cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dedekind-like behavior of rings with 2-generate ideals

A Bass ring is a commutative ring without nilpotent elements and with module fini~:e integral closure, such that every ideal is generated by two elements. The~ rings have received attention from several points of view algebraic number theor( representation theory and algebraic geometry and have been called Bass orde when they are orders in separable algebras over the quotient field of a Dedeki~ domain [6, §37]. See Section 2 for more comments about where Bass rings aris. Bass, in his 1963 paper [2], showed that, as in the case of Dedekind domain every finitely generated torsionfree module over a Bass ring R is isomorphic to direct sum of ideals of R. Our main result is a uniqueness theorem that furth, extends the analogy with Dedekind domains. We use the representation-theoret term 'R-lattice' to mean 'finitely generated torsionfree R-module ' . An R-lattic then, is a finitely generated R-submodule of a K-module, where K is the classic quotient ring of R. With each R-lattice we associate an isomorphism class d(M) (the ideal class of 21, oi" faithful ideals of R, and then prove:
Assimilation by the third generation? Marital choices of white ethnics at the dawn of the twentieth century.

It is well known that marital ethnic endogamy declines by immigrant generation, but there is little information on how many generations are required for full marital assimilation. This study for 1880–1910 includes information on the birthplace of men’s grandparents, so we can compare the first, second, third, and later generations. We estimate the odds of marrying a native white woman with native-born parents (NWNP) for Irish, Germans, British, and men of other ethnicities. Most groups even in their third generation still show a significantly lower rate of marital assimilation than native stock men. But mixed ancestry (having at least one NWNP parent or grandparent) can result in nearly complete marital assimilation by the third generation.
CLONAL EXPANSION OF Vβ8+ T LYMPHOCYTES IN CHRONIC IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA. • 892

Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune hematologic disorder characterized by the presence of antiplatelet antibodies which lead to accelerated platelet clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. Although the platelet antibodies are produced by autoreactive B lymphocytes, there is also evidence to implicate T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of this autoimmune disorder. We identified two unrelated males with chronic ITP who had highly elevated numbers of circulating Vβ8+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes documented on multiple occasions. Patient 1 had 8-12% Vβ8+ T lymphocytes, predominantly CD4+ (normal 2-4%), while patient 2 had 15-35% Vβ8+ T lymphocytes, almost exclusively CD8+. Total RNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes, and used for RT-PCR analysis and nucleotide sequencing of Vβ8-(D)-J-C gene rearrangements: For patient 1, 8 of 19 transcripts had an identical in-frame Vβ8.2-Dβ1.1-Jβ1.2-Cβ1 gene rearrangement, indicating a clonal expansion. Similarly, patient 2 had 8 of 23 mRNA transcripts with a Vβ8.3-Dβ1.1-Jβ1.2-Cβ1 in-frame rearrangement, and 7 of 23 with an in-frame Vβ8.2-Jβ1.1-Cβ1 rearrangement. Other Vβ8-(D)-J-C mRNA transcripts from these patients, as well as those from controls, demonstrated unique rearrangements using random combinations of N, Dβ, and Jβ segments. Patient 1 underwent splenectomy with resolution of his thrombocytopenia, along with normalization of the% peripheral blood Vβ8+ T lymphocytes. RT-PCR analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte cytokine expression demonstrated elevated amounts of TNF-α, IL-2, andγ-IFN mRNA which decreased after splenectomy. Histologic staining of the splenic tissue revealed Vβ8+ T lymphocytes within the germinal centers, and RT-PCR identified the clonal Vβ8 sequence within the spleen. These results provide strong evidence that clonal T lymphocyte populations are present in chronic ITP, and are important in the pathogenesis of this autoimmune disorder.
Early Results of Neurodevelopment Following Hybrid Stage I for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Motor skills and neurodevelopment in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who have undergone Hybrid Stage I palliation is unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess early neurodevelopment in infants with HLHS after Hybrid Stage I palliation. Developmental assessment was performed in HLHS infants who underwent Hybrid Stage I palliation at 2 and 4 months of age using the Test of Infant Motor Performance, and at 6 months of age, prior to undergoing the second staged surgery, using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (Bayley-III). Results were compared to healthy control subjects and norm-referenced data. The HLHS group scored between −1 and −2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean at 2 months of age (p = 0.002), and within −1 SD of the mean, at 4 months of age (p = 0.0019), on the TIMP. Compared to the control group, composite motor skills were significantly lower at 6 months of age on the Bayley-III in the HLHS group (p = 0.0489), however, not significant for cognitive (p = 0.29) or language (p = 0.68). Percentile rank motor scores were 17 ± 20 % in the HLHS group compared to 85 ± 12 % for the healthy age-matched control group. Infants with HLHS who undergo Hybrid Stage I palliation score lower on standardized motor skill tests compared to healthy age-matched controls and the norm-referenced population. This suggests that infants with HLHS have poorer motor skill performance than typically developing infants at 6 months of age.
Long-range correlations in the two-dimensional spin-(1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model: A quantum Monte Carlo study.

Using an extended version of Handscomb's Monte Carlo method we study the spin-(1/2 quantum antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on square lattices of various sizes. The calculated correlation length associated with antiferromagnetic order grows very rapidly as the temperature is lowered suggesting an essential singularity. Our results are consistent with those recently observed by neutron scattering done on ${\mathrm{Lo}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$.
Modeling Protein Expression and Protein Signaling Pathways.

High-throughput functional proteomic technologies provide a way to quantify the expression of proteins of interest. Statistical inference centers on identifying the activation state of proteins and their patterns of molecular interaction formalized as dependence structure. Inference on dependence structure is particularly important when proteins are selected because they are part of a common molecular pathway. In that case, inference on dependence structure reveals properties of the underlying pathway. We propose a probability model that represents molecular interactions at the level of hidden binary latent variables that can be interpreted as indicators for active versus inactive states of the proteins. The proposed approach exploits available expert knowledge about the target pathway to define an informative prior on the hidden conditional dependence structure. An important feature of this prior is that it provides an instrument to explicitly anchor the model space to a set of interactions of interest, ...
Inhibition of polysaccharases by melanin: enzyme inhibition in relation to mycolysis.

Abstract The degradation of hyaline and melanized cell walls of Aspergillus nidulans has been analyzed using a crude lytic enzyme complex and highly purified β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase produced by a soil streptomycete. The action of these latter two enzymes in combination produced extensive cell wall dissolution, and β-1, 3-glucanase activity, specifically endohydrolytic activity, was a necessary prelude to chitin accessibility and hydrolysis by chitinase. Pigmented cell walls varied in their sensitivity to lysis according to the extent of their melanization. All enzyme components of the lytic preparation were sensitive to the native fungal melanin, with chitinase being the most susceptible to inhibition. The inhibition of the glucanase and chitinase was a time-dependent reaction of the noncompetitive type. Evidence for an association of melanin with chitin in the cell wall has been presented, and studies of semisynthetic melanin-chitin complexes reported. Melanin-bound chitin was extremely resistant to enzymic degradation. The respective roles of enzyme inhibition and substrate protection by melanin in the context of its antimycolytic properties have been discussed.
Constructing ethnicity in interaction

In the present study, I continue ongoing efforts to incorporate social constructionist viewpoints into sociolinguistics by demonstrating how two interlocutors use linguistic resources to project and shape ethnic (and other facets of) identity in unfolding talk. The interaction is a sociolinguistic interview from a large-scale sociolinguistic study of a rural tri-ethnic community in the southeastern U.S. I examine a range of features and types of features and in addition use both quantitative and qualitative methods. Further, I examine the linguistic usages of both the researcher (the interviewer) and the research subject. The analysis confirms that identity is dynamic and multifaceted and is very much a product of ongoing talk, although pre-existing linguistic and social structures also come into play. In addition, the analysis demonstrates that identity is dialogic as well as dynamic and that researchers play a large role in shaping the linguistic usages of those they study.
Silicon nanowire memory application using hafnium oxide charge storage layer

This paper discusses about SiNW-based non-volatile memory based on self-aligned CVD-grown SiNWs and a HfO2 charge storage layer. With double gates and surrounding top gate high-k dielectric stacks, the SiNWs memory devices operates with a small program/erase voltage and low power consumption. Compared to previous work on SiNW SONOS memory devices, structures that use HfO2 as a top gate surrounding dielectric exhibit better gate control, a larger memory window, and a higher ON/OFF current ratio. Additionally, this self-aligned method of integrating SiNWs into memory devices is more practical for large-scale fabrication.
Atmospheric pressure-thermal desorption (AP-TD)/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of Bacillus spores

A technique is described where an atmospheric pressure-thermal desorption (AP-TD) device and electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometry (MS) are coupled and used for the rapid analysis of Bacillus subtilis spores in complex matrices. The resulting AP-TD/ESI-MS technique combines the generation of volatile compounds and/or pyrolysis products with soft-ionization MS detection. In the AP-TD/ESI-MS approach, an electrospray solvent plume was used as the ionization vehicle of thermally desorbed neutrals at atmospheric pressure prior to mass spectrometric analysis using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The approach is quantitative with the volatile standard dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and with the use of an internal standard (diethyl methylphosphonate, DEMP). A linear response was obtained as tested in the 1–50 ppm range (R2 = 0.991) with a standard error of the estimate of 0.193 (0.9% RSD, n = 5). Bacterial spores were detected by performing pyrolysis in situ methylation with the reagent tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) for the detection of the bacterial spore biomarker dipicolinic acid (DPA) as the dimethylated derivative (2Me-DPA). This approach allowed spore detection even in the presence of growth media in crude lyophilized samples. Repetitive analyses could be performed with a duty cycle of less than 5 min total analysis time (including sample loading, heating and data acquisition). This strategy proved successful over other direct ambient MS approaches like DESI-MS and AP-TD/ESI-MS without the in situ derivatization step to detect the dipicolinic acid biomarker from spores. A detection limit for the dimethylated DPA biomarker was estimated at 1 ppm (equivalent to 0.01 μg of DPA deposited in the thermal desorption tube), which corresponded to a calculated detection limit of 105 spores deposited or 0.1% by weight spore composition in solid samples (assuming a 1 mg sample size). The AP-TD/ESI source used in conjunction with the in situ methylation step allowed the differentiation of bacterial spores from other ‘suspicious white powders’ using a single stage for mass analysis and with minimum sample preparation, making this approach suitable for simple field-portable MS instrumentation and pattern recognition data analysis.
Fulminating meningococcemia with bilateral adrenal hemorrhage

Summary A case of a patient with the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome has been described. Seventy-four such cases have been described in the literature. Ninety-five per cent of the patients have been under 6 years of age. The etiology has been shown to be the meningococcus in 70 per cent of the cases. Symptomatology is strikingly uniform, with sudden onset, restlessness, and gastrointestinal symptoms, followed shortly by cyanosis, purpura, lethargy, coma, high fever, and death. Death occurred within twenty-four hours or less in the majority of cases. Massive bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is the most common autopsy finding. Suggested therapy includes sulfanilamide, antimeningococcus serum, intravenous saline, transfusions, adrenalin, and cortical extract.
Dietary guidelines: their implications for the food industry

Abstract Advances in nutrition and in epidemiology during the past decade have led to a gradual refinement of the dietary guidelines presented to consumers. The guidelines published jointly by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture at the end of last year are notably different from previous editions, as new knowledge about the relationship between specific dietary components and health has necessitated substantial revisions. Such guidelines are more important than ever to food companies wishing to provide consumers with a healthy, yet appealing diet.
“Greenlight Study”: A Controlled Trial of Low-Literacy, Early Childhood Obesity Prevention

Children who become overweight by age 2 years have significantly greater risks of long-term health problems, and children in low-income communities, where rates of low adult literacy are highest, are at increased risk of developing obesity. The objective of the Greenlight Intervention Study is to assess the effectiveness of a low-literacy, primary-care intervention on the reduction of early childhood obesity. At 4 primary-care pediatric residency training sites across the US, 865 infant-parent dyads were enrolled at the 2-month well-child checkup and are being followed through the 24-month well-child checkup. Two sites were randomly assigned to the intervention, and the other sites were assigned to an attention-control arm, implementing the American Academy of Pediatrics' The Injury Prevention Program. The intervention consists of an interactive educational toolkit, including low-literacy materials designed for use during well-child visits, and a clinician-centered curriculum for providing low-literacy guidance on obesity prevention. The study is powered to detect a 10% difference in the number of children overweight (BMI > 85%) at 24 months. Other outcome measures include observed physician–parent communication, as well as parent-reported information on child dietary intake, physical activity, and injury-prevention behaviors. The study is designed to inform evidence-based standards for early childhood obesity prevention, and more generally to inform optimal approaches for low-literacy messages and health literacy training in primary preventive care. This article describes the conceptual model, study design, intervention content, and baseline characteristics of the study population.
Cutoff values and data handling for solid-phase testing for antibodies to HLA: Effects on listing unacceptable antigens for thoracic organ transplantation

Abstract Application of single-antigen solid-phase immunoassay (SPI) in virtual crossmatch-based organ allocation has been hindered by continued debate over the biologic relevance of detected antibodies and the relationship between cutoff mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) values with crossmatch testing results. To define SPI parameters accurately predicting crossmatch testing, we analyzed a series of anti-HLA antibodies from highly-sensitized patients awaiting lung or heart transplantation. Serial dilution of serum for SPI and cytotoxic crossmatch (CXM) enabled comparison over a wide spectrum of antibody “strengths”. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified predictive cutoff values for HLA Class I and DR-specific antibodies. However, antibodies to HLA-DQ antigens demonstrated a significantly different characteristic, highlighting difficulties in interpretation of clinical significance. We also quantitatively characterized two data handling methods, MFI ratio (MR) and relative ratio (RR), to examine their potential impact on identifying unacceptable antigens. In combination with user defined cutoff values, MFI, MR and RR lead to discordant identification of antibodies. Establishment of cutoff values for MR and RR that are comparable to MFI demonstrated increased consistency in antibody identification. This single laboratory experience is an example of establishing statistically robust cutoff values and validation across different data handling methods for use of SPI in virtual crossmatch.
Acid aspiration-induced airways hyperresponsiveness in mice.

The role of gastroesophageal reflux and micro-aspiration as a trigger of airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in patients with asthma is controversial. The role of acid reflux and aspiration as a dire...
A method for the deionization of bovine serum albumin

Bovine serum albumin has been used widely as a supportive medium for density gradient centrifugation (1) and (2) and as an essential component of culture medium for support of erythroid differentiation (3). Unfortunately most commercial lots of bovine serum albumin contain inhibitors which destroy the cells of interest. We have altered an existing technique (1) for deionizing albumin in order to provide albumin which does not inhibit the generation of erythroid colonies in plasma clot cultures.
Task role motivation and attributional style as predictors of entrepreneurial performance: female sample findings

The main thrust of this study was directed at providing empirical evidence, at the gender level, for a predictive model of growth–oriented entrepreneurial performance. The model focuses on: (a) the relationship between role requirements of the entrepreneurial organization and five motivational patterns that fit these roles; (b) the mediating effect of the individual's attributional style for failure and success, and his/her perception of environmental uncertainty, on two of the five motivational patterns. The results of this study corroborate, overall, recent findings with male entrepreneurs. However, some gender differences are indicated.
Effects of ß-funaltrexamine on butorphanol dependence

Abstract The present experiments were performed to investigate the effects of the selective μ opioid receptor antagonist, s-funaltrexamine (s-FNA), on the physical dependence liability of butorphanol (a mixed agonist/antagonist opioid analgesic). Butorphanol (26 nmol/μl/h) was continuously infused via osmotic minipumps into the lateral cerebral ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats for 72 h. s-FNA (12, 24, and 48 nmol/5 μl/rat) was administered ICV 3 h prior to and 48 h after initiation of the butorphanol infusion. Treatment with s-FNA significantly diminished naloxone-induced escape behavior, hypothermia, and loss of body weight in a dose-dependent manner, while naloxone-induced teeth-chattering, forepaw tremors, and urination were also reduced, but in a dose-independent manner. These results suggest that the μ opioid receptor is partially involved in the development of physical dependence upon butorphanol.
WE-D-330A-01: 3D Optical Imaging of Tumor Microvasculature and Viable Cell Distribution

Purpose: The ability to image 3D global structure (e.g. microvasculature) and function (e.g. gene expression) in whole unsectioned tumors, in high‐resolution and with high‐contrast, is of significant present interest in cancer research. We have developed novel optical imaging techniques capable of reconstructing the 3D distribution of absorbance or fluorescence‐emitting sources in tumortissue. Primary advantages include high spatial resolution and contrast, and ability to image a wide range of molecular probes. Method and Materials: Constitutive RFP expressing HCT116 (human colon carcinoma) xenograft tumors were implanted in hind legs of nude BALBC mice. The tumor microvasculature was dual‐stained by in vivo tail vein injections of light attenuating isotonic ink and FITC lectin. The tumor was excised post‐staining and subjected to a fluorescence‐friendly clearing procedure to render it amenable for optical imaging. Quantitative images of microvascular density and viable‐cell distribution were reconstructed using tomographic algorithms from a set of transmission and fluorescent projection images acquired at multiple angles using appropriate filters, focusing optics and a CCD camera. Results: Co‐registered, multimodal, high‐resolution and high‐contrast 3D reconstructions were achieved through large, (∼1cm) whole mount, murine tumor samples. Quality assurance tests indicated encouraging accuracy of reconstructedattenuation coefficients and geometry. The 3D reconstructed slices were juxtaposed with histological slices of the same tumor to reveal striking correlation between viable‐cell distribution and well‐perfused regions. A fluorescence friendly clearing procedure was identified. Conclusion: We present a novel technique for multi‐modality optical imaging of 3D microvasculature and/or viable cell distribution in tumortissue with unprecedented image resolution and contrast. The technique has potential to image a wide variety of tumor and normal tissue structure and function. Of particular interest is the potential to analyze the effect of anti‐angiogenic agents and radiation therapy on the response of the entire 3D tumor microvasculature network.
Life cycle water consumption and withdrawal requirements of ethanol from corn grain and residues.

We assessed the water requirements of ethanol from corn grain and crop residue. Estimates are explicit in terms of sources—green (GW) and blue (BW) water, consumptive and nonconsumptive requirements across the lifecycle, including evapotranspiration, application and conveyance losses, biorefinery uses, and water use of energy inputs, and displaced requirements or credits due to coproducts. Ethanol consumes 50−146 L/vehicle kilometer traveled (VKT) of BW and 1−60 L/VKT of GW for irrigated corn and 0.6 L/VKT of BW and 70−137 L/VKT of GW for rain-fed corn after coproduct credits. Extending the system boundary to consider application and conveyance losses and the water requirements of embodied energy increases the total BW withdrawal from 23% to 38% and BW + GW consumption from 5% to 16%. We estimate that, in 2009, 15−19% of irrigation water is used to produce the corn required for ethanol in Kansas and Nebraska without coproduct credits and 8−10% after credits. Harvesting and converting the cob to ethanol re...
Treating intrafamilial child sexual abuse from a systemic perspective

Summary This paper examines a systemic approach to a specific form of child sexual abuse, father-daughter incest. While the father is responsible for the sexual abuse per se, a systems approach to incest believes that there are a variety of family dynamics present in incestuous families. These family dynamics center around structural issues (particularly regarding boundaries), problem-solving deficiencies, and dysfunctional communication patterns. Sample family treatment programs are examined. The goals of these programs center around changing family structure, enhancing conflict resolutions skills, and altering family communication patterns. Preliminary treatment outcome data for these family treatment programs is promising.
The Pareto frontier of a finitely repeated game with unequal discounting

Abstract This paper characterizes the Pareto frontier of a two-player finitely repeated game with unequal discounting and it is found that the Pareto frontier of the repeated game shifts outward as the time horizon of the repeated game increases.
Differential d.c. conductance of a p-n-junction space-charge region

It is shown that the differential d.c. conductance under reverse bias can be correctly obtained from the lumped approximation of the small-signal distributed-transmission-line model if the true majority-carrier concentration in the edge region of the space-charge layer is taken into account.
Simulations of winter blocking episodes using observed sea surface temperatures

The formation of major Northern Hemisphere blockings during January 1979 is studied in numerical simulations of the global atmosphere with a sea surface temperature (SST) field updated with observations during the model integration. Both the standard 4 x 5 degrees latitude-longitude and high-resolution 2 x 2.5 degrees versions of the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres general circulation models (GCMs) are employed. The SST field is provided by a blend analysis of in situ and satellite-retrieved data. The simulations by the high-resolution GCM with a realistic SST field of the ocean surface are shown to be capable of producing two successive realistic major blockings in the Pacific and Atlantic through a one-month period. The skill in predicting the blocking formation as obtained in the simulations is due to improved skill in forecasting of ultralog waves. Although the results are encouraging, only one initial state is involved in this series of simulations; therefore, the results should not be generalized yet at this stage of investigation.
K-Ras is essential for normal fetal liver erythropoiesis

In vitro studies suggest that Ras activation is necessary for erythroid cell development. However, genetic inactivation of the Ras isoforms H-Ras, N-Ras , and K-Ras in mice reportedly did not affect adult or fetal erythropoiesis, though K-Ras -/- embryos were anemic. Given these discrepancies, we performed a more detailed analysis of fetal erythropoiesis in K-Ras -/- embryos. Day-13.5 K-Ras -/- embryos were pale with a marked reduction of mature erythrocytes in their fetal livers. The frequency and number of both early (erythroid burst-forming unit [BFU-E]) and late erythroid progenitors (erythroid colony-forming unit [CFU-E]) were reduced in K-Ras -/- fetal livers compared with wild-type controls and displayed a delay in terminal erythroid cell maturation. Further, K-Ras -/- hematopoietic progenitors had reduced proliferation in response to erythropoietin and Kit ligand compared with control cells. Thus, these studies identify K-Ras as a unique Ras isoform that is essential for regulating fetal erythropoiesis in vivo.
Lip and jaw coarticulation for the phoneme (ae).

The timing and coarticulation of jaw lowering and lip retraction was investigated. Meaningful sentences containing sequences of up to four consonants preceding the vowel /ae/ were constructed, and h...
Aortic Valve Replacement for Acute Takayasu's Disease

A patient with aortic insufficiency secondary to Takayasu's disease who was treated by aortic valve replacement during active aortic inflammation is described. The patient remains well 29 months postoperatively with minor additional treatment. A review of aortic insufficiency in Takayasu's disease is presented.
Middle segment pancreatectomy can be safely incorporated into a pancreatic surgeon's clinical practice

Middle segment pancreatectomy (MSP) is a new operation where the advantages of parenchymal preservation are counterbalanced by a high postoperative complication rate and unease among surgeons with adopting a new technique. This study reviews our experience incorporating MSP into our clinical practice focusing on the initial 34 consecutive patients operated on by one surgeon at a single institution between 1998 and 2007. Patients were divided into early (initial 17 operations) and late (subsequent 17 operations) groups for analysis. Thirty-one reconstructions were by Roux-en-y pancreaticojejunostomy and three were by pancreaticogastrostomy. Using multiple linear regression and logistic regression, we found no significant differences in performance outcomes (operative time, blood loss, tumor size, margin negative resection rate, pancreatic fistula rate, hospital length of stay, postoperative complications, and hospital readmission rate) between our early and late experience even after adjusting for potential confounding variables (patient demographics, co-morbidities, neoplasm, pancreatitis). The pancreatic fistula rate in this series was 29.4% (10/34) and they were all International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) Grade A (60%) or B (40%). In summary, MSP is an operation with a flat learning curve and acceptable morbidity rate that can be safely incorporated as a parenchymal preserving option by pancreatic surgeons in their clinical practice.
Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of MOCVD Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 Epitaxial Thin Films

We have grown epitaxial Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN) and (1-x)(Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3)- x(PbTiO3) (PMN-PT) thin films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition at 700 - 780°C on (100) SrTiO3 and SrRuO3/SrTiO3 substrates. The zero-bias permittivity and loss measured at room temperature and 10 kHz for 220 nm thick pure PMN films were 900 and 1.5%, respectively. For PMN-PT films, the small-signal permittivity ranged from 1000 to 1500 depending on deposition conditions and Ti content; correspondingly low values for the zero-bias dielectric loss between 1 and 5% were determined for all specimens. For PMN-PT with x of approximately 0.30-0.35, polarization hysteresis with Pr,≈18μC/cm2 was obtained. Initial piezoresponse data are discussed.
Periodic boundary value problem for a second order integrodifferential equation of Hammerstein type

A comparison result dealing with second order integrodifferential inequality of Hammerstein type with periodic boundary conditions is proved, and the extremal solutions of a corresponding second order integrodifferential equation without increasingness assumption on the integral operator are obtained as limits of monotone iterates. An application is given to a fourth order mixed boundary value problem.
Chemical-clathrate hybrid hydrogen storage: storage in both guest and host.

Hydrogen storage from two independent sources of the same material represents a novel approach to the hydrogen storage problem, yielding storage capacities greater than either of the individual constituents. Here we report a novel hydrogen storage scheme in which recoverable hydrogen is stored molecularly within clathrate cavities as well as chemically in the clathrate host material. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic measurements confirm the formation of β-hydroquinone (β-HQ) clathrate with molecular hydrogen. Hydrogen within the β-HQ clathrate vibrates at considerably lower frequency than hydrogen in the free gaseous phase and rotates nondegenerately with splitting comparable to the rotational constant. Compared with water-based clathrate hydrate phases, the β-HQ+H2 clathrate shows remarkable stability over a range of p−T conditions. Subsequent to clathrate decomposition, the host HQ was used to directly power a PEM fuel cell. With one H2 molecule per cavity, 0.61 wt % hydrogen may be stored in t...
Genome-wide association study of personality traits in the long life family study

Personality traits have been shown to be associated with longevity and healthy aging. In order to discover novel genetic modifiers associated with personality traits as related with longevity, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on personality factors assessed by NEO-FFI in individuals enrolled in the Long Life Family Study (LLFS), a study of 583 families (N up to 4595) with clustering for longevity in the United States and Denmark. Three SNPs, in almost perfect LD, associated with agreeableness reached genome-wide significance (p<10-8) and replicated in an additional sample of 1279 LLFS subjects, although one (rs9650241) failed to replicate and the other two were not available in two independent replication cohorts, the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and the New England Centenarian Study. Based on 10,000,000 permutations, the empirical p-value of 2X10-7 was observed for the genome-wide significant SNPs. Seventeen SNPs that reached marginal statistical significance in the two previous GWASs (p-value < 10-4 and 10-5), were also marginally significantly associated in this study (p-value < 0.05), although none of the associations passed the Bonferroni correction. In addition, we tested age-by-SNP interactions and found some significant associations. Since scores of personality traits in LLFS subjects change in the oldest ages, and genetic factors outweigh environmental factors to achieve extreme ages, these age-by-SNP interactions could be a proxy for complex gene-gene interactions affecting personality traits and longevity.
Meristem Culture for Virus Elimination and Peanut Interspecific Hybrid Preservation

In 1989, more than 20% of the USDA's clonal Arachis species and their hybrids were infected with peanut mottle potyvirus (PMV) and peanut stripe potyvirus (PStV) or combinations of these viruses. PStV is a serious virus that can cause up to 20% yield reductions. PMV can also cause serious infections with up to 20% peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield reductions under optimal environmental conditions. Once introduced, these viruses can spread throughout crop collections and research plots by insect vectors or routine handling of plants. This study was conducted during 1993 and 1994 in a greenhouse at Griffin, GA, to determine whether interspecific peanut hybrids derived from nodal and meristem cultures differed for in vitro morphogenesis, and if PMV and PStV could be eliminated via meristem culture from vegetatively propagated peanut accessions. Nodal segments were placed in MSB5 media containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts, B 5 vitamins, and 20 g L -1 sucrose. Apical meristems from explants were plated on MSB5 media augmented with 1 mg L -1 each of α-naphthalaneacetic acid (NAA) and benzylaminopurine (BAP). Explants not producing shoots were subcultured onto MSB5 media supplemented with 1 mg L -1 of BAP to induce shoot cell growth. Significant variation for shoot and root production was observed among hybrids. Regenerated plants from meristem culture were examined at the four leaflet stage by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) for the presence of virus. PStV was not detected by DAS-ELISA in any plants derived from meristems. However, PMV was eliminated from 50 to 100% of five hybrids, but not from the other hybrids. Meristem culture provides an efficient method of virus elimination from interspecific Arachis hybrids.
A New Analytic Model for Fracture-Dominated Reservoirs

A new analytic model for analyzing well test data from fracture-dominated reservoirs is presented. It is a concentric composite model with a finite-radius well located in the center. In the inner region the flow is assumed to be linear, and in the outer region the flow is assumed to be radial. Solutions are obtained analytically and type curves for ranges of dimensionless parameters are presented. The model can be used to find the extent and the flow parameters of the fractures near the well and the average values for the entire system provided that wellbore-storage effects do not mask the early-time data.
The Osmotic Changes in Some Marine Animals

Since Bottazzi's (1897) first determinations of the osmotic pressure of the body fluids of various marine animals many researches have been performed by other authors, particularly in reference to the permeability of the membranes separating the body from its surroundings. Bottazzi (1897, 1906, 1908, b) investigated individuals belonging to very different groups of animals, and found that the osmotic pressure of the body fluids of marine invertebrates, and of elasmobranchs, is very similar to that of the surroundings, while the osmotic pressure of the blood of teleosts is quite different. Changing the osmotic pressure of the medium, the osmotic pressure of most marine invertebrates, and of elasmobranchs, was shown to change in the same direction (L. Fredericq, 1882, 1904; Quinton, 1897; Dakin, 1908) and to reach, finally, the value of the former. The blood of teleosts is much more independent of the medium, for it shown to change only about 30 percent, in concentration, on transferring the animals from sea water to fresh water or vice versa (Dakin, 1908; Dekhuyzen, 1904: Sumner, 1905); other authors, however (fredericq, 1904: Garrey, 1905) could not field even these variations.
Information as a Development Intervention: reforming the culture of information systems in Guatemala

In Guatemala, where statistics and information systems do not yet play a central role in planning and decision-making processes, a USAID-funded project was initiated in 2007 to systematically collect data and information for the education component of the social sector. The project utilizes up-to-date business intelligence tools and software for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access to data. The primary outcome of the intervention has been the development of the National Integrated Information System, an online accessible platform that includes all information from the social sector (i.e. education, health, finance and population). The paper will discuss four primary factors that are considered crucial in successfully carrying out the management of information as a development intervention.
Serum ICAM‐1 concentrations in patients with psoriasis treated with antithyroid thioureylenes

Serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a marker of early T-cell activation were measured in 14 patients with stable plaque psoriasis who received treatment for 8 weeks with the antithyroid thioureylenes, propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole (MMI) which have been previously shown to produce significant improvement in such patients. Baseline serum concentrations of ICAM-1 were significantly higher in the patients with psoriasis compared with normal control volunteers. Following therapy with either PTU (300 mg daily) or MMI (40 mg daily) serum ICAM-1 concentrations did not decline significantly. Since ICAM-1 expression on vascular endothelium increases in active psoriasis, and is postulated to promote T-cell migration to and retention at these sites, it is hypothesized that the beneficial therapeutic effects of thioureylenes in psoriasis occur distal to the events that lead to lymphocyte migration to vascular structures in the dermis.
Effects of Acetylcholine on Automaticity and Conduction in the Proximal Portion of the His-Purkinje Specialized Conduction System of the Dog

Conventional intracellular recordings from the bundle of His and right bundle branch of the canine heart demonstrated that the slope of diastolic depolarization is markedly depressed by superfusion with relatively small concentrations (4-8 µg/ml) of acetylcholine. As the cells become less automatic, take-off potential increases, rise time of phase 0 is reduced, action potential amplitude increases, and conduction proceeds more rapidly.
Down-regulation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 results in thrombospondin-1 expression and concerted regulation of endothelial cell phenotype.

bEND.3 cells are polyoma middle T-transformed mouse brain endothelial cells that express very little or no thrombospondin-1, a natural inhibitor of angiogenesis, but express high levels of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) that localizes to sites of cell–cell contact. Here, we have examined the role of PECAM-1 in regulation of bEND.3 cell proliferation, migration, morphogenesis, and hemangioma formation. We show that down-regulating PECAM-1 expression by antisense transfection of bEND.3 cells has a dramatic effect on their morphology, proliferation, and morphogenesis on Matrigel. There is an optimal level for PECAM-1 expression such that high levels of PECAM-1 inhibit, whereas moderate levels of PECAM-1 stimulate, endothelial cell morphogenesis. The down-regulation of PECAM-1 in bEND.3 cells resulted in reexpression of endogenous thrombospondin-1 and its antiangiogenic receptor CD36. The expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors flk-1 and flt-1, as well as integrins and metalloproteinases (which are involved in angiogenesis), were also affected. These observations are consistent with the changes observed in proliferation, migration, and adhesion characteristics of the antisense-transfected bEND.3 cells as well as with their lack of ability to form hemangiomas in mice. Thus, a reciprocal relationship exists between thrombospondin-1 and PECAM-1 expression, such that these two molecules appear to be constituents of a “switch” that regulates in concert many components of the angiogenic and differentiated phenotypes of endothelial cells.
Monitoring workspace activities using accelerometers

In this paper, we describe a physical activity classification system using a body sensor network (BSN) consisting of cost-sensitive tri-axial accelerometers. We focus on workspace activities (different motions and sitting postures). We use a Naive Bayes classifier and show that we can train the system simply and systematically. For each task, we find a set of features that separate the corresponding activities.
Navier-Stokes Solutions for Spin-Up in a Filled Cylinder

A predictor-corr ector multiple-iteration scheme is adapted and used to solve the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical solutions for Reynolds numbers up to 50,000 are obtained for the transient spin-up flow in a cylindrical container. The grid point distribution is optimized using coordinate transformations to resolve simultaneously details of both the interior and endwall/sidewall boundary-layer flows formed during spin-up; Calculations for five test problems show very good agreement with previous computations and experimental measurements. Transient phenomena occurring at early time near the sidewall, including reversed flow regions and inertial oscillations, are discussed as well as certain aspects of the endwall Ekman layer flow.
Near-Infrared Multispectral Imaging Technique for Visualizing Sequences of Di- and Tripeptides Synthesized by Solid Phase Combinatorial Method

A new method based on the near-infrared (NIR) multispectral imaging technique has been developed for the noninvasive and nondestructive determination of the identity and sequences of amino acid residues in di- and tripeptides. The di- and tripeptides were synthesized on polymer beads (i.e., Rink) using the solid phase peptide synthetic method. The developed method is capable of determining the identity of sequences of the peptides (with and without the Fmoc protecting group) directly on the polymer beads. It can distinguish not only dipeptides from tri-peptides but also peptides with very similar structures (e.g., Rink-Gly-Ala-Ala, Rink-Gly-Ala-Phe, Rink-Gly-Ala-Leu, Rink-Gly-Ala-Val, and Rink-Gly-Ala-Met). More importantly, it is capable of distinguishing peptides with the same amino acid residues but different sequences (e.g., Rink-Gly-Leu-Val from Rink-Gly-Val-Leu).
Chromatin response to DNA double-strand break damage

Manipulation of chromatin, in which genomic DNA is packaged, is a fundamental requirement for all DNA-based metabolic processes in eukayotic cells. Histone variant incorporation, histone post-translational modifications, and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling are three major strategies for chromatin manipulation, and are relatively well characterized in transcriptional regulation. Emerging lines of evidence indicate that histone variants (H2AX and H2A.Z), histone post-translational modifications (acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation and ubiquitination) and chromatin-remodeling complexes (INO80, SWR1, SWI/SNF, RSC and NuRD) are important and direct players in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) response as well. New studies also reveal that incorporation of histone variants into nucleosomes, histone modifications and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling are specifically and intimately connected during the DSB damage response. This article summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of the relation...
Syphilitic gummas mistaken for liver metastases.

occurs years after the initial infection, and is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response to the organism in sanctuary sites. Gummatous syphilis is a type of tertiary syphilis caused by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to the Treponema pallidum organism. 3 A gumma is a granuloma, histologically characterized by a central area of necrosis surrounded by mononuclear, epithelioid, and giant cells, and ranging in size from microscopic to several centimeters. 3 Spirochetes only rarely are identified in pathologic specimens, and diagnosis instead relies on serologic testing as well as therapeutic response. The incidence of hepatic involvement ranges from 0.9% to 16% in autopsy studies. 4 Gummas may be visible on CT imaging as low-attenuation lesions with slight peripheral enhancement and rare calcifications, which is an appearance that may be confused with metastatic cancer or an abscess. 5 Treatment for gummatous syphilis without neurosyphilis consists of intramuscular penicillin G for 3 weeks; if neurosyphilis is present, as in our patient, administration of intravenous penicillin may be necessary. 6
Drug Abuse Prevention Program Development: Results among Latino and Non-Latino White Adolescents

Five program development studies from Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND) were reanalyzed to discern Latino versus non-Latino Whites similarities and differences in receptivity to a wide variety of high school-based drug abuse prevention activities. Inmost of the program development studies, these youth attended alternative (continuation) high schools in Southern California. Although there were a total of 46% Latino students in these schools, 99% of the students indicated English as the main language spoken at school and home. Thus, taken together, almost all Latino youth in the various studies analyzed preferred to respond to survey questions in English. Latinos were relatively low in socio economic status (SES) and used drugs less frequently. Still, this group of highly acculturated Latinos and non-Latino Whites (37% of the school population) perceived that they were attending alternative schools for the same reasons (e.g., lack of credits, truancy). Very few differences in receptivity ratings of propos...
Iterates of homeomorphisms on locally compact Hausdorff spaces

Abstract In this paper we consider discrete flows generated by iterates of homeomorphisms on locally compact Hausdorff spaces. For pointwise almost periodic discrete flows the two types of compact invariant sets, stable and saddle, are classified and characterized. For arbitrary discrete flows compact invariant sets are classified and the cycle stability classification theorem of R. Knight in “Compact discrete flows” is generalized to classify discrete flows in terms of the almost periodic orbits.