Localization of a gene for M?bius syndrome to chromosome 3q by linkage analysis in a Dutch family

M?bius syndrome (MIM no. 157900) consists of a congenital paresis or paralysis of the VIIth cranial nerve, frequently accompanied by paralysis of other cranial nerves, orofacial and limb malformations, defects of the musculoskeletal system and mental retardation. Although most patients are sporadic cases, familial recurrence is not rare. Different pedigrees suggest different modes of inheritance. We performed linkage analysis in a large family with autosomal dominantly inherited M?bius syndrome, consisting essentially of asymmetric bilateral facial pareses. After exclusion of the candidate region for M?bius syndrome on 13q12.2-q13, we localized the gene to chromosome 3q21-22, indicating genetic heterogeneity of M?bius syndrome. This heterogeneity is further proven by the exclusion of both loci in a second family with M?bius syndrome.     

A channel assignment scheme for SCM/WDM‐based personal communication network

As the cover range for the radio cells becomes gradually smaller than before, the procedures for mobile terminals call setup and control become complicated due to the high handoff frequency. The broadcast nature of WDM star couplers makes the handoff scheme easier and reduces the number of reconnections. In this study, we proposed a channel allocation algorithm, called pre‐empted assigned offset (PAO) scheme, for the WDM‐ and SCM/WDM‐based PCN architectures. The main idea is to keep the offset conflict probability lower. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms those previously introduced schemes. Especially in offset conflict probability under a moderate roaming rate for WDM and even under heavy roaming situations for SCM/WDM. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

“Magic Numbers” in Self-Faceting of Alcohol-Doped Emulsion Droplets

Oil-in-water emulsion droplets spontaneously adopt, below some temperature T_d, counterintuitive faceted and complex non-spherical shapes while remaining liquid. This transition is driven by a crystalline monolayer formed at the droplets' surface. Here, we show that ppm-level doping of the droplet's bulk by long-chain alcohols allows tuning T_d by >50 °C, implying formation of drastically different interfacial structures. Furthermore, “magic” alcohol chain lengths maximize T_d. This we show to arise from self-assembly of mixed alcohol:alkane interfacial structures of stacked alkane layers, co-crystallized with hydrogen-bonded alcohol dimers. These structures are accounted for theoretically and resolved by direct cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryoTEM), confirming the proposed structures. The discovered tunability of key properties of commonly-used emulsions by minute concentrations of specific bulk additives should benefit these emulsions' technological applicability.