cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Akt Protein Kinase Are Necessary and Sufficient for the Survival of Nerve Growth Factor-Dependent Sympathetic Neurons

Recent studies have suggested a role for phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in cell survival, including the survival of neurons. We used rat sympathetic neurons maintained in vitro to characterize the potential survival signals mediated by PI 3-kinase and to test whether the Akt protein kinase, a putative effector of PI 3-kinase, functions during nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated survival. Two PI 3-kinase inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, block NGF-mediated survival of sympathetic neurons. Cell death caused by LY294002 resembles death caused by NGF deprivation in that it is blocked by a caspase inhibitor or a cAMP analog and that it is accompanied by the induction of c-jun , c-fos , and cyclin D1 mRNAs. Treatment of neurons with NGF activates endogenous Akt protein kinase, and LY294002 or wortmannin blocks this activation. Expression of constitutively active Akt or PI 3-kinase in neurons efficiently prevents death after NGF withdrawal. Conversely, expression of dominant negative forms of PI 3-kinase or Akt induces apoptosis in the presence of NGF. These results demonstrate that PI 3-kinase and Akt are both necessary and sufficient for the survival of NGF-dependent sympathetic neurons.
Disruption of Coronary Vasomotor Function: The Coronary Spasm Syndrome

Abnormal coronary vasoconstriction, or coronary spasm, can be the result of several factors, including local and neuroendocrine aberrations. It can manifest clinically as a coronary syndrome and plays an important role in the genesis of myocardial ischemia. Over the past half century, coronary angiography allowed the in vivo demonstration of spasm in patients who fit the initial clinical description of the condition as reported by Prinzmetal et al. Several clinical, basic, and more recently, genetic studies have provided insight into the pathogenesis, manifestations, and therapy of this condition. It is not uncommonly encountered in patients with coronary syndromes and absence of clearly pathologic lesions on angiography. Provocation tests utilizing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic stimuli combined with imaging (echocardiography or coronary angiography) can help make the correct diagnosis. The use of calcium channel blockers and long-acting nitrates is currently considered standard of care and the overall prognosis appears to be good. The recent discovery of genetic abnormalities predisposing to abnormal spasm of the coronaries has stimulated interest in the development of targeted therapies for the management of this condition.
Flux flow in materials where ϰ ∼ 1

Kim-Anderson flux flow theory for materials with kappa nearly equal to 1, discussing pinning forces and sites
Modals are monsters: on indexical shift in English

I argue, contra Kaplan, that all English indexicals are shiftable. Starting from a new puzzle involving epistemic conditionals, I propose a semantics that accounts for embeddings of indexicals under non-metaphysical modals like might or believe. The central idea is that indexicals are variables: epistemic and doxastic modals are able to shift them by shifting the value of the assignment function. So all epistemic and doxastic modals turn out to be Kaplanian monsters. I close by arguing that the monstrous account has empirical advantages on the classical semantics for attitudes in the Kaplan tradition, and in particular on the recent version of it proposed by Percus and Sauerland.
Improving the Efficiency of Gynecologic Sonography With 3-Dimensional Volumes A Pilot Study

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether 3-dimensional (3D) sonography can provide a rapid, efficient, and accurate way to do a transvaginal gynecologic scan compared with traditional 2-dimensional (2D) sonography. Methods Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent gynecologic sonography formed the study cohort. After a standard 2D transvaginal scan was done, including measurements of the endometrium and abnormalities, 4 volume acquisitions were obtained, encompassing the uterus (2 volumes) and the ovaries. These volumes were reviewed offline without any patient information. Endometrium and other measurements were performed on the volumes. The 2D and 3D results were compared by paired t tests. Results The mean time needed for the standard 2D scan was 2.6 minutes compared with 1.07 minutes for the 3D volume acquisitions. The mean time for the reconstruction, measurement, and interpretation of the volumes offline was 1.19 minutes. The mean time for the entire 3D examination (both parts) was 2.26 minutes (P = .047, comparing 2D with total 3D). There was no significant difference between the measurements of the endometrium, fibroids, and ovarian cysts when comparing 2D and reconstructed 3D images. Two-dimensional and 3D sonography differed little in their ability to identify the organs and the abnormalities on the scans. Conclusions This study shows that a complete transvaginal gynecologic examination can be done in 1.07 minutes of scan time and interpreted offline in an additional 1.19 minutes. The 35 cases were scanned and interpreted with the use of 3D sonography in 79.17 minutes total compared with 91.46 minutes of 2D scan time (P = .047). The accuracy of the scan was similar for both techniques.
Selection of ligands for affinity chromatography using quartz crystal biosensor.

This paper described a new strategy for rapid selecting ligands for application in affinity chromatography using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor. An aminoglycoside antibiotic drug, kanamycin (KM), was immobilized on the gold electrodes of the QCM sensor chip. The binding interactions of the immobilized KM with various proteins in solution were monitored as the variations of the resonant frequency of the modified sensor. Such a rapid screen analysis of interactions indicated clearly that KM-immobilized sensor showed strong specific interaction only with lysozyme (LZM). The resultant sensorgrams were rapidly analyzed by using a kinetic analysis software based on a genetic algorithm to derive both the kinetic rate constants (kass and kdiss) and equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) for LZM−KM interactions. The immobilized KM showed higher affinity to LZM with a dissociation constant on the order of 10-5 M, which is within the range of 10-4−10-8 M and suitable for an affinity ligand. Therefore...
Transports of ionic liquids in ionic polymer conductor network composite actuators

We investigate the influence of ionic liquids on the electromechanical performance of Ionic Polymer Conductor Network Composite (IPCNC) bending actuators. Two imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) with one cation, which is 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium ([EMI+]), and two different anions, which are tetrafluoroborate ([BF4-]) and trifluoromethanesulfonate ([Tf-]), are chosen for the study. By combining the time domain electric and electromechanical responses, we developed a new model that describes the ion transports in IPCNC actuators. The time constant of excess cation and anion migration in various composite electrodes are deduced: 6s and 25s in RuO2/Nafion; 7.9s and 36.3s in RuO2/Aquivion; 4.8s and 53s in Au/PAH, respectively. NMR is also applied to provide quantitative measures of self-diffusion coefficients independently for IL anions and cations both in pure ILs and in ILs absorved into ionomers. All the results indicate that the motion of cation, in the studied pure ionic liquids, polymer matrix and conductor network composites, is faster than that of anion. Moreover, the CNC morphology is playing a crucial role in determining the ion transport in the porous electrodes.
Thermal infrared near-field spectroscopy.

Despite the seminal contributions of Kirchhoff and Planck describing far-field thermal emission, fundamentally distinct spectral characteristics of the electromagnetic thermal near-field have been ...
Operant self-administration of ethanol in C57BL/6 mice lacking β-endorphin and enkephalin

To test whether endogenous opioid peptides are necessary for the rewarding effects of ethanol, we examined operant oral self-administration of ethanol in mice congenic to the C57BL/6J strain but lacking expression of β-endorphin, enkephalin or both peptides. The influences of prandial state, schedule interval and type, and ethanol concentration were all examined. Food-restricted subjects were tested in postprandial and preprandial states and subsequently at normal body weight when feeding ad libitum (ad lib). Operant studies were conducted using fixed ratio (FR) intervals of 2 and 8 as well as a progressive ratio (PR) interval of 2. The main significant effect relevant to our hypothesis was increased responding by female mice lacking β-endorphin under ad lib feeding conditions and only for lower ethanol concentrations (3% and 6%). Importantly, all subjects including those lacking both β-endorphin and enkephalins learned to self-administer ethanol similarly to wild-type mice and maintained responding for ethanol under a variety of procedural variables. Consequently, the two opioid peptides believed to be the endogenous ligands for the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) were not necessary to shape or perpetuate ethanol-reinforced operant responding. These results suggest that the rewarding effects of ethanol do not require β-endorphin or enkephalin signaling.
The Crystal Structures of CsTh 6 F 25 and NaTh 3 F 13

Two new alkali thorium fluorides have been synthesized hydrothermally and structurally characterized. The structures of CsTh6F25 and NaTh3F13 are each described in space group P63 /mmc (No. 194) with a = 8.3507(12) and c = 16.914(3) A, and a = 8.2570(12) and c = 16.891(3) A, respectively. Both structures exhibit a framework structure containing pores, unlike most of their alkali metal thorium fluoride analogs. The significant structural difference between the two compounds, however, is the arrangement of the alkali metal within the pores formed in the framework. Accordingly the pores exhibit differing degrees of distortion depending on their contents. Two new alkali thorium fluorides, CsTh6F25 and NaTh3F13, have been synthesized hydrothermally and found to crystallize in space group P63 /mmc (No. 194) with both having an interesting structural difference in the contents of the pores formed from their framework structures.
Connectional networks within the orbital and medial prefrontal cortex of macaque monkeys

The intrinsic cortico-cortical connections within the orbital and medial prefrontal cortex (OMPFC) were demonstrated with retrograde and anterograde tracers injected into each of the architectonic areas that constitute this region. Although many of the connections linked neighboring areas, others selectively connected relatively distant areas. Most, but not all, of the connections were reciprocal. Altogether, the connections formed at least two distinct networks within the OMPFC. The “orbital” prefrontal network linked most of the areas within the orbital cortex, with very few connections to medial prefrontal areas. Areas Iam, Iapm, Ial, 121, 12m, and 12r in the caudal and lateral parts of the orbital cortex (which received inputs from several sensory modalities) had convergent connections with areas 13l, 13m, and 13b in the central orbital cortex, with further connections to the rostral orbital area 11l. For the connections between areas Iapm, Iam, Ial, 13m, 13l, and 11l, rostrally directed fibers arose mainly in layer V, whereas caudally directed fibers originated mainly in layer III. The “medial” prefrontal network selectively involved medial areas 14r, 14c, 24, 25, 32, and 10m, rostral orbital areas 10o and 11m, and agranular insular area Iai in the posterior orbital cortex. Two orbital areas, 13a and 12o, had substantial connections to both networks and may serve as points of interaction between them; otherwise there were relatively few interconnections. The two networks also had distinct connections with other cortical regions, with limbic structures, and with the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus. Their role in guidance of affective behavior is discussed. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Exact analytical solutions basic to a class of two-body orbits

The theory of complex variables is used to establish exact analytical solutions to a class of two-body problems. In view of Lambert's theorem, two points on the conic, the chord-distance between the two points, and the time interval are considered given, and subsequently the solutions for the semi-major axis required to define the orbit are developed and expressed ultimately in terms of elementary quadratures.
Control of mitochondrial respiration: a quantitative evaluation of the roles of cytochrome c and oxygen.

Abstract The dependence of the mitochondrial respiratory rate on the reduction of cytochrome c has been measured as a function of the exogenous [ ATP ] [ ADP ][ P i ] ratio and pH. The respiratory rate at [ ADP ] [ ADP ][ P i ] values of less than 10-1 m -1 is proportional to the reduction of cytochrome c and independent of pH from pH 6.5 to pH 8.O. The maximal turnover number (at 100% reduction) for cytochrome c is approximately 70 s−1. As the [ ATP ] [ ADP ][ P i ] ratio is increased from 10−1 m −1 to 104 m −1, the respiration at any given level of reduction of cytochrome c is progressively inhibited. Greater inhibition is observed at more oxidized levels of cytochorme c with respiratory control values for oxidation of reduced cytochrome c exceeding 10. The behavior of mitochondrial respiratory control is shown to be quantitatively consistent with a proposed mechanism in which the regulation occurs in the reaction of oxygen with cytochrome oxidase. A steady-state rate expression is derived which fits the mitochondrial respiratory rate dependence on (i) the extramitochondrial [ ATP ] [ ADP ][ P i ] ratio; (ii) the level of reduction of cytochrome c (or the intramitochondrial [ NAD + ] [NADH]) at different [ ATP ] [ ADP ][ P i ] values; (iii) the pH of the suspending medium. This rate expression appears to correctly predict the relationships of the cytoplasmic [ ATP ] [ ADP ][ P i ] ratio, the mitochondrial [ NAD + ] [ NADH ] ratio, and the mitochondrial respiratory rate in intact cells as well as suspensions of isolated mitochondria.
Caught between two opinions : Africans, Europeans, and Indians in Olaudah Equiano's interesting narrative

AbstractEven before Paul Gilroy's theorizing of the Black Atlantic, Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African (1789) had been seen as a crucial illustration of the radical possibilities available for enterprising Africans in the 18th-century Atlantic world. Instead of reading the binary opposition of Africa and England or of colonizer and colonized, this article attempts to complicate binary understandings of Equiano by attending to the intersections of Africa, Europe, and the Mosquito Coast in Equiano's narrative. A more nuanced understanding of Equiano's narrative self-construction allows us to not only reappraise his place in the canon but to develop a more accurate model for understanding race and identity in the long 18th-century.
U.S. Health Care: A Conundrum and a Challenge

Background This report was conceived as a contribution to the national debate regarding U.S. health care (HC) and as a means of explaining the challenges facing U.S. HC to the international readers of WORLD NEUROSURGERY . Methods The basic economic concepts pertinent to health care, including fundamentals of economic theories, gross domestic product (GDP), U.S. revenues and expenditures and the U.S. federal deficit and national debt, are discussed at the outset of this study. This is followed by a review of the U.S. health insurance paradigms and a detailed analysis of the escalating cost of U.S. health care. Finally, the efforts designed to reverse the paradigm of escalating health care costs will be discussed. Results This study reveals that should the U.S. HC cost continue to escalate at the same rate, HC would consume the entire gross domestic product by 2070. The root causes for this trend are overutilization of HC, inappropriate allocation of HC costs at the end of life, defensive medicine, high-end technology and prescription drugs, failure of competitive market forces, and administrative costs, inefficiency, and waste. The proposed means of reversing this paradigm, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, are discussed in light of their economic and social impact. Conclusions The reversal of the current paradigm of escalating cost of U.S. HC will require extraordinary leadership across the entire spectrum of HC delivery. It is concluded that neither the Affordable Care Act nor the Path to Prosperity will succeed unless the escalating cost of U.S. HC is reversed. It is hoped that this report contributes to that end.
Beyond 40: Past Presidents' Perceptions

In recognition of the Association for Humanistic Education and Development's 40th anniversary as a division of ACA, 11 past presidents prepared vision statements to help the leaders and members decide future courses of action and direction.
A novel effect of indomethacin on prostaglandin F2 alpha synthesis and metabolism by the human prostate.

Abstract Human prostate tissue has been found to be an excellent organ for synthesizing and metabolizing prostaglandin F2 alpha. Employing 3H-arachidonic acid as substrate, tritium incorporation into PGF2 alpha and three different metabolites, namely, 15-keto-PGF2 alpha, 13, 14-dihydro-PGFP2 alpha, and 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha, has been shown. The identity of these substances was corroborated by gas chromatography and chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Indomethacin has been widely reported as an inhibitor of PGF2 alpha synthesis. In our experiments, upon adding indomethacin, slight to no inhibition of PGF2 alpha synthesis was seen. Instead, we found a highly significant increase in the incorporation of the tritium of arachidonic acid into 15-keto-PGF2 alpha. We interpret these findings as evidence that the indomethacin may block not PGF2 alpha synthetase, but the Δ13-reductase, thus causing the accumulation of this enzyme's substrate, 15-keto-PGF2 alpha.
Disturbed-Flow-Mediated Vascular Reactive Oxygen Species Induce Endothelial Dysfunction

Emerging evidence is revealing the different roles of steady laminar flow (s-flow) and disturbed flow (d-flow) in the regulation of the vascular endothelium. s-flow is atheroprotective while d-flow creates an atheroprone environment. Most recently, we found unique atheroprone signals, which involve protein kinase C (PKC)ζ activation, elicited by d-flow. We and others have defined a novel role for PKCζ as a shared mediator for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and d-flow, which cause pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic events in endothelial cells (ECs) in the atheroprone environment. Under such conditions, ONOO(-) formation is increased in a d-flow-mediated PKCζ-dependent manner. Here, we propose a new signaling pathway involving d-flow-induced EC inflammation via PKCζ-ERK5 interaction-mediated downregulation of KLF2/eNOS stability, which leads to PKCζ-mediated p53-SUMOylation and EC apoptosis. In addition, we highlight several mechanisms contributing to endothelial dysfunction, focusing on the relations between flow patterns and activation of reactive oxygen species generating enzymes.
Apocrine sweat gland obstruction by antiperspirants allowing transdermal absorption of cutaneous generated hormones and pheromones as a link to the observed incidence rates of breast and prostate cancer in the 20th century

Breast and prostate cancer share similarities and likely represent homologous cancers in females and males, respectively. The role of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen in carcinogenesis is well established. Despite worldwide research efforts, the pathogenesis of these diseases is largely not well understood. Personal care products containing estrogens or xenoestrogens have raised concern as a breast cancer risk, especially in young African-American women. In the United States (US) there is a parallel rise in the incidence in breast and prostate cancer compared to selected non-hormone dependent tumors. Observed US and global breast and prostate cancer incidence increases were occurring before exogenous hormone replacement and xenoestrogen exposure were commonplace. An unintentional, inadvertent, and long term hormone exposure may occur from transdermal absorption of sex hormones and pheromones (androgens) from axillary apocrine sweat gland obstruction by aluminum-based antiperspirants. The global rise in antiperspirant use parallels rises in breast and prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates. A multi-disciplinary literature based set of evidence is presented on how such a link is possible, to prompt confirmatory investigations in the pursuit of unmet needs in breast and prostate cancer etiology and prevention.
Linking technology, learning, and stories: Implications from research on hypermedia video-cases

Abstract Teacher educators have been turning to video-based hypermedia cases as a strategy to confront the challenges of preparing teachers. Even though technology has been shown to have a transformative effect on teaching and learning, innovated uses in classrooms have been the exception rather than the norm. This paper describes how a teacher candidate responded to video and hypermedia cases in ways that assisted her in transforming knowledge and beliefs about literacy instruction. The author describes this transformative process, explores the relationship between narrative ways of knowing and learning from technology, and discusses implications for teacher preparation.
Precursors to Water-Soluble Dinitrogen Carriers. Synthesis of Water-Soluble Complexes of Iron(II) Containing Water-Soluble Chelating Phosphine Ligands of the Type 1,2-Bis(bis(hydroxyalkyl)phosphino)ethane

The reactions of the water-soluble chelating phosphines 1,2-bis(bis(hydroxyalkyl)phosphino)ethane (alkyl = n-propyl, DHPrPE; n-butyl, DHBuPE; n-pentyl, DHPePE) with FeCl2·4H2O and FeSO4·7H2O were studied as routes to water-soluble complexes that will bind small molecules, dinitrogen in particular. The products that form and their stereochemistry depend on the solvent, the counteranion, and the alkyl chain length on the phosphine. In alcoholic solvents, the reaction of FeCl2·4H2O with 2 equiv of DHBuPE or DHPePE gave trans-Fe(L2)2Cl2. The analogous reactions in water with DHBuPE and DHPePE gave only cis products, and the reaction of FeSO4·7H2O with any of the phosphines gave only cis-Fe(L2)2SO4. These results are interpreted as follows. The trans stereochemistry of the products from the reactions of FeCl2·4H2O in alcohols is suggested to be the consequence of the trans geometry of the Fe(H2O)4Cl2 complex, i.e., substitution of the water molecules by the phosphines retains the geometry of the starting mater...
Correlation between automotive CO, HC, NO, and PM emission factors from on-road remote sensing: implications for inspection and maintenance programs

Abstract Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and nitrogen oxide (NO) emission factors (EFs) are measured with a commercial vehicle emissions remote sensing system (VERSS) during a large-scale vehicle exhaust emissions study in Las Vegas. Particulate matter (PM) EFs are simultaneously measured for individual vehicles with a newly developed PM-VERSS based on ultraviolet backscatter light detection and ranging (Lidar). The effectiveness of CO and HC EFs as proxy for NO and PM EFs for spark-ignition vehicles is evaluated. Poor correlations were found between EFs for pollutants on an individual vehicle basis indicating that high EFs for one or more pollutants cannot be used as a predictor of high EFs for other pollutants. Stronger functional relationships became evident after averaging the EF data in bins based on rank-order of a single pollutant EF. Low overlap between the highest 10% emitters for CO, HC, NO, and PM was found. These results imply that for an effective reduction of the four pollutants, inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs, including clean screening, should measure all four pollutants individually. Fleet average CO and HC concentrations determined by gaseous VERSS were compared with fleet average CO and HC concentrations measured at low-idle and at high-idle during local I/M tests for spark-ignition vehicles. The fleet average CO concentrations measured by I/M tests at either idle were about half of those measured by remote sensing. The fleet average high-idle HC concentration measured by I/M tests was about half of that measured by VERSS while low-idle I/M and VERSS HC average concentrations were in better agreement. For a typical vehicle trip, most of the fuel is burned during non-idle conditions. I/M measurements collected during idling conditions may not be a good indicator of a vehicle’s potential to be a high emitter. VERSS measurements, when the vehicle is under a load, should more effectively identify high emitting vehicles that have a large contribution to the mobile emissions inventory.
The proposed Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX)

The World Climate Research Program (WCRP) has provided the scientific incentive for a very significant step forward in the development of global oceanic observations, especially the preparation of a new generation of oceanographic satellites that will sense the topography of the mean sea surface, wind stress, sea state, and temperature . On the other hand, progress in understanding the atmospheric and interface processes that control Earth's climate has been based, so far, on information provided by existing global observing systems. These are, to a large extent, the operational heritage of the technological developments undertaken on the occasion of the Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP) Global Weather Experiment. These observing systems were designed to determine the basic quantities of dynamic meteorology, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wind, with the main objective of developing global weather prediction. It is only through the use of ad hoc procedures and empirical schemes that additional information can be inferred from these observations to estimate essential climate-related quantities such as the cloud cover, radiative fluxes, and rainfall. These ad hoc schemes have limitations that are now seriously hampering further advances in the understanding of the dynamics and thermodynamics of the climate system.
Likelihood-Based Control of Engine Knock

Engine knock is an undesirable phenomenon, which requires feedback control in order to maximize engine efficiency and avoid damage to the engine. In this paper, an analysis of experimental data is used to provide further evidence that knock behaves as a cyclically uncorrelated random process. It is argued that all knock controllers are therefore ultimately stochastic in nature and that the knock control problem is best undertaken within a stochastic framework. The properties of knock events are discussed and, based on these properties, a new likelihood-based stochastic knock controller is presented. The new controller achieves a significantly improved regulatory response relative to conventional strategies, while also maintaining a rapid transient response. It is therefore possible to operate closer to the knock limit without increasing the risk of engine damage.
Ibandronate treatment for osteoporosis: Rationale, preclinical and clinical development of extended dosing regimens

Ibandronate is a potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate available as a once-monthly oral formulation for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Preclinical experiments with estrogen-depleted rats, dogs, and monkeys demonstrated the efficacy of daily and intermittent ibandronate dosing. Initial clinical trials explored the optimal dosing regimens for oral administration in humans. The Oral Ibandronate Osteoporosis Vertebral Fracture Trial in North America and Europe (BONE) and Monthly Oral Ibandronate in Ladies (MOBILE) trials demonstrated that long-term daily and intermittent administration of ibandronate was efficacious for increasing bone mineral density, reducing markers of bone turnover, and preventing fractures, while maintaining bone quality. These preclinical and clinical ibandronate trials provided progressive evidence that a simple, long interval dosing regimen could offer efficacy and safety comparable with currently available bisphosphonates. It is anticipated that once-monthly ibandronate may have a positive impact on patient adherence, and ultimately, on fracture protection in osteoporotic women.
Photonic crystals: Imaging by flat lens using negative refraction

The positive refractive index of conventional optical lenses means that they need curved surfaces to form an image, whereas a negative index of refraction allows a flat slab of a material to behave as a lens and focus electromagnetic waves to produce a real image. Here we demonstrate this unique feature of imaging by a flat lens, using the phenomenon of negative refraction in a photonic crystalline material. The key advance that enabled us to make this observation lies in the design of a photonic crystal with suitable dispersion characteristics to achieve negative refraction over a wide range of angles.
Melting relations of basalt-andesile-rhyolite-H_2O and a pelagic red clay at 30 kb

An olivine basalt, a tonalite (andesite), a granite (rhyolite), and a red clay (pelagic sediment) were reacted, with known quantities of water in sealed noble metal capsules, in a piston-cylinder apparatus at 30 kb pressure. For the pelagic sediment, with H_2O+=7.8% and no additional water, the liquidus temperature is 1240°C, the primary phases are garnet and kyanite. The subsolidus phase assemblage is phengite mica+garnet+clinopyroxene+coesite+kyanite. With 5 wt.% water added, the liquidus temperatures and primary phases for the calc-alkaline rocks are 1280°-1180°-1080°, garnet+clinopyroxene, garnet, and quartz respectively. Garnet and clinopyroxene occur throughout the melting interval of the olivine tholeiite for all water contents. Garnet is joined by clinopyroxene 80° below the andesite plus 5% H_2O liquidus, quartz is joined by clinopyroxene 180° below the rhyolite plus 5% H_2O liquidus. The subsolidus phase assemblage is garnet+clinopyroxene+coesite+minor kyanite for all the calc-alkaline compositions. We conclude that calc-alkaline andesites and rhyolites are not equilibrium partial melting pruducts of subducted oceanic crust consisting of olivine tholeiite basalt and siliceous sediments. Partial melting in subduction zones produces broadly acid and intermediate liquids, but these liquids lie off the calc-alkaline basalt-andesite-rhyolite join and must undergo modification at lower pressures to produce calcalkaline magmas erupted in overlying island arcs.
A Method of Measuring Escherichia Coli O157:H7 at 1 Cell/mL in 1 Liter Sample Using Antibody Functionalized Piezoelectric-Excited Millimeter-Sized Cantilever Sensor

Piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensors immobilized with antibody specific to Escherichia coli (EC) O157:H7 is used to detect EC at 1 cell/mL in 1 mL and 1 L samples in a batch and flow mode, respectively. Two sensor designs were used. The first design (PEMC-a) has both the piezoelectric and non-piezoelectric layer anchored, while in the second design (PEMC-b) had only the piezoelectric layer anchored. PEMC-a, used in batch mode with 1 mL sample, showed limit of detection at 10 cells/mL using the second bending mode at 85.5 kHz in air. PEMC-b exhibited resonant frequencies at 186.5, 883.5, and 1778.5 kHz in air and 162.5, 800.0, and 1725.5 kHz in sample flow conditions. A one-liter sample containing 1000 EC cells was introduced at 1.5, 2.5, 3, and 17 mL/min, and the change in resonant frequency was monitored. The total frequency change observed for the mode at 800 kHz and sample flow rates of 1.5, 2.5, 3, and 17 mL/min were 2230 ± 11, 3069 ± 47, 4686 ± 97, and 7188 ± 52 Hz, respec...
Increasing the microporosities of activated carbons

The microporosities of activated carbons were increased by two treatments. One involved depositing fine carbon particles on the activated carbons from pyrolyzing methanol accompanied by heating; and the other involved solely the heating of activated carbons in an inert atmosphere. The surface areas and pore volumes of the activated carbons increased by 43.43% and 75.75%, respectively, upon the former treatment, and as much as 61.96% and 100.82%, respectively, upon the latter treatment. Moreover, the number of pores with diameters ranging from 0.4 to 2.0 nm was appreciably magnified by both treatments, thereby giving rise to an increase in their microporosities.
Definability in Functional Analysis

The role played by real-valued functions in functional analysis is fundamental. One often considers metrics, or seminorms, or linear functional, to mention some important examples. We introduce the notion of definable real-valued function in functional analysis: a real-valued function f defined on a structure of functional analysis is definable if it can be "approximated" by formulas which do not involve f. We characterize definability of real-valued functions in terms of a purely topological condition which does not involve logic. ?
Electrical conductivity modeling and experimental study of densely packed SWCNT networks

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) networks have become a subject of interest due to their ability to support structural, thermal and electrical loadings, but to date their application has been hindered due, in large part, to the inability to model macroscopic responses in an industrial product with any reasonable confidence. This paper seeks to address the relationship between macroscale electrical conductivity and the nanostructure of a dense network composed of SWCNTs and presents a uniquely formulated physics-based computational model for electrical conductivity predictions. The proposed model incorporates physics-based stochastic parameters for the individual nanotubes to construct the nanostructure such as: an experimentally obtained orientation distribution function, experimentally derived length and diameter distributions, and assumed distributions of chirality and registry of individual CNTs. Case studies are presented to investigate the relationship between macroscale conductivity and nanostructured variations in the bulk stochastic length, diameter and orientation distributions. Simulation results correspond nicely with those available in the literature for case studies of conductivity versus length and conductivity versus diameter. In addition, predictions for the increasing anisotropy of the bulk conductivity as a function of the tube orientation distribution are in reasonable agreement with our experimental results. Examples are presented to demonstrate the importance of incorporating various stochastic characteristics in bulk conductivity predictions. Finally, a design consideration for industrial applications is discussed based on localized network power emission considerations and may lend insight to the design engineer to better predict network failure under high current loading applications.
All-in-one live: genes trapped, tagged and conditionally broken.

A transposon-insertion method can trap and mutate genes while simultaneously revealing their spatiotemporal expression pattern, all in a conditional manner in the live, transparent zebrafish.
Simulation of vorticity dominated flows using a hybrid approach. I: Formulation

Abstract The formulation of a numerical solution method for the Navier–Stokes equations in domains with cylindrical boundaries based on a hybrid spectral – finite difference approach is presented. The main contributions of the present paper are complete proofs for the pole conditions for scalar and vector fields and the modified pdes for the streamfunction modes that are shown to possess solutions satisfying the pole conditions.
SIMULATION OF A SYNCHRONOUS MACHINE WITH AN OPEN PHASE

ABSTRACT Techniques are described for simulating an open circuit of a three phase synchronous machine using Park's equations. Set forth in detail is an exact analytical technique that results in an all-dq0 simulation eliminating entirely the need for matrix inversion inherent to the commonly used phase variable approach. In addition, it is shown that this method of simulation markedly reduces the computation time. This work sets the stage for an all dq0 simulation of unbalanced operation of power systems wherein variable step size integration may be employed to full advantage. Also reported is the application of this technique to the simulation of a single phase synchronous machine.
A 78nm 6F/sup 2/ DRAM technology for multigigabit densities

This paper discusses a manufacturable 6F/sup 2/ DRAM technology at a 78nm half-pitch feature size that results in the smallest DRAM cell size (0.036 /spl mu/m/sup 2/) to date. The novel 6F/sup 2/ cell design utilizes line/space patterning and self-aligned etches to improve process margin. An MINI capacitor that employs composite high-k dielectric materials is integrated into the process. Tungsten-clad WL and BL reduce parasitics and noise to make this 6F/sup 2/ technology suitable for 2Gb-4Gb density DRAM with a competitive die size for volume production.
Potential Gradient and Flux Density Their Measurement by an Improved Method in Irregular Electrostatic and Magnetic Fields

The safety of electric power cables is dependent in part upon the maximum electrostatic flux density in the dielectric. The core loss in revolving machinery is, in part, a pole-face loss, dependent on variations in the magnetic flux density. Alternators work best in parallel, and give less interference with communication circuits, if of a good wave form, of flux density. These fields of electrostatic and magnetic flux are often too irregular to lend themselves to an accurate comaputation, and hence experimental methods of study are needed. The writers have improved a method suggested by F. W. Carter, and the results obtained give promise of a field for useful study. The method itself may be briefly described as measuring an electric model of the field to be studied cut out of sheet metal. By the use of a contact-making device, with two contacts, held at a fixed distance apart, but movable to any part of the edge of the metal sheet, voltage gradients may be measured upon a galvanometer. From these measurements, the flux densities may be calculated. The paper describes the method in detail and also gives some results of study on the three problems mentioned. It is shown how this method of test can be used to improve pole-shoe design. The importance of pole-shoe design is pointed out. An appendix is included, showing that correct pole-shoe design is needed to eliminate the so-called ``tooth ripples.''
Spent medium analysis for liquid culture micropropagation of Hemerocallis on Murashige and Skoog medium

Residual nutrients from Murashige and Skoog medium were analyzed following a 5-wk multifactor experiment. Plant density, sugar concentration, and plant growth regulators (benzyladenine and ancymidol) were examined using four genotypes of daylily (Hemerocallis) to determine which factors most influenced nutrient use. Active nutrient uptake was observed for 11 nutrients (potassium, sodium, copper, phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, boron, sulfur, and zinc) with lower concentrations in spent medium than in the tissue water volume (fresh-dry mass expressed as mL H2O). Two patterns of nutrient use were visualized by correlative analysis of nutrient uptake. Greatest growth lowered plant nutrient concentrations of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and copper in all genotypes, and luxuriant uptake was indicated with least growth. Potassium, sodium, iron, and copper concentrations in plant dry matter were equal to or exceeded what is observed in vigorously growing nursery plants. However, phosphorus concentration in plant dry matter was low enough to be considered deficient when compared to Hemerocallis plants in nursery production. With a second group of nutrients (calcium, magnesium, manganese, and boron), the genotype, “Barbara Mitchell” lacked active uptake and was deficient. Calcium concentration was low in all plants compared to Hemerocallis grown under nursery conditions (“Barbara Mitchell” was the lowest concentration) despite active uptake by the other three genotypes—“Brocaded Gown,” “Mary’s Gold,” and “Heart of a Missionary.” Magnesium concentration in these three genotypes was low enough in vessels with greatest growth to question its adequacy at high densities. Increased sucrose in medium reduced the dry matter concentrations of all tested nutrients. Plant growth regulators had less impact on nutrient use than genotype and plant density. Nutrient uptake may be an important physiological component of genotypic variation.
Effects of in utero and postnatal sodium saccharin exposure on the nutritional status of the young rat. I. Effects at 30 days post-birth

Abstract The incidence of sodium saccharin (NaS)-associated bladder tumours in male rats increases when exposure to high doses begins in utero or at birth compared with treatment after weaning. The present experiment evaluated the effect of NaS exposure on selected physiological parameters in young second generation rats. 6-wk-old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on either a diet supplemented with 7.5% NaS or an untreated diet, and mated 4–6 wk later. Treatment was continued through lactation and the offspring were weaned on to the same diet. Body weights were significantly depressed in NaS-treated litters by 4 days after birth, and were 35% lower than controls by 30 days when the animals were killed. NaS treatment of the offspring was associated with an increase in faecal moisture content and caeal content weight, changes in several urinary analytes, a 50% increase in serum cholesterol, a 10-fold increase in serum triglycerides and decreases in serum and hepatic vitamins. In addition, NaS-treated dams and pups were anaemic. Relatively few differences between males and females were noted, but significant inter-litter differences existed. The numerous physiological changes indicate that 7.5% dietary NaS exceeds the maximum tolerated dose for weanling rats.
Interleukin-21 Is a Critical Cytokine for the Generation of Virus-Specific Long-Lived Plasma Cells

Long-lived plasma cells that reside in the bone marrow constitutively produce antibody in the absence of antigen and are the cellular basis of durable humoral immunity. The generation of these long-lived plasma cells depends upon a series of highly orchestrated interactions between antigen-specific CD4 T cells and B cells and the formation of germinal centers (GCs). In this study, we have examined the role of the cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) in regulating humoral immunity during acute viral infections. Using IL-21 receptor-deficient (IL-21R−/−) mice, we found that virus-specific CD4 T cells were generated after infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and that these CD4 T cells differentiated into T follicular helper (TFH)-like cells in the absence of IL-21 signaling. There was also no defect in the formation of GCs, although after day 15 these GCs disappeared faster in IL-21R−/− mice than in wild-type mice. Isotype switching and the initial LCMV-specific IgG response were normal in IL-21R−/− mice. However, these mice exhibited a profound defect in generating long-lived plasma cells and in sustaining antibody levels over time. Similar results were seen after infection of IL-21R−/− mice with vesicular stomatitis virus and influenza virus. Using chimeric mice containing wild-type or IL-21R−/− CD4 T cells and B cells, we showed that both B and CD4 T cells need IL-21 signaling for generating long-term humoral immunity. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of IL-21 in humoral immunity to viruses.
Natural Versus Cultural Salmonid Remains: Origin of The Dalles Roadcut Bones, Columbia River, Oregon, U.S.A.

Abstract The most secure evidence for early Holocene fishing in Pacific North-western North America resides in the huge deposit of 9500-7600-year-old salmonid remains from The Dalles Roadcut site (Columbia River, Oregon). Recently the cultural origin for the fish remains has been challenged. Here, criteria for distinguishing natural (fluvial) from cultural salmonid deposits are developed in order to determine the agents responsible for the Roadcut faunal materials. Comparative analysis of one natural and three cultural assemblages from riverine settings indicates that body-part representation and skeletal completeness vary between natural and cultural settings. Analysis of the Roadcut assemblage suggests the salmonid deposit results largely from cultural processes, although the strength of this conclusion is weakened by significant curatorial biases with the collection.
Correlated topologies in citation networks and the Web

Information networks such as the scientific literature and the Web have been studied extensively by different communities focusing on alternative topological properties induced by citation links, textual content, and semantic relationships. This paper reviews work that brings such different perspectives together in order to build better search tools and to understand how the Web’s scale free topology emerges from author behavior. I describe three topologies induced by different classes of similarity measures, and outline empirical data that allows us to quantify and map their correlations. The data is also used to study a power law relationship between the content similarity between two documents and the probability that they are connected by citations or hyperlinks. Such finding has led to a remarkably powerful growth model for information networks, which simultaneously predicts the distribution of degree and the distribution of content similarity across pairs of documents -- Web pages connected by links and scientific articles connected by citations.
Glutaredoxin Regulates Apoptosis in Cardiomyocytes via NFκB Targets Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL: Implications for Cardiac Aging

Abstract Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a well-established contributor to irreversible injury following myocardial infarction (MI). Increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis is associated also with aging in animal models, exacerbated by MI; however, mechanisms for this increased sensitivity to oxidative stress are unknown. Protein mixed-disulfide formation with glutathione (protein glutathionylation) is known to change the function of intermediates that regulate apoptosis. Since glutaredoxin (Grx) specifically catalyzes protein deglutathionylation, we examined its status with aging and its influence on regulation of apoptosis. Grx1 content and activity are decreased by ∼40% in elderly (24-mo) Fischer 344 rat hearts compared to adult (6-mo) controls. A similar extent of Grx1 knockdown in H9c2 cardiomyocytes led to increased apoptosis, decreased NFκB-dependent transcriptional activity, and decreased production (mRNA and protein) of anti-apoptotic NFκB target genes, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Knockdown of Bcl-2 and/or Bcl-xL in ...
Epigenetic Codes for Heterochromatin Formation and Silencing: Rounding up the Usual Suspects

Recent results from diverse organisms point to a self-reinforcing network of interactions among the three best-characterized covalent modifications that mark heterochromatin: histone hypoacetylation, histone H3-Lys9 methylation, and cytosine methylation. These modification systems suggest a mechanistic basis for spreading of heterochromatin over large domains and for stable epigenetic inheritance of the silent state. All three modifications used in packaging heterochromatin are also used in stable silencing of euchromatic genes.