cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Study of Personality in Literary Autobiography: An Analysis of Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward, Angel

Analyzed physical and psychological traits used by Thomas Wolfe to describe self and others in Look Homeward, Angel as a method for studying personality. Set-theoretical comparisons (HICLAS algorithm) of the traits he attributed to self during 5 successive age periods revealed that Wolfe viewed his development as the accumulation over time of core family traits, particularly those of father. Multidimensional scaling revealed sharp differences between trait content Wolfe attributed to self and family and trait content he attributed to nonfamily. Interpretable differences were also found between family and nonfamily in the proportion of unique traits attributed to a person. In addition, differences were found in the proportion of unique traits attributed to self during the 5 different age periods. Implications of the findings for personality are discussed. Look Homeward, Angel (LHA) is a fictionalized autobiography of Thomas Wolfe's life from his infancy to his early 20s. Most of the people and places described in the book are readily identifiable despite their fictional aliases. The elements selected from LHA for analysis are all the characteristics, physical and psychological, that Wolfe attributed to himself and to others in the novel. The focus of this study is on personality organization as reflected in these views that Wolfe held of himself and others. Although the subject of this study is Wolfe, its basic purpose is to demonstrate the value of an in-depth analysis of an individual's view of self and others in autobiography (particularly one as articulate and personal as Wolfe's) as a way of studying personality organization in general. The psychology of autobiography, the use of literary materials to study personality, and a social psychological conception of personality and personality development—all provide the orientation and certain general assumptions underlying this study of Thomas Wolfe's fictionalized autobiography as a study of personality. The introductory remarks that follow are intended to make explicit how this study is rooted in each of these
Use of Bioaugmentation To Stimulate Complete Reductive Dechlorination of Trichloroethene in Dover Soil Columns

Soil columns were constructed in support of the Remediation Technologies Development Forum accelerated biodegradation study at Dover Air Force Base to evaluate the impact of amendments on the anaerobic reductive dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE) in Dover soil. Dechlorination of TCE to cis-dichloroethene (c-DCE) was observed in the columns using lactate, lactate and methanol, butyrate, glutamate and 1,2-propanediol, or toluene as electron donors, in combination with vitamins and other supplemental nutrients. However, the c-DCE formed was not further dechlorinated using any of these amendments. Subsequent inoculation of two columns with a competent, non-native TCE-dechlorinating culture resulted in the dechlorination of TCE to ethene after 30 days. Once the culture was established, dechlorination of TCE to ethene was complete in the first several centimeters of the columns at TCE influent concentrations of 4 mg/L. The culture was also able to dechlorinate TCE to ethene when TCE influent concentrations...
Slim-Prim: an integrated data system for clinical and translational research

Background The Biomedical Informatics Unit (BMIU) of the UT Clinical and Translational Science Institute has developed an integrated data system called Slim-Prim (Scientific Laboratory & Patient-care Research Information Management system). Slim-Prim is a versatile and user-friendly webbased application that allows researchers to securely gather, store, manage, maintain, report and share their data. The system allows researchers and clinicians to design and administer databases for their studies with little to no technical training. The Slim-Prim system is designed to assemble data in many different formats and from many different sources using concept mapping. The system is expandable allowing for the addition of usercustomizable interfaces, for example for storage and analysis of radiographic, DNA sequence or microscope image data. Slim-Prim offers a variety of generic forms to collect data for various studies. For example, forms for collecting demographic data, prospective subject recruitment information, patients' outcomes data and Biorepository data have been developed and used within Slim-Prim. The use of standardized vocabularies (e.g. ICD-9 codes) constrains research staff and allows direct federation of data, for example, with the NIH caBIG cancer bio-grid. Furthermore, these standard vocabularies make collaboration a much more manageable option for researchers, by minimizing language-value variation between studies. The Slim-Prim system has the potential to become a valuable teaching tool for faculty and educators within the biomedical community. For example, Slim-Prim could contain hypothetical patient data with a range of diagnoses and allow students to test different drug and treatment regimens for each case. Because the BMIU works closely with the Office Educational Technology, we can cross-link this system with the current Knowledge Informatics for Science and Medical Education and Training (KISMET) wiki teaching technology at UTHSC. Slim-Prim's generic, yet robust design allows the system to conform to almost any environment, making the software tool an invaluable new asset to the medical, scientific and research communities.
The inhibitory effect of the urea-urease system on human tissue alkaline phosphatases

Abstract The inhibitory effect of urea on the alkaline P -nitrophenylphosphatase activities of human tissue extracts is greatly enhanced by the presence of urease. The tissue enzymes may be classified into three groups according to their sensitivities to the urea-urease system. The liver, bone and kidney enzymes are the most sensitive, and the intestinal mucosal enzyme the least affected. The placental enzyme was strongly inhibited by urease in the presence of 0.25–0.5 M urea, but less so at higher concentrations. The action of the urea-urease system appears to be due to the liberation of ammonia since at the pH used (9.3), ammonium salts significantly inhibit the phosphatase activities of all the tissues studied. The intestinal enzyme is the most resistant. Inhibition of alkaline phosphatase with the urea-urease system does not appear to have any diagnostic significance.
Patterns of microarthropod abundance in oak–hickory forest ecosystems in relation to prescribed fire and landscape position

Abstract We examined patterns of microarthropod abundance in oak–hickory ( Quercus–Carya ) forest ecosystems in southern Ohio (USA) in relation to landscape position and fire frequency. Abundances of various suborders of Acari and Collembola were determined in samples taken in June 1999 in three forested watersheds, one that had been burned annually for four consecutive springs (1996–1999), one that had been burned periodically (1996 and 1999), and an unburned control. Microarthropod abundance was significantly lower in the annually burned watershed than the periodically burned and control watersheds. Since both the periodically burned and annually burned watersheds were burned in April 1999, the lower microarthropod abundance in the annually burned watershed was not simply an immediate effect of burning. At the landscape scale, the abundance of oribatid mites was greater in xeric than intermediate or mesic landscape positions. Within any single watershed, there was no significant linear relationship between litter mass and microarthropod abundance. However, when all three watersheds were combined, there was a significant, positive relationship between litter mass and microarthropod abundance, mainly due to the annually burned watershed where there was very low litter mass and low microarthropod abundance. Both fire frequency and landscape position have significant effects on microarthropod abundance; however, those effects cannot be robustly predicted based solely on forest floor litter mass differences.
Digital Set Point Control of Nonlinear Stochastic Systems

A technique for digital control of nonlinear stochastic plants is presented. The development achieves a practical digital algorithm with which the closed-loop system behaves in a classical Type I manner even with gross nonlinearities in the plant structure and low signal-to-noise power ratios. The design procedure is explained in detail and illustrated by an example whose simulated responses testify to the practicality of the approach.
Self-Assembled Monolayers of Methyl 1-Thiahexa(ethylene oxide) for the Inhibition of Protein Adsorption

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of methyl 1-thiahexa(ethylene oxide), HS(CH 2 CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 , on gold with different molecular conformations were evaluated for their ability to inhibit protein adsorption. Assembled from 95%ethanol, reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) data show that the HS(CH 2 CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 SAMs adopt the well-ordered 7/2 helical conformation of the folded-chain crystal polymorph of poly(ethylene oxide). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data indicate that these ordered helical SAMs behave as near ideal capacitors in an electrochemical environment. Assembled from other solvents, the SAMs of HS(CH 2 CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 were more variable and less ordered. For samples assembled from 100% ethanol, the RAIRS data were virtually identical to those obtained from 95% ethanol indicating the predominant 7/2 helical structure but the EIS spectra show consistently higher specific capacitance values indicating a slight increase in disorder or number of defect sites. In contrast to the ethanolic solvents, assembled from tetrahydrofuran, the HS(CH 2 CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 SAMs are significantly less ordered with RAIRS data clearly showing mixtures of the 7/2 helical and nonhelical conformations and EIS data showing much higher specific capacitance values. Exposure of these ordered and disordered HS(CH 2 -CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 SAMs to bovine serum albumin and lysozyme solutions showed that the less ordered SAMs exhibit better inhibition of protein adsorption.
An accurate lead system for spatial vectorcardiography.

Abstract A description is given of the placement of two large saline-containing sponge electrodes and five small conventional electrodes for recording three orthogonal leads which possess relatively uniform vector properties for all portions of the heart. Each of the three leads is assigned a vector magnitude of 2√2 or 2.83 mv./Ma.-cm. Experimental evidence is cited to justify the substitution of the convenient sponge electrodes for networks of small electrodes joined through resistors.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to the peritoneum and hepatic parenchyma of fetal mice in utero

Abstract Background: The development of effective gene transfer in utero will provide alternative approaches to the treatment of genetic disorders. For many disorders, the fetal liver and peritoneum are important target tissues. Our goals were to compare the tissue sites and duration of transferred gene expression after intraperitoneal (IP) or intrahepatic adenoviral-mediated gene transfer in utero in the developing murine fetus. Methods: Day 15 CD-1 fetuses were injected intrahepatically or intraperitoneally with recombinant adenoviruses containing the luciferase or β-galactosidase reporter gene. Tissue levels of luciferase were quantitated, or tissues were examined for X-gal staining. Results: Luciferase expression was observed in multiple fetal tissues (including brain, intestine, liver, and lung) and persisted up to 32 days after intrahepatic delivery. Significant hepatic tropism was demonstrated. Conclusions: Intrahepatic and intraperitoneal injection in utero results in transduction of multiple tissues in the developing murine fetus. Transuterine injection of fetal mice via intrahepatic and intraperitoneal routes provides a valuable model for assessing the efficacy of gene delivery vectors in the prenatal treatment of genetic disorders. These studies demonstrate that hepatic and intraperitoneal gene transfer to the developing murine fetus is feasible and may provide therapeutic levels of proteins during fetal development. (Surgery 1999;126:171-7.)
Bioadhesive and phase-change polymers for ocular drug delivery

Abstract The tendency today is to find ocular delivery systems that are ‘patient-friendly’ and capable of both lengthening pre-corneal contact time and slowing the release of drug from the vehicle. Most of the polymer systems in current use are hydrogels, with the disadvantage that water-soluble drugs will quickly diffuse out of the system. If the drug is sparingly soluble in water, and rate-limited dissolution occurs, a more favorable sustaining effect can be expected. However, to date, no mucoadhesive or phase change polymers, that begins as a solution, can truly sustain drug release beyond a short period of time. Newer polymers, that are biphasic in their activity, are needed to accomplish both retention and sustained release of the drug. It may be that the newer dendrimer or star polymers, or related polymers, holds the key for future developments.
Seismic Velocity Structure and Seismotectonics of the Eastern San Francisco Bay Region, California

The Hayward Fault System is considered the most likely fault system in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, to produce a major earthquake in the next 30 years. To better understand this fault system, we use microseismicity to study its structure and kinematics. We present a new 3D seismic-velocity model for the eastern San Francisco Bay region, using microseismicity and controlled sources, which reveals a ∼10% velocity contrast across the Hayward fault in the upper 10 km, with higher velocity in the Franciscan Complex to the west relative to the Great Valley Sequence to the east. This contrast is imaged more sharply in our localized model than in previous regional-scale models. Thick Cenozoic sedimentary basins, such as the Livermore basin, which may experience particularly strong shaking during an earthquake, are imaged in the model. The accurate earthquake locations and focal mechanisms obtained by using the 3D model allow us to study fault complexity and its implications for seismic hazard. The relocated hypocenters along the Hayward Fault in general are consistent with a near-vertical or steeply east-dipping fault zone. The southern Hayward fault merges smoothly with the Calaveras fault at depth, suggesting that large earthquakes may rupture across both faults. The use of the 3D velocity model reveals that most earthquakes along the Hayward fault have near-vertical strike-slip focal mechanisms, consistent with the large-scale orientation and sense of slip of the fault, with no evidence for zones of complex fracturing acting as barriers to earthquake rupture. Online material: Velocity model validation experiments and additional seismicity plots.
Genotypic confirmation from the original dried blood specimens in a neonatal hemoglobinopathy screening program.

Genotypic Confirmation from the Original Dried Blood Specimens in a Neonatal Hemoglobinopathy Screening Program
Osmoregulation in Elasmobranchs

Osmoregulatory mechanisms were examined in major groups of fishes including hagfish, holocephalans, elasmobranchs, the coelacanth, and ray-fin fishes. Four main patterns of body fluid composition emerged. These represent the three main osmoregulatory processes in the marine environment and the one in fresh water. Some possible interrelationships among these four types are discussed. Urea retention in marine elasmobranchs and the coelacanth, although similar, may have been acquired independently during evolution. The importance of gills and the rectal gland in elasmobranch osmoregulation is discussed. The importance of amino acids in intracellular osmoregulation in elasmobranchs is also reviewed. Recent studies on water and electrolyte regulation in freshwater stingrays are summarized.
Self-attention and self-report: The “veridicality” hypothesis

Wicker (1969) summarized the state of the art in the area of attitude/behavior consistency by suggesting that attitude measures are often only slightly related to overt behaviors. Since that time literally hundreds of studies have been conducted dealing with the question of how the predictive validity of self-assessment can be improved-above the 30 figure that Wicker suggested represents the typical upper limit of correlations between self-reported attitudes and behavior. This article deals with perhaps one of the simplest factors that does appear to be related to accurate self-assessment: internal focus of attention. Research in the area of self-awareness theory is discussed, leading to the conclusion that assessments of various aspects of the self, including attitudes, cognitions, and affective and somatic states, usually are more accurate when they are made by a respondent whose attention is self-directed. By the same token, overt behavior also tends to be more consistent with previously expressed attitudes when it occurs under conditions conducive to self-focus. In discussing this research, it is suggested that self-awareness promotes accuracy in two ways: (a) It focuses the respondent's attention more carefully on those aspects of the self made relevant by the instrument and (b) it increases the person's motivation to report accurately on those self-dimensions. It is also suggested, however, that this latter factor can sometimes work against consistency. In this regard, a variety of situations are discussed in which motives that may conflict with the desire to report accurately, such as ego-protectiveness, are also enhanced by self-focused attention. Finally, a number of empirical questions are presented as guidelines for future research.
How does a virtual peer influence children's distance from the roadway when initiating crossing?

A bike rider's distance from the roadway is one of the factors that determine the safety of the crossing. First, it dictates the vantage point from which the rider sees the oncoming traffic. Second, it governs the distance that must be crossed to clear the beam of oncoming traffic. This study investigated how the behavior of a virtual peer in an immersive bicycling simulator influences how far away from the roadway children are when they initiate crossing.
Quality of care for acute asthma in 63 US emergency departments

Background Little is known about the quality of acute asthma care in the emergency department (ED). Objectives We sought to determine the concordance of ED management of acute asthma with National Institutes of Health asthma guidelines, to identify ED characteristics predictive of higher guideline concordance, and to assess whether guideline concordance was associated with hospital admission. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review study of acute asthma as part of the National Emergency Department Safety Study. Using a principal diagnosis of asthma, we identified ED visits for acute asthma in 63 urban EDs in 23 US states between 2003 and 2006. Concordance with guideline recommendations was evaluated by using item-by-item quality measures and composite concordance scores both at the patient and ED level. These scores ranged from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating perfect concordance. Results The cohort consisted of 4,053 subjects; their median age was 34 years, and 64% were women. The overall patient guideline concordance score was 67 (interquartile range, 63-83), and the ED concordance score was 71 (SD, 7). Multivariable analysis showed southern EDs were associated with lower ED concordance scores (β-coefficient, −8.2; 95% CI, −13.8 to −2.7) compared with northeastern EDs. After adjustment for the severity on ED presentation, patients who received all recommended treatments had a 46% reduction in the risk of hospital admission compared with others. Conclusions Concordance with treatment recommendations in the National Institutes of Health asthma guidelines was moderate. Significant variations in ED quality of asthma care were found, and geographic differences existed. Greater concordance with guideline-recommended treatments might reduce hospitalizations.
Preliminary correlations between the Koobi Fora and Shungura Formations, East Africa

Major, minor and trace element analyses of glass from pumice and tuffs from the Koobi Fora and Shungura Formations show that the Chari, Karari and Tuff L are correlative ; that the KBS Tuff and Tuff H2 are correlative; and that an unnamed tuff in the Koobi Fora Formation is correlative with Tuff H4 of the Shungura Formation.
The Genetic Basis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Impaired Insulin Secretion versus Impaired Insulin Sensitivity

Despite the fact that it is the prevalent view that insulin resistance is the main genetic factor predisposing to development of type 2 diabetes, review of several lines of evidence in the literature indicates a lack of overwhelming support for this concept. In fact, the literature better supports the case of impaired insulin secretion being the initial and main genetic factor predisposing to type 2 diabetes, especially 1) the studies in people at high risk to subsequently develop type 2 diabetes (discordant monozygotic twins and women with previous gestational diabetes), 2) the studies demonstrating compete alleviation of insulin resistance with weight loss, and 3) the studies finding that people with type 2 diabetes or IGT can have impaired insulin secretion and no insulin resistance compared with well matched NGT subjects. The fact that insulin resistance may be largely an acquired problem in no way lessens its importance in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Life style changes (exercise, weight reduction) and pharmacological agents (e.g., biguanides and thiazolidendiones) that reduce insulin resistance or increase insulin sensitivity clearly have major beneficial effects (122, 144-146, 153-155).
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes—an Explanation

WE have in the Gospel according to Saint John, in his twenty-first and last chapter, an account of the miraculous draught of fishes in the lake of Galilee for which modern research into the habits of the Galilean fishes offers a perfectly reasonable explanation. The account is as follows:
Circular dichroism and absorption spectra of bacteriochlorophyll-protein and reaction center complexes from Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum.

Abstract A water-soluble bacteriochlorophyll-protein and a complex which also contained photochemically-active reaction centers were isolated from Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum . The procedures were similar to those used previously on Chloropseudomonas ethylica (Fowler, C. F., Nugent, N. A. and Fuller, R. C. (1971) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 68, 2278–2282), and the corresponding complexes from the two organisms exhibit marked similarities. They are characterized in terms of their absorption spectra at 100 and 300 °K, circular dichroism spectra at 300 °K, and, in the case of the reaction center complexes, by the light- or oxidation-induced changes in the absorption and circular dichroism spectra. On the basis of exciton interactions observed in the circular dichroism and low-temperature absorption spectra, we conclude that the predominant pigment arrangement in the bacteriochlorophyll-reaction center complex is distinctly different from that in the bacteriochlorophyll-protein.
Cardiac actinomycosis; a case report and survey of the literature.

Involvement of the heart by actinomycetes is rare. A case of actinomycosis, with involvement of the chest wall and clinical pericarditis, with recovery, is reported. The organism, Actinomyces bovis, was isolated from the lesion and accurately identified. The literature is reviewed and the modern concepts of pathogenesis and therapy are discussed.
Technical aspects of fast magic-angle turning NMR for dilute spin-1/2 nuclei with broad spectra

Abstract For obtaining sideband-free spectra of high-Z spin-1/2 nuclei with large (>1000 ppm) chemical-shift anisotropies and broad isotropic-shift dispersion, we recently identified Gan's modified five-pulse magic-angle turning (MAT) experiment as the best available broadband pulse sequence, and adapted it to fast magic-angle spinning. Here, we discuss technical aspects such as pulse timings that compensate for off-resonance effects and are suitable for large CSAs over a range of 1.8γB1; methods to minimize the duration of z-periods by cyclic decrementation; shearing without digitization artifacts, by sharing between channels (points); and maximizing the sensitivity by echo-matched full-Gaussian filtering. The method is demonstrated on a model sample of mixed amino acids and its large bandwidth is highlighted by comparison with the multiple-π-pulse PASS technique. Applications to various tellurides are shown; these include GeTe, Sb2Te3 and Ag0.53Pb18Sb1.2Te20, with spectra spanning up to 190 kHz, at 22 kHz MAS. We have also determined the 125Te chemical shift anisotropies from the intensities of the spinning sidebands resolved by isotropic-shift separation.
A cooperative distribution protocol for video-on-demand

We present a cooperative distribution protocol requiring clients that watch a video to forward it to the next client. As a result, the video server only has to distribute parts of a video that no client can forward. Our protocol works best when clients have sufficient buffer capacity to store each video they are watching until they are done: when this is the case, the instantaneous server bandwidth never exceeds the video consumption rate. In addition, we also show how multicasting can further reduce the server and the network bandwidth requirements of the protocol.
Sex-specific behavioral traits in the Brd2 mouse model of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy represents about 30-35% of all epilepsies in humans. The bromodomain BRD2 gene has been repeatedly associated with the subsyndrome of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Our previous work determined that mice haploinsufficient in Brd2 (Brd2+/-) have increased susceptibility to provoked seizures, develop spontaneous seizures and have significantly decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) markers in the direct basal ganglia pathway as well as in the neocortex and superior colliculus. Here, we tested male and female Brd2+/- and wild-type littermate mice in a battery of behavioral tests (open field, tube dominance test, elevated plus maze, Morris water maze and Barnes maze) to identify whether Brd2 haploinsufficiency is associated with the human behavioral patterns, the so-called JME personality. Brd2+/- females but not males consistently displayed decreased anxiety. Furthermore, we found a highly significant dominance trait (aggression) in the Brd2+/- mice compared with the wild type, more pronounced in females. Brd2+/- mice of either sex did not differ from wild-type mice in spatial learning and memory tests. Compared with wild-type littermates, we found decreased numbers of GABA neurons in the basolateral amygdala, which is consistent with the increase in aggressive behavior. Our results indicate that Brd2+/- haploinsufficient mice show no cognitive impairment but have behavioral traits similar to those found in patients with JME (recklessness, aggression). This suggests that either the BRD2 gene is directly responsible for influencing many traits of JME or it controls upstream regulators of individual phenotypes.
A BiCMOS voltage controlled oscillator and frequency doubler for K-band applications

A mm-wave voltage controlled oscillator and frequency doubler for 18-GHz applications are presented. A 9-GHz voltage controlled oscillator is implemented by using a double LC-tank resonator to improve loaded Q at high frequencies. Inductive coupling is exploited to design an 18-GHz frequency doubler, which improves spurious rejection and immunity to supply noise. The prototype is implemented in a SiGe BiCMOS process and performs a FOM of -183 dBc/Hz at 19 GHz.
A query-based technique for interpreting reachable sets for hybrid automaton models of protein feedback signaling

Intercellular protein signaling networks involving feedback have been modeled successfully using hybrid automata. Algorithms have also been developed to compute symbolic reachable sets for the biologically observed steady states of the models. However, the complexity and size of the reachable sets have made it difficult to interpret them. This paper presents a systematic and efficient algorithm for interpreting large reachable sets by treating them as a database, and using logical queries that encode biologically meaningful properties, to elucidate specific behavior of the modeled system. The results of several query computations for a four cell Delta-Notch protein signaling network model are also given, to illustrate the technique and its utility.
AMPHETAMINE REGULATES GENE EXPRESSION IN RAT STRIATUM VIA TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR CREB

Amphetamine is a psychostimulant drug of abuse that can produce long-lived changes in behavior including sensitization and dependence. The neural substrates of these drug effects remain unknown, but based on their prolonged time course, we hypothesize that they involve drug-induced alterations in gene expression. It has recently been demonstrated that amphetamine regulates the expression of several genes, including c-fos, via dopamine D1 receptors in rat striatum. Here we report that amphetamine induces phosphorylation of transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in rat striatum in vivo and that dopamine D1 receptor stimulation induces phosphorylation of CREB within specific complexes bound to cAMP regulatory elements. In addition, we show by antisense injection that CREB is necessary for c-fos induction by amphetamine in vivo. Since CREB has been implicated in the activation of a number of immediate-early genes as well as several neuropeptide genes, CREB phosphorylation may be an important early nuclear event mediating long-term consequences of amphetamine administration.
Comparison of charge transport models in molecularly doped polymers

Abstract It is well known that charge carrier mobilities μ in molecularly doped polymers, determined by transient photoconductivity experiments, depend on the temperature T, the mean distance p between dopant molecules and the electric field E. Recently introduced deconvolution procedures have made possible the systematic analysis of the dependence of μ on T, p and E. Two theories which have been proposed to account for the data are the polaron theory and the disorder theory of Bassler and co-workers. The current status of these and other theories in explaining the data is reviewed.
Reactive Cerium(IV) Oxide Powders by the Homogeneous Precipitation Method

CeO, powders have been prepared by aging a cerium(II1) nitrate solution in the presence of hexamethylenetetramine. Oxidation of Ce"' occurs in the precipitate and the wet precipitate is identified as crystallized CeO, before any heat treatment. The cold-pressed powders can be sintered to full density at temperatures as low as 1250°C in just 6 min. Moreover, the sinterability of the powders is insensitive to the calcination temperatures, particle size, or green density. The powders calcined at 850°C with a crystallite size of 600 A have a sinterability as good as the powders calcined at 450°C with a crystallite size of 145 A. The mechanisms for direct CeO, precipitation and its relation to the excellent sinterability are discussed.
Is there "metabolic" DNA in the mouse seminal vesicle?

This study was designed to answer the question: Is H3-thymidine uptake by nuclei of the mouse seminal vesicle evidence for DNA synthesis and mitosis, or does it signify some "metabolic" function of DNA unrelated to chromosome duplication? Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of H3-thymidine. Six hours later Feulgen squashes of the seminal vesicle epithelium were made and covered with autoradiographic stripping film. The silver grains above labeled nuclei were counted, and the Feulgen dye contents of these same nuclei were determined photometrically after removal of the grains from the emulsion. Unlabeled nuclei were also measured. The dye contents of non-radioactive nuclei form a unimodal distribution, indicating that polyploidy is absent from this tissue. The radioactive nuclei fall into two groups. In the first, the average dye content is the same as that of the cold nuclei (2C). In the second, the values range from 2C to 4C. In the 2C to 4C group the grain count is proportional to the dye content, showing that incorporation is correlated with synthesis. The radioactive 2C nuclei arose by mitosis during the course of the experiment. This is shown by the following facts: (1) They frequently occur in pairs. (2) They average smaller than unlabeled 2C nuclei. (3) Their average grain count is approximately half that of the 4C nuclei. (4) Labeled division figures are found. (5) A mitotic rate estimated from the number of labeled 2C nuclei accords reasonably well with one based on the number of observed mitoses. Since the incorporation of thymidine accompanies DNA synthesis and precedes mitosis, there is no reason to postulate a special "metabolic" DNA in this tissue.
Regulation of Interleukin (Il)-18 Receptor α Chain Expression on Cd4+ T Cells during T Helper (Th)1/Th2 Differentiation: Critical Downregulatory Role of IL-4

Interleukin (IL)-18 has been well characterized as a costimulatory factor for the induction of IL-12–mediated interferon (IFN)-γ production by T helper (Th)1 cells, but also can induce IL-4 production and thus facilitate the differentiation of Th2 cells. To determine the mechanisms by which IL-18 might regulate these diametrically distinct immune responses, we have analyzed the role of cytokines in the regulation of IL-18 receptor α chain (IL-18Rα) expression. The majority of peripheral CD4+ T cells constitutively expressed the IL-18Rα. Upon antigen stimulation in the presence of IL-12, marked enhancement of IL-18Rα expression was observed. IL-12–mediated upregulation of IL-18Rα required IFN-γ. Activated CD4+ T cells that expressed low levels of IL-18Rα could produce IFN-γ when stimulated with the combination of IL-12 and IL-18, while CD4+ cells which expressed high levels of IL-18Rα could respond to IL-18 alone. In contrast, T cell stimulation in the presence of IL-4 resulted in a downregulation of IL-18Rα expression. Both IL-4−/− and signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)6−/− T cells expressed higher levels of IL-18Rα after TCR stimulation. Furthermore, activated T cells from Stat6−/− mice produced more IFN-γ in response to IL-18 than wild-type controls. Thus, positive/negative regulation of the IL-18Rα by the major inductive cytokines (IL-12 and IL-4) determines the capacity of IL-18 to polarize an immune response.
Combination Therapy with Albumin and Pentoxifylline Protects against Acute Kidney Injury during Endotoxemic Shock in Mice

Endotoxemic shock is associated with approximately 50% incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and 70% mortality. Experimental studies indicate that endotoxemia-related AKI is associated with both hemodynamic and proinflammatory perturbations. We hypothesize that combined administration of albumin with pentoxifylline may protect against the development of AKI during endotoxemic shock in mice by maintaining the integrity of arterial circulation and exerting anti-inflammatory properties. We tested this hypothesis using an endotoxemic shock model produced by administering a high dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (15 mg/kg intraperitoneal). LPS-treated mice developed hypotension compared to control mice (mean arterial pressure [MAP] 65.6 +/- 2.2 vs. 85.7 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, p < 0.05). Normal saline did not attenuate LPS-related hypotension (62.7 +/- 2.2 vs. 65.6 +/- 2.2 mm Hg, NS). Pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, worsened the LPS-related hypotension (50.7 +/- 6.9 vs. 65.6 +/- 2.2 mm Hg, p = 0.15) in a non-significant manner. Albumin alone caused a significant increase in MAP (79.3 +/- 4.7 vs. 62.7 +/- 2.2 mm Hg, p = 0.02), but had a non-significant modest effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR; 60.8 +/- 24.7 vs. 38.2 +/- 18.2 microl/min, NS) compared to normal saline. However, the combination of albumin and pentoxifylline profoundly protected GFR (148.6 +/- 28.7 microl/min, vs. 38.2 +/- 18.2 microl/min, p < 0.01) as compared to normal saline. The combined administration of albumin and pentoxifylline significantly attenuated the renal iNOS protein expression and increased cardiac output. In summary, neither normal saline nor albumin nor pentoxifylline alone protected against endotoxemic shock-related AKI. However, the combination of albumin and pentoxifylline was effective in preventing AKI during endotoxemic shock. Thus, in endotoxemic shock, a multifactorial approach involving hemodynamic and anti-inflammatory effect may be necessary to decrease AKI.
Sec-independent protein translocation by the maize Hcf106 protein

The bacterial Sec and signal recognition particle (ffh-dependent) protein translocation mechanisms are conserved between prokaryotes and higher plant chloroplasts. A third translocation mechanism in chloroplasts [the proton concentration difference (DeltapH) pathway] was previously thought to be unique. The hcf106 mutation of maize disrupts the localization of proteins transported through this DeltapH pathway in isolated chloroplasts. The Hcf106 gene encodes a receptor-like thylakoid membrane protein, which shows homology to open reading frames from all completely sequenced bacterial genomes, which suggests that the DeltapH pathway has been conserved since the endosymbiotic origin of chloroplasts. Thus, the third protein translocation pathway, of which HCF106 is a component, is found in both bacteria and plants.
Long-term outcome and complications of patients with single ventricle

Abstract The Fontan operation provides for survival of patients with the single ventricle type of congenital heart disease. Evolution of the operation over the past 30 years has led to excellent short-term surgical outcome, however, long-term complications continue to plague these patients. The risk of thromboembolism and development of protein-losing enteropathy leads to increased late morbidity and mortality. Arrhythmia is common and can be difficult to treat. In this review, we discuss the physiological changes that take place as a consequence of the Fontan operation, and discuss the complications of thromboembolism, enteric protein loss, and arrhythmia than can develop. Judging the seriousness of these late complications, the Fontan operation is to be considered a ‘palliation’ and not a cure for the single ventricle type of congenital heart disease.
Relationships of Expressive Vocabulary to Frequency of Reading and Television Experience among Bilingual Toddlers.

This study investigated the relationships of expressive vocabulary size with frequency of being read to and frequency of watching television among 64 bilingual 21- to 27-month-old children from homes in which Spanish and English were spoken. The frequency of being read to in each language was related positively with expressive vocabulary size in the same language, and the relationships were significant even when taking the children's age and overall exposure to each language into account. The frequency of watching television was not related significantly to vocabulary size in either language.
Power Quality as an Educational Opportunity

This letter describes electric power quality as an important component of electric power engineering education. Because power quality engineering relies on signal processing concepts as well as applied power engineering, students in both undergraduate and graduate educational programs find the topics cross-disciplinary, practical, and motivational.
Involvement of Extracellular Vesicle Long Noncoding RNA (linc-VLDLR) in Tumor Cell Responses to Chemotherapy

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a highly treatment-refractory cancer and is also highly resistant to adverse cellular stress. Although cell behavior can be modulated by noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) within extracellular vesicles (EV), the contributions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are largely unknown. To this end, the involvement and functional roles of lncRNAs contained within EVs during chemotherapeutic stress in human HCC were determined. Expression profiling identified a subset of lncRNAs that were enriched in tumor cell–derived vesicles released from two different cell lines. Of these, lincRNA- VLDLR (linc- VLDLR ) was significantly upregulated in malignant hepatocytes. Exposure of HCC cells to diverse anticancer agents such as sorafenib, camptothecin, and doxorubicin increased linc-VLDLR expression in cells as well as within EVs released from these cells. Incubation with EVs reduced chemotherapy-induced cell death and also increased linc-VLDLR expression in recipient cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown of linc-VLDLR decreased cell viability and abrogated cell-cycle progression. Moreover, knockdown of VLDLR reduced expression of ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G member 2), whereas overexpression of this protein reduced the effects of VLDLR knockdown on sorafenib-induced cell death. Here, linc-VLDLR is identified as an EV-enriched lncRNA that contributes to cellular stress responses. Implications: These findings provide new insight into the role of EVs and demonstrate the capacity of lncRNAs to mediate chemotherapeutic stress response in HCC. Mol Cancer Res; 12(10); 1377–87. ©2014 AACR .
Supplementary control for damping power oscillations due to increased penetration of doubly fed induction generators in large power systems

This work investigates the impact of increased penetration of doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) on electromechanical modes of oscillations of a large interconnected power system. The work proposes a control mechanism aimed at designing the power system stabilizer (PSS) for a DFIG similar to the PSS of synchronous machines. The wind generator power output is taken as input to the PSS. The active power command is modulated in phase opposition to the power system oscillation and is fed to the active power control loop of the DFIG. An additional control block with the DFIG terminal voltage as the PSS input signal is fed to the reactive power control loop. The mechanism serves the purpose of improving the damping of critical mode which is validated by eigenvalue analysis. The work also compares two different control mechanisms that can be employed for damping low frequency inter area modes of oscillations. With the latter based on the idea of modifying the torque set point of the DFIG for changes in grid frequency. The proposed technique is tested on a large test system representing the Midwestern portion of the U.S. interconnection.
Performance and Reliability of Thick Cu Interconnects for RF and Analog/Mixed Signal Technology

Wireless communications such as those in cell phones are utilizing increasing chip design complexity. For example analog mixed-signal chips can contain RF capability which requires integrated inductors [1,2]. High performance RF designs are enabled by the use of thick Copper (Cu) and Aluminum (Al) wires (>3um). In particular, the quality factor of the inductor, which is the ratio of magnetic stored energy over average dissipation, is dependent on the metal thickness. High quality factors, can be achieved by using thick Cu inductors. In some applications, the total thickness of Cu in the inductor can be as much as 12 um. The fabrication of thick Cu layers is in many ways easier than that of thin Cu layers. For example, there are no limitations in terms of lithography or liner and seed layer thickness. However, there are still challenges with fabrication due to stress. Cracking of the dielectric can occur, due to the mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between Cu and SiO2, and due to the thick Cu layers in the inductor stack. Both the layout and the processing must be optimized to ensure that cracking does not occur. This paper will discuss current applications, inductor design, and the reliability challenges and solutions associated with thick Cu interconnects.
A Life Test Power Supply Utilizing Thyratron Rectifiers

Thyratron rectifiers for supplying high voltage direct current to radio transmitting tube life test racks are superior to motor-generator sets where quietness, flexibility, low operating cost, and safe operation over long intervals of time are desirable. An installation for supplying typical voltages, in conjunction with usual forms of electric power supplies is described. This consists of two high power rectifiers for 425 and 1000 volts direct current plate supplies and a low power 125-volt direct current rectifier for bias voltage. A control circuit provides complete protection against faults detrimental to tube operating conditions such as low filament voltage, low bias, and resumption of power after failure, insuring a maximum of life testing hours available consistent with safe operation.
Service-Learning in Engineering Education and Heritage Preservation

Many communities and nonprofit organizations in the United States grapple with the reuse of publicly owned buildings and infrastructure from the 19th and early 20th centuries that have become landmarks in their communities. Often these communities or organizations do not have adequate resources (technical expertise, funding) for even preliminary engineering services. Engineering programs at universities can assist these communities by providing engineering expertise through service-learning (SL) projects, at the same time providing engineering students exposure to the field of heritage preservation and to important preservation engineering issues. This article presents SL case studies at the University of Vermont (UVM) as examples of this type of collaboration. Benefits, challenges, and SL assessment results are included. For the past 4 years, as part of a National Science Foundation Department Level Reform (NSF DLR) grant, civil and environmental engineering students at UVM have worked on multiple SL pro...
A lambda-calculus model of programming languages-II. Jumps and procedures

The correspondence between programming languages and the lambda-calculus presented in Part I of the paper is extended here to include iteration statements, jumps, and procedures. Programs containing loops are represented by lambda-expressionswhose components are specified recursively by means of systems of simultaneous conversion relations. The representation of call-by-name and side-effects in a program is accomplished without any resort to the concepts of memory and address by making use of a number of variables in addition to those declared by the programs; with the aid of these additional variables, the parameter linkage operations can be simulated by pure substitution. The applicability of the model to the problems of proving program correctness and equivalence is demonstrated by means of examples.
Contraception in Rheumatic Disease Patients

Safe and effective contraception is widely available to women with rheumatic diseases, although consistent contraception, even in patients on potentially teratogenic medications, continues to be underutilized. The most effective contraceptives are the long-acting forms, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), subdermal implants, and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections. Other effective methods include combined hormonal contraceptives. Barrier methods are the least effective, although they offer some protection against sexually transmitted diseases. The optimal choice of contraceptive for a particular patient depends on rheumatic disease diagnosis, level of disease activity, autoantibody profile, medications, physical limitations, and personal preference. Estrogen-containing contraceptives are a particular concern: they should be avoided in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and active lupus erythematosus or other prothrombotic conditions.