cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of five and six-coordinated iridium(III) complexes containing S-, O- or O,O′-trifluoromethanesulfinato groups

Abstract The oxidative addition of trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride to trans -{IrX-(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] 2 } yields as the only product an iridium(III) complex, {IrXCl-(OS(O)CF 3 )(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] 2 } (Ia, X  Cl; Ib, X  Br) in which the O -sulfinato group is trans to the carbonyl ligand. This is in contrast to the behavior of hydrocarbon sulfonyl halides which have previously been found to give exclusively S-bonded forms with the sulfinato group trans to chloride. The S - and O,O ′-trifluoromethanesulfinato isomers of the compound {IrCl 2 (O 2 SCF 3 )[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] 2 } have been prepared and characterized. Addition of carbon monoxide or pyridine to either of these isomers gives {IrCl 2 (-S(O) 2 CF 3 )[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] 2 · B} (B  CO or C 5 H 5 N) in which the added Lewis base is trans to an S -sulfinato group.
Optimizing drug treatment of alcohol withdrawal

A number of complications can arise during the drug treatment of alcohol withdrawal, which can be serious or even fatal. Patients who are elderly, have renal or hepatic disease, or are poorly monitored during treatment are particularly prone to problems. By consideration of pharmacologic principles and clinical experience, an optimal drug treatment regimen is formulated that minimizes these risks, while remaining highly effective.
Detecting superleaks in a dilution refrigerator

Abstract Detecting and repairing superleaks in a dilution refrigerator is often a tedious, time consuming process. Here, a method is described that has been used to localize a leak to a particular section of the dilution refrigerator, thereby reducing the time required to locate the leaking component.
Fabrication of a Micro/Nano Integrated Roughened Structure Using Nanosphere Lithography (NSL)

This paper presents a fabrication technology to create a double roughened PDMS structure for a superhydrophobic surface. The fabricated surface has many application potentials, including on-chip micro liquid processor and water repellent coating. Similar structure can be found in nature on a lotus leaf (Fig. 1.) Due to its superhydrophobic surface, lotus leaf repels water and in the process performs self-cleaning [1]. In this paper, we show the combination of Nanosphere Lithography (NSL), plasma etching, and molding technique to create the micro/nano integrated double structure using PDMS. Also described is the design procedure and experimental results for the double-structured superhydrophobic surface.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Why Do Women Demand and Men Withdraw? The Role of Outside Career and Family Involvements

Contextual and essentialist explanations of how couples 'interactions are gendered were compared by examining the relationship between demanding and withdrawing within couples and the partners'involvements outside the couple. Data consisted of questionnaire reports completed independently by partners in 62 heterosexual couples. Results showed that wives were more often in the demanding/pursuing role than were their husbands, but that this pattern also was significantly correlated with the partners' outside involvements. The magnitude of demanding-and-withdrawing and pursuing-and-distancing was higher in couples in which one partner was more involved than the other in his or her career In addition, gender differences in who demands and who withdraws were more pronounced when wives had greater involvement with their families of origin than husbands had with theirs. Results are discussed in terms of relevance to the debate on gender stereotypes and implications for couples therapy.
As Time Goes By: Children's Early Understanding of Growth in Animals

Beliefs about naturally occurring transformations were examined in children aged 3 to 6 years in 4 experiments. Experiment 1 tested children's understanding that animals (but not artifacts) predictably get larger over time. Experiment la examined whether the results obtained in the first experiment could be attributed to an added memory component on the artifact task. Experiment 2 further examined beliefs about the aging of artifacts. In Experiment 3, color and shape (metamorphosis) changes of animals were investigated. At all ages, children appeared to understand that animals get larger and not smaller with age. While older children and adults allowed for rather dramatic changes in the size and shape of animals over the life span if the alternative involved decreasing in size with age, preschool children were less willing to accept these changes. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that even young preschool children have 2 conceptual insights about natural transformations: that they are lawful and nonrandom, and that they are domain and mechanism specific. Further, children as young as age 3 are able to go beyond the perceptual appearance of animals in making judgments about transformations caused by growth. Implications for children's understanding of personal and species identity are discussed.
RESOLUTION OF COMPLEX NUCLEOTIDE MIXTURES BY TWO-DIMENSIONAL ANION-EXCHANGE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY.

Abstract Very complex mononucleotide mixtures can be resolved by two-dimensional anion-exchange chromatography on poly(ethyleneimine)-cellulose thin layers. The complete resolution of a model mixture containing DPN, TPN, six nucleotide sugars, and fourteen common nucleoside-5′-mono-, di, and triphosphates takes less than three hours. This separation cannot be achieved by the present techniques of paper chromatography and paper electrophoresis. The method is more sensitive than paper chromatography and column chromatography of nucleotides.
Effects of width, edge and habitat on the abundance and nesting success of scrub-shrub birds in powerline corridors.

Concern about declines in scrub–shrub bird populations has resulted in efforts to create and maintain habitat for these species. Vegetation within powerline corridors is managed to prevent contact of vegetation with transmission lines, and comprises approximately 2% of all of habitat for scrub–shrub birds in southern New England. Although previous studies have documented the use of powerline corridors by scrub–shrub birds, important questions remain about the factors affecting the quality of corridors as habitat for these species. We surveyed birds and monitored nests on 15 corridors in western Massachusetts during 2002 and 2003 to determine whether scrub–shrub birds occupy and successfully reproduce in powerline corridors, and to identify the principal factors affecting scrub–shrub abundance and nesting success. We found that corridors were occupied by scrub–shrub birds of high regional conservation priority, however, four of seven focal scrub–shrub bird species were scarce or absent in narrow corridors, and the abundance of these species was highest in corridors of intermediate width. Overall, nest survival was low (0.14) at these sites relative to other types of early successional habitats in the region, however, if we consider only our sites that were wider than the median width (P49 m), nest survival in corridors was (0.33), similar to survival rates reported in other studies of scrub–shrub birds. We conclude that powerline corridors provide habitat for early successional birds of conservation concern, with wider corridors (P50 m) contributing more to regional conservation of these species. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Operational extremality of Gaussianity in network compression, communication, and coding

Among other extremal properties, Gaussian sources are hardest to compress and communicate over. We review the main results of [1] and [2] exhibiting the generality in which such extremal properties hold in compression, communication and coding over networks. These properties are established via operational arguments, bypassing elusive characterizations of fundamental performance limits: schemes tailored for the Gaussian case are harnessed for constructions of schemes that provably do essentially as well under any other source of the same covariance. The talk will highlight the main ideas behind these constructions and how the results, which were established for memoryless sources and channels, carry over to the presence of memory.
Looking to the Future of Percutaneous Treatment of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease

The development of transcatheter valvular therapeutics has revolutionized interventional cardiology over the past decade. Nonetheless, despite these prominent advances in percutaneous valve technology, numerous obstacles regarding safety and efficacy must be overcome before the precise clinical role of these devices becomes clear. This article discusses the current status of transcatheter valve replacement and repair as it pertains to the aortic and mitral valve and deliberates on the bright future of a promising tool that will drastically affect clinical interventional practice.
Lower Levels of Sodium Intake and Reduced Cardiovascular Risk The Challenge to Achieve Lower Sodium Recommendations

It is well known that sodium intake is directly related to the development of high blood pressure. In 2 recent meta-analyses, higher sodium intake was also related to greater risk of incident stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD)2; however, whether lower sodium intake reduces risk of CVD is not clear.3 One meta-analysis of 7 clinical trials originally designed to test the effectiveness of sodium reduction on blood pressure found nonsignificant associations of sodium reduction with lower CVD risk and total mortality over ≥6 months of follow-up.4 In observational studies of diverse populations, a J-shaped relation between sodium intake (or urinary sodium excretion) and risk of CVD has been reported.5,6 In contrast, study participants assigned to a sodium reduction intervention had a lower risk of CVD over several years of follow-up.6 In this issue of Circulation , Cook and colleagues7 reported a lower risk of CVD or CVD mortality among study participants with lower urinary sodium (<2300 mg/24 h) than among those with higher levels (3600 to <4800 mg/24 h). Although the current study was not originally designed to test the effectiveness of lower sodium intake on CVD risk, multiple 24-hour urine samples, the “gold standard” measure of sodium intake, were used to characterize usual sodium intake.8 In most observational studies, sodium intake has been represented by a “spot urine” or overnight urine collection, which is not an accurate estimate of …
Vorticity and Instability during Flow Reversals on the Continental Shelf

Abstract Flow reversals during relaxation of the equatorward wind on the northern California shelf are studied with observations and a simple numerical model. Data from the CODE experiment are used to document the changes in the cross-shelf profiles of alongshelf currents and potential vorticity when the wind forcing changes from upwelling-favorable to near-zero. Upwelling vorticity dynamics are considered using a simple equation, where also the importance of stress curls is discussed. During the wind relaxation events, the usually equatorward flow reveres to poleward on the inner shelf, resulting in a region of high shear and occasionally a localized maximum in potential vorticity on the shelf. In the course of such an episode, a single eddylike structure on the shelf was observed with satellite imagery. In order to simulate the basic dynamics of the flow reversals and instability, a contour dynamics model is developed for barotropic flow on an exponentially sloping bottom, in which potential vorticity i...
Best-practice patterns and tool support for configuring secure Web services messaging

This paper presents an emerging tool for security configuration of service-oriented architectures with Web Services. Security is a major concern when implementing mission-critical business transactions and such concern motivated the development of Web Services Security (WS-Security). However, the existing tools for configuring the security properties of Web Services give a technology-oriented view, and only assist in choosing the data to encrypt and selecting an encryption algorithm. The users must construct their own mental models of how the security configurations actually relate to business policies. In contrast, the tool described here gives a simplified, business-policy-oriented view. It models the messaging with customers and business partners, lists various threats, and presents best-practice security patterns against the threats. A user can select among variations on the basic patterns according to the business policies, and then apply them to the messaging model through the GUI. The result of the pattern application is described in the Web Services Security Policy Language (WS-Security Policy).
Design and implementation of a dexterous anthropomorphic robotic typing (DART) hand

This paper focuses on design and implementation of a biomimetic dexterous humanoid hand. Several design rules are proposed to retain human form and functionality in a robotic hand while overcoming the difficultly of actuation within a confined geometry. Size and weight have been optimized in order to achieve human-like performance with the prime objective of typing on a computer keyboard. Each finger has four joints and three degrees of freedom (DOF) while the thumb has an additional degree of freedom necessary for manipulating small objects. The hand consists of 16 servo motors dedicated to finger motion and three motors for wrist motion. A closed-loop kinematic control scheme utilizing the Denavit?Hartenberg convention for spatial joint positioning was implemented. Servo motors housed in the forearm act as an origin for wires to travel to their insertion points in the hand. The dexterity of the DART hand was measured by quantifying functionality and typing speed on a standard keyboard. The typing speed of a single DART hand was found to be 20? words?min?1. In comparison, the average human has a typing speed of 33? words?min?1 with two hands.
Near-threshold proton-induced neutral pion production from deuterium

Total cross sections and angular distributions for the differential cross section and analyzing power of the reaction $^{2}\mathrm{H}$(p\ensuremath{\rightarrow},${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$${)}^{3}$He have been measured at four energies very near threshold (0.1${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}$2.7 MeV). The large asymmetries observed in the angular distributions of the differential cross section indicate strong constructive interference between the amplitudes for s-wave pion emission and the amplitudes for p-wave emission. A measure of the s-wave strength at zero energy is obtained and found to be consistent with the results from pionic atoms. The new data indicate that the excitation function for this reaction differs significantly from that of p+n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d+${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$.
Major episodes of geologic change: correlations, time structure and possible causes

Published data sets of major geologic events of the past about 250 Myr (extinction events, sea-level lows, continental flood-basalt eruptions, mountain-building events, abrupt changes in sea-floor spreading, ocean-anoxic and blackshale events and the largest evaporite deposits) have been synthesized (with estimated errors). These events show evidence for a statistically significant periodic component with an underlying periodicity, formally equal to 26.6 Myr, and a recent maximum, close to the present time. The cycle may not be strictly periodic, but a periodicity of about 30 Myr is robust to probable errors in dating of the geologic events. The intervals of geologic change seem to involve jumps in sea-floor spreading associated with episodic continental rifting, volcanism, enhanced orogeny, global sea-level changes and fluctuations in climate. The period may represent a purely internal earth-pulsation, but evidence of planetesimal impacts at several extinction boundaries, and a possible underlying cycle of 28-36 Myr in crater ages, suggests that highly energetic impacts may be affecting global tectonics. A cyclic increase in the flux of planetesimals might result from the passage of the Solar System through the central plane of the Milky Way Galaxy - an event with a periodicity and mean phasing similar to that detected in the geologic changes.
Laser scanning phase modulation microscope

SUMMARY We describe the concept and first implementation of an innovative new instrument for quantitative light microscopy. Currently, it provides selective imaging of optical path differences due to birefringence; with further development, it is also possible to selectively image several optical properties, including refractive path differences, optical rotation, and linear and circular dichroism, all with diffraction-limited resolution. An image consists of a 512×512 element array, with each pixel displaying one of 256 grey levels, linearly proportional to the specific optical property being observed. Additionally, conventional brightfield and polarized light microscopy are available, with the accompanying advantages of laser scanning and digital image processing. The microscope consists of three subsystems, representing three distinct technologies. The laser scanning subsystem moves a focused, microspot across the specimen; the output of a photodetector is an electric signal corresponding to a scanned image. The image display subsystem digitizes this signal and displays it as an image on a video monitor. When used in conjunction with a phase modulation feedback loop, the image formed is of the specimen's birefringent retardation or other selected optical property. The digitized images are also available for computer enhancement.
Localized cervical venectasia: Presented as a neck tumor

Abstract A patient in whom an aneurysm of the external jugular vein, which was surgically removed successfully, is reported.
Effect of 2,4-D herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) on oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion of juveniles of Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Osteichthyes, Cichlidae).

Fish form important fisheries and aquaculture resources worldwide. In Brazil, pearl eartheater (Geophagus brasiliensis) is an important commercially exploited species and is an ideal animal for studying the impairment caused by the effects of herbicides that are often detected in the aquatic environment. The main purpose of the present study was to detect the acute toxicity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) to G. brasiliensis and investigate its effects on oxygen consumption, ammonium excretion, and the neutral red retention time assay to estimate effects at the cellular level. Such investigations have not been carried out before with this species. First, the acute toxicity of 2,4-D to G. brasiliensis in terms of the 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-h medium lethal concentration (LC50) was calculated to be 45.95, 32.49, 28.28, and 15.16 mg/l, respectively. Furthermore, it was found that exposure of fish to 40 mg/l 2,4-D caused reduction in oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion of 59% and 85%, respectively, in relation to the controls. Mean neutral red retention time assay was significantly lower in comparison with control for organisms exposed to 1, 5, 10, and 40 mg/l 2,4-D. However, the effects at the cellular level were progressive, suggesting that the fish are not able to recover from such increasing effects.
Piecewise linear servomechanisms

LINEAR servomechanisms have found widespread application primarily because of their inherent simplicity. This simplicity is reflected both in the physical structure of an approximately linear system and in its analysis. It is well known that the performance of a nonlinear servomechanism may be considerably better than that of a comparable linear one. Second-order systems may be investigated semianalytically by the phase plane approach. Unfortunately however, analytical methods for the design of more general nonlinear servo systems are virtually nonexistent. An analytical method based on a rather restrictive approximation was proposed by Kochenburger1 for analyzing contactor servos. Extension of Kochenburger's method to more general problems is discussed by Johnson.2
Synthesis of 3′-CTNU radiolabelled with 14C in the alkylating moiety and 3H in the carbamoylating moiety†

[6-3H]3′-[3-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-3′-deoxythymidine ([3H]3′-CTNU) radiolabelled with 3H in the carbamoylating moiety has been synthesized in high yield by conversion of tritiated 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine([3H]3′-ATdR) to [6-3H]3′-[3-(2-chloroethylureido)]-3′-deoxythymidine ([3H]3′-UTdR), followed by nitrosation with N2O3 gas. The title compound radiolabelled with 14C in the alkylating moiety was prepared by conversion of [2-14C]ethanolamine hydrochloride to [1-14C]chloroethylamine hydrochloride, followed by reaction with phosgene to yield [1-14C] chloroethyl isocyanate. This was converted to 3′-3-([1-14C] 2-chloroethylureido)-3′-deoxythymidine([14C]3′-UTdR), and nitrosated to afford 3′-[3-([1-14C] 2-chloroethyl) -3-nitrosoureido]-3′-deoxythymidine ([14C]3′-CTNU). HPLC methodology was developed for the purification of intermediate and final products.
Estimation of Mn2+ zero-field splitting parameters from a polycrystalline EPR spectrum: case of orthorhombic distortion

Abstract Expressions for the positions of forbidden hyperfine (h.f.) doublets, and the four peaks in each of the allowed h.f. line, in the central sextet of the EPR sepctrum of the Mn 2+ ion in a polycrystalline material have been derived, taking into account both the axial ( D ) and the orthorhombic ( E ) parameters. It is concluded that more detailed information can be obtained from hyperfine forbidden doublet separations by recording EPR spectrum at lower klystron frequencies, the other hand, the allowed line positions can be used to estimate the parameters D , E at higher klystron frequencies, where they are better resolved. Strategies have been discussed on how to estimate the values of D and E from a polycrystalline Mn 2+ EPR spectrum using these expressions depending on resolution of h.f. lines, without computer simulations.
A Novel Approach to Characterize Entrained Air Content in Pervious Concrete

The current pervious concrete placed in cold climates generally contains air entrainment but, unlike traditional concrete, the evaluation of entrained air is not performed. This paper presents results from a study that characterized the entrained air voids in pervious concrete using a RapidAir system. The RapidAir system is an automatic device that determines the air void properties of hardened concrete according to ASTM C457, “Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of Parameters of the Air-Void System in Hardened Concrete.” Two types of aggregates, i.e., crushed limestone and rounded river gravel (pea gravel), and two types of air entraining agents, i.e., natural and synthetic, were used. The air entrainment dosage rates varied from zero to double the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. Compressive strength, tensile strength, and freeze-thaw durability (ASTM C666A) of the pervious concrete were tested. The results show that use of air entrainment improves workability of pervious concrete, thus reducing the overall porosity and increasing unit weight of the pervious concrete. The strength and freeze-thaw durability also increases with the level of entrained air in pervious concrete.
Identification of Human Asparaginyl Endopeptidase (Legumain) as an Inhibitor of Osteoclast Formation and Bone Resorption

We screened a human osteoclast (OCL) cDNA expression library for OCL inhibitory factors and identified a clone that blocked both human and murine OCL formation and bone resorption by more than 60%. This clone was identical to human legumain, a cysteine endopeptidase. Legumain significantly inhibited OCL-like multinucleated cell formation induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in mouse and human bone marrow cultures, and bone resorption in the fetal rat long bone assay in a dose-dependent manner. Legumain was detected in freshly isolated marrow plasma from normal donors and conditioned media from human marrow cultures. Furthermore, treatment of human marrow cultures with an antibody to legumain induced OCL formation to levels that were as high as those induced by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Implantation in nude mice of 293 cells transfected with the legumain cDNA and constitutively expressing high levels of the protein significantly reduced hypercalcemia induced by PTHrP by about 50%, and significantly inhibited the increase in OCL surface and in OCL number expressed per mm2 bone area and per mm bone surface induced by PTHrP. These results suggest that legumain may be a physiologic local regulator of OCL activity that can negatively modulate OCL formation and activity.
Relaxation Dynamics and Threading Dislocations in ZnSeand ZnS y Se 1− y /GaAs (001) Heterostructures

The design of lattice-mismatched semiconductor devices requires a predictive model for strains and threading dislocation densities. Previous work enabled modeling of uniform layers but not the threading dislocations in device structures with arbitrary compositional grading. In this work we present a kinetic model for lattice relaxation which includes misfit–threading dislocation interactions, which have not been considered in previous annihilation–coalescence models. Inclusion of these dislocation interactions makes the kinetic model applicable to compositionally graded structures, and we have applied it to ZnSe/GaAs (001) and ZnSySe1−y/GaAs (001) heterostructures. The results of the kinetic model are consistent with the observed threading dislocation behavior in ZnSe/GaAs (001) uniform layers, and for graded ZnSySe1−y/GaAs (001) heterostructures the kinetic model predicts that the threading dislocation density may be reduced by the inclusion of grading buffer layers employing compositional overshoot. This “dislocation compensation” effect is consistent with our high-resolution x-ray diffraction experimental results for graded ZnSySe1−y/GaAs (001) structures grown by photoassisted metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy.
Spectral efficiency considerations in ultrawideband (UWB) radar and communications

Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of ultrawideband (UWB) technology in radar and communications applications. While the initial impetus for UWB systems was derived from the need for high-resolution radar applications for the military, these systems are now used in a variety of consumer applications such as cellular phones and satellite television. The principal motivation for using UWB is that it offers improved spectral efficiency, i.e., it permits multiple users to occupy and operate within the same frequency band with minimal cross-interference. Currently, UWB schemes use some form of pulse train modulation to encode data onto the carrier. However, these schemes are not always ideal since: (a) these are not the most spectrally efficient due to the fact that additional users can be added by using alternate schemes, (b) these do not possess anti-jam capability since it is possible to estimate the carrier frequency the signal, and (c) such type of modulation possess frequency sidelobes that might interfere with UWB devices in adjacent bands. Our research aims to characterize the above shortcomings and to ultimately develop a method for defining and estimating an appropriate spectral efficiency metric. We also present results of our study of new waveform designs, for both radar and communications, resulting in optimal sharing of frequency segments with minimum impact to system functionality and avoidance of spectral fratricide. One such waveform investigated and described herein is a combination of pulse shape and pulse position modulation, primarily for optimizing the performance of UWB communications systems that use pulse trains.
REFLECTION OF FLEXURAL WAVES IN GEOMETRICALLY PERIODIC BEAMS

Abstract The paper focuses on the reflection characteristics of elastic beams having a periodically varying cross-sectional area. Assuming a weak sinusoidal variation of the beam cross-sectional area. Assuming a weak sinusoidal variation of the beam cross-section along its axis, perturbation methods are employed to determine flexural resonance conditions and analyze the resonant destructive interaction of flexural waves with the periodic beam . This interaction, is represented in the form of coupled-wave equations, which are solved analytically, together with relevant boundary conditions, at the ends of the periodic section of the beam. The reflection coefficient is then calculated for beams having different types of periodicity. This study is intended to provide guidelines to control passively the flexural vibration in beams.
Fluid flow and stable isotopic alteration in rocks at elevated temperatures with applications to metamorphism

Abstract A simple model quantitatively predicts the shifts in stable isotope composition that result from fluid flow through rocks along a temperature gradient in flow systems where local fluid-rock isotope exchange equilibrium is attained. Equilibrium fluid flow along a temperature gradient is a potent mechanism for stable isotopic alteration in rocks: for example, a time-integrated fluid flux of 1 · 105 mol H2O/ cm2 flowing through a carbonate or quartzo-feldspathic rock at 600° C along a temperature gradient of +25°C/km will causeδ 18O to decrease by ≈5‰. Using the model, measured isotopic shifts in rocks can be quantitatively interpreted as records of time-integrated fluid flux and of flow direction relative to fossil temperature gradients in metamorphic terranes and other high-temperature, deep-crustal fluid flow systems. Inferred whole-rock 18O-depletions of 5–8‰ in contact and regional metamorphic terranes can be explained by flow of 2–50 · 104 mol/cm2 aqueous fluids through rocks in the direction of increasing temperature if local mineral-fluid equilibrium is maintained. Stable isotope alteration in metamorphic rocks does not require infiltration of chemically exotic, non-equilibrium fluids, and therefore does not necessarily provide information about the source of infiltrating fluids.
On a class of singular p-Laplacian boundary value problems

Abstract We prove the existence and nonexistence of positive solutions for the boundary value problem { − Δ p u = λ f ( u ) in Ω , u = 0 on ∂ Ω , where Δ p u = div ( | ∇ u | p − 2 ∇ u ) , p > 1 , Ω is a bounded domain in R n with smooth boundary ∂Ω, f : ( 0 , ∞ ) → R is ( p − 1 ) -subhomogeneous at ∞ and is allowed to change sign, and λ is a large parameter. Our approach is based on the method of sub- and supersolutions.
Importance of the renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of arterial blood pressure in conscious mice and rats.

Aim: The present experiments were designed to determine the mechanism(s) for increased sensitivity to blockade of the renin–angiotensin system in mice in comparison with rats. Methods: Mice and rats, with indwelling femoral arterial and venous catheters, were chronically administered angiotensin II or pharmacological inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin system as sodium intake was altered. Results: Increasing sodium intake led to suppression of circulating renin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone in rats and mice in the absence of alterations in arterial blood pressure. Additional experiments demonstrated that continuous intravenous infusion of angiotensin II (20 ng kg−1 min−1) significantly increased arterial blood pressure by approximately 35 mmHg in conscious rats at all levels of sodium intake (n = 6). In contrast, arterial pressure was unaffected by angiotensin II infusion in conscious mice under conditions of low sodium intake, although arterial pressure was increased by 16 mmHg when mice were administered a high sodium intake while infused with angiotensin II (n = 6). In comparison, blockade of the endogenous renin–angiotensin system led to significantly greater effects on arterial pressure in mice than rats. Continuous infusion of captopril (30 μg kg−1 min−1) or losartan (100 μg kg−1 min−1) resulted in a 55–90% greater fall in blood pressure in conscious mice in comparison with conscious rats. Conclusion: The present studies indicate that arterial pressure in mice is more dependent upon the endogenous renin–angiotensin system than it is in rats, but mice are more resistant to the hypertensive effects of exogenous angiotensin II.
SELECTIVE INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF STRESS HORMONES ON NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELL ACTIVITY OF LYMPHOCYTES FROM AIDS PATIENTS

To examine the potential role of stress hormones in the progression of HIV infections, we developed an in vitro model system that investigates the effects of cortisol, adreno-corticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH) and β-endorphin on the natural killer cell activity of lymphocytes from normal subjects and AIDS patients. The system employs a 4 hr51Cr release assay and K562 target cells. Direct addition of cortisol (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 μg/ml) or ACTH (10−6 to 10−8 M) to the mixture of effector and prelabeled target cells did not produce any significant immunoregulatory effects on the NK cell activity of normal lymphocytes. Direct addition of β-endorphin (10−13 to 10−17 M) to the mixture of effector and prelabeled target cells did not produce any significant immunoregulatory effects on the NK cell activity of lymphocytes from normal or AIDS subjects. However, cortisol and ACTH significantly inhibited the NK activity of lymphocytes from AIDS patients. The selective inhibitory effects of cortisol and ACTH in pat...
Systematics of thick-target recoil properties of deep spallation and fragmentation productions of high-energy proton reactions

Abstract Thick-target recoil properties of deep spallation and fragmentation products of the interaction of lanthanum, terbium, and lutetium with 800 GeV protons have been measured. The results yield the values of the mean product kinetic energies and, combined with previously reported angular distributions, those of the velocity of the remnant, β ∥ . The systematics of these quantities are examined both for these and other targets, ranging from silver to uranium.
Correlation of vitamin E, uric acid, and diet composition with histologic features of pediatric NAFLD.

OBJECTIVES Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in children in the United States. Although changes in diet are often recommended to improve NAFLD, little is known regarding the influence of diet on histologic features of the disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This was a prospective, cross-sectional registry-based study. Children (n = 149) enrolled in the multicenter nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) Clinical Research Network had demographic, anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, and histology data obtained, including the Block Brief Food Questionnaire. Subjects were grouped by presence or absence of steatohepatitis and grades of histologic features according to NASH Clinical Research Network criteria. RESULTS No significant differences were found between children with steatosis compared with steatohepatitis for fraction of energy from fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was low and did not correlate with histologic features, although uric acid, a surrogate marker for fructose intake, was significantly increased in those with definite NASH (P = 0.008). For all groups, vitamin E consumption was insufficient compared with the recommended daily allowance. Median consumption of vitamin E was lower in children with higher grade of steatosis (8.4 vs 6.1 vs 6.9 for grades I, II, and III, respectively, P = 0.05). Those consuming less vitamin C had increased ballooning degeneration (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with NAFLD have a diet that is insufficient in vitamin E and this may contribute to the pathophysiology of NAFLD. In children with NAFLD, reported sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is low; however, uric acid, which may reflect total fructose consumption, was significantly associated with NASH and should be further evaluated.
Visualization of eosinophil chemotactic factor in abomasal tissue of cattle by immunoperoxidase staining during Ostertagia ostertagi infection

Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) was localized predominantly in the intestinal cells and lateral hypodermal cords of developing fifth stage larvae (L5) of Ostertagia ostertagi within abomasal tissue cross-sections by peroxidase in an antibody sandwich technique using monoclonal antibody to ECF. Cooperia oncophora larvae in tissue cross-sections did not stain using this technique. These experiments demonstrate that ECF is localized in Ostertagia ostertagi organelles and is probably released by the developing L5 into the abomasal tissue surrounding the parasitized gland. The presence of ECF within O. ostertagi larvae in situ and the results of previous experiments demonstrated in vitro and in vivo ECF chemotactic activity help to explain why eosinophils are observed histologically in abomasal tissues from cattle with ostertagiasis.
The onset of nanofluid bioconvection in a suspension containing both nanoparticles and gyrotactic microorganisms

The purpose of this paper is to study the onset of bioconvection in a horizontal layer filled with a nanofluid that also contains gyrotactic microorganisms. The idea is to use microorganisms to induce or enhance convection in a nanofluid. A linear instability analysis is used to solve this problem. A Galerkin method is utilized to obtain an analytical solution for the critical Rayleigh number for the non-oscillatory situation. As in the case of a regular nanofluid (without the microorganisms), the presence of nanoparticles can either reduce or increase the value of the critical Rayleigh number, depending on whether the basic nanoparticle distribution is top-heavy or bottom-heavy. In contrast, the effect of gyrotactic microorganisms is always destabilizing.
Polyethylene Oxide Nanofibers as Ultraviolet Sensors

Using the electrospinning technique, we have prepared [Ru (pic) 2 (dmso) 2] doped-polyethylene oxide nanofibers for ultraviolet sensing. The diameter of the as-prepared fibers is in the range of 1μm-100nm. These fibers change color from pale yellow to orange when exposed to ultraviolet light (wavelength∼350nm) and return to their original color after approximately 2-3 days. The intensity of the color increases with an increased time of exposure to UV. The color changing behavior in the nanofibrous mat is almost the same as that in cast films prepared from the same solutions. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies of the fibers show that the morphology of the fibers remains unchanged after exposure to UV.
The relative effects of group size on reading progress of older students with reading difficulties

This study reports findings on the relative effects from a yearlong secondary intervention contrasting large-group, small-group, and school-provided interventions emphasizing word study, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension with seventh- and eighth-graders with reading difficulties. Findings indicate that few statistically significant results or clinically significant gains were associated with group size or intervention. Findings also indicate that a significant acceleration of reading outcomes for seventh- and eighth-graders from high-poverty schools is unlikely to result from a 50 min daily class. Instead, the findings indicate, achieving this outcome will require more comprehensive models including more extensive intervention (e.g., more time, even smaller groups), interventions that are longer in duration (multiple years), and interventions that vary in emphasis based on specific students’ needs (e.g., increased focus on comprehension or word study).
An Inborn Error in Epidermal Growth Factor Prohormone Metabolism in a Mouse Model of Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease

The C57BL/6J CPK heterozygous breeders secrete in urine a variant EGFprohormone with a molecular mass of 154 kDa in addition to the normal 165 kDa EGFprohormone. The 154 kDa prohormone is secreted as a heterodimer with the normal 165 kDa prohormone. The phenotypically normal littermates, like their parents, secrete the 154 and 165 kDa EGF-prohormones in urine while their cystic siblings secrete neither protein. Examination of renal extracts of normal littermates revealed the presence of the 165 kfla but not the 154 kDa EGFprohormone; renal extracts of cystic siblings contained neither protein. Cyst fluid, however, contained 56 and 49 kDa EGF-immunoreactive proteins in high concentrations. The data suggest that in the absence of normal 165 kDa prohormone, the 154 kDa EGF-prohormone undergoes proteolysis and that the resultant fragments function as cystogens. Since normal siblings do not acquire renal cystic disease despite expressing the variant 154 kDa EGF-prohormone while the affected littermates, which lack the normal 165 kDa EGF-prohormone, manifest renal cystic disease, we suggest that congenital polycystic kidney disease is due to an inborn defect in the synthesis and secretion of the normal 165 kDa renal EGF-prohormone.
Dynamics of Carbon Monoxide Binding to Cystathionine β-Synthase

Abstract Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) condenses homocysteine, a toxic metabolite, with serine in a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent reaction. It also contains a heme cofactor to which carbon monoxide (CO) or nitric oxide can bind, resulting in enzyme inhibition. To understand the mechanism of this regulation, we have investigated the equilibria and kinetics of CO binding to the highly active catalytic core of CBS, which is dimeric. CBS exhibits strong anticooperativity in CO binding with successive association constants of 0.24 and 0.02 μm-1. Stopped flow measurements reveal slow CO association (0.0166 s-1) limited by dissociation of the endogenous ligand, Cys-52. Rebinding of CO and of Cys-52 following CO photodissociation were independently monitored via time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. The Cys-52 rebinding rate, 4000 s-1, is essentially unchanged between pH 7.6 and 10.5, indicating that the pKa of Cys-52 is shifted below pH 7.6. This effect is attributed to the nearby Arg-266 residue, which is proposed to form a salt bridge with the dissociated Cys-52, thereby inhibiting its protonation and slowing rebinding to the Fe. This salt bridge suggests a pathway for enzyme inactivation upon CO binding, because Arg-266 is located on a helix that connects the heme and pyridoxal phosphate cofactor domains.
Timing analysis of erroneous systems

Erroneous systems allow timing errors to occur during execution, but use measures to ensure continued operation through changes in operating parameters (voltage and frequency), error correction at various levels of the system, or ensuring controlled occurrence of errors to perform approximate computing. In this paper, we are interested in characterization of error behavior at the level of instructions and programs. We propose Inter- and Intra-Program Variation as measures of error rate variability in different programs and among instructions of a program, respectively. We also characterize the error rate variation caused by the program input data and show that it is comparable to other sources of variability such as process variation. Finally, we present an analysis of the physical location of errors in hardware, identify regions in which most of the errors occur, and how different programs change the distribution of errors among these regions. In order to enable reliable timing analysis of large programs, we propose Clustered Timing Model (CTM), a high level timing model based on clustering functionally similar timing paths of the processor, and develop a CTM for LEON3, a representative in-order RISC processor. The accuracy of the model is verified using our variation-aware timing analysis framework with an average error of 3.9% (max. 6.7%) across a wide range of voltage-temperature corners.
Comparison of DNA-Reactive Metabolites from Nitrosamine and Styrene Using Voltammetric DNA/Microsomes Sensors

Voltammetric sensors made with films of polyions, double-stranded DNA and liver microsomes adsorbed layer-by-layer onto pyrolytic graphite electrodes were evaluated for reactive metabolite screening. This approach features simple, inexpensive screening without enzyme purification for applications in drug or environmental chemical development. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the liver microsomes were activated by an NADPH regenerating system or by electrolysis to metabolize model carcinogenic compounds nitrosamine and styrene. Reactive metabolites formed in the films were trapped as adducts with nucleobases on DNA. The DNA damage was detected by square-wave voltammetry (SWV) using [Formula: see text] as a DNA-oxidation catalyst. These sensors showed a larger rate of increase in signal vs. reaction time for a highly toxic nitrosamine than for the moderately toxic styrene due to more rapid reactive metabolite-DNA adduct formation. Results were consistent with reported in vivo TD(50) data for the formation of liver tumors in rats. Analogous polyion/ liver microsome films prepared on 500 nm silica nanoparticles (nanoreactors) and reacted with nitrosamine or styrene, provided LC-MS or GC analyses of metabolite formation rates that correlated well with sensor response.
Abiotic constraints eclipse biotic resistance in determining invasibility along experimental vernal pool gradients.

Effective management of invasive species requires that we understand the mechanisms determining community invasibility. Successful invaders must tolerate abiotic conditions and overcome resistance from native species in invaded habitats. Biotic resistance to invasions may reflect the diversity, abundance, or identity of species in a community. Few studies, however, have examined the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors determining community invasibility. In a greenhouse experiment, we simulated the abiotic and biotic gradients typically found in vernal pools to better understand their impacts on invasibility. Specifically, we invaded plant communities differing in richness, identity, and abundance of native plants (the ''plant neighborhood'') and depth of inundation to measure their effects on growth, reproduction, and survival of five exotic plant species. Inundation reduced growth, reproduction, and survival of the five exotic species more than did plant neighborhood. Inundation reduced survival of three species and growth and reproduction of all five species. Neighboring plants reduced growth and reproduction of three species but generally did not affect survival. Brassica rapa, Centaurea solstitialis, and Vicia villosa all suffered high mortality due to inundation but were generally unaffected by neighboring plants. In contrast, Hordeum marinum and Lolium multiflorum, whose survival was unaffected by inundation, were more impacted by neighboring plants. However, the four measures describing plant neighborhood differed in their effects. Neighbor abundance impacted growth and reproduction more than did neighbor richness or identity, with growth and reproduction generally decreasing with increasing density and mass of neighbors. Collectively, these results suggest that abiotic constraints play the dominant role in determining invasibility along vernal pool and similar gradients. By reducing survival, abiotic constraints allow only species with the appropriate morphological and physiological traits to invade. In contrast, biotic resistance reduces invasibility only in more benign environments and is best predicted by the abundance, rather than diversity, of neighbors. These results suggest that stressful environments are not likely to be invaded by most exotic species. However, species, such as H. marinum, that are able to invade these habitats require careful management, especially since these environments often harbor rare species and communities.