cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ESR spin probe study of water within covalently crosslinked, dextran‐based microbead hydrogels (Sephadex® G)

Aqueous suspensions of dextran-based Sephadex® G microbeads of progressively increasing degrees of covalent crosslinking and concomitantly decreasing water content formed a two-phase system consisting of the waterswollen microbeads of diameter 100-300 μm, the hydrogel phase, and of the surrounding water, the aqueous phase. These suspensions were analyzed by ESR spectroscopy using a series of small amphipathic nitroxide spin probes which partitioned between the two phases. Probe partition coefficients increased with decreasing gel water content for the more hydrophobic probes and decreased for the more hydrophilic probes. The ESR spectra of the suspensions consisted of the superposition of the spectra for the probes in the two phases. From the partition coefficients and the spectral parameters of the probes in the suspension and in the aqueous phase, relative rotational correlation times, τc, and isotropic nitrogen nuclear hyperfine splitting constants, aN, for the probes in the aqueous hydrogel interior were determined. For each probe, τc increased and aN decreased with increasing crosslinking and decreasing gel water content, indicating increasing microviscosity and decreasing dielectric constant and hydrophilicity for the gel water. The alterations in the gel water properties resulted from increasing gel matrix–water interactions and were further enhanced for water within the restricted volumes (compartments) in the most highly crosslinked hydrogels (Sephadex G-15 and G-10). In addition, the aN values indicated that two hydrogen bonds were formed to the nitroxide group of the probes in water and that, in the hydrogels, the hydrogen bonding contribution to aN progressively increased as the water content decreased.
Bevacizumab in adult malignant brainstem gliomas

Torcuator et al. recently presented a case report in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology regarding an adult Brainstem glioma (BSG) treated with Bevacizumab and Irinotecan. The authors speak about clinical benefit and sustained radiographic response in an adult patient with diffuse BSG. They noted initial discordance between clinical improvement and increased enhancement on MRI, an enhancement which decreased in subsequent scans [1]. However, the report lacks clarity in terms of the neuro-radiographic characteristics on MRI which are correlated with high grade tumors, as well as the presence/absence of several other prognostic factors which may have an impact on clinical response and survival. Unfortunately, the data concerning BSG in the pre-MRI era are mostly reported in neurosurgical series where both pediatric and adult patients are grouped together [2]. Several of the author’s observations on the prognosis of the disease seem to stem from this. Recent studies in adults have shown that adult patients with BSGs tend to do better than children. Those patients who do better present without necrosis on MRI, low-grade histology and longer duration of symptoms ([4 months) prior to diagnosis. [2–5]. Table 1 presents a summary of the more important prognostic factors. Despite all these controversies, if, according to the authors, this patient had a high grade tumor on MRI and poor prognostic factors, then the response to bevacizumab and irinotecan can be considered truly impressive. But discordance between clinical and radiological responses in these tumors is not uncommon. The authors mention the importance of anti-edema effect of Bevacizumab. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) inhibitors, as important determinants of capillary permeability, may be responsible for decreased enhancement (and vasogenic edema) which could result in transient improvement even in the absence of a substantial impact on the tumor burden [2, 6]. At our institution we have treated one adult affected by malignant infiltrative diffuse BSG who presented with shorter duration of symptoms (\3 months), cranial nerve deficits and heterogeneous contrast enhancement in the pons and medulla with a rim of necrosis (high grade using MRI). This case of malignant BSG was treated with Bevacizumab and concomitant Temozolomide and radiation because the treatment protocol (later published by Narayana et al. [7]) was already open at our institution and preliminary results were proving Bevacizumab to be safe with radiation and Temozolomide in the upfront management of high grade gliomas. At 6-month follow up, contrast enhancement disappeared, marked reduction was observed in non-enhanced tumor volume and perfusion drop off. At 30-month follow up, the patient is alive and stable with no new neurological symptoms. Nonetheless, given the enthusiasm for the use of Bevacizumab in adult BSGs, response should be interpreted in the context of prognostic factors if no biopsy is available for these tumors. S. Raza (&) Department of Neuro-Oncology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA e-mail: shahzad.raza@nyumc.org
The Intermediate Spin-Orbit Coupling for Large Rotational Quantum Number

If a nucleus of spin one-half is cosine-coupled to the molecular rotation, its molecular beam spectrum can be predicted for all values of the magnetic field from the Zeeman to the Paschen-Back region with one, closed expression. This expression is valid for large values of rotational quantum number and small rotational $g$-factor and is averaged over a Boltzmann distribution of rotational states. The special case of spin one-half is simple because the symmetry permits cosine coupling only, and the energy levels are well known for this hamiltonian. A kind of correspondence principle can be developed for this example which does two things. It shows that the other nucleus in a diatomic molecule has little effect on the spectrum of the first because the coupling of the second nucleus due to the rotation. Second, it permits the extension of the calculation to nuclei of spins greater than one-half when the coupling is predominantly cosinelike.
Basic Structure of Work-Relevant Abilities.

This study sought to determine whether the dimensions underlying a comprehensive set of 15 work-relevant abilities were similar to the Data/Ideas and Things/People Work Task Dimensions (D. J. Prediger, 1996) underlying J. L. Holland's (1997) hexagonal model of interest and occupational types. The work task dimensions and a general ability dimension served as factor targets in principal components analyses of ability self-estimates obtained from nationally representative and cross-sectional samples of 4,387 and 618 12th graders. The composition of the factors that were extracted corresponded to expectations based on the work task dimensions and Holland's hexagon. Implications for practice are noted. Study results also suggest the need for a new look at the structure of human intelligence.
Affine invariant comparison of point-sets using convex hulls and hausdorff distances

Many object recognition or identification applications involve comparing features associated with point-sets. This paper presents an affine invariant point-set matching technique which measures the similarity between two point-sets by embedding them into an affine invariant feature space. The developed technique assumes no a priori knowledge of reference points, as is the case in many identification problems. Reference points of a point-set are obtained based on its convex hull. An enhanced version of the Modified Hausdorff Distance is also introduced and used in the feature space for comparing two point-sets. It should be noted that the technique does not attempt to obtain correspondences between the point-sets. The introduced technique is applied to two real databases and its performance is found favorable as compared to three other affine invariant matching techniques.
SOCIAL SUPPORT, DISCLOSURE, AND USE OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

This paper investigates the association between social support, disclosure of HIV/AIDS, and odds of initiating combination antiretroviral drug therapy in its first years on the market. Data are drawn from the first three rounds of the Community Health Advisory and Information Network (CHAIN) survey, collected between 1994 and 1997. CHAIN documents service needs and rates of service utilization among a representative sample of persons with HIV/AIDS in New York City. A two-step logistic regression estimated associations between (1) perceived social support and use of combination antiretroviral therapy, and (2) the interaction between concealing HIV/AIDS and perceived social support. Results offered evidence that the positive association between social support and use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) and other combination antiretroviral therapies is contingent upon disclosure of HIV status within the household or among friend and acquaintance networks. A positive association between social support and odds of using combination therapy was only observed among those who disclosed their HIV status.
Bone metabolism during antler growth in female reindeer.

Two female reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) were investigated for alterations in skeletal metabolism during the annual antler growth cycle. During July and January, rib samples were obtained by biopsy after double tetracycline labeling for gravimetric, chemical, and histomorphometric analyses. Though antler length increased from 8 to 55 cm between April and September, body weight increased from only 56 to 77 kg. Rib bone density (g/cm3) increased from 1.39±0.01 (mean±SEM) in July to 1.53±0.01 in January, and Ca content (mg/cm3) increased from 213±8 to 300±14, respectively. Histomorphometric data indicated that rib bones were more porous and active in July and had a higher turnover rate than did January samples. Plasma 1,25(OH)2D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and osteocalcin levels were significantly lower and estradiol levels were significantly higher in the January as opposed to the July samples. The data indicate that during antler growth, female reindeer undergo bone loss that corresponds to the changes in plasma calcemic hormones and estradiol levels. This bone loss is eventually repaired when antler growth stops.
Is investment decision-making influenced by perceptions relating to auditors’ client dependence and amount of audit fees?

Abstract The objectives of this study are to examine whether investing decisions are affected by knowledge about the auditor's revenue dependence on a client and whether the amount spent by a company on audit fees affects decisions to invest in the company. A behavioral experiment is conducted where risk assessments and investing decisions are made for four hypothetical investing scenarios. The study finds that investing decisions are affected by knowledge about an auditor's revenue dependence on a client, but are not affected by knowledge about the size of a client's audit fees.
Optical demultiplexing of a QPSK data channel into two BPSK sub-channels based on phase sensitive amplification

We demonstrate optical demultiplexing of a QPSK signal into two BPSK sub-channels based on coherent vector addition of original signal and the phase conjugated copy respectively. Both sub-channels of a QPSK signal are extracted simultaneously and independently using a scalable phase sensitive amplification technique. This phase sensitive method potentially may also be applied to higher level QAM signals.
Impacts of recent climate change on Wisconsin corn and soybean yield trends

The US Corn Belt supports agroecosystems that flourish in a temperate climate regime that could see significant changes in the next few decades. Because Wisconsin is situated on the northern, cooler fringes of this region, it may be the beneficiary of a warmer climate that could help support higher corn and soybean yields. Here we show that trends in precipitation and temperature during the growing season from 1976–2006 explained 40% and 35% of county corn and soybean yield trends, respectively. Using county level yield information combined with climate data, we determined that both corn and soybean yield trends were enhanced in counties that experienced a trend towards cooler and wetter conditions during the summer. Our results suggest that for each additional degree ( °C) of future warming during summer months, corn and soybean yields could potentially decrease by 13% and 16%, respectively, whereas if modest increases in total summer precipitation (i.e. 50 mm) were to occur, yields may be boosted by 5–10%, counteracting a portion of the negative effects associated with increased temperature. While northern US Corn Belt regions such as Wisconsin may benefit from a warmer climate regime and management changes that lengthen the crop-growing period in spring and autumn, mid- to high-latitude crop productivity may be challenged by additional summertime warming unless adaptive measures are taken.
The use of dialogue and tools to develop students’ mathematical language and meta‐cognition

This paper presents the analysis of two representative lessons drawn from a cross case study of K–12 classrooms in which students and their teachers engaged in a collaborative dialogic inquiry process (data‐driven dialogue) to co‐construct meaning from assessment results. The representative lessons illustrate a significant shift from teacher‐centered uses of assessment results – determining student mastery of content, contributing to a course grade, sorting students into remediation groups, etc. Rather, in these lessons, the first use of formal classroom assessment results is to engage students in explaining their results and in identifying what actions they will take. The purpose of this analysis is to better understand student participation in a dialogic process of making meaning of assessment results, to document interaction among the teacher and her students, and to investigate the use and role of mediating artifacts in this emergent practice. The study suggests shifts in the roles of the teacher and ...
Agroforestry adoption and risk perception by farmers in Sénégal

Research was conducted during a 10-month period (August '89–May '90) in Arrondissement de Koumpentoum, Region de Tambacounda, Senegal to evaluate factors influencing the adoption and farmer perceptions of the risks associated with agroforestry. Variables have been identified that are significant to agroforestry adoption and predictive equations are formulated. Land ownership and labor availability are identified as the two most significant factors which contribute to agroforestry adoption. They contribute to the sense of security of a producer thereby reducing the aversion to risking agroforestry adoption.
Classical dynamics of multiphoton dissociation for a model system

Abstract A classical trajectory analysis of multiphoton dissociation on a model two-dimensional anharmonic potential surface is presented. Six categories of trajectory motion were found, and the degree of “instability” within each type was analyzed in terms of power spectra and exponential separation of neighboring phase points. The dissociation probability was studied as a function of laser intensity and frequency. In addition, the translational energy spectrum of the photofragments was analyzed on the basis of several statistical theories. Good agreement with RRKM theory was found for the final partitioning between translational and vibrational energy.
Step-driven lateral segregation and long-range ordering during SixGe1-x epitaxial growth.

Lateral segregation occurring at advancing steps is identified as the origin of a new long-range-ordered phase in ${\mathrm{Si}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$ alloys, which has been imaged directly. The segregation occurs at monolayer-height type-${\mathit{S}}_{\mathit{B}}$ steps under island growth conditions and is strongly dependent on growth kinetics.
Methanogens with pseudomurein use diaminopimelate aminotransferase in lysine biosynthesis

Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus uses lysine for both protein synthesis and cross-linking pseudomurein in its cell wall. A diaminopimelate aminotransferase enzyme from this methanogen (MTH0052) converts tetrahydrodipicolinate to l,l-diaminopimelate, a lysine precursor. This gene complemented an Escherichia coli diaminopimelate auxotrophy, and the purified protein catalyzed the transamination of diaminopimelate to tetrahydrodipicolinate. Phylogenetic analysis indicated this gene was recruited from anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria. These results expand the family of diaminopimelate aminotransferases to a diverse set of plant, bacterial and archaeal homologs. In contrast marine methanogens from the Methanococcales, which lack pseudomurein, appear to use a different diaminopimelate pathway for lysine biosynthesis.
Cyclone vibration effects

A Governmental Accounting Office review of coal mine dust sampling procedures recommended studies be performed to determine accuracy and precision of dust measurements taken with current equipment. The effects of vibration on the 10-mm Dorr-Oliver nylon cyclone run at a flow rate of 2 L/min were investigated. A total of 271 samples were taken during 95 tests. All tests lasted about 7 h each and were performed inside a 19-L capacity aerosol chamber. Coal dust concentrations of about 2 mg/m3 in air and a respirable fraction of 25–30% were used. The effects of a variety of vibration frequencies and stroke lengths were tested in two modes (horizontal and vertical). At most frequencies and stroke lengths, vibration was found to have an insignificant effect on cyclone performance. Significant increases in cyclone collection efficiency were found for the horizontal mode, and significant decreases were found for the vertical mode, at specific frequencies and stroke lengths. These variations could be due to direct...
Reactions of [aryloxy(phenyl)carbene]pentacarbonylchromium(0) complexes with thiolate ions. Decreasing reactivity with increasing basicity of the nucleophile.

A kinetic study of the reactions of thiolate ions with three Fischer-type [aryloxy(phenyl)carbene]pentacarbonyl chromium(0) complexes in 50% MeCN-50% water (v/v) is reported. Bronsted plots of the second-order rate constants are biphasic with an initial steep rise for weakly basic thiolate ions (beta(nuc) approximately equal to 1.0) followed by a slightly descending leg with a negative slope (beta(nuc) approximately equal to -0.2) for strongly basic thiolate ions. This indicates a change from rate-limiting leaving group departure at low pK(RSH)(a) to rate-limiting nucleophilic attachment at high pK(RSH)(a). The negative beta(nuc) values result from a combination of minimal progress of C-S bond formation at the transition state and the requirement for partial desolvation of the nucleophile before it enters the transition state. Possible factors that may affect the degree of bond formation in reactions of Fischer carbene complexes as well as reactions of other unsaturated electrophiles with thiolate ions are discussed.
The 1S0 nucleon interaction in the boundary condition model

The nucleon-nucleon interaction model consisting of an energy independent boundary condition with an exponential potential tall is solved analytically for S states. The range of the potential is chosen to be approximately half of a meson Compton wavelength. The three remaining model parameters are fitted to the /sup 1/S/sub 0/ scattering length, effective range, and 210 Mev phase shift. The strength of potential required is in agreement with the expectations of a meson theory. Phase shifts are predicted at other energies between 0 and 310 Mev. (auth)
Scaffolding preservice teachers online: the roles of interest and mathematical beliefs

Discourse analysis and grounded theory were used to study the responses of 12 preservice teachers (PTs) to scaffolding: 6 received content-informed scaffolding and 6 received performance feedback. PTs receiving content-informed scaffolding varied in the content and form of their scaffolding from PTs receiving performance feedback. Readiness to learn from scaffolding appears to be influenced by interest for mathematics and problem-oriented mathematical beliefs.
Immunological responses to oxidized LDL

Considerable evidence now points to an important role for the immune system in experimental models of atherosclerosis. We have reviewed the growing body of evidence that oxidation of LDL generates a wide variety of neoself determinants that lead to cellular and humoral immune responses. In particular, we have demonstrated that at least some of the oxidation-specific epitopes generated on the oxidized LDL particle, such as oxidized phospholipid epitopes, are also generated on apoptotic cells and are also present on the surface of some bacteria. Many of these same epitopes serve as important ligands mediating the binding and clearance of oxidatively damaged lipoprotein particles and apoptotic cells, and the innate immune response to these epitopes can be seen as a concerted response to effect their removal. In addition, other epitopes of OxLDL also undoubtedly play a role in the immune activation that characterizes the progressive atherosclerotic plaque. It will be of great importance to define the importance of the role of these responses and to understand which are beneficial and which deleterious. Such information could lead one day to novel therapeutic approaches to inhibit atherogenesis that take advantage of the ability to manipulate the immune response.
The electrochemical behavior of cobalt phthalocyanine/platinum as methanol-resistant oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts for DMFC

Abstract The electrochemical behavior of cobalt phthalocyanine/platinum as methanol-resistant oxygen-reduction electrocatalyst for DMFC was investigated. Platinum was chemically deposited on the carbon-supported cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), and then it was heat-treated in high purity nitrogen at 300 °C, 635 °C and 980 °C. In order to evaluate the electrocatalytic behavior of CoPc-Pt/C, the PtCo/C and Pt/C as reference catalysts were employed. TGA, XRD, EDAX, XPS and electrochemical experiments were used to study the thermal stability, crystal structure, physical characterization and electrochemical behavior of these catalysts. These catalysts exhibited similar electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reaction in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. In methanol tolerance experiments, Pt/C, PtCo/C and CoPc-Pt/C heated at 980 °C were active for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The presence of Co did not improve resistance to methanol poisoning. However, the CoPc-Pt/C after 300 °C or 635 °C heat-treatment demonstrated significant inactivity for MOR, hence they have a good ability to resist methanol poisoning. The current study indicated that the macrocyclic structure of phthalocyanine is the most important factor to improve the methanol tolerance of CoPc-Pt/C as the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst. The CoPc-Pt based catalyst should be a good alternation for oxygen electro-reduction reaction in DMFC.
Test solutions of porous media problems

Abstract Laminar isothermal fluid flow of two immiscible compressible fluid phases in a porous medium is formulated in terms of four unknown functions ϱ1, ϱ2, S1 and S2 in a pair of partial differential equations, ( ∂ ∂t )[φ(x, t)S i ϱ i ] = ( ∂ ∂x ){κ(x, t) σ i (S i )( ∂ ∂x )[Φ i (ϱ i )]} , and a pair of auxiliary relations, S1 = Γ1(ϱ1, ϱ2) and S2 = 1 − S1. This system is studied in terms of solutions which are constant along curves, viz., horizontal lines, vertical lines, and parabolas relevant to the parabolic nature of each of the partial differential equations in the system. Such solutions are described, although subject to solution of ordinary differential equations, for use in testing either numerical methods or proposed theorems for the original larger problem.
Bounds on FSM Switching Activity

This paper obtains lower and upper bounds for the switching activity on the state lines of a finite state machine (FSM) that is driven by typical input sequences. More specifically, the paper provides bounds on the average Hamming distance which is in turn proportional to the switching activity and the overall power dissipation in the system. By introducing the concepts of a distance matrix and a weight matrix, and by exploiting the symmetry of the distance matrix, we are able to obtain bounds that are provably tighter than existing bounds and, as demonstrated by our experimental results, they can offer significant improvements in many cases of interest. Since our bounds are independent of the state assignment and the actual implementation, they can be used at an early stage of the FSM design to indicate the largest/smallest possible power consumption.
Cross-Cultural Correlates of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem

College students in 31 nations (N = 13,118) completed measures of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and satisfaction with specific domains (friends, family, and finances). The authors assessed whether cross-cultural variations in the strength of associations were related to societal dimensions including income and individualism. At the national level, individualism correlated −0.24 (ns) with heterogeneity and 0.71 (p<0.001) with wealth. At the individual level, self-esteem and life satisfaction were correlated 0.47 for the entire sample. This relation, however, was moderated by the individualism of the society. The associations of financial, friend, and family satisfactions with life satisfaction and with self-esteem also varied across nations. Financial satisfaction was a stronger correlate of life satisfaction in poorer countries. It was found that life satisfaction and self-esteem were clearly discriminable constructs. Satisfaction ratings, except for financial satisfaction, varied between slightly positive and fairly positive.
Short Wavelength Infrared Face Recognition for Personalization

The paper describes an application of practical technologies to implement a low cost, consumer grade, single chip biometric system based on face recognition using infra-red imaging. The paper presents a system that consists of three stages that contribute in the face detection and recognition process. Each stage is explained with its individual contribution alongside results of tests performed for that stage. The system shows a high recognition rate when full frontal face images are fed to the system. The paper further discusses the application based approach in the automotive world with plans for further study. Recognition rates of the overall system are also presented.
AIGaAs/GaAs Heterojunction Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) For Visible/Near Infrared Imaging Applications

The use of AlGaAs/GaAs Schottky gate, heterojunction CCDs for visible/NIR imagers offers a number of distinct advantages over the use of silicon MOS homojunction CCDs, several of which are of particular importance for space applications. The use of the heteroepitaxial technology possible with the GaAs/AlAs alloy system allows the design of devices each of whose layers is optimized to a specific functions. A CCD imager, for example, has a wide bandgap electrically inactive AlGaAs layer for optical access to the device, a narrow bandgap p-GaAs layer as an optical absorber for good response to the visible-NIR spectrum, end an intermediate bandgap n-AlGaAs CCD channel for charge transfer and low dark current. adapting glass bonding technology originally developed for III-V photocathodes, a backside illuminated CCD can be realized which eliminates optical obscuration from the CCD gates. Finally, the fundamental properties of the AlGaAs/GaAs system together with the use of Schottky barrier gates eliminates cross-talk and blooming and results in a device which is intrinsically radiation hard. During this presentation, the above considerations will be discussed in detail and the status of the development program at Rockwell International will be summarized. Important demonstrations including glass bonded, backside illuminated imaging and the observation of room temperature dark currents <100 pA/cm2 will be descirbed.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Optical processor for zero-crossing edge detection

An optical processor for zero-crossing edge detection is presented, which consists of two defocused imaging systems to perform the Gaussian convolutions and a VLSI, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) to determine the zero-crossings. The zero-crossing SLM is a 32 x 32 array of pixels located on 100 microns centers. Each pixels contains a phototransistor, an auto-scaling amplifier, a zero-crossing detection circuit, and a liquid crystal modulating pad. Electrical and optical characteristics of the zero-crossing SLM are presented along with experimental results of the system.
Ultrastructural analysis of polytene chromatin of Drosophila melanogaster reveals clusters of tightly linked co-expressed genes

Patterns of gene activity on individual chromatids of polytene chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster white prepupae were ultrastructurally characterized by electron microscopy. The band-interband structure of salivary gland polytene chromosomes is lost when they are dispersed in a low ionic strength detergent solution. Morphologically similar, active genes in close proximity to one another were seen in dispersed white prepupal chromatin. The arrays of genes almost certainly represent sister copies of the same locus. Although lateral register between gene copies on multiple strands was not maintained, analysis of sister transcriptional units of unknown identity was achieved at the periphery of the chromatin arrays. Juxtaposed genes with divergent transcriptional polarity were prevalent. The morphology, size and transcriptional polarity of multiple copies of short, tandemly organized, RNA polymerase dense, co-expressed gene clusters is reported. One highly transcriptionally active region, designated the white prepupal locus (WPP locus), composed of a co-expressed tandem cluster of ten genes within an approximately 50 kb region was analyzed on six separate chromatids. The transcriptional map suggests that the pattern of gene activity for at least one gene within the cluster may not be identical on all homologous strands. The survey of active polytene genes provides ultrastructural correlation with previous molecular data that demonstrate tight linkage of certain developmentally co-regulated Drosophila genes. Our findings are discussed in relation to Drosophila gene organization, clustering, and regulation of gene expression.
Modeling and Validation of Sensor and Actuator Dynamics for, And Real-Time Feedback Control of Thermal Chlorine Etching of Gallium Arsenide

A dynamic model for the simulation of thermal chlorine etching of gallium arsenide is developed. The primary motivation for the development of the model is the design and testing of real time feedback controllers which rely upon in-situ optical measurements of etch depth obtained via spectroscopic ellipsometry. Unmeasurable parameters which appear in the model are identified, and the model is validated using experimental data. A linear-quadratic controller based on our model is designed and tested.
Characterization of electrophoretically cryptic variation in the alpine butterfly Colias meadii

Enzyme polymorphism was characterized among the proteins of 14 loci of Coliae meadii by replicate electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels of differing pore size. The results reveal a large number of variants, with a very skewed frequency distribution. A large fraction of the variants cannot be differentiated by electrophoresis in 5–7% acrylamide gels. This gel sieving approach permits an estimate of the relative contributions of charge and of conformation to electrophoretic mobility. Many of the variant proteins do not differ in charge. Most variants exhibit different degrees of interaction with the gel and presumably differ in conformation.
Quality Characteristics of Long-Grain Rice Milled in Two Commercial Systems

ABSTRACT Long-grain rice variety Kaybonnet was milled to three degree of milling (DOM) levels in two commercial milling systems (a single-break, friction milling system and a multibreak, abrasion and friction milling system) and separated into five thickness fractions. For both milling systems, the surface lipid content (SLC) and protein content of the milled rice varied significantly across kernel thickness fractions. SLC was influenced by DOM level more than by thickness, while the protein content was influenced by thickness more than by DOM level. Particularly at the low DOM levels, the thinnest kernel fraction (<1.49 mm) had higher SLC than the other kernel fractions. Protein content decreased with increasing kernel thickness to 1.69 mm, after which it remained constant. In both milling systems, thinner kernels were milled at a greater bran removal rate as indicated by SLC differences between the low and high DOM levels. For rice milled to a given DOM level, the multibreak system produced fewer broken...
Polyethylene {201} crystal surface: interface stresses and thermodynamics

Abstract We describe a method to determine the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the interface between a polyethylene crystal and melt by united-atom Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, the {201} fold surface is studied in the temperature range 380–450 K. The interface properties are defined by using the concept of a sharp Gibbs dividing surface, which in turn is used to define the interface internal energy and the interface stresses. We find that the internal energy of the interface is of the order 0.3–0.35 J/m 2 . The interface stresses are anisotropic for the {201} crystal surface with values of approximately −0.27 and −0.4 J/m 2 for the xx - and yy -components, respectively. By way of the Herring equation, the surface tension of the fold surface is independent of shear strains in the interface. The temperature and strain derivatives of the interface properties are also measured and discussed in detail. The influence of the interface internal energy and of phase change contributions on the macroscopic heat capacity of the semi-crystalline material is examined.
Multiple transluminal gateway technique for EUS-guided drainage of symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis

Background Walled-off pancreatic necrosis often leads to severe clinical deterioration necessitating open debridement or endoscopic necrosectomy. A new EUS-based approach was devised to manage this condition by creating multiple transluminal gateways to facilitate effective drainage of the necrotic contents. Objective To compare treatment outcomes between patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis managed endoscopically by a multiple transluminal gateway technique (MTGT) or a conventional drainage technique (CDT). Design Retrospective study. Setting Tertiary-care referral center. Patients This study involved patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by walled-off pancreatic necrosis managed endoscopically. Intervention In MTGT, 2 or 3 transmural tracts were created by using EUS guidance between the necrotic cavity and the GI lumen. While one tract was used to flush normal saline solution via a nasocystic catheter, multiple stents were deployed in others to facilitate drainage of necrotic contents. In the CDT, two stents with a nasocystic catheter were deployed via 1 transmural tract. Main Outcome Measurements Resolution of symptoms, radiological findings on follow-up CT, and the need for subsequent surgery or endoscopic necrosectomy. Results Of 60 patients with symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis, 12 (3 women, mean age 55.1 years) were managed by MTGT and 48 (12 women, mean age 55.2 years) by CDT. Treatment was successful in 11 of 12 (91.7%) patients managed by MTGT versus 25 of 48 (52.1%) managed by CDT ( P = .01). Although 1 patient in the MTGT cohort required endoscopic necrosectomy, in the CDT cohort, 17 required surgery, 3 underwent endoscopic necrosectomy, and 3 died of multiple-organ failure. Treatment success was more likely for patients treated by MTGT than by CDT (adjusted odds ratio=9.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-79.02; P = .04) when we adjusted for the size of the walled-off pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic duct stent placement. Limitations Selective patient population. Conclusion The EUS-guided MTGT is an effective treatment option for the management of symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis because it obviates the need for surgery and endoscopic necrosectomy and its attendant procedure-related morbidity. Prospective studies are required to confirm these preliminary but promising data.
Transcription Arrest at a Lesion in the Transcribed DNA Strand in Vitro Is Not Affected by a Nearby Lesion in the Opposite Strand

Cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are the most frequently formed lesions in UV-irradiated DNA. CPDs are repaired by the nucleotide excision repair pathway. Additionally, they are subject to transcription-coupled DNA repair. In the general model for transcription-coupled DNA repair, an RNA polymerase arrested at a lesion on the transcribed DNA strand facilitates repair by recruiting the repair machinery to the site of the lesion. Consistent with this model, transcription experiments in vitro have shown that CPDs in the transcribed DNA strand interfere with the translocation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Here, we study the behavior of RNA polymerase when transcribing a template that contains two closely spaced lesions, one on each DNA strand. Similar DNA templates containing no CPD, or a single CPD on either the transcribed or the nontranscribed strand were used as controls. Using an in vitro transcription system with purified T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) or rat liver RNAP II, we characterized transcript length and efficiency of transcription in vitro. We also tested the sensitivity of the arrested RNAP II-DNA-RNA ternary complex, at a CPD in the transcribed strand, to transcription factor TFIIS. The presence of a nearby CPD in the nontranscribed strand did not affect the behavior of either RNA polymerase nor did it affect the reverse translocation ability of the RNAP II-arrested complex. Our results additionally indicate that the sequence context of a CPD affects the efficiency of T7 RNAP arrest more significantly than that of RNAP II.
Sensitivity improvement in two-center holographic recording

Persistent holograms are recorded with green light in LiNbO3 crystals doped with Mn and Fe. The recording sensitivity is 20 times better than that obtained by recording with red light. Partial loss of persistence is caused by using green light for recording.
Effects of Pond Volume Manipulation on Production of Fingerling Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

Hatchery ponds were manipulated by timing of filling to increase the efficiency of production of fingerling largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. The effects on pond productivity of fertilizing with chicken manure versus plant meals (consisting of equal parts by weight of cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, and wheat shorts) were also examined. When ponds were filled in stages, more favorable water temperatures for largemouth bass were achieved, and desirable dissolved oxygen concentrations were maintained. Chlorophyll a levels and plankton community respiration rates were higher in ponds that were fertilized with the plant meals than in ponds fertilized with chicken manure (25% dry matter). Secchi disk visibility was relatively greater in chicken manure ponds than in ponds fertilized with the plant meals; however all differences were not significant. Zooplankton densities were comparable among treatments. Filling ponds in stages had no significant effects on chlorophyll a, plankton community respiration rat...
Polynomial pseudo-random number generator via cyclic phase

Fast and reliable pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) is required for simulation and other applications in scientific computing. In this work, a polynomial PRNG algorithm, based on a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) is presented. LFSR generator of order k determines a 2^k-1 cyclic sequence period when the associated polynomial is primitive. The main drawback of this generator is the cyclicality of the shifted binary sequence. A non-linear transformation is proposed, which eliminates the underlying cyclicality and maintains both the characteristics of the original generator and the feedback function. The modified generator assures a good trade off between fastness and reliability and passes both graphical and statistical tests.
Interactive multimedia messaging service platform

An interactive multimedia messaging service platform and two demos are described in this paper.
Observation of production of immunoactive prolactin by normal human connective tissue in cell culture.

Data from our in vitro studies indicate a new source of prolactin (PRL)-like activity, normal human connective tissue. Fascial cells from primary culture and subsequent passages produced an extracellular antigen which specifically reacted in a radioimmunoassay RIA developed to detect human pituitary PRL. An initial peak of first surge of fascial PRL-like activity occurred between 4 and 15 d in primary culture. Ibuprofen, cytotoxic levels of 0.01% azide, or 7.5 mM EDTA and medium lacking serum [fetal bovine serum (FBS)] significantly (P≤0.05) reduced PRL-like activity levels, whereas female steroids, 257 to 342 milliosmolarity, 1 to 3.6 mg/ml glucose, 2 to 20% FBS, and dialyzed FBS (MWCO ⊂) 1 kDa) were without effect. Optimum production of PRL-like activity occurred at pH 7.3. A second surge began after 18 d and continued until passage indicating that perhaps two populations of cells produced PRL-like activity in primary culture. Production of PRL-like activity by cells from early passages (1 and 2) became detectable at confluence, was serum-dependent, showed two patterns (tonic, rising to plateau), and averaged 3.2 fg·cell−1·3 d−1 feed interval. Cells from late passages showed morphologic damage from repetitive trypsinization, aging, and reduced production of PRL-like activity with aberrant production pattern. Production of PRL-like activity was maintained in an unusual long-term culture. these in vitro studies demonstrate the most recently recognized and ubiquitous source of human extrapituitary PRL or PRL-like activity, normal connective tissue (fascia).
Mycosis Fungoides with CNS Involvement: Neuropsychiatry Manifestations and Complications of Treatment with Intrathecal Methotrexate and Whole-Brain Irradiation

The case of a 42-year-old Caucasian male with CNS dissemination of mycosis fungoides is described. This patient developed prominent mental status changes and subtle neurologic signs, and was treated with intrathecal methotrexate and whole-brain irradiation.
An interacting multiple model algorithm with a switching Markov chain

A Markov chain plays an important role in an interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm which has been shown to be effective for target tracking systems. Such systems are described by a mixing of continuous states and discrete modes. The switching between system modes is governed by a Markov chain. In real world applications, this Markov chain may change or needs to be changed. Therefore, one may be concerned about a target tracking algorithm with the switching of a Markov chain. This paper concentrates on fault-tolerant algorithm design and algorithm analysis of IMM estimation with the switching of a Markov chain. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out and several conclusions are given.
Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride deglycosylates glycoproteins.

Abstract Exposure of glycoproteins to anhydrous hydrogen fluoride cleaves all the linkages of neutral and acidic sugars within 1 hr at 0°C while leaving peptide bonds and glycopeptide linkages of amino sugars intact. More severe treatment with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (3 hr at 23°C) cleaves the O-glycosidic linkages of amino sugars, but peptide bonds and the N-glycosidic linkage between asparagine and N-acetylglucosamine still remain intact. Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, therefore, may be used for the deglycosylation of glycoproteins, thereby assisting in the further purification, proteolysis, and sequencing of the protein component. During the cleavage of glycosidic linkages by anhydrous hydrogen fluoride there is little or no degradation of the sugars themselves, thus allowing their quantitative recovery. Therefore, anhydrous hydrogen fluoride may also be useful in the analysis of complex polysaccharides.
Analysis of yield improvement techniques for CNFET-based logic gates

CNFET is one of the most promising candidates for a building block of post silicon era integrated circuits due to its excellent electronic properties. The presence of unwanted metallic tubes is identified as a major challenge towards building robust CNT based circuits. Metallic tubes negatively impact the performance, power and yield of CNFET-based circuits. Current CNT growth techniques described in the literature show a wide range, from close to 4% to almost 40%, of metallic tubes being initially present in CNFETs. We used Monte Carlo simulation to analyze yield improvement techniques in both cases; (1) when metallic tubes are present in CNFETs, and (2) when they are removed with extra processing techniques proposed by researches. We proposed design-based promising methods for yield improvement. Suggested and analyzed yield-improvement techniques include transistor, gate and circuit level approaches.
ESR Study of Crystallization of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Thin Films

Electron-spin-resonance (ESR) is used to investigate the evolution of the local order surrounding the dangling bonds produced by hydrogen effusion in a-Si:H thin films prepared by both plasma-enhanced-chemical-vapor-deposition (PECVD) and hot-wire CVD (HWCVD). At 560 C, the HWCVD sample fully crystallizes after {approx}800 min, while the sample made by PECVD does not crystallize. The PECVD sample crystallizes at a higher temperature (580 C) and after a much longer annealing time ({Delta}t = 1300 min). The ESR signal of the defects in both samples remains at about 5 x 10{sup 18} cm{sup -3} as long as the sample remains amorphous during the grain nucleation period. In both HWCVD and PECVD samples, as the crystallites appear, the defect densities gradually decrease and saturate at about 3 x 10{sup 17} cm{sup -3} as the crystallization is completed.
The Politics of Masculinity and Sacred Space

Abstract Dominant groups remain privileged because they write the rules, and the rules they write, “enable them to continue to write the rules.” As a result they can change the rules to thwart challenges to their position.