cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HVEM in situ deformation of AlLiX alloys

Lithium additions to aluminum alloys increase both the strength and elastic modulus while decreasing the density, thereby resulting in very attractive combinations of properties. The commercial utilization of these alloys, however, has been hindered by a lack of adequate ductility at peak strength. Recent investigations have attributed the low ductility to intense, localized deformation. This is considered to be due to the promotion of planar slip by coherent, shearable, delta' (Al/sub 3/Li) precipitates and the presence of precipitate free zones (PFZ's) at high angle grain boundaries. An Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Zr alloy, produced by rapidly solidified powder processing, was found to exhibit ductility improvements over comparable, lithium-containing alloys. Thin foils prepared from bulk tensile samples were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and no evidence of localized deformation was found. These, however, were only successfully produced from the region of uniform elongation below the neck and were thus limited to approximately 4% plastic strain. In order to observe the deformation behavior under severe strain, an in situ deformation study was conducted in a high voltage electron microscope (HVEM). Several investigators have used in situ HVEM techniques to study ductile fracture processes. The advantages of HVEM versus TEM for this purpose include: thicker specimensmore » (due to a lower energy exchange of the electrons), a lower specimen contamination rate and a negligible increase in specimen temperature. Two lithium-containing alloys which had been previously reported to demonstrate localized, planar slip were studied for comparison.« less
Effect of bias variation on total uncertainty of CD measurements

Measurement precision to process tolerance ratio (P/T) is an essential indicator of metrology readiness for a specific technology. A smaller ratio improves the process control achievable with a given metrology. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors is calling for P/T of 0.2. The 'precision' (P) represents total uncertainty of the measurement. In practice P is estimated as the total variation of measurements made on a reference sample(s) over an extended period of time. This procedure leaves sample-to-sample variation of measurement bias outside of P (measurement bias is the difference between reported average and true value). We report on sample-to-sample CD SEM bias variation as characterized by CD AFM. CD AFM is virtually immune to material, layout and line profile variations and, therefore, is expected to have negligible sample-to-sample bias variation. We found that sample-to-sample CD SEM measurement bias variation (full range up to 15 nm) is often comparable to or even exceeds CD SEM reproducibility (full range of ~ 3 nm). Therefore, the current methodology of the 'precision' measurement is leaving a significant component of the total measurement uncertainty unaccounted. The sample-to-sample bias variation measured on a set of samples representative to the specific technology needs to be corrected or added to the tool reproducibility in order to estimate total uncertainty of measurement. This may noticeably change the 'precision' of CD SEM and move P/T for the current 130 nm and 100 nm technologies well over the limit of 0.2. Should the industry keep CD SEM as a major in-line CD across chip metrology the sample-to-sample bias variation has to be significantly improved. Otherwise, chip manufacturers will likely fail to deliver required across chip gate CD uniformity.
BILIRUBIN PHOTOISOMERIZATION UNDER GREEN LIGHT

Recent clinical studies have shown that green fluorescent light is more effective in reducing serum bilirubin (BR) than is broad-spectrum white fluorescent light. During phototherapy BR is converted to more polar isomeric structures which are excreted principally in the bile. The most rapidly formed photoproducts are configurational isomers, principally Z,E-BR, which accumulate in the serum and are slowly excreted with first-order kinetics. The other major photoproduct is a structural isomer of BR called lumirubin (LR) which is formed more slowly but excreted more rapidly than the configurational isomers. The relative contribution of these two photochemical reactions to the efficacy of phototherapy is not known. In this study, we measured the steady-state serum concentrations of these two classes of photoproducts in premature infants treated with either green or white fluorescent lamps. The concentration of Z,E-BR in the serum of infants treated with green light was significantly less than in infants exposed to white light. In contrast, the concentration of LR was greater in the serum of infants treated with green light. These data suggest the clinical efficacy of green phototherapy may be the result of increased production (and elimination) of lumirubin.
Design of a cold plate tester for accurate measurement of thermal performance

With the continuing industry trends towards smaller, faster and higher power devices, thermal management has become an extremely important element in the development of computer products. The primary goal of a good thermal design is to ensure that the chip can function at its rated frequency, while maintaining its junction temperature below the specified limit, to ensure reliable operation. The use of a heat sink or cold plate to manage the external thermal resistance has been well documented in the literature. However, the measurement of thermal performance of today state-of-the-art cold plates is challenging because of the low value of thermal resistance that they offer to heat dissipation. In this paper, the design of a tester apparatus for such high performance cold plates is presented. The expected performance of the tester is modeled numerically for a heat flux of 250 W/cm2 , and for a range of footprint areas of 100-400 mm2 . The analysis study is supported by a detailed uncertainty analysis that utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation approach. It was observed that the sum of random and repeatable errors could be controlled to within ±7.5% even for a very high performance cold plate with an effective heat transfer coefficient of 200,000 W/m2 -K dissipating 250 W/cm2 , with assumed errors in other relevant parameters.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Ultrasonic characterization of poling in lead zirconate titanate ceramics

A method for measuring the spatial variation of the macroscopic poling state of a piezoelectric material using an ultrasonic transducer is described. The relatively simple method clearly indicates the distribution of poling within the material, demonstrated by the testing of a collection of partially poled lead zirconate titanate samples.
Completeness and accuracy of interview data from proxy respondents : demographic, medical and life-style factors

To evaluate the quality of exposure data provided by proxy respondents, we used a dual interview protocol in a case-control study of subarachnoid hemorrhage. All control subjects and their proxy respondents were interviewed (N = 283 control-proxy pairs), as were the cases who were able to provide th
Theoretical Study of TiO-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid

Density functional B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations have been performed for the potential energy surface of the CO2/H2/TiO system. The results demonstrate that titanium oxide can serve as a catalyst for the gas-phase hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid. The most favorable reaction pathways are CO2 + H2 + TiO(3Δ) → H2 + η2-CO2−TiO → TS2 → η2-CO2−HTiOH → TS3 → OC(H)OTiOH → TS4 → cyc-HCO2TiOH → TS5 → cis-HOC(H)OTiO → cis-HCOOH + TiO(3Δ) and (starting from the OC(H)OTiOH intermediate) OC(H)OTiOH → TS6 → trans-HC(O)O(H)TiO → trans-HCOOH + TiO(3Δ). In these mechanisms, the highest relative energies with respect to the initial reactants are found for the final products, 7.4 and 11.0 kcal/mol for the trans and cis conformers of formic acid, respectively, and all transition states have lower energies. Therefore, in the gas phase, titanium oxide can be an efficient catalyst; the activation energy for the TiO-catalyzed hydrogenation of CO2 coincides with its endothermicity. However, th...
Shape-Selective Deposition and Assembly of Anisotropic Nanoparticles

We report the large-area assembly of anisotropic gold nanoparticles into lithographically defined templates with control over their angular position using a capillary force-based approach. We elucidate the role of the geometry of the templates in the assembly of anisotropic nanoparticles consisting of different shapes and sizes. These insights allow us to design templates that immobilize individual triangular nanoprisms and concave nanocubes in a shape-selective manner and filter undesired impurity particles from a mixture of triangular prisms and other polyhedra. Furthermore, by studying the assembly of two particles in the same template, we elucidate the importance of interparticle forces in this method. These advances allow for the construction of face-to-face and edge-to-edge nanocube dimers as well as triangular nanoprism bowtie antennas. As an example of the fundamental studies enabled by this assembly method, we investigate the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of face-to-face concave cube dimers both experimentally and computationally and reveal a strong polarization dependence of the local field enhancement.
Structural Studies of Copper(I) Complexes of Amyloid‐β Peptide Fragments: Formation of Two‐Coordinate Bis(histidine) Complexes

The beta bind: Copper(I) binds to amyloid {beta}-peptide fragments (see structure) as a stable bis(histidine), two-coordinate, near-linear complex, even in the presence of potential additional ligands. As has been proposed or assumed in other studies, the copper(I)-peptide complexes react with dioxygen to form the reactive oxygen species H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, without the need for a third histidine ligand to promote the chemistry.
Open systems on the highways

A prototype video monitoring system has been constructed to monitor and manage high occupancy vehicle lanes near San Diego, CA. A major project objective was to develop a system using off the shelf hardware and open system computer standards. We discuss the overall structure of the video system, and then how various hardware and software modules were selected and integrated into the system. Next we discuss how the open systems concepts aided and simplified the design and implementation of the system. Finally, we discuss how opens systems can aid in the development of Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS). >
The characteristics of purified HL60 tuftsin receptors.

The purification and characteristics of purified HL60 tuftsin receptors are described. Purification was accomplished by affinity chromatography similar to that described earlier, wherein a tuftsin analog Thr-LysPro-Pro-Arg, is covalently linked at the Nα group to a solid support. The receptor consists presumably of two subunits approximately 66 KDa and 57 KDa. The dissociation constant of the receptor complex is 4.7 × 10−8 M with 5 × 104 receptors per cell. It can form oligomers with an Mr of about 560 KDa suggesting an octomeric structure, assuming the same number of each subunit is associated.
Improvements to the NIST network time protocol servers

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) operates 22 network time servers at various locations. These servers respond to requests for time in a number of different formats and provide time stamps that are directly traceable to the NIST atomic clock ensemble in Boulder. The link between the servers at locations outside of the NIST Boulder Laboratories and the atomic clock ensemble is provided by the Automated Computer Time Service (ACTS) system, which has a direct connection to the clock ensemble and which transmits time information over dial-up telephone lines with a two-way protocol to measure the transmission delay. I will discuss improvements to the ACTS servers and to the time servers themselves. These improvements have resulted in an improvement of almost an order of magnitude in the performance of the system. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
Correlated Variations in the Parameters That Regulate Dendritic Calcium Signaling in Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells

The amplitude and time course of stimulus-evoked second messenger signals carried by intracellular changes in free calcium ([Ca](free)) depend on the total influx of Ca(2+), the fraction bound to endogenous buffer and the rate of extrusion. Estimates of the values of these three parameters in proximal dendrites of 15 mouse α retinal ganglion cells were made using the "added buffer" method and found to vary greatly from one experiment to the next. The variations in the measured parameters were strongly correlated across the sample of cells. This reduced the variability in the amplitude and time course of the dendritic Ca(2+) signal and suggests that the expression of Ca(2+) channels, binding proteins and extrusion mechanisms is homeostatically coordinated to maintain the amplitude and kinetics of the Ca(2+) signal within a physiologically appropriate range.
Dual-Boost PFC Converter Control Without Input Current Sensing

This paper presents a new current control method for dual-boost power-factor-corrected (PFC) converters which avoids the need for sensing the ac input current. The control method is a generalization to the nonlinear average current control previously developed for boost PFC converters that has demonstrated better control performance and reduced sensitivity to noise. The generalized method for dual-boost PFC converters uses the dc rail return current as feedback signal, which is much easier to sense than any other current. A new PWM-based multiplier circuit is also presented as part of the implementation of the new control method to provide an alternative to linear analog multiplier or a mixed-signal control setup. Control characteristics and performance of the new method are analyzed using averaged models and verified by measurement results from a 500 W prototype. Operation of the converter with both 60 Hz and 400 Hz line is reported to demonstrate its control performance for terrestrial as well as airborne applications. Conducted EMI measurements of the converter are also presented to demonstrate the overall performance of the design.
On the outage performance of relay systems in frequency selective fading channels

We consider a three-node wireless relay system with frequency selective quasi-static fading channels between the nodes. We assume practical constraints require the relay to operate in half-duplex mode and employ a low-complexity non-orthogonal amplify-forward protocol. Assuming full channel state information and optimal energy allocation between source and relay, we study upper bounds of the outage probability for such channels. Compared to relay systems in flat fading channels, our results reveal that the additional diversity offered by frequency selective fading channels significantly improves outage performance. The results also suggest, however, that relays may offer a limited improvement in diversity when multipath fading in the source-destination link is sufficiently rich.
Characterization of the performance of the track-before-detect approach to moving target detection

In the pursuit of detecting ever smaller and dimmer targets, the track-before-detect methodology has been used to integrate the target energy through a time sequence of frames. However, when target tracking is required, an additional uncertainty over detection of a stationary target is introduced. This loss is characterized by the use of a detector optimum for Gaussian white noise for point targets constrained only by its maximum velocity (V). The authors characterize the gains and losses associated with the input target SNR, the number of frames integrated, and the uncertainty introduced by target movement constrained by a maximum velocity V, by comparison of the ratio of the SNR with respect to the SNR of single frame detection and known-target-path detection techniques. >
Interpretation of the Repetitive Firing of Nerve Cells

Eccentric cells of Limulus respond with repetitive firing to sustained depolarizing currents. Following stimulation with a step of current, latency is shorter than first interval and later intervals increase progressively. A shock of intensity twice threshold can evoke firing 25 msec. after an impulse. But in the same cell, a current step twice rheobase evokes a second impulse more than 50 msec. after the first, and current intensity must be raised to over five times rheobase to obtain a first interval of about 25 msec. Repetitive firing was evoked by means of trains of shocks. With stimuli of moderate intensity, firing was evoked by only some of the shocks and intervals between successive impulses increased with time. This is ascribed to accumulation of refractoriness with successive impulses. Higher frequencies of firing are obtained with shocks of intensity n x threshold than with constant currents of intensity n x rheobase. It is concluded that prolonged currents depress the processes leading to excitation and that (in the cells studied) repetitive firing is controlled both by the after-effects of firing (refractoriness) and by the depressant effects of sustained stimuli (accommodation). Development of subthreshold "graded activity" is an important process leading to excitation of eccentric cells, but is not the principal factor determining frequency of firing in response to constant currents.
The oxidative stabilization and carbonization of a synthetic mesophase pitch, part II: The carbonization process

Abstract The carbonization behaviors of a series of synthetic naphthalene-derived mesophase pitch powders subjected to different time and temperature profiles of oxidative stabilization were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal volatilization analysis/sub-ambient thermal volatilization analysis (TVA/SATVA). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the carbonization products was made using a combination of gravimetric and FT-IR techniques. It was concluded that an “ideal” oxidation profile could be defined alternatively in terms of the relative magnitude of the product fractions from carbonization, rather than in terms of a specific time/temperature profile of oxidation. Mechanisms are suggested to explain the carbonization behavior of both unoxidized and oxidized mesophase pitches. It was also concluded that the melting and fusion associated with the carbonization of previously unoxidized or insufficiently oxidized pitch is accompanied by the production and subsequent rearrangement, migration, and recombination of relatively large quantities of oxygen free aromatic radicals. In contrast, the dimensional stability associated with sufficiently oxidized pitches can be attributed to concerted decarboxylations of ester and anhydride crosslinks, which result in “caged” aromatic radicals that are advantageously positioned for recombination without migration or rearrangement.
Carbofuran-Induced Endocrine Disruption in Adult Male Rats

The objective of this investigation was to determine the acute toxic effects of the carbamate insecticide carbofuran on the levels of endocrine hormones in the serum of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Using chemiluminescent immunoassay, the hormones determined were progesterone, cortisol, estradiol, testosterone, triidothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (total T4), and non-protein-bound thyroxine (free T4). Rats exposed to an acute dose of carbofuran (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) showed the onset of cholinergic signs (salivation, chewing, and fine tremors) within 5–7 min. With increasing intensity, toxic signs of maximal severity (severe convulsions and fasciculations) were observed within 30–60 min, and lasted for about 2 to 3 h. Time courses of hormones for 24 h revealed significant alterations in hormone levels during 0.5 to 3 h, with the exception of estradiol at 6 h. The levels of progesterone, cortisol, and estradiol were significantly increased (1279%, 202%, and 150%, respectively), while the levels of testosterone wer...
Cyclical mobilization and gated importation of thymocyte progenitors in the adult mouse: evidence for a thymus‐bone marrow feedback loop

It has recently been observed, as in the fetal thymus, that the importation of hematogenous thymocyte progenitors by the adult thymus is a gated phenomenon, whereby saturating numbers of progenitors periodically enter the thymus and occupy a finite number of intrathymic niches. In addition, the mobilization of thymocyte progenitors from the bone marrow appears to be a cyclical process that coincides temporally with the periods of thymic receptivity (open gate). It is proposed that these events are coordinated by a thymus-bone marrow feedback loop in which a wave of developing triple negative (CD3- CD4- CD8-) thymocytes interacts with stromal cells in the stratified regions of the thymus cortex to sequentially induce the release of diffusible cytokines that regulate the production, mobilization, and recruitment of thymocyte progenitors. The likely components of this feedback loop are described here, as are the properties of the intrathymic vascular gates and niches for thymocyte progenitors. The cyclical production and release of thymocyte progenitors from the bone marrow is placed in the context of a general phenomenon of oscillatory feedback regulation involving all lymphohemopoietic cell lineages. Lastly, the question of whether the gated (as opposed to the continuous) entry of thymocyte progenitors is essential for normal thymocytopoiesis in adult life is discussed.
High density low profile coupled inductor design for integrated Point-of-Load converter

Low profile integrated Point-of-Load (POL) converter is today's industry trend for portable electronic applications. Magnetics is the major challenge and bottleneck for achieving low profile high power density integrated POL. So, how to design a low profile magnetic becomes one of the key technologies for integrated POL. Inverse coupling is one of the possible methods to reduce inductor size due to the dc flux cancelling effect. Several integrated low profile coupled inductor structures with different flux patterns (vertical flux and lateral flux) are proposed in this paper based on low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology. This paper also reveals that the lateral flux coupled inductor structure can have higher inductance density than vertical flux structure. Two LTCC coupled inductor prototypes are designed and fabricated to verify the theoretical analysis. A 1.5MHz, 5V to 1.2V, 3D integrated buck converter with LTCC coupled inductor substrate is also fabricated. The power density of this integrated converter is as high as 700W/in3.
Molten Salt Synthesis of Anisotropic Sr2Nb2O7 Particles

Growth of Sr 2 Nb 2 O 7 particle size in KCl melts occurs by reaction on insoluble Nb 2 O 5 particles in the melt. Thus, Sr 2 Nb 2 O 7 size is controlled by the initial size of the reactants. By altering the reactant composition to include larger Nb-rich reactants such as SrNb 2 O 6 , 5-30 μm, anisotropic Sr 2 Nb 2 O 7 particles are formed.
Clinical health psychology institute: Integrating clinical health psychology into primary care settings

This special section of the Journal of Clinical Psychology serves as the proceedings for the inaugural Clinical Health Psychology Institute (CHPI). The goal of the CHPI was to provide attendees with a practical, “hands-on” integration of clinical health psychology research and applied services for primary care practice. This primary care special section is a collection of some of the lectures presented during the one day conference. Dr. James' article on integrating clinical psychology into primary care settings serves as a beginner's guide to primary care integration and how and where to start a primary care program. Additionally, Drs. Earles, James, and Folen provide the rationale for health psycyhologists prescribing non-psychopharmacological agents, as well as an overview of the clinical pathway model for psychologists to prescribe non-psychopharmacological agents for the treatment of obesity. Lastly, Dr. Robin Miyamoto provided an article to serve as a guide for utilization of the codes to enhance reimbursement and assist psychologists in developing sustainable behavioral medicine practices. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 62: 1205–1206, 2006.
Ventricular Function Deteriorates With Recurrent Coarctation in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Background Recurrent coarctation (re-CoA) after stage I palliation in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is deleterious. We studied whether re-CoA had an effect on ventricular systolic function. Methods Retrospectively reviewed were HLHS patients surviving stage I Norwood palliation (stage I) and cavopulmonary shunt (CPS) between January 2004 and February 2007. Echocardiographic right ventricular fractional area change (RV-FAC) was used to evaluate ventricular systolic function after stage I, before CPS, and before Fontan procedures. Cardiac catheterization and magnetic resonance imaging data before CPS were reviewed to assess re-CoA, using a coarctation index (CI = isthmus diameter/descending aortic diameter). Results Fifty-one patients were included, and 21 had a CI of less than 0.75 (mean, 0.82 ± 0.19; 21). Twelve patients required arch balloon dilation between CPS and Fontan. The change of RV-FAC for all patients between stage I and CPS was −2.2% ± 9.6%. Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant correlation between lower CI values and lower RV-FAC at the pre-CPS echocardiogram ( r = .35, p = 0.03); and lower CI values and greater decrease in RV-FAC between stage I and pre-CPS evaluation ( r = 0.40, p = 0.018). At follow-up pre-Fontan, RV-FAC for patients who underwent balloon dilation for re-CoA recovered to a level that was inferior but not significantly different from that of patients who did not need balloon dilation. Conclusions Recurrent aortic arch obstruction after stage I for HLHS is associated with worse RV systolic function at the time of stage II operation. Timely intervention on the re-CoA results in recovery of RV function.
Adenoviral mediated uteroglobin gene transfer to the adventitia reduces arterial intimal hyperplasia.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of gene transfer of uteroglobin, a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent, via adenoviral mediated gene transfer to the adventitia in the mouse carotid ligation injury model and also to investigate the efficacy of uteroglobin in reducing neointimal hyperplasia. Methods. Forty-five C57bl/6NHSD mice were anesthetized and left common carotid artery ligation was performed. Adenoviral vector encoding the uteroglobin gene (Ad.UG; 15 μl of 1.35 × 1011 pfu/mL) was applied to the adventitia of the injured artery in 16 mice. In our control groups, 16 mice received adenoviral vector encoding the β-galactosidase reporter gene (Ad.lacZ; 15 μl of 1.0 × 1011 pfu/mL) and 13 mice received PBS only. Six mice from each group were sacrificed at 4 days for carotid artery protein extraction and Western blot analysis. The remainder were harvested at 30 days for histologic and morphometric analysis. The intima/media area ratios were calculated for each artery. The results were analyzed and compared using ANOVA and Bonferroni/Dunn post hoc testing. Results. Two mice from the LacZ group and one from the PBS group died before the 30-day endpoint. Uteroglobin expression was demonstrated in the Ad.UG treated arteries by Western blot analysis. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the intima/media area ratio of Ad.UG treated carotids compared to controls. There was a reduction of intima/media ratio with Ad. UG treatment of 68% compared to Ad.lacZ treatment (P < 0.0001) and 62% compared to PBS treatment (P = 0.0006). There was no statistical difference between the control groups. Conclusion. Adenoviral mediated gene transfer via the adventitia is an effective mode of gene delivery. Adventitial uteroglobin gene transfer using an adenoviral vector induces uteroglobin protein production and significantly reduces neointimal hyperplasia in themouse carotid ligation injury model.
Targeted gene disruption reveals the role of cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor in the enhanced vascular permeability of mice undergoing acute inflammatory responses.

Abstract The cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs), leukotriene (LT) C4, LTD4, and LTE4, are proinflammatory lipid mediators generated in the mouse by hematopoietic cells such as macrophages and mast cells. There are two mouse receptors for the cysLTs, CysLT1 receptor (CysLT1R) and CysLT2R, which are 38% homologous and are located on mouse chromosomes X and 14, respectively. To clarify the different roles of the CysLT1R and CysLT2R in inflammatory responses in vivo, we generated CysLT1R-deficient mice by targeted gene disruption. These mice developed normally and were fertile. In an intracellular calcium mobilization assay with fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester, peritoneal macrophages from wild-type littermates, which express both CysLT1R and CysLT2R, responded substantially to 1 × 10−6 m LTD4 and slightly to 1 × 10−6 m LTC4, whereas the macrophages from CysLT1R-deficient mice did not respond to either LTD4 or LTC4. Plasma protein extravasation, but not neutrophil infiltration, was significantly reduced in CysLT1R-deficient mice subjected to zymosan A-induced peritoneal inflammation. Plasma protein extravasation was also significantly diminished in CysLT1R-deficient mice undergoing IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis as compared with the wild-type mice. Thus, the cysLTs generated in vivo by either monocytes/macrophages or mast cells utilize CysLT1R for the response of the microvasculature in acute inflammation.
Design and synthesis of wire-actuated universal-joint wrists for surgical applications

This paper presents synthesis methods and performance measures for wire-actuated wrists using a universal-joint constraining linkage. Performance measures based on the isotropy of the wrench-closure workspace are derived and used in generating design atlases as a function of non-dimensional design parameters. The performance indices that are optimized include wrench-closure workspace, isotropy of the wrench-closure workspace, and kinematic conditioning index. Stiffness is used to define a safety margin from singularities of wrench closure. A design example of a wire-actuated surgical wrist is presented and validated through simulation. The methods presented in this paper are useful for quick dimensional synthesis of wire-actuated wrists with predefined wrench-closure workspaces.
Seventy-Eight Years of Vegetation Dynamics in a Sandhills Grassland

Abstract The Nebraska Sandhills are a unique and valuable grassland resource within the Great Plains with a long history of grazing. In 1926, a vegetation study was established at the Nebraska National Forest Bessey Ranger District to investigate plant community changes in response to heavy grazing. At the time, heavy grazing was being used to shift the grassland plant community dominance from Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash (little bluestem) to Bouteloua hirsuta Lag. (hairy grama) in order to create a natural firebreak to protect the adjacent forest from wildfires. Species frequencies were collected from 48, 1-m2 permanent plots in 1926, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1938, 1948, and 1979 to 2004. We evaluated long-term vegetation dynamics by investigating the influence of summer grazing and precipitation on the plant community using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and correlations. We determined that grazing had more influence on the plant community than precipitation, with the DCA axis 1 representing ...
Exciton dissociation at organic small molecule donor-acceptor interfaces (Presentation Recording)

Exciton dissociation at organic semiconductor donor-acceptor (D-A) heterojunctions is critical for the performance of organic photovoltaic (OPV) structures. Interfacial charge separation and recombination processes control device efficiency. We have investigated these fundamental interfacial issues using time-resolved two-photon photoemission (TR-2PPE), coupled with the formation of well-controlled D-A structures by organic molecular beam epitaxy. The interfacial electronic and molecular structure of these model interfaces was well-characterized using scanning tunneling microscopy and ultraviolet photoemission. Exciton dissociation dynamics were investigated by using a sub-picosecond pump pulse to create Pc π→π* transitions, producing a population of singlet (S1) Pc excitons. The subsequent decay dynamics of this population was monitored via photoemission with a time-delayed UV pulse. For CuPcC60 interfaces, S1 exciton population decay in the interfacial CuPc layer was much faster than decay in the bulk due to interfacial charge separation. The rate constant for exciton dissociation was found to be ≈ 7 x 10 12 sec-1 (≈ 140 fs). Excitons that lose energy via intersystem crossing (ISC) to triplet levels dissociate approximately 500 to 1000 times slower. The dependence of exciton dissociation on separation was also studied. Exciton dissociation falls of rapidly with distance from the interface. Dissociation from the 2nd, and subsequent, layers of H2Pc is reduced by at least a factor of 10 from that in the interfacial layer. Finally, investigations of the relative efficiency for interfacial exciton dissociation by alternative acceptors based on perylene cores, (perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, or PTCDA) compared to fullerene-based acceptors such as C60 will also be discussed.
The Strategic Deployment of Rights

Rights are usually viewed as defensive concepts representing mankind’s highest aspirations to protect and uplift the vulnerable. But since the Enlightenment, political combatants have also used rights belligerently--to batter despised communities, demolish existing institutions, and smash opposing ideas. Examining historical and contemporary conflicts, I describe how activists sharpen rights into weapons: by naturalizing, absolutizing, universalizing, and depoliticizing them. I show how they wield rights: to camouflage ulterior motives, break rival coalitions, attack policies, and explode societies. Finally, I analyze how targets repulse the assault, often by fashioning contrary rights. Comparing key episodes in rights’ rise and contemporary ubiquity, I raise troubling new questions about a concept we thought we knew.
Proteasome Activity Is Critical for the cAMP-Induced Differentiation of Neuroblastoma Cells

1. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is involved in a variety of cellular functions in mammalian cells. The role of proteasome, however, in the course of cell differentiation is not well characterized. We hypothesized that proteasome activity might be essential during neuronal cell differentiation. 2. To investigate the role of proteasome during neuronal differentiation, we made use of a murine neuroblastoma cell line (NBP2) that terminally differentiates into mature neurons upon elevation of the intracellular level of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). To monitor proteasome activity in NBP2 cells, we integrated an expression cassette for a short-lived green fluorescent protein (d2EGFP) into these cells, which were designated as NBP2-PN25. When NBP2-PN25 cells were treated with a proteasome inhibitor, lactacystin or MG132, a dose-dependent increase in the constitutive levels of d2EGFP expression was detected. 3. We also found that proteasome inhibition by lactacystin during the cAMP-induced differentiation of NBP2-PN25 cells triggered cell death. Both lactacystin and cAMP induction reduced the expression of mRNA for the differentiation-associated genes, such as N-myc and cyclin B1. While cAMP-inducing agents decreased the level of N-myc and cyclin B1 proteins, lactacystin increased the level of these proteins. 4. Our data suggest that a reduced level of N-myc and cyclin B1 proteins is critical to commence differentiation, and this can be blocked by a proteasome inhibitor, leading to cell death. Concomitant induction of differentiation and proteasome inhibition, may, therefore, be potentially useful for the treatment of human neuroblastomas.
Intracellular localization of catecholamines in tissues of the rat.

Homogenates of various tissues from rats given H3-catecholamines were fractionated by centrifugation in continuous density gradients of sucrose. Endogenous norepinephrine, and exogenous (H3-labeled) norepinephrine and epinephrine were found to be localized in small particles associated with the microsomes of the heart, salivary glands and vas deferens. Radioactive norepinephrine and epinephrine were similarly distributed in the pineal gland. Administered dopamine was not associated with particles in these tissues. In the adrenal glands H3-epinephrine and H3-dopamine were found with the endogenous catecholamines in large chromaffin granules, but H3-norepinephrine was found also in the microsomal particles. Tritiated dopa, normetanephrine, and VMA were found only in the supernatant fluid from these tissues. In the brain, radioactive norepinephrine was taken up in vitro and found partly with the endogenous amine in a layer of nerve endings intermediate between the mitochondria and microsomes. Particles from the heart containing H3-norepinephrine were enriched in tritium 20-fold relative to protein and 10-fold relative to RNA by differential and gradient centrifugation, gel filtration and treatment with sodium pyrophosphate.
Square planar Cu(I) stabilized by a pyridinediimine ligand

A set of distorted square planar Cu(I) complexes were synthesized and characterized utilizing the sterically encumbering pyridinediimine ligand, iPrPDI (where iPrPDI = 2,6-(2,6-iPr2C6H3NCMe)2C5H3N). The oxidation state of the Cu center(s) were elucidated to be Cu(I) with a neutral PDI ligand system based on structural, spectroscopic, and computational data.
Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Recent Research and Clinical Implications

This review is focused on integrating recent research on emotion regulation and empathic functioning with specific relevance for agency, control, and decision-making in narcissistic personality disorder (NPD, conceptualized as self direction in DSM 5 Section III). The neuroscientific studies of emotion regulation and empathic capability can provide some significant information regarding the neurological/neuropsychological underpinnings to narcissistic personality functioning. Deficiencies in emotion processing, compromised empathic functioning, and motivation can influence narcissistic self-regulation and agential direction and competence in social interactions and interpersonal intimate relationships. The aim is to expand our understanding of pathological narcissism and NPD and suggest relevant implications for building a collaborative treatment alliance.
A propellant model - Oxidizer and fuel with differing kinetic parameters

Presented is an unsteady propellant model and results for a quasi-homogenous mixture. This model is used in the understanding of the oscillatory burning characteristics of a propellant containing two ingredients with differing kinetic parameters. Ammonium perchlorate and HTPB were used as a basis for the kinetic parameters to represent a fuel rich pocket propellant formulation. The model is a solution to both the energy and species equations in the solid and gas phase. Kinetic parameters of binder (specifically the activation energy and Arhenius prefactor) were varied to determine the effects on the unsteady combustion of such a propellant mixture. The propellants were modeled to be burning at 20 atm and perturbed by an oscillating pressure field. The results indicate that in addition to the expected thermal relaxation peak in the pressure coupled response function that the response at higher frequencies is not smooth but consists of many small peaks and valleys of lower magnitude. It is also shown that although the mean regression rate between ingredients is constant, the ingredients decompose at different phases depending on the frequency which in turn would influence the gas phase stoichiometry. Lastly, the pressure coupled response function based on burning rate and mass * Assistant Professor, Member AIAA t Assistant Professor * Student Copyright © 2000 The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. All rights Reserved. flux were compared which indicated slight differences in the corresponding response functions although the main shapes and features remained the same.
Abstract 15762: Gapdh Interaction With Ape1 Endonuclease Protects Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Against Apoptosis: Potential Role of These Enzymes in Prevention of Atherosclerotic Plaque Destabilization

We have shown that oxidized lipids (OxLDL) co-localized with apoptotic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in atherosclerotic plaque and that OxLDL downregulated the major glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in cultured VSMC via H2O2-dependent mechanism. We hypothesized that maintenance of sufficient GAPDH levels is critical for cell survival under oxidative stress. H2O2 (220 uM, 12h) decreased GAPDH protein (55±5% decrease) and induced apoptosis (TUNEL assay) in human VSMC. Human VSMC transfection with pCMV-GAPDH increased GAPDH protein (3.5-fold) and prevented H2O2-induced apoptosis (74±4% decrease) vs. pCMV-GFP. We generated rat VSMC with constitutive 2-fold overexpression GAPDH (R3-VSMC). R3-VSMC had increased glycolysis (2.5 folds increase, pyruvate levels), ATP levels (38±2% increase) and reduced oxidative DNA damage (40±2% reduction in number of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites) and these effects correlated with suppressed H2O2-induced cell apoptosis (>90% reduction, TUNEL assay; 45.7±3.6% reduction, Cell Death ELISA). GAPDH-targeted siRNA reduced GAPDH protein (for 55%) and potentiated H2O2-induced apoptosis (9.4±0.3 folds increase, TUNEL; 8.6±0.4 folds increase, ELISA) in WT-VSMC and blocked anti-apoptotic effect seen in R3-VSMC. GAPDH known to bind apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease 1 (APE1), a major DNA repair enzyme. We found that GAPDH was co-immunoprecipitated and co-localized with APE1 in cytosolic/nuclear fraction and H2O2 induced further GAPDH-Ape1 co-localization and migration toward nuclei. APE1 specific activity was increased in H2O2-treated R3-VSMC vs. H2O2-treated WT VSMC, suggesting that GAPDH preserved APE1 activity under oxidative stress. APE1-targeted siRNA abrogated the protection of GAPDH overexpression against H2O2-induced apoptosis in VMSC. In summary, GAPDH downregulation mediates oxidant-induced VSMC apoptosis and forced expression of GAPDH protects VSMC from H2O2-induced cell death potentially via activation of APE1-dependent DNA repair. Our data suggest that preservation of GAPDH and APE1 activity in plaque VSMC could be a potential strategy to stabilize plaque and prevent acute coronary events.
Inquiring into the Aesthetic Educational Function of Mao Zedong's Poetry

From the angle of aesthetic education, combining with literature, aesthetics, historical science and aesthetic educational psychology, this paper explores the aesthetic educational function of Mao Zedong's poetry in inspiring wisdom, moulding temperament and tempering willpower.
Corporation between Libraries and Book wholesalers for Double Win A New Mode of Book Purchasing and Book Cataloguing

The paper has taken an inquiry into inspecting and selecting book wholesaler,book purchasing means,and issues in book processing and quality control,and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of corporation between libraries and book wholesalers.
Demonstration of Convolution Kernel Operation on Resistive Cross-Point Array

Convolution is the key operation in the convolutional neural network, one of the most popular deep learning algorithms. The implementation of the convolution kernel on the resistive cross-point array is different than the implementation of the matrix-vector multiplication in prior works. In this letter, we propose a dimensional reduction of 2-D kernel matrix into 1-D column vector, i.e., a column of the array, and enable the parallel readout of multiple 2-D kernels simultaneously. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we use the Prewitt kernels to detect both horizontal and vertical edges of the $20 \times 20$ pixels of black-and-white MNIST handwritten digits. The experiments were performed on the fabricated $12 \times 12$ resistive cross-point array based on the Pt/HfO x /TiN structure. The experimental results of the Prewitt kernel operation perfectly matches the simulation results, indicating the feasibility of the proposed implementation methodology of the convolution kernel on resistive cross-point array.
Picosecond Optical Measurements of Circuit Effects on Carrier Sweepout in GaAs Schottky Diodes

Optical measurements of semiconductor devices can provide direct information about carrier sweepout under high field conditions [1–3]. In previous work, we exploited the nonlinearity in the luminescence in GaAs [4] to do picosecond time-resolved experiments on a GaAs photoconductor [3]. The device consisted of an n-type active layer between ohmic contacts. The speed of the device, and the characteristic time of the luminescence decay is determined by the hole transit time in the device. From the luminescence decay we were able to extract a hole velocity of 2×106cm/s at a field of 20kV/cm. We have used the same technique to measure carrier sweepout in a GaAs Schottky diode incorporated into a large capacitor at room temperature. Ohmic and blocking (i.e. Schottky) contacts can be helpful in discriminating between electron and hole transport processes. At a bias voltage of −4V, we have observed pulsewidth limited luminescence decays.
Cell-Mediated Immunity to Leukemia Associated Antigens in Experimental Models and in Man

Cell-mediated immune reactions against leukemia associated antigens have been detected in experimental animal models and in patients with acute leukemia. The occurrence of specific cellular immune reactivity has important implications for the diagnosis and therapy of human acute leukemia. As summarized in Table 1, assays of cellular immunity could be applied to the initial detection and diagnosis of leukemia, to the monitoring of patients during and after therapy, and to the planning of rational immunotherapeutic trials. For initial diagnosis, the specificity of the detected antigens and the distribution of reactivity among patients with leukemia and other individuals need to be carefully defined. For immunologic monitoring of leukemia patients, only assays which correlate with extent of disease or with responsiveness to therapy would be useful. Techniques which can measure leukemia associated transplantation antigens would be very useful for selection of materials for specific immunotherapy. In addition, such assays could be used to detect relevant responses to immunotherapeutic manipulations, and to subsequently design optimal schedules of immunotherapy. However, before such practical clinical applications can be realized, additional information in several areas needs to be accumulated. For all of these objectives, standardization of reagents will be very important. There appears to be considerable heterogeneity in the antigens on leukemia cells and in the quantitative expression of each of these antigens (1). Some of the variability in results and some of the negative reactions could be ascribed to the use of poorly antigenic leukemic cells. Selection of large supplies of highly antigenic cells and extracts, with known specificities, and provision for long term preservation of antigenicity will help to ensure adequate sensitivity of the assays. Preservation of highly reactive lymphocytes, and reduction in day-to-day variability in the assays, will also be major steps in the standardization of the assays. Although progress in these areas is being made in clinical studies, there are a number of logistical problems. The use of leukemia models in syngeneic animal systems should be helpful to work out approaches might could then be applied to studies of leukemia patients. In this paper, I will review some of the information which has been obtained in animal systems, and try to relate this to the clinical objectives.