cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fear of the shock side as a function of acquisition criterion in one-way avoidance

Independent groups of rats were first trained to criteria of 1, 3, 9, or 27 consecutive avoidances in a one-way task. Subsequently, fear of the shock side was measured in a nonshock passive avoidance test. Males showed progressively less fear of the shock side as the avoidance criterion was extended. Females produced a U-shaped function with maximum fear following nine consecutive avoidances. The results are consistent with previous experiments that obtained diminutions in fear with extended avoidance. Implications for theories of avoidance were discussed.
Site-specific replacement of Y356 with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine in the β2 subunit of E. coli ribonucleotide reductase

E. coli ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), composed of the homodimeric subunits α2 and β2, catalyzes the conversion of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides via complex radical chemistry. The radical initiation process involves a putative proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) pathway over 35 A between α2 and β2. Y356 in β2 has been proposed to lie on this pathway. To test this model, intein technology has been used to make β2 semi-synthetically in which Y356 is replaced with a DOPA-amino acid. Analysis of this mutant with α2 and various combinations of substrate and effector by SF UV−vis spectroscopy and EPR methods demonstrates formation of a DOPA radical concomitant with disappearance of the tyrosyl radical, which initiates the reaction. The results reveal that Y356 lies on the PCET pathway and demonstrate the first kinetically competent conformational changes prior to ET. They further show that substrate binding brings about rapid conformational changes which place the complex into its active form(s) and sugg...
Stripes, electron fractionalization, and ARPES

Abstract Although structurally the high temperature superconductors are quasi-two-dimensional, there is both theoretical and experimental evidence of a substantial range of temperatures in which ‘stripe’ correlations make the electronic structure locally quasi-one-dimensional. We consider an array of Josephson coupled, spin gapped one dimensional electron gases as a model of the high temperature superconductors. For temperatures above Tc, this system exhibits electron fractionalization, yielding a single particle spectral response which is sharp as a function of momentum, but broad as a function of energy. For temperatures below the spin gap but above Tc, there are enhanced one-dimensional superconducting fluctuations and pseudogap phenomena. Pair tunneling induces a crossover to three-dimensional physics as Tc is approached. Below Tc, solitons are confined in multiplets with quantum numbers which are simply related to the electron, and a coherent piece of the single particle spectral function appears. The weight of this coherent piece vanishes in the neighborhood of Tc in proportion to a positive power of the interchain superfluid density. This behavior is highly reminiscent of recent ARPES measurements on the high temperature superconductors.
Intravenous nutrition and tumor host protein metabolism

The difficulty of maintaining adequate nutritional status in cancer patients is well recognized [I, 181. Recently there has been considerable interest in the clinical use of intravenous diets to support these patients [2, 51. Although present evidence strongly suggests that the cancer patient receiving chemoor radiotherapy is significantly benefited by parenteral nutrition, there exists little information on the metabolic changes induced in tumor and host tissue by parenteral nutrition. Unfortunately, nitrogen balance studies are of little value in the cancer patient for they cannot distinguish between host and tumor utilization of nitrogen intake. The use of labeled amino acids has facilitated the measurement of protein synthesis in viva [3, 9, 151. This study involves the use of [15N]glycine as a nitrogen tracer to examine selective utilization of nutrients by host and tumor tissue. The effects of the presence of a tumor and an acute change in nutrient intake are investigated. We have previously reported preliminary data on protein synthetic rates of tumor host tissues [16]. The present study updates our findings on tissue protein synthesis rates and pursues the intracellular localization of the observed tissue changes.
Modeling Government Program Participation Decisions at the Farm Level

Changes in the U.S. farm economy during the 1980s have caused many farmers to give careful consideration to participation in the government farm program. Analytical techniques to identify optimal participation and resulting crop mix strategies at a whole-farm level can aid farmers faced with these decisions. This paper presents a mathematical programming approach adaptable to farm-level decision analysis. An empirical example involving a Texas farm suggests that resource levels, base acreage endowments, limited cross compliance, and returns outside the program can influence participation decisions. Government program participation decisions heavily influence the crop mix decision on many farms in the United States. Features such as base acreage, limited cross com
High levels of a calcium-dependent modulator protein in spermatozoa and its similarity to brain modulator protein

Abstract Sperm from hamster, human, rooster, rabbit and sea urchin were found to contain relatively high levels of calcium-dependent modulator protein. Using rabbit sperm the modulator protein was found to be exclusively located in the sperm head fraction (nuclei + acrosomes) with no activity present in the midpiece or tail regions. The modulator protein represents approximately 12% of the total soluble protein found in the sperm head fraction and is similar to porcine and brain modulator proteins in its ability to activate brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, its heat stability and electrophoretic migration. We have also observed modulator protein to be present in high levels in sea urchin eggs.
Women’s Right to Education—A Narrative on International Law:

Placing womens right to education within an essentially androcentric international legal framework this article underpins various legal and social constraints that deter the translation of this right into a lived experience. Though international law illustrates education lucidly especially in conjunction with non-discriminatory provisions and emphasises non-derogability its implementation is dampened by feeble state obligations. Contrasts are drawn between the human rights discourse which largely propounds claims on behalf of the dispossessed and the neo-liberal regime which distances human agency and action. Drawing briefly on constitutional provisions progressive judicial interpretations and peoples movements for education this article nevertheless cautions that despite assertions to the contrary India is still slotted at risk in not reaching minimal thresholds in gender parity. Claims are made to retain the hegemony of this right as an agentive discourse rather than as one which slots marginalised women as mere statistical references discounting their subjugation and struggles. (authors)
Quantized output synchronization of networked passive systems with event-driven communication

In this paper, we study the quantized output synchronization problem of networked passive systems with event-driven communication, in which the data transmissions among networked agents are event-based and quantized measurements are exchanged among neighboring agents. We show that with the event-driven communication strategy proposed in the present paper, output synchronization errors of the networked passive systems are bounded by the quantization errors of the signals transmitted in the communication network.
Use of Differential Cepstra as Acoustic Features in Hidden Trajectory Modeling for Phonetic Recognition

The earlier version of the hidden trajectory model (HTM) for speech dynamics which predicts the "static" cepstra as the observed acoustic feature is generalized to one which predicts joint static cepstra and their temporal differentials (i.e., delta cepstra). The formulation of this generalized HTM is presented in the generative-modeling framework, enabling efficient computation of the joint likelihood for both static and delta cepstral sequences as the acoustic features given the model. The parameter estimation techniques for the new model are developed and presented, giving closed-form estimation formulas after the use of vector Taylor series approximation. We show principled generalization from the earlier static-cepstra HTM to the new static/delta-cepstra HTM not only in terms of model formulations but also in terms of their respective analytical forms in (monophone) parameter estimation. Experimental results on the standard TIMIT phonetic recognition task demonstrate recognition accuracy improvement over the earlier best HTM system, both significantly better than state-of-the-art triphone HMM systems.
Light-induced structural changes occur in the transmembrane helices of the Natronobacterium pharaonis HtrII transducer.

The Natronobacterium pharaonis HtrII (NpHtrII) transducer interacts with its cognate photoactive sensory rhodopsin receptor, NpSRII, to mediate phototaxis responses. NpHtrII is predicted to have tw...
Outer space commercialization and its ethical challenges to international law and policy

Abstract This article investigates the new ethical challenges to international law and policy-making that the commercialization 1 of outer space activities presents to the nations of the world. More specifically, this article will examine: (1) some of the benefits and problems that space commercialization is creating for both national and international political and economic institutions, (2) the growing controversy between First and Third World nations concerning the regulation of space activities and the allocation of space resources, and (3) whether the principles, policies, and procedures of international space law are adequate to meet the new challenges that space commercialization presents. Finally, this article will attempt to demonstrate how application of contemporary Roman Catholic human rights theory combined with the ethical works of the development economist, Amartya Sen, may be used to adjudicate between the rights claims made by these nations, and provide appropriate policy guidelines for the equitable distribution of outer space resources and technologies.
Lightheadedness, Fatigue, and Bradycardia

This electrocardiogram of a 62-year-old man with lightheadedness and fatigue shows sinus rhythm at a rate of 70 beats/min with slight sinus arrhythmia. There is a high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block with the sinus P waves dissociated from a regular ventricular escape rhythm which has a rate of 38 beats/min (Figure 1). The seventh and the last P waves are conducted to the ventricles with a PR interval of 0.20 seconds, and the QRS complexes have a typical left-bundle-branch-block configuration. The conducted QRSs reset the ventricular escape rhythm, which has a QRS duration of 0.11 seconds and a configuration resembling left anterior fascicular block. Thus, it appears that there is infranodal AV block with persistent block in the left bundle branch, high-grade block in the right bundle branch, and a
Asian Americans in the twentieth century

Summary At the close of the century, Asian/Pacific Islander Americans comprise a rapidly growing and diverse population in the United States. This population consists of ethnic groups that have been here for up to five generations, as well as recent immigrants and refugees. The Chinese and Japanese were the two groups that were identified by the United States census just before the beginning of the 20th century; by the end of the 1900s, Asian Indians, Filipinos, Koreans, Vietnamese, and Pacific Islander groups were added. It is a population that has many internal differences, with some groups faring relatively well, achieving income, educational and occupational gains, while other groups are far from achieving them. The purpose of this article is to look at the Asian Americans at the beginning of the 1900s and to assess the changes in their demographic and socioeconomic status by the end of the century. The descriptive data in this article provide a background for understanding the Asian American experien...
Inhomogeneous cosmology. III - Primordial gravitational waves and dust

In this paper, the properties of a special class of inhomogeneous cosmological models and the interaction of the inhomogeneities with the evolution of the background geometry and matter are studied. The cosmological model is chosen so that the initial inhomogeneities evolve into 'plane' gravitational waves propagating through a smooth Bianchi I dust background. It is shown how the inhomogeneities interact with matter, 3 K radiation, and the background geometry, causing the expansion to slow down in some regions and speed up in others. It is also shown how the gravitational waves can produce a 'dragging of the inertial frame' which will affect the observed distribution of matter and 3 K radiation. In particular, this frame-dragging effect can account for a major fraction of the obsserved dipole component between the 3 K background radiation and the rest frame of global matter, an effect usually assumed to have been produced by large-scale local motion.
Dihydroergotamine and Its Use in Migraine With Posterior Fossa Symptoms

Background.— Dihydroergotamine (DHE) has been used for decades to treat migraine, but is currently contraindicated in patients with hemiplegic migraine and basilar-type migraine (BTM). Objective.— To assess the safety of DHE in patients with symptoms of BTM that do not meet criteria for BTM. Methods.— Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to an outpatient infusion room at a tertiary care center caring for patients with headache disorders. Incidence and types of adverse events as well as pain levels were reviewed and analyzed. Pain was assessed via the visual analog scale (VAS). Results.— Fifty consecutive patient records were reviewed. Mean age was 38.42. All patients met International Classification of Headache Disorders-II (ICHD-II) criteria for migraine and reported 1 posterior fossa symptom as defined by the ICHD-II criteria for BTM. Patients did not necessarily have a posterior fossa symptom in the attack treated. Eighteen percent (9/50) patients had adverse events, and only 3 of these halted DHE infusion. No patients had neurologic or cardiologic events. The mean decrease in pain was 3 points on the VAS (P < .0001). Sixty-two percent of patients achieved complete relief of headache with co-administration of DHE and other medications. Conclusion.— Dihydroergotamine showed no serious adverse events in patients with 1 posterior fossa symptom and migraine. Larger, adequately powered, controlled, prospective trials are indicated to assess safety of DHE in BTM.
Fatigue of High Purity Copper Wire

The fatigue properties of 7N, OFC and Tough-Pitch copper wires were evaluated by a rotational bending method. 7N copper wires, having RRR 300K/4.2K of 7600, were produced by electro-refining, vacuum melting, zone-refining followed by suitable drawing processes, using 4N class commercial OFC plates as the starting material. The fatigue failure cycles of 7N copper increased with an increased pause period imposed during the fatigue test after 5x10 6 cycles. Remarkable recrystallizations initiated from the wire surface occurred in 7N copper after the pause period in the fatigue test Strains accumulated during fatigue are considered to act as the driving force. It is expected that 7N copper can recover from fatigue by itself during practical service use and show excellent fatigue resistance.
Two procedures for studying partial reinforcement effects in classical conditioning of the planarian

Abstract The effects of partial reinforcement in classical conditioning of the planarian were studied. Three groups of six planaria each were given 50 lights (CS) and 50 shocks (UCS) on each of five consecutive days. For one group all of the lights and shocks were paired (100 per cent reinforcement). For the second group 50 per cent of the lights and shocks were paired, with the remaining stimuli delivered unpaired. The third group received all of the stimuli unpaired (0 per cent reinforcement). A fourth group was given 25 CS-UCS trials interspersed with 25 CS-only trials. All groups received 50 CS-only extinction trials on day 6 and again on day 7. During acquisition all conditioning groups made significantly more responses to the CS than the 0 per cent control. During extinction responding was greatest in the two partial reinforcement groups, while responding in the 100 per cent group dropped below the level of the control group. The results were related to other investigations of the phyletic generality of the partial reinforcement effect (PRE), and to theoretical accounts of the PRE. It was concluded that, at the phyletic level of the planarian, cognitive conceptualizations are less applicable than are non-cognitive, S-R accounts of the PRE.
Antibacterial activity of citrate and acetate

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We evaluated citrate salt, acetate salt, and their combinations for antibacterial activity against a sample of common pathogens. METHODS: Bacterial suspensions were added to serial microdilutions of the salts in broth, with final cell concentrations of 10 4–5 colony-forming units per milliliter. After overnight incubation at 35°C, the minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded. Bactericidal activity was screened by quantitative subcultures from the minimum inhibitory concentration dilution. RESULTS: Citrate salt was active against gram-positive species and Candida albicans but showed little activity against gram-negative species; acetate salt showed the opposite results. Their combination did not show synergism or antagonism. CONCLUSION: It may be feasible to take advantage of the different antibacterial spectra of these two agents and combine them for possible application such as food or medical preservative agents.
Kinetics of growth, oxygen uptake, and substrate utilization of wild type and genetically engineeredBurkholderia sp

The gene (vgb) encoding the hemoglobin (VHb) ofVitreoscilla sp. was cloned intoBurkholderia sp. and the effect of VHb on the growth characteristics of genetically engineeredBurkholderia (YV1) were compared with wild typeBurkholderia (R34) using continuous flow reactors (chemostat) at various dilution rates under aerobic conditions. Batch oxygen uptake rate showed that YV1 has much higher oxygen uptake rate than R34 (i.e. 0.63 mg O2/g biomass/min vs. 1.43 mg O2/g biomass/min for R34 and YV1 respectively at a dilution rate of 1.2 day−1). Monod parameters, maximum growth rate (μmax) and half saturation coefficient (Ks) were found to be 7.03 day−1 and 691 mg/L for R34 respectively, compared to 5.49 day−1 and 404 mg/L for YV1 respectively. At low dilution rates (<2.5 day−1), when the substrate is present in low concentrations, the growth yield was much higher in YV1 (0.52) than in R34 (0.37). Although substrate utilization rates were similar between R34 and YV1, the latter showed much higher oxygen uptake rate than did R34 at all dilution rates. When the stability of VHb was tested on agar plates containing 40 μg/L of kanamycin and 100 μg/L of ampicillin,vgb gene containing VHb plasmid in YV1 was stable over 82 days. When survivability under oxygen limited conditions was tested, R34 survived only for 11 days whereas YV1 survived over 25 days in liquid media; in agar plate experiments, R34 did not survive more than 40 days whereas more than 75% of YV1 survived over 110 days.
Nutrition Therapy Issues in Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer has traditionally been a disease with poor long term outcomes in terms of both survival and quality of life. In combination with surgical and pharmacologic therapy, nutrition support has been demonstrated to improve patient tolerance of treatment, quality of life, and longterm outcomes. An aggressive multi-disciplinary approach is warranted with nutrition support remaining a cornerstone in management. Historically, nutrition support has focused on adequate caloric provision to prevent weight loss and allow for tolerance of treatment regimens. Alterations in metabolism occur in these patients making their use of available calories inefficient and the future of nutritional support may lie in the ability to alter this deranged metabolism. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature surrounding the etiology, treatment, and role of nutrition support in improving outcomes in esophageal cancer.
Critical roles for JNK, c-Jun, and Fas/FasL-Signaling in vitamin E analog-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

Background α-Tocopherol ether-linked acetic acid (α-TEA), an analog of vitamin E (RRR-α-tocopherol), is a potent pro-apoptotic agent for human cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Methods α-TEA-induced apoptosis was investigated in LNCaP and PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. Apoptosis was measured by DAPI-staining and FACS analyses of the sub-G1 fraction. Signaling molecules involved in apoptosis were measured by Western immunoblot analyses with or without prior immunoprecipitation, FACS analyses of cell surface membrane expression, RT-PCR analyses of mRNA levels, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Functional significance was determined using siRNAs, dominant negative mutant, chemical inhibitor, or neutralizing antibody. Results α-TEA treatment increased Fas and Fas ligand mRNA and protein levels; as well as, levels of cell surface membrane Fas in both cell lines. Blockage of Fas signaling attenuated α-TEA-induced apoptosis. α-TEA treatment also produced prolonged, elevated levels of activated (phosphorylated) c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and its substrate c-Jun, both of which were demonstrated to be necessary for α-TEA-induced apoptosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results showed binding of c-Jun to the promoters of both Fas and FasL in α-TEA treated cells. Investigations of α-TEA-triggered apoptosis showed dual signaling from Fas with essential roles for both FADD and Daxx with FADD initiating the classical pathway mediated by caspase-8 activation and Daxx initiating an alternate pathway involving activation of JNK, c-Jun, and increased levels of Fas and FasL. Conclusions Collectively, data support critical roles for JNK, c-Jun, and dual signaling from Fas/FasL via FADD and Daxx in α-TEA-induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells. Prostate 68: 427–441, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Demography in biological anthropology: Human population structure and evolution.

The fact of human evolution is evident in the biological variation caused by the pattern of lines of descent. Theories of human evolution are the explanations of the fertility and mortality differentials that determine patterns of variation at the subspecific level. Migrations also influence the patterns. Because human beings plan migrations and marriages, theories relying solely on selective advantage and gene diffusion do not fully account for the observed patterns. These patterns can be interpreted through time and space as dense thickets of descent lines, often clustered into local fascicles held together by inbreeding. The patterns of descent lines are thus punctuated by births, sometimes ended by extinction of lines, but marked also by rich interconnections of the fascicles by filaments that represent marital migration. The patterns are neither solely of racial isolates nor of simple diffusion, but are the result of the complex sociocultural events that influence genetic demography, a field of study that some of Ed Hunt's work foreshadowed. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sectarianism in Syria: Anthropological Reflections

Throughout their two-year struggle, peaceful anti-regime activists have continued to cry out for Syrian unity: ‘One, one, one, the people of Syria are one’ [wahid, wahid, wahid, al-sha‘b al-suri wa...
Linker-modified microemulsions for a variety of oils and surfactants

Previously, we reported on the use of hydrophilic and lipophilic linker molecules to enhance the solubilization capacity of chlorinated hydrocarbons using sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (SDHS). In this work we extend the use of linker molecules to a wider range of oils and surfactants. The data show that the linker effect works for all the systems studied and that linker-based systems are even more economical than surfactant-only systems for more hydrophobic oils. Using a more hydrophobic surfactant, such as sodium bis(2-ethyl)dihexyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol-OT), requires a formulation enriched with a hydrophilic linker, whereas the formulation for the more hydrophilic SDHS requires the use of a more lipophilic linker. By considering the properties and appearance of the formulation before contacting with the oil, and by evaluation the coalescence dynamics, we found that hydrophilic linker-rich formulations were preferred. These formulations were tested as fabric pretreatments for removing motor oil and hexadecane from cotton, and as flushing solutions for glass bead columns contaminated with these oils. The cleaning performance of these linker-based systems was superior to common surfactant and pretreatment formulations in the detergency tests, achieving more than 80% removal of motor oil and hexadecane trapped in the packed-column flushing tests.
Layer-by-Layer Poly(phenylene ethynylene) Films on Silica Microspheres for Enhanced Sensory Amplification

Alternating polyelectrolyte “layer-by-layer” deposition has been used to create emissive thin films of a weakly anionic, nonaggregating poly(phenylene ethynylene) on silica microspheres. The resulting particles are smooth and emit fluorescence solely from the outside polymer-coated surface. Suspensions of the coated microspheres show similar fluorescence properties to polymers in solution, but with enhanced sensitivity (up to 200-fold) to nitroaromatic quenchers. These enhancements are attributed to a combination of surface and electronic effects.
An in vitro investigation into the physical properties of irreversible hydrocolloid alternatives.

Statement of problem A number of manufacturers have introduced new products that are marketed as alternatives to irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials. However, there is a paucity of laboratory and clinical research on these products compared to traditional irreversible hydrocolloid. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the detail reproduction, gypsum compatibility, and linear dimensional change of 3 recently introduced impression materials designed as alternatives to irreversible hydrocolloid. Material and methods The tested materials were Position Penta Quick, Silgimix, and AlgiNot. An irreversible hydrocolloid impression material, Jeltrate Plus Antimicrobial, served as the control. The parameters of detail reproduction, gypsum compatibility, and linear dimensional change were tested in accordance with ANSI/ADA Specifications No. 18 and 19. The gypsum compatibility was tested using a type III stone (Microstone Golden) and a type IV stone (Die-Keen Green). The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test (α=.05). Results The test materials demonstrated significantly ( P Conclusions The 3 new impression materials exhibited better detail reproduction and less variability in linear dimensional change than the irreversible hydrocolloid control. Gypsum compatibility varied with the brand of gypsum used, with an incompatibility identified between the control material (Jeltrate Plus Antimicrobial) and Microstone related to surface changes observed over time.
Modulation of lymphocyte receptor redistribution by concanavalin A, anti-mitotic agents and alterations of pH.

VARIOUS lymphocyte surface receptors can be redistributed after cross linkage by external ligands, leading to the formation of patches and caps1. At 21° C and 37° C concanavalin A (con A) in concentrations greater than 5 µg ml−1 inhibits patch and subsequent cap formation induced by anti-immunoglobulin and other reagents2,3. Con A can also induce cap formation by its own receptors under certain conditions, notably after binding at 4° C3,4. Thus con A has two antagonistic activities in modulating lymphocyte surface receptor distribution and their expression depends on the conditions of incubation. We now report results suggesting that colchicine-binding proteins5 (possibly those of the microtubules) are important in the modulation of cell surface mobility. In addition, we have found that alterations of pH affect the ability of lymphocytes to form patches and caps.
Enhancement of cavity ringdown effect using electromagnetically induced transparency

We show that the unique absorption and dispersion properties of the electromagnetically induced transparency can be used effectively to enhance the cavity ringdown effect. By placing an EIT medium inside an optical resonator, the conditions for observing cavity ringdown oscillations are greatly relaxed.
ON THE ORIGIN OF 628 nm FLUORESCENCE IN CERTAIN CHLOROPHYLL PREPARATIONS

— A fluorescence band at 628 nm seen in certain preparations of chlorophyll on polyethylene particles swollen with tetradecane comes not from an impurity of protochlorophyll in the original chlorophyll, but from a substance like protochlorophyll formed upon adsorption of chlorophyll to the particles. Much of the chlorophyll is grafted to polyethylene in the same particles by a process that does not affect the chromophore. These and other properties peculiar to the particles are tentatively ascribed to a prior free radical oxidation process in the swollen particles.
Optical Issues for the Rapid Determination of Surface Tension using Captive Bubbles

Bubbles and droplets provide several advantages for studies on interfacial films, particularly at the very low surface tensions achieved by pulmonary surfactant in the lungs. The captive bubbles commonly used to study pulmonary surfactant, however, also suffer from a major disadvantage. The bubbles float against a concave surface molded into an agarose gel, which obscures the location of the upper air/water interface. Methods that calculate surface tension in real time use the height of the bubble, which requires the position of the upper surface. Experiments that use feedback to maintain constant surface tension, and fixed thermodynamic conditions, require measurements in real time. The studies reported here considered how a series of optical issues affect measurements of a bubble's height and surface tension. As long as the imaged intensities remained within the dynamic range of the camera, total light intensity had no effect. Longer wavelengths were scattered less by the gel and surfactant suspensions, which increased their transparency. Misalignment of the camera and agarose gel relative to the gravitational frame of reference produced subtle changes but important errors. More collimated light generated narrower edges and more accurate dimensions, but darkened the concave surface of the gel, which further obscured the location of the air/water interface. With optimized optics, a single threshold intensity can accurately locate all sections of the interface. This interfacial grayscale allowed accurate measurements in real time that extended over the full range of surface tensions during compression of a solid film, and over a broad range of volumes during isobaric compression of a collapsing film.
Double Beta Decay: The Majorana Project

Abstract The Majorana collaboration is developing the so-called Majorana Demonstrator . The Demonstrator is a research and development project towards establishing the feasibility of a tonne-scale germanium-based experiment to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge. This poster will review the motivation, design, technology and status of the Demonstrator .
Reactions of laser-ablated silver and gold atoms with dioxygen and density functional theory calculations of product molecules

Abstract The major new molecule observed here is gold dioxide. Extensive DFT calculations are compared for several silver and gold–dioxygen complexes.
Evolution of digital modulation schemes for radio systems

We apply an evolutionary strategies (ES) algorithm to the problem of designing modulation schemes used in wireless communication systems. The ES is used to optimize the digital symbol to analog signal mapping, called a constellation. Typical human-designed constellations are compared to the constellations produced by our algorithms in a simulated radio environment with noise and multipath, in terms of bit error rate. We conclude that the algorithm, with diversity maintenance, find solutions that equal or outperform conventional ones in a given radio channel model, especially for those with higher number of symbols in the constellation (arity).
EFFECTS OF PEER TUTORING AND CONSEQUENCES ON THE MATH PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM STUDENTS1

The effects of unstructured peer-tutoring procedures on the math performance of fourth- and fifth-grade students were investigated. Students' performances in two daily math sessions, during which they worked problems of the same type and difficulty, were compared. When students tutored each other over the same math problems as they subsequently worked, higher accuracies and rates of performance were associated with the tutored math sessions. The use of consequences for accurate performance seemed to enhance the effects of tutoring on accuracy. The results from an independent-study control condition, which was the same peer-tutoring except that students did not interact with each other, suggested that interactions between students during the tutoring procedure were, in part, responsible for improved accuracy and rate of performance. When students tutored each other over different but related problems to those that they were subsequently asked to solve, accuracies and rates during tutored math sessions were also higher, suggesting the development of generalized skills in solving particular types of math problems.
Tabu Search Strategies for the Public Transportation Network Optimizations with Variable Transit Demand

In this article, systematic tabu search (TS)-based heuristic methods are put forward and applied for the design of public transportation networks with variable demand. A multi-objective nonlinear mixed integer model is formulated. Solution methodologies are proposed, which consist of 3 main components: an initial candidate route set generation procedure that generates all feasible routes incorporating practical bus transit industry guidelines; a network analysis procedure that decides transit demand matrix, assigns transit trips, determines service frequencies, and computes performance measures; and a Tabu search method (TSM) that combines these 2 parts, guides the candidate solution generation process, and selects an optimal set of routes from the huge solution space. Comprehensive tests are conducted and sensitivity analyses are performed. Characteristics analyses are undertaken and solution qualities from different algorithms are compared. Numerical results indicate that the preferred TSM outperforms the genetic algorithm used as a benchmark for the optimal bus transit route network design problem without zone demand aggregation.
An unattended seismological observatory

Sandia Laboratory is developing and testing prototype equipment to continuously record outputs from three short-period and three long-period unattended seismometers for up to 120 days. Timing accuracy will be within 0.1 second throughout the record period. The system will be capable of recording a 70 decibel signal range. As much as 42 decibel attenuation can also be applied to each short-period data channel by an automatic gain control system to compensate for high levels of background noise. Concurrent with the development of the recording system, a playback system is being developed and tested which will convert the recorded data and timing signals to the standard Vela Uniform tape format. According to present schedules, the systems should be fully evaluated in the laboratory and in the field by the beginning of 1967.
Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and proteolytic processing by a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAM): A regulator of several pathways

HB-EGF is a member of the EGF family of ligands that is initially synthesized as a membrane-bound growth factor termed, proHB-EGF. The membrane bound proHB-EGF undergoes extensive proteolytic processing by several metalloproteinases capable of stimulating cellular proliferation. Soluble, mature HB-EGF binds to and activates EGF receptors. HB-EGF is a critical molecular component to a number of normal physiological processes including but not limited to tissue injury and wound healing, reproduction, angiogenesis and recently, adipogenesis. Misexpression of HB-EGF is linked to tumor formation and cancer including hepatocellular, pancreatic, gastric, breast, colon and melanoma, gliomas and glioblastomas. HB-EGF is a likely tool for therapeutic approaches to enhance treatment of injuries as well as a target for prevention of several cancers and obesity.
The synthesis and properties of certain N‐methylated 5‐diazouracils

The reduction of 1-methyl-, 3-methyl- and 1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrouracil (Ia-c) to the corresponding 5-aminouracils (IIa-c) is described. Diazotization of 5-amino-1-methyluracil (IIa) and 5-amino-1,3-dimethyluracil (IIc) gave 5-diazouracils which were characterized as thermally stable C6 covalent hydrates (III and XIII). Diazotization of 5-amino-3-methyluracil (IIb) gave anhydro 5-diazo-3-methyluracil (X) which underwent covalent methanolation and thermally reversible covalent hydration. Treatment of III and XIII with hot methanol resulted in solvent exchange of the C6 hydroxyl groups by a mechanism which may involve initial formation of diazoethers. Treatment of the methanolates (IV, XI and XIV) with dimethylamine resulted in coupling at the diazo group with a concomitant expulsion of the C6 methoxyl groups to give 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)uracils (XVa-c).
Serum levels of RHP and of unbound C1q in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

RHP is a recently described serum protein which inhibits a number of physiologic functions of Clq unbound to Clr2×Cls2. In this report we show that sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis contained elevated levels of RHP and of unbound Clq. Sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus contained normal levels of RHP and were characterized by deficits of Clq required to form Cl from existing levels of Clr and Cls.
Imaging radar for bridge deck inspection

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)l is developing a prototype imaging radar for inspecting steel reinforced concrete bridge decks. The system is designed to acquire Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and provide high-resolution images of internal structure, flaws, and defects enabling bridge inspectors to nondestructively evaluate and characterize bridge deck condition. Concrete delamination resulting from corrosion of steel reinforcing bars (rebars) is an important structural defect that the system is designed to detect. The prototype system uses arrays of compact, low-cost Micropower Impulse Radar (MIR) modules, supported by appropriate data acquisition and storage subsystems, to generate and collect the radar data, and unique imaging codes to reconstruct images of bridge deck internals. In this paper, we provide an overview of the prototype system concept, discuss its expected performance, and present recent experimental results showing the capability of this approach to detect thin delamination simulations embedded in concrete.
Tandem Inter [4 + 2]/Intra [3 + 2] Cycloadditions of Nitroalkenes. 15. The Bridged Mode (α-Tether)

A new variant of the tandem inter [4 + 2]/intra [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nitroalkenes is described in detail. The scope and limitations of the bridged mode tandem cycloaddition in which the diene a...
Influence of 4H-SiC semi-insulating substrate purity on SiC metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor performance

The performances of silicon carbide (SiC) metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) fabricated on conventional V-doped semi-insulating substrates and new V-free semi-insulating substrates have been compared. The V-free 4H-SiC substrates were confirmed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). X-ray topography revealed significantly fewer micropipes and low-angle boundaries in V-free semi-insulating substrates than in conventional V-compensated substrates. Deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) indicated that the spectra signals observed in conventional V-doped substrates were either reduced or disappeared in V-free substrates. The intrinsic deep levels in V-free substrates to make semi-insulating properties were also observed in DLTS spectra. Under various DC and RF stresses, SiC MESFETs fabricated on new V-free semi-insulating substrates showed superior device performance and stability.
Beam Fractions in the Lowest-Quartet Metastable Autoionizing State for O 5 + and F 6 + Beams after Passage through Foils

When fast beams of oxygen and fluorine ions are incident on carbon and metal foils thick enough to produce charge-state equilibrium, a significant portion of the lithiumlike beam fraction emerges in excited metastable autoionizing states. We have studied the yield of these states with beams in the range 2-20 MeV incident on nominal ${10\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ carbon foils and on various metallic foils. The decay in flight of the lowest of these states, the $(1s2s2p)^{4}P_{\frac{5}{2}}^{0}$, is monitored with observation of the spectrum of ejected electrons. We find, for example, that the maximum yield of this single state per incident beam particle is approximately 0.8% and 0.6% for oxygen and fluorine, respectively, on carbon. The energy dependences and target-material dependences are measured and discussed. Comparison is made to related work of Dmitriev et al.
Research needs for dietary assessment and monitoring in the United States

The 10-y Plan for the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program calls for research related to dietary data collection and interpretation and for improved data dissemination. The United States Department of Aculture Human Nutrition Information Service has released data from the 1989 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and is Planning for the next one. Respondent burden will be reduced. The sample is designed for improved estimates of dietary intakes for children and elderly individuals. An automated coding system will contribute to improved data management. Current research projects include developing data collection strategies in a cognitive research laboratory, exploring alternative interview structures for children, and developing methods to estimate the distributors of usual intakes of nutrients and foods
Growth and endocrine function in patients with Hurler syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Short stature is characteristic of Hurler syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis type IH (MPS IH). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used to treat children with MPS IH. While HSCT corrects some of the metabolic features of MPS IH, its effects on growth are not well delineated. We investigated growth in patients with MPS IH after HSCT and described accompanying endocrine abnormalities. A cohort of 48 patients with MPS IH who had received HSCT between 1983 and 2005 were included. The prevalence of short stature (height <-2 s.d. score, SDS) before HSCT was 9%, and increased to 71% at last follow-up (6.9+/-5.1 years after HSCT). Short stature was positively associated with increased age at HSCT (P=0.002) and TBI (P=0.009). In total, 23% had growth hormone deficiency and/or low insulin-like growth factor-1, one female patient had premature adrenarche, one precocious puberty and 27% had clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism. Growth failure is highly prevalent in children with MPS IH after HSCT. Children who had no TBI exposure and were younger at the time of HSCT had a better height outcome.
A comparison of Gabor filter methods for automatic detection of facial landmarks

This paper presents a systematic analysis of Gabor filter banks for detection of facial landmarks (pupils and philtrum). Sensitivity is assessed using the A' statistic, a non-parametric estimate of sensitivity independent of bias commonly used in the psychophysical literature. We find that current Gabor filter bank systems are overly complex. Performance can be greatly improved by reducing the number of frequency and orientation components in these systems. With a single frequency band, we obtained performances significantly better than those achievable with current systems that use multiple frequency bands. Best performance for pupil detection was obtained with filter banks peaking at 4 iris widths per cycle and 8 orientations. Best performance for philtrum location was achieved with filter banks with 5.5 iris widths per circle and 8 orientations.
Patient specific 3D printed phantom for IMRT quality assurance

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a patient specific phantom for patient specific dosimetric verification.Using the head and neck region of an anthropomorphic phantom as a substitute for an actual patient, a soft-tissue equivalent model was constructed with the use of a 3D printer. Calculated and measured dose in the anthropomorphic phantom and the 3D printed phantom was compared for a parallel-opposed head and neck field geometry to establish tissue equivalence. A nine-field IMRT plan was constructed and dose verification measurements were performed for the 3D printed phantom as well as traditional standard phantoms.The maximum difference in calculated dose was 1.8% for the parallel-opposed configuration. Passing rates of various dosimetric parameters were compared for the IMRT plan measurements; the 3D printed phantom results showed greater disagreement at superficial depths than other methods.A custom phantom was created using a 3D printer. It was determined that the use of patient specific phantoms to perform dosimetric verification and estimate the dose in the patient is feasible. In addition, end-to-end testing on a per-patient basis was possible with the 3D printed phantom. Further refinement of the phantom construction process is needed for routine use.