cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory Meets Praxis: From Derrida to the Beginning German Classroom via the Internet.

This essay will argue that contemporary cul tural developments associated with the emergence of new technologies, particularly computer-medi ated communication, provide new opportunities to theorize German Studies curricula from the be ginning level onward.1 Students' employment of computer-based technologies for the purpose of learning German at the beginning level, in courses with online and distance-learning platforms,2 can and should be an opportunity to engage in reflec tions about cultural developments of which these technologies are a driving force. A theoretical framework for such reflections, I will argue, is pro vided by poststructuralist theories, particularly in the writings of Jacques Derrida, which have pre dicted significant aspects of current cultural devel opments and provide conceptual tools with which to comprehend or "theorize" them. In their lan guage work in the beginning German class, using new media of communication, students have a unique, hands-on opportunity to experience the shifting complexity and "mediated-ness" of com munication as they become familiar with multiple linguistic competencies between speaking and writing. Alongside other efforts to integrate lan guage and content throughout the curriculum,3 the use of the Internet as a leaming tool provides a manner of introducing theoretical content at the beginning level of the German Studies curriculum and thus of bridging a curricular gap that has been perceived between the beginning German class room,4 where the emphasis has tended to fall on traditionally-conceived language skills (particu larly speaking proficiency) and on relatively simple cultural information that is quite different from the theoretically-informed cultural knowledge that stu dents will be expected to acquire at more advanced levels of German Studies curricula.5 The theoretical content that is consistent with the employment of new technologies of communi cation in the beginning German classroom is that which has been shaping advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in many German Studies curricula, whether taught in German or English translation. This theory has numerous individual manifestations in different fields of inquiry-an thropology, psychoanalysis, philosophy, social science, cultural history-but a common charac
Regenerative Tension Control for Paper Winders

THE WINDER is one of the more important machines in the paper industry. In general, every paper machine has a winder intimately associated with it and there are many others used in the finishing room.
Changes in heart ultrastructure during development of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata

Abstract Disorientation of myofibrils is accompanied by a weak pulse, the loss of mitochondria, and the appearance of autophagic vacuoles which presumably aid in the digestion of mitochondria. During muscle breakdown, longitudinally oriented microtubules are evident precisely at the time of the greatest disruption of the myofibril and an inverse relationship between microtubules and myofilaments suggests a naturally occurring dependency between these cytoskeletal structures. Microtubules may be involved in the maintenance of heart shape during developmental reorganization of the heart muscle. The appearance of numerous blood cells within the heart lumen at a time when myofilaments are disappearing from the heart suggests that these cells may be involved in the elimination of myofilaments by phagocytosis.
Noninvasive prediction of efficacy of type IA antiarrhythmic drugs by the signal-averaged electrocardiogram in patients with coronary artery disease and sustained ventricular tachycardia

Abstract This study attempted to determine if specific changes on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG) after type IA antiarrhythmic therapy are predictive of efficacy in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Scalar and signal-averaged ECGs were obtained at baseline and after type IA drug therapy in 15 patients with coronary artery disease and inducible VT at baseline electrophysiologic testing. signal-averaged QRS duration, root-mean-square amplitude in the last 40 ms of signal-averaged QRS, and the duration under 40 μv of the signal-averaged QRS (low-amplitude signal), as well as ventricular effective refractory period at electrophysiologic study, and QTc on the scalar ECG were compared. At drug study, 6 patients (group A) had persistent but slower VT, whereas 9 (group B) had VT rendered noninducible. The baseline signal-averaged QRS duration was longer in group A than in B (136 ± 10 vs 115 ± 13 ms; p
Effects of early adverse experiences on brain structure and function : Clinical implications

Child abuse is associated with markedly elevated rates of major depression and other psychiatric disorders in adulthood. This article reviews preclinical studies examining the effects of early stress, factors that modify the impact of these experiences, and neurobiological changes associated with major depression. Preclinical studies demonstrate that early stress can alter the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone, monoaminergic, and gamma-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine systems. Stress has also been shown to promote structural and functional alterations in brain regions similar to those seen in adults with depression. Emerging data suggest, however, that the long-term effects of early stress can be moderated by genetic factors and the quality of the subsequent caregiving environment. These effects also can be prevented or reversed with various pharmacologic interventions. Preclinical studies of early stress can provide valuable insights in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of major depression. They also can provide an important tool to use to investigate interactions between genes and environments in determining an individual's sensitivity to stress. More research is needed to understand how inherent factors interact with experiences of abuse and other psychosocial factors to confer vulnerability to develop depression.
VASCULAR CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE AERIAL STEM OF PRIONIUM (JUNCACEAE)

A B S T R A C T The aerial stem of Prionium has been studied by motion-picture analysis which permits the reliable tracing of one among hundreds of vascular strands throughout long series of transverse sections. By plotting the path of many bundles in the mature stem, a quantitative, 3-dimensional analysis of their distribution has been made, and by repeating this in the apical region an understanding of vascular development has been achieved. In the mature stem axial continuity is maintained by a vertical bundle which branches from each leaf trace just before this enters the leaf base. Lateral continuity results from bridges which link leaf traces with nearby vertical bundles. Development of the provascular system involves a meristematic cap into which the blind ends of vertical bundles can be followed. Leaf traces are prodluced continuously in association with developing leaf primordia for a period of over 30 plastochrones; they connect with the vertical bundles in the meristematic cap and so establish the essential vascular configuration which is later reorientated through about 900 by overall growth of the crown. The last bundles to differentiate from the leaf do so outside the meristematic cap and thus fail to make contact with the axial system; they appear in the mature axis as blind-ending cortical bundles. Prionium is only distantly related to palms and its vascular histology is quite different. Nevertheless, the course of vascular bundles and the origin of this pattern in the stem resembles that of a palm. It is suggested that we are examining the fundamental pattern of vascular development in large monocotyledons.
Studies of benzidine-based dyes in sediment-water systems

The sorption and degradation of several benzidine-based dyes were studied in sedimentwater systems. Studies in resaturated sediment demonstrated that sorption was strongly dependent on pH and the nature and concentration of the inorganic salt in solution. Degradation of the dyes in anaerobic pond sediment followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with half-lives ranging from 2 to 16 d. Product studies indicated that the amount of recovered benzidine accounted for only 2 to 5% of lost Direct Red 28. Studies in pH-amended pond sediment demonstrated that degradation is inhibited when the dyes are strongly sorbed to the sediment.
Angular distribution in proton-hydrogen charge-transfer collisions

Theoretical angular distributions for p-H charge transfer to the 1s state for energies of 1 keV and above have been examined and compared for three approximation schemes: the plane-wave Born approximation of Jackson and Schiff (JS), the Coulomb projected Born approximation of Geltman (G), and the distorted-wave eikonal approximation of one of the authors (D). The sharp dip in the forward distribution characteristic of JS is found to exist in G and D as well. As expected, G and D give identical results for all but the lowest energies. In the cases of G and D the dip, which is located close to that of JS, disappears and then reappears as the energy rises. Analytic high-energy limits for the angular dependence in both the JS and G cases have been found and are discussed.
Structure and activity of photochemically deposited CoPi oxygen evolving catalyst on titania

The cobalt phosphate “CoPi” oxygen evolving catalyst (OEC) was photochemically grown on the surface of TiO2 photoanodes short-circuited to a Pt wire under bandgap illumination in the presence of Co(NO3)2 and sodium phosphate (NaPi) buffer. Extended photodeposition (15 h) using a hand-held UV lamp readily permitted quantitative structural and electrochemical characterization of the photochemically deposited CoPi OEC on titania. The formed catalytic material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy experiments, illustrating the production of easily visualized micrometer scale clusters throughout the titania surface containing both cobalt and phosphate. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) studies indicated that the newly formed material was structurally consistent with the production of molecular cobaltate clusters composed of a cobalt oxide core that is most likely terminated by phosphate ions. ...
X-ray computed tomography in large bubble columns

Abstract X-ray computed tomography (CT) is used to explore the differences in a semi-batch bubble column operated at superficial gas velocities of U g = 3 , 10, and 18 cm/s. Air–water or air–water–cellulose fiber systems comprise the multiphase flow, and the bubble column has a 32.1 cm internal diameter. A CT image of a phantom object composed of several air-filled tubes immersed in water is used to identify several characteristic features of the X-ray CT system. CT images are then compared between air–water and air–water–cellulose fiber systems. When the fiber mass fraction is 0.1%, gas holdup is slightly higher than that of the air–water system in the column center and near the column wall. In 1.0% cellulose fiber slurries, gas holdup is lower than that of air–water results at all radial positions.
Single-incision laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in children of all age groups.

Abstract Background/Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess different surgical approaches for laparoendoscopic single-site nephroureterectomy according to weight groups. Methods LESS nephroureterectomy was performed in 11 children. Indication for nephrectomy was a non-functioning kidney owing to vesicoureteral reflux or giant cystic dysplasia. Children below 10 kg body weight underwent LESS nephroureterectomy through an umbilical incision using one 5 mm and two 3 mm trocars (Manhattan technique). Patients above 10 kg were operated on using a metal multi-use single-site single port (X-Cone). Results Median age at operation was 12 months (0.75-128), and median weight was 8.5 kg (3.1-67). Median operating time was 110 minutes (50–260). Eight children underwent LESS nephroureterectomy using the Manhattan-technique, and three patients were operated on with the X-Cone. All operations were carried out in a transperitoneal technique without using additional trocars. There were no complications. Recovery was uneventful in all children. Conclusions LESS nephroureterectomy for pediatric patients can be done safely and efficiently, irrespective of age and weight. However, different surgical approaches have to be considered owing to the fact that single-site ports are not available for small children and infants. Both techniques will benefit from future development of instruments and trocars more suitable for small children. The question whether LESS provides even less trauma than in conventional laparoscopy remains doubtful.
The diffusion of carbon in single crystal graphite

Abstract A novel method is described by which the etch decoration technique and electron microscopy are applied to the measurement of self-diffusion in graphite. Natural graphite single crystals have been “labelled” on their outer surfaces by a 14 CO exchange method. The 14 C was diffused into the crystals at temperatures from 2000 °C to 2 600 °C, and they were set aside to allow a few 14 °C atoms to decay to 14 N and thus create lattice vacancies. After cleaving the crystals, vacancies were expanded by oxidation and decorated with gold so that they could be counted. Self diffusion constants for diffusion parallel and perpendicular to the basal plane were 2.9 × 10 −13 cm 2 /sec and 2.5 × 10 −14 cm 2 /sec respectively at 2,200 °C.
Nanofiber-Based in Vitro System for High Myogenic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Myogenic progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can provide unlimited sources of cells in muscle regeneration but their clinical uses are largely hindered by the lack of efficient methods to induce differentiation of stem cells into myogenic cells. We present a novel approach to effectively enhance myogenic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells using aligned chitosan-polycaprolactone (C-PCL) nanofibers constructed to resemble the microenvironment of the native muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) in concert with Wnt3a protein. The myogenic differentiation was assessed by cell morphology, gene activities, and protein expression. hESCs grown on C-PCL uniaxially aligned nanofibers in media containing Wnt3a displayed an elongated morphology uniformly aligned in the direction of fiber orientation, with increased expressions of marker genes and proteins associated with myogenic differentiation as compared to control substrates. The combination of Wnt3a signaling and aligned C-PCL nanofibers resulted in high percentages of myogenic-protein expressing cells over total treated hESCs (83% My5, 91% Myf6, 83% myogenin, and 63% MHC) after 2 days of cell culture. Significantly, this unprecedented high-level and fast myogenic differentiation of hESC was demonstrated in a culture medium containing no feeder cells. This study suggests that chitosan-based aligned nanofibers combined with Wnt3a can potentially act as a model system for embryonic myogenesis and muscle regeneration.
Which Functor Is the Projective Line

the school of the past century is that a mathematical object is in some sense the same as the information needed to encapsulate it. For example, we view a complex vector space Vc as the same as a real vector space VR equipped with an automorphism J satisfying J2 = -Id. By "the same," we mean that it is possible to pass from one description to the other and back without any loss of information. Indeed, given a complex vector space Vc, we can view it as a real vector space VR, and by letting J : VR -> V. be the automorphism defined by J(v) = i v, we obtain the pair (Va, J), as desired. Conversely, if we start with the information (Va, J), we can define a complex structure on Va by declaring (a + bi) v = a v + b J(v). Thus, these two notions of complex vector space convey precisely the same information. More pedantically, a complex vector space is a collection of elements and a collection of rules-rules that dictate how to add vectors, and how to multiply a vector by a complex scalar. Any method of writing down a particular set of rules gives the same vector space, whether that means writing down a complete addition and multiplication table for VC, or first specifying only the structure of a real vector space Va, then declaring (via the automorphism J) how the complex number i will act on Va, and finally letting the vector space axioms along with the fact i generates C over R do the rest of the work. Naturally, vector spaces over C are not alone in this respect: almost all mathematical objects have the (often extremely useful) feature that they can be described in several different ways. Consider, for a moment, the two-element group Z/2. There is a seemingly endless list of ways to specify-and, accordingly, study-this group. We might describe it, as our notation suggests, as the quotient of Z by the ideal of even numbers. We could describe it in terms of generators and relations, (ala2 = e); or as the unique group of order 2; or as the Galois group Gal (C/R). We could, more whimsically, describe it as the group whose set of elements is {cabbages, kings} with the following multiplication table:
MACHIAVELLIANISM IN U.S. BANKERS

This study examined relationships involving Machiavellianism, the career plateau, job satisfaction and salary in a sample of commercial bank officers in the United States. Results showed that American bankers had relatively low Machiavellianism scores compared to scores reported for other groups. While a negative relationship between job satisfaction and Machiavellianism was found, there was no association between salary and Machiavellianism. Those who scored high on Machiavellianism were more likely to believe that they had reached a career plateau than were those who scored low. Some results are explained in the context of the U.S. banking industry environment.
The effects of instruction on college nonmajors' conceptions of respiration and photosynthesis

Students in a college nonscience majors' biology course took tests designed to reveal their conceptions of respiration and photosynthesis before and after course instruction. Even though most students had taken at least a full year of biology, serious misconceptions persisted. Most students gave definitions of respiration, photosynthesis, and food which were markedly different from those generally accepted by biologists. These incorrect definitions were associated with more fundamental misunderstandings about how plants and animals function. Most students could not explain how animal cells use either food or oxygen. They understood plants as vaguely analogous to animals, taking in food through their roots instead of mouths. Previous biology instruction seemed neither to improve student performance on the pretest nor to prepare them to master these conceptions during the course. Course instruction did improve student's understanding, but misconceptions persisted for many students. These results raise fundamental questions about the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction in current high school and college biology courses.
Isolation of an alanine-activating enzyme from pig liver.

Abstract An alanine-activating enzyme has been purified about 3800-fold from extracts of pig-liver cytoplasm. It exhibits a single component upon electrophoresis in three different buffer systems between pH 6.8 and 8.6. The enzyme catalyzes both the synthesis of alanyl-s-RNA and an alanine-dependent exchange of pyrophosphate with adenosine-5′-triphosphate. The enzyme is specific for l -alanine, and requires either cobalt or magnesium ions. The rate of the reaction is enhanced by dichlorophenolindophenol, and is strongly inhibited by substances containing sulfhydryl groups.
The role of Coxsackie group B virus infections in sporadic myopericarditis.

Abstract In a retrospective study of 63 consecutive cases of possible cardiac disease, 20 of 45 patients with myopericarditis had serologic evidence of associated Coxsackie B virus infection. Only 2 of the non-myopericarditis patients had serologic evidence of Coxsackie B infection. (The difference in incidence between the two groups was statistically significant, χ 2 = 4.90, p=0.027.) In evaluating the myopericarditis patients, arthralgia and myalgia were symptoms which occurred much more frequently with associated Coxsackie B infections. Also, the majority of the Coxsackie B patients were over 50 years of age, whereas most of the other myopericarditis patients were in the 31 to 50 age group.
Divergence of RNA localization between rat and mouse neurons reveals the potential for rapid brain evolution.

Neurons display a highly polarized architecture. Their ability to modify their features under intracellular and extracellular stimuli, known as synaptic plasticity, is a key component of the neurochemical basis of learning and memory. A key feature of synaptic plasticity involves the delivery of mRNAs to distinct sub-cellular domains where they are locally translated. Regulatory coordination of these spatio-temporal events is critical for synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity as defects in these processes can lead to neurological diseases. In this work, using microdissected dendrites from primary cultures of hippocampal neurons of two mouse strains (C57BL/6 and Balb/c) and one rat strain (Sprague–Dawley), we investigate via microarrays, subcellular localization of mRNAs in dendrites of neurons to assay the evolutionary differences in subcellular dendritic transcripts localization. Our microarray analysis highlighted significantly greater evolutionary diversification of RNA localization in the dendritic transcriptomes (81% gene identity difference among the top 5% highly expressed genes) compared to the transcriptomes of 11 different central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS tissues (average of 44% gene identity difference among the top 5% highly expressed genes). Differentially localized genes include many genes involved in CNS function. Species differences in sub-cellular localization may reflect non-functional neutral drift. However, the functional categories of mRNA showing differential localization suggest that at least part of the divergence may reflect activity-dependent functional differences of neurons, mediated by species-specific RNA subcellular localization mechanisms.
Intersubband transitions in photon-assisted tunneling through a quantum wire

The photon-assisted coherent tunneling is treated by the equation of motion for nonequilibrium Green functions. The effects of intersubband transitions on the tunneling through a two-level quantum wire are investigated under different conditions by calculating the off-diagonal matrix elements of the electron-photon interaction in addition to diagonal matrix elements. The differences in density of states and current for diagonal and off-diagonal interaction are examined. It is found that electronic transitions due to multiphoton absorption are more or less suppressed when the off-diagonal interaction dominates, while both multi- and single-photon transitions are present when diagonal matrix elements dominate the interaction. Depending on the equilibrium position of Fermi surface in electrode leads, the tunneling current is found to display either peak or plateau structures in the $I\ensuremath{-}V$ curve. The necessary condition for the appearance of absolute negative resistance in either diagonal or off-diagonal interaction is discussed.
Why Not Moral Realism? 1

Abstract This paper argues for the view that moral realism is irrelevant to ethics. It recalls Aristotle’s claim that the Platonic Form of the Good is irrelevant because it is not the sort of thing we can desire or pursue. Moore’s account of ethics in relation to conduct and of the Ideal is woefully inadequate as a morality to live by. Peter Railton’s moral realism also involves a very weak first‐order moral theory. These failures are due, I claim, to the fact that Plato, Moore and Railton regard morality as a science; it is not a science, it is an art.
Identification of Positive Regulators of the Yeast Fps1 Glycerol Channel

The yeast Fps1 protein is an aquaglyceroporin that functions as the major facilitator of glycerol transport in response to changes in extracellular osmolarity. Although the High Osmolarity Glycerol pathway is thought to have a function in at least basal control of Fps1 activity, its mode of regulation is not understood. We describe the identification of a pair of positive regulators of the Fps1 glycerol channel, Rgc1 (Ypr115w) and Rgc2 (Ask10). An rgc1/2Δ mutant experiences cell wall stress that results from osmotic pressure associated with hyper-accumulation of glycerol. Accumulation of glycerol in the rgc1/2Δ mutant results from a defect in Fps1 activity as evidenced by suppression of the defect through Fps1 overexpression, failure to release glycerol upon hypo-osmotic shock, and resistance to arsenite, a toxic metalloid that enters the cell through Fps1. Regulation of Fps1 by Rgc1/2 appears to be indirect; however, evidence is presented supporting the view that Rgc1/2 regulate Fps1 channel activity, rather than its expression, folding, or localization. Rgc2 was phosphorylated in response to stresses that lead to regulation of Fps1. This stress-induced phosphorylation was partially dependent on the Hog1 MAPK. Hog1 was also required for basal phosphorylation of Rgc2, suggesting a mechanism by which Hog1 may regulate Fps1 indirectly.
Rapid detection and characterization of plant virused by agarose gel electrophoresis: Size, surface charge and heterogeneity of panicum mosaic and related viruses

Using panicum mosaic virus (PMV) and several St. Augustine decline strains of PMV (SAD) as test viruses, previously developed procedures of agarose gel electrophoresis (reviewed in P. Serwer, Electrophoresis 1983, 3, 375–382) have been used for the first time to detect and characterize plant viruses. PMV and some SAD strains produce two particles that copurify during rate zonal sedimentation, but form separate bands during agarose gel electrophoresis (forms 1 and 2). By measuring electrophoretic mobility (μ) as a function of agarose percentage and correcting for electroosmosis, it was found that: (a) form 1 has a solid support-free μ (μ0) different from the μ0 of form 2, and (b) forms 1 and 2 have the same radius (14.6 ± 0.6nm). Form 1 is indistinguishable from form 2 by either electron microscopy or sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The μ0 of form 1 and the relative amount of forms 1 and 2 vary with the virus strain and can be used to help identify strains. A previously described satellite of PMV and some SAD strains also has two forms. The radius of the satellite of one SAD strain was found to be 7.6 ± 0.3 nm. A procedure of differential gel staining was developed for distinguishing the 14.6 nm virus from its 7.6 nm satellite. After agarose gel electrophoresis of either totally unfractionated or partially fractionated, infected grass extracts, virus particles wer detected without interference from host components. The procedures used here should be useful for rapid disease diagnosis and strain typing of the above and possibly other plant viruses.
Characterization of cortical secretory vesicles from the sea urchin egg

In order to evaluate the potential role of cortical vesicle exocytosis in modifying the egg surface at fertilization, we have begun characterization of the cortical secretory vesicle. Earlier reports (N. K. Detering, G. L. Decker, E. D. Schmell, and W. Lennarz, 1977, J. Cell Biol. 75, 899-914) have described the isolation of an egg cell surface complex which consists of the egg plasma membrane and cortical secretory vesicles. We have now developed a method of dissassembling the cell surface complex and isolating the cortical vesicles. The very low levels of contaminating plasma membrane in this preparation allow the meaningful comparison of plasma membrane and cortical vesicle proteins and lipids. The cortical vesicles were found to be rich in high-molecular-weight PAS-positive proteins. The majority of these glycoconjugates were solubilized by hypotonic lysis of the cortical vesicles and probably represent proteins sequestered inside the intact vesicles. The fatty acid composition of the cortical vesicles was found to be unusually high in arachidonic acid. The fatty acid composition of the cortical vesicles was closely similar to that of the plasma membrane; however, the cortical vesicles were substantially higher in cholesterol content.
Recent Progress on the Columbus Project and the Mirror Laboratory Program

This paper summarizes recent advances on the Columbus Project telescope and in the University of Arizona Mirror Lab. The Columbus telescope structure has been re-optimized to allow rapid changes between foci, while still maintaining high rigidity. Room has been made to translate secondary and tertiary spiders out of the light path to the center. A bill allowing construction of the telescope on Mt. Graham, Arizona, has been passed by Congress and signed into law. Two alternative enclosure designs, one with a co-rotating building and a second which opens like a flower, are being explored.
Altered sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium cycling—targets for heart failure therapy

Cardiac myocyte function is dependent on the synchronized movements of Ca(2+) into and out of the cell, as well as between the cytosol and sarcoplasmic reticulum. These movements determine cardiac rhythm and regulate excitation-contraction coupling. Ca(2+) cycling is mediated by a number of critical Ca(2+)-handling proteins and transporters, such as L-type Ca(2+) channels (LTCCs) and sodium/calcium exchangers in the sarcolemma, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a), ryanodine receptors, and cardiac phospholamban in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The entry of Ca(2+) into the cytosol through LTCCs activates the release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through ryanodine receptor channels and initiates myocyte contraction, whereas SERCA2a and cardiac phospholamban have a key role in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sequesteration and myocyte relaxation. Excitation-contraction coupling is regulated by phosphorylation of Ca(2+)-handling proteins. Abnormalities in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) cycling are hallmarks of heart failure and contribute to the pathophysiology and progression of this disease. Correcting impaired intracellular Ca(2+) cycling is a promising new approach for the treatment of heart failure. Novel therapeutic strategies that enhance myocyte Ca(2+) homeostasis could prevent and reverse adverse cardiac remodeling and improve clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure.
Thallium in human erythrocyte membranes: an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study.

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectra were made of the surface of vacuum dried human red cells in an unetched state and after argon ion etching into the surface for various times. A thallium signal appeared after 30 minutes (at a depth of ∼100 A) and then disappeared with further etching. The region of the membrane containing thallium may be involved in ion transport, i.e., site of Na + K + ion activated adenosine triphosphate. A iron signal was observed after reaching a depth >500A.
Neutral and polar lipid phase transition of soybeans with various saturated fatty acid contents

Soybeans with modified saturated fatty acid compositions sometimes have lower seed germination rate or other undesirable agronomic traits. To determine if seed germination could be related to the melting transitions of their lipids, triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL) from soybeans with a wide range of saturated fatty acid compositions were examined by differential scanning calorimetry. The melting transition temperatures of both TAG and PL increased with increasing palmitate and stearate percentages. The mean melting points of the various lipids calculated on the basis of the melting points of their fatty acids correlated with the observed transition temperatures. Increased lipid saturation and elevated phase transition temperatures may have contributed to the reduced germination and seedling growth rates of these modified seeds.
Utility of reflex Gomori methenamine silver staining for Pneumocystis jirovecii on bronchoalveolar lavage cytologic specimens: a review.

Pneumocystis jiroveci (Pj; formerly Pneumocystis carinii) is an opportunistic pathogen causing life-threatening pneumonia (Pneumocystis pneumonia) in immunosuppressed individuals. Its diagnosis is dependent on identification in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens. Gomori's methenamine silver nitrate (GMS) stain has been advocated to highlight the organisms in BAL specimens. This study was performed to determine the utility of reflex GMS staining on all BAL specimens for identifying Pj. All BAL specimens from years 2000 to 2004 were processed as cytospins and stained with Papanicolaou (Pap) and GMS stains. A total of 2,984 BAL specimens were identified. A total of 116 (3.9% of total BAL) BAL specimens were diagnostic of Pj. The diagnostic specimens were grouped as follows: 103 (88.8% of total positive cases) Pj identified with both Pap and GMS staining; 11 (9.5% of total positive cases) Pj identified only with Pap staining; and 2 (1.7% of total positive cases) Pj identified only with GMS staining. In conclusion, the prevalence of Pj in BAL specimens is 3.9%, which can be attributed to improved management of immunocompromised patients. Performing reflex GMS staining on all BAL specimens does not improve the diagnostic identification of Pj since the majority (98.3%) of diagnoses can be rendered on Pap stained slides. A cost analysis for GMS staining on 2,879 GMS-negative BAL specimens was estimated at $143,950. Thus, from diagnostic and cost benefit perspectives, GMS staining can be recommended only on cases where Pap stain is negative, and the clinical presentation is consistent with Pneumocystis pneumonia. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:719–723. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Homopiperazine Pt(II) adducts with DNA bases and nucleosides: Crystal structure of [PtII(homopiperazine)(9-ethylguanine)2](NO3)2

Abstract A series of platinum(II) mono- and diadducts of the type [PtII(hmp)XCl]NO3 and [PtII(hmp)X2](NO3)2 (where hmp = homopiperazine and X = adenine, 9-ethylguanine, 7-methylguaninine, cytosine, 1-methylcytosine, or cytidine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and by 1H, 13C, and 195Pt nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystal structure of diadduct [PtII(homopiperazine)(9-ethylguanine)2](NO3)2 was determined using a single crystal X-ray diffraction method. In this complex, platinum had a slightly distorted square planar geometry owing to the presence of a geometrically strained 5-membered ring. The two adjacent corners of the platinum plane were occupied by the two amino nitrogens of hmp, whereas the other two equatorial positions were occupied by two nitrogen atoms of two 9-ethylguanine. The 9-ethylguanine ligands are oriented in a head to tail fashion between 9-ethylguanine and platinum coordination plane possessing approximate C2 molecular symmetry.
Magnetic resonance microscopy of biofouling induced scale dependent transport in porous media

Non-invasive magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) methods are applied to study biofouling of a homogeneous model porous media. MRM of the biofilm biomass using magnetic relaxation weighting shows the heterogeneous nature of the spatial distribution of the biomass as a function of growth. Spatially resolved MRM velocity maps indicate a strong variation in the pore scale velocity as a function of biofilm growth. The hydrodynamic dispersion dynamics for flow through the porous media is quantitatively characterized using a pulsed gradient spin echo technique to measure the propagator of the motion. The propagator indicates a transition in transport dynamics from a Gaussian normal diffusion process following a normal advection diffusion equation to anomalous transport as a function of biofilm growth. Continuous time random walk models resulting in a time fractional advection diffusion equation are shown to model the transition from normal to anomalous transport in the context of a conceptual model for the biofouling. The initially homogeneous porous media is transformed into a more complex heterogeneous porous media by the biofilm growth.
ON THE CLASSIFICATIONAL SEQUENCE OF METEORITES AND THE SUBCLASSES OF THE HEXAHEDRITES

In the first part of this paper, it is proposed that the position of one of the columns in the classificational sequence of meteorites be changed, and the resulting rearrangement of the sequence is presented (in Table 1) and commented on briefly. In the second part, two subclasses of hexahedrites are recognized and fitted into the sequence.
Creative Industries in China: Art, Design and Media

This smart new overview of recent developments in the political economy of Chinese culture displays an ambitious intellectual reach. “Creative industries” include the arts, but also embrace design ...
Oral Anticoagulation in Elderly Adults With Atrial Fibrillation: Integrating New Options With Old Concepts

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and the second most common cardiovascular condition in adults in the United States. It is prevalent in the elderly population and is an important risk factor for stroke. Oral anticoagulation offers significant protection against AF-related thromboembolic events, but several complex issues that contribute to its underuse in elderly adults surround it. To aid clinicians in their approach to these problems, a comprehensive PubMed-based search of the literature published in English from 1990 through July 2012 was conducted using the following terms or combination of terms: atrial fibrillation, elderly, antiplatelet, anticoagulation, stroke, bleeding, hemorrhage, and falls. Additional references were identified in a manual search of bibliographies in retrieved articles. The data were then synthesized to address the most relevant questions regarding anticoagulation in elderly adults, including fall risk, responsiveness to warfarin, physician perception of risks, and other barriers to the prescription of anticoagulants. Recently proposed risk-stratification schemes for stroke and hemorrhage that could refine the selection of antithrombotic therapy for AF are highlighted. Finally, available data on the use of antiplatelet therapy, warfarin, and new oral anticoagulants (direct thrombin inhibitor and factor Xa inhibitors) in AF are summarized.
Bunching System for the Stony Brook Tandem Linac Heavy-Ion Accelerator

A versatile high-efficiency bunching system which is used to couple the Stony Brook 9 MV tandem Van de Graaff to the recently completed superconducting heavy-ion LINAC is described. The major elements of the system are: a pre-tandem double-drift harmonic buncher working at 9.4 and 18.8 MHz, a post-tandem sine-wave beam chopper at 4.7 MHz, a pre-LINAC superconducting double-drift harmonic buncher at 150 and 300 MHz and a high voltage DC-coupled single pulse selecting beam switch.
An Iridium(III) Complex that Exhibits Dual Mechanism Nonlinear Absorption

The photophysical properties of the complex (L)Ir(ppy)2+, where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and L = 4,4‘-(2,2‘-bipyridine-5,5‘-diylbis(ethyne-2,1-diyl))bis(N,N-dihexylaniline), have been investigated under one- and two-photon excitation conditions. In THF solution, the complex exhibits broad ground-state absorption with λmax ≈ 500 nm and weak photoluminescence with λmax ≈ 730 nm. Excitation of (L)Ir(ppy)2+ at 355 nm produces a long-lived excited state (τ ≈ 1 μs) that features a strong excited-state absorption in the near-infrared (λmax ≈ 875 nm, Δe ≈ 6.1 × 104 M-1 cm-1). Photoluminescence and transient absorption studies of (L)Ir(ppy)2+ carried out using 5 ns, 1064 nm pulsed excitation demonstrate that the same long-lived and strongly absorbing excited state can be efficiently produced by two-photon absorption. Solutions of the complex in THF display nonlinear absorption of 5 ns, 1064 nm pulses in a process that is believed to involve a combination of two-photon absorption and reverse saturable absorption.
A non-biological surrogate for sequential disinfection processes

An evaluation of Fluorescent YG-microspheres (Polysciences Inc.) was performed to simulate Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) oocysts inactivation in treatment systems that utilize multiple disinfectants. Experiments were conducted in batch reactors that included an ozone primary stage and a secondary free chlorine treatment stage. A flow cytometer was used to track changes in the fluorescence intensity distribution due to exposure to the chemical disinfectant. Microsphere 'survival ratios' (N/No) were calibrated by selecting an appropriate fluorescence intensity threshold to replicate the inactivation of different C. parvum oocysts strains. Results showed that fluorescent microspheres displayed synergistic effects in the presence of two sequential disinfectants. In addition, microsphere structural tests showed that the polystyrene surface was damaged due to exposure to ozone. This polystyrene damage enhanced the diffusion of the secondary disinfectant into the microsphere, where dye was degraded in the opened polymer layer. As a result, YG-fluorescent microspheres is a promising non-biological technique that is capable of producing similar synergistic behavior as with C. parvum oocysts exposed to ozone followed by chlorine.
Adsorptive endocytosis mediates the passage of HIV-1 across the blood-brain barrier: evidence for a post-internalization coreceptor

HIV-1 induces the AIDS dementia complex and infects brain endothelial and glial cells. Because the endothelial cells comprising the blood-brain barrier (BBB) do not possess CD4 receptors or galactosylceramide binding sites, it is unclear how HIV-1 negotiates the BBB. Previous work has suggested that gp120, the glycoprotein viral coat of HIV-1, is capable of inducing adsorptive endocytosis. Glycoprotein lectins like wheatgerm agglutinin induce adsorptive endocytosis and greatly potentiate the uptake by and passage across mouse endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro. We show here that the wheatgerm agglutinin-induced binding of gp120 is dose-dependent and involves components of the cytoskeleton. The uptake is partially dependent on temperature and energy and is modestly enhanced by potassium depletion. Glycosylation of gp120 is critical for its uptake by adsorptive endocytosis since the non-glycosylated form of gp120 is unaffected by wheatgerm agglutinin. Evidence is presented for the existence of a coreceptor sensitive to protamine sulfate that is primarily involved in membrane fusion after 125I-gp120 has bound to the cell membrane and is probably activated after internalization. This coreceptor probably contains a negatively charged heparin sulfate group and could be a member of the chemokine receptor family.
A Monolithic 25-Gb/s Transceiver With Photonic Ring Modulators and Ge Detectors in a 130-nm CMOS SOI Process

A fully-integrated, silicon photonic transceiver is demonstrated in a silicon-on-insulator process using photonic microring resonator modulators for low power consumption. The trade-offs between bandwidth and extinction ratio are discussed and motivate the use of transmit pre-emphasis for ring modulators to increase the interconnect data rate. The transmitter and receiver is demonstrated to data rates of 25 Gb/s with a BER of 10 ^-12. The total power consumption of the transceiver is 256 mW and demonstrates a link efficiency of 10.2 pJ/bit excluding laser power. At 25 Gb/s, the driver operates at 7.2 pJ/bit.
Super resolution processing for smart antennas

Smart antenna technology has been used to improve the performance of wireless communication systems. In this paper frequency extrapolation is used for obtaining a high resolution capability for base station antenna arrays. A new algorithm based on the eigenvector decomposition is developed for adaptively resolving transmitters which are located close to each other. Initial simulations show that this technique performs as well as existing techniques for low signal to noise ratios. However, in high signal to noise environments, the proposed technique outperforms the existing algorithms.
Allergic contact dermatitis to radiotherapy dye.

Allergic contact dermatitis to resorcin in Castellani's paint used to mark radiotherapy ports is reported.
Two-hop all-optical label swapping with variable length 80 Gb/s packets and 10 Gb/s labels using nonlinear fiber wavelength converters, unicast/multicast output and a single EAM for 80- to 10 Gb/s packet demultiplexing

We demonstrate for the first time two hops of all-optical label swapping of variable length 80 Gb/s packets and 10 Gb/s optical labels, with unicast/multicast capability using an all-optical fiber cross-phase modulation wavelength converter.
A CAD system for designing robotic manipulators

An interactive procedure will be derived to facilitate a designer in choosing proper actuators and their locations and optimal dimensions on each component in a robot so that the robot has the same time constant for any direction of motion and less nonlinear effects. An integrated solution of the following problems will be sought for to derive the procedure. A data structure to represent a robot in a data-base should be created. A proper objective function, which represents the dynamic characteristics of robots (i.e., time constants and nonlinear effects), has to be defined. A method of computing the objective function from a set of optimization variables should be derived. As a case study, a five degree of freedom RHINO robot will be optimized. This paper is an extended abstract because the project is still on the way.
Luteinizing Hormone Secretion Is Not Influenced by Insulin Infusion in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Despite Improved Insulin Sensitivity during Pioglitazone Treatment

It has been reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that LH secretion is not altered by insulin infusion. To determine whether insulin resistance may have precluded an effect of insulin, pulsatile LH secretion and gonadotropin responses to GnRH were examined in PCOS women (n = 9) before and after pioglitazone treatment (45 mg/d) for 20 wk in the presence and absence of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (80 mU/m2.min). Frequent blood samples were obtained for 12 h (every 10 min) as well as during sequential administration of GnRH at doses of 2, 10, and 20 microg over 12 h. A significant (P < 0.05) improvement in insulin sensitivity was seen in the subjects after treatment. Mean LH levels, LH pulse frequency and amplitude, as well as gonadotropin responses to GnRH were not influenced by pioglitazone, either with or without insulin infusion. We conclude that in PCOS women, inappropriate gonadotropin release does not appear to be a consequence of hyperinsulinemia.