cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Connectionless protocol: a localised approach to wireless ad hoc networks

Most mobile ad hoc network's communication techniques need to discover routes and establish a connection before they can communicate. This strategy cannot robustly adapt to frequent unpredictable topology changes due to high mobility. Constant reconnections incur significant overhead making these schemes unsuitable for applications such as voice and video. To address these issues, we explore a connectionless paradigm in this paper. By leverage GPS technology, data packets are relayed along the general direction to packets' destination using different intermediate nodes at different times without having to first establish a connection. The performance of this solution is essentially unaffected by node mobility.
Comparative gustatory responses in four species of gerbilline rodents

Integrated taste responses to chemical stimulation of the tongue were recorded from the intact chorda tympani nerve in four species of gerbils (Meriones libycus, M. shawi, M. unguiculatus andPsammomys obesus).
Splenic rupture associated with primary CMV infection, AMSAN, and IVIG.

Splenic rupture is a rare complication of primary cytomegalovirus infection, but has not been reported after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin or in the setting of the Guillain-Barre syndrome and its many variants, which often lead to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. There is strong evidence that intravenous immunoglobulin causes sequestration of erythrocytes in the spleen and extravascular hemolytic anemia. This may result in a two-hit scenario that clinicians should be aware of, where a patient who is at risk for splenic rupture due to primary cytomegalovirus infection receives intravenous immunoglobulin as treatment for the cytomegalovirus-associated Guillain-Barre syndrome, further increasing their risk of rupture.
Positive and negative phosphorylation regulates RIP1- and RIP3-induced programmed necrosis

Programmed necrosis or necroptosis is controlled by the action of two serine/threonine kinases, RIP1 (receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1; also known as RIPK1) and RIP3. The phosphorylation of RIP1 and RIP3 is critical for assembly of the necrosome, an amyloid-like complex that initiates transmission of the pro-necrotic signal. In the present study, we used site-directed mutagenesis to systematically examine the effects of putative phosphoacceptor sites on RIP1 and RIP3 on TNF (tumour necrosis factor)-induced programmed necrosis. We found that mutation of individual serine residues in the kinase domain of RIP1 had little effect on RIP1 kinase activity and TNF-induced programmed necrosis. Surprisingly, an alanine residue substitution for Ser(89) enhanced RIP1 kinase activity and TNF-induced programmed necrosis without affecting RIP1-RIP3 necrosome formation. This indicates that Ser(89) is an inhibitory phosphoacceptor site that can dampen the pro-necrotic function of RIP1. In addition, we show that a phosphomimetic mutant of RIP3, S204D, led to programmed necrosis that was refractory to RIP1 siRNA and insensitive to necrostatin-1 inhibition. Our results show that programmed necrosis is regulated by positive and inhibitory phosphorylation events.
Recent progress in organic nonlinear optics

Nonlinear optical processes in ic-electron organic and polymer systems have attracted considerable study because their fundamental understanding has led to observations of new phenomena and new theoretical findings and to the development of new materials and devices of considerable promise1. The ic-electron excitations occurring on the individual molecular, or polymer chain, units are the basic origin of the observed large nonresonant nonlinear optical coefficients. The coefficients are broad band and ultrafast, and, as shown by theory and experiment, their sign, magnitude, and dispersion are determined by many-body electron correlation effects1. The field has now arrived at a critical crossroad to realize actual technological applications. Table 1 summarizes many of the key features of nonlinear optical polymers. Activities have increasingly centered on high performance materials that comply with device manufacturing and end-use conditions. The main attractions for applications remain the low cost, practical materials processing associated with polymer films, fibers, and bulk components. In an important recent development in data communications networks, a new application area may be emerging for optical polymer materials in the form of high band width polymer optical fibers (POF). In this review, we briefly summarize several recent developments in organic nonlinear optics. The summary is intended to illustrate the rich variety of developments in the field. The topics include exciton strings, photoactive proteins, polymer optical fibers for data communications, two photon states in third order optical processes, electrooptic polymers, photorefractive polymers, octopolar organometallic complexes, and multigigahertz electrooptic modulators.
Application of bacterial artificial chromosomes to the generation of contiguous physical maps: A pilot study of human ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) region

Abstract In order to increase the rate of generation of a contiguous human chromosome 19 physical map, we have investigated the advantages of using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library in comparison with other systems. This cloning system, recently described, can faithfully propagate DNA fragments greater than 300 kb in size. We have screened a total human genomic BAC library with a complex cosmid probe, specific for the ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) located at 19q13.1. One 150-kb BAC was positive for the ryanodine receptor probe. The ryanodine receptor BAC hybridized to a 150-kb overlapping set of nine chromosome 19-specific cosmids at the 3′ terminus of the RYR1 gene as well as two established cosmid contigs which can be linked to the same physical region. The hybridization of the BAC to a 150-kb set of chromosome 19 cosmids suggests that this BAC is nonchimeric instructure.
Allogeneic recognition and rejection reactions in the placenta.

: One of the major questions in medicine is how human extraembryonic tissues escape rejection by maternal immune responses, because these tissues are allogeneic and should stimulate allogeneic recognition and rejection reactions. Evidence for maternal allogeneic recognition of extraembryonic tissues in chorionic villi, basal plate, and spiral arteries is presented. Extraembryonic membranes seem always to stimulate maternal allogeneic recognition and rejection reactions, and abnormal pregnancies appear to be associated with a simple quantitative increase of the same placental immunopathological lesions found in normal pregnancies.
Modeling Drainwater Selenium Removal in Wetlands

Prediction of selenium (Se) mass distribution and Se speciation in wetlands is desired for a comprehensive assessment of the capability of vegetated wetlands to remove Se from agricultural drainage waters prior to impoundment in evaporation basins. A mathematical model was developed to describe Se transformations and transport in Tulare Lake Drainage District’s pilot flow-through wetland cells in California having dimensions of 15 m width and 76 m length. In the model, the wetland cell is subdivided into five subcells and each subcell consists of 10 internal compartments and Se can be transferred between the compartments by physical and chemical processes. Physical processes include water movement, plant litter drop, and physical material breakdown. Chemical processes include Se reduction from selenate (SeVI) to selenite (SeIV), and further reduction to elemental selenium (Se0) and organic Se (Se-II). In the chemical processes, the Se transformation reaction was assumed to obey first-order kinetics and th...
Reproductive versus chronologic age as a predictor of low birth weight, preterm delivery and intrauterine growth retardation in primiparous women

SummaryThe effect of reproductive age (chronologic age at conception minus menarcheal age) and chronologic age on the risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and intrauterine growth retardation were studied in 1198 primiparous women whose pregancies ended in singleton live births at Yale — New Haven Hospital, 1980–1982. After adjustment for maternal race and other important confounding variables, neither young reproductive age ( 29 years) was also not strongly related to any of these outcomes, but older reproductive age (>15 years) was moderately associated with low birth weight (OR 1.9; 95% CI 0.9, 3.8) after adjusting for maternal race, religion and smoking status. In addition, extremely young reproductive age (<2 years) appeared to be associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (OR 3.1; 95% CI 0.7, 14.6), but our sample was too small to adjust for confounding f...
Interface effects in tunneling models with identical real and complex dispersions

Simple heterostructure models are often employed due to their computational efficiency. The approximations involved are not, however, well understood; this is particularly true with respect to the interfaces. In order to clarify this situation we study two different monoatomic (single-band) models and two different diatomic (two-band) models all having identical dispersion relations. We study in detail the relationships between the one- and two-band models, showing that their points of agreement and disagreement arise directly from the handling of the interfaces.
Structural examination of RIASEC scales in high school students: Variation across ethnicity and method

Abstract The structural validity of Holland’s model of vocational interests across racial/ethnic groups was examined in the population of high school juniors in two states. The fit of the circumplex model to Holland’s RIASEC types as assessed by the UNIACT-R was evaluated for the general sample and five subgroups: Caucasian/Euro-Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. Four different methods were used to test the proposed circumplex structure, each with various circumplex definitions. Results indicate that nonparametric methods generally showed good model-data fit, whereas SEM-based results indicated less support. No differences in fit were found across ethnicity supporting the usage with U.S. ethnic groups.
The Everyday Emergency: Planning and Democracy Under Austerity Regimes

In the last several years, the governor of Michigan has placed seven cities under the control of emergency managers (EMs), who have the authority to make drastic cuts and rearrangements of public processes and services. I investigate what happens to planning processes under these circumstances, and how EMs use planning to accomplish their goals. I find that many of the cities devote renewed attention to planning, and that the planning process may function as an alternative public participation process, given that the normal democratic process had been disrupted. I also find that the implementation of the plans is likely to be problematic because of staffing cuts, and that planning in itself cannot solve the structural problems that led to these cities’ financial distress.
Geometric optimization on spaces of finite frames

ABSTRACT A nite ( ;S )-frame variety consists of the real or complex matrices F = [ f 1 :::f N ] with frame operator FF =S , and satisfying kf i k =  i for all i = 1 ;:::;N . Here, S is a xed Hermitian positive de nite matrix and = [  1 ;:::; N ] is a xed list of lengths. These spaces generalize the well-known spaces of nite unit norm tightframes. We explore the local geometry of these spaces and develop geometric optimization algorithms based onthe resulting insights.Keywords: Finite frames, Grassmannian frames, Welch bound, Geometric Optimization 1. INTRODUCTION In this article, we describe and validate an approximate geometric gradient descent algorithm for optimizing C 1 objective functions directly over the ( ;S )-frame varieties. Two key tools empower this algorithm:1. Gradient descent of the frame operator distance2. Characterizations of the tangent spaces on the ( ;S )-frame varieties.After describing these two tools and supplying theoretical support for their application, we describe the approx-imate geometric gradient descent algorithm and supply theoretical support for it's application. We then applythis algorithm to the problem of numerically computing equiangular tight frames, Grassmannian frames, Welchbound equality (WBE) sequences.Generalized WBE sequences are tight frames that satisfy kf
One hundred years of limited impact of Jaspers' General Psychopathology on US psychiatry.

AbstractJaspers, a German psychiatrist, published General Psychopathology in 1913. Jaspers, Schneider, and Mayer-Gross were members of the Heidelberg school. General Psychopathology, indirectly through Schneider’s and Mayer-Gross’ textbooks and directly by its English translation in 1963, led to a n
Mechanisms of Meconium Passage: Cholinergic Stimulation of Electromechanical Coordination in the Fetal Colon

Objective: Fetal gastrointestinal function develops in utero, with evidence of enhanced motility near-term. Although colonic passage of meconium in utero may be associated with fetal maturation or stress, little is known of the mechanisms potentiating motility. We assessed the effect of bethanechol, a cholinergic prokinetic agent, on colonic muscle muscular contractile and electromyogram (EMG) activity in the near-term ovine fetus.Methods: Near-term (130 days, n = 8) singleton ovine fetuses were chronically prepared with vascular catheters and three sets of miniature strain gauges and bipolar EMGs on the serosal surface of the transverse colon, left colic flexure, and distal colon. Following a 60-minute control period, fetuses received intravenous bethanechol (60 μg/kg, Low-Beth; 120 μg/kg, High-Beth) at 60 and 180 minutes. Colonic activity was recorded digitally and analyzed for short-duration (2<SHORT< 15 seconds) and long-duration (15<LONG< 120 seconds) strain gauge and EMG contractions. Data were expr...
Infrared reflectance spectra of fayalite, and absorption datafrom assorted olivines, including pressure and isotope effects

Polarized single-crystal infrared (IR) reflectance spectra measured for synthetic fayalite (Fe2SiO4) possess all but one of the peaks mandated by symmetry plus a few weak bands attributable to overtones. Fayalite has a band at 86 cm−1, which is below the frequency range commonly examined, suggesting that vibrational spectra of ferrous minerals may need remeasuring. B2u polarizations were also measured for natural monticellite (nearly MgCaSiO4) and synthetic Mg2Si18O4. Thin film absorption data were collected for the above species, Co2SiO4, Mn2SiO4, Mg2SiO4, (Mg1.9Fe0.1)SiO4, Mg2GeO4 and Mn2GeO4. The relationships of IR peak positions (from these data and from previous single-crystal studies) with the inverse square root of the average cation mass were used to make band assignments, to estimate the positions for missing bands, and to determine which peaks are degenerate. The pressure dependencies of monticellite IR peaks were measured and resemble those of other olivines.
Time schedule of apomorphine administration determines the degree of globus pallidus excitation.

Abstract Intravenous administration of a single 320 μg/kg bolus of apomorphine signicantly increased the unit activity of rat globus pallidus neurons. Significantly attenuated responses to apomorphine were observed when 320 μg/kg apomorphine was administered i.v. in divided doses (5, 35, 280 μg/kg) 3–5 min apart of when 320 μgg/kg apomorphine was given i.v. 8 min after nonexcitatory ‘priming’ dose (20 μg/kg i.v.) of apomorphine. These results suggest that the expression and magnitude of apomorphine-induced excitation of pallidal neurons is influenced by the time schedule of drug administration.
DUSKY DOLPHIN (LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS) FORAGING IN TWO DIFFERENT HABITATS: ACTIVE ACOUSTIC DETECTION OF DOLPHINS AND THEIR PREY

Active-acoustic surveys were used to determine the distribution of dusky dolphins and potential prey in two different New Zealand locations. During seven survey days off Kaikoura Canyon, dusky dolphins were found within the DeepScattering Layer (DSL) at 2000 when it rose to within 125 m of the surface. As the DSL rose to 30 m at 0100, the observed depth of dolphins decreased, presumably as the dolphins followed the vertical migration of their prey. Acoustically identified subgroups of coordinated animals ranged from one to five dolphins. Time, depth of layer, and layer variance contributed significantly to predicting foraging dusky dolphin subgroup size. In the much shallower and more enclosed Admiralty Bay, dolphins noted at the surface as foraging were always detected with the sonar, but were never observed in coordinated subgroups during the brief (two-day) study there. In Admiralty Bay dolphin abundance was correlated with mean volume scattering from potential prey in the water column; and when volume scattering, an index of prey density, was low, dolphins were rarely present. Ecological differences between the deep waters of Kaikoura Canyon and the shallow nearshore waters of Admiralty Bay may result in differences in how, when, and in what social groupings dusky dolphins forage.
Intercalation of polyfuran in FeOCl.

Abstract The intercalation of polyfuran, by in-situ intercalative oxidative polymerization of terfuran in FeOCl is reported. The intercalation reaction proceeds to completion in methanol in a sealed tube at 100 °C. The resulting compound, polyfuran/FeOCl (I), is crystalline. An interlayer expansion of ≈7.7 A is observed upon intercalation. The formation of polyfuran in the interlayer space of the host material was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and by isolation of the polymers from the host. Tetrafuran could not be intercalated completely under the conditions employed. Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power data from pressed pellets of (I) are reported and the results are compared with other FeOCl intercalated polymers. X-ray diffraction, magnetic, infrared spectroscopic and scanning and transmission electron microscopic characterization of (I) are reported.
Precursor-mediated dissociation of n-butane on a PdO(1 0 1) thin film

Abstract We investigated the molecular adsorption and dissociation of n -butane on a PdO(1 0 1) thin film using temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. At low coverage, n -butane adsorbs on PdO(1 0 1) in a molecular state that is more strongly bound than n -butane physisorbed on Pd(1 1 1). This molecularly adsorbed state of n -butane on PdO(1 0 1) corresponds to a σ-complex that forms on the rows of coordinatively unsaturated (cus) Pd atoms of the oxide surface. TPRS results show that a fraction of the n -butane layer undergoes C–H bond cleavage below ∼215 K and that the resulting fragments are completely oxidized by the surface upon continued heating. The evolution of product yields with the n -butane coverage as well as site blocking experiments provide strong evidence that the n -butane σ-complex serves as the precursor to initial C–H bond cleavage of n -butane on PdO(1 0 1). DFT calculations confirm the formation of an n -butane σ-complex on PdO(1 0 1). In the preferred bonding geometry, the n -butane molecule aligns parallel to a cus-Pd row and adopts a so-called η 1 (2H) configuration with two coordinate H–Pd bonds per molecule. Our DFT calculations also show that σ-complex formation weakens C–H bonds, causing bond elongation and vibrational mode softening. For methane, we predict that coordination with a cus-Pd atom lowers the barrier for C–H bond cleavage on PdO(1 0 1) by more than 100 kJ/mol. These results demonstrate that dative bonding between alkane molecules and cus-Pd atoms serves to electronically activate C–H bonds on PdO(1 0 1) and suggest that adsorbed σ-complexes play a general role as precursors in alkane activation on transition metal oxide surfaces.
Virus persists in β cells of islets of Langerhans and is associated with chemical manifestations of diabetes

Molecular hybridization, monoclonal antibody, and electron microscopic analyses showed lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (strains Armstrong and WE) persistently infecting cells of the islets of Langerhans in BALB/WEHI mice. When monoclonal or monospecific antibody conjugated with two different fluorochrome dyes was used to mark insulin-containing beta cells or viral antigens, viral nucleoprotein was identified predominantly in beta cells. Electron microscopy confirmed these findings by showing virions budding from the beta cells. Persistent infection was associated with chemical evidence of diabetes (hyperglycemia, abnormal glucose tolerance, and normal or low-normal concentrations of insulin). Concentrations of cortisol and insulin-like growth factor in blood were normal, as was the level of growth hormone in the pituitary gland. The virus-infected islet cells showed normal anatomy and cytomorphology. Neither cell lysis nor inflammatory infiltrates were routinely seen. Thus a virus may persistently infect islet cells and provide a biochemical and morphological picture comparable to that of early adult-onset diabetes mellitus in humans.
The integral form of the equation of transfer in finite, two-dimensional, cylindrical media

Abstract The corresponding integral form of the equation of radiative transfer in absorbing, emitting, linear-anisotropic scattering media bounded by emitting, diffusely-reflecting walls is formulated. The formulation includes a development of expressions for the radiation intensity, the incident radiation and the forward and backward radiation heat fluxes in the axial and radial directions, respectively. The integral form is represented by a system of coupled Fredholm type integral equations, which can be solved accurately by numerical techniques. The two-dimensional formulation is subsequently used to develop the corresponding integral equations in one-dimensional, axi-symmetric media. In addition, it is also shown that the developed expressions for the net radiant fluxes in the r - and z -directions, respectively, are different from the equations presented recently in the literature.
Numerical analysis of surface-wave scattering by the boundary element method

Abstract Scattering of a Rayleigh surface wave by a surface-breaking crack is investigated. The crack is inclined under an arbitrary angle with the normal to the free surface of a half-space. The representation integral for the scattered displacement field is employed to obtain expressions for the surface tractions. In conjunction with the conditions on the crack faces and on the surface of the half-space, these expressions yield a set of boundary integral equations, which are solved numerically by the boundary element method. Results for the reflection and transmission coefficients, as well as for the time-averaged energy-flux radiated into the solid by body waves, are presented. Parametrical studies reveal the variation of these results with the angle of inclination of the crack and with the frequency of the incident wave.
Homopolar and Heteropolar Bond Dissociation Energies and Heats of Formation of Radicals and Ions in the Gas Phase II. The relationship between structure and bond dissociation in organic molecules

The preceeding paper presents a critical tabular compilation of 2-center homo- and heteropolar bond dissociation energies. This paper deals with some empirically derived general aspects of these data, particularly regarding relationships between structure and reactivity, i.e. substituent effects on bond dissociation energies. ‘Extra’ stabilization energies generated in electronically delocalized radicals or ions derived from these experimental data are also presented.
Failure of B-cell differentiation in mice lacking the transcription factor EBF

Early B-cell factor (EBF) is a cell type-specific transcription factor that is expressed at all antigen-independent stages of B-lymphocyte differentiation and participates in the regulation of the mb-1 gene. Here we show, by targeted gene disruption in mice, that EBF is necessary for the generation of immunoglobulin-expressing B cells. EBF-deficient mice lack B cells that have rearranged their immunoglobulin D and JH gene segments, but contain B220+CD43+ progenitor cells that express germline mu and IL-7 receptor transcripts. Various non-lymphoid tissues that express EBF are apparently normal in homozygous mutant mice, including olfactory neurons in which EBF was identified as Olf-1 (refs 5, 6). Together, these data suggest that EBF plays a specific and important role in the transcriptional control of B-cell differentiation at a stage before Ig (immunoglobulin) gene rearrangement but after commitment of cells to the B-lymphoid lineage.
Structural and magnetic properties of copper(II) coordination polymers containing fluoride-based anions and ancillary organic ligands

The fluoride (F−) and bifluoride (HF2−) anions have been little used in the self-assembly of molecular and polymeric magnets. We have recently synthesized several new compounds, namely CuF2(3-OHpy)4 (OHpy = hydroxypyridine) (1), Cu(SiF6)(2,6-me2pyz)4 (me2pyz = dimethylpyrazine) (2), CuF2(H2O)2(pyz) (pyz = pyrazine) (3) and [Cu(HF2)(pyz)2]BF4 (4). Compound 1 contains coordinate covalent and hydrogen bonding interactions that link the Cu(II) ions into 3D networks while 2 features square-pyramidal Cu(II) ions that are weakly bridged by SiF62− anions into 1D chains. Preliminary structural data indicate that compound 3 contains 1D Cu-pyz-Cu chains while 4 contains two dimensional [Cu(pyz)2]2+ layers, which held together via HF2− anions so as to form an unprecedented 3D network. The magnetic properties of each are briefly described herein.
Fully automatic 3D segmentation of iceball for image-guided cryoablation

The efficient extraction of the cryoablation iceball from a time series of 3D images is crucial during cryoablation to assist the interventionalist in determining the coverage of the tumor by the ablated volume. Conventional semi-automatic segmentation tools such as ITK-SNAP and 3D Slicer's Fast Marching Segmentation can attain accurate iceball segmentation in retrospective studies, however, they are not ideal for intraprocedure real time segmentation, as they require time-consuming manual operations, such as the input of fiducials and the extent of the segmented region growth. In this paper, we present an innovative approach for the segmentation of the iceball during cryoablation, that executes a fully automatic computation. Our approach is based on the graph cuts segmentation framework, and incorporates prior information of iceball shape evolving in time, modeled using experimentally-derived iceball growth parameters. Modeling yields a shape prior mask image at each timepoint of the imaging time series for use in the segmentation. Segmentation results of our method and the ITK-SNAP method are compared for 8 timepoints in 2 cases. The results indicate that our fully automatic approach is accurate, robust and highly efficient compared to manual and semi-automatic approaches.
A comparison of DNA vaccines for the rabies-related virus, Mokola.

Abstract Mokola virus, a rabies-related virus, has been reported to date from the African continent only. Like rabies virus, it is highly pathogenic, causes acute encephalitis, and zoonotic events have been documented. Although believed to be rare, there has been an unexplained increase in the number of isolations of the virus in South Africa in recent years. We have cloned and sequenced the glycoprotein (G) and nucleoprotein (N) genes from a South African Mokola virus, and used these in the construction of different DNA vaccines for immunization against Mokola virus. Four vaccines, utilizing different promoters and DNA backbone compositions, were generated and compared for efficacy in protection against Mokola virus. In one of these, both the Mokola virus G and N genes were co-expressed. Two of the single G-expressing DNA vaccines (based on pSG5 and pCI-neo, respectively) protected laboratory mice against lethal challenge, despite major differences in their promoters. However, neither vaccine was fully protective in a single immunization only. Serological assays confirmed titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies after immunization, which increased upon booster vaccine administration. A third construct (based on pBudCE4) was less effective in inducing a protective immune response, despite employing a strong CMV enhancer/promoter also used in the pCI-neo plasmid. Dual expression of Mokola virus G and N genes in pBudCE4 did not enhance its efficacy, under the conditions described. In addition, no significant utility could be demonstrated for a combined prime-boost approach, as no cross-protective immunity was observed against rabies or Mokola viruses from the use of pSG5-mokG or vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein recombinant virus vaccines, respectively, even though both vaccines provided 60–100% protection against homologous virus challenge.
Conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignments and Ab Initio calculations of 3-methylbut-1-ene

The Raman spectra (3200–10 cm−1) of gaseous, liquid and solid and infrared spectra (3200–40 cm−1) of gaseous and solid 3-methylbut-1-ene, H2CCHCH(CH3)2, were recorded. From the vibrational spectra of gaseous 3-methylbut-1-ene, below 200 cm−1, the asymmetric torsional mode of the more stable trans and higher energy gauche conformers were assigned. From studies of the Raman spectrum of the gas with variable temperatures the trans conformer has been determined to be more stable than the gauche form by 155 ± 31 cm−1 [443 ± 89 cal mol−1 (1 cal = 4.184 J)]. Similar studies for the liquid indicate that the two conformers are nearly equivalent in energy and for the annealed solid only the gauche conformer persists. Optimized structural parameters, obtained from ab initio calculations with the MP2/6–31G basis set, were used to obtain the kinetic energy terms with structural relaxation for the asymmetric internal rotation. The coefficients of the potential function governing the conformational interchange are V1 = 198 ± 15, V2 = 68 ± 6, V3 = 748 ± 1 and V4 = -55 ± 2 cm−1, and this potential has trans to gauche, gauche to gauche and gauche to trans barriers of 816, 787 and 657 cm−1, respectively. Barriers to internal rotation of the methyl rotors of 1169 cm−1 for the trans conformer and 1290 ± 30 and 1525 ± 50 cm−1 for the gauche conformer were determined from the low-frequency Raman and far-infrared spectra of the gas. Vibrational assignments are provided which are based on infrared band contours. Raman depolarization values, group frequencies and normal coordinate calculations. The conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation and fundamental vibrational frequencies which were determined from experimental data are compared with those obtained from ab initio calculations.
A singular perturbation analysis of theoretical models for warm inhomogeneous plasmas

Owing to the complexity of the Vlasov–Maxwell equations for inhomogeneous plasmas, it is of general interest to investigate simpler approximate models. We compare three specific models, proposed in the literature in connexion with the high frequency oscillations of such plasmas, by means of a singular perturbation expansion in powers of E = (λ D /L)⅔, where λ D and L are appropriate electron Debye and equilibrium scale lengths, respectively. Explicit formulas are obtained for the eigenfrequencies (to second order) and for the electric field eigenfunctions (to leading order), and the computation of these quantities for various equilibrium parameters becomes very simple indeed. We find that, whereas the electric field eigenfunctions differ in zero order for the three models, the eigenfrequencies are identical through first order.
Diverse Myeloid and Lymphoid Cell Subpopulations Produce Gamma Interferon during Early Innate Immune Responses to Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain

Francisella tularensis, a small gram-negative intracellular bacterium responsible for causing tularemia, is highly pathogenic and classified as a category A agent of bioterrorism. As for other intracellular pathogens, successful protective immune responses to Francisella tularensis require rapid and efficient induction of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. Studies using intracellular bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes as well as Francisella suggest that natural killer (NK) and T cells are important sources of IFN-γ. However, comprehensive characterization of specific sources of IFN-γ produced during Francisella infection in vivo remains incomplete, and depletion of NK cells before infection of mice with the F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) has little impact on the course or outcome of infection. In this study, we determined the cell subpopulations that respond quickly to intradermal F. tularensis LVS infection of mice by producing IFN-γ within hours to a few days. Splenic and liver lymphocytes were obtained from LVS-infected mice and analyzed for IFN-γ mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR, for intracellular cytokine expression by multiparameter flow cytometry, and for ex vivo production of IFN-γ protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cells producing IFN-γ were readily detectable by day 3 after infection, and numbers progressively increased through days 5 to 7. Importantly, the cell types responsible for IFN-γ production were much more varied than expected: these included not only NK cells and T cells, which might be predicted, but also other cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), “NK DCs,” NK T cells, and neutrophils. Most importantly, since RAG-1 knockout mice appeared to exhibit a frequency of IFN-γ-producing cells comparable to that of intact wild-type mice, early IFN-γ production by innate immune cells does not depend on the presence of T or B cells.
In vitro oxyhaemoglobin saturation measurements in haemoglobin solutions using fibreoptic pulmonary artery catheters

We compared in vitro oxyhaemoglobin saturations using two pulmonary artery catheters (catheter So2) with oxyhaemoglobin saturations (So2) measured by the IL282 co-oximeter and derived partial oxyhaemoglobin saturations (partial So2) at different oxygen tensions (Po2) in six solutions: whole blood, 50:50 mixture of whole blood and Plasmalyte A (haemodiluted blood), 50:50 mixture of whole blood and 8% pyridoxylated haemoglobin-polyoxyethylene (PHP) conjugate (WB-PHP), 75:25 mixture of 8% PHP and Plasmalyte A solution (PHP66), 50:50 mixture of 8% PHP and Plasmalyte A solution (PHP44) and stroma-free haemoglobin solution (SFH). Calculated P50 values (Po2, vs So2) were 3.79, 3.58, 3.49, 3.15, 3.04 and 2.07 kPa, respectively. However, if partial So2 was used the curves were shifted to the left, reducing P50. Catheter So2 correlated well with So in whole blood (r2 > 0.99 for both catheters), haemodiluted blood (r2 > 0.98 for both catheters) and WB-PHP solution (r2 = 0.94 for both catheters). In PH P44 (r2 = 0.64 and r2 = 0.57), PHP P66 (r2 = 0.40 for the Oximetrix and r2 = 0.25 for the Edwards catheter) and SFH solutions (r2 = 0.33 for the Oximetrix and r2 = 0.22 for the Edwards catheter) both catheters performed poorly. We conclude that mixed venous oxyhaemoglobin saturations measured by oximetric pulmonary artery catheters are inaccurate in the presence of haemoglobin solutions. For accuracy a multi-wavelength co-oximeter should be used if blood containing PHP or SFH is to be analysed.
Understanding base-assisted desulfurization using a variety of disulfide-bridged peptides

A recently rediscovered reaction of base-assisted lanthionine formation has been applied to several systems of disulfide-bridged peptides. In addition to previously described nonapeptides consisting of i, i+3 cystine linkages, the reaction has now been extended to systems consisting of shorter (i, i+2) and longer (i, i+4) disulfide bridges. The desulfurization reaction is also compatible with disulfide bridges formed through homocysteines and penicillamines, yielding unusual amino acids such as cystathionine and β,β-dimethyl lanthionine (referred to as “penthionine”) in a peptide chain, respectively. Systematic study of this transformation has provided several new insights into its mechanism. We have observed formation of dehydroalanine and dehydrovaline residues resulting from i, i+2-bridged cysteines and i, i+3-bridged cysteine/penicillamine peptides, respectively, thereby supporting a β-elimination/Michael-addition mechanism for this transformation. Amino acid analysis and NMR data from total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) and 1H-13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) experiments show three diastereomeric lanthionine-bridged peptides in the product mixture. But in the case of desulfurization of a cysteine/homocysteine containing disulfide-bridged peptide, Michael addition appears to be stereoselective, yielding a single stereoisomer of cystathionine within the peptide. According to molecular modeling and CD spectroscopy, constrained peptides such as those containing penicillamine are less likely to undergo facile desulfurization. Flexibility of the torsional angles (CαH—Cα—Cβ—S) corresponding to the cysteine residues and temperature appear to be contributing factors determining the extent of desulfurization. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 71: 534–551, 2003
Performance of complex queries in Main Memory Database Systems

Memory residence can buy both functionality and performance for a database management system. In this paper, we present a description and a benchmark of an experimental implementation of a Main Memory Database System (MMDBS) that was designed to support complex interactive queries. We describe and evaluate the main memory database structures and query processing algorithms implemented in this prototype. Our measurements and analysis, focused on aggregates and joins, include both memory requirements and response time, since there is a clear trade-off between space and time in the design of a MMDBS. In contrast to conventional Disk-based Database Systems (DDBS's), we found that an MMDBS can efficiently execute complex relational queries. We identify strategies that exploit memory residence effectively. We also identified a number of performance problems related to query optimization in main memory and memory management for MMDBS's.
True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome in a competitive swimmer: a case report of this rare association

True neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon disorder despite of be a frequent reason for referral to the EMG laboratories. We describe the second case in the literature of true TOS in a competitive swimmer with progressive weakness and severe atrophy of the left thenar eminence. EMG showed lower trunk plexopathy. X-ray and MRI of the cervical spine and brachial plexus were normal. Surgical exploration evidenced the lower trunk retracted and pulled by a fibrous band. It was excised and neurolysis of the plexus was done with gradual improvement of function. We discuss the possible pathophysiology of this association.
Small-capacitance nondissipative ripple filters for DC supplies

Two configurations of ripple filters, one passive and one active, used to filter the output ripple of dc-to-dc converters and other power supplies are discussed. The passive one uses a small-microfarad capacitor and a mutual inductor; the active one uses these same components and, in addition, an operational amplifier. These filters have potential for spacecraft applications to enable the designer to use more reliable types of capacitors such as ceramic or mica instead of tantalum capacitors now commonly used in the conventional L -section or pure-capacitance filters requiring large-microfarad capacitance. The passive filter has achieved attenuation greater than 40 dB and the active filter greater than 50 dB. Both of these filters accomplished significant capacitance reduction when compared with an L -section filter for the same application.
Body warmer and upper extremities position affect the accuracy of cutaneous thermometers during anesthesia.

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate whether axillary skin temperature can accurately reflect distal esophageal temperature. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Teaching hospital. Patients: 48 ASA physical status I and II adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Interventions: Patients received standard general anesthesia. 19 patients had abducted upper extremities and an upper body surface warmer, 19 patients had abducted upper extremities with no upper body surface warmer, and 10 patients had adducted upper extremities with no upper body surface warmer. Measurements and Main Results: The temperatures were measured 60 minutes after the induction of general anesthesia. There was no significant difference between axillary skin temperature (36 ± 1.7) (°C) and core temperature (36 ± 0.7) (°C) when the upper body surface warmer was used. There was no difference between axillary skin temperature (35.5 ± 0.4) (°C) and core temperature (35.8 ± 0.4) (°C) when upper extremity was adducted 0 degrees . Conclusions: At 0 degrees of arm adduction, or at 90 degrees using the upper body, forced-air surface warmer, axillary skin temperature accurately identified the core temperature in patients during general anesthesia.
Different and Unequal? Breadwinning, Dependency Deferments, and the Gendered Origins of the U.S. Selective Service System:

With establishment of the U.S. Selective Service System in 1917, selective draft rules placed consideration of registrants’ economic obligations to their dependents front and center. By observing t...
Waves and vortices of rust on the surface of corroding steel

Two-dimensional wave patterns have been observed on corroding steel plates. A thin layer of oxygen-containingnitric acid covering the surface of the low-carbon steel induces the corrosion process. The spectrum of theobserved patterns includes propagating pulses, rotating spirals, and serpentine structures. The propagationvelocity is on the order of millimeters per second and increases with acidity. Waves can be observed with thenaked eye as traveling brownish bands on the passivated grayish steel. Spiral wave tips deposit black linesonto the surface, documenting the tip trajectory and influencing the propagation of subsequent spirals. Asimple chemical model for the mechanism of pattern formation is suggested.
IMC growth in solid-liquid interdifussion bonds

3D ICs is a promising new technology that has many advantages over traditional planar packages. To take advantage of this technology, new bonding techniques have to be developed to satisfy the need for high density micro interconnects. Solid liquid inter-diffusion bonding in which the bond is established by placing a low melting temperature material between high temperature melting substrate and applying heat and pressure, is a new technology that may resolve issues with other type of bonding. This manuscript presents a 1D analytical phase lag model to estimate the complete bonding time (complete transformation to IMCs) for bonds with different thicknesses. The time for complete transformation of the bond to IMC is estimated using this technique for bonds with range of thicknesses of 10 microns to 200 microns. An experiment is conducted to produce bonds with variety of thicknesses. Bonding was carried out at 260°C and process parameters were varied to produce bonds with thicknesses varying between 15 microns and 250 microns. The SEM and EDS imaging is used to determine the extent of copper diffusion in the bonds and different IMC compounds. This analysis show that 45 minutes is long enough to transform all bonds with variety of thicknesses to η phase of IMC. Traces of e phase of IMC were also found in all the cases and were more significant in the case of 15 micron thickness.
An Intermediate Complexity Climate Model (ICCMp1) based on the GFDL flexible modelling system

Abstract. An intermediate complexity coupled ocean-atmosphere-land-ice model, based on the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Flexible Modelling System (FMS), has been developed to study mechanisms of ocean-atmosphere interactions and natural climate variability at interannual to interdecadal and longer time scales. The model uses the three-dimensional primitive equations for both ocean and atmosphere but is simplified from a "state of the art" coupled model by using simplified atmospheric physics and parameterisation schemes. These simplifications provide considerable savings in computational expense and, perhaps more importantly, allow mechanisms to be investigated more cleanly and thoroughly than with a more elaborate model. For example, the model allows integrations of several millennia as well as broad parameter studies. For the ocean, the model uses the free surface primitive equations Modular Ocean Model (MOM) and the GFDL/FMS sea-ice model (SIS) is coupled to the oceanic grid. The atmospheric component consists of the FMS B-grid moist primitive equations atmospheric dynamical core with highly simplified physical parameterisations. A simple bucket model is implemented for our idealised land following the GFDL/FMS Land model. The model is supported within the standard MOM releases as one of its many test cases and the source code is thus freely available. Here we describe the model components and present a climatology of coupled simulations achieved with two different geometrical configurations. Throughout the paper, we give a flavour of the potential for this model to be a powerful tool for the climate modelling community by mentioning a wide range of studies that are currently being explored.
Introduction to the special issue on DIY urbanism

This special issue of the Journal of Urbanism tackles a question of ongoing pertinence for cities and urbanists everywhere: what are the rights, expectations, and responsibilities of the public as ...
An innovative sustainability assessment for urban wastewater infrastructure and its application in Chengdu, China

Sustainability assessments are an increasingly common tool for measuring progress towards sustainable development. Despite their popularity, sustainability assessments and the indicators that compose them are said to have had little impact on the policy arena. In this paper we discuss four attributes that we contend will improve the use of sustainability assessments to guide decision making: non-compartmentalization, site specificity, built-in guidance for target setting, and ability to measure active sustainability. We present a novel assessment tool for wastewater treatment infrastructure that illustrates these attributes. The assessment is composed of two-dimensional indicators we call "burden to capacity" ratios, that reveal and quantify the local value of resources embodied in wastewater and treatment byproducts, and the tradeoffs between designing systems for disposal versus reuse. We apply the sustainability assessment framework to an existing treatment plant in Chengdu, China and discuss the results.
A New Combination in Xanthocyparis (Cupressaceae) from China

Cupressus pendula Thunb. (Cupressaceae) is transferred as Xanthocyparis pendula (Thunb.) de Laub. & Husby, and C. funebris Endl. is synonymized to the name.
New Elastomers by Reactive Processing. Part II. Dynamic Vulcanization of Blends by Trans-Esterification

Abstract The dynamic vulcanization of a rubbery acrylate copolymer (ACR) (the dispersed phase) during its mixing with NBR (the continuous phase) can produce a millable specialty elastomer alloy. The ACR polymer can be crosslinked even without having special molecular sites for vulcanization such as those of the conventional acrylate rubbers (ACM). This is possible because, under the conditions for dynamic vulcanization, the acrylate-derived ester groups themselves can be made to act as sites for vulcanization by using tin-catalyzed ester-interchange chemistry. The millable dynamic vulcanizate containing the crosslinked dispersed phase can be later mixed with curatives for the continuous phase, fillers, antidegradants, etc. and then be vulcanized (e.g., in a heated mold). Since the ACR can be completely vulcanized during the dynamic vulcanization stage of the mixing process, the usual postcuring associated with acrylate rubber (ACM) technology is not necessary. Excellent performance characteristics can be ...