all tetrahydropteridines derived from similar pyrimidine precursors.
A nanoscale combing technique for the large-scale assembly of highly aligned nanowires

The controlled assembly of nanowires is a key challenge in the development of a range of bottom-up devices. Recent advances in the post-growth assembly of nanowires and carbon nanotubes have led to alignment ratios of 80-95% for a misalignment angle of ±5° (refs 5, 12, , 14) and allowed various multiwire devices to be fabricated. However, these methods still create a significant number of crossing defects, which restricts the development of device arrays and circuits based on single nanowires/nanotubes. Here, we show that a nanocombing assembly technique, in which nanowires are anchored to defined areas of a surface and then drawn out over chemically distinct regions of the surface, can yield arrays with greater than 98.5% of the nanowires aligned to within ±1° of the combing direction. The arrays have a crossing defect density of ∼0.04 nanowires per µm and efficient end registration at the anchoring/combing interface. With this technique, arrays of single-nanowire devices are tiled over chips and shown to have reproducible electronic properties. We also show that nanocombing can be used for laterally deterministic assembly, to align ultralong (millimetre-scale) nanowires to within ±1° and to assemble suspended and crossed nanowire arrays.
Toward Macroscale, Isotropic Carbons with Graphene‐Sheet‐Like Electrical and Mechanical Properties

Realization of macroscale three-dimensional isotropic carbons that retain the exceptional electrical and mechanical properties of graphene sheets remains a challenge. Here, a method for fabricating graphene-derived carbons (GDCs) with isotropic properties approaching those of individual graphene sheets is reported. This synthesis scheme relies on direct cross-linking of graphene sheets via the functional groups in graphene oxide to maximize electronic transport and mechanical reinforcement between sheets and the partial restacking of the sheets to increase the material density to about 1 g cm-3. These GDCs exhibit properties 3–6 orders of magnitude higher than previously reported 3D graphene assemblies.
Response of Human Skin Equivalents to Sarcoptes scabiei

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that molecules in an extract made from bodies of the ectoparasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei De Geer, modulate cytokine secretion from cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. In vivo, in the parasitized skin, these cells interact with each other by contact and cytokine mediators and with the matrix in which they reside. Therefore, these cell types may function differently together than they do separately. In this study, we used a human skin equivalent (HSE) model to investigate the influence of cellular interactions between keratinocytes and fibroblasts when the cells were exposed to active/burrowing scabies mites, mite products, and mite extracts. The HSE consisted of an epidermis of stratified stratum corneum, living keratinocytes, and basal cells above a dermis of fibroblasts in a collagen matrix. HSEs were inoculated on the surface or in the culture medium, and their cytokine secretions on the skin surface and into the culture medium were determined by enzyme-linked imm...
Government Shekels without Government Shackles? The Administrative Challenges of Charitable Choice

As President Bush plans to expand “Charitable Choice,” civil libertarians worry that the legislation is part of a new assault on separation of church and state. Religious Right activists demand assurances that funds will not flow to groups like the Nation of Islam or Scientologists. African American pastors in urban areas—arguably the main targets of the initiative—are concerned that “government shekels” will be accompanied by “government shackles,” that the costs and regulatory burdens accompanying collaborations with government will divert resources from client services and mute their prophetic voice. Caught in the middle are public managers, who must make the legislation work in the face of significant administrative challenges. Those challenges occur in three areas: contracting procedures, contract administration, and evaluation. In each of these categories, political realities and constitutional constraints will significantly complicate the manager’s job.
Work in progress - using a graphical programming language teach to microprocessor interfacing

At Eastern Connecticut State University we have designed our computer science program around the ACM Computing Curricula 2001 Computer Science. This is a fairly flexible guideline and permits distinctive solutions to the curriculum. Because we are a liberal arts institution and teach students in a computer science program, hardware courses present themselves as challenges to instructors. On one hand hardware courses expand our students abilities while on the other hand they challenged them because they are very different than software courses. We address this dilemma by using a graphical programming language. We use a similar approach developed by Jones, Lehrman, and Rogers (2002). Our situation differs from Jones, Lehrman, and Rogers (2002) in that we have a homogeneous student body of computer science majors. However, we have students that have both little and some hardware background. Hardware can be viewed as threatening for students with only a software background. Like Jones, Lehrman, and Rogers (2002), we use sound and music to motivate difficult computer science principles such as Nyquist's sampling theorem, spectrum analysis, and FFTs. By permitting students to use their intuition, they are able to understand and see these principles in a non-threatening way. In fact, our approach becomes a motivating method for the class. Once we decided to use a graphical programming language, we needed to address four aspects of the course: 1) the laboratories; 2) the instructor's teaching station; 3) course materials; 4) remote sharable stations. The paper describes these aspects of our course
Adsorption of Cu2+ ions with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) micro/nanoparticles

Chelation efficiency of stimuli-responsive poly(N-iospropylacrylamide-co-methyacrylic acid) (PNI- PAAm-MAA) nanoparticles with Cu 21 ions from CuSO4� 5H2O solution and from wood treated with copper-based preservatives was studied. It was shown that particle size played a very important role in the adsorption process. The nano-scale particles showed much improved Cu ion adsorption efficiency, compared with the micro hydro- gels. The amount of Cu ion adsorption increased with increase of MAA ratio in copolymers and adsorption effi- ciency decreased with increased particle size. Further- more, the adsorption amount varied with adsorption tem- perature at temperatures both below and above the corre- sponding low critical solution temperature (LCST). The high adsorption efficiency of Cu ions by PNIPAAm-MAA polymer particles provides an effective technique for recovering metal ions (e.g., Cu 21 ) from wood treated with metal-based preservatives. 2008 Wiley Periodicals,
Interleukin-1β inhibits PDGF-BB−induced migration by cooperating with PDGF-BB to induce cyclooxygenase-2 expression in baboon aortic smooth muscle cells

Abstract Objective Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration from the media into the intima is pivotal for intimal formation after vascular injury. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is a potent chemoattractant for SMCs in vitro and in vivo. We investigated whether interleukin (IL)–1β affects migration in response to PDGF-BB. Our data suggest that IL-1β is inhibitory and that this effect is mediated by cyclooxygenase (COX)–2. We further addressed the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38, which is activated by PDGF-BB and by IL-1β. Methods Baboon aortic SMCs were prepared with the explant method. Migration was measured in a Boyden chamber assay through filters coated with monomeric collagen. COX2 expression and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were analyzed by Western blotting. Results PDGF-BB (10 ng/mL) stimulates migration 3.8-fold, and IL-1β (0.1 ng/mL) reduces this response by 40%. The inhibitory effect of IL-1β is abolished by the COX inhibitor, indomethacin (10 μmol/L), the specific COX2 inhibitor, NS398 (10 μmol/L), and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (3 μmol/L). We found that IL-1β and PDGF-BB synergize to stimulate COX2 expression. We further demonstrated that p38 MAPK is activated by IL-1β and PDGF with different kinetics and that p38 MAPK is required for maximal COX2 expression in response to IL-1β plus PDGF-BB. Conclusion IL-1β inhibits PDGF-BB–induced migration by cooperating with PDGF-BB to induce COX2 through activation of p38 MAPK. Whether this effect of IL-1β modulates intimal growth after vascular injury remains to be elucidated.
Characterizing WiFi link performance in open outdoor networks

We present an experimental performance evaluation study of WiFi links in an open-space outdoor environment. We consider a large scale wireless sensor network scenario of seismic data collection from sensors that are buried in ground and a set of access points (APs) form the hierarchical aggregation layer and the backbone of the network. We conduct two different link characterization studies. First, we evaluate the links between the sensor nodes and a wireless AP using IEEE 802.11a/b/g. We construct the path loss model and investigate the reachability distance of this link for different protocols and different sensor node antenna heights. We then characterize the long distance wireless backhaul links between the APs. We use 802.11n and high gain directional antenna for high throughput and long distance. We evaluate how different PHY and MAC layer enhancements of 802.11n impacts its performance in an open outdoor environment. We observed up to 148 Mb/s throughput at 800 meter line-of-sight links without sophisticated tuning of antenna orientation. We believe our findings can be a benchmark for WiFi based outdoor network deployment, especially for high throughput long distance links.
Trends and challenges in biochemical sensors for clinical and environmental monitoring

Biochemical sensors have emerged as a dynamic technique for qualitative and quantitative analysis of different analytes in clinical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food and process control. The need for a low-cost, reliable, ultra-sensitive, and rapid sen- sor continues to grow as the complexity of application areas increases. New biosensing tech- niques are emerging due to the need for shorter sample preparation protocols. Such novel biosensor designs make field and bed-site clinical testing simpler with substantial decrease in costs per sample throughputs. In this paper, we will review the recent trends and challenges in clinical and environmental biosensors. The review will focus on immunological, nucleic acid, and cell-based clinical and biological sensors. Special emphasis will be placed on the approaches used for immobilization or biological reagents and low-cost electrochemical biosensors. The promising biosensors for rapid diagnosis of cancer or HIV are also dis- cussed.
A High Density Programmable Logic Array Chip

A programmable logic array (PLA) chip design using special array folding techniques and an on-chip bus structure has been developed. It overcomes the sparseness in conventional large PLA configurations. The design is a masterslice FET chip personalized for the particular application during processing. Software algorithms are used to map conventional PLA formats into the new structure. The techniques used provide improved logic function and performance for an FET array technology. Included are descriptions of the PLA architecture and the circuitry that was used.
Comparison of covered stents versus bare metal stents for treatment of chronic atherosclerotic mesenteric arterial disease

Objective To compare outcomes of mesenteric angioplasty and stenting using iCAST covered stents (CS; Atrium, Hudson, NH) or bare metal stents (BMS) in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). Methods We reviewed the clinical data of 225 patients (65 male and 160 female; mean age, 72 ± 12 years) treated for CMI at two academic centers (2000-2010). Outcomes were analyzed in patients who had primary intervention or reintervention using BMS (n = 164 patients/197 vessels) or CS (n = 61 patients/67 vessels). End points were freedom from restenosis, symptom recurrence, reinterventions, and patency rates. Results Patients in both groups had similar demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and extent of disease. In the primary intervention group (mean follow-up, 29 ± 12 months), patients treated by CS had higher freedom from restenosis (92% ± 6% vs 53% ± 4%; P = .003), symptom recurrence (92 ± 4% vs 50 ± 5%; P = .003), reintervention (91% ± 6% vs 56% ± 5%; P = .005), and better primary patency at 3 years (92% ± 6% vs 52% ± 5%; P P P = .001), and reintervention (100% vs 72% ± 9%; P = .03) at 1 year, and a trend toward improved primary patency at 1 year (100% vs 63% ± 9%; P = .054). Secondary patency rates were similar in both groups. Conclusions In this nonrandomized study, CS were associated with less restenosis, recurrences, and reinterventions than BMS in patients undergoing primary interventions or reinterventions for CMI.
Effects of polyelectrolyte chain stiffness, charge mobility, and charge sequences on binding to proteins and micelles.

The binding affinities of polyanions for bovine serum albumin in NaCl solutions from I = 0.01−0.6 M, were evaluated on the basis of the pH at the point of incipient binding, converting each such pHc value into a critical protein charge Zc. Analogous values of critical charge for mixed micelles were obtained as the cationic surfactant mole fraction Yc. The data were well fitted as Yc or Zc = KI a, and values of K and a were considered as a function of normalized polymer charge densities (τ), charge mobility, and chain stiffness. Binding increased with chain flexibility and charge mobility, as expected from simulations and theory. Complex effects of τ were related to intrapolyanion repulsions within micelle-bound loops (seen in the simulations) or negative protein domain−polyanion repulsions. The linearity of Zc with √I at I 0.3 M (lo...
Studies of lipopolysaccharide effects on the induction of α-synuclein pathology by exogenous fibrils in transgenic mice

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is pathologically characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra, the presence of aggregated α-synuclein (αS) and evidence of neuroinflammation. Experimental studies have shown that the cerebral injection of recombinant fibrillar αS, especially in αS transgenic mouse models, can induce the formation and spread of αS inclusion pathology. However, studies reporting this phenomenon did not consider the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the injected αS, produced in E. coli, as a potential confound. The objectives of this study are to develop a method to remove the LPS contamination and investigate the differences in pathologies induced by αS containing LPS or αS highly purified of LPS. We were able to remove >99.5 % of the LPS contamination from the αS preparations through the addition of a cation exchange step during purification. The αS pathology induced by injection of fibrils produced from αS containing LPS or purified of LPS, showed a similar distribution pattern; however, there was less spread into the cortex of the mice injected with αS containing higher levels of LPS. As previously reported, injection of αS fibrils could induce astrogliosis, and αS inclusions were present within astrocytes in mice injected with fibrils comprised of αS with or without cation exchange purification. Furthermore, we identified the presence of αS pathology in ependymal cells in both groups of mice, which suggests the involvement of a novel mechanism for spread in this model of αS pathology.
The molecular mechanisms underlying BiP-mediated gating of the Sec61 translocon of the endoplasmic reticulum

The Sec61 translocon of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane forms an aqueous pore that is gated by the lumenal Hsp70 chaperone BiP. We have explored the molecular mechanisms governing BiP-mediated gating activity, including the coupling between gating and the BiP ATPase cycle, and the involvement of the substrate-binding and J domain–binding regions of BiP. Translocon gating was assayed by measuring the collisional quenching of fluorescent probes incorporated into nascent chains of translocation intermediates engaged with microsomes containing various BiP mutants and BiP substrate. Our results indicate that BiP must assume the ADP-bound conformation to seal the translocon, and that the reopening of the pore requires an ATP binding–induced conformational change. Further, pore closure requires functional interactions between both the substrate-binding region and the J domain–binding region of BiP and membrane proteins. The mechanism by which BiP mediates translocon pore closure and opening is therefore similar to that in which Hsp70 chaperones associate with and dissociate from substrates.
The Origins of Human Morality: Complex Socio-moral Evaluations by Preverbal Infants

This chapter reviews a body of recent research suggesting that the capacity to identify and evaluate others based on their prosocial and antisocial acts operates within the first year of life, and is sensitive to many of the same factors that constrain adults’ social and moral judgments, including the role of mental states and context in distinguishing good and bad behavior. The work is offered as empirical support for claims that human capacities for social and moral evaluation are rooted in evolved, reliably-developing systems for distinguishing friend from foe, required for the long-term functioning of cooperative systems.
Small-Mammal Mortality Caused by Discarded Bottles and Cans along a US Forest Service Road in the Cherokee National Forest

Abstract Discarded containers along primary and secondary roadways trap and kill small mammals, and recently, small-mammal remains were found in containers along roadside pull-offs in more remote areas. We investigated the effects of containers along 7.9 km of a graveled, 2-lane forest service road in a remote area of the Cherokee National Forest, TN. We examined 2997 containers, of which 107 containers had 202 small-mammal skulls representing 8 species of mammals including Sorex fumeus (Smoky Shrew), Sorex longirostris (Southeastern Shrew), and Synaptomys cooperi (Southern Bog Lemming), which are deemed species of greatest conservation need and in need of management by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. Our observation of Southern Bog Lemming mortality due to container debris is the first report of collection of this species from bottles. We recorded the first observation of shrew mortality caused by aluminum cans, where 1% of all aluminum cans contained shrew skulls. Unlike previous studies, we qua...
State-Organized Crime, International Law and Structural Contradictions

Following the trail blazed by Bill Chambliss in his 1988 Presidential Address to the American Society of Criminology, this article engages two interrelated issues concerning the concept of state-organized crime that he pioneered. First, the article develops Chambliss’s argument that criminologists should define state crime as behavior that violates international agreements and principles established in the courts and treaties of international bodies. Second, although Chambliss effectively argued that international law “on the books” provides a framework of substantive concepts and categories that allows criminologists to define certain state actions as a form of crime, “in action” international laws fail to provide legal accountability for states and protection for victims. This article demonstrates, however, that Chambliss’s structural contradictions theory of law can help to explain this paradox.
Urinary tract infections in patients with diabetes mellitus

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are second only to respiratory tract infections as problems encountered by practicing physicians. They occur most often in young healthy adult women and are easy treatable in these patients. However, in some patient groups infections occur more often, can have a complicated course, are more difficult to treat and often recur.