cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of polarity and surface states on the Fermi level at III-nitride surfaces

Surface states and their influence on the Fermi level at the surface of GaN and AlN are studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect of polarity on surface electronic properties was studied. Accurate modeling of the valence band edge and comparison with XPS data revealed the presence of donor surface states at 1.4 eV and acceptor states at energies >2.7 eV from the valence band in GaN. Al polar AlN showed acceptor states at energies >3.3 eV. Density of acceptor surface states was estimated to be between 1013 and 1014 eV−1 cm−2 in both GaN and AlN. The shift in charge neutrality levels and barrier heights due to polarity and the density of surface states on AlN and GaN were estimated from XPS measurements. Theoretical modeling and comparison with XPS data implied full compensation of spontaneous polarization charge by charged surface states. Barrier height measurements also reveal a dependence on polarity with ϕmetal-polar > ϕnon-polar > ϕnitrogen-polar suggesting that the N-polar sur...
The antilipolytic effects of 3,5-dimethylisoxazole and possible carboxylic acid metabolites.

Von allen moglichen Isoxazolcarbonsaurenstoffwechselprodukten von 3,5-Dimethylisoxazol (3,5-DMI), die untersucht wurden, war nur die 3-Methylisoxazol-5-carbonsaure wirksam genug, um die auffallende Wirkung von 3,5-DMI auf unveresterte Fettsaurespiegel in normalen Hunden zu erklaren.
Low-noise TIE phase imaging by structured illumination

We have incorporated a structured illumination approach inspired by Hilo into the Transport of Intensity Equation (TIE) phase retrieval method. A grid-patterned illumination greatly reduces noise artifacts in the low frequency response.
ORDINARY-EXOTIC QUARK MIXING

We reconsider the possibility that a new Q = −1/3, vector-like, isosinglet quark, h, which can appear in superstring-inspired E6 models, may have appreciable mixing with the usual bottom (b) quark. Using the most recent data on the Kobayashi-Maskawa mixing matrix, ∊, ∊′/∊, , and mixing, we analyze the influence of h on rare processes, e.g., , b → sγ, and D → μ+μ−.
Radiometric estimation of biomass and nitrogen content of Alicia grass

Abstract Hand-held MARK-II radiometric measurements were used to estimate biomass yields and nitrogen (N) content of Alicia grass (Cynodon spp.) plots having five levels of nitrogen fertilization. The radiometric RED (630- to 690-nm) and NIR (760- to 900-nm) measurements obtained from the plots were converted to reflectance factors and to perpendicular (PVI) and ratio (RVI = NIR/RED) vegetation indices and then correlated with grass biomass yield and N content. The coefficients of determination (r2) in estimating biomass yield for the RED and NIR reflectance factors were 0.04 and 0.73, 1 respectively, and for PVI and RVI they were 0.68 1 and 0.61, 1 respectively. The correlations for N content were 0.02, 0.71, 1 0.69, 1 and 0.60, 1 respectively. Since beef cattle protein needs are related to grass N content these results may be useful to operational rangeland remote sensing programs for estimating animal carrying capacity using satellite data.
Fatty Acid Profiles of Lipid Depots and Cholesterol Concentration in Muscle Tissue of Finishing Pigs Fed Ractopamine

Ractopamine (RAC) enhances lipolysis and depresses lipogenesis in pigs. We hypothesized that depression of fatty acid (FA) formation from six carbon precursors may enhance enrichment of depot lipids from long chain FA in corn-soybean meal finishing diets. We tested that hypothesis as well as the effect of RAC on muscle cholesterol concentration. Finishing pigs were fed 16% protein corn-soybean diets containing 0 or 20 ppm RAC. RAC feeding had only a minor effect on fatty acid profiles (FAP) of lipid depots of finishing pigs. Adipose tissue lipids of pigs fed RAC had lower 18:0 (wk 4) and higher 18:3 (wk 4) and 18:2 (wk 6) compared to controls. Muscle lipid effects were quite variable. Total cholesterol concentration of muscle was not significantly affected by RAC feeding.
Adhesion characteristics of imide-aryl ether ether ketone block copolymers with poly(ether-imide)

Imide-aryl ether ether ketone block copolymers were prepared and the adhesion characteristics with poly(ether-imide) were investigated. The copolymers were prepared via the poly(amic alkyl ester) precursor to the polyimides which is hydrolytically stable and may be isolated and characterized prior to imidization. Solutions of the copolymers were cast and cured to effect the imidization, producing clear tough films which showed two transitions, indicative of a multiphase morphology. Mixtures of the copolymers with poly(ether-imide) also produced clear films, and the shift in the Tg of the aryl ether ether ketone component of the block copolymer indicated miscibility with the poly(ether-imide) within this phase. This miscibility of the poly(ether-imide) with the aryl ether ether ketone component of the block copolymer produced significant improvements in the adhesion of the thermoplastic poly(ether-imide) with the rigid polyimide copolymer.
An Equation of State for Electrolyte Solutions Covering Wide Ranges of Temperature, Pressure, and Composition

An equation of state has been developed for electrolyte solutions over wide ranges of temperature, pressure, and composition. The equation is in terms of the Helmholtz free energy and contains three terms accounting for the various interactions in solution: a Peng−Robinson term for the interactions between uncharged species, a Born term for the charging free energy of ions, and a mean spherical approximation term for the electrostatic interactions between ions. The equation of state was fitted to experimental data for 138 aqueous electrolyte solutions at 25 °C and 1 bar and to data for aqueous NaCl, NaBr, CaCl2, Li2SO4, Na2SO4, K2SO4, and Cs2SO4 solutions from 0 to 300 °C and from 1 to 120 bar. The equation does well in correlating activity coefficients, osmotic coefficients, densities, and free energies of hydration over the entire range of conditions. The simplicity and wide range of applicability of the new equation of state make it particularly well suited for use in engineering applications.
Analysis of affinity and structural selectivity in the binding of proteins to glycosaminoglycans: development of a sensitive electrophoretic approach.

Members of several families of cell surface and secreted proteins bind glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the structurally heterogeneous polysaccharides found on proteoglycans. To understand the physiological significance of the interactions of proteins with GAGs, it is critical that relationships between GAG structure and binding be analyzed. It is particularly important that interactions depending on common structural features of GAGs (e.g., size, charge density, and disaccharide repeat unit) be distinguished from those mediated by specific sequences of carbohydrate modification. Gathering the information needed to make such distinctions has so far been difficult, however, partly because structurally homogeneous samples of GAGs are lacking but also because of technical difficulties associated with performing and interpreting assays of protein-GAG binding. We describe an electrophoretic method useful for both measuring affinity and evaluating structural selectivity in protein-GAG binding. Data are presented on the binding of the GAG heparin to the protease inhibitor antithrombin III, the acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, and the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. Results obtained with fibronectin are consistent with a model in which high-affinity binding (Kd approximately 34 nM) is mediated through the recognition of specific carbohydrate sequences.
Thrombus resolution and vein wall injury: dependence on chemokines and leukocytes

Chronic venous insufficiency resulting in post-thrombotic syndrome occurs commonly after acute deep vein thrombosis, and is a prevalent cause of vascular disease morbidity in the community. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms that promote the development of chronic venous insufficiency could lead to novel approaches to interrupt the natural history and prevent post-thrombotic syndrome. In this paper, we will review the evidence that venous thrombus resolution is an inflammatory process that is dependent on chemokines and leukocytes.
Game Constraints, Player Verbalizations, and Mathematics Learning

In two phases (clinical and empirical) the effects of game constraints on the quantity and quality of mathematical verbalizations during game playing and on the amount of student learning were examined. Subjects were 114 fourth- and fifth-grade students. During the clinical phase, small groups of students were videotaped while playing mathematics games. Alternating some game constraints seemed to alter both the quantity and quality of verbalizations. For selected variations of game constraints found during the clinical phase to affect verbalizations, four small pretest-posttest experiments indicated no achievement effects.
Yeast Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Assay

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes a method for the detection of proteins bound to specific regions of chromatin in yeast. There are many variations of this assay.
Viscerosomatic convergence in the dorsal column nuclei of the cat.

Abstract The dorsal column nuclei (DCN) of adult cats were explored with micropipets for single units responding to electrical stimulation of the A-β fiber fraction of the ipsilateral greater splanchnic nerve. Exploration was confined to the gracile and cuneate nuclei, 3 to 5 mm caudal to the obex. Field potential mappings previously showed this region to be highly responsive to input from these fibers. Extracellular records from DCN neurons excited by A-β visceral afferent volleys typically consisted of a burst of two to three spikes with latencies from 5 to 11 ms. Somatic input was also observed in the majority of these cells. Natural stimuli effective in eliciting activity included hair movement, touch, and vibration. Cutaneous receptive fields for neurons exhibiting viscerosomatic convergence were found on the hind limb, tail, and trunk. Many of the DCN units showing convergent input were classified as relay cells on the basis of their responses to electrical stimulation of the contralateral midbrain. The results emphasize the role of the dorsal column nuclei in the integration and transmission of visceral information.
Defect microstructure in heavy-ion-bombarded (0 0 0 1) ZnO

Abstract Radiation defects in oxides are complex and remain poorly understood. Here, we use transmission electron microscopy to study ZnO crystals bombarded at room temperature with heavy ions (500 keV Xe). Results reveal that the damage evolution proceeds via the formation of a band of cavities centered on ∼7 nm from the sample surface. With further irradiation, a layered structure is formed, with alternating near-stoichiometric and Zn-rich layers. The anomalous intermediate peak and step in ion channeling spectra are attributed to a Zn-rich defect band and an interface between stoichiometric and Zn-rich layers, respectively. To explain these observations, we propose a damage build-up scenario involving vacancy clustering, loss of O from the surface, and peculiarities of point-defect transport through a Zn-rich defect band toward the surface.
Microbial iron uptake as a mechanism for dispersing iron from deep-sea hydrothermal vents

Iron emitted from hydrothermal vents is stabilized by organic matter and dispersed into the world ocean, yet the pathways leading to iron–carbon interactions are unknown. Dick et al. propose that a new ‘microbial iron pump’ is responsible for converting hydrothermal iron into bioavailable forms.
The Strain-Energy Function for Elastomers

It has been shown that the strain-energy function for an incompressible isotropic elastic material must be expressible as a function of two strain invariants I 1, I 2 which are elementary symmetric functions of the squares of the principal extension ratios λ1, λ2, λ3. Valanis and Landel have proposed a strain-energy function of the form f(λ1) + f(λ2) + f(λ3). It is shown how such a strain-energy function can be expressed explicitly as a function of I 1 and I 2. Also, necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for any function of I 1 and I 2 to be expressible in the form proposed by Valinis and Landel. It is shown how the results of problems which have been solved using the general form of the strain-energy function can be conveniently specialized to the case when the Valanis-Landel strain-energy function is valid.
SU-E-T-485: Comparison of the Oncogenic Potential for Radiation-Associated, Second Malignant Neoplasms for Several Prostate Radiotherapy Modalities as a Function of Relative OAR & PTV Volumes

Purpose: To compare plan quality for a comprehensive set of OAR & PTV geometries considering relative risk estimates for the induction of secondary bladder and rectal cancers due to prostate radiotherapy using several modern delivery techniques. Methods: IMRT / 3D‐conformal, volumetric‐arc (VMAT), and Tomotherapy (TT) plans were generated using PlanUNC, Pinnacle3 ver. 9.2, and TomoTherapy treatment planning systems, respectively, for 12 prostate cases using, RTOG 0815‐derived planning goals. Selected cases were representative of relative (i.e. small (Svol), medium (Mvol), large (Lvol)) PTV, rectal & bladder structure volumes encountered clinically. PlanUNC was used to calculate the elevated relative‐risk (ERR) of secondary cancer induction in normal tissues, the bladder and rectal ERR, PTV conformity index (CI), dose heterogeneity index (DHI), and bladder and rectal V5, V15, V35, V50 (Bvx / Rvx) for all cases. All metrics were averaged for each relative tissue / target volume, and normalized to corresponding 3D‐conformal cases for comparison. Results: Considering relative rectal volumes, all metrics fell within the standard error for each modality excluding bladder ERR (TT 13%ave, IMRT −9% ave & VMAT −18% ave) and BV15 (VMAT −24% ave) for Lvol rectum cases. Considering relative bladder volumes, bladder ERR (TT 4%, IMRT −10%, VMAT −18%) for Lvol and (VMAT −20%) for Mvol; rectal ERR (TT −40%) for Mvol were observed to be significant in addition to bladder ERR (TT 13%) for Svol PTV cases. Generally, all modalities performed better when compared to 3D conformal delivery excluding nominal (<5%) increases in normal tissue dose and increased bladder ERR for several TT cases. Conclusion: We compared three prostate EBRT modalities considering OAR ERR as well as traditional plan quality metrics for a class of cases defined by relative structure size. Preliminary results indicate comparable improvements in PTV conformity & OAR dosing for each modality but differences in OAR ERR.
Pocketed Microneedles for Drug Delivery to the Skin

Abstract Drug delivery to the skin is limited by the strong barrier properties of skin's outer layer of stratum corneum. Micron-scale needles have been developed to deliver drugs across this barrier layer and into the skin in a minimally invasive manner. One method of delivery involves coating these microneedles with a drug that rapidly dissolves off within the skin. As a variation on this approach, this study examines microneedles with holes cut through their shafts to form “pockets” that can be filled with drug formulations using a dip-coating method. Our results (i) demonstrated the filling of microneedle pockets having a variety of different sizes and shapes, (ii) quantified the amount of drug that can be filled into pockets and coated onto microneedle surfaces, (iii) developed composite microneedle structures that sequester one model drug within the microneedle pocket and coat another model drug on the microneedle surface and (iv) showed that pocketed microneedles can deliver a model drug to a targeted depth within the skin within 1 min. We conclude that pocketed microneedles offer unique capabilities for controlled drug delivery to the skin.
Labeling and the Adoption of a Deviant Status

This study explores the role of labeling in the process by which individuals come to perceive their personal indebtedness as indicative of a deviant status. Particular attention is paid to the respective roles one's informal social network and self-help groups play in promoting the transformation from a non-deviant to deviant status. In-depth interviews with a convenience and snowball sample of 46 members of Debtors Anonymous (DA), was supplemented with contextual data from a DA newsletter and other print materials. The theoretical implications for both labeling theory and identity change processes are discussed.
Functional morphology of venous structures associated with the male and female reproductive systems in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

The reproductive organs of Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are surrounded by thermogenic locomotory muscles and insulating fat. Manatees are reported to maintain core body temperatures of 35.6°–36.4° C, temperatures known to interfere with production and maturation of viable sperm in terrestrial mammals. We describe two novel venous plexuses associated with the manatee epididymis. Each epididymis is located in a hypogastric fossa at the caudolateral extremity of the abdominal cavity. Each hypogastric fossa is lined by an inguinal venous plexus that receives cooled blood from a superficial thoracocaudal plexus. We conclude that male manatees may prevent hyperthermic insult to their reproductive tissues by feeding cooled superficial blood to venous plexuses deep within their bodies. Female manatees also possess hypogastric fossae and venous structures similar to those found in male manatees. The ovaries, uterine tubes, and distal tips of the uterine horns are located in the hypogastric fossae. We suggest that the thermovascular structures we describe also prevent hypothermic insult to female manatee reproductive tissues. The venous structures in manatees are functionally similar to structures associated with reproductive thermoregulation in cetaceans and phocid seals. Thus, these thermovascular structures appear to be convergent morphological adaptations that occur in three clades of diving mammals with independent evolutionary histories. Anat Rec 264:339–347, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE FORMATION OF SPECIALITY GROUPS WITHIN THE AAG

In this second report from the Long Range Planning Committee, the Chairman of the Communications Task Force discusses the purpose, structure, and functioning of Specialty Groups, which are to be established in accordance with a Committee recommendation approved by the AAG Council.
Prenatal stress suppresses rat pup ultrasonic vocalization and myoclonic twitching in response to separation.

Prenatally stressed infant rats were separated from their dams and littermates on postnatal Day 14 and their rates of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and myoclonic twitching in response to that separation were recorded. Compared to control pups, prenatally stressed pups vocalized significantly less often and showed significantly less myoclonic twitching in response to this test. Results are interpreted in terms of the ability of prenatal stress to produce infants that are behaviorally inhibited when in a novel or stressful situation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 34: 205–215, 1999
Device Closure Rates of Simple Atrial Septal Defects Optimized by the STARFlex Device

Objectives This study sought to review the outcomes of 3 generations of closure devices for secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) at a single institution. Background Transcatheter closure of ASDs is now increasingly performed with devices that have been modified over time to improve performance. Methods A review of prospective clinical trials of Clamshell (C.R. Bard Inc., Murray Hill, New Jersey), CardioSEAL (NMT Medical Inc., Boston, Massachusetts), and STARFlex (NMT Medical Inc.) closure devices for simple ASDs was performed. The entry criteria for these trials were age ≥2 years, isolated secundum ASD, evidence of right ventricular volume overload, and maximum stretched diameter varying from 20 to 25 mm. Successful outcomes were defined as no more than small residual leak (≤2 mm) with absence of a severe complication or the need for an additional device or surgery. Results A total of 72 Clamshell, 30 CardioSEAL, and 42 STARFlex devices were placed in uncomplicated ASDs. Each device modification resulted in improved closure rates, with the STARFlex device achieving a 93% complete closure rate with a device/stretched diameter ratio significantly smaller than with the other devices (p = 0.001). Severe complications occurred in 5 Clamshell, 1 CardioSEAL, and 0 STARFlex cases. Successful outcomes increased for each generation of device (79%, 93%, and 98% respectively, p = 0.009). There have been no long-term complications for either the CardioSEAL or the STARFlex devices. Conclusions Modifications in 3 generations of devices have resulted in improved results for percutaneous ASD closure.
Direct evidence for S-nitrosation of mitochondrial complex I

NO* (nitric oxide) is a pleiotropic signalling molecule, with many of its effects on cell function being elicited at the level of the mitochondrion. In addition to the well-characterized binding of NO* to the Cu(B)/haem-a3 site in mitochondrial complex IV, it has been proposed by several laboratories that complex I can be inhibited by S-nitrosation of a cysteine. However, direct molecular evidence for this is lacking. In this investigation we have combined separation techniques for complex I (blue-native gel electrophoresis, Superose 6 column chromatography) with sensitive detection methods for S-nitrosothiols (chemiluminescence, biotin-switch assay), to show that the 75 kDa subunit of complex I is S-nitrosated in mitochondria treated with S-nitrosoglutathione (10 microM-1 mM). The stoichiometry of S-nitrosation was 7:1 (i.e. 7 mol of S-nitrosothiols per mol of complex I) and this resulted in significant inhibition of the complex. Furthermore, S-nitrosothiols were detected in mitochondria isolated from hearts subjected to ischaemic preconditioning. The implications of these results for the physiological regulation of respiration, for reactive oxygen species generation and for a potential role of S-nitrosation in cardioprotection are discussed.
Effect of random disorder and spin frustration on the reentrant spin-glass and ferromagnetic phases in the stage-2 Cu 0.93 Co 0.07 Cl 2 graphite intercalation compound near the multicritical point

The stage-2 ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.93}{\mathrm{Co}}_{0.07}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$ graphite intercalation compound magnetically behaves like a reentrant ferromagnet near the multicritical point $({c}_{\mathit{MCP}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.96)$. It undergoes two magnetic phase transitions at ${T}_{\mathit{RSG}}$ $(=6.64\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ and ${T}_{c}$ $(=8.62\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$. The static and dynamic nature of the ferromagnetic and reentrant spin-glass phase has been studied using dc and ac magnetic susceptibility. Characteristic memory phenomena of the dc susceptibility are observed at ${T}_{\mathit{RSG}}$ and ${T}_{c}$. The nonlinear ac susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{3}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ has a positive local maximum at ${T}_{\mathit{RSG}}$, and a negative local minimum at ${T}_{c}$. The relaxation time $\ensuremath{\tau}$ between ${T}_{\mathit{RSG}}$ and ${T}_{c}$ shows a critical slowing down: $\ensuremath{\tau}$ with $x=13.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4$ and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}^{*}=(2.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$. The influence of the random disorder on the critical behavior above ${T}_{c}$ is clearly observed: $\ensuremath{\alpha}=\ensuremath{-}0.66$, $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.63$, and $\ensuremath{\gamma}=1.40$. The exponent of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is far from that of the three-dimensional Heisenberg model.
Synchronizing Export Orientation with Import Substitution: Creating Competitive Indigenous High-Tech Companies in China

Summary This paper examines how the synergy between China’s domestic and the international market has affected its most competitive indigenous companies. Through case study in China’s ICT sectors in the 1990s, the paper shows that when export upgrades and domestic market growth intersect in timing and sectors, that is, when they synchronize, Chinese companies found conditions most favorable to compete with foreign companies within the domestic market. The synchronization has significant impact on sectors for both mature products and technologically advanced products. It is thus necessary to reexamine the role of import-substitution practices under the new context of globalization and in conjunction with exports.
Mass-spectral investigation of AsF5-doped (CH)x

Abstract Polyacetylene, (CH)x, doped with arsenic pentafluoride has been the subject of considerable study since the discovery of its high electrical conductivity, but controversy has surrounded the form of the dopant in the polymer. We report the results of a mass-spectral study aimed at identifying the arsenic fluoride species present after doping. The results demonstrate that AsF6− is present, and models are proposed to explain the possible source of the controversy concerning previous anlytical results. A method of synthesis is suggested for reproducible production of a pure AsF6−-doped material.
Instability-driven energy transport in near-integrable, many degrees-of-freedom, Hamiltonian systems.

We report a numerical study of near-integrable Hamiltonian systems with many degrees of freedom. Recently reported transition phenomena for a coarse discrete sine-Gordon system are reexamined in the near-integrable limit and with the aid of statistical and integrable diagnostics. We show that the critical energy of transition from recurrence to chaotic transport of energy coincides with the onset, in the initial data, of integrable exponential instabilities and associated homoclinic orbits. This Letter aims to tie together classical and recent numerical experiments and theory of lattice instabilities and integrable systems.
Relationships of teenage smoking to educational aspirations and parents' education

This study analyzes data for white high school seniors from the 1985 Monitoringthe Future national survey. Students who had less educated parents or lower educational aspirations were more likely to have tried a cigarette more likely to have adopted cigarette smoking, and less likely to have quit smoking. These students also had more favorable attitudes toward smoking, and reported greater acceptance of smoking by their friends. In addition, the students with less educated parents or lower educational aspirations appeared to be more rejecting of adult authority and more predisposed to adopt adult behaviors, and these characteristics, in turn, were associated with smoking more. The results of multivariate analyses support the hypothesis that these students have experienced less success in school and are more likely to adopt behaviors characteristic of adults as an alternative source of status and gratification, and this contributes to their higher rates of smoking.
Methylation PCR analysis of Prader‐Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and control subjects

We report on a relatively large survey of Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and control subjects with the newly described methylation polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to determine its usefulness for molecular diagnosis. Sixty-one Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) individuals (26 men and 35 women), 9 Angelman syndrome (AS) patients (5 men and 4 women), and 58 other individuals were studied with methylation PCR following sodium bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA. In addition, multiple tissues, including fetal tissue, were studied from several individuals to determine the effects of various tissues on methylation PCR results. The expected methylation PCR result was observed in each case. This PCR-based assay evaluates the methylation status of the CpG island of the SNRPN gene and allows for rapid molecular diagnosis of PWS or AS with less labor than Southern hybridization for methylation analysis. The PCR results were identical to those achieved by Southern hybridization in those individuals studied.
Galvanic Anode Cathodic Polarization of Steel in Seawater: Part III — Retrofit Cathodic Protection of Offshore Structures

Abstract Numerous offshore petroleum production structures have aged to the point that the galvanic anodes on these will expire before the end of their useful lives. Retrofit of the cathodic protec...
Comparative lipid response of four primate species to dietary changes in fat and carbohydrate.

Abstract The serum lipid response to long-term feeding of saturated or unsaturated fat with or without dietary cholesterol was compared during three experiments using four species of juvenile monkeys (squirrel, cynomolgus, cebus and spider) born and raised in captivity. When diets containing 10% safflower oil, 10% coconut oil, or high in carbohydrate (48.6 %) with or without 0.1 % cholesterol were fed to cebus and squirrel monkeys for alternate 6 week periods, coconut oil was hypercholesterolemic in both species, but dietary cholesterol further enhanced the hypercholesterolemia only in squirrel monkeys. The effect of the nature of the dietary carbohydrate on serum lipids was examined by feeding these diets continuously to spider monkeys for 36 months while varying the source of the carbohydrate. The results indicated that only coconut oil with sucrose was hyperlipidemic in this species. When cynomolgus and cebus monkeys were fed coconut or safflower oil with or without 0.2% cholesterol, the cynomolgus monkey demonstrated a marked hypercholesterolemia in response to dietary cholesterol and a more moderate response to saturated fat, while the cebus again proved more sensitive to dietary saturated fat than to dietary cholesterol. These data emphasize the interspecies variation between primates with respect to their serum lipid responses to dietary saturated fat, carbohydrate and cholesterol, and identify potential models for study of control mechanisms involved in the regulation of circulating lipids.
An optical sensor for multi-species impurity monitoring in hydrogen fuel

Abstract Hydrogen is the fuel used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), among others. The purity of the hydrogen fuel is very important for the performance of hydrogen-fueled engines. In the present work, we have designed, developed, and tested a state-of-the-art laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) based optical sensor to detect four important trace level impurities (i.e. nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and helium) in hydrogen as a rocket fuel. The sensor can simultaneously measure the concentrations of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and helium in hydrogen fuel storage tanks and supply lines. LABVIEW ® based software is also developed to control and operate the optical sensor. The software performs the data analysis and provides elemental concentrations (in ppm) of these impurities. The sensor has estimated limits of detection of 80 ppm for nitrogen, 97 ppm for argon, 10 ppm for oxygen, and 25 ppm for helium. This prototype sensor is easy to deploy in the field.
The role of excessive volume expansion in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a disorder which is responsible for significant maternal morbidity and mortality as well as fetal wastage. Its pathogenesis remains obscure and its only treatment is the delivery of the placenta and the fetus. Over time it has become clear that this syndrome is not a single disease but a disorder with, most likely, multiple etiologic factors that have a common (or similar) phenotype(s). A leading hypothesis, first developed in the early 1970s, is that the hypertension, proteinuria and intrauterine growth restriction are the result of hypoperfusion of the maternal-fetal unit. However, the early events leading to this deranged circulatory event have not been extensively studied. We hypothesize that at least one of the early pathogenetic events is excessive expansion of the extracellular fluid volume. This leads to persistent elaboration of (a) circulating factor(s) that interfere(s) with remodeling of the decidual vasculature preventing normal placentation from occurring. Our experiments have dealt largely with the role that an endogenous bufadienolide, marinobufagenin (MBG), plays in this pathogenetic process. In this report, we provide evidence for this thesis and point to future studies aimed at testing this hypothesis. These will include evaluating large groups of preeclamptic patients to determine their blood and urinary levels of MBG. Efforts will also be made to determine if there are differences in sodium handling in those patients with elevated levels of MBG, compared to other preeclamptic patients and to normal pregnant subjects.
Prediction-Based QoS Management for Real-Time Data Streams

With the emergence of large wired and wireless sensor networks, many real-time applications need to operate on continuous unbounded data streams. At the same time, many of these systems have inherent timing constraints. Providing deadline guarantees for queries over dynamic data streams is a challenging problem due to bursty data stream arrival rates and time-varying stream contents. In this paper, we propose a prediction-based quality-of-service (QoS) management scheme for periodic queries over dynamic data streams. Our QoS management scheme features novel query workload estimators, which predict the query workload using execution time profiling and input data sampling, and adjusts the query QoS levels based on online query execution time prediction. We implement our QoS management algorithm on a real-time data stream query system prototype called RTStream. Our experimental evaluation of the scheme shows that our query workload estimator performs very well even with workload fluctuations and our QoS management scheme yields better overall system utility than the existing approaches for QoS management
New multi-electron high capacity anodes based on nanoparticle vanadium phosphides

Nanoscale vanadium phosphides can serve as new high capacity anodes in alkaline aqueous electrolytes. Competing corrosion reaction(s) are mitigated with the novel use of an anion exchange membrane providing for capacities as high as 2800 mAh g−1 @ 100 mA g−1 discharge rate.
Routes to higher-carbon sugar derivatives having keto-acetylenic and -alkenic, and α,β-unsaturated aldehyde functionality

Abstract Oxidative dimerization of 7,8-dideoxy-1,2:3,4-di- O -isopropylidene- d - glycero -α- d - galacto -oct-7-ynopyranoside ( 1 ) gave a high yield of the diyne 2 , readily reduced by lithium aluminum hydride to the trans,trans -diene ( 4 ). The structures of 2 and 4 were established spectroscopically and by degradation of 4 to d - glycero - d - galacto -heptitol (perscitol). A mixture of the alkyne 1 and its 7-epimer 10 was readily oxidized by dimethyl sulfoxide-acetic anhydride to the 6-ketone 11 , and the 8-alkene analog was similarly prepared from the alkenes derived from 1 and 10 . Likewise, oxidation of 6,7-dideoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- d - gluco (and β- L - ido )-hept-6-enopyranose gave the corresponding 5-ketone. The acetylenic ketone 11 gave a crystalline oxime and (2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazone, the latter being accompanied by the product of attack of the reagent at the acetylene terminus (C-8). Previous work had shown that formyl-methylenetriphenylphosphorane did not convert 1,2:3,4-di- O -isopropylidene-6- aldehydo -α- d - galacto -hexodialdo-1,5-pyranose into the corresponding C 8 unsaturated aldehyde, although the latter was obtainable via 1 and 10 by an ethynylation-hydroboration sequence. The Wittig route with formylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane is shown to be satisfactory for obtaining C 7 unsaturated aldehydes from 3- O -benzyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-5- aldehydo -α- d - xylo -pentodialdo-1,4-furanose ( 22 ) and the 3-epimer of 22 , respectively. These reactions provide convenient access to higher-carbon sugars and chiral dienes for synthesis of optically pure products of cyclo-addition reactions.
Cytokeratin 1 and gC1qR mediate high molecular weight kininogen binding to endothelial cells.

High molecular weight kininogen (HK) attaches to endothelial cells by separate sites on the heavy and light chains and requires 15-50 microM zinc. Previously identified binding proteins include gC1qR, cytokeratin 1, and the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor; however, their relative contributions to binding are not yet clarified. We have prepared affinity columns to which were coupled either cleaved HK or peptide LDCNAEVYVVPWEKKIYPTVNCQPLGM derived from heavy-chain domain 3. Endothelial cell membranes were solubilized and chromatographed in the presence or absence of zinc ion, the bound proteins were eluted, and active fractions were identified by dot blot using biotinylated HK, SDS/PAGE, and Western blot analysis. The peptide containing column eluate revealed but one band at 68 kDa if zinc ion was present which was identified as cytokeratin 1 by amino acid sequencing of an internal peptide. The HK affinity column revealed bands at 68 kDa (cytokeratin 1), 33 kDa (gC1qR), and 66 kDa (unidentified). HK or domain 3-derived peptide bound to the 68 kDa band; prekallikrein and Factor XII did not. HK or Factor XII bound to the 33-kDa band if zinc was present while no binding to the 66 kDa band was observed. Antibody to cytokeratin 1 inhibited HK binding to endothelial cells by 30%, antibody to gC1qR inhibited HK binding to endothelial cells by 72%, and a mixture of both inhibited binding by 86%. Our data suggest HK binding by interaction of the heavy-chain domain 3 with cytokeratin 1 and the light chain with gC1qR.
Challenges in Land Tenure and Land Reform in Africa: Anthropological Contributions

Summary This paper discusses the interface of anthropological research on land with policy positions across formative periods—from the colonial period through to the present as land tenure reform has repeatedly become a development priority; and recent research on intensifying competition over land, its intersection with competition over legitimate authority, new types of land transfers, the role of claims of indigeneity or autochthony in land conflicts, and the challenges of increasing social inequality and of commodification of land for analysis and for land reform. Anthropology is best known for its intensive fieldwork—deep immersion in social situations and long-term involvement with social groups—which produces the rich ethnographies that inform debates about land. Equally important is the conceptual contribution by anthropologists in dialogue with the ethnographies as well as with other researchers—the rethinking of concepts and theories used to analyze land relations.
Microstructure and tensile properties of Fe-40 At. pct Al alloys with C, Zr, Hf, and B additions

The influence of small additions of C, Zr, and Hf, alone or in combination with B, on the microstructure and tensile behavior of substoichiometric FeAl was investigated. Tensile prop-erties were determined from 300 to 1100 K on powder which was consolidated by hot extrusion. All materials possessed some ductility at room temperature, although ternary additions generally reduced ductility compared to the binary alloy. Adding B to the C- and Zr-containing alloys changed the fracture mode from intergranular to transgranular and restored the ductility to ap-proximately 5 pct elongation. Additions of Zr and Hf increased strength up to about 900 K, which was related to a combination of grain refinement and precipitation hardening. Fe6Al6Zr and Fe6Al6Hf precipitates, both with identical body-centered tetragonal structures, were iden-tified as the principal second phases in these alloys. Strength decreased steadily as temperature increased above 700 K, as diffusion-assisted mechanisms, including grain boundary sliding and cavitation, became operative. Although all alloys had similar strengths at 1100 K, Hf additions significantly improved high-temperature ductility by suppressing cavitation.
The interaction between bone marrow stromal cells and RGD-modified three-dimensional porous polycaprolactone scaffolds

We previously established a simple method to immobilize the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide on polycaprolactone (PCL) two-dimensional film surfaces that significantly improved bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) adhesion to these films. The current work extends this modification strategy to three-dimensional (3D) PCL scaffolds to investigate BMSC attachment, cellular distribution and cellularity, signal transduction and survival on the modified PCL scaffold compared to those on the untreated ones. The results demonstrated that treatment of 3D PCL scaffold surfaces with 1,6-hexanediamine introduced the amino functional groups onto the porous PCL scaffold homogenously as detected by a ninhydrin staining method. Followed by the cross-linking reaction, RGDC peptide was successfully immobilized on the surface of PCL scaffold. Although the static seeding method used in this study caused heterogeneous cell distribution, the RGD-modified PCL scaffold still demonstrated the improved BMSC attachment and cellular distribution in the scaffold. More importantly, the integrin-mediated signal transduction FAK-PI3K-Akt pathway was significantly up-regulated by RGD modification and a subsequent increase in cell survival and growth was found in the modified scaffold. The present study introduces an easy method to immobilize RGD peptide on the 3D porous PCL scaffold and provides further evidence that modification of 3D PCL scaffolds with RGD peptides elicits specific cellular responses and improves the final cell-biomaterial interaction.
Evaluation of Nissen fundoplication in neurologically impaired children

The value of performing Nissen fundoplication in neurologically impaired children is a controversial issue. To evaluate the benefit of fundoplication in these children, hospital records were reviewed for 77 children who underwent fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Fifty-two children were neurologically impaired; 25 children had no neurological impairment. Impaired children had significantly fewer hospital admissions (1.8 v 0.7; P less than .005) and total days of hospitalization (36 v 14; P less than .005) during the first postoperative 6 months, compared with the immediate preoperative 6-month period. Normal children had fewer hospital admissions and days postoperatively, but the difference was not significant. Impaired children with preoperative failure to thrive (FTT had significantly increased average monthly weight gain over the first 6-month period postoperatively, compared with preoperative growth rate (3.0% v 0.9% of total body weight; P less than .05). Average monthly weight gain at 1 and 2 years postoperatively was not significantly different from preoperative values for impaired children. Growth rate of normal children with FTT did not change significantly postoperatively. Symptomatic relief was comparable in the normal and impaired children. Perioperative mortality was 0% in the normal children and 6% in the impaired children. This study demonstrates that Nissen fundoplication in neurologically impaired children with GER can be performed safely, reduces the frequency of hospitalization, and improves short-term weight gain.
Lipschitz factorization through subsets of Hilbert space

Abstract The Euclidean distortion of a metric space, a measure of how well the metric space can be embedded into a Hilbert space, is currently an active interdisciplinary research topic. We study the corresponding notion for mappings instead of spaces, which is that of Lipschitz factorization through subsets of Hilbert space. The main theorems are two characterizations of when a mapping admits such a factorization, both of them inspired by results dealing with linear factorizations through Hilbert space. The first is a nonlinear version of a classical theorem of Kwapien in terms of “dominated” sequences of vectors, whereas the second is a duality result by means of a tensor-product approach.
Lateral regulation of synaptic transmission by astrocytes.

Abstract Fifteen years ago the concept of the “tripartite synapse” was proposed to conceptualize the functional view that astrocytes are integral elements of synapses. The signaling exchange between astrocytes and neurons within the tripartite synapse results in the synaptic regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity through an autocrine form of communication. However, recent evidence indicates that the astrocyte synaptic regulation is not restricted to the active tripartite synapse but can be manifested through astrocyte signaling at synapses relatively distant from active synapses, a process termed lateral astrocyte synaptic regulation. This phenomenon resembles the classical heterosynaptic modulation but is mechanistically different because it involves astrocytes and its properties critically depend on the morphological and functional features of astrocytes. Therefore, the functional concept of the tripartite synapse as a fundamental unit must be expanded to include the interaction between tripartite synapses. Through lateral synaptic regulation, astrocytes serve as an active processing bridge for synaptic interaction and crosstalk between synapses with no direct neuronal connectivity, supporting the idea that neural network function results from the coordinated activity of astrocytes and neurons.
Not All Children Agree: Acquisition of Agreement when the Input Is Variable.

In this paper we investigate the effect of variable input on the acquisition of grammar. More specifically, we examine the acquisition of the third person singular marker –s on the auxiliary do in comprehension and production in two groups of children who are exposed to similar varieties of English but that differ with respect to adult production of agreement on the auxiliary. In the first variety, the input to children for agreement on the auxiliary is consistent as the marker is always produced when there is a third person singular subject. In the second variety, however, there is a variable input for agreement marking on the auxiliary do: within and across speakers, agreement marking is sometimes present (e.g., He doesn't like venison) and sometimes absent (e.g., He don't like venison) with third person singular subjects. In other words, while both groups of children are exposed to an input where the third person singular marker is always present on the main verb (when it agrees with a third person sin...