cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Intermestic Constitution: Lessons from the World’s Newest Nation

Literature on constitution-making has traditionally focused either on the homogenous, transnational nature of constitutions, or conversely, on how domestic drafters or indigenous cultures work to shape a unique national product. This Article shows that these international and domestic perspectives can be reconciled under one framework. Using quantitative analysis and a case study of the constitutional process for the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, this Article demonstrates how these dual constitutional influences impact the two main components of constitutions — human rights provisions and structural/institutional framework — differently and predictably. In what I term an “intermestic constitution,” transnational forces disproportionately influence constitutional rights provisions, and domestic forces disproportionately affect constitutional structural provisions. Drawing on strategic-realist theories of constitution-making, this Article postulates that four elements — three based in the socioeconomics and the domestic politics of the drafting country and one based in geopolitical politics — are key predictors of when an intermestic constitution will emerge.These findings have both theoretical and practical implications. On a theoretical level, they offer new insights into the literature on comparative constitutional design, demonstrating how constitutional influence can be methodically dualistic and reconceptualizing the transnational versus national influence dichotomy. On a practical level, they spell out a recipe for intermestic constitutions in other nations, and predict how those documents will perform. This Article cautions that where intermestic constitutions materialize, indigenous structures designed to bolster power of drafters and would-be leaders may concentrate power in the executive, subvert an independent judiciary, or otherwise diminish checks and balances, thereby undercutting the constitution’s robust, internationally-approved progressive bill of rights.
Revenue-driven bandwidth management for end-to-end connectivity over IP networks

The paper describes a policy-based model for cost-effective 'data connectivity' provisioning between session-level end-points. Data flows with closely-similar QoS needs are aggregated over an end-to-end logical path. The available infrastructure bandwidth is apportioned between various paths that carry (aggregated) data flows with distinct QoS levels. Flow aggregation over a path allows reaping the statistical multiplexing gains in bandwidth. Whereas, a path-level bandwidth allocation allows meeting the QoS needs of data flows sharing this path. The SP installs policy functions at the end-points that can make the connectivity provisioning cost-optimal in different operating regions of the system.
A stranger in a strange land: the utility and interpretation of heterologous expression

One of the major goals of the modern study of evodevo is to understand the evolution of gene function across a range of contexts, including sub/neofunctionalization, co-option of genetic modules, and the evolution of morphological novelty. To these ends, comparative studies of gene expression can be useful for constructing hypotheses, but cannot provide direct evidence of functional evolution. Unfortunately, determining endogenous gene function in non-model species is often not an option. Faced with this dilemma, a common approach is to use heterologous expression (HE) in genetically tractable model species as a proxy for functional analyses. Such experiments have important limitations, however, and require caution in the interpretation of their results. How do we dissociate biochemical function from its original genomic context? In the end, what does HE actually tell us? Here, I argue that HE only sheds light on specific types of biochemical conservation, but can be useful when experiments are carefully interpreted.
A dynamically programmable radio processing MPSoC with hardware-based task management

We propose a programmable heterogeneous multi-processor system-on-chip (MPSoC) platform architecture for flexible radio processing that aims at striking a balance between performance (as provided by ASICs) and flexibility (as provided by SDR). Based on a novel hardware-oriented Virtual Flow Pipelining (VFP) framework, the key highlights of this solution are a simple task-level programming model for provisioning protocol flows, and the use of dedicated hardware-based OS-like support (VFP controllers) for run-time task management. We present a clustering-based MPSoC organization with distributed-shared VFP controllers and architectural support for message passing to address the scalability, hardware complexity, and performance tradeoffs. Performance evaluation demonstrates high utilization (70%+) of processing elements (PE) even for short tasks (120 cycles@200 MHz), which highlights the performance potential of the architecture when compared against traditional software controlled radio platforms. Also, a 802.11a-like OFDM transmitter has been implemented using the platform and single and multiple concurrent traffic flows at data rates of 6, 12 and 24 Mbps are executed. The achieved peak throughputs are 27, 51 and 88.5 Mbps respectively.
A MEMS-based resistive vacuum gauge with voltage readout

A 20nm thick Ni resistor element was fabricated on a 1μm thick, 400μm wide silicon nitride bridge via bulk micromachining. By applying a given power to the resistor its temperature increases, as the pressure decreases, since fewer gas particles are available to transfer heat away from the resistor. Rather than sensing the resistance change, a thin film thermocouple consisting of 20nm Ni and 20nm Cr was fabricated in the center of the resistor element, allowing the direct measurement of a voltage signal. It will be shown that by fabricating two gauges with different d's, but identical thermal resistances, the measurable pressure range can be extended from two orders of magnitude to about 4 orders of magnitude. One of these gauges was incorporated into a miniature vacuum chamber with a volume of about 1cm3 to observe potential leakage and pressure bursts from operating a field emitter device in close proximity.
Increased severity of acute myocardial ischemia in experimental atheroscelerosis

We investigated the effects of acute myocardial ischemia (MI) in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis to determine whether atherosclerosis augments the severity of damage produced in the ischemic myocardium. Normal rabbits were fed a control rabbit chow diet or a diet enriched with either 2% cholesterol or 0.5% cholesterol for 10–12 weeks prior to induction of MI. Plasma cholesterol concentrations in the cholesterol-fed rabbits were 1697±70 mg/dl (2%) and 1056±51 mg/dl (0.5%) vs. 61±12 mg/dl for the non-cholesterol-fed rabbits. All rabbits were observed for 5 h following induction of MI or sham MI. At the conclusion of the experiment, tissue biopsies from the MI region and non-MI (NMI) regions were taken and analyzed for two indicators of the severity of MI—myocardial creatine kinase (CK) activity and free aminonitrogen concentration. Atherosclerosis was confirmed histologically in coronary artery and aortic specimens. No difference was found among any group with respect to heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), or pressure-rate index (HR × MABP/1000, a measure of myocardial oxygen demand). Myocardial CK loss (NMI – MI) was significantly greater for the 2% and 0.5% cholesterol groups (7.3±1.3 and 4.9±0.7 IU/mg protein, respectively,P<0.05) than in the nonatherosclerotic group (2.5±0.4 IU/mg protein;P<0.001 for 2% andP<0.01 for 0.5%). Increased severity of MI was confirmed by a significantly greater myocardial loss of free amino-nitrogen (NMI – MI) in the two atherosclerotic groups. Moreover, there was a higher mortality due to sudden cardiac death following coronary occlusion in the 2% cholesterol-fed rabbits—33% versus 0% for the 0.5% cholesterol-fed or control rabbits. Thus, atherosclerosis exacerbates the degree of ischemic damage independent of myocardial oxygen demand and increases mortality in rabbits following coronary artery occlusion.
Planning as Anticipation of Resistance

This article argues that an inadvertent side effect of the current preoccupation with planning from below has been a lack of attention to public sector planning at the top, which remains a critical institutional mechanism for development. To be effective, however, public sector planners must anticipate institutional resistance to their efforts, particularly from within the state structure, and incorporate this understanding into the formulation and sequencing of planning tasks in unorthodox and counterintuitive ways. Drawing on examples of planning for the provision of housing and employment for the urban poor in newly industrializing nations, the article demonstrates that in effective practice, substantive and procedural theories of planning are not separated, because planning procedures are largely influenced by the particular substantive nature of problems to be addressed. Hence, planning theorists need to better understand the substantive nature of problems in order to provide practicing planners with...
Non-exponential structural relaxation, anomalous light scattering and nanoscale inhomogeneities in glasses

Light scattering from glasses in the glass transition region exhibits an anomalous Rayleigh scattering. We observe a maximum in the scattering intensity vs. temperature during heating. It is shown that this behavior is consistent with the presence of nanometer scale inhomogeneities (density fluctuation) which relax at differing rates. Recent observations of anomalous light scattering were carried out on strong glass formers and fragile glass formers. In all cases a hysteresis effect is seen in the light scattering between heating and cooling each sample from room temperature through the glass transition region. From these measurements we suggest that this could be the source of non-exponential structural relaxation kinetics. A model based upon the modified Tool-Narayanaswamy model is found to be in agreement with the calculations based on the experimental results.
Identifying objects at different levels of hierarchy: A positron emission tomography study

Subjects decided whether names were appropriate for accompanying pictures while their local cerebral blood flow was monitored using positron emission tomography (PET); in one condition, the names were at the “entry” level (i.e., the level spontaneously named, as in “bird” for a robin), in another condition they were at a superordinate level (e.g., “animal”), and in another they were at a subordinate level (e.g., “robin”). The results indicated that different processes are used to evaluate terms at the different levels of analysis. Specifically, there was evidence that memory search is used to evaluate superordinates, but one must collect additional perceptual information to evaluate subordinates. In addition, in another condition the subjects saw written words that named the entry-level term and decided whether the object could be named by superordinate terms. Similar, but not identical, activation was observed as was found when subjects evaluated superordinate terms for pictures. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vias-last process technology for thick 2.5D Si interposers

Relative to traditional chip-to-substrate or chip-to-PCB packaging, solutions utilizing 2.5D silicon interposers can provide significantly higher I/O densities, resulting in reduced size, lower power consumption, and higher functionality [1,2]. One example of an advanced packaging application enabled by Si interposers is an embedded computing module (ECM) illustrated in Figure 1. Benefits of this advanced electronic packaging approach include (1) reduction in size by a factor of 2–3, (2) reduction in system power, and (3) elimination of on-die termination resistors [3].
Voyager imaging investigation requirements and results

ABSTRACT The Voyager cameras include unique features required by the characteristics of a mission toJupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These characteristics include low illumination levels, longmission duration, large communication distances and intense Jovian radiation belts.The presence of several modest, programmable processors on the spacecraft has permitted thepost-launch refinement of image acquisition and the development of imaging capabilities, such asimage motion compensation and data compression, which were not originally part of the baselineexperiment design. The quantity and quality of Neptune imaging data exceeds by a large factorthe yield which was foreseen at the time of launch, thirteen years ago.The initial expenment design is descnbed as well as its subsequent, post-launch evolution. Thekey conclusion is that flexibility must be a design goal for imaging systems developed for remotesensing of new territory. 1. INTRODUCTION Most space-based camera systems are designed to photograph a single target, such as theearth's aurora or the clouds of Venus. On occasional missions, cameras have been called uponto photograph a few approximately similar and co-located bodies (e.g., Mars and its moons,MercuryNenus, or Jupiter/Saturn). In contrast, the Voyager imaging investigation1 has completedthe exploration of approximately fifty diverse targets: the gaseous giant planets Jupiter, Saturn,Uranus, and Neptune; their rocky and icy satellites; and their ring systems. Over the course of thismission, the levels of solar illumination and of earth-received telemetry signal strength have bothdeclined by a factor of thirty-six. Yet the quality and quantity of data from Neptune are littlereduced from those of the Jupiter images which were acquired under far more favorable condi-tions. This has been accomplished with a spacecraft whose technology is over twenty years old.The Voyager imaging investigation encompasses and critically depends upon many elementsbeyond the camera: command sequence storage and execution, scan platform pointing, onboarddata handling, and telemetry and ground data systems. For Voyager, each of these elements wasdesigned initially to provide for balanced system performance at Jupiter and Saturn, the nominalVoyager mission.Fortunately, the flexibility and redundancy of this baseline spacecraft has proved sufficient topermit the post-launch development of additional capabilities which have dramatically compen-sated for decreased illumination and telemetry strength at the outermost planets.
3D solid modeling and the naval architecture of Vasa

Abstract 3D computer visualization has emerged as a powerful tool in archaeological documentation, reconstruction, and analysis. Increased software and hardware accessibility has put a wide array of digital tools at the fingertips of archaeologists. Applications of digital visualization have produced visually and scientifically stunning results. One facet of digital visualization that has thus far been under-utilized in archaeology, however, is 3D solid modeling. Solid modeling builds digital models with real-world physical fidelity, not just appearance, as the goal. This type of modeling has been widely adopted by mechanical engineers, architects, and other engineering-based fields concerned with the production of mathematically accurate computer models of real world objects. Most importantly, solid models simulate mass, a key property that most digital archaeological models to date lack. As a result, material properties such as density, compressive and tensile strengths, and shear modulus can be applied to solid models to make them as close to physical reality as possible. Furthermore, working assemblies of many parts can be created and operated with realistic performance. This enables a range of simulation and testing possibilities including finite element analysis, which can evaluate models under operational conditions. Despite the accessibility of solid modeling software and range of potential applications, it has seen little adoption by the archaeological community. This paper describes the creation of digital solid models to virtually recover and analyze the methods of naval architecture used to design the hull of Vasa, a Swedish warship that sunk in 1628.
Weldability of advanced high strength steels using an Yb:YAG disk laser

Abstract In this paper, weldability results of 1030 nm, 6 kW Yb:YAG disk laser welding of various combinations of advanced high strength steels (transformation induced plasticity steel, dual phase steel and boron steel) of 1–2 mm thickness are presented. Weldability is expressed in terms of penetration, weld profile, weld defects, microhardness and melting efficiency. Full penetration keyhole welds with hour-glass shape were produced. Microhardness measurements indicated a substantial increase in hardness in the weld zones, attesting the superiority of laser welding. Analyses revealed that the typical melting efficiency is on the order of 50–70% for full penetration welding. Tensile test results confirmed the high quality of the welds obtained.
Simvastatin impairs exercise training adaptations.

Objectives This study sought to determine if simvastatin impairs exercise training adaptations. Background Statins are commonly prescribed in combination with therapeutic lifestyle changes, including exercise, to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in patients with metabolic syndrome. Statin use has been linked to skeletal muscle myopathy and impaired mitochondrial function, but it is unclear whether statin use alters adaptations to exercise training. Methods This study examined the effects of simvastatin on changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content in response to aerobic exercise training. Sedentary overweight or obese adults with at least 2 metabolic syndrome risk factors (defined according to National Cholesterol Education Panel Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) were randomized to 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training or to exercise in combination with simvastatin (40 mg/day). The primary outcomes were cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis) mitochondrial content (citrate synthase enzyme activity). Results Thirty-seven participants (exercise plus statins: n = 18; exercise only: n = 19) completed the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased by 10% (p Conclusions Simvastatin attenuates increases in cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content when combined with exercise training in overweight or obese patients at risk of the metabolic syndrome. (Exercise, Statins, and the Metabolic Syndrome; NCT01700530 )
Small event Ca2+ release: a probable precursor of Ca2+ sparks in frog skeletal muscle

1. Fluo-3 fluorescence associated with Ca2+ release was recorded with confocal microscopy in single muscle fibres. Clamp depolarization to -65 or -60 mV elicited Ca2+ sparks with amplitudes and spatial widths distributed approximately normally, with mean values of 0.79 of resting fluorescence and 0.8 micron (S.D., 0.17 and 0.2 micron; n = 193), respectively. Given these distributions, events of amplitude less than 0.45 or width less than 0.4 micron are unlikely to be sparks. 2. Low voltage depolarization (-72 mV) elicited only one spark per triad every 6 s, but generated a relative increase in fluorescence at triads of 0.05. This increase must therefore have been due to events smaller than sparks. 3. The variance/mean ratio of triadic fluorescence gradients averaged 0.11 at low voltages and increased severalfold at the higher voltages at which sparks appeared, indicating the existence of at least two event amplitudes. 4. Tetracaine (200 microM) reversibly abolished sparks and the early peak of Ca2+ release at all voltages. In its presence, discrete events were smaller than the spark criterion, and triadic gradients had a variance/mean ratio of 0.11. 5. The phenylalkylamine D600 (2 microM) reduced release at all voltages, abolishing sparks and the peak of Ca2+ release at low but not at high voltages. 6. The parallel abolition of all sparks and the peak of Ca2+ release indicates that both phenomena are activated by Ca2+. The restoration of sparks by voltage in D600 suggests that release in small events provides the trigger Ca2+ for activation of sparks.
Support vector machines classifiers of physical activities in preschoolers

The goal of this study is to develop, test, and compare multinomial logistic regression (MLR) and support vector machines (SVM) in classifying preschool-aged children physical activity data acquired from an accelerometer. In this study, 69 children aged 3–5 years old were asked to participate in a supervised protocol of physical activities while wearing a triaxial accelerometer. Accelerometer counts, steps, and position were obtained from the device. We applied K-means clustering to determine the number of natural groupings presented by the data. We used MLR and SVM to classify the six activity types. Using direct observation as the criterion method, the 10-fold cross-validation (CV) error rate was used to compare MLR and SVM classifiers, with and without sleep. Altogether, 58 classification models based on combinations of the accelerometer output variables were developed. In general, the SVM classifiers have a smaller 10-fold CV error rate than their MLR counterparts. Including sleep, a SVM classifier provided the best performance with a 10-fold CV error rate of 24.70%. Without sleep, a SVM classifier-based triaxial accelerometer counts, vector magnitude, steps, position, and 1- and 2-min lag and lead values achieved a 10-fold CV error rate of 20.16% and an overall classification error rate of 15.56%. SVM supersedes the classical classifier MLR in categorizing physical activities in preschool-aged children. Using accelerometer data, SVM can be used to correctly classify physical activities typical of preschool-aged children with an acceptable classification error rate.
Assessment of the protective effect of amifostine on radiation-induced pulmonary toxicity.

The objective of this study was to assess the radioprotective effects of amifostine in the rat model of radiation-induced lung injury using fractionated doses of radiation, to determine whether amifostine given before irradiation protects tumor from radiation cytotoxicity, and to determine whether changes in plasma levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta correlate with radioprotective effect of amifostine. R3230 AC mammary adenocarcinoma was transplanted on the right posterior chest wall of female Fisher-344 rats. Both tumor-bearing and non-tumor-bearing animals were irradiated to the tumor or right lung using 4 MV photons and fractionated dose of 35 Gy/5 fractions/5 days. Animals with tumors and those without were randomized into 4 groups, respectively (8 to 10 rats per group), to receive (1) radiation alone; (2) radiation + amifostine; (3) amifostine alone; (4) sham radiation. Amifostine (150 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 30 minutes before each fraction of irradiation. The tumor size was measured twice a week. Breathing rate was assessed every 2 weeks. TGF-beta levels in plasma were assessed monthly after treatment. Six months after irradiation, animals were euthanized and lung tissue was processed for hydroxyproline content analysis. A significant increase in breathing frequency started 9 weeks after irradiation in animals that received radiation only. In the radiation + amifostine group, there was both a delay and a significantly lower peak in breathing frequency (P < .001). Hydroxyproline content was higher in the radiation-alone group than in rats given amifostine prior to radiation (P < .05). The TGF-beta levels in plasma showed an increase from 1 to 3 months after radiation, peaking at 2 months in the rats with (2.80 +/- 0.23) or without (5.32 +/- 1.21) amifostine compared to sham irradiation. TGF-beta levels were significantly lower at 1 to 3 months in rats receiving amifostine plus radiation versus those receiving radiation alone. Tumor growth delay and regrowth rate after radiation were not different between radiation-alone and radiation + amifostine groups. This study confirms the protective effect of amifostine in reducing radiation-induced pulmonary toxicity. No tumor protection was demonstrated after fractionated radiotherapy. The reduction in pulmonary injury with amifostine in paralleling lower plasma levels of TGF-beta, suggesting that monitoring plasma levels of this cytokine may reflect the efficacy of an intervention aimed at preventing radiation-induced lung injury.
Interaction of fire, climate and vegetation change at a large landscape scale in the Big Woods of Minnesota, USA

The Big Woods region of Minnesota is on the prairie-forest border and is a much studied model for the interaction of climate, fire and vegetation. The purpose of this study was (a) to document the ...
X-ray Debye-Waller factor measurements of solid 3 He and 4 He

X-ray synchrotron radiation was used to measure Debye-Waller factors of helium crystals for both ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ in both hcp and fcc phases. To our knowledge, there are no previous measurements for ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}.$ The ranges studied for ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}$ crystals were 11.52--12.82 and $10.95--12.13{\mathrm{cm}}^{3},$ respectively, and 11.5--18.2 and 12.0--20.3 K. With small uncertainty, only a Gaussian dependence upon momentum transfer Q was found, and no anisotropy was detected in the hcp phase. Mean square atomic deviations, $〈{u}^{2}〉,$ and Lindemann ratios were obtained. Large Lindemann ratios confirm that these solids are highly anharmonic. The $〈{u}^{2}〉$ values agree within an average 1% with computations of Draeger and Ceperley from path integral Monte Carlo methods including unusual extrapolations to the thermodynamic limit. Because the path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) computations exhibit a ${T}^{3}$ dependence for $〈{u}^{2}〉,$ which also depends upon molar volume, an empirical analysis was made of the present data as well as of published x-ray and neutron data on hcp ${}^{4}\mathrm{He}.$ The volume dependencies are similar to those found from calorimetry, over a large volume range, and the temperature dependencies show similar systematic variations with molar volume both in x-ray data and PIMC results.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Epidermal Growth Factor Signaling Pathways as Therapeutic Targets for Colorectal Cancer

Treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) has developed considerably over the past decade, especially in the areas of targeted therapeutics and biomarker development. Multiple cellular pathways influence the growth and metastatic potential of CRC. Targeted therapies have been designed to interfere with specific molecular events in pathways that mediate tumor growth and progression. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are valid therapeutic targets for patients with CRC. Monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed to target EGFR, VEGF, and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) and are important additions to CRC treatment options. We review the most recent data on the VEGF and EGFR signaling pathways and therapeutic reagents designed to target them, provide insights into their mechanisms, and describe results from recent clinical trials.
Sucrose and polysaccharide induced obesity in the rat.

Abstract Adult male rats were fed, in addition to chow and water, solutions (32%) of either sucrose, Polycose (a bland-tasting polysaccharide), or Polycose sweetened with 0.2% saccharin. The solutions were available for two 30-day periods when the rats were 90–120, and 180–210 days of age. A control group received only chow and water during these periods. During the second 30-day test the Polycose and Saccharin-Polycose groups were hyperphagic and gained as much excess weight as did the Sucrose group. The sucrose-fed rats, however, did not overeat relative to the control animals. Adding saccharin to the Polycose failed to increase total caloric intake or weight gain, but did increase Polycose intake and percent carbohydrate intake. The intakes of both Polycose solutions were greater than that of the sucrose solution, although in brief two-bottle preference tests the sucrose solution was preferred over the Polycose and saccharin-Polycose solutions. A similar pattern of results was obtained during the first test period, but the group differences were less pronounced. The findings demonstrate that carbohydrate-induced obesity is not unique to sweet-tasting sugars, but can also be produced by bland-tasting polysaccharides. Sweet taste does increase polysaccharide preference and intake, however.
Framing the Youth in Campaign 2004: Twenty Million Strong—Or Weak?

This article reports results of a content analysis of 372 print and televised media stories about young voters during the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign. Despite an extensive media database search, findings indicate a surprisingly limited amount of media coverage of the youth vote. Results indicate that in the sample of stories addressing young voters, young voters were the prominent focus of 58% of the sample, a moderate reference in 24%, and a negligible mention in 18% of stories. Framing of young voters and youth-voter mobilization efforts were more positive than negative in tone (39% to 11% and 51% to 9%, respectively) during the campaign. However, media coverage presented a mixed opinion of the young-voter turnout, with 33% of stories framing the turnout positively and 34% framing turnout negatively. Implications of media framing and coverage are discussed and future research ideas are presented.
Effect of Cooling Rate and Iron Content on the Solidification Structures of Copper-Iron Alloys

The effect of cooling rate and iron content on the solidification structures of copper-iron alloys had been investigated in this paper. The results show that the morphology of as-cast structure is mainly determined by iron content and the grain size is affected by both the iron content and cooling rate. The as-cast structure is obviously refined and its morphology changes gradually from columnar grains to equiaxed ones with the increase in iron content. When iron content is greater than 3% (in mass%) the as-cast structure is composed wholly of equiaxed grains. With the increase in cooling rate the as-cast structure is gradually refined and primary γ-Fe phase is gradually scattered uniformly throughout the matrix.
Desmopressin does not reduce bleeding and transfusion requirements in congenital heart operations.

Abstract Background . Desmopressin (DDAVP) has been evaluated in many randomized clinical trials as a means to reduce blood loss and transfusion of allogeneic blood in cardiac operation requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Desmopressin reduces blood loss in adult patients with excessive bleeding after cardiac operation. Its usefulness in patients undergoing complex congenital heart repair with cardiopulmonary bypass is unproved. Methods . Sixty patients younger than 40 years of age scheduled for complex congenital heart operation (44 redo, 16 primary) were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. Desmopressin 0.3 μg/kg or placebo was administered 10 minutes after protamine administration. Transfusion requirements and postoperative blood loss were recorded. Differences were analyzed using analysis of variance with a p value of 0.05 or less used to denote statistical significance. Results . There were no differences in demographic or surgical characteristics between the DDAVP or placebo groups. There was no difference in blood loss and transfusion requirements between the DDAVP and placebo groups. During the intraoperative postinfusion time period, the median blood loss for redo patients was 343 versus 357 mL/m 2 for placebo versus DDAVP, respectively, and for primary patients, the median blood loss was 277 versus 228 mL/m 2 . Conclusions . The prophylactic use of DDAVP to reduce excessive bleeding or transfusion requirements in patients undergoing complex congenital heart operations is not warranted.
Risk for Cerebral Palsy in Infants With Total Serum Bilirubin Levels at or Above the Exchange Transfusion Threshold: A Population-Based Study

Importance Exchange transfusion is recommended for newborns with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels thought to place them at risk for cerebral palsy (CP). However, the excess risk for CP among these infants is unknown. Objective To quantify the risks for CP and CP consistent with kernicterus that are associated with high TSB levels based on the 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics exchange transfusion threshold (ETT) guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants We enrolled 2 cohorts from a population of 525 409 infants in the Late Impact of Getting Hyperbilirubinemia or Phototherapy (LIGHT) birth cohort. Eligible infants were born at a gestational age of at least 35 weeks at 15 hospitals within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated medical care delivery system from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2011. Exposures The exposed cohort included all 1833 infants with at least 1 TSB measurement at or above the ETT based on age at testing, gestational age, and results of direct antiglobulin testing. The unexposed cohort was a 20% random sample of 104 716 infants with TSB levels below the ETT. Main Outcomes and Measures A pediatric neurologist blinded to the TSB levels reviewed medical records to determine the presence of CP, defined as a nonprogressive congenital motor dysfunction with hypertonia or dyskinesia. Cerebral palsy was judged to be consistent with kernicterus if magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed bilateral globus pallidus injury in the setting of dyskinetic CP. Results We identified CP in 7 of 1833 exposed (0.4%) vs 86 of 104 716 unexposed (0.1%) infants (relative risk, 4.7 [95% CI, 2.2-10.0]). Absolute risk differences were 0.2% (95% CI, 0%-0.5%) for a TSB level 0 to 4.9 mg/dL above the ETT (n = 1705), 0.9% (95% CI, 0.1%-5.3%) for a TSB level 5.0 to 9.9 mg/dL above the ETT (n = 102), and 7.6% (95% CI, 2.1%-24.1%) for a TSB level 10 mg/dL or more above the ETT (n = 26). Cerebral palsy consistent with kernicterus occurred in 3 infants (incidence, 0.57 per 100 000 births); all 3 had TSB levels of more than 5.0 mg/dL above the ETT and at least 2 risk factors for neurotoxicity, such as prematurity, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, or hypoxia-ischemia. Conclusions and Relevance Cerebral palsy consistent with kernicterus occurred only in infants with 2 or more risk factors for neurotoxicity and TSB levels of more than 5 mg/dL above the ETT. Among infants with lower degrees of TSB level elevation, the excess risk for CP is minimal.
Adiabatic phases from an effective action

Abstract Berry's phase is calculated as a term in the derivative expansion of the effective action of a spin - 1 2 system in an external field.
Phosphorylation of magainin-2 by protein kinase C and inhibition of protein kinase C isozymes by a synthetic analogue of magainin-2-amide

Magainins are a family of antimicrobial peptides present in the skin extracts of Xenopus laevis. Both magainin-1 and -2 do not have any significant effect on the activity of protein kinase C (PKC). Magainin-2 was found to be readily phosphorylated by PKC to 0.5 mol 32P/mol of peptide. Neither magainin-1, which has a sequence of S8AGK and not S8AKK as in the case of magainin-2, nor the magainin-2 analogue with substitution of Ala for Ser8 was phosphorylated by the kinase, suggesting that Ser8 is the phosphorylation site of magainin-2. One synthetic analogue of magainin, designated magainin B, which has a greater tendency for alpha-helix formation in non-aqueous environment than the parent peptide resulting from substitution of Ser8, Gly13, and Gly18 with Ala in magainin-2-amide, is a potent inhibitor of PKC. This peptide inhibits all three PKC isozymes with IC50 less than 20 microM. Magainin B also inhibits the binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate to the kinase. These results suggest that magainin-2 may be modified by PKC through phosphorylation and that certain synthetic analogues of magainins may be used as inhibitors of PKC.
Physical properties and manipulation of rubber impression materials.

The polysulfide rubber and the silicone impression materials compare favorably as to accuracy with the reversible hydrocolloids. Advantages of the silicone materials include improved esthetics, and greater cleanliness in handling. The polysulfide polymers are more standardized from batch to batch, and have a superior shelf-life. The use of the rubber impression materials in many phases of dentistry should continue to expand.
Reversible Catalyst Supporting via Hydrogen-Bonding-Mediated Self-Assembly for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of MMA

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is a very useful living/controlled radical polymerization process for polymer synthesis, but its products are contaminated with transition metal catalyst residue. Catalyst immobilization on solids via covalent binding has the advantages of easy catalyst separation and reuse, but it deteriorates the control of the polymerization due to the slowed radical deactivation, which causes chain termination and uncontrolled propagation. In this paper, we report a reversible catalyst supporting concept via hydrogen-bonding-mediated self-assembly. The support acts as a “catalyst sponge” releasing the catalyst as free molecules at elevated temperatures for effective catalysis but absorbing the catalyst after the polymerization for separation. The support was polystyrene gel functionalized with maleimide or thymine units, and the catalyst was tethered on a diaminopyridine unit. A triple hydrogen bond array formed between maleimide or thymine and diaminopyridine at room temper...
Susceptibility of Cry1Ab-susceptible and -resistant sugarcane borer to transgenic corn plants containing single or pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis genes ☆

Abstract Multiple independent trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of Cry1Ab-susceptible (Cry1Ab-SS), -heterozygous (Cry1Ab-RS), and -resistant (Cry1Ab-RR) genotypes of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), on eight commercial hybrids and six experimental corn lines. The commercial varieties included two non-Bt and six Bt corn hybrids that expressed a single Bt protein (either Cry1Ab or Cry1F) targeting above-ground lepidopteran pests. The six experimental lines consisted of two non-Bt and four Bt corn lines, two expressing just the Cry1Ab protein and two containing the pyramided-genes Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 (event MON 89034). Larval mortality on non-Bt corn leaf tissue ranged from 6 to 45% after 12 d across insect genotypes. The 12 d mortality of Cry1Ab-SS on leaf tissue of commercial Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn was 96–100%, whereas it was 80–96% for Cry1Ab-RS and 68–78% for Cry1Ab-RR. On intact plants, 39–64% of larvae survived on non-Bt corn plants after 21–25 d. Larval survivorship on intact plants of commercial Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn was 0–8.1% for Cry1Ab-SS, 1.3–34% for Cry1Ab-RS, and 19–51% for Cry1Ab-RR. Larvae of Cry1Ab-RR and -RS also caused significant plant injury to most of the commercial Bt corn hybrids, especially to the Cry1Ab corn. Cry1Ab resistance in D. saccharalis was incompletely dominant on commercial Bt corn hybrids. However, both experimental lines with pyramided genes of Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 provided complete control of all three insect genotypes in both leaf tissue and intact plant tests. Results of this study suggest that MON 89034 should offer a means for Bt resistance management in D. saccharalis.
Spectroscopic and computational studies of reduction of the metal versus the tetrapyrrole ring of coenzyme F430 from methyl-coenzyme M reductase.

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) catalyzes the final step in methane biosynthesis by methanogenic archaea and contains a redox-active nickel tetrahydrocorphin, coenzyme F430, at its active site. Spectroscopic and computational methods have been used to study a novel form of the coenzyme, called F330, which is obtained by reducing F430 with sodium borohydride (NaBH4). F330 exhibits a prominent absorption peak at 330 nm, which is blue shifted by 100 nm relative to F430. Mass spectrometric studies demonstrate that the tetrapyrrole ring in F330 has undergone reduction, on the basis of the incorporation of protium (or deuterium), upon treatment of F430 with NaBH4 (or NaBD4). One- and two-dimensional NMR studies show that the site of reduction is the exocyclic ketone group of the tetrahydrocorphin. Resonance Raman studies indicate that elimination of this π-bond increases the overall π-bond order in the conjugative framework. X-ray absorption, magnetic circular dichroism, and computational results show that F3...
Effect of epinephrine and potassium chloride on contraction and energy intermediates in rabbit thoracic aorta strips

Abstract Anoxic aortic strips incubated in the absence of glucose underwent a marked depletion of tissue metabolites. ATP and creatine-P fell to about 1 3 and the glycogen reserve was reduced to half. Epinephrine contraction could not be maintained and there was a further reduction in glycogen, ATP and creatine-P levels. The addition of glucose to anoxic epinephrine-treated strips enhanced contractility and increased ATP and creatine-P. A further increase in smooth muscle tension and metabolites occurred when switching the tissue to aerobic conditions. KCl caused contraction of anoxic aorta without affecting glycogen and creatine-P, but oxygen addition enhanced tone and ATP.
Resolution of the Civil Service-Collective Bargaining Dilemma

The conflict between the parallel rule-making systems of civil service and collective bargaining has existed in local and state employment since collective bargaining emerged among large numbers of these employees. This article traces the development of a number of legal theories tried by courts in a number of key states to resolve this dilemma. It concludes with a more detailed analysis of the evolution of court opinion in Ohio resulting from the imposition of its 1983 Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act. Lessons for drafting future legislation in other states are abstracted from this analysis.
Streptonigrin and lavendamycin partial structures. Preparation of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone-6′-carboxylic acid: A probe for the minimum, potent pharmacophore of the naturally occurring antitumor-antibiotics

The preparation of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone-6′-carboxylic acid (4) constituting a potential minimum, potent pharmacophore of streptonigrin (1) and lavendamycin (2), two structurally-related naturally-occurring antitumor-antibiotic, is detailed. In contrast to observations associated with streptonigrin and lavendamycin in which the C-6′ acid potentiates the antitumor, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of the naturally-occurring, substituted 7-aminoquinoline-5,8-quinone AB ring systems, the C-6′ carboxylic acid of 4 diminishes the observed antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone.
Grain boundary and grain size effects in high and low transition temperature superconductors

The role played by grain boundaries in both low and high transition temperature superconductors is discussed, using dislocation models of a grain boundary. Analytical expressions are obtained which relate critical current capacity with grain size in these materials. The analytical results are in good accord with experiments.
Molecular Quadrupole Moment of Nitric Oxide

IT is known that nitric oxide is an interesting case of a three-electron bond. Taking the x-axis along the line of centres, the isolated atoms may be described as: The molecular orbital description of the molecule is then1: The two electrons in the MO (σ2p x) form a σ bond, the four in (π2p y), (π2p z)—degenerate orbitals—form π bonds, whereas the remaining single electron in (π*2p z) is antibonding.
The role of abrasion and corrosion in grinding media wear

Abstract A range of ferrous grinding media compositions was subjected to laboratory marked ball wear tests in an ongoing research program at the Mineral Resources Research Center which was aimed at elucidating the responsible wear mechanisms during the grinding of minerals. Most of the wear data in this paper were obtained using a model quartz-pyrrhotite mineral slurry but these have been supplemented, where appropriate, with a small amount of data from wear tests on taconite ore and a Cu-Ni gabbroic ore. The role of abrasive and/or corrosive wear was determined by comparing the wear rates which result under a range of grinding atmospheres, i.e. O2, N2 or compressed air, flushing through a laboratory mill of 8 in diameter coupled with examination of ball surfaces after grinding using scanning electron microscopy.
375 THz Parametric Translation of Modulated Signal from 1550nm to Visible Band

Record parametric frequency-translation of NRZ-modulated signal over 375THz is demonstrated using silica-PCF. The 1550-nm band is mapped to visible 500-nm spectral window, proving the feasibility of all-fiber universal band translator. Both single-channel and WDM architectures are constructed and demonstrated experimentally.
Unique waveform characteristics of current limiting fuse operations

This paper identifies and quantifies the unique characteristics of current-limiting fuse operation as seen in the current and voltage waveforms recorded at a monitoring station located upstream from the fault. Characteristics that can be used to identify current-limiting fuse operations by visual inspection are described. More characteristics are extracted using signal processing methods. These characteristics include but not limited to the duration of the event, point on the waveform where the event starts and ends, the rate of rise of the voltage and current at the start of the event, and the thermal energy in the fuse during the event. These methods are applied to data collected by a number of utilities and the results tabulated. In the future, the results can be used to automatically classify events that are recorded by power quality monitors.
The reaction of carbon and atomic oxygen produced in a microwave discharge

Abstract The reaction of graphitic carbon with atomic oxygen was studied at room temperature as a function of oxygen pressure and distance of the carbon sample from the discharge. Significant concentrations of CO and CO2 were produced on reaction. Supporting evidence indicated that a possible mode of formation of CO2 was the gas phase reaction between CO, the primary reaction product, and atomic oxygen. A gas chromatographic technique was developed whereby mixtures of O2, CO and CO2 at low pressures could be analyzed quantitatively. The concentration of atomic oxygen was established by product analysis and independently by isothermal calorimetry. Good agreement was obtained on comparison of results of the two techniques.
Development of a robotic fin for hydrodynamic propulsion and aerodynamic control

An unmanned vehicle is being developed for highspeed aerial ingress to a target shallow water environment after which it will transition to underwater low-speed operations. This paper describes the design and analysis of a bio-inspired robotic fin for use as an underwater propulsion and control mechanism, and the effect this fin has on the aerodynamic characteristics of the air-deployed vehicle platform. Building on previous fin research, both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results and experimental data are used to evaluate the hydrodynamic thrust of a flapping fin, as well as the aerodynamic lift of a static fin. This analysis validates the fin design for use on a hybrid air-underwater vehicle.