cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dextran retention in the rat brain following release from a polymer implant

Intracranial controlled release polymers may improve drug administration to the brain, where therapy is frequently limited due to the low permeability of brain capillaries to therapeutic agents. On the basis of drug transport and elimination rates, we proposed that high molecular weight, water-soluble molecules would be retained in the brain space following release from an intracranial implant. To test this hypothesis, solid particles of different molecular weight fractions of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextran (FITC-dextran; 4 x 10(3) Da (4 kDa) > 4 kDa Mw FITC-dextran > fluorescein). The rate of elimination, kapp, of each tracer from the brain was determined by comparing experimental data with a model describing tracer diffusion/elimination in the brain extracellular space; kapp decreased with increasing molecular weight (fluorescein > 4 kDa Mw FITC-dextran > 70 kDa Mw FITC-dextran).
Development of a food packaging coating material with antimicrobial properties

Antimicrobial films may provide an effective way to control food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms to thus enhance food safety and decrease product spoilage. Antimicrobial films can be produced by incorporation of chemical preservatives or antimicrobial agents into a plastic film. The agents can then diffuse into the food to control target microorganisms.In this work, antimicrobial coatings were developed by incorporation of nisin, lactoferrin (an antimicrobial peptide derived from bovine lactoferrin in cow’s milk), sodium diacetate, sorbic acid, and potassium sorbate into a coating material. Saran® F-310 resin, a copolymer of vinylidene chloride, was used to produce the base coating using a solvent casting method. The antimicrobial activity of these films was verified on laboratory media against the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Films containing nisin, sorbic acid, and potassium sorbate inhibited L. monocytogenes strain CWD 95. The lowest level of nisin, sorbic acid, and potassium...
Specialized Accreditation and the Library

Accrediting agencies come in two sizes, the large regional associations that determine academic standards throughout the United States such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and smaller specialized agencies that determine specific criteria for academic programs such as Accrediting Bureau of Engineering Technology (ABET) or American Psychological Association (APA). On the surface, both types of accreditation are voluntary. However, essentials in the world of academia, such as government, state and local funding, are dependent on, at a minimum, regional accreditation. Thus, regional accreditation is sought by all. In the current world of tight funding, however, the role of specialized accreditation is taking on significance even though it plays a different, but similar role.
Semantic Integration of Peer to Peer Systems: A Doxastic Approach

Peer to peer information integration takes place when, within internetworking systems, a dependency between provided and consumed information is maintained. At large, the semantic Web could be seen as a semantically integrated peer to peer system. These systems have been thoroughly studied by means of multi-agent epistemic logic frameworks. Most of the proposed approaches, however, in seek of generality, fail to provide means to implement the vast array of integration strategies that peers could adopt. We propose here a formal framework to overcome these limitations. Our approach resorts on a logic that prevents peer to peer mappings from causing direct knowledge transfers, and introduces a class of specific knowledge construction axioms to model concrete integration in a flexible way.
Sparsest solutions of underdetermined linear systems via ℓq-minimization for 0<q⩽1

Abstract We present a condition on the matrix of an underdetermined linear system which guarantees that the solution of the system with minimal l q -quasinorm is also the sparsest one. This generalizes, and slightly improves, a similar result for the l 1 -norm. We then introduce a simple numerical scheme to compute solutions with minimal l q -quasinorm, and we study its convergence. Finally, we display the results of some experiments which indicate that the l q -method performs better than other available methods.
Description and pilot results from a novel method for evaluating return of incidental findings from next-generation sequencing technologies.

Description and pilot results from a novel method for evaluating return of incidental findings from next-generation sequencing technologies
Epitope-tagged protein-based artificial miRNA screens for optimized gene silencing in plants.

Artificial miRNA (amiRNA) technology offers highly specific gene silencing in diverse plant species. The principal challenge in amiRNA application is to select potent amiRNAs from hundreds of bioinformatically designed candidates to enable maximal target gene silencing at the protein level. To address this issue, we developed the epitope-tagged protein-based amiRNA (ETPamir) screens, in which single or multiple potential target genes encoding epitope-tagged proteins are constitutively or inducibly coexpressed with individual amiRNA candidates in plant protoplasts. Accumulation of tagged proteins, detected by immunoblotting with commercial tag antibodies, inversely and quantitatively reflects amiRNA efficacy in vivo. The core procedure, from protoplast isolation to identification of optimal amiRNA, can be completed in 2–3 d. The ETPamir screens circumvent the limited availability of plant antibodies and the complexity of plant amiRNA silencing at target mRNA and/or protein levels. The method can be extended to verify predicted target genes for endogenous plant miRNAs.
Regional Place-Systems Analysis Applied to Long-Range Transportation Planning

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) requires the integration of environmental considerations into transportation planning. Although previous legislation has required the consideration of environmental elements during project planning, ISTEA necessitates a different approach. During project-specific planning, each environmental element is researched to determine baseline conditions, and project plans are superimposed to determine potential impacts and the need for mitigative measures. This approach is appropriate for project-specific planning, but it presents only a snapshot of existing conditions because environmental data are changing constantly. The integration of environmental considerations into long-range plans requires a much broader focus. It must allow dynamic systems to change without affecting the plan's validity. A case study is presented of the Oklahoma statewide intermodal transportation plan, which uses recent geographic theory to integrate planning and human...
RoboLeader for reconnaissance by a team of robotic vehicles

Autonomous teams of robotic vehicles are gaining significant importance in military applications in the realm of reconnaissance and the execution of vital tasks. As teams of robotic vehicles grow in size and mission complexity, ever increasing burden is placed on the human operators charged with overseeing such operations. It is imperative that, in order to increase future mission complexity and success, a certain amount of work load be removed from the operator and a greater level of autonomy be given to the unmanned systems. A modular architecture has been developed which allows for components to be added on to the RoboLeader utility providing expanded capability of the design with little modification to existing architecture. Currently, the RoboLeader utility assesses intelligence on ground conditions and provides the human operator with alternate path plans for a series of situations which require difference path solutions.
Fractal Structures in Fullerene Layers: Simulation of the Growth Process

The molecular-level processes responsible for fractal-dendritic growth of second-layer C60 islands on large and compact first-layer C60 islands deposited on graphite substrate are investigated by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to determine the activation barriers and jump rates for diffusion of C60 molecules on a C60 layer. The rates of the thermally activated processes, determined in MD simulations, are used in kMC simulations performed to explore the connections between the elementary growth mechanisms and the shapes of the growing islands. The geometry of the underlying substrate is found to result in the formation of two characteristic molecular arrangements along the edges of the growing islands (A-step and B-step on a close-packed surface). The difference in the molecular mobility along the A-step and B-step configurations, along with the difference in the probability of a C60 molecule ...
Gendered Citizenship: Women, Equality, and Abortion Policy

Since the 1970s significant progress has been made in the area of women's rights, yet women lag behind men economically, politically, and socially. One reason for this persistent inequality between the sexes is that traditional gender attitudes regarding women's roles as wives and mothers compete with a definition of equality based on rights. Nowhere is this more evident than in the area of abortion policy. From 1865 to 1965, women's access to abortion (with rare exceptions) was completely prohibited; over the past 35 years, abortion has become far more available, but continues to be restricted. Through an analysis of abortion policy from 1965 to 2000, this article identifies the way in which a politics of motherhood conflicts with women's rights to full citizenship. It shows how attitudes regarding women's competency, first written into abortion law in the 19th century, and gender assumptions about their status as citizens, have affected and informed the debate over abortion policy, and have, in effect, ...
Teacher and Collective Efficacy Beliefs as Predictors of Professional Commitment

The authors sought to determine whether teacher and collective efficacy beliefs predict commitment to the teaching profession. The participants were 26,257 teachers and 6,711 principals who responded to the public school teacher and principal questionnaires of the 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (U.S. Department of Education, 2005). The authors developed 2 teacher efficacy scales, a collective teacher efficacy scale, and a teacher professional commitment scale. The scales showed sufficient construct validity and reliability. Findings supported the hypotheses that the scales would significantly predict teacher professional commitment. Given the teacher turnover rate, the present findings are significant for retaining teachers in the profession. Educational implications are discussed.
The HQ Production Function

A sixth-degree production function of Henderson and Quands (1958), that exhibits increasing and then decreasing returns to scale, is generalized to allow for non-homotheticity as well as homotheticity. Although the long-run function lacks the desirable short-run attribute of the original function, it has the advantage that the cross-marginal product is conventionally positive The simplicity and versatility of die HQ production function make it useful for computer simulations of long-run competitive market equilibrium with a determinate number of firms.
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression modulates response to high glucose.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is an important mediator of fibrosis; emerging evidence link changes in plasma and urinary CTGF levels to diabetic kidney disease. To further ascertain the role of CTGF in responses to high glucose, we assessed the consequence of 4 months of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in wild type (+/+) and CTGF heterozygous (+/−) mice. Subsequently, we studied the influence of glucose on gene expression and protein in mice embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) cells derived from wildtype and heterozygous mice. At study initiation, plasma glucose, creatinine, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were similar between non-diabetic CTGF+/+ and CTGF+/− mice. In the diabetic state, plasma glucose levels were increased in CTGF+/+ and CTGF+/− mice (28.2 3.3 mmol/L vs 27.0 3.1 mmol/L), plasma triglyceride levels were lower in CTGF+/− mice than in CTGF+/+ (0.7 0.2 mmol/L vs 0.5 0.1 mmol/L, p<0.05), but cholesterol was essentially unchanged in both groups. Plasma creatinine was higher in diabetic CTGF+/+ group (11.7±1.2 vs 7.9±0.6 µmol/L p<0.01), while urinary albumin excretion and mesangial expansion were reduced in diabetic CTGF+/− animals. Cortices from diabetic mice (both CTGF +/+ and CTGF +/−) manifested higher expression of CTGF and thrombospondin 1 (TSP1). Expression of nephrin was reduced in CTGF +/+ animals; this reduction was attenuated in CTGF+/− group. In cultured MEF from CTGF+/+ mice, glucose (25 mM) increased expression of pro-collagens 1, IV and XVIII as well as fibronectin and thrombospondin 1 (TSP1). In contrast, activation of these genes by high glucose was attenuated in CTGF+/− MEF. We conclude that induction of Ctgf mediates expression of extracellular matrix proteins in diabetic kidney. Thus, genetic variability in CTGF expression directly modulates the severity of diabetic nephropathy.
Electronically controlled load for monkey manipulandum

Abstract An electronically controlled manipulandum loading system has been developed that can simulate different mechanical loads such as constant torque, linear spring, viscous friction, and inertia. By applying linear well defined Newtonian loads to the manipulandum a better understanding of motor control will be possible.
Maternal DDAVP-induced hyponatremia preserves fetal urine flow during acute fetal hemorrhage

Maternal administration of DDAVP induces maternal and fetal plasma hyponatremia, accentuates fetal urine flow, and increases amniotic fluid volume. Fetal hemorrhage represents an acute stress that ...
The sea urchin embryo as a model for studying efflux transporters: roles and energy cost.

We describe the use of the sea urchin as a model for studying efflux transporters and estimating energy cost for the cytotoxin protective system provided by these transporters. The unfertilized egg has low transport activity, which increases to a new steady state shortly after fertilization. Activity results from p-glycoprotein (p-gp) and MRP type transporters which protect the embryo from cytotoxic drugs that can disrupt cell division or induce apoptosis. The energy cost is estimated from a novel use of calcein-AM as a substrate; keeping 0.25 μM substrate levels out of the cell utilizes only 0.023% of steady state respiration.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia with defect in electrolyte metabolism

Five infants with “salt losing” congenital adrenal hyperplasia were treated prior to the onset of symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. All were females with genital defects and all had elevate excretion of both 17-ketosteroids and pregnanetriol. There were observed from birth and the other two were first seen at 4 and 9 days of age, respectively. Hyperkalemia was found in all patients before the onset of symptoms and was the first evidence that an abnormality of electrolyte homeostasis existed. Maximum serum potassium values ranged from 6.8 to 12.5 mEq. per liter prior to therapy. Serum sodium determinations and urinary sodium—potassium ratios were not helpful in establishing an early diagnosis. The signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency were prevented by early therapy. Serum potassium concentration fell from the very high initial values; however, mild to moderate hyperkalemia persisted for 2 to 3 months despite therapy with cortisone, desoxycorticosterone, and added salt.
The effects of varied respiratory rate and volume upon finger pulse volume.

The effects of varied conditions of respiratory rate and volume upon finger pulse volume were investigated. Results indicated that any change in ongoing respiratory activity resulted in maximal digital vasoconstriction within 4–6 sec, and that these effects were greatest during deep breathing. The relevance of these findings for investigations of vasomotor conditioning are discussed.
Stacked Sheets and Solenoids: Implications of Polymorphic Amyloid Structures of the Fungal Prion HET-s

Prions are aberrantly folded infectious proteins that propagate by inducing the refolding of normal proteins. Prions generally form amyloids: chemically homogeneous, fibrillar protein aggregates. Amyloids are associated with many diseases including Alzheimer's, type II diabetes, and more specifically to prions, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”). Despite this variety, all amyloids share a common cross-β structural motif, β-strands running perpendicular to a central fiber axis. Data from tissue extracted amyloids and studies of short amyloidogenic peptides have led some to hypothesize that all amyloids have a generic amyloid fold consisting of stacks of β-sheets. However, structural models of Alzheimer's related Aβ-amyloid and diabetes related IAPP amyloid indicate that amyloid structure is more diverse. Studies of brain-derived and recombinant prion protein, PrP, show that the generic amyloid fold shows only marginal biological activity while a β-solenoid fold is highly pathogenic.We have looked at HET-s(218-289), the prion forming domain of a functional prion in the fungus Podospora anserina. It has been determined by solid state NMR that under physiological conditions, HET-s(218-289) fibrilizes into a β-solenoid fold. Others have shown that when fibrilized under low pH conditions, a non-functional polymorph is formed. We have determined by X-ray fiber diffraction that at low pH, proteolysis leads to the formation of stacked β-sheet amyloids. These amyloids can propagate the generic fold onto undegraded HET-s(218-289), though only under non-physiological conditions. These results indicate that the biological activity of HET-s(218-289) is intimately tied to its specific amyloid structure and that short amyloidogenic fragments may not adequately reproduce the interactions of larger prion domains. Supported by NIH grants P01-AG002132 and T32-GM008320-21.
Determination of the critical constants of high-boiling hydrocarbons Experiments with gallium as a containing liquid

Abstract The critical temperature and pressure and the critical end-point temperature and pressure of n -nonane, n -decane, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene were measured with mercury and compared with the critical temperature and pressure of n -nonane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene when measured with gallium. To within the accuracy of the measurements, the values of the critical temperature and pressure obtained with gallium and with mercury were the same. However, the chemical and physical properties of gallium are such as to make it very difficult to devise a procedure that would ensure highly accurate results. Its use as a confining liquid is therefore limited. The differences between the critical temperature and pressure of the pure compounds and critical end-point temperature and pressure of the binary mixtures of mercury + hydrocarbon, ΔT and Δp , respectively, show that the solubility of mercury has a relatively small effect ΔT on the critical temperature, whereas Δp , the partial pressure of mercury, is proportional to, but less than, the vapor pressure of pure mercury. A plot of log 10 ( Δp kPa ) against ( T K ) −1 gives a linear relation which serves as a method of estimating the partial pressure of mercury at a given temperature.
Optimization of Contrast Enhancement in Thoracic MDCT

Many clinical applications of thoracic computed tomography (CT) require contrast medium to enhance and delineate vascular, mediastinal, hilar, and cardiac structures, and differentiate normal and pathologic vascular or tumoral conditions. Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) is superior to single-detector row CT (SDCT) because MDCT permits more efficient and flexible use of intravenous contrast medium to achieve enhancement. However, to fully reap the benefits of MDCT contrast enhancement, the technical challenges associated with optimizing enhancement and scan timing in MDCT need to be solved. This article reviews the basic principles of CT contrast enhancement and discusses common clinical considerations and the protocol design modifications that are necessary to achieve optimal contrast enhancement in thoracic MDCT.
The Time Constant in P300 Recording

A standard counting task was used to illustrate the effect of the time constant of the recording system on the amplitude and waveform of the P300 component. A random sequence of 1500 Hz (probability = .10) and 1000 Hz (probability = .90) tones was presented to one male subject. The EEG from Cz and Pz was recorded simultaneously at time constants of 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 10.0 sec. The ERP waveform was markedly affected by the time constant: the shorter the time constant, the smaller the amplitude of both the P300 and Slow Wave components.
Quantification of C=C and C=O Surface Carbons in Detonation Nanodiamond by NMR

The ability of solid-state 13C NMR to detect and quantify small amounts of sp2-hybridized carbon on the surface of ~5 nm diameter nanodiamond particles is demonstrated. The C=C carbon fraction is only 1.1 ± 0.4% in pristine purified detonation nanodiamond, while a full single-layer graphitic or “bucky diamond” shell would contain ca. 25% of all C in a 5 nm diameter particle. Instead of large aromatic patches repeatedly proposed in the recent literature, sp3-hybridized CH and COH carbons cover most of the nanodiamond particle surface, accounting for ~5% each. C=O and COO groups also seen in X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) but not detected in previous NMR studies make up ca. 1.5% of all C. They are removed by heat treatment at 800 °C, which increases the aromatic fraction. 13C{1H} NMR demonstrates that the various sp2-hybridized carbons are mostly not protonated, but cross-polarization shows that they are separated from 1H by only a few bond lengths, which proves that they are near the protonated surface. Together, the observed C–H, C–OH, C=O, and C=C groups account for 12–14% of all C, which matches the surface fraction expected for bulk-terminated 5 nm diameter diamond particles.
Complexes of phenyldiazene (phenyldiimide) with deoxyhemoglobin and ferroheme

Abstract 1. 1. Phenyldiazene (C 6 H 5 N = NH) generated by the method of Huang and Kosower 5–9 through decarboxylation of phenyldiazenecarboxylic acid (C 6 H 5 N = NCOOH) is shown to form a complex with deoxyhemoglobin. The evidence for complex formation is the greatly reduced reactivity of phenyldiazene (from the complex) towards oxygen. Contrary to the claim of Itano and Robinson (ref. 2), there is no change in the spectrum of deoxyhemoglobin upon combination with phenyldiazene. The binding site is therefore not the iron atom and probably not the heme molecule. It is proposed that a hydrophobic region of hemoglobin complexes with the weakly polar phenyldiazene molecule. 2. 2. Phenyldiazene apparently forms a 2:1 complex with ferroheme. The complex differs in absorption spectrum from ferroheme in all regions of the spectrum. Little or no change in spectrum is noted if freshly prepared complex is exposed to oxygen, reflecting a dramatic decrease in the reactivity of phenyldiazene towards oxygen. 3. 3. Exposure of the phenyldiazene-ferroheme complex to OH − causes the rapid regeneration of much of the ferroheme, indicating that the normal reactivity of phenyldiazene towards OH − is retained in the complex. Slow decomposition of the complex near neutral pH is ascribed to reaction with OH − . 4. 4. The relationship of these phenyldiazene complexes to those of diazene (“diimide”, HN = NH) is indicated.
Soil as a Source of Atmospheric Heptachlor Epoxide

The chiral pesticide heptachlor can undergo photolysis to yield the racemic products heptachlor-exo-epoxide (HEPX) and photoheptachlor. Heptachlor is also metabolized to nonracemic HEPX in biologic ...
Strain Tuned Magnetic Properties of Epitaxial Cobalt Ferrite Thin Films

Epitaxial cobalt ferrite thin films have been fabricated on bare MgO substrates and compared to those grown on CoCr2O4 buffered MgAl2O4. Various structural characterizations, including x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, demonstrate excellent crystallinity of the films. Films grown under tension exhibit magnetic properties dominated by the stress anisotropy. In (110) oriented films grown on CoCr2O4 buffered MgAl2O4, post deposition annealing switched the in-plane easy and hard directions completely while no such behavior is observed in cobalt ferrite films grown on MgO. The anomalous behaviors observed in as-grown films and films after annealing can be explained in terms of lattice distortion and cation redistribution.
Transient supplementation of anabolic growth factors rapidly stimulates matrix synthesis in engineered cartilage

The purpose of the presented work is to examine the response of engineered cartilage to a transient, 2-week application of anabolic growth factors compared to continuous exposure in in vitro culture. Immature bovine chondrocytes were suspended in agarose hydrogel and cultured for 28 days (Study 1) or 42 days (Study 2) in chondrogenic media with TGF-β1, TGF-β3, or IGF-I either added for only the first 14 days in culture or added to the media for the entire study period. In both studies, there were no statistical differences in tissue mechanical or biochemical properties between the growth factors on day 14. In Study 1, growth factor removal led to a significant and drastic increase in Young’s modulus and glycosaminoglycans content compared to continuously exposed controls on day 28. In Study 2, both TGF-β1 and β3 led to significantly higher mechanical properties and collagen content vs. IGF-I on day 42. These results indicate that the rapid rise in tissue properties (previously observed with TGF-β3 only) is not dependent on the type but rather the temporal application of the anabolic growth factor. These findings shed light on possible techniques to rapidly develop engineered cartilage tissue for the future treatment of osteoarthritis.
Digital Pulse Height Recording for a Large Multiple Scintillation Detector Array Using an Analog Buffer Memory

This paper describes one of two methods employed to record the events from the large multiple scintillation detector array described in the preceeding paper. The detector itself and the other recording scheme are reported at this Symposium in two papers by M. F. Crouch, et. al. These should be referred to for a more complete understanding of the overall system. Some of the data and its significance are discussed in reference 1. The principle of the system is to store pulses, which occur simultaneously in up to 144 phototubes, in analog form as charges on individual capacitors. Subsequent to the actual detection of the event, the charges on the capacitors are measured and their values digitized in sequence. The resulting numbers which represent the original pulse heights are stored in serial fashion in the memory of a pulse height analyzer. The analyzer is then printed out and the system made ready for a new event.
Arterial, peritoneal, and intraventricular access devices

Objective: To provide an overview of access devices used to treat cancers through the arterial, peritoneal, and intraventricular body systems. Conclusions: Short-term and long-term devices have been developed over the last 35 years for cancer treatment. Although less amenable to standard methods of therapy, the various access devices available to access the arterial, peritoneal, and intraventricular systems have provided a safe and reliable means for drug therapy. Access devices assist in delivering high concentrations of drugs directly to the center of the tumor. Complications and toxicities are inherent with these devices from the drug therapy as well as the device. Nursing assessment can provide early identification of potential problems and implementation of appropriate interventions. Implications for nursing practice: As the availability of these devices increases, so must the nurse's knowledge base to provide optimal safe care. Oncology nurses are challenged to know the differences between the devices, the device of choice for the individual patient, insertion procedures, and maintenance protocols.
Exploration and commitment: Sex differences and methodological problems in the use of identity status categories

The identity crisis of adolescence can be thought of as involving two processes: an exploration among alternatives and a making of commitments. Ninety-nine Danish youth were assessed for degrees of exploration and of commitment in four areas: occupation, values, politics, and sex roles. Sex differences were investigated. Contrary to Erikson's theory, sexual ideology did not appear more central to women's identity formation. For both sexes, the struggle with sex roles and the search for values were the most powerful predictors of ten dependent personality variables. The study demonstrated the importance of exploration and commitment as variables in identity process in another culture, and suggested that a direct scaling of these variables is superior to the use of Marcia's category system.
Two-layer distributed cooperative control of multi-inverter microgrids

Renewable-intensive microgrids are mainly actualized using voltage-source inverters (VSI). Voltage-controlled and current-controlled VSIs can manage voltage/frequency and active/reactive power flow in microgrids, respectively. A two-layer cooperative strategy is proposed that simultaneously controls both the voltage/frequency as well as the active/reactive power flow. The proposed strategy is fully distributed; each inverter only requires its own information and those of neighbors on the communication graph. The sparse communication structure requires one-way communication links and is more reliable than centralized control structure. The simulation of a 7-inverter microgrid system verifies the proposed control methodology.
A note on the extension of Rosenbrock's Nyquist array techniques to a larger class of transfer function matrices

A natural extension of the multivariable Nyquist array methodologies of Rosenbrock and co-workers to systems having other than diagonally dominant transfer function matrices is proposed. Stability theorems based on the concept of a set of ‘ normalized ’ Gershgorin bands are given. These theorems incorporate results of several recent investigations (Araki and Nwokah 1975, Nwokah 1975, Mee 1976, and Owens 1978). A ‘ normalized ’ form of the Ostrowski bands and a decomposition technique for reducible transfer function matrices are also presented.
Damping of Taut-Cable Systems: Effects of Linear Elastic Spring Support

The influence of linear elastic support on the damper effectiveness of a cable-damper system was investigated by modeling the system as a taut string, an intermediate damper, and a spring in series. Two types of damper were analyzed in this study: (1) the linear elastic damper; and (2) the friction threshold. An exact formulation for the free vibration of the system was developed for the linear viscous damping system, and a complex eigenfrequencies equation was worked to obtain the explicit solution for the frequency shift. A damping ratio equation for different modes, which depicts the effect of the spring, was developed from the frequency shift. An effective flexibility coefficient was introduced to investigate the effect of different values of support stiffness on the effectiveness of the linear viscous damper. A universal curve family diagram was constructed, which indicated that linear elastic support reduces the effectiveness of the linear viscous damper. The universal curve obtained previously by Main and Jones was a special case of this universal curve family for the case in which the stiffness of the support approached infinity. The equation of maximum force introduced to the spring was also derived and was shown to be positively related to the cable tension force and the cable vibration amplitude at the damper attachment location. The influence of the linear elastic support on a cable-damper system with a friction threshold was also investigated by using the result of the linear viscous damper and the equivalent energy method. The result showed that the linear elastic support also reduces the effectiveness of the friction threshold. An equation showing how to select an optimal friction threshold for a stay cable was also proposed.
Thermal Model of the Hollow Cathode Using Numerically Simulated Plasma Fluxes

The first results from a hollow cathode thermal model are presented. The thermal model uses the spatially distributed plasma fluxes, calculated by a two-dimensional axisymmetric model of the plasma inside the emitter region, as the heat source to predict the hollow cathode and insert temperatures. The computed insert temperature profiles are compared with measured values for a cathode similar to the 0.635-cm diameter discharge cathode used in the NASA solar electric propulsion technology applications readiness ion engine. The insert temperatures can be used to predict cathode life from barium depletion. The present results and related experimental studies yield three important conclusions. First, the emitter in the NASA solar electric propulsion technology applications readiness hollow cathode does not operate in the emission-limited regime. The thermionic electron current is about 20 A higher than the discharge current and requires significant reverse electron flux from the plasma to satisfy current continuity. Second, the high-plasma density near the centerline of the cathode results in power deposition on the orifice plate that is more than twice the emitter power deposition. Third, despite a higher heat load to the orifice plate, the operating temperature where it would be measured by a thermocouple is approximately 100°C lower than the emitter. The lower orifice plate temperature is due to poor thermal contact between the emitter and the cathode tube and higher than anticipated radiative losses from the external surface of the heater.
Impact of Silyl Enol Ether Stability on Palladium-Catalyzed Arylations

The effect of stability on arylation of silyl enol ethers as dictated by the presence of bulky silyl groups was elucidated through experiment and calculation. With the enhancement of stability of the silyl enol ethers, especially of acyclic ethers, the efficiency of palladium-catalyzed arylation of silyl enolates based on ketone precursors was greatly increased.
Nature's alternative to hyperspectral imaging and why nature is right

Some animals have evolved the ability to use spectral information coming from the world to help them live their lives in some improved ways. Over many centuries, we humans have started to understand what color is, why it evolved and how animals gather the information they need to compute color. As a general rule, once we learn how and why nature does something, it makes sense to incorporate that knowledge into our technology. This paper explores Artificial Color. We adopt three aspects of Natural Color: The use of color as a discriminant in applications The special trick nature uses to sense data for color computation in which it uses two or more sensors with broad, spectrally overlapping bands to sense The selection of the spectral shape of those bands to enhance usefulness for a task. Artificial Color is compared with hyperspectral imaging, and the latter is found wanting in Sensitivity Speed Signal-to-noise ratio.
Assembly of anthrax toxin pore: Lethal‐factor complexes into lipid nanodiscs

We have devised a procedure to incorporate the anthrax protective antigen (PA) pore complexed with the N-terminal domain of anthrax lethal factor (LFN) into lipid nanodiscs and analyzed the resulting complexes by negative-stain electron microscopy. Insertion into nanodiscs was performed without relying on primary and secondary detergent screens. The preparations were relatively pure, and the percentage of PA pore inserted into nanodiscs on EM grids was high (∼43%). Three-dimensional analysis of negatively stained single particles revealed the LFN-PA nanodisc complex mirroring the previous unliganded PA pore nanodisc structure, but with additional protein density consistent with multiple bound LFN molecules on the PA cap region. The assembly procedure will facilitate collection of higher resolution cryo-EM LFN-PA nanodisc structures and use of advanced automated particle selection methods.
User reactions as access mechanism: an exploration based on captions for images

Words are problematic for describing images, but they are a convenient and traditional way of describing requests. Users can given voice to their reactions to images-how well they suit needs. User-generated reactions might provide word-based descriptors helpful to subsequent users and requiring minimal system resources to produce. Shifting focus from description of documents to description of reactions is accomplished by gathering verbal captions and responses to images. User generation of captions and verbal responses within a collection of 300 diverse images is demonstrated and analyzed. Functional adjectival descriptors appear in 20% of the responses and functional narrative (conversational) descriptors appear in 80% of the responses. Issues of larger scale analysis, implementation, and possible shifts in understanding of representation for retrieval are discussed.
CONSIDERING DIVIDEND STABILITY IN THE RELATION BETWEEN DIVIDEND YIELDS AND STOCK RETURNS

Previous studies show that firms with long records of paying stable dividends are unique. However, research on the relation between dividend yields and stock returns focuses on shorter-term dividend yield measures without considering long-term dividend stability. This article shows that high-yield stocks are not in fact homogeneous, but that stocks with high yields and stable dividends behave differently from stocks with only a high yield. These differences persist even after controlling for firm size, the January effect, and systematic risk, suggesting distinctive risk characteristics for stocks with both high yields and stable dividends.
Four-Antigen Mixture Containing V-Cyclin for Serological Screening of Human Herpesvirus 8 Infection

Improved diagnostic reagents and testing are currently needed for the serological detection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infections. We evaluated the luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (LIPS) for profiling antibody responses to a panel of HHV-8 proteins for diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-infected individuals. Using a pilot serum set, LIPS detected robust antibody responses to several known antigens, and a screen of 14 additional HHV-8 proteins identified v-cyclin as a potentially new diagnostic antigen. In evaluating a training-serum set, a four-antigen panel (K8.1, v-cyclin, ORF65, and a LANA fragment) was found to provide sufficient information for diagnosis. Analysis of a validation serum set using the combined results from these four separate antigen tests showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Furthermore, a LIPS format using a mixture of the four antigens, which simplifies data collection and analysis, closely matched the diagnostic performance of the combined separate tests (R = 0.95). This four-antigen mixture format analyzed with the validation serum set also showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity but was not statistically different from two separate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (94% sensitivity and 100% specificity) using baculovirus-produced LANA and bacterially produced K8.1. Heat map analysis of KS patient antibody titers revealed marked heterogeneity in humoral responses to this four-antigen panel. Overall, the LIPS assay showed 97% sensitivity, and positive anti-v-cyclin antibodies were detected in approximately 75% of the KS sera. These results suggest that LIPS screening using an antigen mixture is a sensitive and high-throughput method for serological screening of HHV-8 infection in individuals with KS.
Modeling Draining Flow in Mobile and Immobile Soap Films.

Abstract A mathematical model is constructed to describe the two-dimensional flow in a vertical soap film that is draining under gravity. An asymptotic analysis is employed that uses the long-wave or “lubrication” approximation. The modeling results in three coupled partial differential equations that include a number of dimensionless input parameters. The equations are solved numerically. The three functions calculated, as they vary in space and time, are the film thickness, the surface concentration of an assumed insoluble surfactant, and the slip or surface velocity. The film is assumed to be supported by “wire frame” elements at both the top and the bottom; thus the liquid area and the total surfactant are conserved in the simulation. A two-term “disjoining” pressure is included in the model that allows the development of thin, stable, i.e., “black,” films. While the model uses a simplified picture of the relevant physics, it appears to capture observed soap film shape evolution over a large range of surfactant concentrations. The model predicts that, depending on the amount of surfactant that is present, the film profile will pass through several distinct phases. These are (i) rapid initial draining with surfactant transport, (ii) slower draining with an almost immobile interface due to the surface tension gradient effect, and (iii) eventual formation of black spots at various locations on the film. This work is relevant to basic questions concerning surfactant efficacy, as well as to specific questions concerning film and foam draining due to gravity. Prospects for extension to three-dimensional soap film flows are also considered.
Multiplexed microcolumn-based process for efficient selection of RNA aptamers.

We describe a reusable microcolumn and process for the efficient discovery of nucleic acid aptamers for multiple target molecules. The design of our device requires only microliter volumes of affinity chromatography resin—a condition that maximizes the enrichment of target-binding sequences over non-target-binding (i.e., background) sequences. Furthermore, the modular design of the device accommodates a multiplex aptamer selection protocol. We optimized the selection process performance using microcolumns filled with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-immobilized resin and monitoring, over a wide range of experimental conditions, the enrichment of a known GFP-binding RNA aptamer (GFPapt) against a random RNA aptamer library. We validated the multiplex approach by monitoring the enrichment of GFPapt in de novo selection experiments with GFP and other protein preparations. After only three rounds of selection, the cumulative GFPapt enrichment on the GFP-loaded resin was greater than 108 with no enrichment for ...
Remarks on Saurocephalus , and on the Species which have been referred to that Genus

In the year 1824 Dr. Harlan described a portion of a fossil jaw which had been obtained in 1804, during an expedition up the Missouri, from what were believed to be Secondary rocks (Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1830, vol. iii. p. 331). Dr. Harlan thought this specimen showed reptilian affinities, and compared it with certain species of Ichthyosaurus ; but, believing it to be generically distinct, he named it Saurocephalus lanciformis . Prof. Owen subsequently showed (‘Odontography,’ p. 130, pl. 55) that this specimen was to be referred to the group of Fishes. There has been so much misunderstanding about the genus Saurocephalus , to which certain specimens in this country have been erroneously referred, that it has been thought desirable to bring together all the known facts, in order, if possible, to correct the synonymy of the species. Dr. Harlan ( l. c. p. 335), after giving the measurements of the bone above mentioned (now known to be a maxilla), says :—“There are eighteen teeth in different states of preservation; the longest are seven tenths of an inch, two tenths only projecting above the bone, the projecting part enamelled, smooth, and shining, lanciform; the edges are very sharp. . . . The bodies of the teeth are all hollow, and are firmly fixed in a longitudinal groove, there being no distinct separate alveolae. The bodies of the teeth are in close contact throughout . . . . The body of the bone is not perforated by a canal for the inferior maxillary nerve
A Decomposition Method for Solving Coupled Multi-Species Reactive Transport Problems

Concerns over the problems associated with mixed waste groundwater contamination have created a need for more complex models that can represent reactive contaminant fate and transport in the subsurface. In the literature, partial differential equations describing solute transport in porous media are solved either for a single reactive species in one, two or three dimensions, or for a limited number of reactive species in one dimension. Those solutions are constrained by many simplifying assumptions. Often, it is desirable to simulate transport in two or three dimensions for a more practical system that might have multiple reactive species. This paper presents a decomposition method to solve the partial differential equations of multi–dimensional, multi–species transport problems that are coupled by linear reactions. A matrix method is suggested as a tool for describing the reaction network. In this way, the level of complexity required to solve the multi–species reactive transport problem is significantly reduced.
Satellite Evidence of Phenological Differences Between Urbanized and Rural Areas of the Eastern United States Deciduous Broadleaf Forest

We used a 10-year record (1990–99) of composited and cloud-screened reflectances from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) to test for phenological differences between urban and rural areas in the eastern United States deciduous broadleaf forest (DBF). We hypothesized that well-documented urban heat island effects would be associated with alterations in temperature-sensitive vegetation phenology. Our objectives were thus (a) to investigate possible differences in the start of the growing season (SOS) and end of the growing season (EOS) between the urban and DBF land covers, (b) to investigate related differences in greenness amplitude and fractional cover, and (c) to develop a generalized additive model (GAM) to predict the spatial variation of observed differences. By analyzing individual 1° latitude by 1° longitude blocks, we found that, on average, urbanization is associated with a growing season expansion of 7.6 days. Most of this effect is caused by an earlier SOS in urban areas. In all cases, urban regions had lower fractional cover and greenness amplitude. The GAM model failed to produce a viable model for differences in EOS, probably because it is dominated by photoperiod controls with only a minor temperature impact. SOS differences were predicted with an accuracy of about 2.4 days, with a GAM consisting of smoothed functions of mean annual average temperature, urban fractional cover, and the urban vs DBF greenness amplitude difference. We speculate that evidence of a phenological response to warming indicates that global warming, without reduction in DBF vegetation cover and greenness amplitude, may increase carbon sequestration in mesic deciduous forests.