cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Reduced Graphene Oxide and MXene Nanosheets for Wire-Shaped Flexible Supercapacitors.

As the demand for wearable electronic devices increases, interest in small, light, and deformable energy storage devices follows suit. Among these devices, wire-shaped supercapacitors (WSCs) are considered key components of wearable technology due to their geometric similarity to woven fiber. One potential method for creating WSC devices is the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique, which is a "bottom-up" method for electrode fabrication. WSCs require conformal and adhesive coatings of the functional material to the wire-shaped substrate, which is difficult to obtain with other processing techniques such as vacuum filtration or spray-coating. However, the LbL assembly technique produces conformal and robust coatings that can be deposited onto a variety of substrates and shapes, including wires. In this study, we report WSCs made using the LbL assembly of alternating layers of positively charged reduced graphene oxide functionalized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and negatively charged Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets conformally deposited on activated carbon yarns. In this construct, the added LbL film enhances capacitance, energy density, and power density by 240, 227, and 109%, respectively, relative to the uncoated activated carbon yarn, yielding high specific and volumetric capacitances (237 F g-1, 2193 F cm-3). In addition, the WSC possesses good mechanical stability, retaining 90% of its initial capacity after 200 bending cycles. This study demonstrates that LbL coatings on carbon yarns are promising as linear energy storage devices for fibrous electronics.
Policy transmissions, external imbalances, and their impacts: Cross-country evidence from BRICS

Abstract This paper provides an empirical exploration of the interaction between fiscal policy, monetary policy, exchange rates, and external balances as well as their impacts on real economic growth and inflation for the BRICS countries. A panel VAR model is employed to assess the dynamic relationships. Our results generally confirm the significant impacts of a monetary shock on real economic activity but the effect of fiscal policy appears to be much weaker from the cross-country perspective. We do not find evidence supporting the “twin deficits” hypothesis but the positive interaction between inflation and interest rates – the “price puzzle” – is documented. When bilateral exchange rates and trade deficits (vis-a-vis the US) are used, we find that the BRICS–US bilateral trade balances do not react considerably to currency depreciation shocks, indicating that exchange rates may not play a critical role in the adjustment of large trade deficits for the U.S.
Well-posedness for a One Dimensional Nonlinear Beam

In this note we present well-posedness results for a class of nonlinear beam models with linear damping and general external time dependent forcing in the Sobolev space H-2. Our efforts here are motivated by the eventual goal of developing computational methodologies for the control of smart material composites undergoing large deformations and/or deformations that fall within the regime of nonlinear stress-strain laws. It is known [2] in engineering applications (especially with curved and twisted structures) that large deflections can occur even when strain levels remain relatively low. On the other hand in composites and certain types of elastomers one encounters a nonlinear stress-strain relationship even in the case of small deformations [2], [8]. The equations considered here include the important class of nonlinear but monotone stress-strain laws encountered in the derivation of the transverse bending equation for a beam (cf. [10], [11]). The external applied forces (or controls f = Bu) are precisely the class that arise in current versions of “smart material” structures when beams or plates are loaded with piezoceramic actuators and sensors (e.g. see [3], [4] and the references therein).
SU-E-T-85: A Systematic Analysis of Mono-Isocentric Techniques for the Treatment of Multiple Metastasis

Purpose: In this planning study, we compared two mono-isocentric techniques for the treatment of multiple brain metastasis. We hypothesize that, dynamic conformal arc delivery produces significantly more efficient plans of similar quality when compared to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Methods: Recently published clinical data demonstrated a benefit in treating multiple brain metastasis (more than four mets) with SRS. A number of publications showed the feasibility of planning such patients with VMAT. In our study, we planned ten SRS patients with three to eight brain metastasis. The Varian eclipse system used four arcs with a VMAT optimized delivery whereas the Brainlab multiple elements software (MME) selected between 3 and 7 optimized arcs to deliver the prescribed dose using a hybrid conformal arc technique (non-IMRT). Results: We have found that both planning systems achieved the goal to deliver the prescribed dose to the 99.5% of the tumor volume. The tumor doses ranged from 18 to 24Gy, following the RTOG criteria, with most tumors receiving 24Gy. The VMAT and MME plans had varying maximum doses for each tumor and were on average at least 132% of the prescribed dose. We found that once the segmentation and the plan objectives were specified the MME plan was the fastest to compute (less than 3min) whereas the VMAT took on average an hour to calculate with the AAA engine and 15 minutes with the Acuros engine (dose grid resolution of 1mm). Conclusion: Patients with multiple brain metastasis can be treated very efficiently using a mono-isocentric non-IMRT delivery technique. Whereas VMAT produces equivalent plans, it takes longer to both compute and deliver with the added complexity of IMRT delivery. UTHSCSA, division of medical physics has a research grant with Brainlab
Feasibility of évapotranspiration monitoring of riparian vegetation with remote sensing

Quantification of evapotranspiration (ET) continues to be challenging especially when attempting to evaluate ET at basin scales. Extending approaches to whole basins or larger regions is difficult due to issues related to landscape heterogeneity and scale. Reliable areal estimates of ET are essential for accurate modelling of the hydrological cycle and for assessing water-use of different ecosystems. A riparian corridor along the Rio Grande (USA) dominated by Tamarisk (salt cedar) is being studied to determine daily and total seasonal water-use. Local estimates of ET in the Tamarisk were made using eddy covariance instrumentation mounted on two towers. Radiometric temperature at the top of the canopy was also measured using a fixed-head infrared thermometer. The combination of these data will be used to evaluate evapotranspiration estimates along the corridor using data remotely sensed from an aircraft platform that have been acquired periodically for a large extent of the riparian zone.
Global Health and the Role of Biomaterials: Presenting the Case of Bolivia

Various organizations are taking an initiative to help advance the state of global health. The United Nations has established the Millennium Goals for 2015, and the National Academy of Engineering has instituted fourteen Global Grand Challenges, three of which are directly tied to improving healthcare. While significant progress has been made, according to the World Health Organization (The top 10 causes of death, 2013b), the greatest proportion of deaths in developing countries are early deaths due to infectious diseases and labor complications. Bolivia is a Latin American country with one of the highest instances of income inequality and sanitation concerns. The country’s struggle with healthcare development is reflected in one of the highest infant mortality rates (IMRs) in South America (World Health Organization in World health statistics, 2013a). A variety of natural biomaterials obtained from abundant Bolivian commodities will be examined as potential sources of more cost-efficient, safer, and easier-to-access medical treatments.
FlowFixer: using BFECC for fluid simulation

Back and Forth Error Compensation and Correction (BFECC) was recently developed for interface computation by using the level set method. We show that it can be applied to reduce dissipation and diffusion encountered in various advection steps in uid simulation such as velocity, smoke density and image advections. BFECC can be implemented easily on top of the r st order upwinding or semi-Lagrangian integration of advection equations, while providing second order accuracy both in space and time. When applied to level set evolution, BFECC reduces volume loss signi cantly . We combine these techniques with variable density projection and show that they yield a realistic animations of two-phase ows. We demonstrate the bene ts of this approach on the image advection and on the simulation of smoke, of bubbles in water, and of a highly dynamic interaction between water, a solid, and air.
Laboratory Maintenance and Cultivation of Bacteroides Species

Bacteroides species are Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic bacteria. They are the predominant indigenous bacterial species in the human intestinal tract, where they play an important role in the normal physiology of the host, but they can also be significant opportunistic pathogens. The fact that these are obligate anaerobes is the prevailing feature that affects the methodology used for their cultivation. Several techniques are described for anaerobic culturing; the anaerobic glove box and anaerobic jars are the two techniques most adaptable to a range of research needs. Straightforward methods are presented for propagation on solid media and in broth cultures, and for the long-term storage and maintenance of stock cultures. The Bacteroides species are saccharolytic, which is the second feature of their physiology that impacts cultivation methodology. Several flexible media formulations, including a defined minimal media, are provided that allow the researcher to choose the carbon source best suited for his or her work.
Quantitative fluorescence co-localization to study protein-receptor complexes

Fluorescence microscopy can be used to assess quantitatively the interaction between a ligand and its receptor, between two macromolecules, or between a macromolecule and a particular intracellular compartment by co-localization analysis. In general, this analysis involves tagging potential interacting partners with distinct fluorophores-by direct labeling of a small ligand, by expression of fluorescent cDNA constructs, by immunofluorescence labeling, or by some combination of these methods. Pairwise comparison of the fluorescence intensity of the two fluorophores at each pixel in a two channel digital image of the sample reveals regions where both are present. With appropriate protocols, the image data can be interpreted to indicate where the potential interacting partners are co-localized. Keeping in mind the limited resolution of the light microscope, co-localization is often used to support the claim that two molecules are interacting.All quantitative methods for evaluating co-localization begin with identifying the pixels where the intensities of both color channels are above background. Typically this involves two sequential image segmentation steps: the first to exclude pixels where neither channel is above background, and the second to set overlap thresholds that exclude pixels where only one color channel is present. Following segmentation, various quantitative measures can be computed to describe the remaining subset of pixels where the two color channels overlap. These metrics range from simple calculation of the fraction of pixels where overlap occurs to more sophisticated image correlation metrics. Additional constraints may be employed to distinguish true co-localization from random overlap. Finally, an image map showing only the co-localized pixels may be displayed as an additional image channel in order to visualize the spatial distribution of co-localized pixels. Several commercial and open source software solutions provide this type of co-localization analysis, making image segmentation and calculation of metrics relatively straightforward. As an example, we provide a protocol for the time-dependent co-localization of fluorescently tagged lipoproteins with LDL receptor (LDLR) and with the early endosome marker EEA1.
Calculations of the Superconducting Properties of Compounds

Using the results of self-consistent relativistic APW band structure calculations, and the measured phonon spectra, we have calculated the electron-phonon interaction and λ for the compounds: PdD, NbC, TaC, HfC and V3Si, based on an extension of the theoretical formulation of Gaspari and Gyorffy. We discuss and contrast the nature of superconductivity in these different materials, and give an extended explanation of the relationship between super-conductivity, phonon anomalies and chemical bonding (as mirrored in the Fermi surface) of the refractory carbides.
Telecytopathology facilitates the use of rapid on-site evaluation in endoscopic ultraound fine needle aspiration of the pancreas to improve patient outcomes.

Telecytopathology (TCP) has a variety of different applications in clinical practice and is becoming more widely utilized. Potential uses are broad and include second opinion consultation, primary diagnosis, educational/tumor board, and immediate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) interpretation. More recently, TCP use has been increasingly applied to the immediate evaluation of FNA biopsy adequacy evaluation. This process is generally known as rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Khurana et al. reported their findings using TCP for ROSE in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) FNA of the pancreas.[1] They separated 217 patients into two cohorts. One cohort had on-site evaluation performed by a cytopathologist utilizing TCP. The other cohort did not have on-site evaluation. The TCP system utilized a commercially available passive live video from the microscope, obtained at the point of care (EUS gastrointestinal suite) and delivered to the attending cytopathologist in their office at a remote location. A cytotechnologist at the point of care operated the microscope. This was a retrospective study and the decision for ROSE versus non-ROSE was made by the gastroenterologist performing the endoscopy. Based on the on-site evaluation, it was possible for the TCP ROSE cohort to have additional passes performed, as deemed necessary for diagnosis. The majority of solid lesions were selected for TCP ROSE, and the majority of cystic lesions were not selected for TCP ROSE. The authors examined a variety of individual data points, including the nature of the lesion being evaluated (solid vs. cystic) and the diagnostic rates. The four major diagnostic categories included: (1) Nondiagnostic, (2) negative/benign, (3) atypical/suspicious, and (4) malignant. In solid lesions, the percentages for negative/benign and atypical/suspicious were similar in each cohort. Use of TCP ROSE favored solid lesions and had a nondiagnostic rate of 3.7% in comparison to a 25.6% nondiagnostic rate in the solid lesions without immediate evaluation. There was no statistical difference in nondiagnostic rates for cystic lesions between the two groups, although most did not have TCP ROSE (79/93). For all patients, after using multivariate logistic regression, the odds of a nondiagnostic sample were 6.9 times greater without the use of TCP ROSE.
Local Party Activists and Electoral Linkage Middlesex County, NJ

Using the framework of linkage theory, we examine local parties, by means of mail questionnaires to party activists in one county of New Jersey. Three aspects are investigated : level of activism, satisfaction of activists, and decision-making structures. Activists concentrate on campaigns, derive most satisfaction from electoral work, and leave decision making to party leaders. Relationships among higher activism, greater satisfaction, and more democratic structures are positive, but only to a moderate degree. We conclude, with Schlesinger, that U.S. parties primarily are agencies of electoral, not participatory or clientelistic, linkage, and consider the possible implications of this fact for the long-range liability of local parties and the American political system.
A Causal Reasoning Approach For Planning Error Recovery In Automated Manufacturing Systems

This paper addresses error recovery as a planning problem. A discussion of previous research in planning systems shows that plan generation has been emphasized, with some inclusion of error recovery as part of the plan. This paper extends this work to provide execution monitoring and plan generation for error recovery. A causal reasoning model is presented. During the task plan generation, the model will generate a network of nodes which consists of activities and states, called a causal net of activities and states. The same network will be used to monitor the execution of the task plan. Since the process is modelled based on its cause and effect relationships, the difficulties in detecting a failure and classifying the failure can be reduced. Once the failure has been properly classified, the system will generate the appropriate recovery plan based on the knowledge about the relationships between the state which represents the failure and the recovery task. Using this model, the process of imbedding the recovery task knowledge into the planning system can be done in conjunction with the process of building the task knowledge base. A simple manufacturing application example is presented.
Structural analysis of Au-Ni-Ge and Au-Ag-Ge alloyed ohmic contacts on modulation-doped AlGaAs-GaAs heterostructures

Both secondary ion mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy have been used to characterize Au–Ni–Ge and Au–Ag–Ge ohmic contacts to modulation‐doped GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures. The time periods for alloying the contact were kept to a minimum (<25 s) in order to obtain controlled diffusion of Ge into the semiconductor. Structural analysis shows that a stable alloy contact is formed after 3 s of alloying at temperatures above the Au–Ge melting point. There were no major structural or compositional changes observed with longer alloying times. The Ge‐rich region has a tendency to regrow epitaxially on the GaAs after alloying, as shown by high‐resolution electron microscopy.
THE CYCLICAL CHANGES IN THE MUCOSA OF THE GUINEA PIG’S UTERUS, CERVIX AND VAGINA AND IN THE SEXUAL SKIN, INVESTIGATED BY THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE11

The mucosa of the guinea pig’s endometrium, cervix and vagina and the epithelium of the perivaginal (sexual) skin have been studied with the electron microscope during estrus, metestrus and late diestrus. During estrus, the uterine epithelial cells, the superficial mucous cells of the cervical epithelium as well as the basal and prickle cells of the vaginal epithelium display microvilli on their surfaces; these diasppear during diestrus. Throughout the cycle in the cervix and during diestrus in the vagina, the superficial epithelial cells are filled with large droplets of a low-density material, apparently mucus. This seems to arise within distended vesicles of the endoplasmic reticulum in lower cells. During estrus in the vagina and at all times in the sexual skin, the uppermost epithelial cells consist mainly of filaments. In the basal cells, these filaments occur in small clusters anchored on thickenings on the cell surfaces. Such cells contain an abundance of dense cytoplasmic particulates presumed to...
Variable-density spiral-in/out functional magnetic resonance imaging.

A variable-density spiral k-space trajectory is introduced for brain functional magnetic resonance imaging. The proposed spiral trajectory consists of an Archimedean spiral from the k-space origin to an arbitrary fraction r of the maximum k-space radius, extending beyond this point with a variable-density spiral in which the sampling density decreases as the k-space radius increases. It, therefore, permits a reduction in readout time at the expense of undersampling only the high spatial frequencies, in which the energy in T2*-weighted brain images is low. The trajectory was implemented in a two-dimensional spiral-in/out sequence, and single-shot high-resolution (1.72 × 1.72 mm2 in-plane) functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from human volunteers. Compared with a two-shot fully Archimedean spiral sequence with the same spatial coverage and total scan time, the variable-density sequence yielded greater activation magnitudes with improved temporal efficiency and minor artifacts. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Step dynamics and spiral growth on calcite

Abstract We present novel in situ observations of the dynamics of monomolecular growth steps on calcite. Steps do not interact at separations of ~ 10 nm and above, indicating that surface diffusion does not control calcite growth. Instead, steps advance by material addition from solution onto step sites or a narrow adjacent zone. Step nucleation is primarily at growth spirals, and no spontaneous surface nucleation is observed; growth rate is controlled by spiral rotation rate. Thus, classical growth models based on rapid surface diffusion are inapplicable to calcite and possibly to many other minerals.
Efficient adaptation text design based on the Kullback-Leibler measure

This paper proposes an efficient algorithm for the automatic selection of sentences given a desired phoneme distribution. The algorithm is based on the Kullback-Leiblermeasure under the criterion of minimum cross-entropy. One application of this algorithm is the design of adaptation text for automatic speech recognition with a particular phoneme distribution. The algorithm is efficient and flexible, especially in the case of limited text size. Experimental results verify the advantage of this approach.
ITC - Where fantasy becomes reality

Disneyland (CA, USA) will once again set the stage for International Test Conference (ITC), hosting the 43rd annual TestWeek event from 4-9 November 2012. ITC is a technology conference that is dedicated to the electronic test of devices, boards and systems. Preview ITC through the Advance Program found on ITC's website at http://itctestweek.org. Check out this year's panels that will help you in distinguish fantasy from reality. Panel 2, "Are Industrial Test Problems Real Problems? I Thought Research Has Solved Them All!" looks at how those paid-to-dream academics and the paid-to-implement industrialists can cooperate to turn fantasy into reality. Learn how realistic fantasy and fantastic reality meld to form to the future of test. Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are paid to turn fantasy into reality. The special "ATE/Test Vision 2020: Entrepreneurship in Test CEO Panel" will let you see how they do it.
Extragenital Bowenoid Papulosis Associated with Atypical Human Papillomavirus Genotypes

Background Bowenoid papulosis typically appears as grouped violaceous or redbrown papules in the genital or perianal regions and clinically resembles condylomata acuminata. Isolated extragenital bowenoid papulosis is rare and has been reported in only a few case reports.
Transitivity and Intransitivity in Evidential Support: Some Further Results

Igor Douven establishes several new intransitivity results concerning evidential support. I add to Douven’s very instructive discussion by establishing two further intransitivity results and a transitivity result.
Anion-exchange chromatography on reversed-phase columns Isolation and assay of nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides from nucleic acids and from cytoplasm

Abstract Reversed-phase ion-exchange chromatography, developed specifically for the separation of transfer and other species of ribonucleic acids, can be utilized in the same manner as the more conventional polystyrene- or cellulose-based ion-exchange and ion-exclusion chromatographic procedures for the resolution of smaller entities, such as nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides. Specific applications to end-group analysis of RNAs and resolution of 2′-, 3′- and 5′-nucleotides and oligonucleotides are shown. In addition, acid-soluble nucleic acid components obtained from tissue can be fractionated into at least 32 peaks. The separations can be achieved under either acid or alkaline conditions in solvents easily volatilized for recovery of the solutes. The efficiencies, expressed as height equivalent of a theoretical plate (HETP), are comparable (about 0.2 mm) to the best reported for polystyrene exchangers.
Remembering peter harzem: teacher-scholar extraordinaire.

​PeterPeter Harzem, the only son of Sukru and Saime Harzem, was born near midnight December 31, 1929 in Istanbul, Turkey, and died at his home in Auburn, Alabama on May 26, 2008 following a long and difficult illness. His beloved wife and best friend, Anne, was at his side at the time of his passing.
Uncertainty Improvements of the NIST Electronic Kilogram

This paper summarizes the latest uncertainty improvements and data for a new result from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) electronic kilogram experiment. The result of 8 $\pm$ 36 nW/W for the ratio $ \{{W}_{90} /{W}- 1\}$ , as well as the Planck's constant, is comparable to the NIST 2005 value but with a lower uncertainty. Of the eight largest Type B uncertainty contributions, gravity acceleration, wheel surface, and reference mass magnetic susceptibility are considerably reduced. Humidity dependence in the recent data and limitations on the volt/velocity signal analysis are now the main limitations on the uncertainty.
Sympathetic nervous system activation by glutamate injections into the paraventricular nucleus.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine the overall cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous system responses to stimulation of neuronal cell bodies in the paraventricular neucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Bilateral microinjections (50 nl) of monosodium glutamate or sodium acetate were made into the PVN of conscious unrestrained rats. Blood pressure, heart rate and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine were measured. The injection of sodium acetate as an osmotic control was without effect on any of the recorded variables. In contrast, the injections of glutamate were associated with a rapid increase in both blood pressure and heart rate. At doses of 15, 25, and 50 nmol blood pressure increased by13 ± 2, 14 ± 3and16 ± 1mmHg while heart rate increased by64 ± 15, 73 ± 8 and50 ± 8 bpm. These responses were associated with increases in plasma norepinephrine concentrations of51 ± 8, 100 ± 16and62 ± 13pg/ml while epinephrine concentrations rose by42 ± 17, 58 ± 18and38 ± 17pg/ml. The responses of glutamate (25 nmol) were not affected by blockade of vascular vasopressin receptors with d(CH 2 ) 5 Tyr(Me)AVP (10 μg/kg) (blood pressure: pre5 ± 3vs post13 ± 3mmHg, heart rate pre77 ± 9bpm vs post91 ± 7bpm, plasma norepinephrine: pre106 ± 22vs post121 ± 28pg/ml and plasma epinephrine: pre61 ± 25vs post34 ± 30pg/ml. These findings indicate that stimulation of neuronal cell bodies in the PVN of conscious rats causes an increase in sympathoadrenal outflow resulting in an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Vasopressin release into the systemic circulation does not appear to play a major role in the cardiovascular responses associated with PVN stimulation.
Environmental tobacco smoke: association with cardiovascular function at rest and during stress.

Chronic exposure to environ mental tobacco smoke (ETS) contributes to cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, and ETS alters cardiovascular performance during exercise stress. However, no study has examined whether those with ETS exposure have altered cardiovascular functioning during psychological stress, relative to those with no substantial ETS exposure. Seventy-eight healthy, nonsmoking adult men with either high levels of current ETS exposure at home and work or no current or significant lifetime ETS exposure were tested in a stress reactivity protocol. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored during rest and during two psychological stressors. Those with high ETS exposure had significantly elevated heart rate and blood pressure at baseline, relative to those with no exposure. The groups did not differ on their cardiovascular stress responses. These data suggest that chronic ETS exposure is associated with altered cardiovascular functioning at rest, but not during stress. Results are discussed with regard to the role of ETS on the development of heart disease among nonsmokers.
Tutorial 8: Wireless Sensor Networks: From Theory to Practice

Wireless sensor networks combine distributed sensing, computing, and wireless communications into a Powerful technology that offers unprecedented resolution, unobtrusiveness, and autonomous operation for countless applications. At the same time, they offer numerous challenges, in particular the strict energy constraints, the distributed operation, and the scalability. This tutorial provides a comprehensive and self-contained introduction to wireless sensor networks, covering all the relevant aspects from the basic theory to real-world applications. It consists of four parts: 1. Introduction: Motivation, relevance, and important applications 2. Challenges and solutions: Difference to other wireless networks; modelling issues; energy-efficient network protocols; performance limits and quality-of-service issues 3. Practical aspects: Hardware overview; experimental results and measurements. 4. Conclusions and outlook.
Molecular identities of human sperm proteins that bind human zona pellucida: nature of sperm-zona interaction, tyrosine kinase activity, and involvement of FA-1.

The present study was conducted to investigate the molecular identities, nature of interaction, and tyrosine phosphorylation activity of the spermzona pellucida binding proteins in humans. Sperm proteins belcnging to four major molecular regions, namely 95, 63, 51, and 14–18 kDa, reacted with zona pellucida proteins in the Western blot and immunoprecipitation procedures. In these procedures, zona pellucida protein that reacted strongest with the sperm proteins belonged to the molecular region of 55 kDa (ZP3), besides weakly reacting proteins in the 110-kDa (ZP1/ZP2) and 14–18-kDa molecular regions. The major forces involved in the sperm-zona protein interactions were of hydrophobic and ionic in nature. Three (95, 51, and 14–18 kDa) of the four molecular regions of sperm proteins that bound to the zona pellucida proteins also seem to involve o-phospho-L-tyrosine residues in their interaction, and these proteins demonstrated the presence of phosphotyrosine residues, and the 51-kDa protein also showed autophosphorylating activity in the in vitro kinase assay. The sperm binding zona protein of 55 kDa also demonstrated autophosphorylating activity. Using specific monoclonal antibody to the well characterized sperm-specific glycoprotein, designated FA-1, and the competitive inhibition in the immunoprecipitation procedure, it was found that the 51 kDa protein is indeed FA-1 antigen. Besides elucidating the molecular nature of the spermzona interaction, these antigens will find application in the development of a multivalent contraceptive vaccine, and may also help in specific diagnosis and treatment of infertility mediated through defective gamete (sperm or oocyte) function. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Computational description of nanocrystalline deformation based on crystal plasticity

Abstract The effect of grain size on the mechanical response of polycrystalline metals was investigated computationally and applied to the nanocrystalline domain. A phenomenological constitutive description is adopted to build the computational crystal model. Two approaches are implemented. In the first, the material is envisaged as a composite; the grain interior is modeled as a monocrystalline core surrounded by a mantle (grain boundary) with a lower yield stress and higher work hardening rate response. Both a quasi-isotropic and crystal plasticity approaches are used to simulate the grain interiors. The grain boundary is modeled either by an isotropic Voce equation (Model I) or by crystal plasticity (Model II). Elastic and plastic anisotropy are incorporated into this simulation. An implicit Eulerian finite element formulation with von Mises plasticity or rate dependent crystal plasticity is used to study the nonuniform deformation and localized plastic flow. The computational predictions are compared with the experimentally determined mechanical response of copper with grain sizes of 1 μm and 26 nm. Shear localization is observed during work hardening in view of the inhomogeneous mechanical response. In the second approach, the use of a continuous change in mechanical response, expressed by the magnitude of the maximum shear stress orientation gradient, is introduced. It is shown that the magnitude of the gradient is directly dependent on grain size. This gradient term is inserted into a constitutive equation that predicts the local stress–strain evolution.
Learning in nature

This paper traces the evolution of a theory of learning in nature in order to explain how people learn in natural settings. The intellectual roots of the theory in informal learning, cognition, affective development, experiential and meaningful learning are described and the synthesis into a comprehensive theory of learning in nature are explained. The evolution of the theory is traced through several iterations describing the addition of organizing concepts as well as efforts seeking simplicity in its conceptualization. An in‐depth case study of meaningful learning about bogs illustrates how the theory can be applied to explain environmental learning experiences. The implications for this theory in terms of environmental education are discussed.
Direct observation of junction formation in polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells

Electroabsorption (EA) measurements are used to determine the electric fields in polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEC's). The EA signals are measured as a function of the dc bias and are found to increase abruptly above a threshold voltage. The EA measurements are compared with the capacitance-voltage and current-voltage characteristics. Calculations using a model based on electrochemical junction formation are in agreement with all of the experimental observations. These results show unambiguously that the picture of electrochemical junction formation in LEC's is correct.
Haematopoietic stem cells and early lymphoid progenitors occupy distinct bone marrow niches

Although haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are commonly assumed to reside within a specialized microenvironment, or niche, most published experimental manipulations of the HSC niche have affected the function of diverse restricted progenitors. This raises the fundamental question of whether HSCs and restricted progenitors reside within distinct, specialized niches or whether they share a common niche. Here we assess the physiological sources of the chemokine CXCL12 for HSC and restricted progenitor maintenance. Cxcl12(DsRed) knock-in mice (DsRed-Express2 recombined into the Cxcl12 locus) showed that Cxcl12 was primarily expressed by perivascular stromal cells and, at lower levels, by endothelial cells, osteoblasts and some haematopoietic cells. Conditional deletion of Cxcl12 from haematopoietic cells or nestin-cre-expressing cells had little or no effect on HSCs or restricted progenitors. Deletion of Cxcl12 from endothelial cells depleted HSCs but not myeloerythroid or lymphoid progenitors. Deletion of Cxcl12 from perivascular stromal cells depleted HSCs and certain restricted progenitors and mobilized these cells into circulation. Deletion of Cxcl12 from osteoblasts depleted certain early lymphoid progenitors but not HSCs or myeloerythroid progenitors, and did not mobilize these cells into circulation. Different stem and progenitor cells thus reside in distinct cellular niches in bone marrow: HSCs occupy a perivascular niche and early lymphoid progenitors occupy an endosteal niche.
Early postoperative echocardiographic studies of atrial septal defects.

Fifteen consecutive adult patients with uncomplicated atrial septal defects (ASD) underwent echocardiographic examinations both before and 3-8 days (mean 7 days) after surgery to study the early postoperative changes in cardiac dimensions and interventricular septal motion. Echocardiographic analyses included patterns of interventricular septal motion, right and left ventricular dimensions at end-diastole (RVDd & LVDd), aortic root dimension at end-diastole (ARDd) and left atrial dimension at end-systole (LADs). The results showed that the septal motion was abnormal in 87% (13/15) before and 40% (6/15) after operation. RVDd decreased from 36±7mm to 27±7mm (p<0.01) while LVDd increased from 33±6mm to 39±4mm (p<0.01). There were no significant changes in LADs and ARDd after surgery. These observations suggest that in patients with ASD the ventricular dimensions and patterns of interventricular septal motion are changed significantly shortly after surgical epair.
Emotion Recognition in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Relations to Eye Gaze and Autonomic State

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA), heart rate, and accuracy and latency of emotion recognition were evaluated in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing children while viewing videos of faces slowly transitioning from a neutral expression to one of six basic emotions (e.g., anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise). Children with ASD were slower in emotion recognition and selectively made more errors in detecting anger. ASD children had lower amplitude RSA and faster heart rate. Within the ASD group, children with higher amplitude RSA recognized emotions faster. Less severe ASD symptoms and increased gaze to the eye region in children with ASD were related to more accurate emotion recognition.
Inhibition of SypG-Induced Biofilms and Host Colonization by the Negative Regulator SypE in Vibrio fischeri

Vibrio fischeri produces a specific biofilm to promote colonization of its eukaryotic host, the squid Euprymna scolopes. Formation of this biofilm is induced by the sensor kinase RscS, which functions upstream of the response regulator SypG to regulate transcription of the symbiosis polysaccharide (syp) locus. Biofilm formation is also controlled by SypE, a multi-domain response regulator that consists of a central regulatory receiver (REC) domain flanked by an N-terminal serine kinase domain and a C-terminal serine phosphatase domain. SypE permits biofilm formation under rscS overexpression conditions, but inhibits biofilms induced by overexpression of sypG. We previously investigated the function of SypE in controlling biofilm formation induced by RscS. Here, we examined the molecular mechanism by which SypE naturally inhibits SypG-induced biofilms. We found that SypE’s N-terminal kinase domain was both required and sufficient to inhibit SypG-induced biofilms. This effect did not occur at the level of syp transcription. Instead, under sypG-overexpressing conditions, SypE inhibited biofilms by promoting the phosphorylation of another syp regulator, SypA, a putative anti-sigma factor antagonist. Inhibition by SypE of SypG-induced biofilm formation could be overcome by the expression of a non-phosphorylatable SypA mutant, indicating that SypE functions primarily if not exclusively to control SypA activity via phosphorylation. Finally, the presence of SypE was detrimental to colonization under sypG-overexpressing conditions, as cells deleted for sypE outcompeted wild-type cells for colonization when both strains overexpressed sypG. These results provide further evidence that biofilm formation is critical to symbiotic colonization, and support a model in which SypE naturally functions to restrict biofilm formation, and thus host colonization, to the appropriate environmental conditions.
SHIP, TGF-β, and Endotoxin Tolerance

Research into the biology of endotoxin (aka lipopolysaccharide; LPS) began well over 100 years ago (Pfeiffer, 1892) and has had many unexpected turns. The phenomenon of endotoxin tolerance was among these and has engendered immense curiosity over the years. Sly and colleagues (this issue of Immunity) have taken an important step toward understanding the phenomenon of endotoxin tolerance and have enhanced our comprehension of LPS signaling as a whole by demonstrating that the cytosolic phosphatase SHIP is required to permit the development of an LPS-refractory state in macrophages and mice.
Image fidelity verification: contourIFV

The rapidly escalating complexity of resolution enhancement techniques (RET), now commonplace in leading edge lithography, requires accurate verification to avoid yield and performance problems on the patterned wafers. Model-based verification techniques that have been derived from optical proximity correction (OPC) obtain the required checking speed from sparse sampling of the layout at discrete evaluation points along the edges of layout patterns. This sparse sampling allows accurately calibrated models to be used for full chip checking applications. However, there is a demonstrated risk of missing significant patterning errors due to the sparse and edge-centric sampling of the layout. Grid-based simulation approaches which calculate the image on a fine grid over the entire layout space accurately detect patterning problems anywhere in the layout, but can be executed at reasonable runtimes for aerial image models only. The challenge for full-chip model-based verification of RET-enhanced layouts is, therefore, a trade-off between sparse, edge-centric simulation using accurate models versus simulations using approximate models over the entire layout space. This paper presents an approach, termed contourIFV, that has been demonstrated to overcome the aforementioned problems and has been shown to provide significant value in the verification of the RET and OPC prescription.
Past, Present and Future Research on Multiple Identities: Toward an Intrapersonal Network Approach

AbstractPsychologists, sociologists, and philosophers have long recognized that people have multiple identities—based on attributes such as organizational membership, profession, gender, ethnicity, religion, nationality, and family role(s)—and that these multiple identities shape people's actions in organizations. The current organizational literature on multiple identities, however, is sparse and scattered and has yet to fully capture this foundational idea. I review and organize the literature on multiple identities into five different theoretical perspectives: social psychological; microsociological; psychodynamic and developmental; critical; and intersectional. I then propose a way to take research on multiple identities forward using an intrapersonal identity network approach. Moving to an identity network approach offers two advantages: first, it enables scholars to consider more than two identities simultaneously, and second, it helps scholars examine relationships among identities in greater detai...
Loss of heterozygosity and homozygous deletion of the tpr locus in human gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite being one of the world's most common neoplasias, there is little information on the molecular events that lead to gastric cancer. Molecular studies have shown that inactivation of tumor suppressor genes by mutation and/or allelic loss is an important genetic alteration in the multistep process of tumorigenesis. METHODS: In an attempt to identify a putative tumor suppressor gene involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer, we performed Southern blot analysis using the tpr probe for 44 patients with gastric cancer, using tumor tissue and normal tissue from the same specimen. RESULTS: Of the 44 samples, 7 (16%) were informative, heterozygous cases for the tpr probe. Three of the informative cases showed a loss of heterozygosity and 3 cases showed homozygous deletion for the tpr probe (6 of 7; 85%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tpr gene plays a role in gastric tumorigenesis, and this may be due to a tumor suppressor effect for the tpr gene.
The elastic rotating cylinder

Abstract A fully relativistic formulation is presented for an infinitely long, elastic cylinder of constant density, rotating uniformly about its axis. The problem is reduced to a non-linear differential equation in the displacement which is linearised to obtain classical and special relativistic solutions. These are compared with a typical general relativistic numerical solution.
The validity of the communication competency assessment instrument

This study reports validity information on one measure of communication competence, the Communication Competency Assessment Instrument (CCAI). Conceptual validity of the CCAI was demonstrated in prior research. This study, in confirming operational validity, found that self‐reported measures correlated only slightly with observations of students' actual behaviors, while holistic impressions of competence were wholly consistent with the CCAI ratings. Also, students' persuasive speech grades and instructors' impressions correlated with the CCAI measure, adding to reification, or convergent validity. Elaboration validity analysis discovered that argumentativeness was unrelated to CCAI scores. However, a relationship existed between knowledge and skill, lending credence to the notion that impressions formed about others' communication competence involves judgments of behavioral appropriateness as well as knowledge about the communication process.
Stereoscopic optofluidic on-chip microscope

We demonstrate an optofluidic microscopy scheme which can acquire stereo images, utilizing different angles of illumination for projection imaging with our sub-pixel resolving optofluidic microscope.
Automated stereo-photogrammetric DEM generation at high latitudes: Surface Extraction with TIN-based Search-space Minimization (SETSM) validation and demonstration over glaciated regions

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are critical to a wide range of geoscience investigations. High-latitude and polar regions are particularly challenging for automated, stereo-photogrammetric DEM extraction due to the abundance of surfaces that are low-contrast and repetitively textured, such as snow and shadowed terrain, and have discontinuities such as in crevasse fields, glacier calving faces or iceberg edges. Sub-meter, stereo-mode satellite imagery of high geometric and radiometric quality is becoming increasingly accessible, offering the potential for dramatically increasing the spatial coverage and quality of high-latitude DEMs. Here we demonstrate and validate automated DEMs generated from the Surface Extraction with Triangulated Irregular Network-based Search-space Minimization (SETSM) algorithm designed for these challenging terrains using only the satellite rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs). Comparison between 2-m DEMs created from WorldView image pairs and low-altitude LiDAR point clouds i...