cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal and Transverse Diffusion Coefficients of Mass-Identified N + and N 2 + Ions in Nitrogen

Longitudinal and transverse diffusion coefficients for mass-identified ${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{+}$ ions in nitrogen in an applied electric field have been measured at room temperature on the $\frac{E}{N}$ range from 12 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ up to 300 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ V ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. For $\frac{E}{N}$ below about 30 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ V ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ the longitudinal and transverse coefficients were found to be equal and to have the value predicted by the Einstein relation. At higher $\frac{E}{N}$ both increased with increasing $\frac{E}{N}$, the longitudinal coefficient always being greater than or equal to the transverse.
Photothermal measurements of differential reflectivity of YBCO related to the symmetry of the superconducting order parameter

Abstract We have investigated symmetry of the differential optical response of single YBCO domains in the a-b plane. As a function of temperature, this response consists of a smooth background and a sharp peak in the vicinity of Tc related to the normal and superconducting phases, respectively. For the probe light polarized along the a axis, we have observed for the first time that the superconducting phase response is a sharp peak near Tc which is only ∼ 1 K wide. It is difficult to explain this peak in terms of a single second-order phase transition, or to arrive at a suitable model to explain the experimental results. We have also measured cross-polarized DOR signals which showed no off-diagonal reflection components.
Effect of prostaglandins on blood flow and pressure in the conscious rat.

Abstract Single doses of prostaglandins E 1 , E 2 and F 2α markedly increased the venous pressure and reduced the blood flow and arterial side pressure in the testes of conscious rats after administration through the testis vein, testis artery or into the intertubular tissue at dose levels that had no effect on central blood pressure. The extend of the response ranged up to 50% for flow, 30% for arteiral side pressure and 100% for venous pressure, depending on dose and route of administration. Recovery times were 5–12 min. for prostaglandins administered through testis blood vessels and into intertubular tissue, respectively. PGF 2α was the most potent venoconstrictor, while PGE 1 was the most potent inhibitor of testicular blood flow. Opening up the testicular capsule did not eliminate the venous or arterial response to PGF 2α .
Efficacy of seed treatment chemicals for black root rot, caused by Thielaviopsis basicola, on cotton.

The efficacy of triazole and host resistance-inducing seed treatment chemicals was examined for black root rot on cotton caused by Thielaviopsis basicola in both artificially and naturally infested soils with and without nematodes. In naturally infested soil, myclobutanil was effective in reducing root and hypocotyl discoloration over a wide range of soil population densities. Treatments containing high rates (42 g a.i./100 kg seed) of myclobutanil provided greater reductions in disease than low rates (21 g a.i./100 kg seed) in some experiments. Acibenzolar-S-methyl applied to the seed reduced black root rot or colonization by T. basicola on seedlings in artificially infested soils. Rates of acibenzolar-S-methyl did not differ in efficacy. In controlled studies, root colonization by T. basicola was significantly lower when seeds were treated with both myclobutanil and acibenzolar-S-methyl than with either chemical alone. In naturally infested soil under low (24 CFU/g soil) and high (154 CFU/g soil) populations of T. basicola, a combination of myclobutanil and acibenzolar-S-methyl at the high rate resulted in the lowest root discoloration and colonization. The nematicide seed treatment abamectin improved the control of black root rot in the presence of Meloidogyne incognita. The semi-selective medium TB-CEN allowed the importance of T. basicola to be evaluated in the presence of other pathogens that contribute to the seedling disease complex on cotton by quantifying the isolation frequency and percent colonization of T. basicola.
Tc-99m-labeled RGD-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone hybrid peptides with reduced renal uptake

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the replacement of the positively-charged Lys or Arg linker with a neutral linker could reduce the renal uptake of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-conjugated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) hybrid peptide. The RGD motif {cyclic(Arg-Gly-Asp-DTyr-Asp)} was coupled to [Cys3,4,10, D-Phe7, Arg11]α-MSH3-13 {(Arg11)CCMSH} through the neutral βAla or Ahx {aminohexanoic acid} linker (replacing the Lys or Arg linker) to generate novel RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH hybrid peptides. The receptor-binding affinity and cytotoxicity of RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH were determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. The melanoma targeting and imaging properties of 99mTc-RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and 99mTc-RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice. The replacement of the Lys or Arg linker with the βAla or Ahx linker retained nanomolar receptor-binding affinities and remarkable cytotoxicity of RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH. The receptor-binding affinities of RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH were 0.8 ± 0.05 and 1.3 ± 0.1 nM. Three-hour incubation with 0.1 µM of RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH decreased the survival percentages of B16/F1 cells by 71 and 67 % as compared to the untreated control cells 5 days post the treatment. The replacement of the Arg linker with the βAla or Ahx linker reduced the non-specific renal uptake of 99mTc-RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH and 99mTc-RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH by 62 and 61 % at 2 h post-injection. 99mTc-RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH displayed higher melanoma uptake than 99mTc-RGD-Ahx-(Arg11)CCMSH at 0.5, 2, 4, and 24 h post-injection. Enhanced tumor to kidney uptake ratio of 99mTc-RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH warranted the further evaluation of 188Re-labeled RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH as a novel MC1 receptor-targeting therapeutic peptide for melanoma treatment in the future.
Synthesis of 2-methyl-D-erythritol via epoxy ester-orthoester rearrangement.

The biomimetic epoxy ester−orthoester rearrangement has been applied to a new synthesis of 2-methyl-d-erythritol, a branched five-carbon sugar of importance to the deoxyxylulose pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. The intermediate orthoacetate is one of the few [2.2.1]-orthoesters to have been reported. Labeling studies with O-18 indicated that this reaction proceeds exclusively via a 5-exo cyclization. NMR analysis of chiral esters indicated an ee of 87% for the starting epoxide and an ee of 86% for the product. This route represents a rapid and convenient method for the synthesis of 2-methyl-d-erythritol and is expected to be useful for generating isotopically labeled intermediates for biochemical studies.
Friction and wear tests for elastomers

Abstract A common use of elastomers in business machines is as rollers, controlling the motion of such items as checks, paper forms and printer ribbons. In these applications both the friction and the wear resistance characteristics of the elastomer are of major significance. In this paper, two tests, developed to perform such characterizations against paper and ribbon surfaces, are described. Two case histories in which these test methods were effectively employed in resolving design problems are discussed. In addition, data for several elastomers are presented and compared.
S-nitrosylation: A radical way to protect the heart

In this review, the role of S-nitrosylation (SNO) in cardioprotection will be discussed. This review will cover the methodology used to measure SNO levels, and the mechanisms by which SNO serves to modulate cell function and mediate protection. We will also consider whether SNO acts through many targets or whether there are a few key SNO proteins that mediate protection. Issues regarding the percentage of the total protein which is SNO and how this plays a role in the modulation of cell function will also be discussed. The role of nitric oxide synthase uncoupling in cardioprotection will also be addressed. This article is part of a Special Section entitled "Post-translational Modification."
Quasi-experimental taxation elasticities of US gasoline demand

Abstract Taxation elasticities provide useful inputs in public policy aimed at raising revenues. Using the quasi-experimental method, this paper calculates gasoline taxation elasticities for the USA over 1952–1986. The median (mean) elasticity over this period is found to be −0.075 (−0.122). However, the elasticity following the oil shock of 1973 is found to be statistically different from the pre-shock elasticity. Reasons for this change in elasticity are discussed. The implication of this analysis is that tax policies based on price elasticities, rather than on tax elasticities, might be using an inappropriate elasticity estimate and consequently misinterpreting the government's ability to raise tax revenues — especially in the post-embargo era.
Magnitude of a finite equilibration effect in analytical gel chromatography

Previous analyses of solute behavior in analytical gel chromatography1,2 have allowed for a finite equilibration time between stationary and mobile phases in estimating the magnitude of axial dispersion coefficients, but have ignored these effects in formulating the continuity equations for solute transport. We develop a more accurate theory including the equilibration effect, and show experimentally that it can be disregarded after approximately two minutes from the start of a small-zone experiment.
Our Unstable Artistry: Donald Schön’s Counterprofessional Practice of Problem Setting

This article considers how technical communication practitioners and teachers can approach Donald Schon’s notion of problem setting as rhetorical and reflective work that offers us a richer, more precise language for articulating the technologies, narratives, and values from which problems appear as problems in the first place. The author posits that problem setting, when foregrounded in our work, adds value to the knowledge we make in practice rather than the knowledge we gain from stepping back and abstracting. After briefly describing problem setting as a significant yet invisible practice already underlying technical communication, he then describes a vignette from a digital marketing and design firm to foreground problem setting as creative, on-the-spot reflective work that we often use to invent, rather than discern, problems in unstable situations. The larger goal of this article is to further investigate Schon’s past construction in order to examine how the practice of problem setting affects our ...
Differential expression of polycytosine-binding protein isoforms in adrenal gland, locus coeruleus and midbrain

Abstract Polycytosine-binding proteins (PCBPs) are RNA-binding proteins that participate in post-transcriptional control pathways. Among the diverse functions of these proteins is the interaction with a 27 nucleotide pyrimidine-rich domain within the 3′UTR of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA. Mutations to this domain result in decreased stability of TH mRNA and loss of cAMP-mediated activation of TH mRNA translation. PCBPs are hypothesized to play key roles in these regulatory mechanisms. In order to further test this hypothesis, we examined the tissue distribution of PCBPs in catecholaminergic cells. Initial studies demonstrated that proteins from catecholaminergic tissues bind to TH mRNA 3′UTR sequences and these proteins have an apparent Mr of ∼44 kDa, which is close to the molecular sizes for PCBPs. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy was used to analyze the distribution of PCBP isoforms in TH-positive cells of the rat midbrain, locus coeruleus, and adrenal gland. Our results suggest that: (1) PCBP2 is the predominant isoform in TH-positive cells of the rat midbrain; (2) PCBP3 is the predominant isoform in TH-positive cells of the locus coeruleus; and (3) PCBP1 is the predominant isoform in the adrenal medulla. The localization of PCBP proteins to TH-positive cells in these catecholaminergic tissues is consistent with the hypothesis that PCBPs play a role in the regulation of TH expression.
Sulfur: A New High-Pressure Form

Under high pressures and elevated temperatures, rhombic sulfur is converted to a new cubic form; this form was quenched at room temperature and pressure and studied by x-ray diffraction. Phase boundaries for this new form have been established.
A Lipid-TORC1 Pathway Promotes Neuronal Development and Foraging Behavior under Both Fed and Fasted Conditions in C. elegans

Food deprivation suppresses animal growth and development but spares the systems essential for foraging. The mechanisms underlying this selective development, and potential roles of lipids in it, are unclear. When C. elegans hatch in a food-free environment, postembryonic growth and development stall, but sensory neuron differentiation and neuronal development required for food responses continue. Here, we show that monomethyl branched-chain fatty acids (mmBCFAs) and their derivative, d17iso-glucosylceramide, function in the intestine to promote foraging behavior and sensory neuron maturation through both TORC1-dependent and -independent mechanisms. We show that mmBCFAs impact the expression of a subset of genes, including ceh-36/Hox, which we show to play a key role in mediating the regulation of the neuronal functions by this lipid pathway. This study uncovers that a lipid pathway promotes neuronal functions involved in foraging under both fed and fasting conditions and adds critical insight into the physiological functions of TORC1.
Modeling gas transport in packaging applications

Abstract The barrier to gas transport provided by the container material is an important consideration in many packaging applications. This paper considers cases where a simple steady-state or pseudosteady-state analysis does not adequately represent the transport situation and, thus, the dynamics of the diffusion process must be considered. In these cases, a simple permeability coefficient is not sufficient to describe the barrier characteristics but detailed knowledge of the solubility and diffusion processes must be known. The adequacy of the phenomenological model used to represent these processes and various mathematical approximations in their application in modeling packaging problems have been considered. A specific example involving prediction of shelf-life of carbonated beverages in plastic bottles is given. In addition, the question of the approach to steadystate in transient permeation experiments is analyzed. The familiar rule of three time lags is seen to provide a conservative criterion for glassy polymers obeying the dual sorption, dual mobility model.
A Link State Advertisement Protocol for Optical Transparency Islands

Plug and play optical (PPO) nodes enable fast, re-configurable, and flexible ad hoc deployment of optical networks. Once plugged, the PPO nodes provide all-optical circuits between client nodes to alleviate the electronic processing bottleneck of high speed networks. To offer these wavelength routing functionalities to client nodes the PPO nodes must self-adjust to possible changes of the optical physical topology and fiber propagation characteristics. To discover such changes the PPO nodes must make use of a link state advertisement (LSA) protocol that is scalable in the number of plugged PPO nodes. This paper describes a scalable LSA protocol with constrained message flooding to match the limited propagation reach of the optical signal, i.e., the PPO node transparency island (TI). Scalability is thus achieved naturally by limiting the link state advertisement scope to only those PPO nodes that need to receive the link updates. As discussed in the paper, the proposed protocol appears to be a viable solution when the TI size is relatively small, e.g., in optical networks without signal regeneration.
Improved glycemic control with use of oral hypoglycemic therapy with or without insulin.

Objective: To determine whether combination oral hypoglycemic therapy in insulin-using patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) can improve glycemic control for a prolonged period. Methods: We expanded and extended an earlier study to include 130 patients with NIDDM for 10 to 30 years who had been using twice-daily mixed insulin for less than 10 years. Reduction and eventual elimination of the insulin therapy and substitution of metformin and a sulfonylurea were attempted. At follow-up visits, patients were weighed, random plasma glucose levels were determined, and glycosylated hemoglobin values were obtained. Results: Of 130 C-peptide-positive patients with NIDDM receiving twice-daily mixed insulin, 100 were successfully transferred to combination oral hypoglycemic therapy with glyburide originally and later glimepiride and metformin--a primary failure rate of 23.1%. Secondary failure occurred in 20 patients after a mean duration of 6.4 months. Two patients with successful conversion...
Hamilton decompositions of complete multipartite graphs with any 2-factor leave

For m ≥ 1 and p ≥ 2, given a set of integers s1,…,sq with $s_j \geq p+1$ for $1 \leq j \leq q$ and ${\sum _{j\,=\,1}^q} s_j = mp$, necessary and sufficient conditions are found for the existence of a hamilton decomposition of the complete p-partite graph $K_{m,\ldots,m} - E(U)$, where U is a 2-factor of $K_{m,\ldots,m}$ consisting of q cycles, the jth cycle having length sj. This result is then used to completely solve the problem when p = 3, removing the condition that $s_j\ge p+1$. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 44: 208–214, 2003
Outcome of Patients With Indeterminate Colitis Undergoing a Double-Stapled Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis

The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with indeterminate colitis undergoing double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis. A retrospective review of demographic, disease-related, and outcome variables of all patients undergoing double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis from August 1988 to January 2000 was undertaken. All patients were evaluated using the validated American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Fecal Incontinence Severity Index. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, those who had undergone pouch revision or had S-configured pouches, and patients with a follow-up of less than three months were excluded from analysis. Three hundred ninety-five patients underwent the double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis; of these 303 patients were included for analysis. The mean duration of follow-up was 40 months. Fifty-six (18.1 percent) had a preoperative diagnosis of indeterminate colitis. Postoperatively, indeterminate colitis was diagnosed in 13 (4.3 percent), mucosal ulcerative colitis in 285 (94 percent), and Crohn’s disease in 5 (1.6 percent). The overall complication rate was 37.7 percent, 60 percent, and (30.7) percent in patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and indeterminate colitis, respectively. Postoperative hemorrhage, abscess, and fistula occurred in 2.4 percent, 6.3 percent, and 3.9 percent, respectively, in patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis, and 0 percent, 15.3 percent, and 7.7 percent, respectively, in patients with indeterminate colitis. Small-bowel obstruction occurred in 8.5 percent, 20 percent, and 7.7 percent of patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and indeterminate colitis, respectively. Pouchitis occurred in 4.6 percent of patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis but in none of the patients with indeterminate colitis. Dysplasia of the anal transition zone was seen in one patient each with mucosal ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis. These patients had consistent follow-up and neither showed any sign of evolution to neoplastic disease. None of the patients with indeterminate colitis had a postoperative diagnosis of Crohn’s disease during the follow-up period. Functional outcome was comparable in all three patient groups. The outcome of the double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis in patients with indeterminate colitis is similar to that of patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis. Therefore, it is a safe option in patients with indeterminate colitis.
Accounting Challenges for Semi-Autonomous Revenue Agencies (SARAs) in Developing Countries

The paper discusses the improvements which a semi-autonomous revenue agency (SARA) must make to its records to meet fiscal and financial accounting obligations. SARAs are legal entities, such as a service or a department, which are required to prepare accrual records that may diverge from a treasury's cash accounting records. Their records reflect revenues generated; budget funds for generating the revenues; and material programs administered for other agencies. The accounting records and financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement) must conform to generally-accepted accounting principles (GAAPs) or standards such as the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)-and to the treatment of operating, investment and financing activities in the Government Finance Statistics (GFS) Manual.
Electrophoretic microchip with dual‐opposite injection for simultaneous measurements of anions and cations

A novel dual-injection poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) microchip electrophoretic system has been designed and fabricated for simultaneous measurements of anions and cations using a single channel and detection device. It consists of two sample reservoirs, on both sides of a common separation channel. Anions and cations can be simultaneously electrokinetically injected into both ends of the separation channel. Due to lower electroosmotic flow in polymer channels compared to glass ones, the cations and anions migrate in opposite directions and can be separated from each other and detected using a movable contactless conductivity detector (MCCD) positioned around the center of the separation channel. The effects of the detector position and of the separation voltage on the response and resolution have been studied and optimized for simultaneous determination of six low-energy explosive-related ions, including ammonium, methyl ammonium, sodium, chloride, nitrate, and perchlorate in a single analytical run (of ca. 3 min). Simultaneous detection of nerve-agent degradation products along with explosive-related anions and cations is also demonstrated. The versatile system can also be used for separately measuring anions or cations. The attractive behavior of the dual-opposite injection microchip offers great promise for a wide range of applications, including "total ion analysis" of various samples.
Isolation and characterization of a siderophore-like growth factor from mutants of SV40-transformed cells adapted to picolinic acid

Abstract We have isolated mutants of SV40-transformed BALB/3T3 cells adapted to grow in picolinic acid. A line of cells, derived from the mutant cells, that multiplies in the absence of serum has also been characterized. From ultrafiltrates of medium conditioned by contact with these cell lines, we have identified and partially purified a highly specific iron-binding ligand termed siderophore-like growth factor (SGF). Experiments have indicated that the factor is a peptide(s) of approximately 1600 daltons. In nanogram amounts, SGF solubilizes and binds Fe 3+ in vitro and stimulates the uptake of Fe 3+ in vivo. The Fe 3+ uptake preceded the stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by the factor in the mutant cell lines. The factor could not be separated into Fe 3+ binding and DNA synthetic activity, suggesting that the early iron uptake is an integral component of the proliferative response. These data support the hypothesis that SGF is representative of a family of mammalian siderophores which may have an important role in cell proliferation.
Age Comparative Factor Analysis of Ability Variables in Adulthood and Old Age.

Abstract The generality of ability factor structure in adulthood and old age was investigated using simultaneous maximum likelihood procedures. Data were analyzed for 198 young individuals (age range of 15–32 years), 156 younger old individuals (age range of 53–68 years), and 156 older old individuals (69–91 years). Variables were nine tests marking three ability factors: Verbal Comprehension, Sensitivity to Problems and Semantic Redefinition. Results indicated no changes in the number of factors and no psychologically important shifts in salient factor loadings. Increasingly larger factor covariances, however, were obtained in the two older groups. The results supported the generalizability of ability structures to late life at the level of factor loadings. The implications of these results for the dedifferentiation hypothesis were not clear cut. The consistency of the number of factors across age groups precluded strong support for this hypothesis, The increased factor covariances could be construed as modest support for this hypothesis, but other interpretations were possible.
Optimal Combination of Circuit and Packet Switching in Optical Core Networks

In this paper, we propose a method to optimally partition a network's net capacity into circuit and packet switched channels. In our approach, the packet/burst switched channels are modeled as overflow channels. The overflow occurs from a group of circuit switched primary channels, which are semi-permanently allotted to a traffic source. Such a network provides balance between the statistical multiplexing gains of packet/burst switched channels and the minimum switching complexity of the circuit switching paradigm. We apply our design approach to optical core networks in which the complexity of packet/burst schemes are balanced with the cheap bulk carrying capacity of circuit switched channels. The blocking performance of various combinations of primary and overflow channels is analyzed and discussed, and optimized.
Nutritional Evaluation of a Copper-Methionine Complex for Chicks

Three chick experiments were conducted to evaluate a new Cu complex product, Cu-Met. Relative bioavailability of Cu was assessed with two bioassay systems, one employing bile Cu concentration as the criterion at Cu-deficient levels and another employing liver Cu concentration at Cu-excess levels. Relative bioavailability of Met was assessed separately. Common-intercept multiple linear regression (slope-ratio) of bile Cu concentration or liver Cu concentration regressed on supplemental Cu intake was used to assess Cu bioavailability relative to the standard, analytical-grade CuSO4.5H2O, which was set at 100%. In addition, Cu-Lys and CuCl (compounds previously evaluated by bile Cu concentration) were evaluated by the liver Cu accumulation method. Relative bioavailability of Cu in Cu-Met was estimated as 96% by the bile Cu assay and 88% by the liver Cu assay, which were not different (P > .05) from 100%. The liver Cu assay estimated that relative Cu bioavailabilities in Cu-Lys and CuCl of 114 and 145% (P < .05), respectively. These values were very close to those previously estimated by the bile Cu assay. Relative Met bioavailability of Cu-Met was 100% of the standard, i.e., feed-grade DL-Met.
Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (Adenomectomy) for Obstructing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Transvesical and Transcapsular (Millin) Techniques

Purpose: We describe extraperitoneal laparoscopic resection of large prostatic adenomas ( 100 g. The initial two cases, with follow-up longer than 1 year, are included in this report. Using an extraperitoneal approach, enucleation of the obstructing prostatic lobes was performed with the aid of a Harmonic Scalpel and laparoscopic claw forceps. Hemostatic sutures were placed at 5 and 7 o'clock. The urethrovesical junction (transvesical) or capsulotomy (Millin) were closed in an interrupted fashion using intracorporeal sutures. Results: Both procedures were successful. The total operative time was 180 minutes for first the case and 120 minutes for the second. The adenoma removed was approximately 138 g in the first case and 102 g in the se...
A comprehensive fault macromodel for opamps

In this paper, a comprehensive macromodel for transistor level faults in an operational amplifier is developed. With the observation that faulty behavior at output may result from interfacing error in addition to the faulty component, parameters associated with input and output characteristics are incorporated. Test generation and fault classification are addressed for stand-alone opamps. A high fault coverage is achieved by a proposed testing strategy. Transistor level short/bridging faults are analyzed and classified into catastrophic faults and parametric faults. Based on the macromodels for parametric faults, faults simulation is performed for an active filter. We found many parametric faults in the active filter cannot be detected by traditional functional testing. A DFT scheme alone with a current testing strategy to improve fault coverage is proposed.
Reduction of Endohedral Metallofullerenes: A Convenient Method for Isolation

Isolation of the endohedral metallofullerenes is currently carried out via a multistage high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. However, this method is tedious and time-consuming work, making it difficult to obtain macroscopic quantities of pure endohedral metallofullerenes. We report herein a selective electrochemical reduction of the endohedral metallofullerenes from extracts of carbon soot and a convenient separation method of endohedral metallofullerenes and empty fullerenes. A chemical oxidation of the endohedral metallofullerene anions is also discussed.
Localization of the U2 Linkage Group of Horses to ECA 3 Using Chromosome Painting

The U2 linkage group of horses includes the genes albumin (ALB), vitamin D binding protein (GC), mitochondrial glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 2 (GOT2), and haptoglobin (HP) which are found on two human chromosomes, namely, 4 (HSA 4) and 16 (HSA 16). Likewise these genes are also found on two different chromosomes in mice, rats, and cattle. Chromosome painting demonstrated that only horse chromosome 3 (ECA 3) hybridized with whole chromosome paints for both HSA 4 and HSA 16. This indicated that the equine U2 linkage group occurs on ECA 3, spanning the centromere. This technique will be useful to study the chromosome rearrangements associated with speciation of the genus Equus.
Mutual coupling effects on adaptive antenna arrays

The authors examine the effects of mutual coupling on an adaptive array system and propose the use of scalar spherical modes (SSMs) to predict and correct the problem. Preliminary results are presented: the receive patterns of an ideal ten-element half-wave dipole array and a ten-element half-wave dipole array with mutual coupling are shown. A desired signal is incident at 20 degrees and an undesired signal at 60 degrees with 400 times the power of the desired signal. The effect of mutual coupling is to raise the null level in the undesired signal direction by approximately 25 dB. The validity and applicability of the SSM approach have been demonstrated. >
Monitoring by the financial press and forced CEO turnover

This paper examines Wall Street Journal news stories about 79 firms that forced CEO turnover and a matched sample of firms that did not force CEO turnover. In the two years prior to turnover, firms in the forced-turnover sample were the subjects of 76% more news stories about poor firm performance despite being from the same industry, of similar size, and similar performance as a sample of matched firms. Overall, the evidence suggests that scrutiny of poor firm perfor mance by the financial press increases the likelihood of forced CEO turnover.
Effective storage capacity of labeled graphs

We consider the question of how much information can be stored by labeling the vertices of a connected undirected graph G using a constant-size set of labels, when isomorphic labelings are not distinguishable. Specifically, we are interested in the effective capacity of members of some class of graphs, the number of states distinguishable by a Turing machine that uses the labeled graph itself in place of the usual linear tape. We show that the effective capacity is related to the information-theoretic capacity which we introduce in the paper. It equals the information-theoretic capacity of the graph up to constant factors for trees, random graphs with polynomial edge probabilities, and bounded-degree graphs.
The short PET in pediatrics.

BackgroundThe peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is a 4-hour procedure that is recommended to be performed in children receiving peritoneal dialysis to assist in prescription management. While a s...
Immunological Assessment of Surface Changes of Rabbit Sperm Undergoing Capacitation

Sperm capacitation may involve the removal of seminal plasma factor(s) from the surface of the sperm. To determine the presence of seminal plasma components and in order to follow their release or alteration, antibodies to rabbit seminal plasma were produced in guinea pigs. The agglutinating ability of rabbit spermatozoa when mixed with antiserum was followed after washing the sperm cells for extensive periods. Eighteen hours of washing did not diminish the agglutination reaction. However, when ejaculated spermatozoa were incubated in utero, the agglutination of the sperm cells induced by the antiserum to seminal plasma diminished with time in utero. Additional data indicated that a higher percentage of cleaved ova resulted following insemination in vitro with uterine spermatozoa recovered at increasing intervals after coitus (9, 44, 55, and 74% at 3, 6, 12, and 18 h, respectively). Furthermore, utilizing the binding of ‘4C-labeled antibodies against rabbit seminal plasma, the sperm-bound seminal plasma components were shown to be bound tightly to the sperm and were not removed during 24 h of incubation in vitro in a defined medium. However, when washed ejaculated sperm are incubated in uterine fluid, the uptake of 24C-antibodies falls off with increasing time of incubation, up to 65% decrease with 6 h of incubation. These findings may provide a basis for a rapid quantitative assay for sperm capacitation.
The Management of Affect Storms in the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of Borderline Patients

Affect storms are a frequent complication in the psychoanalytic approach to borderline patients. The descriptive, psychodynamic, and structural characteristics of these storms are explored, and the verbal, nonverbal, and countertransference manifestations that permit the formulation of interpretations under such conditions are described, as are the interventions required to maintain the treatment frame as a precondition for an analytic approach. The principal theoretical formulations regarding the affect pathology of borderline patients are reviewed and related to a proposed interpretive approach. An apparently opposite development, the utter absence of emotional developments in the sessions, is examined, and its defensive function of avoiding affect storms is explored. Clinical case material illustrates the proposed approach to these storms, and clinical evidence is given to support the approach, which centers on systematic analysis of the primitive internalized object relations of these patients in the transference, the use of countertransference analysis without countertransference communication to the patient, and the repeated restoration of technical neutrality in the service of protecting the treatment frame.
Statistical Methods: Overview

Statistical methods specify how confident we can be to confirm or deny a claim. Keywords: statistical inference; sampling distribution; binomial; chi-squared; t test; analysis of variance; ANOVA; linear regression; model comparison; parametric statistics; nonparametric statistics; resampling; Bayesian inference; knowledge; uncertainty; liberty; ethics
Structure and rock alteration at the Elizabeth Mine, Vermont; Part 1

The Elizabeth Cu mine in E-central Vermont is a concordant ore body lying within medium to high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Gile Mountain formation, believed to be Ordovician in age. The major structural features of the district are the E-dipping eastern limb of the Green Mountain anticlinorium, and the Strafford dome, which is marked by the development of an abnormal "Christmas tree" pattern of minor folds. Due to a flat northerly plunge, the easterly part of this structure crops out as a series of recumbent dextral folds in which the older rocks appear on the inside of the northerly-plunging V structures. Minor sinistral folds and flexures are common in the area, and both pre- and post-date the dextral folds associated with the Strafford dome. The Elizabeth ore bodies are bedded within the rock sequence at the contact of amphibolite and mica schists and are structurally related to the "Christmas-tree" pattern of folds. The ore is localized in fold positions and on straight limbs between fold positions. Schist breccia within the ore, ore infilling the space between parted bedding planes in drag fold positions, and veins filled with ore suggest that the ore was introduced into permeable zones formed during deformation and dated as middle and/or late Devonian (Acadian). It is believed that the major ore control in the district was the crushed and folded contact of thick competent amphibolite beds with incompetent schists interbedded with quartzites.
Autoimmunity and Heavy Metals

This brief review is focused on those heavy metals (cadmium, gold and mercury) that have strong associations with autoimmunity. Cadmium treatment of rats and mice results in autoimmune responses that vary with species and inbred strain of animals. However, there is no solid evidence demonstrating that the renal pathology observed in humans exposed to cadmium has an autoimmune pathogenesis. More clear-cut are the autoimmune effects of preparations containing gold salts, that have been widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Gold may cause autoimmune thrombocytopenia, immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and other autoimmune disorders. Similarly, there is solid evidence that mercury can induce autoimmune disease both in humans and experimental animals. The lessons to be derived from metal-induced autoimmunity relate to structure-activity relationship, pathogenesis, etiology and genetics. They probably apply to xenobiotic-induced autoimmune disease in general.
Multiresolution analysis of ridges and valleys in grey-scale images

Two methods for identifying and analyzing the multiresolution behavior of ridges and valleys in grey-scale images are described. The first method uses the tools of differential geometry to focus on local image behavior. The resulting vertex curves mark the tops of ridges and bottoms of valleys in an image. The second method focuses on the global drainage patterns of rainfall on a terrain map. The resulting watershed boundaries also identify the tops of ridges and bottoms of valleys in an image. By following these two geometric representations through scale space, the authors build resolution hierarchies on ridges and valleys in the image that can be utilized for interactive image segmentation. >
Nature-Inspired Optimization Techniques in Communication Antenna Designs

This paper summarizes the primary features inherent in current optimization methods typically applied to antenna designs and demonstrates their effectiveness by applying particle swarm optimization (PSO), a nature-inspired global optimization technique, to novel antenna design solutions in wireless communications. The concept of the PSO technique is briefly introduced and an outline of the important parameters that are utilized is summarized. Next, an implementation strategy combining PSO with numerical algorithms for electromagnetic solutions, namely the finite element method (FEM) and the method of moments (MoM), is discussed. In both realizations (PSO-FEM and PSO-MoM), the PSO technique drives the design variables, such as the antenna dimensions, geometrical features, etc., and the full-wave electromagnetic analysis engines evaluate the fitness function for the optimizer. Optimized antenna designs including a multiband handset antenna and an E-shaped patch antenna for circularly polarized (CP) applications are presented. Measurement results of prototype optimized designs are shown to demonstrate the functionality and effectiveness of the methodologies presented in this paper.
Embracing Institutional Authority: The Emerging Identity of a Novice Teacher Educator.

This self-study explores the emerging identity of a first-time teacher educator using a framework that views identity as natural, institutional, discursive, and affinity. This framework provided an opportunity to unpack empirically how these various strands of identity intersected within the classroom of a novice teacher educator. Situated in the context of an elementary social studies methods classroom, this study reveals various struggles with the institutional authority of being a teacher educator. Issues such as how preservice teachers perceive a novice teacher educator, the acknowledgment of lack of experience, and the process of negotiating institutionalized and systemic power within the classroom are discussed. Because this study also featured a mentor professor as a critical friend, the implications of self-study work and mentoring first-time teacher educators are also featured in the discussion section. Considering the importance of identity in shaping the practice of new teachers, this self-stud...
Spurious-noise-free buck regulator for direct powering of analog/RF loads using PWM control with random frequency hopping and random phase chopping

Buck regulators are widely employed in portable devices due to their high power-conversion efficiency. However, due to their spurious output noise, they are not directly used to power sensitive analog/RF modules, and subsequent linear low-dropout regulators (LDOs) are needed to generate secondary low-noise supply rails for these modules. This results in lower efficiency, and increased size and cost. Moreover, as switching frequencies increase to reduce passive components, LDOs become less effective in filtering the switching noise due to their poor power-supply rejection (PSR) beyond 1MHz [1]. Several techniques for reducing the spurious noise of buck regulators by manipulating their switching behavior have been studied. This includes using ΔΣ or Δ modulators in the control loop [2, 3], which although reduce the spurs, result in large increases in the noise floor that mandates subsequent LDOs [1]. Other techniques redistribute the power of each spur into multiple smaller ones using random frequency hopping [4], or periodic monotonic frequency stepping [5]. However, the resulting spectrum continues to be spurious and the reduction reported in the largest spur is limited to 10 to 12dB. This limited reduction, coupled with the fact that many extra spurs are generated, leaves the load circuitry vulnerable to performance degradation. This paper proposes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control scheme for buck converters based on combining random frequency hopping with phase chopping. The technique results in full elimination of spurs, elimination of hopping transients, very low noise floor, and minimalist implementation with little overhead on area and power.
Synthesis and properties of green phosphor SrGa2S4:Eu2+ for field emission displays by an environmentally clean technique

An environmentally clean synthesis technique is reported for preparing the green phosphor SrGa2S4:Eu 21 . This method is based on solid state chemical reactions with the use of raw materials: sodium dimethyldithiocarbomate, tetramethylammonium chloride, gallium nitrate, europium nitrate, strontium sulfide and sulfur. The method is shown to produce powders with quasispherical shape, smooth surface morphologies, uniform particle size distribution and high luminous efficiencies (,20.5 lm/W at 2 kV and 30.8 lm/W at 5 kV). q 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Fast-switching insulated gate transistors

Insulated gate transistors (IGT's) with high-speed gate turn-off capability have been developed by using electron irradiation to reduce the minority-carrier lifetime in the drift region. Gate turnoff times as low as 200 ns have been achieved. These devices have been found to offer a unique advantage in the ability to tradeoff conduction and switching losses which allows optimization of device characteristics for each application.
Polynomial time approximation schemes for Euclidean traveling salesman and other geometric problems

We present a polynomial time approximation scheme for Euclidean TSP in fixed dimensions. For every fixed c > 1 and given any n nodes in ℛ2, a randomized version of the scheme finds a (1 + 1/c)-approximation to the optimum traveling salesman tour in O(n(log n)O(c)) time. When the nodes are in ℛd, the running time increases to O(n(log n)(O(√c))d-1). For every fixed c, d the running time is n · poly(logn), that is nearly linear in n. The algorithmm can be derandomized, but this increases the running time by a factor O(nd). The previous best approximation algorithm for the problem (due to Christofides) achieves a 3/2-aproximation in polynomial time.We also give similar approximation schemes for some other NP-hard Euclidean problems: Minimum Steiner Tree, k-TSP, and k-MST. (The running times of the algorithm for k-TSP and k-MST involve an additional multiplicative factor k.) The previous best approximation algorithms for all these problems achieved a constant-factor approximation. We also give efficient approximation schemes for Euclidean Min-Cost Matching, a problem that can be solved exactly in polynomial time.All our algorithms also work, with almost no modification, when distance is measured using any geometric norm (such as lp for p ≥ 1 or other Minkowski norms). They also have simple parallel (i.e., NC) implementations.
Integration of photothermal therapy and synergistic chemotherapy by a porphyrin self-assembled micelle confers chemosensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer is a malignant cancer type with a high risk of early recurrence and distant metastasis. Unlike other breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer is lack of targetable receptors and, therefore, patients largely receive systemic chemotherapy. However, inevitable adverse effects and acquired drug resistance severely constrain the therapeutic outcome. Here we tailor-designed a porphyrin-based micelle that was self-assembled from a hybrid amphiphilic polymer comprising polyethylene glycol, poly (d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) and porphyrin. The bilayer micelles can be simultaneously loaded with two chemotherapeutic drugs with synergistic cytotoxicity and distinct physiochemical properties, forming a uniform and spherical nanostructure. The drug-loaded micelles showed a tendency to accumulate in the tumor and can be internalized by tumor cells for drug release in acidic organelles. Under near-infrared laser irradiation, high density of self-quenched porphyrins in the hydrophobic layer absorbed light efficiently and converted into an excited state, leading to the release of sufficient heat for photothermal therapy. The integration of localized photothermal effect and synergistic chemotherapy conferred great chemosensitivity to cancer cells and achieved tumor regression using about 1/10 of traditional drug dosage. As a result, chemotherapy-associated adverse effects were successfully avoided. Our present study established a novel porphyrin-based nanoplatform with photothermal activity and expanded drug loading capacity, providing new opportunities for challenging conventional chemotherapy and fighting against stubborn triple-negative breast cancer.