cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanometer Pores in Ultrathin Silica Films Prepared by Self-Assembly of Organic Spacers in an Alkylsiloxane Monolayer

Abstract Patterning of nanoscale pores in ultrathin silica films has been achieved via the self-organization of an organic spacer molecule in a monolayer of an alkyltrimethoxysilane. Langmuir–Blodgett films of monolayers of octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) doped with octadecylsulfonate sodium salt were deposited from a pure water subphase onto silicon substrates. The samples were heat treated at 80–101°C yielding highly condensed, molecularly flat films with good surface coverage. Removal of the organics and spacer molecules via calcination of the monolayers at 450°C for 8–10 h yielded thin (0.5–0.7 nm) silica films decorated with circular pores of uniform size, ranging from 0.8 to 400 nm dependent upon the ratio of spacer molecule to OTMS. Scanning force microscopy was used to image the nanoscale features generated in the films and also to provide some qualitative information on the mechanical properties of the films. The ability to create uniform pore sizes in metal oxide thin-films is attractive for selectively sorbent materials for sensors and separation membranes.
Visits by Elementary School Children to the School Nurse

Various factors seem to influence health seeking and illness behavior in childhood, among which are early socialization, modeling behavior in adults, the labeling of illness and psychological distress. The characteristics of a group of elementary school children who visited the nurse's office were observed and descriptive data were obtained on 551 students during a six-month period. Correlation analysis of the data was made. The conclusion of the study supported the following ideas: 1) health seeking and illness behavior was a learned process; 2) there was no differences noted in the frequency of visitation by boys or girls; and 3) recurrent health problems contributed to the frequency of visitation. The role of the school nurse in assessing potential physical and or psychological problems was affirmed.
Deformation processes adjacent to active faults: Examples from eastern California

[1] Major seismogenic faults are embedded within narrow zones of inelastic off-fault deformation (OFD), where both distributed displacement and modification of rock properties occur. Active distributed displacement may affect slip rate estimates, seismic energy radiation and geodynamic models. This study addresses the role of OFD in the displacement history and mechanical behavior of seismogenic faults, by multisite study of deformed geologic features adjacent to 30–60 km long active strike-slip faults of <10 km of dextral displacement in the Mojave Desert, eastern California. We find that distributed displacement accommodates 0 to ∼25% of the total displacement over zones of one to two kilometers width. Displacement occurs mostly within 100–200 m of faults and decreases nonlinearly away from the main fault. We show evidence for distributed displacement through simple shear in the form of parallel secondary faults and progressive deformation of linear markers adjacent to the Calico fault. We also find evidence for shear via rotation and progressive fragmentation adjacent to the Harper Lake fault. Analysis of block dimensions show that blocks tend to decrease in size toward faults and that cumulative length of secondary faults is longer than the main fault by at least a factor of 10. Based on crosscutting relationships and the relationship of OFD to geophysically imaged compliant zones around active faults, we argue that distributed displacement is an active process and suggest that zones of diminished rigidity near faults may be at least in part driven by secondary faulting during the rupture propagation along the main fault.
Separation of macromolecules by ultrafiltration: removal of poly(ethylene glycol) from human albumin.

Mixtures of albumin and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were used to elucidate some of the factors which influence the separation of macromolecules by thin-channel ultrafiltration. Several membranes which readily passed PEG-4000 in the absence of protein were found to exhibit increased rejection of the synthetic polymer when albumin was added to the system. Based on a comparison of filtration flux and net sieving properties, the PM-30 membrane of Amicon was chosen for further characterization. The increased rejection of PEG-4000 in the presence of albumin was independent of albumin concentration between 1 and 100 mg/ml and persisted even after albumin was removed and the system flushed with water. Overnight incubation of the membrane with trypsin restored the original sieving properties, indicating that the 'permanent' effects were due to irreversible adsorption to the membrane. By measuring flux over a 10(6)-fold range of albumin concentration it was possible to resolve the effects of protein adsorption, a saturable process which occurs at low protein concentration ( 0.1 mg/ml). Only the former process has an effect on the net sieving properties in this system. In spite of the adverse effects of protein adsorption, it was still possible to obtain efficient removal of PEG-4000 from albumin. Exchange of approximately 5 vols. of solvent at room temperature resulted in a 10-fold reduction in the concentration of PEG in the sample, with no loss of albumin, and no formation of albumin dimers.
Effect of induced pyometra on luteal lifespan and uterine fluid concentrations of prostaglandins and interferons in cows.

Abstract The objective was to determine whether occurrence of persistent corpora lutea in cows with pyometra could be explained by accumulation of prostaglandins and interferons in the uterus. Pyometra was induced by treatment with hCG, followed by intrauterine infusions of iodine and Actinomyces pyogenes . Five of the seven treated cows developed pyometra as indicated by extended estrous cycles (30–37 + d) and presence of purulent uterine exudate at slaughter (Day 37 after estrus). Mean (± standard error) concentrations of prostaglandins E2 and F2α for the cows with pyometra were 34.7 ± 14.4 and 96.3 ± 28 ng/ml, while the concentrations in uterine flushings in the remaining 2 cows averaged 1.85 ± 0.7 and 0.9 ± 0.2 ng/ml, respectively. Based on Western blotting, none of the cows had detectable concentrations of either interferon-α or interferon-τ in uterine secretions. In conclusion, pyometra results in increased uterine prostaglandin secretion. While increased secretion of cytokines associated with bacterial infection may be contribute to this effect, there was no evidence in this study to suggest that interferons are involved in the mechanism which causes persistence of the corpus luteum in bovine pyometra.
Comparison of view-based face recognition algorithms on visible and infrared imagery

This paper presents initial results in a study comparing the effectiveness of visible and infra-red (IR) imagery for detecting and recognizing faces in areas where personnel identification is critical, (e.g., airports and secure buildings). We compare the effectiveness of visible versus IR imagery by running three face recognition algorithms on a database of images collected for this study. There are both IR and visible images for each person in the database collected using the same scenarios. We used three very different feature-extraction and decision-making algorithms for our study to insure that the comparisons would not depend on a particular processing technique. We also present recognition results when visible and infra-red decision metrics are fused. The recognition results show that both visible and IR imagery perform similarly across algorithms and that fusion of IR and visible imagery is a viable means of enhancing performance beyond that of either acting alone. We examine the relative importance of different regions of the face for recognition. We also discuss practical issues of implementation, along with plans for the next phase of the study, face detection in an uncontrolled environment. Preliminary face detection experiments are described.
Effects of phorbol ester on mitogen and orthovanadate stimulated responses of cultured human fibroblasts

Mitogen c stimulation of quiescent human fibroblasts (HSWP) with serum or a mixture of growth factors (consisting of vasopressin, bradykinin, EGF, and insulin) stimulates the release of inositol phosphates, mobilization of intracellular Ca, activation of Na/H exchange and subsequent incorporation of [3H]-thymidine. We have determined previously that pretreatment with the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12–0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibits mitogen-stimulated Na influx in HSWP cells. We report herein that TPA pretreatment also substantially inhibits the mitogen-stimulated release of inositol phosphates in HSWP cells. Half maximal inhibition of mitogen-stimulated inositol phosphate release occurs at 1–2 nM TPA. Treatment of cells with TPA alone has no effect on inositol phosphate release. The effect of TPA pretreatment on inositol phosphate release induced by individual growth factors has also been determined. Orthovanadate, reported by Cassel et al. (1984) to increase Na/H exchange in A431 cells, has been demonstrated to stimulate both Na influx and inositol phosphate release in HSWP cells. TPA pretreatment also inhibits both orthovanadate-stimulated inositol phosphate release and Na influx. In addition, Orthovanadate was determined to increase intra-cellular Ca activity by mobilizing intracellular calcium stores, as determined with the fluorescent intracellular calcium probe fura-2. TPA pretreatment blocks orthovanadate stimulated mobilization of intracellular Ca stores. It appears clear that in HSWP cells pretreatment of cells with phorbol ester is capable of artificially desensitizing the early cellular responses to mitogenic stimuli (growth factors, orthovanadate) by blocking the signal transduction mechanism involved at a point prior to the release of inositol phosphates. We hypothesize that in HSWP cells the normal desensitization of both inositol phosphate release and Na/H exchange is mediated via activation of protein kinase C subsequent to the stimulus-mediated activation of phospholipase C and release of protein kinase C activator diacylglycerol. However it is interesting to note that TPA-mediated inhibition of these early responses in HSWP cells does not inhibit their ability to be stimulated to incorporate [3H]-thymidine. These results are contrasted with those obtained in WI-38 cells. A cell-type in which (1) orthovanadate does not stimulate inositol phosphate release, (2) TPA has minimal or no inhibitory effect on early growth factor induced cellular responses (i.e., inositol phosphate release, intracellular Ca mobilization, activation of Na/H exchange), (3) TPA stimulates Na/H exchanger activity, without activating inositol phosphate release, and (4) TPA promotes (unlike in HSWP cells) the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine.
Estimating radiation doses to the skin from interventional radiology procedures for a patient population with cancer.

Purpose To estimate the peak radiation skin doses for interventional radiology cases performed at a cancer center, identify procedure types likely to result in skin doses exceeding the American College of Radiology's 3 Gy follow-up level, and determine a kerma area product (P KA ) for use in monitoring. Materials and Methods A single-center retrospective study was performed to estimate doses from consecutive procedures performed during 2006. Of 6,598 procedures, 3,925 (60%) had P KA recorded and were included. Forty-three procedure types are represented. Results The median estimated peak skin dose was 39 mGy (third quartile, 205 mGy). In 2.6% of the cases, the estimated skin dose exceeded 3 Gy. No procedures resulted in skin doses greater than 15 Gy, and 94% of the cases resulted in skin doses less than 1 Gy. Procedure types with instances of skin doses greater than 1 Gy included hepatic, portal, and other arterial embolizations; diagnostic arteriography; biliary drainages; stent placements and catheter exchanges; nephrostomy/nephroureterostomy; urinary catheter exchanges; inferior vena cava filters; foreign body retrieval; abscess drainage; catheter exchange; and fistulography. Hepatic embolizations, nonhepatic arterial embolizations, and biliary drain/stent procedures were most likely to result in skin doses greater than 1 Gy. Significant variations in skin dose were noted within the same procedure type. No patients were noted to have developed any sequelae from radiation. Conclusions It is unlikely that typical cases in an oncologic interventional radiology practice would exceed the Joint Commission's "reviewable sentinel event" skin dose level of 15 Gy. A P KA trigger of 300 Gycm 2 could be used in the authors' clinic to identify follow-up requirements.
Laser Assisted Myringotomy Vs. Standard Treatment for Acute Otitis Media: Methods for Cost Identification Analysis

Laser Assisted Myringotomy Vs. Standard Treatment for Acute Otitis Media: Methods for Cost Identification Analysis
Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in Shower Water and Air of a Stem Cell Transplant Unit

Potential pathogens from shower water and aerosolized shower mist (i.e., shower aerosol) have been suggested as an environmental source of infection for immunocompromised patients. To quantify the microbial load in shower water and aerosol samples, we used culture, microscopic, and quantitative PCR methods to investigate four shower stalls in a stem cell transplant unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. We also tested membrane-integrated showerheads as a possible mitigation strategy. In addition to quantification, a 16S rRNA gene sequencing survey was used to characterize the abundant bacterial populations within shower water and aerosols. The average total bacterial counts were 2.2 × 107 cells/liter in shower water and 3.4 × 104 cells/m3 in shower aerosol, and these counts were reduced to 6.3 × 104 cells/liter (99.6% efficiency) and 8.9 × 103 cells/m3 (82.4% efficiency), respectively, after membrane-integrated showerheads were installed. Potentially pathogenic organisms were found in both water and aerosol samples from the conventional showers. Most notable was the presence of Mycobacterium mucogenicum (99.5% identity) in the water and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (99.3% identity) in the aerosol samples. Membrane-integrated showerheads may protect immunocompromised patients from waterborne infections in a stem cell transplant unit because of efficient capture of vast numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria from hospital water. However, an in-depth epidemiological study is necessary to investigate whether membrane-integrated showerheads reduce hospital-acquired infections. The microbial load in shower aerosols with conventional showerheads was elevated compared to the load in HEPA-filtered background air in the stem cell unit, but it was considerably lower than typical indoor air. Thus, in shower environments without HEPA filtration, the increase in microbial load due to shower water aerosolization would not have been distinguishable from anticipated variations in background levels.
The Challenge of Campaign Watching: Seven Lessons of Participant-Observation Research.

Steven Kelman, Harvard University (on leave, working in the government) Norman Luttberg, Texas A&M University Albert Matheny, University of Florida Melinda Mueller, Eastern Illinois University Gary Nederman, University of Arizona Vincent K. Pollard, University of Hawaii (Ph.D. candidate) David Rausch, Fairmont State College Mark Rush, Washington and Lee University Steffen Schmidt, Iowa State University Aron Tannenbaum, Clemson University Jean Torcum, California State University, Sacramento Elliot Vittes, University of Central Florida
Differential response of soil microflora to diazinon

1. Bacteria whose growth was inhibited by Diazinon had diminished rates of oxygen uptake in the presence of Diazinon with ethanol, citrate, glutamate, succinate, malate and sometimes glucose or sucrose as substrate. 2. Bacteria whose growth was not inhibited by Diazinon had rates of oxygen uptake in the presence of Diazinon as high as those in the absence of Diazinon with all substrates tested. 3. Only Diazinon inhibited both oxygen uptake and growth over a five day period. Diazoxon inhibited oxygen uptake but only retarded growth. When the hydrolysis products of Diazinon were added, 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine did not inhibit either growth or oxygen uptake; diethyl-phosphorothioate caused an increase in oxygen uptake but no significant increase in growth. 4. In a mixed culture where two organisms sensitive to Diazinon were dominant over a third Diazinon- esistant organism, the presence of Diazinon reversed the ecological balance with resulting dominance of the resistant form.
Valine 904, Tyrosine 898, and Cysteine 908 in Na,K-ATPase α Subunits Are Important for Assembly with β Subunits

Abstract A 26-amino acid sequence in an extracellular loop of the Na,K-ATPase α subunit between membrane-spanning segments 7 and 8 has been shown to bind to the β subunit of Na,K-ATPase and to promote αβ assembly (Lemas, M. V., Hamrick, M., Takeyasu, K., and Fambrough, D. M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 8255–8259) When this 26-amino acid sequence of the rat Na,K-ATPase α3 subunit was replaced by the corresponding sequence of the rat gastric H,K-ATPase α subunit, the chimeric α subunit assembled preferentially with the rat gastric H,K-ATPase β subunit (Wang, S.-G., Eakle, K. A., Levenson, R., and Farley, R. A. (1997)Am. J. Physiol. 272, C923–C930). In the present study, these 26 amino acids (Asn886–Ala911) of rat Na,K-ATPase α3 were replaced by the corresponding amino acids Asn908–Ala933 of rat distal colon H,K-ATPase. Site-directed mutagenesis of the chimeric α subunits and Na,K-ATPase α3 showed that Val904, Tyr898, and Cys908 in the Na,K-ATPase α3 subunit are key residues in αβ subunit interactions. The V904Q mutation in Na,K-ATPase α3 reduced the B max for ouabain binding and the ATPase activity of α3β1 complexes by ∼95%, and Y898R reduced theB max and ATPase activity by ∼60%. The complementary mutations Q904V and R898Y increased the amount of ouabain bound by yeast membranes expressing the chimera with the colon H,K-ATPase sequence. The amount of ouabain bound by complexes assembled between Na,K-ATPase α3 containing the Y898R,C908G mutations and gastric H,K-ATPase β was less than 10% of wild type Na,K-ATPase α3 expressed with the same β subunit. The R898Y,G908C mutations in the chimeric α subunits also increased ouabain binding.
Immune Monitoring of the Circulation and the Tumor Microenvironment in Patients with Regionally Advanced Melanoma Receiving Neoadjuvant Ipilimumab

We evaluated neoadjuvant ipilimumab in patients with surgically operable regionally advanced melanoma in order to define markers of activity in the blood and tumor as assessed at baseline (before ipilimumab) and early on-treatment. Patients were treated with ipilimumab (10 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks ×2 doses) bracketing surgery. Tumor and blood biospecimens were obtained at baseline and at surgery. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry for select biomarkers were performed. Thirty five patients were enrolled; IIIB (3; N2b), IIIC (32; N2c, N3), IV (2). Worst toxicities included Grade 3 diarrhea/colitis (5; 14%), hepatitis (2; 6%), rash (1; 3%), elevated lipase (3; 9%). Median follow up was 18 months: among 33 evaluable patients, median progression free survival (PFS) was 11 months, 95% CI (6.2–19.2). There was a significant decrease in circulating myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Greater decrease in circulating monocyte gate MDSC Lin1−/HLA-DR−/CD33+/CD11b+ was associated with improved PFS (p = 0.03). There was a significant increase in circulating regulatory T cells (Treg; CD4+CD25hi+Foxp3+) that, unexpectedly, was associated with improved PFS (HR = 0.57; p = 0.034). Baseline evidence of fully activated type I CD4+ and CD8+ antigen-specific T cell immunity against cancer-testis (NY-ESO-1) and melanocytic lineage (MART-1, gp100) antigens was detected and was significantly potentiated after ipilimumab. In tumor, there was a significant increase in CD8+ T cells after ipilimumab (p = 0.02). Ipilimumab induced increased tumor infiltration by fully activated (CD69+) CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD8+ T cells with evidence of induction/potentiation of memory T cells (CD45RO+). The change in Treg observed within the tumor showed an inverse relationship with clinical benefit and greater decrease in tumor MDSC subset Lin1−/HLA-DR−/CD33+/CD11b+ was associated with improved PFS at one year. Neoadjuvant evaluation revealed a significant immunomodulating role for ipilimumab on Treg, MDSC and effector T cells in the circulation and tumor microenvironment that warrants further pursuit in the quest for optimizing melanoma immunotherapy.
On Simulating Wiener Integrals and Their Expectations

An approximation scheme for evaluating Wiener integrals by simulating Brownian motion is studied. The rate of convergence and numerical results are given, including an application to the heat equation by using the Feynman-Kac formula.
Kinetic theory of heterogeneous nucleation; effect of nonuniform density in the nuclei.

The heterogenous nucleation of a liquid from a vapor in contact with a planar solid surface or a solid surface with cavities is examined on the basis of the kinetic theory of nucleation developed by Nowakowski and Ruckenstein [J. Phys. Chem. 96 (1992) 2313] which is extended to nonuniform fluid density distribution (FDD) in the nucleus. The latter is determined under the assumption that at each moment the FDD in the nucleus is provided by the density functional theory (DFT) for a nanodrop. As a result of this assumption, the theory does not require to consider that the contact angle which the nucleus makes with the solid surface and the density of the nucleus are independent parameters since they are provided by the DFT. For all considered cases, the nucleation rate is higher in the cavities than on a planar surface and increases with increasing strength of the fluid-solid interactions and decreasing cavity radius. The difference is small at high supersaturations (small critical nuclei), but becomes larger at low supersaturations when the critical nucleus has a size comparable with the size of the cavity. The nonuniformity of the FDD in the nucleus decreases the nucleation rate when compared to the uniform FDD.
A xiphoid approach for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND The premise for adopting minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques for myocardial revascularization is to reduce the patient's morbidity without compromising the efficacy of conventional coronary artery bypass. However, opening the pleura has been a limitation of using these approaches. AIM We used the xiphoid approach as an alternative to opening the pleura and to minimize pain after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS We review our surgical experience in 55 patients who underwent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery through a xiphoid approach between October 1997 and August 1999. Thoracoscopy (n = 31) or direct vision (n = 24) were used for internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting. Mean patient age was 67 +/- 10 years and 65% were men. The mean Parsonnet score was 23 +/- 10. Performed anastomoses included left IMA (LIMA) to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery (n = 53), LIMA-to-LAD and saphenous vein graft from the LIMA to the right coronary artery (n = 1), and LIMA-to-LAD and right IMA (RIMA) to right coronary artery (n = 1). RESULTS Postoperative complications included atrial fibrillation (12%), acute noninfectious pericarditis (12%), and acute renal failure (5%). Mean postoperative length of stay was 4 +/- 2 days. Angiography was performed in 16 patients and demonstrated excellent patency of the anastomoses. There was no operative mortality. Actuarial survival was 98% in a mean follow-up period of 11 +/- 5 months. CONCLUSIONS Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass can be performed safely through a xiphoid approach with low morbidity, mortality, and a relatively short hospital stay.
Use of standardized tests in admissions in postsecondary instituions of higher education.

The use of standardized tests in the admissions process for entry into America's colleges and universities is examined. The roles of the Educational Testing Service and Henry Chauncey receive special emphasis. The ability of standardized tests to predict success in college is reviewed and the impact of considering only right-tail applicants is discussed. The relationship of ethnicity and gender to performance on standardized tests in the college admissions process is studied and the effect of disparate impact is evaluated. A proposal is presented to deal with the effect of standardized testing on diversity in college admissions in the United States. This proposal is informed by the approach taken in the Netherlands as embodied in the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act.
POLYMERIZED SUPRAMOLECULAR ASSEMBLIES

Supramolecular assemblies of amphiphiles include monolayers, bilayers, multilayers, as well as nonlamellar structures. The recent introduction of methods to polymerize supramolecular assemblies has increased the range of chemical and physical stabilities of these new materials. Polymerized supramolecular assemblies offer opportunities to prepare new materials for both biological and materials sciences. Polymerization has proven a valuable probe of the similarities of molecular order within bilayers and multilayers, and to examine the transformation of the first into the latter. It is also possible to initiate the transformation from lamellar to nonlamellar assemblies via polymerization induced processes within the assembly. Examples of each of these types of supramolecular conversions are described.
Modern Relaying for A-C Secondary Network Systems

This paper outlines the application of a new three-phase, single-element induction cylinder network master relay which uses line-to-line connected potential coils. Previous network master relays were three-phase, three-element and employed line-to-neutral connected potential coils. The new relay with line-to-line connected potential coils produces far greater tripping torque during unbalanced primary feeder faults than the older relays with line-to-neutral connected potential coils. Examples are given to show the advantage of the new relay. Modern relays have materially improved tripping characteristics which extend the range of highly leading and lagging currents over which the relays will operate selectively at normal balanced three-phase voltages. The mechanical improvements of the network relays are discussed.
Estimating Non-Gaseous Nitrogen Losses from Established Turf

Preserving the quality of ground water resources has become a serious concern for those responsible for intensively managed turf operations in suburban and rural areas of the humid eastern U.S.A. Nitrate leaching from Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. cv. Baron) and Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. commutata Gaud. cv. Jamestown) turf managed at different fertility levels was estimated and compared with nitrogen (N) loss through clipping removal. Urea was applied at 72, 144 and 288 kg N ha¯¹ yr¯¹ in increments throughout the growing season or as a single treatment in mid-May. Turf intensively managed for eight years was compared with minimally fertilized turf 18 months old. Clippings were collected, analyzed for N and found to contain amounts equivalent to 51 to 102% of the N applied. Percent N recovery in clippings was inversely related to application rate. Nitrate (NO3) leaching during the growing season was estimated from a hydrologic mass balance model and the nitrate content of soil water collec...
Improved MBE Growth Of InGaAs-InAlAs Heterostructures For High-Performance Device Applications

In this paper, we report the improvements in structural quality of the InGaAs-InAlAs heterostructures grown on InP by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The effect of heteroepitaxial growth parameters on modulation-doped n-InAlAs/InGaAs-InP structures is examined by Hall measurement. Practical growth conditions have been developed for device fabrication. Low-temperature (4.2 K) magnetotransport measurement and resonant tunneling spectroscopy are used to characterize the modulation-doped structures and resonant tunneling barrier structures, respectively. Both measurements indicate the high quality of the heterostructures. Barrier height effect on resonant tunneling diode structures is discussed. InAlAs-InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) and high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) have been successfully fabricated on InP in this work.
A Decade of Declamation

THIS year marks the tenth anniversary of a significant event in the annals of the German department and the Deutscher Verein of Rutgers University. Convinced of the pedagogical value of declamation and oral recitation in the learning of the German language, the writer decided, just ten years ago, to conduct a public exposition of an activity which had been carried on for several years with success in the elementary classes; namely, the recital of German poems and prose selections in competition before a meeting of the Deutscher Verein. About fifteen students, representing almost every German class, took part. As a stimulus to encourage participation and a high degree of performance, half-a-dozen German books donated by faculty members and interested friends were offered as prizes. Each participant was permitted also to deliver his selection, as a recitation, before his own class. The enthusiasm with which the project was taken up by the students was encouraging. The faculty of the German department felt that the memorization of a German poem or a prose selection and its delivery before an audience, with the requisite training in presentation, in pronunciation, enunciation and interpretation, was a worth-while endeavor; accordingly, the Oratorical Contest became an annual affair. From the first, local clergymen of German churches, prominent German citizens, G erman exchange students, and faculty members outside of the German department, were invited to serve as judges. The standards of judgment have varied somewhat from year to year. Pronunciation has always been held to be of primary importance. In their turn, memorization, enunciation, interpretation, gestures, the length of the selection, yes, even the number of years the contestant had studied German were taken into consideration. This year the criteria of judgment were limited to three: pronunciation, memorization, and interpretation. We feel that this simplification, with its sole emphasis on excellence of presentation, has increased the value and enhanced the prestige of the contest. For several years, the students of our sister institution, the New Jersey College for Women, were invited to participate. But difficulties in scheduling the contest at a time convenient to the representatives of both colleges, perhaps aggravated by the natural superiority in declamation of the genus femina, brought about a discontinuance of this feature of the contest during the past few years. This year, however, an intercollegiate aspect was given
Dynamic surface control of a piezoelectric fuel injector during rate shaping

Abstract Fuel injection rate shaping is a strategy to improve fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions in diesel engines. Due to their fast response, piezoelectric fuel injectors are capable of rate shaping operation. This paper describes a model-based closed-loop controller of injection flow rate for a piezoelectric fuel injector. This within-an-engine-cycle control strategy utilizes a dynamic surface control scheme and shows an injection flow rate tracking capability. Practical issues with LabVIEW FPGA control implementation are also addressed. The performance of the controller is verified with simulation and experimental results at different rail pressures and desired injection rates. The experiments show a maximum error of total fuel per one injection event of 2.5%. A stability analysis is also included.
Patterns of cell loss in Huntington's disease

Abstract The key neuropathological features of Huntington's disease (HD) are neuronal loss and astroglial proliferation in the striatum. Despite the lack of specificity of cell loss seen with traditional histological methods, the degenerative process in HD is not uniformly expressed in all neuronal classes. Aspiny interneurons, such as those that contain the peptides somatostatin and neuropeptide Y, and the enzyme NADPH diaphorase, are spared, whereas spiny projecting neurons show early morphological changes. We have reproduced this differential neuronal involvement by injecting rat striatum with quinolinic acid, a naturally occurring excitotoxin. If such a neurotoxin is responsible for neuronal loss in HD, pharmacological blockade may prevent development of the disease in asymptomatic, at risk, patients.
Stimulation of the mouse hepatic microsomal aniline p-hydroxylases by acetone and polyamines

The effects of acetone +/- spermine on the high (AH-I) and low (AH-II) affinity forms of aniline hydroxylases in the mouse hepatic microsomes were investigated under in vitro conditions. The addition of either acetone or spermine alone stimulated both AH-I and AH-II activities at low concentration while some decline in stimulation was noted at higher concentrations. In the presence of both the modifiers the observed monoxygenation rates were greater than those produced by any one enhancer alone for AH-I and more than additive for AH-II. The results suggest that the enhancement of aniline p-hydroxylation by the acetone and spermine in the mouse hepatic microsomes involves at least two separate and possibly interdependent mechanisms.
Cooperative sensor calibration: Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) neutral mass spectrometer and total pressure sensor

The certainty with which low density gas measurements can be made on a space based platform is improved by cooperative sensor calibration. The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) spacecraft has a suite of 10 contamination monitoring instruments for measuring particulates and gases. Two of these sensors (the Total Pressure Sensor (TPS) and the Neutral Mass Spectrometer (NMS), are specifically designed to measure pressure and are located and directed in a fashion which allows for cross characterization. By their very nature, contamination instruments are difficult to test for accuracy after launch. They are intended to provide the scientific community with a measurement of spacecraft outgassing (in order to validate MSX contamination models and the effectiveness of the contamination control plan) and environmental species. Since neither environment nor spacecraft outgassing is precisely known, an accurate calibration source is not available. Consequently, the best method of verifying flight performance is the comparison of measurements by similar instruments. The early mission environment will provide an opportunity to compare the instrument performance in Argon, Water, and Helium. The stand alone calibration and cross characterization results for the TPS and NMS will be presented.
Positioning models in marketing: Toward a normative-integrated model

In this paper we argue that the optimal use of positioning models employed in marketing communication (e.g., multiattribute attitude models, self-image congruence models) is a function of situational factors such as product utilitarianism and product value-expressiveness. A normative model is introduced to show how positioning models can be used effectively.
Feedback–feedforward control of offshore platforms under random waves

This study investigates the control of jacket-type offshore platforms. The deck displacement of jacket-type offshore platforms can be controlled using both passive and active control mechanisms. Among the passive control mechanisms, a tuned mass damper concept is studied in this paper. Active control mechanisms considered here include the active mass damper, the active tendon mechanism and the propeller thruster. An optimal frequency domain approach to active control of wave-excited platforms is used in which the H2 norm of the transfer function from the external disturbance to the regulated output is minimized. In this study, the hydrodynamic drag force is evaluated using the JONSWAP wave spectrum. Unlike conventional linearization approaches, the influence of non-linearity in the drag force is retained in this scheme by expressing the non-linear force components in terms of higher-order convolutions of the water-particle velocities. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this scheme, the platform performance with and without control devices under different sea states is evaluated. It is demonstrated that the control devices are useful in reducing the displacement response of jacket-type offshore platforms, especially when the wave forces are concentrated at frequencies close to the natural frequencies of the platform. This becomes especially significant in deep waters because the natural frequencies of jacket-type platforms fall closer to the dominant wave frequencies in deep waters. Adding control devices to deep water platforms will ensure a reduction both in the global response of the platform and in localized effects, such as the fatigue of welded joints. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Duration of arterial sounds

Abstract Arterial sounds were recorded on forty-five subjects during indirect blood pressure measurements. In normal subjects the sounds increased in duration as cuff pressure fell, becoming maximal at approximately 20 mm. Hg below the systolic level. As the cuff pressure continued to fall, the sounds became shorter and were relatively muffled at the diastolic pressure level. Repeated clenching of the fist induced a local arteriolar vasodilatation in the ischemic extremity, and the arterial sounds were of greater duration, with a maximum at about 30 mm. Hg below the systolic value. The relation between the systolic pressure and the point of maximal duration of the sounds was the same in normotensive and hypertensive patients. Induced reactive hyperemia eliminated the muffling phase of the vibrations and the sounds could be heard clearly until they ended abruptly at the diastolic level. When the blood flow into the extremity was diminished, all the sounds were of short duration. The phases, mechanisms and clinical utility of the arterial sounds are discussed.
Polymerization of aniline using mixed oxidizers

Abstract Potentiometric and calorimetric measurements on aniline polymerized by persulfate reveal an induction period, which may be decreased or eliminated by the addition of ceric (Ce IV ) ion. The addition of the second oxidizer appears to promote nucleation. The molecular weight and electrical conductivity of the resulting polyaniline were measured. Substantial shortening of the reaction time and improvement of polymer conductivity may be realized with the addition of 0.1–1% Ce IV co-oxidizer in the standard polymerization technique using persulfate. Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy of polymer solutions suggests that significant oxidative degradation is responsible for poor conductivity of polymer made using large amounts of Ce IV .
MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND SPECIFIC HEAT STUDY ON THE NONMAGNETIC TO MAGNETIC TRANSITION IN URh3Bx (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) SYSTEM

Mesures de parametres cristallins, de susceptibilite, de chaleur massique et de resistivite. Interpretation des resultats en termes de deshybridation 5f−V 4d−Rh induite par l'addition de bore
A study of the 220 MHz proton resonance spectra for a series of biologically important acridine-type heterocycles†

The high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectra of acridine, phenazine, phenoxazine and phenothiazine have been measured at 220 MHz in various solvents and at several temperatures. Spectra for all four molecules were analyzed iteratively and good agreement was obtained between observed and calculated spectra. Significant differences are noted between the coupling constants and chemical shifts of acridine and phenazine on the one hand and phenoxazine and phenothiazine on the other. These differences are attributed to a nonplanar heterocyclic ring conformation for phenoxazine and phenothiazine in solution. Moreover, it is concluded from the temperature measurements that the heterocyclic rings of phenoxazine and phenothiazine are conformationally flexible in the range covered. Possible mechanisms are suggested for the chemical shift and coupling constant changes.
Behavioral Differences Among Four Co-Occurring Species of Container Mosquito Larvae: Effects of Depth and Resource Environments

Mosquito larvae often exhibit different behaviors depending on the aspects of the aquatic environment, including the presence of different physical factors and detrital food sources. Regardless of these physical differences, different genera also devote different amounts of time to different behaviors. To determine if differences existed among four focal mosquito species (Aedes albopictus (Singh), Aedes triseriatus (Say), Culex quinquefasciatus (Say), Culex coronator Dyar & Knab), we recorded behaviors under different food environments (animal detritus, leaf detritus, and inoculum + inert material) and depths (shallow and deep). Based on past work, we predicted that larval mosquitoes in the genus Culex would spend more time filtering or resting at the surface of containers, whereas Aedes mosquitoes would spend more time browsing on surfaces. Behaviors were recorded for 30 min and were used to generate instantaneous scan census of behavior (thrashing, browsing, and resting or filtering) and locations (top, middle, bottom, wall, and detritus) of each larva every minute. There were significant differences in behaviors among the three detritus types and the four species (Culex generally different than Aedes), as well as a significant interaction between depth and detritus type. Consistent with predictions, Culex species spent more time filtering or resting, whereas Aedes larvae spent more time browsing on detritus. However, all four species changed their behavior similarly among the different environments, and Cx. coronator exhibited some similar behaviors as the two Aedes species. These behavioral differences may aid in explaining performance differences between different species and outcomes of interspecific encounters, which in turn can affect adult emergence and patterns of disease.
Self-control desensitization with a multi-phobic boy: a multiple baseline design.

Abstract We investigated the effectiveness of Goldfried's (1971) self-control desensitization in eliminating multiple phobias in a 12-yr-old boy. Treatment effects were assessed via a multiple baseline design across fears of separation, travel and illness. Dependent measures included behavioral observations of fear-related verbal comments as well as Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) scores (administered at pre-, post-, and follow-up assessment periods). Results indicated marked reductions in fear-related verbalizations within each fear category following intervention. These findings were corroborated by the FSS and maintained at 1-yr follow-up. Hence, the study provides experimental support for the clinical merit of self-control desensitization as an effective, economical treatment for multi-phobic children.
Familialism, Social Support, and Stress: Positive Implications for Pregnant Latinas

This study examined the association of familialism, a cultural value that emphasizes close family relationships, with social support, stress, pregnancy anxiety, and infant birth weight. Foreign-born Latina (n = 31), U.S.-born Latina (n = 68), and European American (n = 166) women living in the United States participated in a prospective study of pregnancy in which they completed measures of familialism, social support, stress, and pregnancy anxiety during their second trimester. As expected, Latinas scored higher on familialism than European Americans. Familialism was positively correlated with social support and negatively correlated with stress and pregnancy anxiety in the overall sample. As predicted, however, the associations of familialism with social support and stress were significantly stronger among Latinas than European Americans. Moreover, higher social support was associated with higher infant birth weight among foreign-born Latinas only. Implications of cultural values for relationships and health are discussed.
A 25,000‐year history for Lake Victoria, East Africa, and some comments on its significance for the evolution of cichlid fishes

SUMMARY. 1. Microfossil and X-ray analyses of sediment cores from Lake Victoria. East Africa, reveal a history of dramatically shifting environmental conditions over the last 25,000 years. 2. The diatom record of a 10 m core collected from beneath 66 m of water at an offshore station extends the known history of the lake 10,000 years beyond the published records from Pilkington Bay and Damba Channel, and shows that maximal late Pleistocene aridity occurred between 15,000 and 13,000 bp. Lack of precipitated carbonates in the offshore sediments suggests that the lake remained relatively dilute throughout the period of record. 3. There is no evidence that the lake level fell low enough to confine fishes to refugia in small isolated ponds or around river mouths.
STRUCTURAL CRASHWORTHINESS STANDARDS COMPARISON: GRADE-CROSSING COLLISION SCENARIOS

In support of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Equipment Safety Program, American and European grade-crossing collision scenarios were evaluated and compared. Finite element analyses (FEA) were employed to subject an FRA-compliant passenger car to grade-crossing collision scenarios defined in both the proposed FRA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and European Standard (EN) 15227. The proposed FRA collision scenario involved a single car impacted by a cart. The cart had a punch mounted to it to hit a specific post of the end frame of the car. The EN 15227 collision scenario involved a complete train consist impacting a large deformable obstacle that approximates a lorry. The analyses show that these collision scenarios, while both grade-crossing scenarios, are very different not only in terms of the impact object and the amount of initial kinetic energy involved, but also in terms of how the car is loaded and deformed during impact. The FRA scenario is shown to be easier to analyze as well as easier to test than the EN 15227 scenario. Additionally, the FRA scenario is safer to test because of the levels of initial energy involved. The FRA scenario also provides clearer metrics of success. The FRA-compliant car utilized in the analyses and test conducted for this paper passed both FRA and EN 15227 grade-crossing collision scenarios according to the requirements for each respective standard. However, the analyses show that despite both scenarios providing for energy absorption in a grade-crossing collision, because the manner in which the car is loaded and deformed (concentrated vs. distributed) is different, the FRA performance standard and EN 15227 grade-crossing collision scenarios are not equivalent and mutual compliance is not guaranteed.
Integrator forwarding control laws for some classes of linearizable feedforward systems

In a companion paper (Krstic, "Feedforward systems linearizable by coordinate change," ACC'04) we revealed that the family of feedforward systems contains a substantial class that is linearizable by a diffeomorphic coordinate change. We present two subclasses for which explicit control formulae can be derived. Our procedures follow the general integrator forwarding algorithm of Sepulchre-Jankovic-Kokotovic but avoid the requirements to solve (analytically) a series of nonlinear ODEs and to compute (analytically) a series of integrals with respect to time.