cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of atomic hydrogen on Cu(II)bishexafluoroacetylacetonate interactions with a TiN surface

Abstract Cu(II)bishexafluoroacetylacetonate [Cu(II)(hfac)2] adsorbed onto a partially oxidized TiN substrate [TiN(O)] is reduced to Cu(0) by exposure to atomic deuterium at 450 K. Initial precursor interaction with the TiN(O) surface at 450 K results in an ad-layer consisting of Cu(I)hfac and hfac. Subsequent exposure to atomic deuterium at 450 K results in volatilization of organic species and reduction of Cu(I) to Cu(0). This reduction is concurrent with the removal of 50% of the Cu atoms from the surface. This indicates that the reduction involves a disproportionation of adsorbed Cu(I) species to yield adsorbed Cu(0) and a volatile Cu(II) species. The disproportionation is not observed in the absence of atomic deuterium and volatilization of adsorbed hfac. Atomic deuterium also removes adventitious carbon from a TiN(O) surface prior to precursor exposure. The removal of carbon is accompanied by substantial reduction of Ti(IV) to Ti(II) within the substrate surface region. Diffusion of Cu into the cleaned TiN(O) substrate begins above 450 K, but only becomes significant as the sample is heated above 750 K in ultra-high vacuum. These results indicate that atomic-hydrogen-assisted CVD is effective at inhibiting organic contamination at the Cu/TiN interface, and does not significantly degrade the diffusion barrier properties of the TiN substrate.
Oxidative Stress and Hypertension

In the past 20 years, it has become clear that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the development of hypertension via myriad effects. While ROS are essential for normal cell function, they mediate pathological changes in the brain, the kidney and blood vessels associated with the genesis of chronic hypertension.
Influence of film morphology on thin film ferromagnetism

Abstract Cobalt, nickel and their alloy, Co1Ni9, films were epitaxially grown on Cu(100) under different growth conditions and subsequent treatments and studied using surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) in an attempt to understand the effects of film morphology on the magnetic properties. CO contamination can significantly reduce the magnetization and Curie temperature. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) shows that CO desorbs at 422 K from Ni and 410 K from Co1Ni9 at a heating rate of 6 K per minute. Annealing the films below 450 K produces smooth and clean films with stable magnetic behavior. However, annealing at higher temperatures results in Cu segregation and island formation leading to the finite-size ferromagnetic or even superparamagnetic behavior.
Reproducing Kernel Particle Methods for large deformation analysis of non-linear structures

Abstract Large deformation analysis of non-linear elastic and inelastic structures based on Reproducing Kernel Particle Methods (RKPM) is presented. The method requires no explicit mesh in computation and therefore avoids mesh distortion difficulties in large deformation analysis. The current formulation considers hyperelastic and elasto-plastic materials since they represent path-independent and path-dependent material behaviors, respectively. In this paper, a material kernel function and an RKPM material shape function are introduced for large deformation analysis. The support of the RKPM material shape function covers the same set of particles during material deformation and hence no tension instability is encountered in the large deformation computation. The essential boundary conditions are introduced by the use of a transformation method. The transformation matrix is formed only once at the initial stage if the RKPM material shape functions are employed. The appropriate integration procedures for the moment matrix and its derivative are studied from the standpoint of reproducing conditions. In transient problems with an explicit time integration method, the lumped mass matrices are constructed at nodal coordinate so that masses are lumped at the particles. Several hyperelasticity and elasto-plasticity problems are studied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The numerical results indicated that RKPM handles large material distortion more effectively than finite elements due to its smoother shape functions and, consequently, provides a higher solution accuracy under large deformation. Unlike the conventional finite element approach, the nodal spacing irregularity in RKPM does not lead to irregular mesh shape that significantly deteriorates solution accuracy. No volumetric locking is observed when applying non-linear RKPM to nearly incompressible hyperelasticity and perfect plasticity problems. Further, model adaptivity in RKPM can be accomplished simply by adding more points in the highly deformed areas without remeshing.
A freeze‐fracture study of the maturation of synapses in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the developing rat

The freeze-fracture technique was used to study the maturation of the postsynaptic membrane of spherical cells of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) of the developing rat brain. Observations were made at 2-day intervals from birth to 16 days of age. At all ages, the external leaflet (E-face) of the spherical cell membrane has aggregates of particles opposite presynaptic active zones. From birth to 6 days of age, these particle aggregates were found only on dendritic processes, not on the cell body. At 8 days of age, the aggregates were found on small somatic appendages and on the cell body adjacent to somatic appendages. In animals from 10 to 12 days of age, particle aggregates became increasingly common on the cell body. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a decrease in size but not packing density of the particles in the aggregates. These changes in the location and size of the aggregates correspond to the location of asymmetrical synapses seen in thin section material at these same time intervals (Neises et al., 1982). At 14 days the fracture plane no longer followed the postsynaptic membrane at the active zone; instead it shifted to the presynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic specializations were rarely seen. This fracture pattern is typical of adult animals.
The Use of Mössbauer Spectroscopy in Iron Coordination Chemistry

The application of Mossbauer spectroscopy to the study of iron compounds has received a great deal of interest since the discovery of the isomer shift (chemical shift) by Kistner and Sunyar [1]. The earlier work has been reviewed by several authors [2–7].
Cosmology and the pilot wave interpretation of quantum mechanics

Abstract Bell has recently revived the pilot wave interpretation of de Broglie and Bohm as a possible scheme for interpreting wave functions in quantum cosmology. I argue that the pilot wave interpretation cannot be applied consistently to systems whose wave functions split into macroscopically distinguishable states. At some stage the pilot wave interpretation must either tacitly invoke wave function reduction in the same manner as the Copenhagen interpretation, or else abandon locality by requiring physical particles to move faster than light. Consequently, the many-worlds interpretation is the only known realist interpretation of the quantum mechanical formalism which can be extended to quantum cosmology.
Epistemological Culture Theory: A Micro Theory of the Origin and Maintenance of Culture*:

This paper presents a new “epistemological” theory of culture that explains how individuals enhance their sense of security in the world by creating and maintaining culture as knowledge of the world. Using cognitive and affective processes previously ignored by culture theorists, the theory posits three dimensions of cultural production: we articulate, typify, and orient our experiences to make them meaningful. The theory asserts that we produce culture because it allows us to feel as if we understand our world, and to perceive it as ordered; this in turn triggers an aesthetic response of knowledge-based affect. The theory explains how cultural production is motivated by the pursuit of meaningfulness as well as material interests. The theory describes how an oppressive culture can be reproduced unintentionally, even by the groups it oppresses. The theory also identifies connections between social structure and culture where conditions of ambiguity or control have implications for how meaning can be created.
Capacity Planning for Dynamic Inter-Data Center Networking via Erlang Modeling

Data center virtualization and cloud service delivery models are driving the need for Network-as-a-Service offerings. This paper proposes a method for dimensioning networks for such services via Erlang modeling. Dynamic service adjustment and network orchestration are shown to achieve a major reduction in transport capacity requirements.
An energy-based localization theory: II. Effects of the diffusion, inertia, and dissipation numbers

Abstract The basic framework for an energy-based theory of localization in dynamic viscoplasticity was recently developed by Cherukuri and Shawki [1994]. In this framework, the total kinetic energy serves as a single parameter for the characterization of the full localization history. A characteristic evolution profile of the kinetic energy was shown to correspond to a localizing deformation. Here, the energy-based characterization of localization is implemented toward the improved understanding of the mechanics of shear band formation. In particular, the influence of three primary dimensionless groups on localization is examined. These groups are referred to as the inertia number, the diffusion number, and the dissipation number. The limits of applicability of the quasistatic assumption as well as the adiabatic deformation assumption are also addressed. Computational evidence indicates that the dissipation number plays a significant role in determining the material localization sensitivity.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of the rate of solvent equilibration in the hanging drop method of protein crystal growth

The principles of the hanging-drop method of crystal growth are discussed, and the rate of water evaporation in a water droplet (containing protein, buffer, and a precipitating agent) suspended above a well containing a double concentration of precipitating agent is investigated theoretically. It is shown that, on earth, the rate of evaporation may be determined from diffusion theory and the colligative properties of solutions. The parameters affecting the rate of evaporation include the temperature, the vapor pressure of water, the ionization constant of the salt, the volume of the drop, the contact angle between the droplet and the coverslip, the number of moles of salt in the droplet, the number of moles of water and salt in the well, the molar volumes of water and salt, the distance from the droplet to the well, and the coefficient of diffusion of water vapor through air. To test the theoretical equations, hanging-drop experiments were conducted using various reagent concentrations in 25-microliter droplets and measuring the evaporation times at 4 C and 25 C. The results showed good agreement with the theory.
Readout Characteristics of an Advanced SIL System of High NA for the Near Field Optical Storage with Cover Layer Media

An improved concept of advanced SIL and OL of NA 1.7 was designed and manufactured to achieve wider assembling tolerances and better signal quality. Clear readout signals were measured from ROM media with cover layer.
Mutations in the Escherichia coli Tus Protein Define a Domain Positioned Close to the DNA in the Tus-Ter Complex

A new genetic screen for mutations in the tus gene of Escherichia coli has been devised that selects for Tus proteins with altered ability to arrest DNA replication. We report here the characterization of three such mutants: TusP42S, TusE49K, and TusH50Y. TusP42S and TusE49K arrest DNA replication in vivo at 36% of the efficiency of wild-type Tus, whereas TusH50Y functions at 78% efficiency. The loss of replication arrest activity did not correlate with changes in the stability of the Tus-TerB complexes formed by the mutant proteins. TusE49K formed a more stable protein-DNA complex than wild-type Tus (t1/2 of 178 versus 149 min, respectively) and TusP42 had a 9-min half-life, yet these two mutants showed identical efficiencies for replication arrest. When tested in vitro using a helicase assay or an oriC replication system, we observed a general, but imperfect, correlation between the in vivo and in vitro assays. Finally, the half-lives of the mutant protein-DNA complexes suggested that the domain of Tus where these mutations are located is positioned close to the DNA in the Tus-Ter complex.
SHOULD THE PELVIS BE INCLUDED IN ABDOMINAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCANS OF CHILDREN WITH UPPER-ABDOMINAL PRIMARY MALIGNANT TUMORS?

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing awareness of the potential risk associated with ionizing radiation in pediatric radiology. Children with abdominal cancer undergo multiple computed tomography (CT) scans both at diagnosis and for follow-up. OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the potential contribution of pelvis CT findings in the management of children with upper-abdominal tumors in correlation with the effective radiation dose. METHODS: Three hundred forty-two children (aged 1 day to 16 years) with histologically proven upper-abdominal primary malignant tumors (children with lymphoma were not included) were examined during the last 15 years in our department. Their upper- and lower-abdominal CT scans were reviewed retrospectively for clinically significant pelvic abnormalities. The effective radiation dose for each abdominal area was calculated. RESULTS: Nine children (2.63%) showed CT pelvic abnormalities that did not change clinical management, and 7 (2.04%) showed findings that affected tumor staging. Thirty-nine percent of the total effective radiation dose was from pelvic CT scans. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that clinically significant pelvic CT findings are rare in children with upper-abdominal primary malignant tumors. We suggest that the pelvis should not be routinely included in abdominal CT scans unless indicated by other clinical or laboratory findings, given the high level of effective radiation dose. Submitted by Maria Zarifi
Molecular Vibrations of Low Temperature Crystal of CO

A method is presented for finding the frequency distributions of lattice vibrations of the molecular crystals. The method is applied to solid carbon monoxide at low temperatures, making use of the observed far-infrared frequencies to check some of the molecular interaction constants, and frequency distributions are calculated. The values of heat capacity at low temperatures are evaluated using the calculated frequency distributions, and are compared with experimental data. The result shows that the treatment may be useful in discussing molecular vibrations in the lattice at low temperatures.
Operating Room Efficiency and Hospital Capacity: Factors Affecting Operating Room Use During Maximum Hospital Census

Background Academic medical centers are faced with increasing volumes, higher acuity, and, as a consequence, capacity issues. These affect operating room (OR) use and patient throughput, with negative impact on finances and patient and physician satisfaction. We evaluated our experiences in dealing with OR efficiency at a time of maximum hospital capacity and occupancy. Study Design Using a multidisciplinary approach, we put in place seven agreed-upon strategies: daily communication, improved bed planning, discharge by noon program, internal staffing pool, special assignments for a patient transition unit, incentives, and stepped up environmental services. Results After institution of these strategies, we were able to realize a gain in OR patient volume of 8% and a decrease in OR holds of 37%. This resulted in a decrease in canceled OR cases from 4.3% to 3.1%. Conclusions Academic medical centers face occupancy issues that are not likely to go away and will have an impact on OR volume and productivity. To improve the situation in a short-term fashion, a multidisciplinary approach involving several strategies will be needed.
Unsteady Calibration of Fast-Response Pressure Probes, Part 1: Theoretical Studies

Recent advances in miniaturization of pressure transducers, including microelectromechanical systems technology, have provided miniature, high-bandwidth pressure transducers and transducer arrays well suited for fast-response, multihole probes. The miniature size of these arrays enables a design in which the transducers are embedded in, or close to, the probe tip while maintaining a tip diameter of 1‐2 mm. Although the frequency response of such a probe is excellent, there are several unresolved issues pertaining to fluid inertia-related unsteady aerodynamic effects on probe calibration. As a result of these effects, when the probe is used in a dynamically changing flowfield a quasi-steady probe calibration can no longer be used to resolve the instantaneous velocity vector. We present theoretical analysis of these effects and formulate methods of calibrating multihole, fast-response probes for use in unsteady flows in order to accurately resolve the instantaneous velocity vector. The main objective of the theoretical analysis is to study and quantify the dependence of the probe measured pressures on the magnitude of the flow inertial effects in terms of properly formulated nondimensional parameters, as well as allow a direct comparison of theory and experiment. Among the contributions of this work, it was particularly interesting to find that proper definition of the nondimensional, flow-angle-dependent pressure coefficients renders them insensitive to unsteady effects. This has the significant ramification that the steady calibration of these coefficients can be also used in unsteady flowfields for the calculation of the flow angles. Calculation of the velocity magnitude, however, requires quantification of and correction for the fluid inertial effects.
The Effects of Uncertainty on Optimal Nitrogen Applications

Optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates for risk-neutral producers may increase if uncertainty about the weather or uncertainty about soil nitrogen levels exist. Decision criteria such as, "fertilizing for the good years" or "applying a little extra fertilizer just in case it is needed," may be consistent with expected profit maximization. These results contrast with the standard prescription that producers should reduce fertilizer applications because nitrogen fertilizer typically increases yield variance. The motivation for increasing nitrogen fertilizer applications is self-protection: farmers find it profitable to reduce the probability that they might be "caught short" of fertilizer.
Evidence for pH sensitivity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha release by alveolar macrophages.

Alveolar macrophages (mφ) participate in inflammatory and immune responses in acidic microenvironments such as the interstitial fluids of tumors and abscesses. Two plasmalemmal H+ extruders interact to control the acid-base status of alveolar mφ, namely a V-type H+ pump (V-ATPase) and a Na+/H+ exchanger. The present study examined the effects of extracellular pH (pHo) and H+ transport inhibitors on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) release induced by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) in rabbit alveolar mφ. The amount and activity of TNF-α in mφ-conditioned media were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and L929 fibroblast bioassay, respectively. TNF-α release was suppressed progressively at lower pHo values (≤7.0). Also, bafilomycin A1 (a specific inhibitor of V-ATPases) significantly reduced the amount and activity of TNF-α in mφ-conditioned media (pHo 7.4). However, bafilomycin caused a significant increase in the nonspecific cytotoxicity (i.e. bioactivity insensitive to TNF-α antibody) of mφ-conditioned media. The effects of bafilomycin specifically on TNF-α release followed a time course similar to that of acidic pHo, suggesting that both treatments acted on similar events in the lipopolysaccharide signal transduction pathway. Amiloride (an inhibitor of Na+ transporters including the Na+/H+ exchanger) also suppressed TNF-α release but displayed a time course of action different from the acidic pHo or bafilomycin.
Motility contrast imaging of live porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes

Freshly-harvested porcine oocytes are invested with cumulus granulosa cells in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The cumulus cell layer is usually too thick to image the living oocyte under a conventional microscope. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the oocyte viability. The low success rate of implantation is the main problem for in vitro fertilization. In this paper, we demonstrate our dynamic imaging technique called motility contrast imaging (MCI) that provides a non-invasive way to monitor the COCs before and after maturation. MCI shows a change of intracellular activity during oocyte maturation, and a measures dynamic contrast between the cumulus granulosa shell and the oocytes. MCI also shows difference in the spectral response between oocytes that were graded into quality classes. MCI is based on shortcoherence digital holography. It uses intracellular motility as the endogenous imaging contrast of living tissue. MCI presents a new approach for cumulus-oocyte complex assessment.
Fate of Abstracts Presented at the 2009 American Transplant Congress

Introduction Oral and poster presentations at major meetings serve to rapidly present and share study results with the scientific community. On the other hand, full-text publication of abstracts in peer-reviewed journals provides dissemination of knowledge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the publication rate of abstracts presented at the 2009 American Transplant Congress (ATC), to assess the factors influencing publication and determine the impact factor of these journals. Methods All abstracts presented at the 2009 ATC were included in the study. A Pubmed-Medline search was performed to identify a matching journal article. Topics, country of origin, study type, study center and publication year were tabulated. Journals and impact factors of publication were noted. Results Out of 1938 oral and posters abstracts presented, 103 (16.6%) of oral abstracts and 141 poster abstracts (10.9%) were published as full-text articles. Publication rates according to topics of the meeting and country of origin did demonstrate statistical significant differences (p Conclusion The publication rate for abstracts of this 2009 ATC was lower than rates from other fields of medicine. Factors leading to failure require elucidation. Encouraging authors to submit their presentations for full-text publication might improve the rate of publication. Authors should be wary of accepting oral and poster abstracts as dogma; authors should refrain from citing them in publications especially if they are from outside United States and are about liver and kidney transplantation.
Vimentin Immunohistochemistry in Human Fetal Brain: Methods of Standard Incubation versus Thermal Intensification Achieve Different Objectives

Vimentin is transiently expressed in many cells of neuroectodermal origin in the fetal central nervous system and may be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in paraffin sections. Traditional methods incubate antibodies with tissue sections at room temperature, but boiling the incubating solution in a microwave oven enhances antigen retrieval and greatly intensifies immunoreactivity. This study compares vimentin immunoreactivity using various dilutions of a commercial monoclonal antibody and various incubation conditions including room temperature, overnight at 4°C, and after heating to boiling either in a microwave oven or on a hot plate. Fifteen fetal brains and spinal cords were examined, ranging in age from 8 to 24 wk gestation. Normal brains of four term or near-term neonates and two with hypoxic/ischemic lesions were also studied. Hot plate and microwave heating were equivalent. No differences in immunoreactivity could be attributed to gestational age per se. Boiling for 10 min in a microwave oven at a dilution of 1:200 is recommended for the enhanced demonstration of fetal histological structures such as radial glial fibers, but it is not recommended for studies of maturational gradients of cellular vimentin that differ at each gestational age, as in fetal ependymal cells or during the conversion of radial glia to mature astrocytes. For semiquantitative developmental studies, vimentin incubation at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator is recommended at a dilution of 1:25 or 1:50 to avoid misinterpretation of apparent excessive staining after thermal intensification. Recommendations of commercial suppliers focus on the identification of neoplastic cells and must be modified to demonstrate subtle developmental changes in fetal tissues.
Difficulties in Eliminating Measles and Controlling Rubella and Mumps: A Cross-Sectional Study of a First Measles and Rubella Vaccination and a Second Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination

Background The reported coverage of the measles–rubella (MR) or measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine is greater than 99.0% in Zhejiang province. However, the incidence of measles, mumps, and rubella remains high. In this study, we assessed MMR seropositivity and disease distribution by age on the basis of the current vaccination program, wherein the first dose of MR is administered at 8 months and the second dose of MMR is administered at 18–24 months.
Line sources of instability waves in a Blasius boundary layer

Numerical solutions of the instability wave pattern behind a harmonic point source in a Blasius boundary layer are used to form line sources by superposition. For infinite-length spanwise line sources of constant amplitude and phase, the result is just the two-dimensional normal mode of the same frequency; for a sinusoidal amplitude or linear phase distribution, the result is an oblique normal mode of the same spanwise wavenumber. A finite-length spanwise source simulates a vibrating ribbon. In a study of the influence of the source length on the downstream amplitude, the effective field of view is found to have a half-angle of about 16 deg. If the source tips are within this field, the amplitude may be either greater than or less than the comparable normal-mode amplitude, depending on the distance from the source and the spanwise location. For an oblique line source, the downstream wave development at each spanwise location is found to be close to, but not identical with, that of an oblique normal mode which originates at the source with the initial wave angle of the source and satisfies the irrotationality condition on the wavenumber vector.
Promoter sequence containing (CT)n.(GA)n repeats is critical for the formation of the DNase I hypersensitive sites in the Drosophila hsp26 gene.

We have analyzed P-element-transformed lines carrying hsp26/lacZ transgenes with various deletions and substitutions within the Drosophila melanogaster hsp26 promoter region in order to identify the sequences required for the formation of the DNase I hypersensitive sites (DH sites). DH sites are generally found associated with promoters and enhancer elements of active and inducible eukaryotic genes, and are thought to be nucleosome-free regions of DNA that interact with regulatory proteins and the transcriptional machinery. There are two major DH sites located within the promoter region of the hsp26 gene, centered at −50 and at −350 (relative to the hsp26 transcription start site). The sequences from −135 to −85, which contain (CT)n · (GA)n repeats, contribute significantly to the formation of the DH sites in the hsp26 promoter region. Deletion or substitution of this (CT)n region drastically reduces the accessibility of the DNA at these sites to DNase I. This reduction in accessibility was quantified by measuring the susceptibility of the DNA within nuclei to cleavage at a restriction site within the DH site. In addition to the (CT)n region and the promoter at −85 to +11 (region P), one of two other regions must be present for effective creation of the DH sites: sequences between −351 and −135 (region A), or sequences between +11 and +632 (region D). Disruption of the wild-type chromatin structure, as assayed by the loss of accessibility to the DH sites, is correlated with a decrease in inducible transcriptional activity, even when the TATA box and heat shock regulatory elements are present in their normal positions.
Recovery of Edwardsiella ictaluri from danio (Danio devario).

Abstract A disease outbreak in the danio ( Danio devario ) resulted in the isolation of Edwardsiella ictaluri as the etiologic agent. This isolate was compared with typical E. ictaluri and found to give identical reactions. It was also pathogenic for channel catfish. This is the second isolation of E. ictaluri from non-ictalurid fish.
Nd:MgO:LiNbO 3 continuous-wave laser pumped by a laser diode

Diode-pumped laser oscillation was achieved in Nd:MgO:LiNbO3. The absorbed pump power thresholds were as low as 1.9 mW for the high-gain or π polarization and 8 mW for the low-gain polarization. A cw output power of 2 mW was obtained for the π polarization at λ = 1.085 μm for 9 mW of absorbed pump power. A slope efficiency of 37% was achieved. The diode-pumped Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 lasers operated for extended periods of time without exhibiting any reduction in output power.
Fetomaternal cell traffic, pregnancy-associated progenitor cells, and autoimmune disease

Fetal cells in maternal blood are a potential source of fetal genetic material that can be obtained non-invasively. Efforts to isolate these cells from maternal peripheral blood are limited by their low circulating numbers (approximately 1 per ml of maternal blood in euploid pregnancies). Expansion of these cells by culture would provide more cells for diagnosis and give an opportunity to study fetal metaphase chromosomes. Despite extensive optimization of culture conditions, many groups have failed reproducibly to grow fetal cells from pre-procedural maternal samples. An unexpected benefit of this research has been the discovery of a novel population of fetal cells, the pregnancy-associated progenitor cell (PAPC), which remains in maternal blood and tissue for decades following delivery. These cells might play a role in some autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma. PAPCs appear to have stem cell characteristics, such as the ability to proliferate and differentiate. Recently developed animal models will help to ascertain whether these cells cause disease, respond to disease, or have therapeutic applications.
Dendrimer Versus Linear Conjugate: Influence of Polymeric Architecture on the Delivery and Anticancer Effect of Paclitaxel

The relative difference in polymeric architectures of dendrimer and linear bis(poly(ethylene glycol)) (PEG) polymer in conjugation with paclitaxel has been described. Paclitaxel, a poorly soluble anticancer drug, was covalently conjugated with PAMAM G4 hydroxyl-terminated dendrimer and bis(PEG) polymer for the potential enhancement of drug solubility and cytotoxicity. Both conjugates were characterized by 1NMR, HPLC, and MALDI/TOF. In addition, molecular conformations of dendrimer, bis(PEG), paclitaxel, and its polymeric conjugates were studied by molecular modeling. Hydrolysis of the ester bond in the conjugate was analyzed by HPLC using esterase hydrolyzing enzyme. In vitro cytotoxicity of dendrimer, bis(PEG), paclitaxel, and polymeric conjugates containing paclitaxel was evaluated using A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells. Cytotoxicity increased by 10-fold with PAMAM dendrimer-succinic acid-paclitaxel conjugate when compared with free nonconjugated drug. Data obtained indicate that the nanosized dendritic polymer conjugates can be used with good success as anticancer drug carriers.
Advanced Solidstate Array Spectroradiometer: Sensor And Calibration Improvements

The advanced solid-state array spectroradiometer (ASAS), an airborne imaging spectrometer with 30 spectral channels extending from 450-880 nm, is described. Modifications to the sensor mounting technique changed the ASAS from a fixed nadir viewing instrument to a sensor capable of multiple direction observations of surface bidirectional reflectance distribution functions. The system was flown on the NASA Ames C130 aircraft to obtain surface bidirectional reflectance measurements of vegetation; it demonstrated excellent reliability and radiometric stability.
Consistency and Recanting of Ever-Smoking Status Reported by Self and Proxy Respondents One Year Apart

Consistency and Recanting of Ever-Smoking Status Reported by Self and Proxy Respondents One Year Apart The study examined consistency of reports concerning current and prior smoking behaviors. Data came from the 2002-2003 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, where the current smoking behaviors and smoking history were reported by self- and proxy-respondents on two occasions, one year apart. The eversmoking status is reported consistently, overall: Kappa coefficient is 0.78 with the corresponding 95% confidence interval given by (0.77, 0.78). One specific type of inconsistency of prior reports was assessed for respondents who were identified as never smokers at the latter assessment and former or current smokers at the earlier assessment. Based on the survey logistic regression that controls for multiple respondent characteristics and survey administration method, the estimated prevalence of such inconsistent self-reports is 9.0%, and prevalence of inconsistent proxy-reports is 5.4%. In addition, prevalence of recanting, i.e., future reporting never smoking for respondents who previously claimed to be a former or a current smoker was assessed. The recanting was shown to be most prevalent with respect to proxy-reports and former smokers: overall prevalence of recanting was estimated to be in the range 13% - 19% for current smokers, and 27% - 46% for former smokers. Our findings indicate that while, unexpectedly, proxy-respondents are more likely to report the ever-smoking status consistently than do self-respondents, the proxies are also more likely to incorrectly report never smoking in the future for smokers especially regarding adolescents and young adults. Therefore, the observed higher level of consistency for proxy-respondents may be due to proxies’ incorrect knowledge which leads to consistent yet ambiguous responses.
X-ray microdiffraction and EBSD study of FSP induced structural/phase transitions in a Ni-based superalloy

Abstract Severe plastic deformation during Friction Stir Processing (FSP) of an IN738 Ni-based superalloy was studied by means of X-ray polychromatic microdiffraction, EBSD, scanning electron and optical microscopies. Modeling of the physical properties and phase composition was also performed. Several distinct zones are formed during FSP including a stir zone (SZ), a thermal-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ) and a heat affected zone (HAZ). Each zone has distinct microstructure after FSP. The initial dendrite structure is preserved in the HAZ, while strengthening γ′-phase particles partially dissolve and coagulate. Plastic deformation of the base material dendrites takes place in the TMAZ and a large number of geometrically necessary dislocations are formed. The extent of deformation increases toward the SZ and the dendrite structure is completely destroyed in the SZ and replaced by a fine submicrocrystallinne microstructure.
Substructure of cytoplasmic dense bodies and changes in distribution of desmin and alpha-actinin in developing smooth muscle cells.

The substructure of assembling cytoplasmic dense bodies (CDBs) and changes in the distribution of desmin and α-actinin during development of smooth muscle were studied in gizzard samples from 10- and 16-day embryos and from 1- and 7-day post-hatch chickens. CDBs in these cells lack the density of CDBs in mature or adult smooth muscle cells and, thus, allow observations of the changes inside CDBs. The random filament orientation seen in younger embryonic cells is first modified to include relatively small patches of IFs that are somewhat straighter and are approaching a side-by-side arrangement. As development proceeds, the IFs in these arrays become straighter, are parallel over longer lengths of the IFs and later acquire the density characteristic of mature CDBs. Anti-desmin labeling in embryonic 10- and 16-day cells showed that desmin intermediate filaments (IFs) were located in the myofilament compartment but were concentrated in or near assembling CDBs. Anti-desmin labeling shifted to the perimeter of CDBs after hatching. Cross sections, longitudinal sections, and stereo pairs all show that IF profiles are present inside unlabeled assembling CDBs. Anti-α-actinin labeling was directly on CDBs and was often associated with the cross-connecting filaments (CCFs) (average diameter of 2–3nm) inside CDBs. We propose, based on these data, that desmin IFs, α-actinin-containing CCFs, and actin filaments are the principal components of the substructure of assembling CDBs. We also present a proposed model for CDB assembly. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Information debugging for real-time power systems monitoring

The paper presents an efficient methodology for the detection, diagnosis and elimination of inconsistent data gathered during real-time power systems monitoring, using a dynamic stateestimation algorithm. The capability of forecasting the system state and, consequently, the measurement set is the basic characteristic of the dynamic state estimators. Based on this characteristic a scheme for the detection of suspicious information is built. The suspicions are caused by: gross measurement errors, topological errors or gross forecasting errors due to sudden changes in the system operating point. The diagnosis about which type of error is actually present in the data set is carried out while taking into account the results of the forecasting and filtering steps of the state estimator. Numerical results of simulation studies with the proposed debugging algorithm are presented and discussed.
Higher order momentum approximations in classical collision theory

Die klassische Streuung zweier Teilchen mit abstosenden Zentralkraften wird bei kleinen Streuwinkeln storungstheoretisch behandelt. Dabei wird das Potential als Storung aufgefast. Die erste Naherung ist die bekannte “Impulsnaherung“. Durch Berucksichtigung hoherer Naherungen kann man Konvergenzkriterien und Fehlerabschatzungen angeben. Diskutiert wird ferner, unter welchen Bedingungen die Impulsnaherung gultig ist, wenn abgeschnittene Potentiale vorliegen. Im einzelnen werden untersucht: Potenzpotentiale, das exponentiell abgeschirmte Coulomb-Potential und ein rein exponentielles Potential. Die beiden letzten Potentiale werden genauer diskutiert und an einem Beispiel numerisch erlautert, das der Wechselwirkung zweier Kupferatome entspricht. Ferner wird die Abgrenzung zur Quantenmechanik untersucht. Im Anhang wird ein Naherungsverfahren zur Bestimmung von Fehlern und Konvergenzgrenzen diskutiert.
Computer Visualization of Long-Term Average Great Lakes Temperatures and Ice Cover

Abstract The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) developed data sets of daily long-term averages over the annual cycle for surface water temperature, ice cover concentration, and derived lake-averaged vertical temperature profiles for each of the Laurentian Great Lakes. The two-dimensional data sets have a spatial resolution of approximately 2.5 km and are geo-referenced with latitude and longitude. A lake bathymetry data set was also produced for the same grid. The objective of assembling these particular data sets was to develop a computer tool to visualize and explore spatial and particularly temporal relationships between long-term averages of temperature {surface and lake-averaged vertical profile), ice cover, and bathymetry on a given lake and between lakes. Here, we briefly describe the data sets, summarize data sources and algorithms used to develop these data sets, and discuss the limitations of these data. We also briefly summarize the capabilities of the interactive menu-driven system to manipulate and display the daily long-term average temperatures and ice cover.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and splenic hemangioma: Report of a case

Surveillance sonography is performed in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome because of the risk of malignant tumors. Benign neoplasms, although reportedly less common, also occur. A splenic hemangioma was found in a patient by routine sonography.
The mechanics and physics of fracturing: application to thermal aspects of crack propagation and to fracking.

By way of introduction, the general invariant integral (GI) based on the energy conservation law is presented, with mention of cosmic, gravitational, mass, elastic, thermal and electromagnetic energy of matter application to demonstrate the approach, including Coulomb9s Law generalized for moving electric charges, Newton9s Law generalized for coupled gravitational/cosmic field, the new Archimedes’ Law accounting for gravitational and surface energy, and others. Then using this approach the temperature track behind a moving crack is found, and the coupling of elastic and thermal energies is set up in fracturing. For porous materials saturated with a fluid or gas, the notion of binary continuum is used to introduce the corresponding GIs. As applied to the horizontal drilling and fracturing of boreholes, the field of pressure and flow rate as well as the fluid output from both a horizontal borehole and a fracture are derived in the fluid extraction regime. The theory of fracking in shale gas reservoirs is suggested for three basic regimes of the drill mud permeation, with calculating the shape and volume of the local region of the multiply fractured rock in terms of the pressures of rock, drill mud and shale gas.
The impact of social homogeneity on the Condorcet efficiency of weighted scoring rules

Abstract Computer simulation analysis is used to determine the impact of homogeneity of voters' preferences on the Condorcet efficiency of weighted scoring rules. Intuition suggests that we should expect both increased levels of condorcet efficiency and a decrease in the importance of the specific weights used in weighted scoring rules for high levels of homogeneity with a large number of voters. The degree to which these results are observed is found to vary substantially with the measure of social homogeneity that is used. Borda Rule is found to perform very well, relative to the weighted scoring rule with maximum average Condorcet efficiency, over the range of possible levels of homogeneity.
Availability of cataloging copy for microfiche U.S. documents on OCLC

Abstract This paper reports the results of a study using the 1993 Depository Libraries Shipping Lists for microfiche U.S. documents (approximately 24,000 documents) to determine the availability and timeliness of microfiche bibliographic records from OCLC. A random sample of 931 records was searched on the OCLC bibliographic database in November 1994. Results reveal that records were available for 44 percent of the sample within one month of the shipping list date. By three months after the shipping list date, cataloging copy was accessible on OCLC for 76 percent of the sample. Six months following the shipping list date, 89 percent of the sample had bibliographic records on OCLC; and one year after the shipping list date, there was cataloging copy for 97 percent of the sample. This study demonstrates that cataloging copy for many U.S. federal microfiche documents is available in a timely manner from the OCLC database.
Selection and ranking procedures: a brief introduction

This paper presents a brief introduction to selection and ranking methodology. Both indifference zone and subset selection approaches are discussed along with some modifications and generalizations. Two examples are provided to illustate the use of subset selection and the indifference zone approaches. The paper concludes with the remark that selection and ranking methodology is a realistic approach in statistical analyses involving comparisons among two or more treatments.
Molecular characterization and coat protein serology of watermelon leaf mottle virus (Potyvirus).

A cDNA library was generated from purified RNA of watermelon leaf mottle virus (WLMV) (Genus Potyvirus). Two overlapping clones totaling 2,316 nucleotides at the 3′terminus of the virus were identified by immunoscreening with coat protein antiserum. The sequence analyses of the clones indicated an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,050 nucleotides which encoded part of the replicase and the coat protein, a 243-nucleotide non-coding region (3′UTR), and 23 adenine residues of the poly (A) tail. The taxonomic status of WLMV was determined by comparisons of the sequence of the cloned coat protein gene and 3′UTR with potyvirus sequences obtained from GenBank. The nucleotide sequence identities of WLMV compared with 17 other potyviruses ranged from 55.6 to 63.5% for the coat protein, and from 37.2 to 48.3% for the 3′UTR. Phylogenetic analyses of the coat protein region and the 3′UTR indicated that WLMV did not cluster with other potyviruses in a clade with high bootstrap support. The coat protein gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and a polyclonal antiserum was prepared to the expressed coat protein. In immunodiffusion tests, WLMV was found to be serologically distinct from papaya ringspot virus type W, watermelon mosaic virus 2, zucchini yellow mosaic virus, and Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus. In Western blots and ELISA, serological cross-reactivity with other cucurbit potyviruses was observed. Serological and sequence comparisons indicated that watermelon leaf mottle virus is a distinct member of the Potyvirus genus.
Employer Provided Health Insurance and the Adverse Selection Problem

The role of employers in the health insurance market in the United States is substantial, but there is little formal analysis investigating how the introduction of employers affects the structure o...
Grand Strategy and Foreign Economic Policy: British Grand Strategy in the 1930s

Variation in the need for military and political support from military allies affects the degree to which foreign economic policies will discriminate in favor of military allies and against adversaries and other countries. Powers in need of such support will pursue discriminatory foreign economic policies in order to change the configuration of domestic interests to favor not only closer economic relations but also closer political relations. By strengthening domestic support for an alliance, policymakers make it more difficult for their allies to renege on alliance commitments. Stronger political relations in turn reinforce the deterrent effect of the alliance. Because the net strategic benefits from closer relations in their case are lower, powers that can go it alone without support from allies will refrain from discriminatory policies. Shifts in strategic need make it possible to explain variation in the links between security considerations and foreign economic policies within alliances over time and also across alliances. British grand strategy in the 1930s illustrates how shifts in strategic need influence the degree to which foreign economic policies discriminate in favor of potential military allies.