cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Head‐to‐head units in poly(propylene oxide) by ozonation

By extensive ozonation and lithium aluminum hydride reduction, poly(propylene oxide) can be converted to material containing dipropylene glycol. Since the diprimary, disecondary, and primary-secondary isomers are readily separable by vapor-phase chromatography, it has been possible to show that some (but not all) noncrystalline PPO samples contain many head-to-head, tail-to-tail monomer units. Correlation of the fraction of head-to-head units with the optical rotation of noncrystalline fractions from optically active monomer, indicates that there is one asymmetric center inverted for every unit inserted head-to-head. The earlier suggestion that the noncrystalline fraction was due to atactic stereochemistry is thus shown to be generally incorrect in favor of an explanation due to positional isomerization.
Developmental trends in voluntary selective attention: Differential effects of source distinctness☆

Abstract The study is designed to test the hypothesis that an inability to separate incoming information into discrete messages is a source of young children's relatively poor performance in selective attention tasks. Accordingly, the experiment arranges three conditions of varying distinctness between central and distractor information. The central task consists of a continuous matching task in which the subject is required to track the position of a stick figure. Rate of presentation is manipulable. The effects of the three different distractor types are assessed on individually determined and matched baselines of performance on the central task in the absence of distraction. Kindergarteners, second graders, and fifth graders serve as subjects. Whereas second-grade and fifth-grade children are most accurate when the distinctness of the messages is high, the opposite pattern occurs in kindergarteners. This interaction implicates strategy differences that are age-related. Kindergarteners perform as if the task requires divided attention. Second graders and older children use the more appropriate focusing strategy, but the former have particular difficulty when the messages are not distinct. Equally notable is the second graders' success in focusing when the source discreteness is arranged. The relation between this result and previous reports is also discussed.
Resonant, optical growth of submicrometer metal gratings

Submicrometer metal gratings are generated when adsorbed molecules on a dielectric substrate are photodissociated by two interfering laser beams. The measured surface photodissociation rate is greatly enhanced at specific grating spacings. This resonant growth has been interpreted as a coherent optical process coupled by the growing deposited structure.
Stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems with incomplete state information

A controller design incorporating a nonlinear state reconstructor is considered for a class of unstable non-linear plants of the form &x = Ax + f(x) + Du where the state x is an n-vector, the control u is a p-vector, and A is an unstable matrix. It is assumed that f(?) is such that (1) yields a unique solution starting from any initial state x(o) and that f(x) contains only terms of second-order or greater. Measurements of the form y = Hx where H is an mxn matrix are assumed to be available as the input to the controller. The objective of the controller design is to yield an asymptotically stable closed loop system.
Two-month-old infants’ sensitivity to allophonic differences

The present study investigated 2-month-olds' abilities to discriminate allophonic differences that are potentially useful in segmenting fluent speech. Experiment 1 investigated infants' sensitivity to the kind of distinction that may signal the presence or absence of a word boundary. When tested with the high-amplitude sucking procedure, infants discriminated pairs of items, such as "nitrate" versus "night rate" and "nikrate" versus "nike rate". By greatly reducing the potential contribution of prosodic differences to these contrasts, Experiment 2 evaluated whether the allophonic differences for /t/ and /r/ were sufficient for infants to distinguish the "nitrate" versus "night rate" pair. Infants distinguished "nitrate" from a cross-spliced version of "night rate," which differed only in the allophones for /t/ and /r/ that it included. Thus, infants appear to possess one of the prerequisite capacities (i.e., the ability to discriminate allophonic distinctions) necessary to use allophonic information in segmenting fluent speech.
Avatars mirroring the actual self versus projecting the ideal self: the effects of self-priming on interactivity and immersion in an exergame, Wii Fit.

Abstract As exergames are increasingly being used as an interventional tool to fight the obesity epidemic in clinical studies, society is absorbing their impact to a more intense degree. Interactivity and immersion are key factors that attract exergame consumers. This research asks, What are the effects of priming the actual self versus the ideal self on users' perceived interactivity and immersion in avatar-based exergame playing? and What are important moderators that play a role in exergame users' self-concept perception? To answer these research questions, this study leveraged the Wii's avatar-creating function (Mii Channel) and exergame feature (Wii Fit) in a controlled, randomized experimental design (N = 126). The results of a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment demonstrated the significant main effect of self-priming on interactivity and the moderating role of the actual-ideal self-concept discrepancy in influencing immersion during exergame playing. Game players who created an avatar reflecting the...
Excision repair of UV damage in human fibroblasts reversibly permeabilized by lysolecithin

We have examined nucleotide excision repair synthesis in confluent human diploid fibroblasts permeabilized with lysolecithin. Following a UV dose of 12 J/m2, maximal incorporation of [α35S]dNTPs occurred at a lysolecithin concentration (∼ 80 μg/ml) where slightly more than 90% of the cells were initially permeable to trypan blue. However, autoradiography of cells, permeabilized at this lysolecithin concentration, demonstrated that only about 20% of the tottal cell population incorporated significant levels of 35S into DNA. This result presumably reflected the fact that ∼ 20% of the total cell population remained permeable for much longer periods of time (up to 2 h) than the remaining cell population (< 20 min). The incorporation of dNTPs by UV-irradiated, permeabilized cells appeared to be bona fide excision repair synthesis since: (1) Incorporation was completely absent in unirradiated, permeabilized cells and in irradiated, permeabilized repair-deficient cells. (2) Nucleotides incorporated in the presence of BrdUTP were associated with normal density DNA. (3) The apparent Km for all 4 dNTPs was 50–100 nM, in agreement with past reports on human fibroblasts irreversibly permeabilized by cell lysis. (4) DNA associated with the newly incorporated dNTPs underwent ligation and rearrangements in chromatin structure analogous to what is observed in intact human cells. Repair incorporation of dNTPs was rapid and linear during the first 2 h after UV irradiation and permeabilization. After this time, incorporation ceased or continued at a much slower rate. Cell viability experiments and autoradiography demonstrated that the cells permeabilized to [3H]dNTPs were capable of carrying out DNA replication and cell division. Thus, confluent human diploid fibroblasts can be reversibly permeabilized to labeled dNTPs by lysolecithin for the study of excision repair following physiologic doses of UV radiation. However, under these conditions, only a fraction of the cells remain permeable for an extended period of time.
Temporal arteritis and renal disease. Case report and review of the literature

Renal abnormalities have been described in a small percentage of patients with temporal arteritis. Transient microscopic hematuria is the most common finding. In rare instances, widespread vasculitis involving renal arteries or microscopic polyarteritis nodosa can be seen. This case report describes the association of temporal arteritis with membranous glomerulonephropathy and the nephrotic syndrome in an elderly patient, an occurrence not previously reported. Whether this association is coincidental or pathogenetically linked remains to be determined.
Impact of Neighborhood Social Conditions and Household Socioeconomic Status on Behavioral Problems Among US Children

We examine the impact of neighborhood social conditions and household socioeconomic status (SES) on the prevalence of parent-reported behavioral problems among US children aged 6–17 years. The 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health was used to develop a factor analytic index and a dichotomous measure of serious behavioral problems (SBP) in children. The outcome measures were derived from 11 items capturing parents’ ratings of their children on a set of behaviors, e.g., arguing, bullying, and feelings of worthlessness, depression, and detachment. Dichotomous measures of perceived safety, presence of garbage/litter, poor/dilapidated housing, and vandalism were used to assess neighborhood social conditions. Household SES was measured using parental education and household poverty status. Logistic and least squares regression models were used to analyze neighborhood and household socioeconomic effects on the continuous and binary outcome measures after controlling for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, including behavioral risk factors, family cohesion, social participation, and geographic mobility. Higher levels of behavioral problems were associated with socially disadvantaged neighborhoods and lower household SES. Adjusted logistic models showed that children in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods (those characterized by safety concerns, poor housing, garbage/litter in streets, and vandalism) had 1.9 times higher odds, children in poverty had 3.7 times higher odds, and children of parents with less than high school education had 1.9 times higher odds of SBP than their more advantaged counterparts. Improvements in neighborhood conditions and household SES may both help to reduce childhood behavioral problems.
Detection of tool wear using gradient adaptive lattice and pattern recognition analysis

Abstract A method of recognising tool wear states in a turning operation from the integrated information of cutting force and acoustic emission signals is presented. The approach, which employs gradient adaptive lattice analysis and pattern recognition techniques, is fast and yields accurate recognition of tool wear states in a wide range of cutting conditions. The gradient adaptive lattice algorithm is applied to recursively compute the autoregressive as well as partial correlation coefficients for both signals with high computational efficiency. Those coefficients are chosen to characterise the sensing signals and used as the feature inputs for pattern recognition. A stepwise search procedure was applied to select the most useful features for the recognition process. Both unsupervised learning technique (fuzzy C-means algorithm) and supervised learning technique (linear discriminant analysis) are used in the pattern recognition analysis. Characteristics of each method are discussed and performance in recognising the states of cutting tool (fresh or worn) is evaluated. The results show that this approach was successfully applied to signify a fresh or worn tool state with a high percentage of correct classification (over 90%).
Multi-Member Districts in Dade County: Study of a Problem and a Delegation

THE ISSUE of single-member vs. multi-member districts for the choice of legislators in the American States has been the subject of a number of studies in the past decade. The present study is designed first to review this literature and the data it presents. Next, focusing on the Dade County (Miami) delegation in the 1965 Florida Legislature permits study of a multi-member delegation composed of two Senators and fourteen House members, all elected at large. The study of this delegation and of the reapportionment measure which was enacted brings to a focus pro and con arguments over single-member vs. multi-member districts. This issue, as a matter of fact, was one of the major ones of the 1965 Florida legislative session. The concepts of systems analysis and role theory will be employed in this article. David Easton's recent work, A Systems Analysis of Political Life provides us with a proposed dynamic model.' In this model situational data is regarded as a political input into the political system. This will be followed in this article, using a system adapted to the legislative process. This systems analysis is similar to that used by Herbert Jacobs in his chapter in the 1966 American Assembly volume}, State Legislatures in American Politics.2 Within the political system roles analysis is employed. In the field of legislative behavior, Wahlke, Eulau, et al. have effectively applied this concept in their book, The Legislative System.3
Multiscale modeling in the mechanics of materials

Abstract With the advent of ever more powerful computers, the push to investigate materials directly on the basis of simulation represents an important part of modern materials science. One crucial set of developments in such modeling concerns the use of multiscale techniques in which either multiple time or multiple spatial scales are treated simultaneously.
Nonconvergence results for the application of least-squares estimation to Ill-posed problems

One standard approach to solvingf(x)=b is the minimization of ∥f(x)−b∥2 overx in\(\mathop \mathfrak{X}\limits^ \sim \), where\(\mathop \mathfrak{X}\limits^ \sim \) corresponds to a parametric representation providing sufficiently good approximation to the true solutionx*. Call the minimizerx=A(\(\mathop \mathfrak{X}\limits^ \sim \)). Take\(\mathop \mathfrak{X}\limits^ \sim \)=\(\mathfrak{X}\)N for a sequence {\(\mathfrak{X}\)N} of subspaces becoming dense, and so determine an approximating sequences {xN≔A (\(\mathfrak{X}\)N)}. It is shown, withf linear and one-to-one, that one need not havexN→x* iff−1 is not continuous.
Direct blood pressure measurements in brachial and femoral arteries in children.

Intra-arterial pressure in the brachial artery was compared with that in the femoral artery in children. There were no significant differences in systolic, diastolic, or mean pressures. The average auscultatory systolic pressure in the arm, obtained with a cuff 20% wider than the limb, was identical to the average direct systolic pressure in the brachial and femoral arteries. The auscultatory systolic pressure in the leg, using the same criterion for cuff width, was 11 mm Hg higher than the direct pressures. The discrepancy could represent (1) a systematic error in cuff size of inadequate width or length or (2) additional systolic amplification between the femoral and popliteal arteries. Since the femoral pressure is widely used in cardiac catheterization, this pressure is suggested as the standard for calibrating auscultatory technics. For leg blood pressure measurements a cuff at least 25% wider than the average leg diameter and long enough to encircle the limb is recommended.
Genome-wide analysis of histone modifications by ChIP-on-chip

Post-translational modifications to histone proteins regulate the packaging of genomic DNA into chromatin, gene activity and other functions of the genome. They are understood to play key roles in embryonic development and disease pathogenesis. Recent advances in technology have made it possible to analyze chromatin structure genome-wide in mammalian cells. Global patterns of histone modifications can be observed using a technique called ChIP-on-chip, which combines the specificity of chromatin immunoprecipitation with the unbiased, high-throughput capabilities of microarrays. The resulting maps provide insight into the functions of, and relationships between, different modifications. Here, we provide validated ChIP-on-chip methods for analyzing histone modification patterns at genome-scale in mammalian cells.
Quasi-Linear Quantum Field Theories for Maps to Groups and Their Quotients

I describe a functional integral for maps from \(\mathbb{R}\times \mathbb{R}^{\rm n}\) to a Lie group or its quotient which has a simple renormalization that leads to a quantum field theory for maps from \(\mathbb{R}^{\rm n}\) into the Lie group or its quotient whose Hamiltonian is the time translation generator for a unitary action of the n+1 dimensional Poincare group on the quantum Hilbert space. I also explain how the renormalization provides a functional integral for maps from a Riemann surface to a compact Lie group or its quotient that exhibits many conformal field theoretic properties.
The role of cytosolic free calcium in the regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in synaptosomes

Calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism interact closely in brain and both processes are impaired during hypoxia. Since the regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) may link these two processes, the relation of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) to the activation state of PDHC (PDHa) was assessed in isolated nerve terminals (i.e. synaptosomes) under conditions that alter [Ca2+]i. K+ depolarization elevated [Ca2+]i and PDHa and both responses required external calcium. Treatment with KCN, an in vitro model of hypoxia decreased ATP and elevated [Ca2+]i and PDHa. Furthermore, in the presence of KCN, PDHa became more sensitive to K+ depolarization as indicated by larger changes in PDHa than in [Ca2+]i. The calcium ionophore Br-A23187 elevated [Ca2+]i, but did not affect PDHa. K+ depolarization elevated [Ca2+]i and PDHa even if [Ca2+]i was elevated by prior addition of ionophore or KCN. Previous in vivo studies by others show that PDHa is altered during and after ischemia. The current in vitro results suggest that hypoxia, only one component of ischemia, is sufficient to increase PDHa. These data also further support the notion that PDHa is regulated by [Ca2+]i as well as by other factors such as ATP. Our results are consistent with the concept that PDHa in nerve endings may be affected by [Ca2+]i and that these two processes are clearly linked.
Functional Consequences of the G235R Mutation in Liver Arginase Leading to Hyperargininemia

Hyperargininemia is a rare autosomal disorder that results from a deficiency in hepatic type I arginase. This deficiency is the consequence of random point mutations that occur throughout the gene. The G235R patient mutation has been proposed to affect the catalytic activity and structural integrity of the protein [D. E. Ash, L. R. Scolnick, Z. F. Kanyo, J. G. Vockley, S. D. Cederbaum, and D. W. Christianson (1998) Mol. Genet. Metab. 64, 243-249]. The G235R (patient) and G235A (control) arginase mutants of rat liver arginase have been generated to probe the effects of these point mutations on the structure and function of hepatic type I arginase. Both mutant arginases were trimeric by gel filtration, but the control G235A mutant had 56% of wild-type activity and the G235R mutant had less than 0.03% activity compared to the wild-type enzyme. The G235R mutant contained undetectable levels of tightly bound manganese as determined by electron paramagnetic resonance, while the G235A mutant had a Mn(II) stoichiometry of 2 Mn/subunit. Molecular modeling indicates that the introduction of an arginine residue at position 235 results in a major rearrangement of the metal ligands that compromise Mn(II) binding.
Biological productivity determined from oxygen mass balance and incubation experiments

The flux of metabolic products from the surface ocean regulates the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere on time scales shorter than millennia and is central to our perception of how the global ecosystem works. There are many different approaches for estimating the net production of organic matter in the euphotic zone. We compare net biological oxygen production derived from a study of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon mass balance with nitrate uptake determined in 15N incubation experiments in the mixed layer of the subarctic Pacific Ocean. Net community production rates determined by these two methods are within a factor of two with the incubations being, in one case, greater. This indicates that chemical mass balance and in vitro incubation measurements give similar results under circumstances where averaging over different time scales does not bias the comparison.
The large cliques in the graphs of quadratic forms

Let V be an n-dimensional vector space over GF(q). Define a graph Quad as follows: The vertices of Quad are the quadratic forms on V. Two vertices x1, and x2 are adjacent if rk(x1 − x2) is 1 or 2. Egawa [5] showed that Quad is a distance-regular graph. In this paper, we study the cliques of Quad. In particular, it is shown that there are only 3 types of ‘large’ maximal cliques. These cliques are then studied, and it is shown, using the cliques, that Quad can be a halved graph only if n ≤ 2.
Anesthesia for a neonate with persistent buccopharyngeal membrane and unilateral choanal atresia

We report our anesthetic management of a neonate who presented with complete persistent buccopharyngeal membrane and unilateral choanal atresia, and underwent examination under anesthesia. Maintaining airway patency and spontaneous respiration were our priority. Intravenous propofol was used to maintain adequate anesthetic depth for flexible laryngotracheoscopy and nasotracheal intubation through the only patent passage. We encountered problems of bradycardia and hypotension. Tracheostomy was performed. Definitive management of the persistent buccopharyngeal membrane was carried out on day 14.
The use of NMR residual dipolar couplings in aqueous dilute liquid crystalline medium for conformational studies of complex oligosaccharides

C-H dipolar coupling values were measured for a natural-abundance sample of the pentasaccharide beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1-->4)]-beta-D-GlcNAcp-(1 -->3)-beta-D- Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp ('lacto-N-fucopentaose 2') (LNF-2), in a 7.5% solution of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine-dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine bicelle liquid crystals oriented in the NMR magnetic field. Interpretation of the dipolar coupling data and NOE confirms the conformational model for the Lewis(a) trisaccharide epitope based on NOE, molecular dynamics simulations, and scalar coupling data and provided new structural information for the remaining residues of the pentasaccharide. Since residual dipolar coupling provides information on long-range order, it is a valuable complement to other types of NMR data such as NOE and scalar coupling for exploring conformations of complex oligosaccharides.
Spirituality in African-American mothers coping with a seriously ill infant.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To describe how African-American mothers' spirituality helped them cope during the time of their infants' hospitalization for a serious illness. DESIGN AND METHODS. Fourteen mothers whose infants were seriously ill in the early months of life were interviewed for this retrospective, descriptive study. RESULTS. The core theme related to prayer. Four mothers reported a strengthened faith, while two mothers continued to have difficulty relating to God or attending church. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. These findings support the importance of understanding and respecting the spiritual needs and expressions of spirituality in African-American mothers who are coping with a serious illness in one of their children.
The Werner syndrome protein: an update.

Progeria and progeroid syndromes are characterized by the earlier onset of complex senescent phenotypes. WRN was originally identified as a gene responsible for Werner syndrome (WS; “Progeria of Adults”). The WRN gene product has RecQ-type helicase domains in the central region of the protein. Subsequent studies also revealed that the WRN protein displays exonuclease activity and acts as a transcriptional activation factor. These biochemical studies, combined with cell biological studies, suggested that this protein is likely to be involved in the response to DNA damage during replication, as well as recombination and transcription processes. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which mutations in WRN cause the WS phenotype remain unknown. Recent progress in the understanding of the WRN protein and its implication in the normal aging process are discussed. BioEssays 22:894–901, 2000. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Pulmonary Emphysema

1.Pneumothorax in association with pulmonary emphysema is a serious complication, causing marked disability and requiring prompt and diligent therapy. 2.The patients are usually in the older age group and frequently have other diseases of the lungs or heart. 3.The clinical classification of emphysema may be used as a guide for surgical intervention. The best results from surgical treatment were in the groups of patients who had bullous emphysema without diffuse emphysematous involvement. 4.The type of therapy providing the most rapid re-expansion of the lung is the most desirable and in our cases has been intrathoracic intubation with continuous suction. 5.Surgical procedures must be employed in cases of recurrent pneumothorax and bullous emphysema, and partial parietal pleurectomy deserves more widespread application.
A study of bubble nucleation in a mixture of molten polymer and volatile liquid in a shear flow field

Bubble nucleation in a mixture of volatile liquid and polymer melt under shear flow conditions was investigated, using a light scattering technique. In the study, a mixture of polystyrene and trichlorofluoromethane was extruded through a slit die having glass windows and bubble nucleation in the flow channel was observed optically. A He-Ne laser was used to illuminate the nucleating and growing bubbles. The light flux scattered by the growing bubbles at a fixed angle was detected by a photomultiplier with the aid of a high-voltage power supply. The bubble nucleating site in the flow channel was located using a computer controlled tracking system, which was designed to move the entire optical system automatically in the three dimensional space, and also had the ability to follow the software control command and cooperate with the data acquisition system. When the site of bubble nucleation was located, the coordinates of this site in the flow channel and the experimental conditions were automatically recorded on a floppy diskette by entering a software command. The pressure profile along the flow channel was measured by pressure transducers, with the aid of a microprocessor-based pressure reading system. It has been found that the site of bubble nucleation varies with the position in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction, which is attributed to the nonuniform velocity and stress distributions in the slit flow channel. The present investigation suggests that bubble nucleation can be induced either by flow and/or shear stress; specifically, flow-induced bubble nucleation is the dominant mechanism at positions near the center of the die opening, and shear-induced bubble nucleation is the dominant mechanism at positions near the die wall. It should be mentioned that the bubble near the die wall may also be generated by cavitation brought about by the surface roughness of the wall and also by thermal fluctuations due to the heat transfer between the metal (die wall) and the mixture of polymer and volatile component. The present study indicates that bubble nucleation in a shear flow field can occur at an unsaturated condition. This is in contrast to bubble nucleation under static conditions, where supersaturation is necessary.
Amino acid substitutions and an insertion in the spike glycoprotein extend the host range of the murine coronavirus MHV-A59

The murine coronavirus [murine hepatitis virus (MHV)] is limited to infection of susceptible mice and murine cell lines by the specificity of the spike glycoprotein (S) for its receptor, murine carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1a (mCEACAM1a). We have recently shown that 21 aa substitutions and a 7-aa insert in the N-terminal region of S are associated with the extended host range of a virus variant derived from murine cells persistently infected with the A59 strain of MHV (MHV-A59). We used targeted RNA recombination (TRR) to generate isogenic viruses that differ from MHV-A59 by the 21 aa substitutions or the 7-aa insert in S. Only viruses with both the 21 aa substitutions and the 7-aa insert in S infected hamster, feline, and monkey cells. These viruses also infected murine cells in the presence of blocking anti-mCEACAM1a antibodies. Thus, relatively few changes in the N-terminal region of S1 are sufficient to permit MHV-A59 to interact with alternative receptors on murine and non-murine cells.
Plastic trait integration across a CO2 gradient in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract: Shifts across environments in patterns of trait integration may govern or alter adaptive responses. Changes in resource supply rates may be an especially important cause of plasticity of trait integration because they can lead to shifts in colimitation and coregulation of traits. Traditional evolutionary genetic characterization of trait integration relies on covariance analyses. Structural equation modeling (SEM) can complement such analyses. The SEM provides insights into causal structure not possible with a covariance analysis, thereby providing mechanistic understanding of shifts in integration and suggesting likely foci of selection in changing environments. We tested for changes in trait integration by growing 35 genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae; mouse‐eared cress) from throughout the species’ range in four atmospheric CO2 concentrations: 250 (past), 355 (∼recent CO2), 530, and 710 (future) μM M−1. SEM revealed significant shifts in the integration of N, C, and H2O use and t...
Approximate Calculation of Transmission Line Parameters and Field Distributions of Coplanar Electrodes in the Presence of a Buffer Layer

ABSTRACT The effect of a thin, dielectric buffer layer on coplanar electrode structures is examined. The buffer layer is placed between the metal electrodes and the dielectric substrate. It is seen to have a significant effect on the charge distribution, field distribution, and capacitance. A new approximate formula is derived for the charge in the presence of the buffer layer, which allows the fields to be calculated efficiently. In addition, closed form approximate expressions are derived for the capacitance. The expression for the charge is based on the observation that it's distribution in the presence of a buffer layer is almost the same as that for a microstrip The formulas are compared to results from a moment method solution for the problem
Study of color stability of tall oil fatty acids through isolation and characterization of minor constituents

Minor constituents in high quality tall oil fatty acids have been isolated successfully by liquid column chromatography, using silicic acid as the adsorbent. The minor constituents contained two types of compounds: those which were noneffective and those which were effective in causing the darkening of tall oil fatty acids during heating. The former consisted oftrans-3,5-dimethoxystilbene and rosin acids. The latter was separated into numerous fractions by the combination of chemical methods, silicic acid column chromatography, and low temperature fractional crystallization. The fractions were characterized by functional group analyses, chemical reactions, and UV and IR spectrometric methods. Most of the fractions contained two-three times as much oxygen in the molecule as the original sample and were highly oxidized fatty acids. They had mol wt ranging 300–551 and contained double bonds, carbonyl, ester, peroxide, and hydroxyl groups. The effect of these minor constituents upon the color stability of tall oil fatty acids during heating was postulated as being due to the hydroxyl groups located in the α-position to the double bond in the molecule.
The DFRC method for lignin analysis. 7. Behavior of cinnamyl end groups.

The behavior of cinnamyl end groups of lignins during the derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) procedure has been investigated using lignin model compounds. On AcBr treatment, hydroxycinnamyl alcohols give rise mainly to 1-aryl-1,3-dibromopropanes from which 1-aryl-3-bromopropanes and arylcyclopropanes are formed by zinc reduction. Arylpropene derivatives are also significant among DFRC products of etherified cinnamyl end-group models. Major monomers from DFRC of hydroxycinnamaldehydes are arylcyclopropyl acetates produced by reductive ring closure of 1-acetoxy-3-aryl-1,3-dibromopropanes. Although the reactions are not as clean as the ether-cleaving reactions that form the basis of the DFRC method, end groups produce diagnostic compounds that provide valuable markers for studying end groups in lignins. Keywords: Acetyl bromide; lignin model compound; end groups; β-bromoether; reductive elimination; DFRC; hydroxycinnamyl alcohol; hydroxycinnamaldehyde; arylcyclopropane
Polyurethanes Containing an Imidazolium Diol-Based Ionic-Liquid Chain Extender for Incorporation of Ionic-Liquid Electrolytes

Novel polyurethane (PU) cationomers are synthesized using an imidazolium diol-based ionic liquid (IL) chain extender. A systematic comparison with a non-ionic PU analogue reveals effect of the imidazolium cation on physical properties, hydrogen bonding, and morphology of segmented PU. Casting resulting PU solutions with various contents of IL generates novel membranes. Thermal study reveals that IL-containing PU membranes exhibit a constant soft segment Tg at −81 °C; however, the Tg of imidazolium hard segments systematically shifts to lower temperatures with increasing IL content. This suggests that IL preferentially locates into the imidazolium ionic hard domains, which is also evident in small-angle X-ray scattering. Moreover, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy demonstrates increased ionic conductivity of PU membranes by 5 orders of magnitude upon incorporation of 30 wt% IL.
Classical effective particles as electronic degrees of freedom in molecular-dynamics simulations.

We introduce classical effective particles as explicit electronic degrees of freedom in a molecular-dynamics approach. Only two-body interparticle potentials are employed. Silicon is used as an example and the calculated phonon dispersion curves are presented for bulk Si in the diamond structure and fcc phases. The phonons of the former are more accurate than previous classical potentials using three-body interactions. Results are also given for some Si clusters and Si(111) surface reconstructions. A possible generalization of the interparticle potentials is discussed.
Analysis of the Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1 -butanol in Urine by Extraction on a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Column and Liquid Chromatography/Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) is present in the urine of tobacco users and, at lower concentrations, in the urine of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke. NNAL is a valuable biomarker of human exposure to the carcinogenic nitrosamines in tobacco and tobacco smoke, but its presence at low concentrations in urine requires sensitive and often complex analytic procedures. In this report, we describe the development of an efficient method for the analysis of NNAL in human urine using liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) combined with a novel sample cleanup based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) column developed specifically for this assay. Our results suggest that this combination of MIP column extraction and LC/MS/MS can provide a sensitive and relatively simple analytical method suitable for application to epidemiologic investigations of health risks associated with the exposure to tobacco smoke or SHS in both smokers and nonsmokers.
Ultrastructural evidence for aldosterone- and corticosterone-secreting cells in the adrenocortical tissue of the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

Abstract Two types of adrenocortical cells were observed after hypophysectomy or dexamethasone treatment: (1) a regressed cell characterized by a reduction of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, a lack of osmiophilia of the lipid, and a tendency for the lipid droplets to coalesce; (2) an active cell characterized by abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, osmiophilic lipid and individual lipid droplets. Treatment with mammalian ACTH, metopirone, or spironolactone, or maintenance of the animals in distilled water all resulted in adrenocortical cell stimulation as evidenced by deeply osmiophilic lipid, extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum, abundant polysomes, a pronounced perinuclear space and distinct nuclear pores. In addition, animals maintained in distilled water or treated with spironolactone had many cells with lamellar mitochondrial cristae. In contrast, the adrenocortical cells of control animals and those subjected to other treatments, generally had vesicular or tubular cristae. The ultrastructural observations are consistent with published physiological data on the anuran pituitary-adrenocortical axis and indicate that corticosterone and aldosterone are secreted by different cells in the bullfrog adrenocortical tissue.
The equivalence of the conduction theories of Rashevsky and Rushton

The one-factor, semi-formal nerve conduction theory of Rashevsky and the dynamical theory of Rushton are shown to be completely equivalent.
Robust query processing

In the context of data management, robustness is usually associated with resilience against failure, recovery, redundancy, disaster preparedness, etc. Robust query processing, on the other hand, is about robustness of performance and of scalability. It is more than progress reporting or predictability. A system that fails predictably or obviously performs poorly may be better than an unpredictable one, but it is not robust.
Dynamic Analysis of Rotor Flexbeams Based on Nonlinear Anisotropic Shell Models

An anisotropic shallorv shell model is developed that aeeomntadal~s transverse shearing deforn~ations, and arbitrarily large displacements and rotations, bnl strains are assumed to remain snlall. The kinematic n~odel rleveloped in this paper uses three degrees of freedom to locate the direction of the nornlal to the shell's midplane. This model allows for an automatic eompalibllily of the shell ntodcl with beam models. The shell model is validated by cantparing its prediclians with several benehntarli problems. The shell nlodcl of the nexheanl isslaowlt to give very different results when compared to bean) rnodrls. The lead-lag and tonion modes in pallicttlar are strongly affcctcd, whereas napping modes seen, to be less anecled.
A Lexicon-Enhanced Method for Sentiment Classification: An Experiment on Online Product Reviews

As an emerging communication platform, Web 2.0 has led the Internet to become increasingly user-centric. People are participating in and exchanging opinions through online community-based social media, such as discussion boards, Web forums, and blogs. Along with such trends, an increasing amount of user-generated content containing rich opinion and sentiment information has appeared on the Internet. Understanding such opinion and sentiment information has become increasingly important for both service and product providers and users because it plays an important role in influencing consumer purchasing decisions.
A top down unification of minimum cost spanning tree algorithms

The problem of the design of communications networks has spawned the development of many of the algorithms currently used to solve the minimum cost spanning tree problem. We show that three minimum cost spanning tree algorithms, those by Kruskal, Prim, and Esau and Williams, can be derived from a single problem specification using “specification and transformation by parts,” a methodology for deriving families of algorithms. This approach is an alternative to the Kershenbaum and Chou unification of spanning tree algorithms. Whereas the Kershenbaum & Chou approach might be called bottom up, this is a top down approach which shows the original unity of the algorithms which emerges from the statement of the problem and also the essential differences. Besides pedagogical and aesthetic value, we maintain that an understanding of the algorithms from this perspective may be helpful in network design and modification.
Tutorial on nuclear thermal propulsion safety for Mars

Safety is the prime design requirement for nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP). It must be built in at the initiation of the design process. An understanding of safety concerns is fundamental to the development of nuclear rockets for manned missions to Mars and many other applications that will be enabled or greatly enhanced by the use of nuclear propulsion. To provide an understanding of the basic issues, a tutorial has been prepared. This tutorial covers a range of topics including safety requirements and approaches to meet these requirements, risk and safety analysis methodology, NERVA reliability and safety approach, and life cycle risk assessments.
Transmission effects in unfolding electronic-vibrational electron-molecule energy-loss spectra

The results of an investigation concerning the sensitivity of conventional unfolding methods applied to electronic-vibrational electron-energy-loss spectra to the transmission efficiency of electron spectrometers are presented. This investigation was made in an effort to understand differences in the differential cross sections for excitation of low-lying electronic states determined experimentally by various groups using electronic-vibrational energy-loss spectra of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$. In these experiments, very similar spectral unfolding methods were used, which relied on similar Franck-Condon factors. However, the overall analyses of the electron scattering spectra (by the individual groups) resulted in large differences among the differential cross sections determined from these energy-loss spectra. The transmission response of the experimental apparatus to different-energy scattered electrons has often been discussed as a key factor that caused these disagreements. The present investigation shows in contrast that the effect of transmission is smaller than that required to independently explain such differences, implying that other systematic effects are responsible for the existing differences between measurements.
A Brief Talk of Structure Designing and Actual Application of Microgrid

Nowadays we advocate low carbon economy, energy conservation and emission reduction, emphasize the harmonious development of human being and the nature. As a result, the clean, efficient microgrid with flexible use mode is widely payed attention to. A microgrid uses natural resources as electric power source, it can effectively relieve burden of the grid, and help to solve the problem of transporting electricity from the grid to remote suburb area. How to design the structure of a microgrid to make it run harmoniously with the grid while using clean energy efficiently and controlling the microgrid reasonably is the key to developing microgrid technique. Based on the construction of microgrids in China, this paper concludes the main key techniques in designing and constructing of microgrid, introduces several typical microgrids in China, and makes an outlook to the designing of microgrid structure and technique development.
DUC in context

Recent years have seen increased interest in text summarization with emphasis on evaluation of prototype systems. Many factors can affect the design of such evaluations, requiring choices among competing alternatives. This paper examines several major themes running through three evaluations: SUMMAC, NTCIR, and DUC, with a concentration on DUC. The themes are extrinsic and intrinsic evaluation, evaluation procedures and methods, generic versus focused summaries, single- and multi-document summaries, length and compression issues, extracts versus abstracts, and issues with genre.
Mutations in the Putative HR-C Region of the Measles Virus F2 Glycoprotein Modulate Syncytium Formation

The fusion (F) glycoproteins of measles virus strains Edmonston (MV-Edm) and wtF (MV-wtF) confer distinct cytopathic effects and strengths of hemagglutinin (H) interaction on a recombinant MV-Edm virus. They differ in just two amino acids, V94 and V101 in F-Edm versus M94 and F101 in F-wtF, both of which lie in the relatively uncharacterized F2 domain. By comparing the sequence of MV F with those of the parainfluenza virus SV5 and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) F proteins, the structures of which are known, we show that MV F2 also possesses a potential heptad repeat (HR) C domain. In NDV, the N-terminal half of HR-C interacts with HR-A in F1 while the C-terminal half is induced to kink outward by a central proline residue. We found that this proline is part of an LXP motif conserved in all three viruses. Folding and transport of MV F require this motif to be intact and also require covalent interaction of cysteine residues that probably support the potential HR-A-HR-C interaction. Amino acids 94 and 101, both located in “d” positions of the HR-C helical wheel, lie in the potentially outwardly kinked region. We demonstrate that their effect on MV fusogenicity and glycoprotein interaction is mediated solely by amino acid 94. Substitutions at position 94 with polar or charged amino acids are tolerated poorly or not at all, while changes to smaller and more hydrophilic amino acids are tolerated in both transiently expressed F protein and recombinant virus. MV F V94A and MV F V94G viruses induce extensive syncytium formation and are relatively, or almost completely, resistant to a known inhibitor of MV glycoprotein-induced fusion. We propose that the conformational changes in MV F protein required to expose the fusion peptide involve the C-terminal half of the HR-C helix, specifically amino acid 94.
Charge state-dependent fragmentation of oligonucleotide/metal complexes.

Collision-activated dissociation (CAD) has been employed to assess the gas-phase fragmentation behavior of a series of 1:1 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN):metal complexes over a range of charge states, using several ten-residue ODNs and a wide array of alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metals. For parent species in low to intermediate charge states, complexation with Ca+2, Sr+2, or Ba+2 altered the relative intensity of M-B species, promoting loss of cytosine over loss of guanine. The relative intensities of sequence ions were largely unaffected. This behavior was most prevalent for isomeric sequences with complementary residues at the 5′- and 3′-termini, suggesting that metal complexation may change the gas-phase conformation and/or conformational dynamics for some sequences. In higher charge states, some ODN/Ba+2 complexes produced abundant fragment ions corresponding to metallated an−m species, which are not commonly observed in CAD mass spectra for deprotonated ODNs. The formation of these ions was most favored for complexes between Ba+2 and ODN sequences with a thymine residue at Position 6. Literature precedent exists for the formation of an−m ions from sequences in which covalent modification generates one or more neutral sites along the phosphate backbone. ODN/metal adducts in high charge states possess only a few acidic protons, and the juxtaposition of these neutral phosphate groups near thymine residues and the bound Ba+2 ion may direct formation of the metallated an−m species.