cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design, fabrication, and test of a peristaltic micropump

The design, fabrication, and electrical characterization of a novel peristaltic thermopneumatic microfluidic (PTMF) pump for next-generation implantable medical treatment. To satisfy the demands of an implantable system, the PTMF pump design presented here includes biocompatibility, simple integration with microfluidics, bidirectionality, and particle tolerance. Test devices were fabricated with both silicon micromachining and soft lithography (polydimethylsiloxane micromolding). The effects of process parameters, specifically those related to silicon wet etch and metal deposition, on the performance of the microheaters in a peristaltic microfluidic pump. The thermal resistance of the microheaters is strongly dependent upon the relative thermal isolation, which impacts maximum pumping speed (from a few Hertz to kilo-Hertz). Thermal isolation is shown not to be an issue in the pump design given the spacing of the neighboring microheaters.
The significance of underlying coronary stenosis for recovery of myocardial function after transient ischemia in the dog

Abstract The rate of recovery of myocardial function after transient coronary occlusion (CO) has been considered to depend on the duration and frequency of CO. However, underlying coronary stenosis has not been previously demonstrated to be a determinant of the rate of myocardial functional recovery. Thus, 12 open-chest dogs were studied to examine the influence of critical coronary stenosis (CCS) on functional recovery after transient CO. Regional functional recovery following 2-minute CO was examined under two different conditions in eight dogs: patent coronary artery stenosis and fixed CSS that exhausted coronary reserve but did not cause a deficit in resting coronary flow or regional function. Following reperfusion with the coronary artery patent, regional function in the ischemic zone was fully recovered (100 ± 18.0% of pre-CO value) at 30 seconds and was significantly increased (postischemic hypercontraction) compared to pre-CO value at 1 and at 2 minutes after reperfusion. Following CO and reperfusion in the setting of CCS, regional functional recovery was delayed and regional function remained depressed until 2 minutes after reperfusion. No cumulative effect on functional recovery following repeated 2-minute CO was demonstrated in a control group of four dogs. We conclude that coronary artery patency is a determinant of the rate of myocardial function recovery after a transient ischemic episode, and postischemic hypercontractillty was suppressed by the underlying CCS.
Designs of apertureless probe with nano-slits for near-field light localization and concentration

Abstract This paper presents recent studies on nano-patterned plasmonic probes that can provide highly localized and enhanced light for the near-field scanning optical microscopy. The mechanism to realize such localized light source is introduced and numerically characterized in the near field. In addition, the attainable wideband operation of the plasmonic probe through the proper design is also discussed with particular attention to developing potential applications in the near-field scanning optical microscopy.
Sericea lespdeza as an aid in the control of Emeria spp. in lambs

The objective was to examine the effects of feeding sericea lespedeza leaf meal (SL) on control of coccidiosis in lambs. In Exp. 1, naturally infected lambs (n=76) were weaned (102.7±1.4 d of age) in May (spring) and randomly assigned in a 2×2 factorial design to receive 2% of BW/d of alfalfa pellets (control) or SL with or without amprolium added to drinking water (n=38/level or 19/treatment). Fecal oocyst counts (FOC), egg counts (FEC), and fecal score (1=solid pellets; 5=slurry) were determined every 7d between weaning and 21 d post-weaning. In Exp. 2, twin rearing ewes were randomly assigned to two groups, and their naturally infected lambs were fed a control creep supplement (16% CP; n=40) or SL pellets (14% CP; n=32) 30 d before weaning. Intake of SL was initially low (100g/lamb daily) and increased to 454 g/lamb daily after weaning. Lambs were weaned at 103.6±0.9 d of age and moved to semi-confinement. The FEC, FOC, packed cell volume (PCV), fecal score, and dag score (soiling around rear of lamb; 1=no soiling; 5=heavy soiling) were determined at d -14, 0 (weaning), 7, 14, and 21. In Exp. 3, lambs were randomly assigned to a control or SL diet (n=12/diet) fed at 1.4 kg/d for 22d and inoculated with 50,000 sporulated oocysts on d 8, 11, and 13. The FEC, FOC, and fecal score were determined every 2 to 3d between d 1 and 29 (d 0=first day of dietary treatment). Data on all experiments were analyzed using mixed models. The FOC and FEC data were log transformed. Chi squared analysis was used to determine differences in incidence of treatment (sulfadimethoxine) for coccidiosis in Exp. 1 and 2. In Exp. 1, FOC and FEC were similar between dietary groups, and FOC declined more rapidly in amprolium treated lambs following weaning (P<0.001). Fecal score was higher in the control compared with the SL fed lambs (P=0.05), suggesting more signs of coccidiosis in control lambs. In Exp. 2, FOC was similar initially but was reduced in SL fed lambs by weaning and remained lower thereafter (P=0.004). Dag (P=0.01) and fecal (P=0.001) scores were similar before weaning, but lower in SL fed lambs by weaning and remained lower thereafter. No SL lambs required treatment for coccidiosis, whereas 33% of control lambs required treatment (P<0.001). Fecal egg counts were similar before weaning but were reduced in SL compared with control fed lambs after weaning (P<0.001). In Exp. 3, FOC (P<0.001) and FEC (P<0.001) were reduced in SL compared with control fed lambs. Sericea lespedeza was effective in the prevention and control of coccidiosis as well as in reducing GIN infection. Use of SL could reduce lamb loss post-weaning, reduce the need to treat for coccidiosis, and create a significant economic benefit to livestock producers.
Transport characteristics of papain-treated brush-border membrane vesicles Non-involvement of γ-glutamyltransferase in leucine transport

Abstract Papain treatment of isolated brush border membrane vesicles was carried out to correlate directly the solubilization of γ-glutamyltransferase with the uptake of leucine. Digestion of membrane vesicles with either soluble or gel-complexed papain resulted in nearly complete removal of γ-glutamyltransferase. However, the treated vesicles exhibited increased specific activity of leucine and glucose uptake, indicating the non-involvement of the transferase in leucine transport. The partial purification of amino acid and sugar transport function was better controlled with gel-complexed papain. In contrast to the digestion with soluble papain, the treatment with gel-complexed papain did not modify the diffusional components for solutes and ions and did not alter the intravesicular volume. It appears that controlled papain-digestion, resulting in nearly a 2-fold purification of the transport function with high reproducibility and quantitative recovery of uptake, should be useful in future attempts to purify the ‘carrier’ proteins.
Correlates of female athletic participation: Masculinity, femininity, self-esteem, and attitudes toward women

Self-esteem, psychological masculinity and femininity, and attitudes toward women in female athletes were investigated in an attempt to examine the validity of various stereotypes. Subgroup distinctions based on sport played, level of commitment to athletics, and experience level were also examined. Seventy-one women participating in intercollegiate varsity teams (crew, basketball, squash, and swimming) at a major university in the Northeast were compared with an unselected group of 185 women from the same university. In contrast to previous findings, female athletes were found to be significantly less feminine than their college peers, but not more masculine. In sport-by-sport comparisons, differences were not found. Highly committed athletes were found to be more masculine and more feminine, as well as more profeminist, than low commitment athletes; and experienced athletes also appeared to be the more highly committed ones. Self-esteem and commitment were found to be unrelated, suggesting that the individual can make a strong commitment to athletics without it having an evaluative component. Speculations were made about the athlete of the future and the influence of athletics on self-esteem.
Experience Marketing: Concepts, Frameworks and Consumer Insights

1. Introduction. 2. The Experience Concept. 3. Key Concepts of Experience Marketing. 4. Consumer Research Issues. 5. Customer Experience Management. 6. Research on Online and Virtual Experiences. 7. Experience and Happiness. Conclusions
Equivariant multiparameter bifurcation via singularity theory

The theoretical machinery from singularity theory introduced by Golubitsky, Stewart, and Schaeffer, to study equivariant bifurcation problems, is completed and expanded while generalized to the multiple parameter context. In this setting the finite determinacy theorems or normal forms, the stability of equivariant bifurcation problems, and the structural stability of the universal unfolding are discussed.
Fast-switching electro-optical films based on polymer encapsulated liquid crystal, carbon nanotube, and dye

We demonstrate fast-switching electro-optical films (EOFs) based on polymer encapsulated liquid crystal and carbon nanotube. EOFs are made by using the polymerization-induced phase separation method with an initially homogeneous mixture of a pre-polymer, liquid crystal and small amount of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The effects of the concentrations of CNTs and liquid crystals on the electro optical properties of the EOFs are studied. The rise times for the CNTcontaining EOFs is around 200 μs at 6V/μm, while the fall time is around 30ms at 6V/μm twice as fast as that of the EOF without CNTS. The dielectric measurements show that the relaxation frequency of the EOFs increases with the increase of CNT doping, indicating the decrease in droplets size. The morphology of EOFs is confirmed with SEM morphological studies. With the increase of the concentration of CNT or liquid crystal, the threshold voltages of the EOFs are decreased and the response times are faster.
Holomorphic Representations of Nilpotent Lie Groups

Let G be a connected, simply-connected complex nilpotent Lie group, and Gr ⊂( G a real form of G. Motivated by the problem of analytic continuation of Banach-space representations of GR to holomorphic representations of G, we construct translation-invariant locally-convex algebras of entire functions on G (generalizing the classical spaces of entire functions of finite exponential order). The dual spaces of these algebras are naturally identified with algebras of left-invariant differential operators of infinite order on G. In connection with analytic continuation of unitary representations of GR, we study the convex cone of entire functions on G whose restrictions to GR are positive-definite, and determine the minimal order of growth at infinity of such functions.
Odor representation and discrimination in mitral/tufted cells of the rat olfactory bulb

Extracellular single-unit responses to odorants with various properties were recorded from mitral/tufted cells over large areas of the olfactory bulb of anesthetized rats. Each cell was exposed to one stimulus set consisting of five different odorants each at five concentrations. The resulting concentration-response profiles were compared. All mitral/tufted cells examined responded to two or more odorants, and the largest proportion of the cells were sensitive to all five odorants. Cells unresponsive to all five odorants regardless of concentration were not observed. Mitral/tufted cells sensitive to all three of the odorants that are known to evoke maximal electro-olfactograms in different regions of the olfactory epithelium were distributed widely throughout the olfactory bulb. There were no significant differences in latencies of odor responses either across recording sites or across odorants. A comparison of the concentration-response profiles suggested that all of the mitral/tufted cells were equally capable of responding to any odorant with their own distinctive pattern, but that the cells tended to show an identical pattern rather than variable pattern of response to different odorants. Five mitral/tufted cells isolated within 800 μm of one electrode track showed different concentration-response profiles. Of 18 simultaneously recorded spike pairs with different amplitudes and discharge patterns recorded incidentally through one electrode at different sites, 10 had different and 8 had identical response patterns to odorants. These results suggest that: (1) mitral/tufted cells are sensitive to a broad spectrum of odorants, but respond with their own patterns to odorants; (2) odor discrimination is not uniform in neighboring cells, and a discrimination unit is comprised of a single cell.
Identity of Tarichatoxin and Tetrodotoxin

Tarichatoxin (C(11)H(17)N(3)O(8)), a potent neurotoxin recently isolated in pure form from the eggs of the California newt, Taricha torosa, has been found to be identical to tetrodotoxin from the ovaries of Sphoeroides rubripes, the Japanese Fugu or puffer fish. As yet this substance has been detected only in a single family of fish, Tetraodontidae, and in a single family of amphibia, Salamandridae.
Hecke operators for weakly holomorphic modular forms and supersingular congruences

We consider the action of Hecke operators on weakly holomorphic modular forms and a Hecke-equivariant duality between the spaces of holomorphic and weakly holomorphic cusp forms. As an application, we obtain congruences modulo supersingular primes, which connect Hecke eigenvalues and certain singular moduli.
Varieties of Hairless-Like Mutant Mice

The use of animal models as experimental tools is being utilized more frequently in all areas of investigation including dermatologic research. When the animal model is represented by a genetic mutation, care must be exercised so as not to confuse mutant animals that look alike but are genetically and morphologically unrelated. The results of the present study show that the commercially available Charles River "hairless" (cr-hairless) is not linked to the standard genetic mouse mutation known as hairless (hr) . The cr-hairless is probably a new mutation in the mouse. The integument of these mutant mice has characteristics which suggest potential usefulness as an experimental tool in dermatologic research.
Structures of thrombin retro-inhibited with SEL2711 and SEL2770 as they relate to factor Xa binding

Most thrombin active-site inhibitors form a short antiparallel β-strand with residues Ser214–Gly216. However, the Selectide Corp. inhibitors SEL2711 and SEL2770 bind to thrombin in a retro fashion, making a parallel β-strand with Ser214–Gly216 similar to other retro-binding inhibitors. The crystallographic structures of thrombin–hirugen complexed with SEL2711 and SEL2770, which are isostructural with the binary thrombin–hirugen complex, have been determined and refined in the 9.0–2.1 A resolution range to final R values of 16.5 and 16.7%, respectively. The structures of the SEL2711 and SEL2770 complexes contain 131 and 104 water molecules, respectively, both of which correspond to occupancies of greater than 0.5. The l-4-amidinophenylalanyl residues of SEL2711 and SEL2770 are fixed at the S1 specificity site, utilizing favorable ionic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the N atoms of the amidino group and the side-chain O atoms of Asp189. The Glu192 residue of thrombin adopts an extended conformation, which allows the l-cyclohexylglycyl residue in the P2 retro-binding position of the inhibitors to occupy a similar site to the P3 aspartate in thrombin platelet-receptor peptides bound to thrombin. The N-terminal acetyl group of both inhibitors is located in the S2 subsite, while the l-3-pyridyl-(3-methyl)-alanyl of SEL2711 and the l-­(N,N-dimethyl)lysine of SEL2770 occupy the S3 d-Phe subsite of d-­PheProArg chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) in the thrombin–PPACK complex. The two C-terminal residues of SEL2711 (leucine and proline) point into the solvent and have no electron density in the thrombin complex. Those of SEL2770 are also positioned into the solvent, but surprisingly produce weak electron density with high B values (〈B〉 = 50 A2). Since the Selectide inhibitors are about 104 times more specific for factor Xa, modeling retro-binding to the latter suggests that the selectivity can be a consequence of interactions of the inhibitors in the S3–S4 binding subsites of factor Xa.
Therapy with Chinese American Families: A Social Constructionist Perspective

This article explores the assumptions made by therapists adhering to modernist positions regarding Chinese American families. The assumptions from different models of therapy are presented, along with the assumptions made from a social constructionist point of view that focuses on the client's meaning system. A social constructionist therapeutic perspective is explored and applied to the Chinese American family.
Cotton textiles—an agro-industry

Abstract Using the framework of a translog cost function the authors study the relationship between major inputs in the cotton textile industry in India. Their analysis explains the interdependence between the agricultural and the industrial sectors and points to the need for infrastructure investment in the rural areas. The authors use a cross-section sample of 193 firms for 1973.
TRANSIENT HYPERPHOSPHATASEMIA OF INFANCY

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of transient hyper-phosphatasemia of infancy (THI), a syndrome of marked benign transient increase of serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), we retrospectively studied eight patients with the following: 1) SAP > 3x upper limits of normal, 2) no hepatobiliary, metabolic, neoplastic, or osseous abnormality, 3) SAP level returning to normal without therapy. Mean age was 9.5 months, range 3-14 months; five patients were female. Mean maximum SAP was 2,460 IU/dl, range 1115-7276 IU/dl; mean time for SAP to normalize was 4.6 weeks (range 1.5 - 8 weeks); six patients (63%) had gastrointestinal symptoms (gastroesophageal reflux, food allergy, chronic diarrhea). One patient was < 5th percentile for weight. Serum calcium, phosphorus, transaminases, and bilirubin were normal. Skeletal radiographs and bone scans were normal. We conclude: 1) in infants, extreme elevations of SAP are often benign; 2) a minimal workup should include skeletal radiographs and liver function studies; 3) SAP should be repeated biweekly, and if decreasing extensive studies should not be performed. Because of high incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms we speculate that THI may be secondary to an acute GI injury with transmucosal passage of liberated intestinal alkaline phosphatase.
User interface specification using an enhanced spreadsheet model

This paper describes a new interactive environment for user interface specification which is based on an enhanced spreadsheet model of computation. This environment allows sophisticated graphical user interfaces with dynamic feedback to be implemented with little or no explicit programming. Its goal is to support user interface specification by nonprogramming experts in human factors, visual design, or the application domain. In addition, the system is designed to allow sophisticated end-users to modify and customize their own interfaces. The system is based on a data flow model of computation. This model is presented to the interface designer in the form of a spreadsheet enhanced with new constructs for easier programming and reuse. These constructs include an improved interactive programming environment, a prototype-instance-based inheritance system, support for composition, abstraction, and customization using indirect references, the addition of support for graphical inputs and outputs, and support for the encapsulation of application data structures and routines within system objects.
Meta-Analysis as a Research Synthesis Methodology: Cause for Concern

ABSTRACT The use of meta-analysis is growing in popularity. It is based on the fundamental notion of the effect size, and a critical assumption is that effect sizes based on different measures are directly comparable. In this article it is argued that the direct comparability of effect sizes across measures implies the invariance of the effect sizes across these measures. A model of standardized mean difference (SMD) effect size invariance is developed, based on multifacet generalizability theory, which shows that SMD effect size invariance requires certain validity invariance conditions to hold. One implication of these findings is that the direct comparability of SMD effect sizes based on different measurement procedures is an empirical matter requiring testing prior to conducting a meta-analysis. Findings are also discussed suggesting that violations of one of these conditions—universe score validity invariance—can bring about substantial differences across SMD effect sizes as a function of measurement...
Cattle biting louse, Bovicola bovis (Mallophaga: trichodectidae), phoretic on the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae)

Adult horn flies, Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus), were collected from purebred Angus and Hereford cattle in the vicinity of College Station, Texas, during the spring and summer of 1975 to supplement laboratory production of ova needed for routine bioassay procedures. During the subsequent separation of horn flies from other fly species, 3 individuals were observed bearing phoretic cattle biting lice, Bovicola bovis (Linnaeus). One adult female louse and 1 nymph were attached by their mandibles to the abdominal integuments of a male and a female horn fly, respectively. A 3rd specimen, also an adult female, was observed unattached on the thorax of a female horn fly. Although peak population densities of these 2 bovine parasites occur on the host at different times of the year and only 3 such associations were observed among several thousand horn flies examined, this previously unrecorded mallophagan phoretic relationship (Keirans, 1975, J. Med. Ent. 12 : 476) may allow the cattle biting louse a secondary, although minor, mode of dispersal.— D. E. Bay , Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, U.S.A.
AAV8-Mediated Gene Transfer of Interleukin-4 to Endogenous β-Cells Prevents the Onset of Diabetes in NOD Mice

We previously demonstrated that intra-peritoneal delivery of adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) stably transduces the pancreas, including the β-cells in the endogenous islets. We also demonstrated the ability to deliver and express genes specifically in β-cells for at least 6 months using a murine insulin promoter (mIP) in a double-stranded, self-complementary AAV vector (dsAAV8-mIP). Here we evaluated the effects of dsAAV8-mIP mediated delivery of interleukin 4 (mIL-4) to endogenous β-cells in NOD mice. In 4 week old NOD mice, the extent of gene transfer and expression in endogenous β-cells following i.p. delivery of dsAAV8-mIP-eGFP was comparable to normal BALB/c mice. Furthermore, following i.p. delivery of dsAAV8-mIP-IL4, expression of mIL-4 was detected in islets isolated and cultured from the treated mice. AAV8-mIP mediated gene expression of mIL-4 to endogenous β-cells of 4 and 8 week old NOD mice prevented the onset of hyperglycemia in NOD mice and reduced the severity of insulitis. Moreover, expression of mIL-4 also maintained the level of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cells and adoptive co-transfer of splenocytes from diabetes-free IL-4 vector recipients and splenocytes from wild type diabetic NOD mice prevented the onset diabetes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that local expression of mIL-4 in islets prevents islet destruction and blocks autoimmunity, in part, through regulation of T cell function. These results also demonstrate the utility of using dsAAV8-mIP gene transfer to endogenous NOD β-cells to examine the role of specific gene products in preventing or exacerbating the onset of type 1 diabetes.
A new algorithm for the expansion of Egyptian fractions

Abstract A rational number p q is said to be written in Egyptian form if it is presented as a sum of reciprocals of distinct positive integers, n1, n2,…, nk. The new algorithm here presented is based on the continued fraction expansion of the original fraction. It has the advantage of relatively short length, while keeping the ni below the very reasonable bound of q2. This method also ties in the best lower approximations to p q with the sub-sums of the Egyptian expansion. Because it is based on the continued fraction the method is extendable to irrational numbers.
SPECIES, TEPEES, SCOTTIES, AND JOCKEYS: SELECTED BY CONSEQUENCES.

“Ideas are like species: they must evolve.” This claim forms the conceptual core of an engaging book by Jonnie Hughes (2011), On the Origin of Tepees. Hughes asks: If evolution by natural selection explains the origin of the human species, then does selection by consequences also explain the origin of what we humans make and do? This question prompts consideration of three important analogies: between natural selection and artificial selection, between the law of natural selection and the law of effect, and between biological evolution and cultural evolution. These analogies in turn stimulate examination of the notions of purpose, design, and agency. Finally, discussion moves to the selectionism of Darwin and Skinner; although still controversial, this view remains the best way for natural science to understand the origins of adaptive behavior.
Effect of syntactic role and syntactic prominence on letter detection.

Participants read passages and circled instances of a target letter. They made more correct detections onthe when it was an adverb than when it was a definite article, when it occurred in a subject than in an object phrase, and when it was preposed than when it occurred normally. These results suggest that syntactic role affects letter detection even when meaning is controlled, and that giving greater syntactic prominence (i.e., salience or emphasis) affects letter detection even when both meaning and syntactic role are controlled. These findings pose a challenge to both the structural account of letter detection and the processing time account.
Retrieval of a Wind Profile from the Galileo Probe Telemetry Signal

Ultrastable oscillators onboard the Galileo Probe and Orbiter will permit very accurate determinations of the frequency of the Probe’s telemetry signal as the Probe descends from a pressure level of several hundred mb to a level of about 20 bars. Analysis of the time-varying frequency can provide, in principle, a unique and important definition of the vertical profile of the zonal wind speed in the Jovian atmosphere. In this paper, we develop a protocol for retrieving the zonal wind profile from the Doppler shift of the measured frequency; assess the impact of a wide range of error sources on the accuracy of the retrieved wind profile; and perform a number of simulations to illustrate our technique and to assess the likely accuracy of the retrieval.
The importance of LAT in the activation, homeostasis, and regulatory function of T cells

LAT (linker for activation of T cells) is a transmembrane adaptor protein that plays an essential role in TCR-mediated signaling and thymocyte development. Because LAT-deficient mice have an early block in thymocyte development, we utilized an inducible system to delete LAT in primary T cells to study LAT function in T cell activation, homeostasis, and survival. Deletion of LAT caused primary T cells to become unresponsive to stimulation from the TCR and impaired T cell homeostatic proliferation and long term survival. Furthermore, deletion of LAT led to reduced expression of Foxp3, CTLA-4, and CD25 in Treg cells and impaired their function. Consequently, mice with LAT deleted developed a lymphoproliferative syndrome similar to that in LATY136F mice, although less severe. Our data implicate that LAT has positive and negative roles in the regulation of mature T cells.
Effect of bending on the axisymmetric vibrations of a spheroidal model of the head.

Abstract The head is modelled as an elastic prolate spheroidal shell filled with an inviscid, compressible fluid. Bending effects are included, and the free vibration frequency spectrum obtained is compared with that of an earlier spheroidal model using extensional (membrane) shell theory and with a spherical model including bending. The differences between the present results and those reported previously are significant.
Molecular Crowding Effects on Protein Stability

The volume fraction occupied by the dry matter of the cell can be as large as 40%, of which more than half (approximately 60%) are proteins. Thus, cellular proteins and protein assemblies occupy a large volume that can have a profound effect on their own native-state stabilities and on their unfolding/refolding rates. In addition, macromolecular crowding can change the properties of a significant fraction of the water in the cell. We review features of the molecular crowding effect which are relevant for describing the microscopic mechanism of thermal injuries.
Alpha-fetoprotein inhibits frog metamorphosis: implications for protein motif conservation.

Abstract Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor-associated fetal protein which has served as a marker for both oncogenic and ontogenetic growth. A growth regulatory segment on human AFP contains amino acid sequence identity and similarity with Rana and Xenopus albumin molecules. This study assessed the ability of both intact mammalian AFP and a derived peptide to influence thyroid induction of tail resorption during Rana catesbeiana metamorphosis. After AFP and other proteins/peptides were pre-incubated with triiodothyronine (T 3 ) for 1 h, they were added to intact tadpoles in 300 ml of water. Human and/or mouse AFP, at a concentration of 70 ng/ml, completely inhibited T 3 -induced tail loss when measured over a 5 day period. In contrast, albumin and other proteins were without affect. A peptide (P149) with the sequence of human AFP residues #447-480 also completely blocked the tail response at a concentration of 33 ng/ml, whereas a scrambled version of this peptide was without activity. The present peptide segment derived from mammalian AFP might represent a highly conserved serum protein motif in the vertebrate phyla since it is capable of influencing growth, differentiation and transformation phenomenon in amphibians.
P‐48: Pattering of OLED Cathodes by Metal Dry Etching

A method to pattern the metal cathode of OLEDs by conventional photolithography and dry etching in a chlorine plasma is introduced. Sharp lines are obtained with feature sizes down to 20 μm. The performance of polymer LED fabricated this way is discussed. In addition, the growth of the non-emissive region at the edge of the cathodes is analyzed in the context of this patterning technology.
Hemorrhage after Transoral Robotic-Assisted Surgery:

ObjectiveAn increasing number of head and neck surgeons have begun using transoral robotic-assisted surgery. Our objective was to examine the postoperative bleeding complications we have encountere...
Transatlantic Relations after the Cold War: Theory, Evidence, and the Future

This essay employs international relations theory to illuminate post–Cold War transatlantic relations and vice versa. What do these two important subjects, one theoretical and one practical, have to say about each other? The essay is divided into three parts. The first part introduces three leading theoretical perspectives on international relations—the realist, the liberal, and what I term the transformational—and asks how each approach would expect U.S.-European relations to evolve after the Cold War. The second part evaluates the usefulness of each perspective for accounting for the actual pattern of transatlantic relations since 1990. To what degree do the events of the past decade lend support to each of the three perspectives? In the third part, I draw on the preceding analysis to reflect upon the likely future course of transatlantic relations and to offer general prescriptions for their successful management in the next decade and beyond.
Radiation chemistry of d(TpApCpG) in oxygenated solution.

SummaryThe radiation chemistry of the DNA tetranucleoside triphosphate d(TpApCpG) was investigated. The tetramer was X-irradiated in oxygenated aqueous solution and the various products separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The principal modifications of the tetramer were analysed intact using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and in some instances also by fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. The principal radiation-induced lesions of d(TpApCpG) were found to be a formamido modification derived from the thymine base, two stereoisomeric forms of a 1-carbamoyl-2-oxo-4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidine modification derived from the cytosine base and an 8-hydroxyguanine modification.
Comparison of primary osteosarcoma of flat bones with secondary osteosarcoma of any site

BACKGROUND The authors hypothesized that the outcomes for young patients who present with primary osteosarcoma of flat bones or secondary osteosarcoma after other primary malignancies are similar because the sites of these tumors rarely makes them amenable to complete surgical resection. METHODS The authors reviewed their experience with 27 patients with primary osteosarcomas involving flat bones and 18 patients with secondary osteosarcomas of any site, evaluating treatment, metastatic patterns, and outcome. RESULTS Eleven of the 27 primary osteosarcomas and 10 of the 18 secondary osteosarcomas were at least partially resectable at the time of initial diagnosis. At last follow-up, 10 of the 27 patients with primary flat bone osteosarcoma were alive, eight of whom were disease free. Three of 18 with the secondary osteosarcoma patients were alive, including one with locally recurrent disease after recent disease resections. Chemotherapy with single or combinations of agents rarely yielded responses for primary flat bone or secondary osteosarcomas. CONCLUSIONS Outcome for both groups of patients was poor due to metastases and failure of local control. Sixteen of the 27 patients with primary osteosarcoma of flat bones died of their tumor; an additional patient died of doxorubicin-related cardiomyopathy and had microscopic disease in the primary site at autopsy. Thirteen of the 18 patients with secondary osteosarcoma died of their second metastatic cancer, 2 additional patients died of doxorubicin-related cardiomyopathy/coccidioidomycosis, and another of acute renal toxicity. Cancer 1997; 80:1171-7. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
A simplified method for solving the matrix Riccati equation

Abstract A simplified method of solving the matrix Riccati equation is discussed and illustrated in the context of optimal control theory. The method utilizes a preliminary solution with no requirement on boundary condition or sign definiteness. Utilizing this preliminary solution the desired solution is obtained by solving a linear problem of the same dimension as the state vector. One advantage of the method is that the boundary conditions for the terminal control problem which force some state variables to zero at the terminal time are easily implemented.
A central data-recording system for a jet-propulsion laboratory

Recording experimental data from a number of widely dispersed test stations is achieved efficiently in this laboratory by centralizing the recording equipment in a single location. The recording center contains all recording, intermediate, and control equipment which can be combined into any desired system by means of patch cords.
Automatic business process analysis and simulation based on DEMO

Enterprise process modelling as a core area of the Enterprises Information Systems (EIS) research has long attracted theoreticians of new concepts, designers of artefacts, and practitioners of modelling. As a result a vast number of modelling methods have been generated. However, each method is challenging because they lack certain aspects. First, these methods view processes as a flowchart, undermining the deep (nested) structure of processes. Second, most of these methods are based on informal or semi-formal representation, failing direct model checking and formal analysis without further translations and mapping procedures. Finally, because the majority of these methods originated from a computing perspective, their focal point is control-flow rather than interaction of social actors. In reality, an enterprise is a complex socio-technical system that includes interaction of technical and social components. In this paper, we discuss an innovative method that will address some of these challenges and provide an improved tool for this purpose. We base our method on the field-proven DEMO theory and methodology, where emphasis is made on the interactions between social actors. The proposed method encompasses a set of graphical notations and constructs based on the Petri nets semantics that allows direct model analysis and simulation.
New models for interconnect failure in advanced IC technology

The two major interconnect failure modes most commonly considered in IC technology are electromigration (EM) and time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) in interlevel dielectrics. In order to evaluate reliability, tests must be performed under conditions that are much more severe than those expected under normal use in order to obtain failure statistics in reasonable times. These tests only make sense if the extrapolated lifetimes and failure distributions can be extrapolated back to use conditions, so that assessments of the reliability under normal operation can be made. The simple use of the traditional Blackpsilas Law for EM and either the E or 1/E model for TDDB can be shown not to provide accurate projections of product lifetime in the light of recent knowledge of the failure mechanisms. In this paper, the most recently developed techniques for extrapolating test data to use conditions will be described with suggestions for determining operational reliability performance.
Murine DNA repair gene located on chromosome 4

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive human disease in which affected individuals are prone to develop skin cancers after exposure to sunlight. Cells from XP patients are defective in DNA repair activity and are sensitive to UV light. Most XP individuals have a defect in the excision repair pathway for UV damage. Genetic studies have indicated that excision-defective cells fall into seven complementation groups (A-G). An eighth group of XP is known to be defective in post-replication repair. DNA repair enzymes are ubiquitous and can function across species boundaries. Primary mouse embryo fibroblasts have normal levels of DNA repair functions. We report here that somatic cell hybrids between primary mouse cells and SV40-transformed XP group A cells can express wild-type levels of DNA repair function. These hybrid cells segregate murine chromosomes in culture. The proportion of cells in a given hybrid cell line which can perform unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) correlated well with the percentage of the population retaining murine chromosome 4. This study presents the first example of a direct quantitative comparison of specific gene activity and chromosomal content on a cellular basis.
Deep trench capacitor based step-up and step-down DC/DC converters in 32nm SOI with opportunistic current borrowing and fast DVFS capabilities

A switched capacitor step-down converter fabricated in 32nm CMOS achieves a 5X improvement in response time for fast dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). We also present a step-up converter based on a bi-directional voltage doubler, which is capable of reducing supply noise up to 45% by opportunistically borrowing current from adjacent idle power domains. Using ultra-high density deep trench capacitors, we are able to achieve an output power density of 2.78W/mm2 at a peak efficiency of 85% from the step-down converter and 0.9W/mm2 at a peak efficiency of 82% from the voltage doubler.
RNA–protein binding kinetics in an automated microfluidic reactor

Microfluidic chips can automate biochemical assays on the nanoliter scale, which is of considerable utility for RNA–protein binding reactions that would otherwise require large quantities of proteins. Unfortunately, complex reactions involving multiple reactants cannot be prepared in current microfluidic mixer designs, nor is investigation of long-time scale reactions possible. Here, a microfluidic ‘Riboreactor’ has been designed and constructed to facilitate the study of kinetics of RNA–protein complex formation over long time scales. With computer automation, the reactor can prepare binding reactions from any combination of eight reagents, and is optimized to monitor long reaction times. By integrating a two-photon microscope into the microfluidic platform, 5-nl reactions can be observed for longer than 1000 s with single-molecule sensitivity and negligible photobleaching. Using the Riboreactor, RNA–protein binding reactions with a fragment of the bacterial 30S ribosome were prepared in a fully automated fashion and binding rates were consistent with rates obtained from conventional assays. The microfluidic chip successfully combines automation, low sample consumption, ultra-sensitive fluorescence detection and a high degree of reproducibility. The chip should be able to probe complex reaction networks describing the assembly of large multicomponent RNPs such as the ribosome.
Experimental validation of an autonomous control system on a mobile robot platform

An autonomous control system designed for a non-holonomic wheeled mobile robot that is programmed to emulate a fixed-wing unmanned air vehicle (UAV) flying at constant altitude is experimentally validated. The overall system is capable of waypoint navigation, threat avoidance, real-time trajectory generation and trajectory tracking. Both the wheeled mobile robot experimental platform and the hierarchical autonomous control software architecture are introduced. Programmed to emulate a fixed-wing UAV flying at constant altitude, a non-holonomic mobile robot is assigned to follow a desired time-parameterised trajectory generated by a real-time trajectory generator to transition through a sequence of targets in the presence of static and popup threats. Hardware results of the autonomous control system where the trajectory tracker applies two velocity controllers accounting for fixed-wing UAV-like input constraints, are compared to simulation results of dynamic controllers that are based on non-smooth backstepping to demonstrate the effectiveness of the overall system.
Affinity of benzoquinonium and ambenonium derivatives for the acetylcholine receptor, tested on the electroplax, and for acetylcholinesterase in solution.

Abstract The dissociation constants between certain benzoquinonium and ambenonium analogs and the acetylcholine receptor were determined with the isolated electroplax; they were compared with those obtained with acetylcholinesterase purified from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus . The compounds are strong competitive and reversible inhibitors of both the receptor and the esterase. Small changes of structure may strongly affect their ability to inhibit the carbamylcholine depolarization of the electroplax. The effects of structural modification on reaction with the receptor differ markedly from those in which the inhibitory action on acetylcholinesterase is tested. Thus, the results offer new evidence that the active sites of the acetylcholine receptor and of acetylcholinesterase are different in chemical structure.
Measuring the overhead of Intel C++ Concurrent Collections over Threading Building Blocks for Gauss–Jordan elimination

The most efficient way to parallelize computation is to build and evaluate the task graph constrained only by the data dependencies between the tasks. Both Intel's C++ Concurrent Collections (CnC) and Threading Building Blocks (TBB) libraries allow such task-based parallel programming. CnC also adapts the macro data flow model by providing only single-assignment data objects in its global data space. Although CnC makes parallel programming easier, by specifying data flow dependencies only through single-assignment data objects, its macro data flow model incurs overhead. Intel's C++ CnC library is implemented on top of its C++ TBB library. We can measure the overhead of CnC by comparing its performance with that of TBB. In this paper, we analyze all three types of data dependencies in the tiled in-place Gauss–Jordan elimination algorithm for the first time. We implement the task-based parallel tiled Gauss–Jordan algorithm in TBB using the data dependencies analyzed and compare its performance with that of the CnC implementation. We find that the overhead of CnC over TBB is only 12%– 15% of the TBB time, and CnC can deliver as much as 87%– 89% of the TBB performance for Gauss–Jordan elimination, using the optimal tile size. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Historian among the Anthropologists

Delimiting Anthropology: Occasional Inquiries and Reflections. George W. Stocking Jr. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2001. 404 pp.
Left Flank Trans-Abdominal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

During the last two decades minimally invasive surgery has became the gold standard of treatment for the removal of benign functioning and non-functioning tumors of the adrenal glands. Trans-abdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (TLA) was first reported in 1992 by Gagner et al. Since then, multiple retrospective comparative studies have demonstrated the benefits of minimally invasive techniques in adrenalectomy, specifically the decreased requirements for analgesics, improved patients satisfaction, and shorter hospital stay and recovery time when compared to open surgery. The lateral transabdominal approach to the adrenals is currently the most widely practised route since it provides a good overall view of the adrenal gland and surrounding structures, and allows a wide operative field. From a technical point of view the primary prerequisites for a successful procedure are an adequate knowledge of anatomy, a delicate tissue handling and a meticulous haemostasis technique in order to properly identify structures and prevent bleeding that could greatly complicate the surgical procedure.
Photoperiod and photosynthetic capacity in Lotus scoparius

Abstract Leaves of Lotus scoparius Nutt., a Mediterranean-climate shrub, exhibited higher photosynthetic capacities when grown under winter (10/14 h, day/night) than summer (14/10 h) photo-periods, even though total daily photon irradiance was higher under summer photoperiods. Photosynthetic dependence on natural variations in photo-period, such that activity was higher under photo-periods associated with expected precipitation, may be a more dependable environmental parameter than total irradiance in temperate habitats with winter-spring precipitation patterns and where seasonal cloudiness may cause total daily irradiance levels to be highly variable.