cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Push-Button Electrochemical Analyser

Abstract The design of a new instrument for routine analysis of electroactive substances is presented. The instrument is a potentiostat in which potential control is maintained by varying the rate of delivery of current pulses of uniform charge content to a small electrochemical cell. Digital readout of the concentration in desired units is obtained by counting and displaying the number of current impulses. The entire analysis consists of introducing a sample, pressing the potentiostat button and reading the result within 3–5 seconds - hence the name, “push-button analyser”. A block diagram, schematic diagrams and parts list are included.
COMPENSATORY GROWTH IN COLEUS SHOOTS

THE CONCEPT of compensatory growth is quite familiar to those working on the experimental development of animals, less familiar to botanists. If we define regeneration as the totality of phenomena of growth and differentiation which result from the loss of a part of a living organism, then compensatory growth may be defined as a special type of regeneration, characterized by the greater than normal growth of an organ or organs of the sametype as the one which has been lost. That is, the other organ(s) show regenerative growth which tends to make up for, or compensate for, the loss. Although the concept is not widely used by botanists, the following botanical examples of compensatory growth are quite familiar. 1. Apical dominance in shoots and roots: The growing apex of the main shoot of many plants inhibits the outgrowth of the axillary buds, apparently through its production of diffusible auxin (Went and Thimann, 1937, chap. 12; Thimann, 1939). If the apical bud is excised, the axillary buds show compensatory growth, i.e., they grow out much faster than in the intact controls. Similarly, excision of the tip of the primary root results in compensatory growth of lateral roots. Auxin seems to be connected with this phenomenon, too (Went and Thimann, 1937, chap. 11; Torrey, 1950). 2. Compensatory growth of flowers and fruits: Removing some of the flowers or fruits so that those remaining will grow larger is a well known horticultural practice. 3. Compensatory growth of leaves: Here, too, a standard growers' practice can be considered to be an example of compensatory growth. To obtain larger leaves on tobacco plants the axillary buds and the apical flower bud are excised ("suckering" and "topping" respectively). The leaves which are left on the main shoot grow much larger than in the untreated controls. Phenomena such as this have been investigated experimentally by a number of authors (Ungerer, 1926, p. 207; Avery, 1934). The experiments to be reported in this paper and one to follow stem from a desire to describe the developmental morphology of compensatory growth of the main shoots and its leaves somewhat more fully, in an attempt. to elucidate controlling physiological mechanisms, and to check the observation of Mr. A. Procaccini that excising axillary buds and branches resulted in faster flowering of Coleus.
Effect of tuina on neurodevelopment in premature infants with brain injury

Objective To investigate the effect of tuina on promoting neurodevelopment of premature infants with brain injury.
Corporate Facebook pages: when “fans” attack

Purpose – Facebook continues to play an increasingly necessary role in the corporate portfolio of stakeholder relations. Unlike traditional channels of corporate communication, Facebook allows for uncensored, unpredictable, two‐way conversations. This paper aims to engage thought and enact immediate action in the prevention and rehabilitation of a company's online reputation in the event of a Facebook wall attack.Design/methodology/approach – By conducting online research for an online subject and studying the historical perspectives of public outrage and a “fan's” dissatisfaction, the authors examine different approaches to corporate attacks. The case study of Nestle's improper handling of a crisis on Facebook contrasted with examples of properly handled responses serve as guidelines that any company can utilize. The authors have provided seven steps that any business can incorporate into its crisis prevention plan.Findings – Harm, fear of harm and threatened values are the three basic sources of public ...
Revisiting asthma control: how should it best be defined?

Abstract Management guidelines for asthma emphasize a stepwise approach in treating this disease based on daytime symptoms, nighttime symptoms, and lung function assessed by peak expiratory flow or forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV1). Although improvement of lung function is a key goal in managing asthma, clinicians often see patients who may have achieved a normal FEV1 with guideline-recommended treatment but continue to experience limitations in their daily activities. In such situations, focusing the assessment solely on pulmonary function (e.g. FEV1) is often inadequate and may lead to undertreatment. Alternate assessment measures are therefore often needed to assess asthma control and achieve a successful treatment outcome. This review will provide practical guidance relevant to the clinical assessment of asthma control.
Monte Carlo simulations of laser Doppler blood-flow measurements in tissue: Comment.

In response to the paper by Jentink et al. [ Appl. Opt.29, 2371– 2381 ( 1990)], a previously developed Monte Carlo method and software that use variance reduction methods are summarized.
PDF Parameterization of Boundary Layer Clouds in Models with Horizontal Grid Spacings from 2 to 16 km

Many present-day numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are run at resolutions that permit deep convection. In these models, however, the boundary layer turbulence and boundary layer cloud features are still grossly underresolved. Underresolution is also present in climate models that use a multiscale modeling framework (MMF), in which a convection-permitting model is run in each grid column of a global general circulation model. To better represent boundary layer clouds and turbulence in convection-permitting models, a parameterization was developed that models the joint probability density function (PDF) of vertical velocity, heat, and moisture. Although PDF-based parameterizations are more complex and computationally expensive than many other parameterizations, in principle PDF parameterizations have several advantages. For instance, they ensure consistency of liquid (cloud) water and cloud fraction; they avoid using separate parameterizations for different cloud types such as cumulus and stratocumulus; and they have an appropriate formulation in the ‘‘terra incognita’’ in which updrafts are marginally resolved. In this paper, an implementation of a PDF parameterization is tested to see whether it improves the simulations of a state-of-the-art convection-permitting model. The PDF parameterization used is the Cloud LayersUnifiedBy Binormals (CLUBB)parameterization.The host cloud-resolving model usedis theSystem forAtmosphericModeling(SAM).SAMisrunbothwithandwithoutCLUBBimplementedinit.Simulations of two shallowcumulus(Cu)cases andtwo shallowstratocumulus(Sc)casesarerun ina 3D configurationat 2-, 4-, and 16-km horizontal grid spacings. Including CLUBB in the simulations improves some of the simulated fields—such as vertical velocity variance, horizontal wind fields, cloud water content, and drizzle water content—especially in the two Cu cases. Implementing CLUBB in SAM improves the simulations slightly at 2-km horizontal grid spacing, significantlyat4-kmgridspacing,andgreatlyat 16-kmgridspacing.Furthermore,thesimulationsthatinclude CLUBB exhibit a reduced sensitivity to horizontal grid spacing.
Physiologic and rheologic effects of the antisickling agent ethacrynic acid and its N‐butylated derivative on normal and sickle erythrocytes

Ethacrynic acid, a loop diuretic, has been shown to inhibit hemoglobin S polymerization. Until now, however, most studies were performed using purified solutions of hemoglobin S. The experiments reported here were designed to examine the effects of ethacrynic acid and its n-butryic acid derivative on the rheological and physiological properties of intact red blood cells. Using net and unidirectional flux measurements, both agents were shown to cause ion and water loss from normal and sickle erythrocytes. Since cell shrinkage adversely influences red cell rheology, it is unlikely that this class of compounds, despite its ability to inhibit hemoglobin S polymerization, will prove useful in the treatment of sickle cell disease.
Spectroscopic evidence for interstellar ices in comet Hyakutake

Volatile compounds in comets are the most pristine materials surviving from the time of formation of the Solar System, and thus potentially provide information about conditions that prevailed in the primitive solar nebula. Moreover, comets may have supplied a substantial fraction of the volatiles on the terrestrial planets, perhaps including organic compounds that played a role in the origin of life on Earth. Here we report the detection of hydrogen isocyanide (HNC) in comet Hyakutake. The abundance of HNC relative to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is very similar to that observed in quiescent interstellar molecular clouds, and quite different from the equilibrium ratio expected in the outermost solar nebula, where comets are thought to form. Such a departure from equilibrium has long been considered a hallmark of gas-phase chemical processing in the interstellar medium, suggesting that interstellar gases have been incorporated into the comet's nucleus, perhaps as ices frozen onto interstellar grains. If this interpretation is correct, our results should provide constraints on the temperature of the solar nebula, and the subsequent chemical processes that occurred in the region where comets formed.
The choice of methods for immunoglobulin IgG purification: Yield and purity of antibody activity

Six methods for the purification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from serum were compared, using rabbit antiserum to Bacillus anthracis spores as a model. Antibody activity was monitored by a solid-phase immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). Salt precipitation/ion exchange chromatography and ethanol precipitation both resulted in IgG of high purity but there was considerable inactivation of antibody. Salt precipitation/affinity chromatography gave poor yields of antibody. PEG precipitation and gel filtration of Sephacryl S-300 gave moderate yields and purity of IgG, with little evidence of antibody inactivation. Salt precipitation was marginally more destructive than the last 2 methods, but is recommended for routine use on grounds of its simplicity. Should IgG prepared by salt precipitation prove inadequate for particular applications, gel filtration is recommended since it allows the balance of yield and purity to be altered at will.
Cellular immune therapy for refractory cancers: novel therapeutic strategies

Objective Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is curative for certain cancers, but the high doses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may lead to toxicity. This review summarizes the field of cellular immune therapy using very-low–dose conditioning for refractory cancers. Methods In our initial study, we treated 25 patients with refractory cancers with 100 cGy total body irradiation followed by allogeneic, nonmobilized peripheral blood cells. Eighteen patients received sibling and seven patients received unrelated cord blood stem cells. Results None of the 13 patients with solid tumors achieved donor chimerism or had a sustained response. Twelve patients with hematologic malignancies were treated, 1 received a cord blood transplant and 11 received sibling donor cells. Nine of these 11 patients achieved donor chimerism, ranging from 5% to 100%. Four patients had sustained complete remission of their cancers. The patients who received cord blood transplants did not respond. Development of chimerism correlated with total previous myelotoxic chemotherapy ( p Conclusions Cellular immune therapy is an emerging application of transplantation therapy, which may be appropriate for refractory cancers. New studies in solid tumors, and with alternative donors, will expand the application of this new and promising treatment.
Power converter sizing considerations for a doubly-fed machine propulsion drive

Doubly-fed machines (DFM) can be used to make variable speed drives (VSD) that not only provide full shaft speed control but also avoid the need for a dc electrical bus capable of providing full mechanical shaft power. This makes the DFM attractive for any VSD application where the primary power source is ac. This paper explores the design and control requirements for the DFM rotor power electronics in full-speedrange VSD applications, including propulsion drives. Trade-offs are examined for power electronics sizing versus transient settling characteristics.
Expression of transferred thymidine kinase genes is controlled by methylation.

Abstract Plasmid pTKx-1, containing the herpes simplex virus gene for thymidine kinase (TK) inserted into the BamHI site of plasmid pBR322, was introduced into Ltk- cells by calcium phosphate precipitation in the absence of carrier DNA. Line 101 is a TK+ derivative of Ltk- that contains multiple copies of pTKx-1 in a multimeric structure. A derivative of 101 that retained but no longer expressed the herpes simplex TK genes (termed 101BU1) and derivatives of line 101BU1 that reexpressed the genes (termed 101H1, 101HC, and 101HG) were selected. The TK genes in 101BU1 were hypermethylated relative to those in the TK+ parent and derivatives. Growth of 101BU1 in the presence of the methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine resulted in an average 13-fold increase in the number of TK+ reexpressors, DNA from 101BU1 was inactive in secondary gene transfer, whereas DNA from 101 and from TK+ reexpressors was active. These data support a causative relationship between DNA methylation and decreased gene expression. All TK+ reexpressors examined had DNA rearrangements involving TK DNA.
Infusion of epidermal growth factor in mice : organ distribution and urinary excretion

Anesthetized mice were infused into the tail vein with 7.5% mannitol in saline (0.1 ml/min for 60 min) alone or with EGF at 0.5 microgram/min. Urine was collected every 10 min starting 20 min after the beginning of the infusion and ending 20 min after its termination. EGF concentration in the serum of mice infused with EGF increased from the baseline level of 0.6 +/- 0.4 to 70.7 +/- 16.0 ng/ml at 80 min. Total excretion of EGF for 80 min was 117 +/- 49 ng with mannitol alone and 1916 +/- 420 ng (6.4% of the EGF infused) after mannitol with EGF. Serum and urine EGF was indistinguishable from the native mouse EGF by its radioimmunoassay and HPLC characteristics. Intact labeled EGF was also found in urine when mice were infused with 125I-EGF (1 x 10(6) cpm/ml) in mannitol. After 5 min infusion with 125I-EGF (6 x 10(6) cpm/ml in saline), more than 80% of the label was found in the liver and kidneys and more than 90% of it was intact EGF. However, 30 min after infusion more than 95% of the labeled EGF was degraded. We conclude that at least part of the urinary EGF in mice originates in blood and that liver and kidneys are the main organs of EGF degradation.
TWO LINEAGES OF ARCTOSTAPHYLOS (ERICACEAE) IDENTIFIED USING THE INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER (ITS) REGION OF THE NUCLEAR GENOME

The understanding of evolutionary relationships in Arctostaphylos has been hampered by taxonomic difficulties in this large and complex genus. A phylogenetic analysis of sequences from the ITS region for 38 species was used to provide a phylogenetic perspective for interpreting evolutionary patterns and relationships in Arctostaphylos. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. ITS sequence data do not support a previously published subgeneric classification based on morphological characteristics, but do support the two lineages of Arctostaphylos described by a previous molecular phylogeny based on RFLP data. Topology tests indicate morphological characters are not useful in defining monophyletic clades.
High‐Pressure phase behavior of mixtures of poly(ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate) with low‐molecular weight hydrocarbons

Cloud-point data to 180°C and 2,800 bar are presented for three poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) copolymers [10, 31, and 41 mol % methyl acrylate (MA)] and for polyethylene in ethylene, ethane, propylene, and propane. At low concentrations of MA in the backbone of the copolymer, the saturated hydrocarbons are better solvents for the copolymer than their olefinic analogs because polarizability drives the phase behavior. For the higher MA-content copolymers, the unsaturated hydrocarbons are better solvents.
Distributions of the interplanetary magnetic field revisited

The adequacy of the power spectrum to characterize the variations of a parameter depends on whether or not the parameter has a Gaussian distribution. We here perform very simple tests of Gaussianity on the distribution. We here perform very simple tests of Gaussianity on the distributions of the magnitudes of the interplanetary magnetic field, and on the distributions of the components; that is, we find the first four cumulants of the distributions (mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis) and their solar cycle variations. We find, consistent with other recent analyses, that the traditional distributions of the 1-hour averaged magnitude are not distributed normally or lognomally as has often been assumed and the 1-hour averaged z component is found to have a nonzero kurtosis. Thus the power spectrum is insufficient to completely characterize these variations and polyspectra are needed. We have isolated variations in the 1/f frequency region of the spectrum and show that the distributions of the magnitudes have nonzero skewness and kurtosis, the magnitudes are not distributed lognormally, and the distributions of the components have nonzero kurtosis. Thus higher-order spectra are again needed for a full characterization.
Two essential components of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor TFIIIB: transcription and DNA-binding properties.

Abstract RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIB from Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains at least two polypeptides, with apparent masses of 90 and 70 kDa, that were previously identified by photocrosslinking to DNA. It is shown here that TFIIIB can be chromatographically separated into two components, each of which is required for efficient tRNA gene transcription. DNA-protein photocrosslinking experiments show these two components separately contain the 90- and 70-kDa TFIIIB-specific polypeptides. The 70-kDa component forms a heparin-sensitive complex with transcription factor TFIIIC and DNA, stabilizes TFIIIC interaction with the tRNA gene promoter elements, and protects against DNase I digestion in the 3' portion of the upstream DNA sequence that is occupied by TFIIIB. The 90-kDa component of TFIIIB, which only detectably interacts with the TFIIIC-DNA complex when the 70-kDa component is also present, generates the complete DNase I protection pattern of TFIIIB and bestows heparin-insensitivity on the TFIIIB-DNA complex. The resolution of TFIIIB into two functional components further defines the probable steps and interactions involved in the formation of stable transcription complexes.
Metacontrast with internal contours in target and mask

Duration thresholds were obtained under nonmasking and masking conditions for both solid black disks and disks broken into 16 black and white wedge-shaped segments; the targets were masked by either solid black rings or rings broken into 16 black and white segments. The results of previous research which investigated separately the effects of target and mask segmentation enabled the prediction that the least amount of masking would occur when the target was segmented, regardless of mask type. Similarly, the greatest amount of masking was expected when the target was a solid black disk. The data clearly disconfirmed those predictions and revealed instead the overriding importance of target-mask similarity. Implications of that outcome for the interpretation of previous research were noted.
Tunable interference contrast using a variable Wollaston prism

A Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) acquires interferogram data for spectral measurements. Conventional FTS instruments incorpo- rate Michelson interferometers. However, limitations of the Michelson for imaging applications have produced interest in alternative interferometer configurations. Common path interferometers, such as birefringent inter- ferometers, offer advantages for remote sensing applications. To ensure the best possible signal-to-noise ratio, the fringe contrast provided by the interferometer should be maximized. Unfortunately some birefringent interferometers, such as those that utilize Wollaston prisms (WPs), require stringent tolerances in order to ensure high fringe contrast across even a modest field of view (FOV). Fabricating an interferometer to meet these tolerances adds fabrication cost and time to the development of an instru- ment. We present how the introduction of additional birefringent elements into birefringent interferometer can be used to compensate for a decrease in fringe visibility due to manufacturing errors. These components form a variable angle WP (VWP), which can be used to vary the fringe visibility across the FOV. Experimental results confirming the ability of the VWP to vary the fringe visibility of a birefringent interferometer are included. These results are compared to polarization raytrace simulations for the system. © 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). (DOI:
New results on quantifier elimination over real closed fields and applications to constraint databases

In this paper, we give a new algorithm for quantifier elimination in the first order theory of real closed fields that improves the complexity of the best known algorithm for this problem till now. Unlike previously known algorithms [Basu et al. 1996; Renegar 1992; Heintz et al. 1990], the combinatorial part of the complexity (the part depending on the number of polynomials in the input) of this new algorithm is independent of the number of free variables. Moreover, under the assumption that each polynomial in the input depends only on a constant number of the free variables, the algebraic part of the complexity(the part depending on the degrees of the input polynomials) can also be made independent of the number of free variables. This new feature of our algorithm allow us to obtain a new algorithm for a variant of the quantifier elimination problem. We give an almost optimal algorithm for this new problem, which we call the uniform quantifier elimination problem.Using tthe uniform quantifier elimination algorithm, we give an algorithm for solving a problem arising in the field of constraint databases with real polynomial constraints. We give an algorithm for converting a query with natural domain semantics to an equivalent one with active domain semantics. A nonconstructive version of this result was proved in Benedikt et al. [1998]. Very recently, a constructive proof was also given independently in Benedikt and Libkin [1997]. However, complexity issues were not considered and no algorithm with a reasonable complexity bound was known for this latter problem till now.We also point out interesting logical consequences of this algorithmic result, concerning the expressive power of a constraint query language over the reals. This leads to simpler and constructive proofs for these inexpressibility results than the ones known before.Moreover, our improved algorithm for performing quantifier elimination immediately leads to improved algorithms for several problems for which quantifier elimination is a basic step, for example, the problem of computing the closure of a given semi-algebraic set.
Exploring critical delivery selection risk factors for transportation design and construction projects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of risk on the project delivery selection process of three primary methods in use in the USA, including design-bid-build (DBB); design-build (DB); and construction manager/general contractor (CMGC). Design/methodology/approach – The review of empirical studies, national survey questionnaire, multivariate analysis, and cross-validating discussion are adopted for this research. The risk factors were identified through an exhaustive literature review and empirical studies that included more than $10 billion of transportation projects. Experts with an average of 25 years of professional experience related to risk and project delivery methods in the transportation industry were invited to participate in the survey. Findings – There were six critical risk factors for DBB, seven for DB, and six for CMGC. These critical risk factors are ranked differently from each delivery method. The most critical risk factor for DBB is construction risk, for DB i...
Multiple-Dose Non-Linear Regression Analysis Program

The ability of a new multiple-dose non-linear regression analysis program to predict steady-state aminoglycoside peak and trough serum concentrations was evaluated. 30 patients receiving either amikacin (7), gentamicin (10) or tobramycin (13) were studied. A standard method of prediction which requires the collection of 3 or 4 serum samples during a dosing interval and a predictive method which relies upon population-based estimates of pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with the new approach which requires the collection of 2 serum samples. There were no significant differences between the methods which utilised serum concentration data with regard to predictive precision (mean prediction error of about 10%). These methods were more precise than the population-based method (p < 0.01, mean prediction error 29.1%). None of the methods produced biased estimates.
Fractional dynamic behavior in Forcados Oil Price Series: An application of detrended fluctuation analysis

Abstract Nigeria experienced a long history of macroeconomic instability since political independence. For many years, Nigerian policymakers had been unsuccessful in their attempts to manage the national economy to deal with macroeconomic instability. They have been accused of mismanagement and incompetence when it comes to preparation and execution of national budgets. In an effort to arrest this problem, the federal government recently introduced structure into public budgeting. A Fiscal Responsibility Act was passed to improve the budgetary process. Consistent with the law, policymakers are required to devise a process for forecasting revenue. Thus, with the help of experts from the International Monetary Fund, an ARMA(p,q) (autoregressive moving average) process was recommended. An ARMA model combines an autoregressive component which captures past values of a time series with a moving average component which captures past forecast errors associated with the time series. As a mono-cultural economy with crude oil as the main source of government revenue, an ARMA(p,q) process assumes that the oil price series is stationary with a short memory. In this paper, we set out to test for the presence of long memory or persistence in oil price series using weekly data from 1978 to 2007. The results of the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) suggest Nigeria's oil price series is anti-persistent. A Hurst exponent of 0.48 is indicative of a time series which is covariance stationary but mean-reverting. In other words, we can fit a stationary ARMA(p,q) model driven by fractional noise to the series. This implies that a low price level has a tendency to be followed by a high price level and vice versa. Thus, past price trends are more likely to change in the future. Moreover, the effect of shocks to the price system dies away in the long run. Therefore, the current revenue forecasting tool would need to be overhauled in the presence of price reversals. This is more critical in the face of constant disruptions to oil production in the Niger Delta where the Forcados variety is produced.
A Platform for Cross-Disciplinary Microchannel Research

A team from the structural biology group located at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama is developing a platform suitable for cross-disciplinary microchannel research. The original objective of this engineering development effort was to deliver a multi-user flight-certified facility for iterative investigations of protein crystal growth; that is, Iterative Biological Crystallization. However, the unique capabilities of this facility are not limited to the low-gravity structural biology research community. Microchannel-based research in a number of other areas may be greatly accelerated through use of this facility. In particular, the potential for gas-liquid flow investigations and cellular biological research utilizing the exceptional pressure control and simplified coupling to macroscale diagnostics inherent with the facility will be discussed. Also noted will be the opportunities for research-specific modifications to the microchannel configuration, control and diagnostics.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A semi‐discrete procedure for dynamic response analysis of saturated soils

Biot's equations of wave propagation through fluid-saturated porous elastic media are discretized spatially using the finite element method in conjunction with Galerkin's procedure. Laplace transformation of the discretized equations is used to suppress the time variable. Introducing Laplace transforms of constituent velocities at nodal points as additional variables, the quadratic set of equations in the Laplace transform parameter is reduced to a linear form. The solution in the Laplace transform space is inverted, term by term, to get the complete time history of the solid and fluid displacements and velocities. Since the solution is exact in the time domain, the error in the calculated response is entirely due to the spatial approximation. The procedure is applied to one-dimensional wave propagation in a linear elastic material and in a fluid-saturated elastic soil layer with ‘weak’, ‘strong’ as well as ‘moderate’ coupling. With refinement of the spatial mesh, convergence to the exact solution is established. The procedure can provide a useful benchmark for validation of approximate temporal discretization schemes and estimation of errors due to spatial discretization.
Benzo-homologated nucleobases in a nanotube-electrode set-up for DNA sequencing

Motivated by the possibility that the conductivity signatures of benzo-homologated DNA bases could be used to sequence DNA, we have investigated the conductivity properties of these bases when they are non-covalently sandwiched between two (5,5) nanotube electrodes. It is found that these bases conduct poorly, making it very difficult to distinguish them. An analysis of the changes in the conductivity of benzo-adenine as a function of the distance between the tips of the nanotubes revealed that, even though the conductance increases by four orders of magnitude when the electrodes are brought closer together, the net conductance remains rather small. These results suggest that benzo-homologated bases, despite having smaller HOMO-LUMO gaps than their natural counterparts, when non-covalently bound to the electrodes cannot be used to sequence DNA by means of conductivity measurements.
Elastic and creep properties of Li2O

The room-temperature elastic properties of relatively high-density ( ∼ 90% TD) Li2O were measured sonically by standard pulse-echo overlap techniques. The Young's modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio determined from an average of three specimens were 1.08 × 105 MPa, 4.56 × 104 MPa, and 0.19, respectively. Based on a review of other ceramics, temperature-and porosity-dependent factors are recommended for extrapolation of these results to higher temperatures and to higher and lower porosity fractions. Scoping tests were conducted using compressive, constant strain rate to investigate the steady-state, thermal creep rate of Li2O as a function of stress and temperature. The stress was monitored until it reached a steady-state value characteristic of secondary creep. The results to date indicate a stress exponent of 5.5 ± 0.5 and an apparent activation energy of 260 ± 50 kJ/mol for temepratures in the range of 700–800°C and stresses in the range of 15–45 MPa. Additional creep tests are in progress to determine the secondary creep behavior of Li2O at higher and lower temperatures and as a function of stress, temperature, microstructure and moisture content.
Action Research and Its History as an Adult Education Movement for Social Change.

This article is an attempt to tell the story of action research as it has developed over the last half century. Action research has become an important part of a number of research programs, especially in the field of education. Action research is a powerful idea centering on humans’ ability to break free from deleterious social habits through autonomous, democratic participation. Action research was originally conceived as an adult education program influenced by the work of Eduard Lindeman, Kurt Lewin, John Dewey, and Jean Piaget. A second branch of action research, participatory action research, emerged about 5 years later guided by the sociological work of William Foote Whyte. Participatory action research focused less on democratic processes and egalitarian decision making and more on understanding organizational problems through the eyes of the participants. Chris Argyris and Eric Trist both extended action research in new directions by merging new ideas.
Multiband structure and critical behavior of matrix models.

We discuss, perturbatively and nonperturbatively, the multiband phase structure that arises in Hermitian one-matrix models with potentials having several local minima. The tree-level phase diagram for the {phi}{sup 6} potential including critical exponents at the phase boundaries is presented. The multiband structure is then studied from the viewpoint of the orthogonal polynomial recursion coefficients {ital R}{sub {ital n}}, using the operator formalism to relate them to the large-{ital N} limit of the generating function {ital F}({ital z}){identical to}(1/{ital N}){l angle}tr1/({ital z}{minus}{Phi}){r angle}. We show how a periodicity structure in the sequence of the {ital R}{sub {ital n}} coefficients naturally leads to multiband structure, and in particular, provide an explicit example of a three-band phase. Numerical evidence for the periodicity structure among the recursion coefficients is given. We then present examples where we identify the double-scaling limit from a multiband phase. In particular, a ({ital k}=2)-type multicritical nonperturbative solution from the two-band phase in the {phi}{sup 8} potential, and a ({ital k}=1)-type nonperturbative solution from the three-band phase in the {phi}{sup 6} potential is found. Both solutions are described by differential equations related to the modified Korteweg--de Vries hierarchy. Finally, we comment on the other phases that coexist with the {italmore » k}=2 pure gravity solution.« less
Cost-Effectiveness of Case Management: Experiences of a University Managed Health Care Organization

Effective, multifaceted, and short-term case management services can result in significant, quantifiable cost savings for managed Medicaid, Medicare, and other health care programs. Such savings clearly offset the administrative costs of support for case managers, social services departments, and utilization management services. This report reviews various case management models, the costs for case management staff and resource support, and a number of quantified ways in which a social service and utilization management team model saved significant dollars in a number of different service areas. This cost-benefit analysis financially justifies administrative support for case management services in the budgets of managed Medicaid programs. Case management is a cost-effective and quality of care management tool.
Effects of platinum and palladium salts on parameters of drug metabolism in rat liver

The effects of various salts of platinum or palladium were determined on the parameters of the microsomal mixed‐function oxidase system from rat liver. The intraperitoneal injection of PtCl 4 or Pd(NO 3 ) 2 increased the hexobarbital‐induced sleeping time in vivo and generally decreased the aminopyrine demethylase and the content of cytochrome P‐450 in isolated hepatic microsomes. The dietary administration of various salts of platinum or palladium for 1 wk generally decreased or had no effect on the parameters of drug metabolism by isolated microsomes and after 4 or more wk generally had no effect on, or increased, the parameters. The addition of 0.15–0.2 mM PtCI 4 or 0.2–0.3 mM Pd(NO 3 ) 2 to the incubation medium (containing 5 mM MgCl 2 ) inhibited the aminopyrine demethylase of isolated hepatic microsomes by 50%.
Plasma-Electrospinning Hybrid Process and Plasma Pretreatment to Improve Adhesive Properties of Nanofibers on Fabric Surface

Electrospun nanofiber mats are inherently weak, and hence they are often deposited on mechanically-strong substrates such as porous woven fabrics that can provide good structural support without altering the nanofiber characteristics. One major challenge of this approach is to ensure good adhesion of nanofiber mats onto the substrates and to achieve satisfactory durability of nanofiber mats against flexion and abrasion during practical use. In this work, Nylon 6 nanofibers were deposited on plasma-pretreated woven fabric substrates through a new plasma-electrospinning hybrid process with the objective of improving adhesion between nanofibers and fabric substrates. The as-prepared Nylon 6 nanofiber-deposited woven fabrics were evaluated for adhesion strength and durability of nanofiber mats by carrying out peel strength and flex resistance tests. The test results showed significant improvement in the adhesion of nanofiber mats on woven fabric sub- strates. The nanofiber-deposited woven fabrics also exhibited good resistance to damage under repetitive flexion. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle anal- yses were conducted to study the plasma effect on the nanofibers and substrate fabric, and the results suggested that both the plasma pretreatment and plasma-electrospinning hybrid process introduced radicals, increased oxygen contents, and led to the formation of active chemical sites on the nanofiber and substrate surfaces. These active sites helped in creating crosslinking bonds between substrate fabric and electrospun nanofibers, which in turn increased the adhesion properties. The work demonstrates that the plasma-electrospinning
Relays can provide alignment for the K-user interference channel without channel state information at the transmitters

Channel state information at the transmitters (CSIT) is of importance for interference alignment schemes to achieve the optimal degrees of freedom (DoF) for wireless networks. This paper focuses on the K-user interference channel and shows that, employing relays between the sources and the destinations, interference alignment is possible without CSIT. Furthermore, the optimal DoF can be achieved with the help of relays. Specifically, a transmission strategy is designed and it is shown that the DoF K/2 can be achieved with a two-slot transmission strategy using either (i) one relay with K − 1 antennas, or (ii) K(K − 2) single antenna relays. It is also shown that when each relay is equipped with L antennas, we need [K(K − 2)/L2] relays to achieve the optimal DoF.
Statistical Properties of Mutual Intensity with Finite Measurement Time

The accuracy with which the amplitude and phase of an interference fringe can be measured in quasi-thermal light is limited by the finite integration time used. The statistical errors expected in such a measurement are derived analytically, and their dependence on measurement time, the coherence time of the light, and the complex coherence factor are explored. An example illustrating the utility of the results is presented.
The long term culture of bulk-isolated bovine oligodendroglia from adult brain.

Abstract Oligodendroglia isolated from adult bovine brain by the method of Farooq et al. could be plated on polylysine-coated plastic dishes with an efficiency of 55–80%, and maintained in culture for as long as 4 months. The addition of cytosine arabinoside to the nutrient medium resulted in cultures that were approximately 90% oligodendroglia and 10% large fibroblasts. From 50 g of white matter 100 − 160 × 10 6 oligodendroglia, containing approximately 6–10 mg protein, could be obtained in culture. These small round cells started to send out processes at 5 days in vitro and by 2 weeks they formed an extensive network of processes. By immunofluorescence, all cells of this morphology were positive for galactocerebroside (GC) and myelin basic protein (MBP), and negative for glial filament protein and fibronectin. Most of the large flat cells were positive for fibronectin and negative for GC, MBP and glial filament protein. As the cultures aged the oligodendroglia tented to clump and blebs formed on the surface of both perikarya and processes. By 4 months they showed evidence of degeneration and detached from the substrate. Electron microscopic examination showed that the cells had the appearance typical of oligodendroglia in situ. The somata were round to elliptical, with eccentrically placed nuclei, and were larger than freshly isolated cells. They grew directly on the substrate or on the surface of the fibroblasts. In older cultures the cells formed tight nests. The somata were enveloped by sheets of oligodendrocyte cytoplasm, sometimes having a myelin-like appearance. Gap junctions and small desmosomes were seen between oligodendroglial processes and between oligodendroglia and fibroblasts. The cytoplasm was characterized by a prominent Golgi apparatus, many mitochondria and lysosomes, scattered rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, frequent centrioles and an abundance of microtubules. In cells from older cultures large vacuoles were common, and rarely they had multilamellar walls with alternating major and minor dense lines resembling myelin.
First principles studies of electron tunneling in proteins.

A first principles study of electronic tunneling along the chain of seven Fe/S clusters in respiratory complex I, a key enzyme in the respiratory electron transport chain, is described. The broken-symmetry states of the Fe/S metal clusters calculated at both DFT and semi-empirical ZINDO levels were utilized to examine both the extremely weak electronic couplings between Fe/S clusters and the tunneling pathways, which provide a detailed atomistic-level description of the charge transfer process in the protein. One-electron tunneling approximation was found to hold within a reasonable accuracy, with only a moderate induced polarization of the core electrons. The method is demonstrated to be able to calculate accurately the coupling matrix elements as small as 10−4 cm−1. A distinct signature of the wave properties of electrons is observed as quantum interferences of multiple tunneling pathways.
Error Correcting Codes Associated with Complex Hadamard Matrices

Abstract For primes p > 2, the generalized Hadamard matrix H ( p , pt ) can be expressed as H = x A , where the notation means h ij = x a ij . It is shown that the row vectors of A represent a p -ary error correcting code. Depending upon the value of t , either linear or nonlinear codes emerge. Code words are equidistant and have minimum Hamming distance d = ( p − 1) t . The code can be extended so as to possess N = p 2 t code words of length pt − 1.
Initial Ice Microparticle Sublimation Measurements from the Levitating Upper-Tropospheric Environmental Simulator (LUTES)

AbstractInitial ice particle sublimation data are presented from the new Levitating Upper-Tropospheric Environmental Simulator (LUTES) at The College of New Jersey. This experimental system mimics the conditions of a typical cirrus cloud in order to evaluate the phase-change kinetics of single ice particles. These ice particles are charged and then trapped in a levitating electrodynamic balance where they can be observed as they sublimate in a subsaturated atmosphere. Levitation and sublimation take place within a vacuum chamber, which is contained in a freezer at a temperature of −40° to −80°C and is capable of a reduced pressure of 10 mb. The sublimation rates of the ice particles are observed at a variety of temperature, humidity, and pressure conditions and are compared to sublimation rates predicted by particle-scale diffusion models. Initial measurements suggest that the diffusion models are capturing the essential sublimation behavior of the particles, but further measurements promise to inform lin...
Acute depletion of serotonin down-regulates serotonin transporter mRNA in raphe neurons

Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) mRNA and 5-HTT sites were measured 3 days after treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor. While 5-HTT mRNA levels decreased (P < 0.001) in the dorsal raphe nucleus, 5-HTT binding sites remained unchanged, suggesting that an acute depletion of 5-HT may induce an increase in the turnover of 5-HTT mRNA without affecting protein levels at 3 days.
Interspecific competition affects evolutionary links between cavity nesting, migration and clutch size in Old World flycatchers (Muscicapdae)

The ecology of cavity nesting in passerine birds has been studied extensively, yet there are no phylogenetic comparative studies that quantify differences in life history traits between cavity- and open-nesting birds within a passerine family. We test existing hypotheses regarding the evolutionary significance of cavity nesting in the Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae). We used a multi-locus phylogeny of 252 species to reconstruct the evolutionary history of cavity nesting and to quantify correlations between nest types and life history traits. Within a phylogenetic generalized linear model framework, we found that cavity-nesting species are larger than open-nesting species and that maximum clutch sizes are larger in cavity-nesting lineages. In addition to differences in life history traits between nest types, species that breed at higher latitudes have larger average and maximum clutch sizes and begin to breed later in the year. Gains and losses of migratory behaviour have occurred far more often in cavity-nesting lineages than in open-nesting taxa, suggesting that cavity nesting may have played a crucial role in the evolution of migratory behaviour. These findings identify important macro-evolutionary links between the evolution of cavity nesting, clutch size, interspecific competition and migratory behaviour in a large clade of Old World songbirds.
Sensitivity-Enhanced Multiple-Quantum MAS NMR of Half-Integer Quadrupolar Nuclei†

Instrument Centre for Solid-State NMR SpectroscopyDepartment of ChemistryUniVersity of AarhusDK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkEnVironmental Molecular Sciences LaboratoryPacific Northwest National LaboratoryRichland, Washington 99352ReceiVed April 29, 1997ReVised Manuscript ReceiVed July 9, 1997One of the most fascinating solid-state NMR experimentsintroduced within the past two years is the two-dimensional (2D)multiple-quantum (MQ) magic-angle spinning (MAS) experi-ment by Frydman and Harwood.