cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Properties and morphology of nanocomposites based on styrenic polymers, Part II: Effects of maleic anhydride units

Abstract Based on enhancement in exfoliation for polyolefin- g -maleic anhydride composites with the addition of as little as 1 wt% maleic anhydride (MA), the effect of MA in styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA)-based nanocomposites was studied. SMA nanocomposites were mixed using a DSM melt compounder followed by injection molding in a pneumatic bench top molder. These materials produced the same modulus enhancement and TEM-based areal particle densities on a weight percent basis as SAN-based nanocomposites from a previous study, but the areal TEM-based particle densities remained lower overall than literature values for polyolefin- g -MA mixtures. This behavior is explained by repulsive interactions between styrene and the alkyl tail of the surfactant, suggesting that polar surfactant tails could lead to improved exfoliation in styrene copolymer-based/montmorillonite nanocomposites. The role of increased melt viscosity and shearing on particle dispersion as MA is added to the copolymer is discussed.
A TD-DFT study of the optical properties of (2,7-fluorene)-heterocyclic derivatives

Abstract The absorption and emission optical characteristics of nine models of (2,7-fluorene)-heterocyclic derivatives have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)//TD-B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The obtained results reveal that the electronic excitations to the lowest singlet excited state of the studied models are dominated by the HOMO–LUMO electron transition. Among the nine models, the F(TQ)F species is predicted to be the easiest to excite, with excitation energy of only 1.91 eV. Among the all studied compounds the F(QX)F model displays the highest vertical singlet transition energy (2.90 eV).
Dietary urea for dairy cattle. I. Relationship to luteal function.

Abstract Isonitrogenous complete mixed rations containing concentrates, corn silage, and ground corn cobs, differing only in source of supplemental nitrogen (Group I—soybean meal and Group II—urea), were fed to Holstein-Friesian heifers for a minimum of 60 days. The purpose was to study the effect of dietarv urea on luteal function. Jugular blood and corpora lutea were collected on Day 12 after estrus. Average concentrations of progesterone, luteinizing hormone, corticosterone, and cortisol in blood plasma were approximately the same for both groups. Ten corpora lutea from Group I were heavier (P
Introduction to the complex systems security and reliability mini-track

This is the first year for this minitrack that evolved from the Restructuring the Electric Power Industry minitrack of the Emerging Technologies Track of previous years. This minitrack is now part of the new Complex Systems Track. This minitrack focuses on topics related to the ability of complex systems such as power systems to survive disturbances with minimal impact on performance. Specific topics include: steady-state and dynamic security assessment where the impacts of pre-specified contingencies are analyzed; Available Transfer Capability (ATC) which quantifies the ability of the interconnected system to accept increases in power transfers; and related technologies. This year’s papers focus on how security and reliability of electric power systems are affected by changes that continue to emerge from the industry restructuring. The topics presented in these papers are: a. The impact of distributed generation on system voltage stability. b. The definition of Available Transfer Capability as an interval based on alternative dispatch options. c. Multi-area probabilistic reliability assessment. d. Network control as a distributed, dynamic game. e. The impact of modeling errors on state estimation and system operation. f. Evaluation of new on-line Automatic Generation Control techniques. g. Extended factor for linear contingency analysis. Collectively, these papers offer new ideas for dealing with the challenges of complex power systems and the demands of a competitive environment.
Approximation and information topologies

In this paper approximation properties of finite dimensional parametric models are described in terms of an information metric: the Hellinger distance. Under conditions on the parametric family given solely in terms of a comparison of the Hellinger distance with the parameter metric, optimal rates of convergence are described. It is also shown how to use these conditions on the parametric family to determine whether consistent estimation is possible. We give applications of the theorems to regular and non-regular parametric families, and to nonlinear regression.
The Career Decision State and Rehabilitation Counselor Education Programs

Undergraduate and graduate students enroll in rehabilitation counselor education programs with varying degrees of commitment to a career goal in the field. The career decision state (CDS) comprising certainty, satisfaction, and clarity is a snapshot of one’s career goals. It is bidimensional, differentiates between undergraduate and graduate rehabilitation counseling students, and is associated with negative career thinking. Implications for using CDS in the form of a brief questionnaire, in student orientation and ongoing advising, and in future research are discussed.
High temperature growth of AlN by plasma-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract AlN(0001) films have been grown by plasma-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy on sapphire(0001) surfaces utilizing monoenergetic activated-nitrogen beams at elevated substrate temperatures (900–1300°C). AlN films synthesized under stoichiometric conditions, with ECR microwave powers of less than 100 W, substrate temperatures of 925–1150°C and a low temperature buffer layer exhibit narrow X-ray diffraction rocking curve widths [6 arcmin, AlN(0002)]. Smooth surface morphologies with typical RMS surface roughness of ∼l5 A are found for ∼1 μm AlN growth when the lower range of substrate temperatures are used. The φ-scan of the AlN 10 1 3 X-ray Bragg reflection has six-fold symmetry with peak widths of 1.6°, indicating that the highest quality films are aligned, albeit with small angle grain boundaries in the a-b plane. Lattice constants of 3.079 A (a) and 5.036 A (c) are inferred from the X-ray diffraction data, indicating a bi-axial compressive strain of 1.03% in the a-b plane. Even smoother surfaces with an RMS roughness ∼6 A can be produced if pre-growth surface nitridation is eliminated. In that case, degradation in the AlN thin-film crystal quality is found, as judged by the 24 arcmin rocking curve widths. The influence of growth conditions (i.e. substrate temperature, ratio of activated-nitrogen to Al flux, ion kinetic energy, pre-growth sapphire nitridation and the properties of the buffer layer) on the resulting crystal quality and surface morphology are directly addressed.
Endogenous phospholipid metabolism in stimulated neutrophils differential activation by FMLP and PMA

Abstract Endogenous phospholipid metabolism was examined during the initial 0–120 seconds of neutrophil (PMN) stimulation. When PMN were exposed to the chemotactic peptide FMLP (10 −7 M) or the tumor promotor, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 1 μg/ml) extensive changes in specific phospholipid (PL) classes were evident within 15 seconds. The profile and kinetics of stimulus-induced PL changes were stimulus-dependent. Five seconds after the addition of FMLP, PMN content of PC, PS and PA increased, while the level of PI decreased. Kinetic studies revealed that only PA levels remained elevated (0–120 s) while other PL decreased. In contrast, when cells were exposed to PMA (1 μg/ml), the levels of PC and PS rapidly increased ( 60 s. Results indicate that exposure to PMN to stimuli leads to rapid changes in specific PL. In addition, they support the concept that neutrophils rapidly “remodel” endogenous PL upon stimulation.
Conductance peak distributions in quantum dots at finite temperature: Signatures of the charging energy

We derive the finite temperature conductance peak distributions and peak-to-peak correlations for quantum dots in the Coulomb blockade regime assuming the validity of random-matrix theory. The distributions are universal, depending only on the symmetry class and the temperature measured in units of the mean level spacing, {Delta}. When the temperature is comparable to {Delta} several resonances contribute to the same conductance peak and we find significant deviations from the previously known T{lt}{Delta} distributions. In contrast to the T{lt}{Delta} case, these distributions show a strong signature of the charging energy and charge quantization on the dot. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Some problems in the analysis of stochastic dominance

Abstract The use of stochastic dominance has become common in finance and economics. As a theoretical device it is used to define a preference relation on a set of decision alternatives, thereby reducing the number of these alternatives which must be considered further by the decision-maker. However, in practice, data must be collected to estimate probability distributions. The paper discusses the errors which may result and the computation of their probabilities. The connection with statistical hypothesis testing is discussed.
A Two-Tiered Cognitive Radio System for Interference Identification in 2.4 GHz ISM Band

A detection module has been prototyped for cognitive radio usage in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band using time domain as well as frequency domain detection. Duty cycle and pulse width characteristics are used for detection in the time domain. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) signatures and spectral occupancy information is used to confirm the detection in the frequency domain. The detection module is designed to behave dynamically. Varying the input parameters to the detector module adjusts the detection overhead. The overhead varies depending on the relative usage of a fast detection algorithm versus a slower but more accurate scheme; the number of device types to be detected; and whether frequency-selective scanning or wide-band detection is needed. The prototype is built on a software radio platform and is targeted for future Software Defined Radios (SDR), and can be adapted to current and future Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) systems.
Brief Report: Performance Pattern Differences Between Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder on Measures of Verbal Intelligence

Performance patterns on verbal subtests from the WISC-IV were compared between a clinically-referred sample of children with either autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ASD demonstrated a statistically significant stepwise pattern where performance on Similarities was best, followed by Vocabulary, then Comprehension. Although children with ASD and ADHD share multiple behavioral features, this pattern was not observed for those with ADHD. Greater deficits in social reasoning and verbal formulation for children with ASD (compared to ADHD) are hypothesized to account for this observed difference in their performance pattern. Clinical implications, including use of this identified pattern in combination with other symptoms suggestive of ASD in referral decision making are discussed.
Bulimia nervosa in an elderly male: a case report.

Objective There is increasing knowledge regarding demographics, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and symptoms characteristic of males suffering from eating disorders. Method The current case report describes the history, symptom progression, and successful treatment of an elderly bulimic male whose presentation was atypical. Results This case underscores the need to consider the presence of an eating disorder regardless of age and gender, when a patient complains of unexplained nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Offshore MultI-Use Port Islands and Their Environment

Environmental problems associated with the construction and operation of an offshore multiuse island has been considered. Environmental Protection Agency proposed water quality criteria were reviewed. Other aspects of the oceanic environment not covered by the EPA criteria are discussed and recommended criteria given. These include: sound, salinity, temperature, light penetration, turbidity, substratum, and ecosystem dynamics. The impact of the construction and maintenance of an island meeting these criteria is not discussed.
Bandwidth compression by means of vocoders

Speech information may be transmitted over a bandwidth one tenth of that required for the original speech if attention is directed toward reproducing the envelope of the power density spectrum rather than the waveform itself. Pitch information can be transmitted independently of the spectrum information and the two sets of signals combined at the receiving end to resynthesize the original speech sounds. In the vocoder the power spectrum is analyzed and synthesized by means of band-pass filters. The energy for the voiced sounds is obtained from an oscillator called a buzz source, and for the fricative consonants the energy is obtained from a white noise source.
Sonographic amniotic fluid measurement and fetal growth retardation : A reappraisal

Sonographic estimation of amniotic fluid volume is commonly used as a diagnostic test for oligohydramnios associated with fetal malnutrition. However, methods of measurement and diagnostic criteria are controversial. We prospectively evaluated the reproducibility of amniotic fluid diameter measurement and studied various threshold definitions of oligohydramnios as predictors of small for gestational age fetuses or fetuses with low ponderal index values. An average of the vertical and two perpendicular horizontal diameters of the largest pocket of amniotic fluid was more reproducible than the maximum vertical pocket and better enabled a single observer to differentiate between patients. An average diameter of 10 mm was highly diagnostic of small for gestational age fetuses but was insufficiently sensitive (27%) to serve as a screening test. Although also of limited sensitivity (40%), an average diameter of approximately 30 mm was probably the best screening threshold. Reduced average diameter was significantly related to the occurrence of a ponderal index less than or equal to the tenth percentile for dates. Three of seven (43%) neonates with a ponderal index less than or equal to the tenth percentile and a birth weight greater than the tenth percentile for dates had a low average diameter, suggesting that reduced average amniotic fluid diameter may help to identify the malnourished fetus with birth weight greater than the tenth percentile for dates.
A simple type theory without platonic domains

This paper is intended to be a contribution to the development of the logical theory known as 'type theory'. In Section 1 of this paper, I shall propose a new way of understanding systems of simple type theory by putting forward a kind of "interpretation" of the primitive symbols in terms of which the theorem can be seen to be reasonable assertions. My new way of regarding simple type theory will develop some ideas to be found in Euclid's geometry and apply them to Frege's system of concepts and relations. In Section 2, I shall discuss the possible philosophical significance of such a system, especially for the well-known indispensability thesis of W. Quine and H. Putman.1
Acute infectious supraglottitis in adults

We report two cases of acute infectious supraglottitis in adults seen recently in our emergency department. The recent literature appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment of the entity is reviewed. In each of our cases the diagnosis was established with indirect laryngoscopy in the emergency department and appropriate therapy instituted without delay. Supraglottitis in adults is increasing in prevalence and emergency physicians must be familiar with the diagnosis and early management of such patients.
Domoic acid neurotoxicity in cultured cerebellar granule neurons is controlled preferentially by the NMDA receptor Ca2+ influx pathway

Abstract We have monitored real-time alterations in [Ca2+]i in fluo-3-loaded cerebellar granule neurons exposed to domoate, and ascertained the influence of pharmacological blockers of various Ca2+ entry pathways on intracellular Ca2+ accumulation, excitatory amino acid (EAA) release and neuronal death. Domoate produced a rapid and concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i, the magnitude of which correlated closely with the severity of neuron loss. The increase in [Ca2+]i was derived from activation of NMDA receptors, L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) and the reversed mode of operation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. When the level of neuroprotection conferred by pharmacological manipulation of these calcium entry pathways was regressed with the corresponding reductions in [Ca2+]i load, it was observed that neuronal vulnerability is controlled preferentially by NMDA receptors. This observation is consistent with our previous study of brevetoxin-induced autocrine excitotoxicity and with the source specificity hypothesis of others [J. Neurochem. 71 (1998) 2349], which suggests that elevation of [Ca2+]i in the vicinity of the NMDA receptor ion channel activates processes leading to neuronal death.
Pain Management After Vascular Surgery

Patients presenting for vascular surgery usually have concomitant disease processes that may increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes after major surgery. Because of the advanced nature of the underlying medical condition, it is important to optimize postopera tive pain control to adequately control postoperative discomfort, stress response, hypercoagulability, myocar dial ischemia, and graft failure. This article discusses methods of pain control after vascular surgery and their effects on physiology and outcome.
Strings in Strong Gravitational Fields

String propagation in exact plane-wave solutions (with nonzero axion and dilaton fields) is analyzed. In these backgrounds, strings can undergo transitions from one state to another. Selection rules are derived which describe allowed and forbidden transitions of the string. It is shown that singular plane waves result in infinitely excited strings. An example is given of a solution whose singular properties are the opposite of an orbifold: it is geodesically complete, but still singular from the standpoint of string theory. Some implications of these results are discussed.
Wake-fin tailoring for projectile steering

Proof-of-concept experiments and computational simulations were conducted to investigate the feasibility of an active flow control concept, called wake-fin tailoring (WaFT), to improve the steering performance and attitude control of projectiles. The concept is based on the use of mechanical flow control actuators located at a position well upstream of the projectile’s tail. With an asymmetric deployment of the actuators, the system induces an asymmetric wake-flow that interacts with the tail fins to generate aerodynamic control forces and moments. Low-speed wind tunnel experiments were performed on a representative surrogate tank munitions (STM) model. In addition, CFD modeling and simulations for the projectile were carried out at subsonic and supersonic speeds to investigate the flow control mechanism and determine the control performance at operational flight speeds. Results from wind tunnel measurements and CFD simulations conducted at low angles of attack demonstrate generation of lift force and pitching moment by the WaFT, which can be used to provide in-flight adjustment capability, reduce dispersion and increase endgame maneuver footprint of the projectiles. The control authority can be enhanced by optimizing the locations and sizes of the control actuators.
Valence states of iron in photochromic strontium titanate by Mössbauer effect

Abstract The electrical transfer process involved in color changes in Fe-doped SrTiO3 is studied by Mossbauer methods. It is found that the yellow samples contain Fe3+ ions, while the dark samples contain Fe3+ and Fe4+. Changes in the ionic states of iron are responsible for color changes in these crystals.
Supramolecular self-assembly based on directed hydrogen bonding

Detailed investigations of crystal packing patterns from X-ray data have led to the delineation of various rules to predict the hydrogen bonding arrangements in single and two component crystals. However, there remains a strong need for hydrogen bonding motifs that form predictable arrays between subunits irrespective of the size and shape of the spacer groups. Such persistent H-bond networks would allow not only the more reliable prediction of solid state structures but also the construction of materials with a controlled positioning of potentially photo- or redox-active groups. The present lecture shows that the interaction between dicarboxylic acids and bis-acylaminopyridines is a strong and general one that survives in the solid state despite changes in subunit structure.
That Fierce Edge: Sibling Conflict and Politics in Georgian England

[[siblingsbrotherssistersEnglandbirth ordermarital status ]] Using a combination of brief case studies and statistical analysis of probate disputes in eighteenth-century England, this article argues for an expanded interpretation of Georgian family life—an interpretation that understands the tugs and pulls of siblinghood. In the eighteenth century, emerging ideas about social equality based on idealized siblinghood tangled with engrained family hierarchies to produce messy, constantly shifting, sibling politics. Confronting competing social expectations that classified them as equals yet ranked them hierarchically by gender, birth order, and marital status, Georgian sisters and brothers fiercely wrestled over material and emotional investments from their parents and from one another. Sibling conflict was most common when reality sharply diverged from expectations of equality, such as between older sisters and younger brothers or between men and their brothers' widows.
Kinetics of recA protein-directed inactivation of repressors of phage λ and phage P22☆

Abstract Escherichia coli recA protein directs the inactivation of the repressor of Salmonella typhimurium phage P22 in vitro. As is true for repressor of the E. coli phage λ, inactivation of P22 repressor is accompanied by proteolytic cleavage of the repressor into two detectable fragments. We have investigated the kinetics of inactivation of the λ and P22 repressors in vitro. The fraction of λ repressor inactivated per unit time decreases as its concentration in the reaction is increased. However, high concentrations of λ repressor do not inhibit the inactivation of P22 repressor. Thus, it does not appear that the inactivation system is saturated by λ repressor, but rather that λ repressor is a less efficient substrate at higher concentrations.
Fine Structure of Corynebacterium Acnes

An electron microscopic study was made of C. acnes grown in vitro and of uninflamed open comedones in acne patients. Seven different strains grown anaerobically for 2–7 days, and comedones were fixed with the Ryter-Kellenberger procedure and cut into thin sections for electron microscopy. Floccular material attached to the cell wall, prominent mesosomes and more simple invaginations of the plasma membrane were characteristic features. The results showed C. acnes to be similar to other corynebacteria studied previously with the electron microscope and to the organisms observed in large masses within comedones.
The speed of information in a ‘fast-light’ optical medium

One consequence of the special theory of relativity is that no signal can cause an effect outside the source light cone, the space-time surface on which light rays emanate from the source1. Violation of this principle of relativistic causality leads to paradoxes, such as that of an effect preceding its cause2. Recent experiments on optical pulse propagation in so-called ‘fast-light’ media—which are characterized by a wave group velocity υg exceeding the vacuum speed of light c or taking on negative values3—have led to renewed debate about the definition of the information velocity υi. One view is that υi = υg (ref. 4), which would violate causality, while another is that υi = c in all situations5, which would preserve causality. Here we find that the time to detect information propagating through a fast-light medium is slightly longer than the time required to detect the same information travelling through a vacuum, even though υg in the medium vastly exceeds c. Our observations are therefore consistent with relativistic causality and help to resolve the controversies surrounding superluminal pulse propagation.
Amorphous semiconductor superlattices

Abstract Superlattices consisting of amorphous hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H) layers 10–100A thick interleaved with other hydrogenated amorphous semiconductors and insulators, such as a-Ge:H, a-SixC1−x:H, a-SiNx:H, a-SiOx:H, exhibit unusual opto-electronic phenomena because of the low density of defects at the interfaces and because the interfaces are atomically abrupt. A review is given of the structure of the interfaces, quantum size effects and photoconductivity in compositionally and doping modulated superlattices.
Characterization of Langat virus antigenic determinants defined by monoclonal antibodies to E, NS1 and preM and identification of a protective, non-neutralizing preM-specific monoclonal antibody.

Abstract Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the thick-borne encephalitis (TBE) group virus, Langat virus (LGTV), were prepared. Of more than 200 MAb screened, 19 antibodies, which cross-reacted with the etiologic agent of Central European encephalitis, were selected for further characterization. Of these MAb, 14 were specific for LGTV E glycoprotein, two for the NS1 protein, and three for preM protein. The two NS1-specific MAb and two of the E-specific MAb reacted with all six of the other TBE group viruses tested while the remainder of the E-specific MAb failed to recognize at least one of the viruses. None of the MAb neutralized LGTV in cell culture assays, but one of the preM-specific MAb protected weanling mice against a virulent LGTV challenge. Although protective antibodies to E and NS1 proteins of TBE viruses were reported, our data provided the first evidence for protection by a non-neutralizing antibody to the preM or M protein of an y of the tick-borne flaviviruses.
Prostate Cancer Prognostic Factors Among Asian Patients Born in the US Compared to Those Born Abroad

US surveillance data indicate that incidence of prostate cancer differs by place of birth among Asian men. However, it is less clear if the prognostic factors for prostate cancer also differ by place of birth. The study included 7,824 Asian prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2009 and reported to the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relation of place of birth (foreign born vs. US born) to three outcomes: prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, and T classification, adjusting for age, marital status, Rural–Urban Continuum Code, and SEER registry. All outcome variables were binary using different cutoffs: ≥4, ≥10 and ≥20 ng/ml for PSA; ≥7 and ≥8 for Gleason score; and ≥T2 and ≥T3 for T classification. Elevated PSA was more common among foreign born Asian men regardless of the cut point used. In the analysis comparing foreign born versus US born patients by ethnic group, the association with PSA was most pronounced at cut point of ≥20 ng/ml for Chinese men (OR 1.68, 95 % CI 1.02–2.75), and at cut point of ≥4 ng/ml for Japanese men (OR 2.73, 95 % CI 1.20–6.21). A statistically significant association with Gleason score was only found for Japanese men and only for the cutoff ≥7 (OR 1.71, 95 % CI 1.12–2.61). There was no difference in clinical T classification between foreign-born and US-born Asian men. Inclusion of cases with missing place of birth or restriction of data to those who underwent radical prostatectomy did not substantially change the results. The data suggest that foreign-born Asian prostate cancer patients may have moderately elevated PSA levels at diagnosis compared with their US born counterparts. For the other prognostic markers, the associations were less consistent and did not form a discernible pattern.
Diagnosis and Prevention of Infertility in Cattle

Abstract A systematic procedure for reproduction specialists to conduct a herd infertility examination is outlined and discussed. The procedure involves evaluation of breeding history, feeding and management practices, and examination of health records, herd, and laboratory results to make an objective diagnosis. An analysis of data from a dairy herd with a repeat breeding problem is presented. Recommendations for treatment and prevention were made and implemented, and benefits to the dairyman were evaluated. The etiology was attributed principally to a phosphorus deficiency in high-producing cows during early lactation, but estrus detection also was inadequate. Implementation of recommendations reduced the number of services per conception from 2.3 to 1.6. Procedures for maintaining high fertility in healthy herds also are discussed and illustrated with results from a herd on a systematic herd health program for a four years. The program reduced forced culling from disease by one-third and permitted the dairyman to double selective culling for low production and poor type.
Optimal controller design for minimum trajectory sensitivity

An optimal control scheme is developed for a linear time-varying system whose system parameters may deviate from their nominal values. The controller is of the closed-loop type which involves the solution to a matrix Riccati equation. For each given system the Riccati equation need be solved only once. Two methods for computing the closod-loop optimal control function are given. The first method is based on the solution of an augmented homogeneous differential system. The second method yields an algorithm of an iterative scheme. An example is given as an illustration.
Soviet active measures: Distinctions and definitions*

(1985). Soviet active measures: Distinctions and definitions. Defense Analysis: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 101-110.
Molar crests and body mass as dietary indicators in marsupials

The discovery of ecomorphological relationships in mammals is important not only in its own right, but also for its potential in shedding light on the ecology of extinct and poorly known species. Two such potential relationships are the proposed connection between molar shear crests and body mass to diet. Research on primates suggests that, owing to the digestive challenges of structural carbohydrates (in foliage and insects), folivores and insectivores differ from other species in needing relatively long molar shear crests. These studies also suggest that metabolic constraints force folivores to be consistently larger than insectivores, with 500–700 g being the proposed body mass boundary between the two. This study tests these proposed ecomorphological links in a diverse sample of 64 marsupial species. As predicted, folivores and insectivores have significantly relatively longer molar shear crests than other species. Similarly, folivores are significantly larger than insectivores, as predicted, though the proposed body mass boundary was not supported. These results suggest that shear crest length and body mass are indeed linked to diet in the proposed manner. It may now be possible to use these findings to gain a greater understanding of the feeding behaviours of a variety of extinct marsupials and other therians.
INFLUENZA A VIRUS (IAV) MAY INDUCE CYTOSKELETON DYSFUNCTION IN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES (PMNL) BY DEPRESSING PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION

INFLUENZA A VIRUS (IAV) MAY INDUCE CYTOSKELETON DYSFUNCTION IN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES (PMNL) BY DEPRESSING PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION
Negotiating to Avoid Agreement

There are many roads to NO. Some are routed there intentionally. Parties sometimes engage in negotiations even though they are determined to avoid agreement, or at least consider any agreement as incidental to their reason for negotiating. The author identifies two varieties of avoidance negotiation. Opportunistic avoidance subsumes a variety of circumstances and motivations. By contrast, demand avoidance can be comprehended in a more unitary fashion as a response to audience expectations by a reluctant negotiator. The analysis is anchored in cases drawn from a range of settings and in the negotiation literature. It includes a discussion of diagnosis, response, and implications for theory and research as well as for negotiation and mediation practice.
Histone tails: Directing the chromatin response to DNA damage

Considerable energetic investment is devoted to altering large stretches of chromatin adjacent to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Immediately ensuing DSB formation, a myriad of histone modifications are elicited to create a platform for inducible and modular assembly of DNA repair protein complexes in the vicinity of the DNA lesion. This complex signaling network is critical to repair DNA damage and communicate with cellular processes that occur in cis and in trans to the genomic lesion. Failure to properly execute DNA damage inducible chromatin changes is associated with developmental abnormalities, immunodeficiency, and malignancy in humans and in genetically engineered mouse models. This review will discuss current knowledge of DNA damage responsive histone changes that occur in mammalian cells, highlighting their involvement in the maintenance of genome integrity.
Catalytic gasification of graphite by nickel in various gaseous environments

Abstract Controlled-atmosphere electron microscopy studies of the nickel/graphite system have revealed that in a strong oxidizing environment carbon gasification occurred mainly by the uncatalyzed route. Under the milder conditions of steam, catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions occurred at comparable rates. In contrast, the reaction proceeded exclusively via catalyzed attack when experiments were performed in a hydrogen environment. However, in this case activity ceased at temperatures of around 1000 °C due to what is believed to be the formation of a strong nickel-carbon interaction resulting in the transformation of active metal particles, which formed a thin film along the edges of the catalytic channels they had produced at lower temperatures. Regeneration of particles could be achieved by heating in either oxygen at 850 °C or steam at 830 °C. The original activity pattern was restored if these specimens were subsequently heated in hydrogen. Although the precise cause and nature of the interaction between nickel and carbon is not fully understood, the results suggest a novel approach to redispersing large nickel particles.
A zero current vacuum tube galvanometer

A null instrument has been described which employs an electron tube in a simple circuit. The device operates at the theoretical no-current point and is especially useful in circuits containing high resistances or easily polarized electrodes.
Evaluation of Particle Shape and Surface Texture of Recycled Organic Aggregates

The size, shape, and texture of aggregate particles are important because these physical characteristics influence the engineering properties. Recycled organic aggregates have advantageous physical and mechanical properties for geoengineering applications, but the particle shapes and textures have not been well quantified and evaluated. Three pairs of recycled organic aggregates were studied in this investigation: nylon and polyethylene terephthalate (thermoplastics), ground and crumb rubber (elastomers), and pine and oak wood (natural organic materials). The particle flatness, elongation, and sphericity were calculated for representative samples of each aggregate. The particle index of the shape and texture was measured per ASTM D 3398, and this test method was determined to provide a meaningful assessment of irregular geometrical characteristics. With the exception of nylon chips, recycled organic aggregates contain a high percentage of flat and elongated particles with Lmax:Lmin ratios that are much greater than those observed in crushed stone, gravel, and sand. Void volumes are much higher, resulting in particle indices between 30 and 50, as compared to indices of less than 20 for natural, inorganic aggregate.
Change in the characteristics of ferritin induces iron imbalance in prion disease affected brains

Prion disease associated neurotoxicity is mainly attributed to PrP-scrapie (PrP(Sc)), the disease associated isoform of a normal protein, the prion protein (PrP(C)). Participation of other proteins and processes is suspected, but their identity and contribution to the pathogenic process is unclear. Emerging evidence implicates imbalance of brain iron homeostasis as a significant cause of prion disease-associated neurotoxicity. The underlying cause of this change, however, remains unclear. We demonstrate that iron is sequestered in heat and SDS-stable protein complexes in sporadic-Creutzfeldt-Jakob-disease (sCJD) brains, creating a phenotype of iron deficiency. The underlying cause is change in the characteristics of ferritin, an iron storage protein that becomes aggregated, detergent-insoluble, and partitions with denatured ferritin using conventional methods of ferritin purification. A similar phenotype of iron deficiency is noted in the lumbar spinal cord (SC) tissue of scrapie infected hamsters, a site unlikely to be affected by massive neuronal death and non-specific iron deposition. As a result, the iron uptake protein transferrin (Tf) is upregulated in scrapie infected SC tissue, and increases with disease progression. A direct correlation between Tf and PrP(Sc) suggests sequestration of iron in dysfunctional ferritin that either co-aggregates with PrP(Sc) or is rendered dysfunctional by PrP(Sc) through an indirect process. Surprisingly, amplification of PrP(Sc)in vitro by the protein-misfolding-cyclic-amplification (PMCA) reaction using normal brain homogenate as substrate does not increase the heat and SDS-stable pool of iron even though both PrP(Sc) and ferritin aggregate by this procedure. These observations highlight important differences between PrP(Sc)-protein complexes generated in vivo during disease progression and in vitro by the PMCA reaction, and the significance of these complexes in PrP(Sc)-associated neurotoxicity.
Increased Intensity Heavy Ion Beams at ORIC with Cryopumping

Previously reported measurements of heavy ion beam attenuation with pressure have demonstrated the need for additional pumping in the circulating beam region of the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron (ORIC). Two specially designed 20°K cryopumps, located on the magnet poles, have increased the pumping speed in the circulating beam region by about a factor of 3. This has led to increased intensity for beams of heavy ions of elements that can be condensed by the cryopumps (e. g., oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). The improved vacuum has led to an increased understanding of a beam loss in the internal region of the cyclotron. Measured cross sections for beam loss and the cross section energy dependence have been determined.
Hepatic isometallothioneins in mice: induction in adults and postnatal ontogeny.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to quantitate hepatic metallothionein-I (MT-I) and metallothionein-II (MT-II) in adult mice pretreated with various dosages of selected inorganic and organic compounds and in nonchemically treated neonatal mice. Male CF-1 mice received Zn (0.38 – 6.0 mmol/kg, sc), Cd (5–80 μmol/kg, sc), dexamethasone (10–1000 μmol/kg, sc), or ethanol (60–180 mmol/kg, po). Liver cytosol was prepared 24 hr after the administration of each compound. In another experiment, liver cytosols were prepared from male and female neonates 1 to 35 days after parturition. MT-I and MT-II in liver cytosols were isolated by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and quantitated by atomic absorption spectrometry. Hepatic MT-I and MT-II concentrations in adult controls were 5.1 ± 1.3 and 3.7 ± 1.0 μg/g liver, respectively. All compounds increased hepatic MT levels in a dose-dependent manner over a narrow range of dosages. The lowest dosages of Zn, Cd, dexamethasone, and ethanol that produced a significant increase in total MT content (MT-I plus MT-II) were 0.38, 0.005, 0.3, and 90 mmol/kg, respectively. Maximal induction of total MT following the highest dosages of Zn, Cd, ethanol, and dexamethasone was 58, 34, 24, and 13 times the control value (8.8 ± 2.4 μg total MT/g liver), respectively. The relationship between dose and hepatic MT content was linear following ethanol administration and log-linear following Zn, Cd, and dexamethasone administration. The ratio of MT-I/MT-II was approximately 2.4 following all dosages of metals. Following low and high dosages of organic compounds, the ratio of MT-I/MT-II was approximately 1.0 and 1.5, respectively. Total MT concentration in livers of 1- to 14-day-old mice was approximately 40 times that observed in adult liver (5.5 ± 1.6 μg total MT/g liver) and returned toward adult levels 21 days after parturition. The ratio of MT-I/MT-II was approximately 1.8 during Postpartum Days 1 through 14 and thereafter decreased to approximately 1.0. These results indicate that MT-I is more abundant than MT-II in mouse liver following chemical exposure and during neonatal development.
Discovering integrals with geometry

ABSTRACT In this paper, students and teachers are provided with problems that lead them in finding the integrals of logarithmic and inverse trigonometric functions early in the calculus sequence by using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and the concept of area, and without the use of integration by parts. The methods link geometric and symbolic representations, and allow students to visually interpret these concepts.
Mechanisms controlling the durability of thermal barrier coatings

Abstract The durability of thermal barrier coatings is governed by a sequence of crack nucleation, propagation and coalescence events that accumulate prior to final failure by large scale buckling and spalling. Because of differing manufacturing approaches and operating scenarios, several specific mechanisms are involved. These mechanisms have begun to be understood. This article reviews this understanding and presents relationships between the durability, the governing material properties and the salient morphological features. The failure is ultimately connected to the large residual compression in the thermally grown oxide through its roles in amplifying imperfections near the interface. This amplification induces an energy release rate at cracks emanating from the imperfections that eventually buckle and spall the TBC.
Big G, little G: G proteins and actin cytoskeletal reorganization.

It has been known for some time that stimulation of heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors can cause cytoskeletal reorganization. A recent report in Developmental Cell (Lowry et al., 2002) demonstrates that the activation of a tyrosine kinase, C-terminal Src kinase, by heterotrimeric G protein subunits provides the trigger for Rho-dependent actin stress fiber formation.
The negation of the Braess paradox as demand increases: The wisdom of crowds in transportation networks

In the well-known Braess paradox (Braess D., Unternehmenforschung, 12 (1968) 258), the addition of a new route in a specific congested transportation network made all the travelers worse off in terms of their individual travel cost (time). In this paper, we consider the hypothesis that, in congested networks, the Braess paradox may "disappear" under higher demands, and we prove this hypothesis by deriving a formula that provides the increase in demand that will guarantee that the addition of that new route will no longer increase travel cost since the new path will no longer be used. This result is established for any network in which the Braess paradox originally occurs. This suggests that, in the case of congested, noncooperative networks, of which transportation networks are a prime example, a higher demand will negate the counterintuitive phenomenon known as the Braess paradox. At the same time, this result demonstrates that extreme caution should be taken in the design of network infrastructure, including transportation networks, since at higher demands, new routes/pathways may not even be used!
Automatic analysis of Mandarin accented English using phonological features

The problem of accent analysis and modeling has been considered from a variety of domains, including linguistic structure, statistical analysis of speech production features, and HMM/GMM (hidden Markov model/Gaussian mixture model) model classification. These studies however fail to connect speech production from a temporal perspective through a final classification strategy. Here, a novel accent analysis system and methodology which exploits the power of phonological features (PFs) is presented. The proposed system exploits the knowledge of articulation embedded in phonology by building Markov models (MMs) of PFs extracted from accented speech. The Markov models capture information in the PF space along two dimensions of articulation: PF state-transitions and state-durations. Furthermore, by utilizing MMs of native and non-native accents, a new statistical measure of ''accentedness'' is developed which rates the articulation of a word by a speaker on a scale of native-like (+1) to non-native like (-1). The proposed methodology is then used to perform an automatic cross-sectional study of accented English spoken by native speakers of Mandarin Chinese (N-MC). The experimental results demonstrate the capability of the proposed system to perform quantitative as well as qualitative analysis of foreign accents. The work developed in this study can be easily expanded into language learning systems, and has potential impact in the areas of speaker recognition and ASR (automatic speech recognition).
Synthesis and characterization of a water-soluble porphyrin with a cyclic sulfone

Abstract Water-soluble sulfonated tetraarylporphyrins are studied in a wide variety of contexts including as analytical reagents and as possible agents in cancer photodynamic therapy as well as in antiviral and antidiabetic applications. Herein, we report the first synthesis of a pentasulfonated porphyrin bearing an internal cyclic sulfone ring. Treatment of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4) with fuming H2SO4 gave a structure consistent with initial sulfonation followed by dehydration to give a sulfone bridge between an ortho-position of one of the phenyl groups and a β-pyrrole position on the porphine ring (TPPS4Sc). The structure was established by electrospray mass spectrometry and 1H NMR. The Soret UV–visible absorption is red shifted by about 32 nm compared to that of TPPS4.
Oxygen debt in contracting dog skeletal muscle in situ

Abstract Oxygen uptake was calculated for the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle group of the dog from measurement of venous outflow and arterial and venous oxygen concentrations before, during, and after contractions. The contractions were maximal single twitches in response to supramaximal stimuli applied to the distal stump of the cut sciatic nerve. The twitch rate was varied from 0.5 to 10/sec and the contractions were continued for 5, 10, 20, or 60 min. Oxygen uptake increased with twitch rate reaching a maximum of 20–30 times the resting level at 5 twitches/sec. There was no further increase in oxygen uptake at higher twitch rates. The excess oxygen uptake during recovery (oxygen debt) appeared to be directly related to the rate of oxygen uptake at the time the contractions were stopped (terminal oxygen uptake). The maximum oxygen debt observed in these experiments was 186 μ1/g of muscle at a terminal oxygen uptake of 188 μ1/g min.