cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preservation of Archaeological Textiles Through Fibre Mineralization

Abstract Copper mineralized plant fibre cordage ( c . 1500) found at an archaeological site was used to study fibre microstructural degradation in response to a specific burial environment and the preservation of textiles through mineralization. The process of cellulose fibre mineralization was simulated in the laboratory in an effort to prepare mineralized plant fibres under known conditions. A model for dyeing cellulosic fibres was adopted to explain the process of fibre mineralization. The characteristics of the microstructures of archaeological and laboratory mineralized fibres were examined and compared with those of modern Indian hemp fibres using scanning electron microspectroscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM and EDS results reveal some similarities between the archaeological and the laboratory mineralized fibres. Infilling and replacement with copper minerals resulting from the corrosion of associated metals was found on both fibre outer and inner (lumen) surfaces. Possible types of fibre degradation were inferred from the observed physical and chemical microstructures of the mineralized fibres. The simulation of fibre mineralization in the laboratory sheds some light on the study of mechanisms of fibre mineralization in the preservation of archaeological textiles through the replacement with inorganic minerals.
Application of the prototype NIST SRM 2090A SEM magnification standard in a manufacturing environment

The first NIST-traceable SEM magnification calibration standard designed to meet the particular needs of the micromanufacturing industry has been fabricated and characterized in production prototype form. The SRM 2090A samples contain structures ranging in pitch from 3000 micrometers to 0.2 micrometers and are useful at both high and low accelerating voltages. The samples are fabricated using electron beam lithography and metal liftoff on a silicon substrate. Since the low-accelerating voltage, critical-dimension measurement scanning electron microscope has assumed an important role in modern semiconductor process control, the use and performance of the samples in a representative instrument is investigated. For all types of scanning electron microscopes, magnification calibration depends on several operating conditions, including magnification, accelerating voltage, and working distance. Implementation and application of the calibration factors within the SEM computer operating system can facilitate routine magnification calibration processes.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray source and interface for improved sensitivity in mass spectrometry.

A nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) source and interface has been designed that enables efficient ion production and transmission in a 30 Torr pressure environment using solvents compatible with typical reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) separations. In this design, the electrospray emitter is located inside the mass spectrometer in the same region as an electrodynamic ion funnel. This avoids the use of a conductance limiting ion inlet, as required by a conventional atmospheric pressure ESI source, and allows more efficient ion transmission to the mass analyzer. The new subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray (SPIN) source improves instrument sensitivity and enables new electrospray interface designs, including the use of multi-emitter approaches. Performance of the SPIN source was evaluated by electrospraying standard solutions at 300 nL/min and comparing results with those obtained from a standard atmospheric pressure ESI source that used a heated capillary inl...
Coincidence and directional correlation measurements on the decay of 160Tb employing a Ge(Li) detector

Abstract Coincidence and directional correlation measurements employing a 2 mm Ge(Li) detector and a 7.6 cm × 7.6 cm NaI detector have been performed on the decay of 160 Tb to levels in 160 Dy. Relative gamma-ray intensities have been determined from analysis of Ge(Li) singles spectra and coincidence measurements. Internal conversion coefficients were calculated by normalizing the gamma-ray intensities to the internal conversion electron intensities of Ewan et al . A previously unreported 1105 keV gamma ray has been placed in the decay scheme. Gamma-gamma directional correlations were measured for cascades involving transitions of the following energies (keV): 879.5–86.8, 962.0–86.8, 1177.4–86.8, 1270.6–86.8, 215.2–962.0, 298.5–879.5 and 298.5–966.0. Branching ratios for E2 transitions de-exciting levels in the gamma-band and E1 transitions de-exciting the negative parity states were calculated and comparisons made with theoretical estimates.
The Class-Delinquency Hypothesis and Juvenile Justice System Bias

This paper addresses the issue of the relationship between social class and delinquency to determine if the discrepancy between findings with official versus selfreport data can he resolved. Methodological suggestions which numerous researchers have suggested might explicate the discrepancy were incorporated. These include the use of a disproportionatc stratified sample to facilitate focus on relativcly serious self-reported delinquent behavior, separate analyses of subscales representing different domains of delinquency, and operationalization of social class by multiple indicators, including some consistent with the concept of an underclass. It was found that only offenses against persons consistently correlate negatively with measures of social class. However, analysis of self-reported contacts with police and courts suggests the presence of social class biases in the juvenile justice process and raises questions concerning the appropriateness of using disproportionate stratified samples in this context.
Evaluating the usefulness of IR-based fault localization techniques

Software debugging is tedious and time consuming. To reduce the manual effort needed for debugging, researchers have proposed a considerable number of techniques to automate the process of fault localization; in particular, techniques based on information retrieval (IR) have drawn increased attention in recent years. Although reportedly effective, these techniques have some potential limitations that may affect their performance. First, their effectiveness is likely to depend heavily on the quality of the bug reports; unfortunately, high-quality bug reports that contain rich information are not always available. Second, these techniques have not been evaluated through studies that involve actual developers, which is less than ideal, as purely analytical evaluations can hardly show the actual usefulness of debugging techniques. The goal of this work is to evaluate the usefulness of IR-based techniques in real-world scenarios. Our investigation shows that bug reports do not always contain rich information, and that low-quality bug reports can considerably affect the effectiveness of these techniques. Our research also shows, through a user study, that high-quality bug reports benefit developers just as much as they benefit IR-based techniques. In fact, the information provided by IR-based techniques when operating on high-quality reports is only helpful to developers in a limited number of cases. And even in these cases, such information only helps developers get to the faulty file quickly, but does not help them in their most time consuming task: understanding and fixing the bug within that file.
Factors influencing variability in load forces in a tripod grasp

The aim of this investigation was to determine the factors that influence the variability in the load force during a precision grip. Subjects grasped an object with three coarse contact surfaces using a tripod grasp of the thumb, index and middle fingers. The orientations of the contact surfaces and their locations relative to the object’s center of mass were varied. Forces and torques exerted by each of the three digits were measured or computed from the equilibrium conditions and analyzed during the static hold phase. The static load force depends on the object’s weight, but also on the precise location of the center of pressure of each digit, as well as on the magnitude of the tangential torque and horizontal grip force. Variations in these parameters caused deviations in the load forces by as much as 20% or more from their nominal values. For the thumb, the largest source of variability was the vertical location of the center of pressure. For the two fingers, variations in the locations of the centers of pressure (along the horizontal and vertical) and in the magnitudes of the tangential torques had effects that were about equal in magnitude. Since many of the sources of variability in load force are unpredictable, these results point to the importance of online feedback regulation of grip force.
When Implicitly and Explicitly Measured Racial Attitudes Align: The Roles of Social Desirability and Thoughtful Responding

Using reasoning derived from the MODE model of attitude-behavior relations (Olson & Fazio, 2009), two experiments investigated the roles different instructional sets play in the relationship between implicit and explicit measures of racial prejudice. In Experiment 1, participants implored to be honest evidenced greater correspondence between an Implicit Association Test and explicit measures of prejudice, suggesting that motivation to do other than what one's automatic response to an object implies reduces implicit–explicit correspondence. Findings from Experiment 2 suggest that it is a general motive to think carefully about one's explicit responses, and not social desirability concerns, that reduces the correspondence between implicit and explicit measures of prejudice.
Production variability and single word intelligibility in aphasia and apraxia of speech.

Abstract This study was designed to estimate test–retest reliability of orthographic speech intelligibility testing in speakers with aphasia and AOS and to examine its relationship to the consistency of speaker and listener responses. Monosyllabic single word speech samples were recorded from 13 speakers with coexisting aphasia and AOS. These words were transcribed phonetically by two trained listeners and also presented to non-brain-damaged listeners for identification in a computerized speech intelligibility test. Overall intelligibility scores were computed for each speaker, and word-by-word responses for individual words were examined for both speaker and listener consistency. The clinical feasibility of the approach was supported by a strong correlation between scores from the phonetic transcription and speech intelligibility tests and by strong test–retest reliability for all speakers. Detailed analyses of individual responses indicated that the intelligibility test stability was not due to consistency either in the kind of errors speakers made or in the responses listeners gave when they heard a word different from the target. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to describe the purpose of single word speech intelligibility testing in individuals with aphasia and apraxia of speech and to discuss the relationship between word-by-word production consistency and overall test–retest reliability.
Occurrence of plasmid DNA in the sepiolid squid symbiont Vibrio fischeri

Because of the importance of plasmids in many bacterial associations with plants and animals, we determined the occurrence and distribution of plasmid DNA in symbioticVibrio fischeri from the light organ of the sepiolid squidEuprymna scolopes. Analyses of 225 isolates of symbioticV. fischeri from 25 individual squids revealed an overall plasmid-carriage rate of 56%. A large plasmid (≥39 kb) was detected in 96% of those isolates carrying plasmids, and multiple small plasmids were found to co-occur with one of the large plasmids in 81% of plasmid-carrying strains. In addition, these plasmids appear to be restricted toV. fischeri strains isolated fromE. scolopes and from seawater at sites of squid populations. We were unable to assign a role or function to these plasmids, but they do not carry genes required for the establishment of the light organ symbiosis. We conclude that the essential bacterial symbiotic determinants must be encoded on the chromosome and that the plasmids may carry genes that are important for the survival of theseV. fischeri strains outside of the symbiotic association.
Neonatal death in cousins with trisomy 10q and monosomy 4p due to a familial translocation.

Two cousins with trisomy for a part of the long arm of chromosome 10 and monosomy for the distal portion of the short arm of chromosome 4 are reported. These infants had severe, neonatally lethal, multiple malformations. Certain of these malformations - including severe lower limb reductions, marked ophthalmologic anomalies and certain craniofacial features - are inconsistent with either a simple additive effect of the two component chromosomal anomalies, or chromosomal “epistasis” that would result in observing the phenotypic effect of only one of the chromosomal aberrations. Rather a synergistic effect of these two karyotypic anomalies has resulted in unique phenotypic features.
OVERVIEW OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC MENINGITIS

Meningitis can be subdivided based on time course of onset and duration, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile, and underlying origins into acute aseptic and septic meningitis, recurrent meningitis, and chronic meningitis. These are distinct syndromes that require different management strategies. Most cases of meningitis are caused by infection. The causal agent is generally predictable based on the type of meningitis, host factors, and clues from the history and examination. CSF examination remains the critical diagnostic test.
On the evolution of competition: an application of nonlinear tests

A corollary of the Coase Theorem maintains that, where free market precepts exist, the allocation of property rights would not impact the level of competition within an industry. Within the Major League Baseball industry, for example, the theorem would suggest that institutional arrangements such as free-agency would not impact player distributions and, therefore, would fail to alter competitive balance. In order to examine this implication, the present paper investigates the univariate behaviour of competition balance. In the end, it appears that an increased labour pool, rather than institutional changes, is responsible for movements in competitive levels within the industry. Specifically, the evidence suggests that competitive balance measures are trend-stationary. However, the trend is nonlinear and is common to Baseball’s labour pool, i.e. the two co-trend.
British Army surgeons commissioned 1840-1909 with west Indian/west African service: a prosopographical evaluation.

Pour s'occuper de la sante de ses soldats stationnes dans les colonies lointaines du Pacifique ou d'Afrique, le British Army Medical Department a recrute entre 1840 et 1909 des chirurgiens stereotypes. Qui etaient-ils et comment se sont-ils acquites de leur mission?
A simple and sensitive method for the determination of the biological activity of bleomycin using isolated rat liver nuclei

Abstract A simple biochemical method for the determination of bleomycin is presented. The assay is based upon a DNA polymerase response to DNA damage caused by bleomycin in an isolated rat liver nuclear system. In the presence of ascorbate, the assay is sufficiently accurate and reproducible to permit measurement of levels of bleomycin between 0.1 and 1.0 μ m . The lowest detectable concentration is approximately 7.5 n m (10.5 ng/ml). In contrast to other reported assays, which require deproteinization of serum samples and other pretreatments prior to assay, this technique is directly applicable to small serum samples (20 μl). Since this assay is predicated upon the molecular mechanism of action of bleomycin, it should, therefore, provide a more meaningful and precise measure of biologic antitumor activity than other chemical methods.
IN VIVO EFFECTS OF SODIUM FLUORIDE ON SERUM PROTEINS AND ENZYMES AS STUDIED WITH STARCH GEL ELECTROPHORESIS.

Abstract In vivo effects of sodium fluoride on rat serum protein components and selected serum enzymes were examined by starch gel electrophoresis. Fluoride, at levels of 3, 10, or 100 p.p.m., was administered in drinking water for 26, 38 or 50 days after weaning. Eight protein components were detected after electrophoresis; eight esterase, one aminopeptidase and one alkaline phosphatase components were observed. After 26 days NaF, component mobilities were significantly higher than in control sera but by the longest exposure time, 50 days, were significantly less than in controls. Enzyme activities and the amount of protein (represented by staining intensity) were decreased more by fluoride administration than were mobilities. Enzyme inhibition paralleled magnesium ion requirement; alkaline phosphatase was most inhibited, esterase components were selectively inhibited, aminopeptidase was unaffected. Effects on certain components showed a dose and/or duration relationship. An enzyme hypothesis for the prophylactic properties of fluoride is supported by these data.
Ponderomotive-Force Effects in a Nonuniform Plasma

The effect of the ponderomotive force in the interaction of a capacitor rf field with a nonuniform plasma is investigated.
Emergency medical services use by stroke patients: a population-based study.

Objectives: Emergency medical services (EMS) use by stroke patients varies from 38% to 65%. In an epidemiological study, we determined the proportion of stroke patients who used EMS, hypothesizing that demographics, stroke severity, stroke type, and location at stroke onset would be associated with EMS use. Methods: Stroke and transient ischemic attack patients were identified in a population of 1.3 million in the Cincinnati area in 1999. Patient charts and EMS records were abstracted by research nurses and reviewed by study physicians. The proportion of EMS users was computed. Logistic regression was used to test for associations with EMS use. Results: Of 3949 strokes, we excluded strokes/transient ischemic attacks that occurred in the hospital (n = 283), out of town (n = 10), during EMS transport (n = 2), and at unknown locations (n = 73). Patients with unknown EMS use (n = 301); those with missing estimated stroke severity (n = 174), prestroke disability (n = 78), race (n = 3), and stroke type (n = 3); and those younger than 18 years (n = 14) were also excluded. The remaining 3008 patients had a mean age of 74 years, 17% were black, and 45% were men. Emergency medical services was used by 1532 (50.9%) patients. Age, prestroke disability, stroke severity, hemorrhagic stroke, and stroke at work were associated with EMS use. Race, sex, and prior stroke were not associated with EMS use. Conclusion: Half of stroke patients used EMS in our population-based study. Older patients; those with greater prestroke disability, more severe stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke; and those having stroke at work were more likely to use EMS.
Controlling height of Abutilon hybrids with ancymidol, mechanical pinching and photoperiod

Abstract Vegetative and flowering characteristics of Abutilon hybridum Hort. (hybrid abutilon, flowering maple) were successfully controlled via photoperiodic, mechanical and chemical means. Short days enhanced flowering and most effectively reduced plant height and width. Hand-pinching delayed flowering, decreased flower number, leaf number and width, and reduced height only when combined with 50 p.p.m. ancymidol. When unpinched plants were treated with ancymidol, no beneficial results were obtained.
Which renal lacerations will heal satisfactorily with nonsurgical management

If there was a correlation between the type of renal laceration and its healing, and if radiologic evaluation on admission could accurately diagnose the type of renal laceration present, then surgical intervention could be reserved for those renal lacerations that will not heal satisfactorily by themselves. We reviewed the outcome of initially conservative or immediate operative treatment of renal laceration in 122 patients. Thirty-six patients were managed initially without operation. All fifteen cortical lacerations and all five deep lacerations that created only a small parenchymal defect healed themselves, with 4 of the 16 patients available for follow-up having hypertension. In contrast, six deep lacerations that caused large parenchymal defects, six disrupted poles or segments, and four split kidneys did not have satisfactory healing with conservative management, necessitating delayed renal surgery, or causing hypertension or both. Because computed tomography on admission can accurately diagnose the site and extent of a renal laceration, it should be possible to decide early which patients truly will benefit from conservative management.
Granulin-epithelin precursor binds directly to ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 and inhibits their degradation of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein.

Objective To determine 1) whether a protein interaction network exists between granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP), ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP); 2) whether GEP interferes with the interactions between ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 metalloproteinases and COMP substrate, including the cleavage of COMP; 3) whether GEP affects tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–mediated induction of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression and COMP degradation; and 4) whether GEP levels are altered during the progression of arthritis. Methods Yeast two-hybrid, in vitro glutathione S-transferase pull-down, and coimmunoprecipitation assays were used to 1) examine the interactions between GEP, ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and COMP, and 2) map the binding sites required for the interactions between GEP and ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12. Immunofluorescence cell staining was performed to visualize the subcellular localization of GEP and ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12. An in vitro digestion assay was employed to determine whether GEP inhibits ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12–mediated digestion of COMP. The role of GEP in inhibiting TNFα-induced ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression and COMP degradation in cartilage explants was also analyzed. Results GEP bound directly to ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 in vitro and in chondrocytes, and the 4 C-terminal thrombospondin motifs of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 and each granulin unit of GEP mediated their interactions. Additionally, GEP colocalized with ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 on the cell surface of chondrocytes. More importantly, GEP inhibited COMP degradation by ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 in a dose-dependent manner through 1) competitive inhibition through direct protein–protein interactions with ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 and COMP, and 2) inhibition of TNFα-induced ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression. Furthermore, GEP levels were significantly elevated in patients with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion Our observations demonstrate a novel protein–protein interaction network between GEP, ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and COMP. Furthermore, GEP is a novel specific inhibitor of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12–mediated COMP degradation and may play a significant role in preventing the destruction of joint cartilage in arthritis.
Square-wave analysis of skin impedance.

A method is described for studying skin impedance phenomena, based on analysis of waveforms of current through the skin produced by square voltage pulses. In several experiments, the method is used to provide data relevant to the choice of an appropriate equivalent circuit for skin. Removal of the stratum corneum eliminates the parallel resistive and capacitative elements, and slightly reduces the series or ‘ohmic’ resistance. During healing the source of skin potential recovers before the other electrodermal parameters have returned to normal. The relationship of these parameters to electrode area, current density, and site temperature is studied. It is argued that the capacitance of skin may not vary with the frequency of the measuring current, in contrast to traditional views. The main purpose of the paper is to illustrate and advocate the square-wave method of analysis.
Rapid method for investigating the in vivo metabolism of 1-methyl-2-aldoximinopyridinium iodide by ion exchange column chromatography

Abstract A rapid, chromatographic method for the separation of large amounts of 1-methyl-2-aldoximinopyridinium ion (2-PAM) from small amounts of its pyridinium biotransformation products as would occur in in vivo conditions has been developed. This method is based on the conversion of 2-PAM to its zwitterionic form so that 2-PAM can be rapidly washed from a short Amberlite CG-50, pH 8.9 cation exchange column (0.8 cm × 0.63 cm2) with water. The water washed resin is subsequently carefully layered on a long Amberlite CG-50, pH 8.9 chromatographic column (10.2 cm × 0.63 cm2) to resolve these metabolites by linear gradient elution with sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.7. These procedures permit almost complete removal of the 2-aldoximinopyridinium ion and a rapid separation of 1-methyl-2-cyanopyridinium ion and 1-methyl-2-methoxypyridinium ion.
Effects of ionization chamber construction on dose measurements in a heterogeneity

Traditionally, measurements have been made in heterogeneous phantoms to determine the factors which should be applied to dose calculations, when calculating a dose to a heterogeneous medium. Almost all measurements have relied on relatively thin-walled ion chambers, with no attempt to match ion chamber wall material to the measuring medium. The recent AAPM dosimetry protocol has established that a mismatch between ion chamber wall and phantom material can have an effect on dose measurement. To investigate the affect of this mismatch of ion chamber wall material to phantom material, two parallel-plate ion chambers were constructed. One ion chamber from solid water, for measurements in a solid water phantom and the other from plastic lung material, for measurements in a plastic lung material phantom. Correction factors measured by matching ion chamber to media were compared to correction factors measured by using a thin-walled cavity ion chamber with no regard for matching wall and media for cobalt-60, 6-, 10- and 20-MV photon beams. The results demonstrated that the matching of ion chamber to measuring media can be ignored, provided that a small, approximately tissue-equivalent, thin-walled ion chamber is used for measuring the correction factors.
Rewind, repair, replay: three R's to dependability

Motivated by the growth of web and infrastructure services and their susceptibility to human operator-related failures, we introduce system-level undo as a recovery mechanism designed to improve service dependability. Undo enables system operators to recover from their inevitable mistakes and furthermore enables retroactive repair of problems that were not fixed quickly enough to prevent detrimental effects. We present the "three R's", a model of undo that matches the needs of human error recovery and retroactive repair; discuss several of the issues raised by this undo model; and introduce an initial architectural framework for undoable systems using the example of an undoable e-mail service system.
Impact of perturbed pyruvate metabolism on adipocyte triglyceride accumulation.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that adipocyte TG accumulation could be altered by specifically perturbing pyruvate metabolism. We treated cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes with chemical inhibitors of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and pyruvate carboxylase (PC), and characterized their global effects on intermediary metabolism using metabolic flux and isotopomer analysis. Inhibiting the enzymes over several days did not alter the adipocyte differentiation program as assessed by the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The main metabolic effects were to up-regulate intracellular lipolysis and decrease TG accumulation. Inhibiting PC also up-regulated glycolysis. Flux estimates indicated that the reduction in TG was due to decreased de novo fatty acid synthesis. Exogenous addition of free fatty acids dose-dependently increased the cellular TG level in the inhibitor-treated adipocytes, but not in untreated control cells. The results of this study support our hypothesis regarding the critical role of pyruvate reactions in TG synthesis.
GABAA receptors increase excitability and conduction velocity of cerebellar parallel fiber axons

In the adult mammalian brain, GABAA receptors (GABAARs) are responsible for the predominant forms of synaptic inhibition, but these receptors can excite neurons when the chloride equilibrium potent...
Ion mobility studies of metal-coated fullerenes

Abstract Ion mobility measurements have been used to examine the structures and fragmentation processes of Nb x C 60 + complexes with up to five niobium atoms. Our results confirm the observations of Martin and collaborators that loss of C 3 is an important fragmentation process for complexes with x ≥ 3. However, ion mobility measurements for Nb x C 60 + complexes and their Nb x C 60−3 n + fragments show that they are all fullerenes. It is likely that the Nb x C 60−3 n + fragments with an odd number of carbon atoms are stabilized by a niobium atom occupying the defect site in the fullerene cage, and that this stabilization makes C 3 loss energetically favored over the usual fullerene dissociation process of C 2 loss. Detailed analysis of the ion mobility measurements shows that the niobium atoms in the Nb x C 60 + complexes are clustered together on the fullerene surface. At high injection energies a structural transformation occurs for Nb 2 C 60 + and one of the niobium atoms apparently moves to an endohedral position. This process does not occur for NbC 60 + , but an analogous structural transformation appears to occur for all complexes with x > 2.
Polypropylene-elastomer (TPO) nanocomposites: 1. Morphology

Abstract PP/PP-g-MA/MMT/elastomer nanocomposites were prepared in a twin-screw extruder at fixed 30 wt% elastomer and 0–7 wt% MMT content. The ratio of maleated polypropylene, PP-g-MA and organoclay was maintained at 1. Elastomer particle size and shape in the presence of MMT were evaluated for three different molecular weight grades of polypropylene (PP) and five different ethylene-co-octene elastomers (EOR) with different melt flow index (MFI) and octene contents. The MMT particles are located exclusively in the PP phase in the PP/PP-g-MA/MMT/EOR nanocomposites as seen from TEM images. Injection molded nanocomposite samples show significant decreases in elastomer particle size and increases in elastomer aspect ratio and particle density compared to as-extruded or pelletized samples. The elastomer particle size decreased significantly with increased MMT content and the molecular weight of PP. Low molecular weight PP based nanocomposite showed a greater reduction in elastomer particle size compared to medium and high molecular weight PP based nanocomposites. Elastomers having MFI in the range of 0.5–1.0 gave minimum elastomer particle sizes in the PP/PP-g-MA/MMT/EOR nanocomposite. The elastomer particles were deformed during injection molding leading to an increase in their aspect ratio. The nanocomposites containing high octene content elastomer gave smaller elastomer particle size and higher elastomer aspect ratios compared to nanocomposites containing low octene content elastomer.
Regularization and the Artificial Earth Satellite Problem

Some of the properties of singularities of a system of differential equations, which includes several formulations of the artificial Earth satellite problem, are derived. Using them, it is shown that this problem cannot be regularized by using the current commonly used ideas and definitions of regularization.
DETERMINATION OF STAVUDINE/ DIDANOSINE/SAQUINAVIR AND STAVUDINE/DIDANOSINE/EFAVIRENZ IN HUMAN SERUM BY MICELLAR ELECTROKINETIC CHROMATOGRAPHY (MEKC)

Anti-HIV drug mixtures A and B containing stavudine(d4T)/didanosine (ddI)/saquinavir and stavudine (d4T)/didanosine (ddI)/efavirenz, respectively, were separated and quantitated in human serum using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). Serum samples were treated using a solid-phase extraction procedure. The effects of various factors such as buffer type, buffer and surfactant concentration, and pH on the separation of the analytes were investigated. The optimized resolution of both mixtures was achieved with a run buffer containing 18 mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) in 15 mM phosphate and borate buffer (pH 9.0). An uncoated 52 cm (effective length 30 cm) × 50 μm ID fused-silica capillary, operated at 30°C, was used in the analysis with UV detection at 210 nm. Aprobarbital was chosen as the internal standard. All analytes were separated within 15 min with a voltage of +15 kV and a current around 30 μA. The methods were validated over the range of 0.7–35.3 μg/mL for d4T, 0.8–18.5 μg/mL for ddI...
Modeling the Transport of Sediments and Hydrophobic Contaminants in the Lower Saginaw River

Abstract A study of processes that are significant in the transport and fate of sediments and hydrophobic contaminants in the lower Saginaw River over long periods of time, up to 25 years, has been made. The numerical model used in the analysis consists of a two-dimensional, vertically-integrated, time-dependent hydrodynamic and sediment transport model coupled (a) with a three-dimensional, time-dependent model of the dynamics of the sediment bed and its properties and (b) with a model of the transport and fate of hydrophobic contaminants. Calculations of sediment transport for different magnitude flow events demonstrate the variations in erosion and deposition at different sites and the dependence of this erosion and deposition on the flow rate. These calculations also illustrate the inherent variability, or uncertainty, in any long-term predictions since the results depend to a great extent on the times of occurrence of the largest flow events, times which can not be predicted but are only known statistically. The transport and fate of PCBs were also investigated with the emphasis on the effects of (a) large flow events, (b) incoming upstream PCB loads, and (c) burial of contaminated sediments by clean sediments with subsequent erosion of sediments by a large flow event. The analysis clearly shows that the major erosion of contaminated sediments occurs at the edge of the river channel with little erosion of contaminated sediments in the near-shore area.
Global properties of the mapping between local amino acid sequence and local structure in proteins

Local protein structure prediction efforts have consistently failed to exceed approximately 70% accuracy. We characterize the degeneracy of the mapping from local sequence to local structure responsible for this failure by investigating the extent to which similar sequence segments found in different proteins adopt similar three-dimensional structures. Sequence segments 3-15 residues in length from 154 different protein families are partitioned into neighborhoods containing segments with similar sequences using cluster analysis. The consistency of the sequence-to-structure mapping is assessed by comparing the local structures adopted by sequence segments in the same neighborhood in proteins of known structure. In the 154 families, 45% and 28% of the positions occur in neighborhoods in which one and two local structures predominate, respectively. The sequence patterns that characterize the neighborhoods in the first class probably include virtually all of the short sequence motifs in proteins that consistently occur in a particular local structure. These patterns, many of which occur in transitions between secondary structural elements, are an interesting combination of previously studied and novel motifs. The identification of sequence patterns that consistently occur in one or a small number of local structures in proteins should contribute to the prediction of protein structure from sequence.
Lubricant Performance in Magnetic Thin Film Disks With Carbon Overcoat—Part I: Dynamic and Static Friction

Static and dynamic friction coefficients are presented for an Al2 O3 ·TiC slider in contact with 130 mm carbon-coated rigid thin film disks lubricated with several different perfluoropolyether lubricants. The lubricants tested include three nonpolar liquid lubricants and one polar liquid lubricant with dihydroxyl end groups. The effects of lubricant film thickness, disk surface topography, sliding speed and lubricant viscosity are investigated. In many cases, the interfaces exhibited a sharp increase in the dynamic and static friction coefficients after a certain film thickness was reached, due to strong adhesion in the interface. In most cases, the lubricant thickness for the onset of high friction forces was found to increase with increasing disk surface roughness, lubricant viscosity and sliding speed. Under certain conditions stick/slip of the slider occurred during which the static friction increased with time of contact. The various data suggest that the rate at which strong adhesion develops depends on the lubricant viscosity.
Competing Views of Embryos for the Twenty-First Century: Textbooks and Society

It might seem that an embryo is an embryo, and that there would be a fact of the matter. That seems especially true with respect to the way embryos are presented in textbooks, including high school biology textbooks. This paper looks at three co-existing, competing, and often conflicting views of embryos. Then with a close study of twentieth century high school biology textbooks, it explores suggestions about the ways those books have influenced public impressions of embryos.
Inhibition of renal tubular transport of morphine by β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate in the chicken

Abstract The Sperber preparation in the chicken was used to study the effects of β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate (SKF 525A) and N -methyl-3-pipendyl- N ′, N ′-diphenylcarbamate (MPDC) on the morphine-morphine ethereal sulfate system. Both SKF 525A and MPDC had the pharmacologic effect of opening the venous valve, which caused more blood to bypass the peritubular capillary network of the kidney. This effect was manifested by a decrease in the apparent tubular excretion fraction (ATEF) for p -aminohippuric acid. In spite of the presence of this effect, SKF 525A and MPDC produced a large fall relative to PAH in the ATEF for 14 C excretion during [ 14 C]-morphine infusion. The results meant that SKF 525A and MPDC blocked the access of [ 14 C]morphine into the renal tubular cell. Because of the presence of this block, excretion of [ 14 C]morphine and [ 14 C]morphine ethereal sulfate decreased. In this situation, the decrease in metabolite formation was not due to inhibition of metabolism, but was the result of inhibition of transport of morphine into the cell. Since this block extends to tetraethyl-1-[ 14 C] ammonium transport, both SKF 525A and MPDC act on the cationic transport system. The implications of this finding deserve emphasis. It was further demonstrated that [ 14 C]pentobarbital was neither transported nor metabolized by the kidney. But, SKF 525A and MPDC did inhibit metabolism of [ 14 C]pentobarbital, metabolism which was taking place in organs other than the kidney.
An assessment of soil bacterial community structure and physicochemistry in two microtopographic locations of a palustrine forested wetland

We studied redoximorphic features, field indicators and bacterial communities of soils in hummocks and hollows of a palustrine forested wetland in Virginia. We hypothesized that presence of hydric soils, soil physicochemistry and soil bacterial community structure would differ between hummocks and hollows. We fingerprinted soils collected from different microtopographic locations using Length Heterogeneity Polymerase Chain Reaction (LH-PCR) to study their bacterial community structures. Two hummocks had silty/sandy loam soils with mean chroma values of > 4, showing no indication of ‘hydric soils’ (i.e., wetland soils). Two hollows, however, had clay loam soils with mean chroma values of 2 with gleying and redox concentrations observed, indicative of seasonally inundated wetlands. The soils of hollows also had higher organic matter content and soil moisture compared to the soils of hummocks (P < 0.05). Multidimensional scaling (MDS) and Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) of the fingerprints revealed differences in soil microbial community structures between hummocks and hollows (Global R = 0.30, P < 0.01). The diversity measures of the fingerprints (Shannon’s H′) were also different by microtopography with higher diversity in hollows relative to hummocks (P < 0.05). LH-PCR proves to be a useful tool in examining bacterial community composition of wetland soils in this study. However, cloning and sequencing of specific community LH-PCR profiles of interest is necessary to fully characterize the community down to genus/species level. With species identities we should be able to not only better explain differences observed in the community profiles, but study their relations to hydrologic and/or physicochemical conditions of wetlands.
Asynchronous, macrotasked relaxation strategies for the solution of viscous, hypersonic flows

A point-implicit, asynchronous macrotasked relaxation of the steady, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The method employs multidirectional, single-level storage Gauss-Seidel relaxation sweeps, which effectively communicate perturbations across the entire domain in 2n sweeps, where n is the dimension of the domain. In order to enhance convergence the application of relaxation factors to specific components of the Jacobian is examined using a stability analysis of the advection and diffusion equations. Attention is also given to the complications associated with asynchronous multitasking. Solutions are generated for hypersonic flows over blunt bodies in two and three dimensions with chemical reactions, utilizing single-tasked and multitasked relaxation strategies.
Pedunculated cystic lymphangioma of the splenocolic ligament in a child.

Abstract An unusual case is presented of a large symptomatic pedunculated cystic intra-abdominal mass arising from the area of the splenocolic ligament in a three and a half year old girl. The child was managed successfully by resection of the mass, which proved on gross and microscopic examination to be a benign cystic lymphangioma. To our knowledge intra-abdominal cystic hygroma in this locale or with this configuration has not been previously reported.
Delphinidin 3-O-(2-O-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside): a novel anthocyanin identified in Beluga black lentils.

A major anthocyanin was isolated from the acidified methanolic extract of Beluga black lentils by XAD7 column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. By means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, its structure was determined to be delphinidin 3-O-(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-α-l-arabinopyranoside). Keywords: Anthocyanins; black lentils (Lens culinaris); 1D and 2D NMR; delphinidin derivative
A methodology of constructing canonical form database schemas in a multiple heterogeneous database environment

The Query Clearing House (QCH) model aims at achieving an ideal heterogeneous multiple database environment in which users can submit queries without concern for the location of the data or the specifics of the relevant database schemas. One important prerequisite for building such an environment is to organize local database schemas in a cohesive way so that a systematic method of determining data relevancy can be developed. In this paper, we propose a method for converting multiple local relational schemas into canonical form expressions. The resulting canonical form schema expressions include much more descriptive data semantics than what is offered by the original database schemas. These expressions also include information for mapping between the terms used in the canonical form expressions and their counterparts implemented in local databases. We include a number of examples illustrating how the canonical form schema expressions are produced.
Photochemical Preparation of Pentahapto-cyclopentadienyl Molybdenum Dicarbonyl Nitrosyl

Abstract An efficient photochemical synthesis of n5-cyclopentadienyl molybdenum dicarbonyl nitrosyl employing n5-cyclopentadienyl molybdenum tricarbonyl dimer is described. The mechanism of this transformation is discussed and a path via a triply-bonded dimer implicated.
Effects of nonmethane hydrocarbons in the atmosphere

An investigation was conducted to determine whether nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC) are abundant enough to have a significant impact upon the ambient photochemistry. The vertical distribution of C2H6, C2H2, C3H8, C4H10, and C5H12 in the altitude range from 0 to 40 km was calculated in this connection. A one-dimensional steady state model with coupled photochemistry and vertical transport was employed in the investigation. The calculations imply that measurable quantities of relatively unreactive NMHC, especially C2H6 and C2H2, may be present in the upper troposphere and stratosphere. The results indicate, however, that NMHC are not likely to have a large impact on the background photochemistry of the troposphere, although local effects near source regions are probable. The findings support the current practice of many modelers who neglect NMHC in their calculations.
A Conserved Inhibitory and Differential Stimulatory Action of Nucleotides on KIR6.0/SUR Complexes Is Essential for Excitation-Metabolism Coupling by KATP Channels

Abstract The mechanism by which ubiquitous adenine nucleotide-gated KIR6.04/SUR4channels link membrane excitability with cellular metabolism is controversial. Is a decreased sensitivity to inhibitory ATP required, or is the Mg-ADP/ATP-dependent stimulatory action of the ATPase, sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), on KIR sufficient to elicit a physiologically significant open channel probability? To evaluate the roles of nucleotide inhibition versusstimulation, we compared KIR6.1-based KNDPchannels with KIR6.2-based KATP channels and all possible KIR6.1/6.2 hybrids. Although KNDPchannels are thought to be poorly sensitive to inhibitory ATP and to require Mg-nucleotide diphosphates for activity, we demonstrate that, like KATP, and hybrid channels, they are inhibited with an IC50(ATP) 100-fold lower than [ATP]i. KIR6.1 is, however, more efficiently stimulated by SUR than KIR6.2, thus providing a mechanism for differential nucleotide regulation, in addition to the known differential interactions of Mg-nucleotides with SUR isoforms. The on-cell and spontaneous activities of KNDP, KATP, and hybrid channels identified in native cells, are different; thus, their similar IC50(ATP) values argue the regulatory “β” SUR subunits play a preeminent role in coupling excitation to metabolism and pose questions about the physiologic significance of models, which assume the ATP insensitivity of open KIRs.
Brain Metastases: Old Problem, New Strategies

Brain metastases from breast cancer are a common complication of the disease and alter the management of patients more than any other site of distant progression. Certain subgroups of patients are at high risk for developing CNS disease, warranting targeted research and perhaps screening for occult disease. Data from studies that include other solid tumor histologies provide the bulk of supporting evidence for the use of therapies, such as steroids, antiepileptic drugs, surgery, and radiation. However, there are several issues specific to brain metastases from breast cancer illustrating that this disease should be considered pathophysiologically distinct, and future research should be tailored accordingly.