cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Limited Amnesty? Insights from Cambodia

The debate about amnesties tends to be a zero sum one – either an amnesty is allowed, or it is not. This article draws upon emerging state practice with respect to amnesties granted decades ago to develop a concept of “limited amnesty.” A limited amnesty consists of an immediate amnesty to wrongdoers, protecting them from civil and criminal liability. The amnesty is however limited in time. At the end of the amnesty period – perhaps five or ten years – the individual who received the amnesty is evaluated for his or her contribution to peace, reconciliation, truth, and justice. State practice indicates that amnesties given immediately in the name of securing peace are often successfully challenged – either domestically or internationally – thus exposing the recipient to eventual accountability. This article suggests that such state practice should be codified, and uses the example of Cambodia as a contemporary example of how such a limited amnesty might work. Finally the article argues that a limited amnesty balances the demands of an immediate transition with the imperatives of justice that advances the policy objectives of both positions.
The direction of migration of T-lymphocytes under flow depends upon which adhesion receptors are engaged

T-lymphocyte migration is important for homing, cell trafficking, and immune surveillance. T-lymphocytes express lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; αLβ2) and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4; α4β1), which bind to their cognate ligands, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). These adhesive interactions provide T-lymphocytes with the ability to withstand hemodynamic shear forces to facilitate adhesion and migration along the blood endothelium. Recently, it has been shown that T-lymphocytes will crawl upstream against the direction of flow on surfaces functionalized with ICAM-1. Here, we have investigated whether the identity of the receptor and the magnitude of its engagement affects the direction of T-lymphocyte migration under flow. We used microcontact printed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 PDMS surfaces on which density and type of adhesion molecule can be tightly controlled and non-specific adhesion adequately blocked. Using a laminar flow chamber, we demonstrate that T-lymphocytes migrate either upstream or downstream dependent upon ligand type, ligand concentration and shear rate. T-lymphocytes were found to migrate upstream on ICAM-1 but downstream on VCAM-1 surfaces – a behavior unique to T-lymphocytes. By varying concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, directed migration under flow was observed to be dependent upon the type and concentration of ligand. As shear rates increase, T-lymphocytes favor upstream migration when any ICAM-1 is present, even in the presence of substantial amounts of VCAM-1. Furthermore, a loss of cytoskeletal polarity was observed upon introduction of fluid flow with reorganization that is dependent upon ligand presentation. These results indicate that T-lymphocytes exhibit two different modes of motility – upstream or downstream – under fluid flow that depends on ligand composition and the shear rate.
Nonlinear viscoelasticity of “hard elastic” polypropylene fibers

“Hard elastic” polypropylene fibers respond nonlinearly to stress at all strains. Low tenacities at break (less than 1 g/denier), low moduli of elasticity (slopes of stress-strain curves from 2.8 to 28 g/denier), and large breaking extensions (over 800 percent) are characteristic of “hard elastic” fibers. Behavior in simple extension, cyclic extension, and stress relaxation can be represented by a quasi-linear viscoelastic model which uses a continuous relaxation spectrum and a quasilinear relation between stress history T(t)and strain history λ(t): where Te[λ(t)] is the elastic response. When creep data are available, this model should provide a unified representation of experimental observations.
Particle Assembly on Patterned “Plus/Minus” Polyelectrolyte Surfaces via Polymer-on-Polymer Stamping

Polymer-on-polymer stamping, the direct transfer of polyelectrolytes to oppositely charged surfaces, has been used to create alternate regions of “plus/minus (+/−)” charge on surfaces for the fabrication of colloidal particle arrays. Here, new approaches are also presented to create two types of smaller-scale patterns, ring patterns and small-dot patterns, by tuning the stamping conditions and stamp pretreatment. This method provides a means of forming numerous micron to submicron scale arrays atop a polyelectrolyte multilayer surface on substrates ranging from glass and silicon to plastic. Direct stamping of a polyelectrolyte atop solid charged surfaces such as silicon oxide may also be used to template colloid deposition.
Search engine optimisation: A primer on keyword strategies

This paper is the first of two written by the authors on the topic of search engine optimisation. It provides simple answers, from a keyword perspective, to two questions. What is search engine ranking all about? How does a website get higher rankings? It is designed to help the novice e-marketer better understand the fundamentals of search engine rankings and how online businesses can improve their rankings through proper use of keywords. The paper also discusses how to submit websites to search engines and how to avoid practices that cause problems with search engine indexing. Because Google is the dominant search engine, most information in the paper is directed toward Google's approach to ranking. The second paper in this series will focus on search engine optimisation linkage strategies.
Pocket gophers and the invasion and restoration of native bunchgrass communities.

More than 7 million hectares of California native plant communities are now dominated by exotic annual species, a biological invasion that has made native bunchgrass ecosystems in this region one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Many land use and environmental factors have contributed to the conversion of bunchgrass areas to annual grassland, but the role of gopher disturbance remains understudied. Here I report observational evidence that suggests gopher foraging is nonrandomly concentrated in the open spaces between clumps of bunchgrass and as a result may inhibit the recruitment of bunchgrass into these areas. Understanding patterns of direct gopher impact and coincident soil disturbance in bunchgrass versus annual grassland is important for successful restoration of bunchgrass habitats. While the prospect of excluding gophers is daunting, even short-term reductions in gopher populations would help to promote a restored community structure with a mature native bunchgrass and annual forb association.
Experimental tests of radiative transfer incorporating statistical optics using blackbody sources

We experimentally tested the operator formalism of radiative transfer on the response of an instrument to partially coherent wavefield produced by radiation emitted by distant and extended blackbody sources. The predictions of the formalism are found to agree well with the experiments. Phase space parameters are identified that characterize a measurement as well as indicating when the formalism will be useful, when we are not in the regime of geometrical optics or plane wave diffraction.
Polymerization of 2,7,8-trioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane and 2,8,9-trioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

Treatment of 2,7,8-trioxabicyclo [3.2.1] octane (I) with electrophilic initiators gave polyorthoester composed of five- (70-86%), six-, and seven- (the sum, 14-30%) membered rings. Treatment of 2,8,9-trioxabicyclo [3.3.1]nonane (VI) with electrophilic initiators gave mainly oligomers. Trifluoromethane sulfonic acid in dichloromethane was particularly effective for the formation of dimer, 2,8,10,16,17,18-hexaoxatricyclo[11.3.1.1]hexadecane. The analysis of the structures of poly-I and oligomer-VI suggests that I and VI are polymerized through an SN1 mechanism.
Lactam Formation Increases Receptor Binding, Adenylyl Cyclase Stimulation and Bone Growth Stimulation by Human Parathyroid Hormone (hPTH)(1–28)NH2

Human parathyroid hormone (1–28)NH2 [hPTH(1–28)NH2] is the smallest of the PTH fragments that can fully stimulate adenylyl cyclase in ROS 17/2 rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells. This fragment has an IC50 of 110 nM for displacing 125I-[Nle8,18, Tyr34]bovine PTH(1–34)NH2 from HKRK B7 porcine kidney cells, which stably express 950,000 human type 1 PTH/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptors (PTH1Rs) per cell. It also has an EC50 of 23.9 nM for stimulating adenylyl cyclase in ROS 17/2 cells. Increasing the amphiphilicity of the α-helix in the residue 17–28 region by replacing Lys27 with Leu and stabilizing the helix by forming a lactam between Glu22 and Lys26 to produce the [Leu27]cyclo(Glu22-Lys26)hPTH(1–28)NH2 analog dramatically reduced the IC50 for displacing 125I-[Nle8,18, Tyr34]bPTH(1–34)NH2 from hPTHIRs from 110 to 6 nM and dropped the EC50 for adenylyl cyclase stimulation in ROS 17/2 cells from 23.9 to 9.6 nM. These modifications also increased the osteogenic potency of hPTH(1–28)NH2. Thus, hPTH(1–28)NH2 did not significantly stimulate either femoral or vertebral trabecular bone growth in rats when injected daily at a dose of 5 nmol/100 g body weight for 6 weeks, beginning 2 weeks after ovariectomy (OVX), but it strongly stimulated the growth of trabeculae in the cancellous bone of the distal femurs and L5 vertebrae when injected at 25 nmol/100 g body weight. By contrast [Leu27]cyclo(Glu22-Lys26)hPTH(1–28)NH2 significantly stimulated trabecular bone growth when injected at 5 nmol/100 g of body weight. Thus, these modifications have brought the bone anabolic potency of hPTH(1–28)NH2 considerably closer to the potencies of the larger PTH peptides and analogs. (J Bone Miner Res 2000;15:964–970)
Upper limits to gas emission from lunar transient phenomena sites

Abstract Lunar transient phenomena have been attributed to the release of gases from within the moon. The failure of the Apollo surface experiments to detect significant atmospheric enhancements can be used to establish upper limits to the amount of gases now being released from the various sites associated with lunar transient phenomena. An analysis of the sensitivity of the network of Apollo Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiments (deployed initially in 1969 and still operating) indicates that they would have detected any contemporary gas release greater than 6,500 kg from Alphonsus, 28,000 kg from Aristarchus, and similar quantities from other craters. The quantity of gas required to cause such phenomena as obscurations or glow discharge is probably much greater than these values. Consequently, if transient phenomena are real lunar surface events, they must originate from a mechanism other than simple gas emission.
Vinculin in relation to stress fibers in spread platelets

To investigate the function of vinculin in blood platelets, we studied its localization in relation to other cytoskeletal proteins as well as its state of phosphorylation in platelets allowed to spread on fibrinogen-coated surfaces. By 5 minutes after loading the platelets onto the surfaces the 47 and 20 kDa polypeptides became phosphorylated, indicating activation. By 30 minutes, platelets formed small, typical bundles of fibers which stained brilliantly with rhodamine phalloidin. Myosin and tropomyosin, detected with specific antibodies, were localized in periodic arrays along these bundles. By indirect immunofluorescence, a discrete patch of vinculin was observed at each end of every actin-containing bundle. Vinculin phosphorylation was not detected in immunoprecipitates protected against phosphatases. Interference reflection images showed that regions of close binding to the substratum (adhesion plaques) closely matched the vinculin staining sites. Talin appeared diffusely localized. It could be shown to be present in the plaques when platelets were stabilized with ZnCl2 by the method of Geiger and then sonicated to remove some of the surface membrane. Localizations of vinculin and myosin were unaltered by this treatment. Talin phosphorylation or proteolysis could not account for vinculin translocation. We conclude that platelets, in response to an appropriate physiological surface, form typical actin bundles with vinculin at the termination of each bundle, in close relation to adhesion plaques. The signal for this translocation does not appear to depend on phosphorylation of vinculin or on phosphorylation or proteolysis of talin. Our findings support the conclusion that in platelets, as in nucleated cells, vinculin serves as at least part of the connection between bundled actin fibers and the extracellular matrix. Such a connection seems required for platelets' known ability to exert tension on surfaces.
Applications experience with Linda

We describe three experiments using C-Linda to write parallel codes. The first involves assessing the similarity of DNA sequences. The results demonstrate Linda's flexibility—Linda solutions are presented that work well at two quite different levels of granularity. The second uses a prime finder to illustrate a class of algorithms that do not (easily) submit to automatic parallelizers, but can be parallelized in straight-forward fashion using C-Linda. The final experiment describes the process lattice model, an “inherently” parallel application that is naturally conceived as multiple interacting processes. Taken together, the experience described here bolsters our claim that Linda can bridge the gap between the growing collection of parallel hardware and users eager to exploit parallelism.This work is supported by the NSF under grants DCR-8601920 and DCR-8657615 and by the ONR under grant N00014-86-K-0310. We are grateful to Argonne National Labs for providing access to a Sequent Symmetry.
A new Salmonella type: Salmonella utrecht.

A newSalmonella type isolated from Angola fish meal is calledS. utrecht. The organism possesses an O antigen not hitherto recognized in theSalmonella group to which the symbol 52 is assigned. The O antigen is identical with that of Arizona O group 31. The antigenic formula ofS. utrecht is 52: d: 1,5.
Spatial covariation of soil organic carbon, clay content, and drainage class at a regional scale

Several factors affecting stocks of soil organic-C have been identified, including climate, soil texture, and drainage, but how these factors and their influence vary spatially is not well documented. The State Soil Geographic Data Base (STATSGO) was used to estimate soil organic-C stocks of Montana and Kansas and to map spatial variation of soil properties. Regressions across map units of area-weighted estimates of soil organic-C, clay content, and drainage class show that clay content is positively correlated with organic-C in Kansas, but that drainage class is a better indicator of soil with high and low organic-C stocks in Montana. About 85% of Kansas is covered by Mollisols. These grasslands of the North American Great Plains are where the paradigm relating clay content to stabilization of soil organic-C was developed. In contrast, clay content does not covary with soil organic-C across Montana. Only 30% of Montana is covered by Mollisols; the remainder includes rangeland, covered primarily by Aridisols and Entisols, and forests, covered by Inceptisols, Spodosols, and Histosols. Although other unidentified factors contribute to spatial variation in soil organic-C stocks in Montana, drainage class distinguishes the C-rich and the C-poor soils. When taken with similar results correlating soil C stocks with drainage class in a separate study of Maine, soil wetness emerges as an important controller of soil organic-C in northern states of the USA. Another objective was to compare STATSGO estimates (1:250,000 scale) of area covered by soil orders with estimates from the FAO/UNESCO Soils Map of the World (1:5,000,000). Agreement was excellent in Kansas and reasonably good in Montana. When used with regionally specific estimates for soil-C, the FAO map holds promise for regional and global extrapolation of soil C stocks.
Hydrodehydroxylation and hydrodehalogenation of substituted polycyclic aromatics using carbon catalysts

There is a renewed interest in carbon materials as potentially inexpensive and environmentally safe catalysts. While carbon materials have been known as catalysts with modest activity for many years, more recent advances in material science have made possible the synthesis of very high surface area carbon materials. Some of these materials are highly active and selective catalysts for oxidation reaction, dehydrochlorination of alkyl chlorides and selective cleavage of C-C bonds. This work area of coal liquefaction modeling has shown the ability of carbon black and other carbon materials to cleave C-C bonds in model compounds with chemical structure relevant to coal and petroleum resids. A very high selectivity (over 90%) was observed for the cleavage of the bond between a condensed polycyclic aromatic ring and the adjacent aliphatic carbon. This activity has been correlated to the positive surface charge on the carbon catalyst at the reaction temperature. A cation-radical mechanism has been proposed for the reaction, with electron transfer from the polycyclic aromatic ring to the carbon surface as the initial step of the catalysis. The ability of a carbon black transfer an electron from an adsorbed iodine anion to an Fe[sup 3+] cation has been demonstrated by Spiro. Thismore » report describes studies of the catalytic activity of carbon black in selective dehydroxylation and dehalogenation reactions under reductive conditions in the presence of a hydrogen donor. Porous carbons are active catalysts for the oxidative decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons to CO[sub 2] and HCl. This method, using a reductive medium, would allow for recovery of the carbon and hydrogen part of the molecules, a feature relevant to the effort to recycle waste into useful materials. 13 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.« less
Monosodium [1-hydroxy-2-(1H-imidazol-3-ium-4-yl)ethane-1,1-diyl]bis(phosphonate) tetrahydrate (monosodium isozoledronate).

The title compound, Na(+).C(5)H(9)N(2)O(7)P(2)(-).4H(2)O, is an isomer of zoledronate, a potent bone antiresorptive bisphosphonate drug having significant activity against several parasitic protozoa. The crystal structure of isozoledronate consists of bisphosphonate dimers coordinated by two Na(+) ions. The dimers are held together through an extensive hydrogen-bonding network. The crystals exhibit non-merohedral twinning that roughly superimposes the a and b axes, and inverts the c axis.
The immunology of methanogens: a new development in microbial biotechnology

Abstract The immunology of methanogens is an important area of research into biotechnology—bioengineering involving these bacteria. Here, recent findings regarding the antigenic characteristics of methanogens are discussed, emphasizing the present availability of antibody probes and immunological methods for their identification, classification, and structural analysis.
Chip-to-chip board-level optical data buses

We have demonstrated 160-Gb/s bidirectional optical data buses using parallel optical transceivers with 16-transmitter plus 16-receiver 10-Gb/s channels on optical printed circuit boards with 32 polymer waveguides, providing requisite technologies for chip-to-chip board-level optical interconnects.
Diet of Juvenile and Adult Atlantic Menhaden in Estuarine and Coastal Habitats

Abstract The Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus is a pelagic, obligate filter-feeding fish. Although much of the primary literature indicates that amorphous matter is a major component of the stomach contents of Atlantic menhaden, the diet of these fish is typically perceived to consist primarily of phytoplankton and zooplankton. This disparity between observation and perception results from the belief that amorphous matter in the stomachs is the remnants of plankton that were ingested alive or that it is detritus of low nutritional value and only incidentally ingested. In this study, we found that the stomach contents of juvenile and adult Atlantic menhaden in estuarine creeks were 81% amorphous matter, 17% phytoplankton, and 1% zooplankton, by dry weight. Sampling in two estuarine creeks in North Carolina revealed no seasonal change in diet. Stomachs of fish collected from coastal waters contained smaller amounts of amorphous matter (47%) and higher amounts of phytoplankton (36%) and zooplankton (18%...
Chromatopolarography of N-nitrosamines including determination of N-nitroso-diethanolamine in cosmetic products.

Abstract A simple and sensitive method for trace level determination of different classes of N-nitrosamines is described. The method is based on a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and differential pulse polarography. The separation of N-nitrosamines from their composite mixtures or interfering species is carried out on a reverse phase column followed by continuous detection with the polarographic detector. Analysis at nanogram levels is demonstrated. In addition, procedures are presented for the recovery and determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in various cosmetic products.
Applications for a modularised spectrum analyser

A recently introduced measurement system presents lower-cost solutions to problems in areas as different as automated-test-system manufacture, surveillance and communications test. Its modularity allows the user to configure the system to arrive at precisely the capabilities needed for a specific measurement, thus saving unnecessary functions, the time he would have taken in designing his own instrument, or both
Pulmonary Circulation Time in the Chicken

Abstract INTRODUCTION SUDDEN removal of carbon dioxide from the gas stream of the unidirectionally, artificially ventilated chicken results in the initiation of apnea in approximately 0.5 seconds (Peterson and Fedde, 1968). It was considered possible that blood, equilibrated with the low air capillary PCO2, could be conveyed from the pulmonary capillaries to the aortic and carotid bodies in this short time and that these receptors might be involved in the apneic response. The purpose of this study was to obtain an estimate of the minimal circulation time of blood from the pulmonary artery to the left ventricle in an attempt to determine if the systemic arterial chemoreceptors could be involved in the rapid respiratory response to airway CO2 removal. METHODS Five adult, male Single Comb White Leghorn chickens, which had fasted for 12 hours, were used for our experiments. Each bird was restrained in dorsal recumbency and surgically anesthetized (approximately 30…
Heterogeneous Methodology for Energy Efficient Distribution of On-Chip Power Supplies

To provide a high quality power delivery system, the power needs to be regulated on-chip with ultra-small locally distributed power efficient converters. Historically, power efficient switching converters require large physical area, while compact linear power supplies exhibit high power conversion losses, which are not ideal for on-chip integration. To exploit the advantages of existing power supplies, a heterogeneous power delivery system is proposed. The power efficiency of the system is shown to be a strong function of the on-chip distribution of the power supplies. The optimal power distribution system with minimum power losses is determined by exhaustively comparing the power efficiency for all possible power supply topologies. A heterogeneous system with ten on-chip voltage domains and an optimal power distribution network has been evaluated, demonstrating up to 93% power efficiency. A power efficient clustering of the on-chip power supplies with linear computational complexity is also proposed. Heterogeneous power delivery systems with up to 100 on-chip voltage domains have been evaluated with power supplies distributed with linear computational complexity. A maximum 1.5% drop in power efficiency from the optimal solution has been observed, yielding a near optimal and high fidelity power supply distribution system.
Hydrothermal synthesis of mixed octahedral-tetrahedral oxides: Synthesis and characterization of sodium stannosilicates

Abstract New microporous framework structures comprised of octahedra and tetrahedra have been investigated in low temperature, hydrothermal syntheses in the Na 2 O-SnO 2 -SiO 2 system. Initial studies have resulted in several new and highly crystalline stannosilicate ion-exchange capacity, and have remarkable variability depending on the choice of cation or the source of SnO 2 or SiO 2 employed in a reaction. Solid state NMR studies have been initiated, along with other spectroscopic work, to structurally characterize these microcrystalline phases.
Integumental Absorption versus Oral Ingestion of Phosphate and Other Materials by Common Cattle Grubs Held in Vitro

The intake of P32-labeled phosphate differed markedly in the 3 instars of larvae of Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers) (Diptera: Oestridae) during in vitro laboratory tests. Apparently the 1st-stage larvae absorbed all phosphate through the integument, the 2nd-stage larvae used both the percutaneous and oral routes, and the 3rd-stage larvae used the oral route exclusively.
Investigation of 3′-debenzoyl-3′-(3-([124I]-iodobenzoyl))paclitaxel analog as a radio-tracer to study multidrug resistance in vivo

A study was carried out to identify a suitable radioactive paclitaxel analog and to use it to investigate tumor multidrug resistance in vivo. 3'-Debenzoyl-3'-(3-([(124)I]-iodobenzoyl))paclitaxel was prepared by aromatic iodination of 3'-debenzoyl-3'-(3-trimethylstannylbenzoyl)paclitaxel. Uptake of the labeled paclitaxel analog in nude mice bearing tumor with the paclitaxel sensitive cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-435/LCC6(WT), and multidrug resistant cell lines NCI/ADR-RES and MDA-435/LCC6(MDR), was studied. There was no difference in drug level between the sensitive and resistant MDA-435/LCC6 tumors at 6h post-injection. However, at 6h, there was a significant increase in drug level for the MCF7 tumor as compared with the NCI/ADR-RES tumor, presumably due to increased drug retention. At 24h, drug uptake/retention was significantly higher in both sensitive tumor cell lines as compared to their drug resistant counterparts. Pretreatment of mice with MDR transport modulators, Cyclosporine or tRA 96029, did not increase the level of labeled paclitaxel analog in the drug resistant MDA-435/LCC6(MDR) tumor. On the other hand, at 24h Cyclosporine apparently increased analog level in the drug sensitive MDA-435/LCC6(WT) tumor, aiding drug imaging studies.
Galileo Probe forebody thermal protection

Material response solutions for the forebody heat shield on the candidate 310-kg Galileo Probe are presented. A charring material ablation analysis predicts thermochemical surface recession, insulation thickness, and total required heat shield mass. Benchmark shock layer solutions provide the imposed entry heating environments on the ablating surface. Heat shield sizing results are given for a nominal entry into modeled nominal and cool-heavy Jovian atmospheres, and for two heat-shield property models. The nominally designed heat shield requires a mass of at least 126 kg and would require an additional 13 kg to survive entry into the less probable cool-heavy atmosphere. The material-property model with a 30% surface reflectance reduces these mass requirements by as much as 16%.
The implementation of the new type impedance measurement system

The design principle and implementation scheme of a new type FPGA-based RLC impedance analyzer within the scope of 100Hz∼100kHz is designed. The system adopts FPGA and DA framework to realize the DDS signal output with low distortion, takes DA of multiplication type as phase sensitive detector, uses the orthogonal decomposition method to decompose the measured signals into orthogonal component and in-phase component to raise the signal-to-noise ratio, and uses the dual slope integral circuit with zero crossing compensation as signal acquisition circuit to make the acquired signal to be the quotient between orthogonal component and in-phase component, which greatly decrease the drift error of the electric circuit. The experiment verified that the system index can reach 0.1%.
Currently available antitussives

Cough is among the most common complaints for which patients seek medical attention. Acute cough, usually due to a viral upper respiratory tract infection, generates a huge expenditure on prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold preparations worldwide. Most of these agents, however, have not been shown to be more effective than placebo in adequately performed clinical trials. The goal of management in chronic cough is treatment of its underlying cause. However, certain situations will necessitate cough suppressant therapy for symptomatic relief. Unfortunately, currently available antitussives, such as the opioids, are not consistently effective, or achieve therapeutic effect at the expense of unpleasant or intolerable side effects. Safer and more effective cough suppressants are desperately needed. Potential novel antitussives will need to be evaluated in properly formulated clinical trials, measuring relevant subjective and objective end points in appropriate subject populations.
Synchronous and Asynchronous Algorithms for Matrix Transposition on MCAP

Matrix transposition is one of the major tasks in image and signal processing and matrix decompositions. This paper presents algorithms for transposing a matrix on a mesh-connected array processor (MCAP). These algorithms make a very efficient use of the processing elements (PE's) in parallel. We discuss both synchronous and asynchronous algorithms. In the synchronized approach algorithms use a global clock to synchronize the communications between PE's. The number of time units required by synchronous algorithms for transposing an m x n matrix (n ≥ m) on an n x n MCAP is 2(n - 1). The synchronous algorithms eliminate simultaneous requests for using channels between PE's. Clock skews and delays are inevitable problems when we have a large array size (large n). An asynchronous (self-time) approach is proposed to circumvent this problem. The feasibility of the asynchronous algorithm have been demonstrated by the simulation of the algorithm for different sizes of matrices.
Unbiased estimate of generalization error and model selection in neural network

Abstract Model selection is based upon the generalization errors of the models in consideration. To estimate the generalization error of a model from the training data, the method of cross-validation and the asymptotic form of the jackknife estimator are used. The average of the predictive errors is used to estimate the generalization error. This estimate is also used as the model selection criterion. The asymptotic form of this estimate is obtained. Asymptotic model selection criterion is also provided for the case when the error function is the penalized negative log-likelihood. In the regression case, it also proves the asymptotic equivalence of Moody's model selection criterion and the cross-validation method under a condition on the error function.
Measurement of the mean inner potentials of anthracene and naphthalene.

The mean inner potential in metals, insulators, and semiconductors provides fundamental information regarding the electronic structure of the material. Here, we measure the mean inner potentials of the two archetype linear polyacenes: anthracence and naphthalene. We determine the mean inner potentials of single crystalline anthracene of 5.9 V ($\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{V}$), and naphthalene of 5.4 V ($\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{V}$) based on analysis of Kikuchi patterns observed using high-pressure reflection high energy electron diffraction. We show that the inner potential of a range of organic molecular semiconductors can be estimated from their diamagnetic susceptibilities.
Comparison of the effects of testing conditions and chemical exposure on geomembranes using the comprehensive testing system

Chemical compatibility tests were conducted on high-density polyethylene geomembrane samples using the Comprehensive Testing System (CTS) under low- and high-displacement conditions. CTS development between the two sets of data (low- and high-displacement) was found to significantly reduce the friction within the testing cell. This friction reduction was apparent from the decrease in delta modulus from the larger values obtained during low-displacement testing to the smaller values obtained during high-displacement testing. The results of the high-displacement testing showed statistically significant differences between delta modulus results at the 95% confidence interval (probability = 0.050), which was not possible with the low-displacement test configuration. Further, the high-displacement testing showed that the more soluble the test chemical was in polyethylene, the lower the resulting delta modulus. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 2097–2110, 1998
Generalized Bernstein Polynomials and Symmetric Functions

We begin by classifying all solutions of two natural recurrences that Bernstein polynomials satisfy. The first scheme gives a natural characterization of Stancu polynomials. In Section 2, we identify the Bernstein polynomials as coefficients in the generating function for the elementary symmetric functions, which gives a new proof of total positivity for Bernstein polynomials, by identifying the required determinants as Schur functions. In the final section, we introduce a new class of approximation polynomials based on the symplectic Schur functions. These polynomials are shown to agree with the polynomials introduced by Vaughan Jones in his work on subfactors and knots. We show that they have the same fundamental properties as the usual Bernstein polynomials: variation diminishing (whose proof uses symplectic characters), uniform convergence, and conditions for monotone convergence.
Effects of pD on ring‐stacking interactions between dinucleoside phosphates and tryptamine

Complex formation between tryptamine and mononucleotides and dinucleoside phosphates containing adenine and/or cytosine has been studied at five pD's ranging from 1.1 to 7.4 by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Chemical shifts of base ring protons and the ribose anomeric proton in the nucleotides and indole ring protons in tryptamine were monitored and their changes with pD and intermolecular interactions interpreted qualitatively. Stacked complexes were found to exist at all pD's in the range studied. Complex geometries differ depending on pD. An electrostatic interaction between the tryptamine amino group and the nucleotide phosphate group contributes to complex formation above pD 4 but is not strong enough to shift the dinucleoside phosphate equilibrium towards the unstacked conformer.
Technic for Non-Surgical Insertion of Large Polyethylene Tubing into Blood Vessels

A simple technic is presented for the nonsurgical insertion into blood vessels of large bore polyethylene tubing.
Biotreated coal liquefaction wastewater: Identification of organics by composite RO membrane concentration, HPLC, and GC/MS

A combination of aromatic polyamide RO membrane, HPLC and GC/MS was used to characterize feed and permeate samples from a coal liquefaction wastewater. The residual organics after biological treatments and their rejections by thin film membranes were identified and tested. Various derivatives of lactams and nitrobenzene esters were detected as by-products of the biooxidation process. Molecules of mass greater than 155 were not detected in the permeate. At 90% water recovery, the membrane showed 91% chloride removal and 94% total organics removal.
The identification of a VH subgroup allotypic specificity, y30, which differentiates the y33 allele into two variants. Implications for rabbit VH gene organization and evolution.

Abstract A new anti-allotype Ab,∥ designated anti-y30, was produced by immunizing rabbits of the VH genotype a2x32y33/a2x32y33 with purified IgG from a 1 x − y 33 a 1 x − y 33 rabbits suppressed for al Ig synthesis. Genetic analysis of 200 rabbits representing 12 heavy chain (VH-CH) haplotypes indicated that y30 was controlled by the heavy chain chromosomal region and was expressed in rabbits of the VH haplotype a1x−y33 but not of theVH haplotypes a1x−y−, a2x32y33 or a3x32y−. Thus, some rabbits express y33 with y30 whereas others express y33 without y30. By immunodiffusion, radioimmunoassay and sequential precipitation techniques, y30 and y33 were found to be co-expressed on most of the IgG molecules from a 1 x − y 33 a 1 x − y 33 rabbits suppressed for the al allotype. Also, when newborn a 1 x − y − a 1 x − y 33 rabbits were injected at birth with either anti-y33 or anti-y30 Ab, both allotypic specificities were initially suppressed and subsequently escaped suppression in unison. From this, we suggest that two variants of the y33 allele exist, y33,30 and y33,−; an inhibition of radioprecipitation assay indicated that the y33 specificity was qualitatively similar in both variants. These allelic variants, presumably representing differences in amino acid sequence, may hve resulted from an ancestral recombinational event within a VH Cistron prior to gene duplication and expansion into present day VH subgroups. The highly restricted association observed between genetic markers of the a,x, and y VH subgroups argues against recombination between the VH subgroups.
On the multiplicative complexity of the Discrete Fourier Transform

Abstract Most results in multiplicative complexity assume that the functions to be computed are in the field of constants extended by indeterminates, that is, the variables satisfy no algebraic relation. In this paper we extend some of the known results to the case that some of the variables do satisfy some algebraic relations. We then apply these results to obtaining a lower bound on the multiplicative complexity of the Discrete Fourier Transform. In the special case of computing the Discrete Fourier Transform of a prime number of points, the lower bound is actually attainable.
Molecular analysis off the phylogeny off 11 genera off the Corvidae

Phylogenetic analysis of 11 genera of Corvidae has been undertaken using a sequence of 925 bp of the cytochrome b gene of the mtDNA. Both maximum-parsimony and maximum-likelihood analyses were performed, and different weighting schemes have been used according to the saturation observed in the data (mostly at the third codon position). The cytochrome b data provide good evidence for the monophyly of the Corvidae, including the Piapiac Ptilostomus afer in spite of its aberrant morphology. In all analyses, the choughs are the first lineage emerging in the family; this result conflicts with the traditional chough-crow group, as well as the hypothesis of the ancestral position of the jays. The monophyly of the American jays is well supported by the molecular data, unlike the Palearctic jays, which are not closely related. The other intergeneric relationships are not strongly supported by bootstrap proportions, and are not congruent in all different weightings and methods, except for groups of species of the same or very closely related genera.
Possible Resonances in Weak Interactions and Test of the Intermediate Boson Hypothesis of tanikawa and Watanabe

Possible deviations of weak interactions at high energies from their low- energy behavior and whether the weak interaction is basically of the Fermi or Yukawa type are discussed. The identity of neutrinos emitted in pi /sup -/ mu decay at high energies is discussed. It was found that if either the omega + n yields (B) yields mu /sup -/ + p process or the e/sup -/ + p yields (B yields e/sup -/ + p process was not detected in weak interactions, it would disprove the intermediate-boson theory of Tanikawa and Watanabe. (C.J. G.)
In vitro measurement of drug transport using a new diffusion chamber compatible with Millicell® culture supports : performance with caco-2 monolayers

Abstract A diffusion chamber compatible with Millicell® culture supports has been developed for the measurement of permeability coefficients across caco-2 cell monolayers, these monolayers themselves having been demonstrated to be a valuable in vitro model of intestinal drug absorption. Attributes of the chamber include its unibody design of clear polycarbonate (Lexan®), temperature control by water bath submersion and fluid agitation by magnetically driven stir bars. Characterization of the apparatus with respect to control of unstirred water layer (UWL) thickness was accomplished by studying, as a function of stirring rate, both the dissolution rate of p -aminobenzoic acid and testosterone flux across caco-2 cell monolayers. These studies indicated that the design was capable of reducing UWL thickness by as much as 90% in the case of testosterone flux and converting the rate limiting step in flux of this steroid from the UWL to the caco-2 barrier. Importantly, based on the consistency in the flux of mannitol across the range of stirring rates applied, as well as the low permeability of this leakage marker across the caco-2 monolayers compared to testosterone (
Metabolic Cost of Stride Rate, Resistance, and Combined Use of Arms and Legs on the Elliptical Trainer

We measured the effects of stride rate, resistance, and combined arm-leg use on energy expenditure during elliptical trainer exercise and assessed the accuracy of the manufacturer's energy expenditure calculations. Twenty-six men and women (M age = 29 years, SD = 8; M body weight = 73.0 kg, SD = 15.2) participated. Twenty-two participants performed two tests, one without the arm poles (leg-only) and the other with arm poles (combined arm-leg). The other 4 participants performed one test without the arm poles. Both tests consisted of six 5-min stages (two stride rates, 110 and 134 strides.min-1, and three resistance settings: 2, 5, and 8). Steady-state oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Repeated measures analysis of variance determined higher (p < .001) VO2, VE, and RPE, but not HR, during combined arm-leg versus leg-only exercise at any given intensity. Increases in stride rate and resistance increased VO2, VE, RPE, and HR wi...
Applications Of Lasers In Dermatology

Applications of lasers in dermatologyGary Lask, R. Patrick Abergel, Richard M. Dwyer and Jouni UittoDepartment of Medicine, Division of DermatologyHarbor -UCLA Medical Center1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, California 90509AbstractLasers have gained considerable use in the field of dermatology for treatment of avariety of cutaneous lesions. In this overview, we are discussing the current applicationsof argon, CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers in dermatology. We are also exploring the future prospectsof laser research in the field of cutaneous biology.IntroductionAlthough lasers were introduced to medicine several years ago, only recently has amultidiciplinary usage been applied to the full spectrum of the clinical medicine.
Repeatability and Standardization in Cattle Blood Typing

Thirteen laboratories engaged in cattle blood typing have participated in tests to compare their blood-typing reagents. Over 75,000 individual tests of cattle erythrocytes were made. When the laboratories tested duplicate samples without knowing they were duplicates, the results were in agreement 99 percent of the time. Tests on samples from the same 199 animals with 56 different reagents from two or more of the laboratories showed agreement 89 percent of the time. The agreement was unexpectedly good, since the primary purpose of the tests was to allow comparison of independently developed reagents and since the sources of error were numerous.
Biliary excretion of mercury compounds.

Abstract The disappearance of 203 Hg from the plasma of rats and its excretion into bile was quantitated for 2 hr after the iv administration of 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg Hg/kg as 203 mercuric chloride. The concentration of 203 Hg in the bile was usually about 0.66 that in the plasma. The concentration of 203 Hg in the liver was 1.8–3.4 times higher than that in the plasma, and the bile concentration was about three times lower than that in the plasma. Methyl mercuric chloride was given to rats at dosages of 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg Hg/kg, iv. The concentration of 203 Hg in bile averaged about nine times higher than that in the plasma, the liver concentration was about 25-fold higher than that in the plasma and the bile concentration about 0.33 that in the liver. Thus the radioactivity associated with either mercuric chloride or methyl mercury were not highly concentrated in bile as are some other heavy metals. Over a 2-hr period, regardless of the dose or the form of Hg administered, less than 0.5% of the dose was excreted into the bile. The effect of 4 days pretreatment with phenobarbital, spironolactone, pregnenolone-16-carbonitrile (PCN), and 3-methylcholanthrene on the biliary excretion of mercuric chloride and methyl mercury was also measured. PCN was the most effective, doubling the amount of 203 Hg excreted into the bile.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsies of pancreatic masses: comparison between fine needle aspirations and needle core biopsies.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-guided FNA) is a highly sensitive and specific method for diagnosing pancreatic masses. Alternatively, EUS-guided needle core biopsies (NCB) have also been introduced. We sought to determine efficacies of pancreatic EUS-guided FNAs and NCBs. Records of consecutive EUS-guided FNAs received over a 24-mo-period were reviewed. Cases with concurrent NCBs were selected for the study. The diagnoses from the two modalities were compared and designated concordant (CC) or discordant (DC). Of 252 cases, 52 had concurrent NCBs. The final diagnoses included primary and secondary tumors. Of the 52 cases, 29/52 (55.8%) were CC and 23/52 (44.2%) were DC. The sensitivities for FNAs and NCBs were 95.0% and 67.6%, respectively. Both modalities were 100% specific. Direct comparison between EUS-guided FNAs and NCBs demonstrated that the former are more sensitive for diagnosing pancreatic neoplasms, both primaries and metastases. There was no correlation between CC/DC cases and type of neoplasm. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:276–282. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stabilization of heterogeneous nuclear RNA by intercalating drugs.

The effect of the intercalating drugs proflavine, ethidium and daunomycin on the rate of degradation of 14C-labeled heterogeneous nuclear RNA (HnRNA) in KB cells was studied. All three drugs decreased the rate of degradation of 14C-HnRNA to acid soluble products. The most striking effect was produced by proflavine which promptly and completely stabilized 14C-HnRNA against degradation. Ethidium also produced complete stabilization after a delay of 30 to 60 min. Daunomycin decreased the rate of 14C-HnRNA degradation but did not alter the fraction of 14C-HnRNA which was ultimately degraded. The results are consistent with the view that base-paired sequences are present in HnRNA in vivo and play a role in the processing of HnRNA.
Monte Carlo particle-based simulation of FIBMOS: impact of strong quantum confinement on device performance

A 250 nm focused-ion-beam MOSFET (FIBMOS) has been simulated using a two-dimensional coupled Monte Carlo–Poisson particle-based solver, in which quantumeffects have been taken into account by incorporating an effective potential scheme into a classical particle simulator. Inclusion of quantum effects in the analysis of FIBMOS operation is crucial because the high doping density of the p + -implant leads to strong quantum confinement of carriers at the implant/oxide interface. We show that the device drive current, threshold voltage and transconductance are indeed extremely sensitive to the proper treatment of quantization. r 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.