cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the splitting of the peak in the neutron strength function near A = 55

Abstract The results of neutron transmission measurements on bromine and selenium and their enriched isotopes are presented. Resonance parameters have been determined for six resonances in Br79, three in Br81, and a total of eight in the various enriched isotopes of selenium. The values of Γ n 0 /D for Br79 and Se80 are determined from these parameters. These new values of the strength function are compared with those for neighbouring nucleides. the combined results give a clear indication that the peak in the neutron strength function near nucleon number 55 shows a splitting similar to that of the maximum near A = 155.
Variance estimation under two-phase sampling with application to imputation for missing data

SUMMARY Ratio estimation under two-phase simple random sampling is studied. A new linearisation variance estimator that makes more complete use of the sample data than a standard one is proposed. A jackknife variance estimator and its linearised version are also obtained. Unconditional and conditional repeated sampling properties of these variance estimators are studied through simulation. Applications to 'mass' imputation under two-phase sampling and deterministic imputation for missing data are also given.
Modeling of rapid temperature swing adsorption using hollow fiber sorbents

Abstract The use of novel polymeric hollow fiber contactors loaded with CO 2 sorbents has been recently demonstrated experimentally as a new and scalable process configuration for post-combustion CO 2 capture. The hollow fiber contactor allows coupling of efficient heat transfer and gas contacting, potentially yielding lower parasitic loads on host power plants compared to traditional contacting strategies using solid sorbents. In this study, a two dimensional mathematical model of a rapid temperature swing adsorption (RTSA) process is developed for the first time to predict polymer-supported amine hollow fiber sorbent performance during post-combustion CO 2 capture from flue gas. In particular, this work is focused on developing a single fiber model to simulate a four-step RTSA system accounting for adsorption, heating/desorption, heating/sweeping and cooling steps. The model is validated with experimental breakthrough data obtained from our RTSA system. The sensitivity of the model to parameter values such as gas and water velocity and initial temperatures are evaluated accordingly by considering the effect of these parameters on CO 2 concentration and temperature profiles. Furthermore, the CO 2 adsorption isotherms obtained experimentally were fitted with the Toth model. In addition, our model was validated against experimental breakthrough profiles. A good agreement was found between experimental and numerical data indicating that our proposed model can describe experimental observation very well. The numerical results obtained from RTSA cycle modeling indicate that under operating conditions considered here, it is possible to achieve high purity and recovery within a cycle time of shorter than 3 min. It was also found that there is a trade-off in cycle time, shorter for lower capital cost and longer to enable heat recovery for lower utility costs.
Energy and the economy: an interrelated perspective

Abstract Energy consumption and economic activity for the United States has been closely related. Using input-output accounts, the variations between sectors which provide most of the consumer final demand are shown to be not as large as often assumed. The energy intensiveness of Continental Western European nations being only one half that of the United States, suggests that continued U.S. economic growth is possible without a corresponding increase in energy consumption. A reduction in energy intensiveness can be achieved through energy-related capital investments and social changes. Estimates for both the monetary value of the required capital investments and the corresponding energy required for the investments are obtained.
Electrostatic probe apparatus for measurements in the near-anode region of Hall thrusters

Near-anode processes in Hall-current plasma thrusters are largely uncharacterized in the experimental literature. In order to perform measurements in the near-anode region, the high potential of the anode relative to ground, small spatial variations of plasma properties, and the complicated thruster geometry are just some of the features that must be taken into consideration. A diagnostic apparatus for measurements in the near-anode region of Hall thrusters, comprising biased and emissive electrostatic probes, a high-precision positioning system, and low-noise electronic circuitry, was developed and tested. Test data for this apparatus indicate that radially inserted probes negligibly perturb the discharge. Accurate near-anode measurements of the plasma density, electron temperature, and plasma potential performed with this diagnostic have allowed the first experimental identification of the electron-repelling anode sheath predicted theoretically in Hall thrusters.
Plasma-deposited fluorocarbon films: insulation material for microelectrodes and combined atomic force microscopy-scanning electrochemical microscopy probes.

Pinhole-free insulation of micro- and nanoelectrodes is the key to successful microelectrochemical experiments performed in vivo or in combination with scanning probe experiments. A novel insulation technique based on fluorocarbon insulation layers deposited from pentafluoroethane (PFE, CF3CHF2) plasmas is presented as a promising electrical insulation approach for microelectrodes and combined atomic force microscopy−scanning electrochemical microscopy (AFM−SECM) probes. The deposition allows reproducible and uniform coating, which is essential for many analytical applications of micro- and nanoelectrodes such as, e.g., in vivo experiments and SECM experiments. Disk-shaped microelectrodes and frame-shaped AFM tip-integrated electrodes have been fabricated by postinsulation focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The thin insulation layer for combined AFM−SECM probes renders this fabrication technique particularly useful for submicro insulation providing radius ratios of the outer insulation versus the disk electr...
The (1 → 3)-linked α-l-fucosyl group of the N-glycans of the Wistaria floribunda lectins is recognized by a rabbit anti-serum☆

An increasing number of plant glycoproteins have been shown to possess a characteristic N-glycan component containing a beta-(1----2)-linked D-xylose unit on the core beta-D-mannose unit, and an alpha-(1----3)-linked L-fucose unit on the asparagine-linked 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose unit. Wistaria floribunda seeds have two distinct lectins; the erythroagglutinin, WFA, and the lymphocyte mitogen, WFM. Earlier studies indicated that both lectins belong to such a class of glycoproteins. We now report the complete structural analysis of Pronase glycopeptides derived from WFA. On the basis of chemical treatment of the glycopeptides, carbohydrate composition and methylation analysis of fluorescein-labeled glycopeptides, and their susceptibility to specific exoglycosidases, the structure of the WFA glycan was found to be, alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1----2)]- [alpha-D-Manp(1----3)]-beta-D-Manp-(1----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-[ alpha-L- Fucp-(1----3)]-beta-D-Glcp-NAc-(1----N). Quantitative studies on the interaction of the original fluorescein-labeled glycopeptide and its specific degradation products with a rabbit anti-glycan antibody, developed against WFM, showed that the (1----3)-linked alpha-L-fucose unit is essential for interaction. Loss of the terminal alpha-D-mannosyl groups resulted in decreased, though detectable binding.
Glycoforms of UT-A3 urea transporter with poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycosylation have enhanced transport activity

Urea transporters UT-A1 and UT-A3 are both expressed in the kidney inner medulla. However, the function of UT-A3 remains unclear. Here, we found that UT-A3, which comprises only the NH2-terminal ha...
Positron-Electron Multicycle Injection at the CEA Colliding Beam Project

We have developed a reliable procedure for multicycle filling of the Cambridge Electron Accelerator ring with positrons and electrons. The positron fill rate is determined by the intensity, spectrum, and emittance provided by the 125-MeV positron linac and also by the available phas-space and momentum acceptance aperture of the synchrotron for off-axis injection. This aperture in turn depends on the width of the already stored beam. Losses of newly injected particles in subsequent acceleration cycles depend on the extent of radiation damping provided by special damping magnets. After measuring and optimizing the main parameters, we have achieved a positron fill rate of 0. 4 mA peak per second. The control system used in rapid change over from 125-MeV positron injection to 250-MeV electron injection is sufficiently stable, automatic, and fast acting that filling the ring with countertraveling positron and electron beams takes less than five minutes.
The institutional structure of externality

An emerging consensus on the theory of externality embodies a clear conceptual distinction between small-number and large-number interactions. When the parties to a potential externality relationship are few, market-like voluntary contractual arrangements are predicted to emerge.1 Although bargaining difficulties are acknowledged, the contractual outcomes are predicted to satisfy broad efficiency norms. When the parties are many, prohibitive transactions costs are predicted to prevent the emergence of tolerably efficient voluntary agreements, and some resort to collective or governmental choice processes may be indicated when the externality exerts significant effects.
The effects of environment on the room-temperature mechanical behavior of single-slip oriented FeAl single crystals

Abstract The effects of environment on fracture strain and yield strength have been studied in single-slip-oriented, iron-rich FeAl single crystals. During tensile tests, large fracture strains (>40%) ensue when tests are conducted in oxygen. In contrast, in air, elongations are
Advantages of n-heptanol in the extraction of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).

Mitn-Heptanol als Extraktionsmittel konnen kleine Mengen von 5-Hydroxytryptamin (5-HT) aus biologischem Material, das 5-Hydroxytryptaphan (5-HTP) in grossen Mengen enthalt, extrahiert werden.
The importance of off-energy-shell scattering and fermi motion in πd scattering

Abstract Estimates are made of the changes in theoretical predictions of πd differential cross sections when Glauber multiple-scattering theory is extended to include the Fermi motion of the nucleons. The sensitivity of these calculations to the ambiguity in defining c.m. energy for off-energy-shell scattering is also investigated.
A case study for assessing uncertainty in local-scale regulatory air quality modeling applications

In this paper, we expand upon established uncertainty analysis techniques to demonstrate a general method for assessing variability and uncertainty in Gaussian air pollutant dispersion modeling systems. To illustrate this method, we estimated variability and uncertainty in predicted hexavalent chromium concentrations generated by welding operations at a shipbuilding and repair facility in California. Using Monte Carlo statistical techniques, we propagated uncertainty across both ISCST3 and AERMOD, and estimated the contribution of variability and uncertainty from four model components: emissions, spatial and temporal allocation of emissions, model parameters, and meteorology. Our results indicated the 95% confidence interval uncertainty at each receptor spanned an order of magnitude. From a practical perspective uncertainty is most important at receptors with highest predicted concentrations. In this case study, emissions were the primary source of uncertainty. However, Gaussian models are also sensitive to location of emission releases, meteorology, and model parameters. Simplified modeling approaches may lead to errors in pollutant concentration estimates, especially in close proximity to emissions sources where predicted concentrations are highest.
Ultrafast third-harmonic generation from textured aluminum nitride-sapphire interfaces

We measured and modeled third-harmonic generation (THG) from an $\mathrm{AlN}$ thin film on sapphire using a time-domain approach appropriate for ultrafast lasers. Second-harmonic measurements indicated that polycrystalline $\mathrm{AlN}$ contains long-range crystal texture. An interface model for third-harmonic generation enabled an analytical representation of scanning THG ($z$-scan) experiments. Using it and accounting for Fresnel reflections, we measured the $\mathrm{AlN}$--sapphire susceptibility ratio and estimated the susceptibility for aluminum nitride, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{xxxx}^{(3)}(3\ensuremath{\omega};\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega})=1.52\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.25\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{esu}$. The third-harmonic (TH) spectrum strongly depended on the laser focus position and sample thickness. The amplitude and phase of the frequency-domain interference were fit to the Fourier transform of the calculated time-domain field to improve the accuracy of several experimental parameters. We verified that the model works well for explaining TH signal amplitudes and spectral phase. Some anomalous features in the TH spectrum were observed, which we attributed to nonparaxial effects.
How to reduce the incidence of black bean aphids (Aphis fabae Scop.) attacking organic growing field beans (Vicia faba L.) by growing partially resistant bean varieties and by intercropping field beans with cereals

Abstract There is an increasing demand for organically grown pulses and cereal grains in Denmark, which is expected to cause a change in the typical organic farm structure away from dairy farming and towards arable farming. Spring field beans (Vicia faba) could be a popular break crop in organic agriculture. The black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) is generally considered to be a serious pest of spring-sown field beans in northern Europe, and field studies have shown that yield losses can exceed more than 50% due to attacks from the black bean aphid. The use of insecticides in organically grown field bean crops is not permitted, but it has been known for a long time that the black bean aphid infests different varieties of beans to a very different extent. Therefore, partial resistance to the black bean aphid is one method of stabilizing yields. Another method of cultural pest control is intercropping and a third method could be a combination of both. Six field experiments involving the three methods were carrie...
Improved Stability of Pd/Ti Contacts to p -Type SiC Under Continuous DC and Pulsed DC Current Stress

The enhanced stability of Pd/Ti contacts to p-type SiC under high-current-density continuous direct-current (DC) stressing is investigated and compared with previous work on Ti/Al contacts. Additionally, differing failure modes were observed for the Pd/Ti contacts under continuous DC and pulsed DC stress. The improved stability of the Pd/Ti contacts is demonstrated through a 29% increase in the applied continuous DC current required to cause electrical failure during a 1 h test compared with the Ti/Al contacts. The metallization scheme includes a TiW barrier and a thick electroplated Au overlayer. While severe intermixing and voiding in the ohmic contact layer caused the Pd/Ti contacts to fail under continuous DC stress, electromigration of the Au overlayer degraded the contacts under pulsed DC stress. The temperature of the surface of the contacts was reduced from over 649°C for contacts that failed under continuous DC current to between 316°C and 371°C for pulsed DC current. The difference in temperature and failure modes of the continuous and pulsed DC stressed contacts indicates different failure mechanisms.
Sorting out in pseudoplasmodia of Dictyostelium discoideum

During its period of migration the pseudoplasmodium of D. discoideum changes from a homogeneous mass of cells to one in which the cells of the front part stain more darkly with neutral red than those of the rear part. It has been asked whether this color change represents differentiation in situ of two cell type or sorting out of previously differentiated cell types. Experiments are described which (1) show that the transition of the pseudo-plasmodia from one type to another is long continued process, and (2) show by means of labeling parts of pseudoplasmodia with vital dyes or C14 thymidine, that exchange of cells across the color boundary separating tip and rear parts is continuous during the life of a pseudoplasmodium. From the results it appears that sorting out of cell types is probably a major cause of the color change. When combined with previous work, our results suggest that sorting out and redifferentiation are active together both in maintaining and restoring the normal proportions of cell types in a slug. It may prove useful to compare these processes with the components of regeneration in metazoan organisms.
Understanding undulatory locomotion in fishes using an inertia-compensated flapping foil robotic device

Recent advances in understanding fish locomotion with robotic devices have included the use of flapping foil robots that swim at a constant swimming speed. However, the speed of even steadily swimming live fishes is not constant because the fish center of mass oscillates axially throughout a tail beat cycle. In this paper, we couple a linear motor that produces controlled oscillations in the axial direction to a robotic flapping foil apparatus to model both axial and side to side oscillatory motions used by freely-swimming fishes. This experimental arrangement allows us to compensate for the substantial inertia of the carriage and motors that drive the oscillating foils. We identify a 'critically-oscillated' amplitude of axial motion at which the cyclic oscillations in axial locomotor force are greatly reduced throughout the flapping cycle. We studied the midline kinematics, power consumption and wake flow patterns of non-rigid foils with different lengths and flexural stiffnesses at a variety of axial oscillation amplitudes. We found that 'critically-oscillated' peak-to-peak axial amplitudes on the order of 1.0 mm and at the correct phase are sufficient to mimic center of mass motion, and that such amplitudes are similar to center of mass oscillations recorded for freely-swimming live fishes. Flow visualization revealed differences in wake flows of flexible foils between the 'non-oscillated' and 'critically-oscillated' states. Inertia-compensating methods provide a novel experimental approach for studying aquatic animal swimming, and allow instrumented robotic swimmers to display center of mass oscillations similar to those exhibited by freely-swimming fishes.
Predicting relapse in major depressive disorder using patient-reported outcomes of depressive symptom severity, functioning, and quality of life in the individual burden of illness index for depression (IBI-D)

Abstract Background Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) often experience unexpected relapses, despite achieving remission. This study examines the utility of a single multidimensional measure that captures variance in patient-reported Depressive Symptom Severity, Functioning, and Quality of Life (QOL), in predicting MDD relapse. Methods Complete data from remitted patients at the completion of 12 weeks of citalopram in the STAR*D study were used to calculate the Individual Burden of Illness index for Depression (IBI-D), and predict subsequent relapse at six ( n =956), nine ( n =778), and twelve months ( n =479) using generalized linear models. Results Depressive Symptom Severity, Functioning, and QOL were all predictors of subsequent relapse. Using Akaike information criteria (AIC), the IBI-D provided a good model for relapse even when Depressive Symptom Severity, Functioning, and QOL were combined in a single model. Specifically, an increase of one in the IBI-D increased the odds ratio of relapse by 2.5 at 6 months ( β =0.921±0.194, z =4.76, p −6 ), by 2.84 at 9 months ( β =1.045±0.22, z =4.74, p −6 ), and by 4.1 at 12 months ( β =1.41±0.29, z =4.79, p −6 ). Limitations Self-report poses a risk to measurement precision. Using highly valid and reliable measures could mitigate this risk. The IBI-D requires time and effort for filling out the scales and index calculation. Technological solutions could help ease these burdens. The sample suffered from attrition. Separate analysis of dropouts would be helpful. Conclusions Incorporating patient-reported outcomes of Functioning and QOL in addition to Depressive Symptom Severity in the IBI-D is useful in assessing the full burden of illness and in adequately predicting relapse, in MDD.
Efficient determination of higher-order periodic solutions using n-mode harmonic balance

This paper presents a systematic procedure to explicitly determine the algebraic equations arising from the method of harmonic balance with an arbitrary number of modes in the assumed solutions. The technique can be used for a wide variety of nonlinear oscillators (including systems of ordinary differential equations). The method is illustrated in the case of second-order differential equations with nonlinear restoring force. Although numerical methods have been employed to solve the resulting systems of algebraic equations, the general approach is analytic. As such, this study confirms independently (i.e. nonsimulation) the period-doubling cascade of an escape equation including the bifurcation universal scaling laws.
Primary Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Bronchus

Abstract A 6-year-old child with an unresectable rhabdomyosarcoma of the right main bronchus treated by irradiation and chemotherapy has survived 33 months following tissue diagnosis. Only 10 patients with pulmonary rhabdomyosarcoma have been reported previously. Early surgical management of the tumor appears to be the most effective means of therapy; the role of chemotherapy is not yet established.
Behavioral effects after systemic injection of opiate peptides

Abstract (1) Behavioral effects after systemic injection of opiate peptides have now been demonstrated across a wide range of behaviors in subjects ranging from goldfish to humans. (2) There is evidence that behavioral effects of brain opiates can occur independently of the narcotic effects. (3) Dose-response curves for enkephalin and endorphin usually assume an inverted U-shaped function, with 100 μg/kg as the apogee. (4) Use of the peripheral route for administration of opiate peptides has, therefore, had important theoretical and practical implications.
Demonstration of initial-state dependence in time-dependent density-functional theory

Time-dependent density functionals in principle depend on the initial state of the system, but this is ignored in functional approximations presently in use. For one electron it is shown there is no initial-state dependence: for any density, only one initial state produces a well-behaved potential. For two non-interacting electrons with the same spin in one-dimension, an initial potential that makes an alternative initial wavefunction evolve with the same density and current as a ground state is calculated. This potential is well-behaved and can be made arbitrarily different from the original potential.
EFFECT OF OVERLAPPING RESONANCES IN FINAL STATES

By introducing an $N\ensuremath{\theta}$ scattering resonance, the $V\ensuremath{\theta}$, $N\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\theta}$ sector of the Lee model provides a calculable model for reaction processes leading to a three-particle final state where two overlapping resonances can occur. The $V\ensuremath{\theta}$ scattering and reaction cross sections calculated are found to be free of any bump in the energy range corresponding to overlap of the two final $N\ensuremath{\theta}$ resonances. The $V\ensuremath{\theta}$ scattering amplitude is analytically continued to higher Riemann sheets, and the singularity analogous to that conjectured by Peierls to be the cause of higher resonances in the pion-nucleon system has been shown to lie on a Riemann sheet far from the physical domain. These results cast considerable doubt on the validity of this proposed mechanism for the production of higher resonances.
Effects of Hoods and Flame-Retardant Fabrics on WBGT Clothing Adjustment Factors

Personal protective clothing (PPC) may include hoods and flame-retardant (FR) fabrics that may affect heat transfer and, thus, the critical wet bulb globe temperature (WBGTcrit) to maintain thermal equilibrium. The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in WBGT crit for hooded vs. nonhooded versions of particle barrier and vapor barrier coveralls as well as for coveralls made of two flame-retardant fabrics (INDURA cotton and Nomex). Acclimated men (n = 11) and women (n = 4) walked on a treadmill in a climatic chamber at 180 W/m 2 wearing four different ensembles: limited-use, particle barrier coveralls with and without a hood (Tyvek 1427), and limited-use vapor barrier coveralls with and without a hood (Tychem QC, polyethylene-coated Tyvek). Twelve of the participants wore one of two flame-retardant coveralls. All participants wore standard cotton clothing. Progressive exposure testing at 50% relative humidity (rh) was designed so that each subject established a physiological steady-state fo...
The Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus IE-1 protein complex has two modes of specific DNA binding.

Missing contact footprinting with formic acid as a modifying reagent was used to examine specific IE-1 binding contacts to double-stranded oligonucleotides that contained either a consensus hr repeat sequence or a sequence from the pe38 promoter, which is down regulated by IE-1. The hr repeat sequences contain two consensus IE-1 binding motifs (IBMs) flanking a central EcoRI site that are oriented in opposite directions with respect to each other. IE-1 was found to contact regions including both IBMs. The bases footprinted in the top strand included the left IBM (IBM-A), whereas bases in the bottom strand were footprinted in a region that included IBM-B and part of IBM-A. When substitution mutations were introduced into either IBM, bases on both strands of the remaining IBM were strongly footprinted. As with the hr IBM-mutant constructs, bases footprinted in the pe38 promoter construct included both strands of the single IBM.
Robust and efficient regularized boosting using total Bregman divergence

Boosting is a well known machine learning technique used to improve the performance of weak learners and has been successfully applied to computer vision, medical image analysis, computational biology and other fields. A critical step in boosting algorithms involves update of the data sample distribution, however, most existing boosting algorithms use updating mechanisms that lead to overfitting and instabilities during evolution of the distribution which in turn results in classification inaccuracies. Regularized boosting has been proposed in literature as a means to overcome these difficulties. In this paper, we propose a novel total Bregman divergence (tBD) regularized LPBoost, termed tBRLPBoost. tBD is a recently proposed divergence in literature, which is statistically robust and we prove that tBRLPBoost requires a constant number of iterations to learn a strong classifier and hence is computationally more efficient compared to other regularized boosting algorithms in literature. Also, unlike other boosting methods that are only effective on a handful of datasets, tBRLPBoost works well on a variety of datasets. We present results of testing our algorithm on many public domain databases along with comparisons to several other state-of-the-art methods. Numerical results depict much improvement in efficiency and accuracy over competing methods.
Adaptive data distribution for concurrent continuation

Continuation methods compute paths of solutions of nonlinear equations that depend on a parameter. This paper examines some aspects of the multicomputer implementation of such methods. The computations are done on a mesh connected multicomputer with 64 nodes. One of the main issues in the development of concurrent programs is load balancing, achieved here by using appropriate data distributions. In the continuation process, many linear systems have to be solved. For nearby points along the solution path, the corresponding system matrices are closely related to each other. Therefore, pivots which are good for theLU-decomposition of one matrix are likely to be acceptable for a whole segment of the solution path. This suggests to choose certain data distributions that achieve good load balancing. In addition, if these distributions are used, the resulting code is easily vectorized. To test this technique, the invariant manifold of a system of two identical nonlinear oscillators is computed as a function of the coupling between them. This invariant manifold is determined by the solution of a system of nonlinear partial differential equations that depends on the coupling parameter. A symmetry in the problem reduces this system to one single equation, which is discretized by finite differences. The solution of the discrete nonlinear system is followed as the coupling parameter is changed.
A novel dynamic friction experiment using a modified Kolsky bar apparatus

A novel dynamic friction experiment using the Kolsky bar concept was developed. The technique is complementary to the plate impact and other macroscopic friction experiments in the sense that sliding velocities and pressures not attainable otherwise can be investigated. The experimental results reported in this article show that the technique provides accurate and repeatable measurement of time-resolved friction. The apparatus is simpler and easier to operate than the plate impact facility. However, it cannot achieve the same level of contact pressure. Several material pairs have been investigated. In particular, the kinetic friction coefficient of Ti-6Al-4V sliding against WC/Co (cermet) and 4340 steel sliding against WC/Co were measured and compared with the values reported by Prakash and Clifton in 1993. Atomic force microscopy is used to characterize the surface topography before and after the friction tests.
The three-dimensional frequency-independent phased array (3D-FIPA)

Penn State has developed and has been awarded a patent for a new and innovative antenna array, the three-dimensional frequency-independent phased-array (3D-FIPA), which is described. This antenna provides low grating lobes, low sidelobe levels, nearly constant gain, beamwidth, and impedance with a low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) over extremely large bandwidths. The full array maximizes use of physical volume and can be built for high frequency (HF) through the microwave regions. The 3D-FIPA uniquely applies the log-periodic principle to form multi-layer dipole arrays that maintain all electrical spacings and heights over a user-specified frequency range.
Development of a comprehensive infrared-material database for the Opticam fabrication system

A comprehensive infrared material database has been created to aid in the development of a rule-based deterministic microgrinding process for infrared optics. The process science effort on infrared materials taking place at the University of Central Florida has compiled a concise collation of easily accessible physical property data to more thoroughly understand the material/processing interactions which occur during optical fabrication. The information exists in a user-friendly form whereby designers and system operators utilizing the Opticam system, can quickly and conveniently access and incorporate material property data into the design and fabrication process. We report on the motivation, organization and application of such a database into the Opticim network. The use of the information in establishment of part design, tooling design, machine parameters and predicting the form, figure and surface quality of the resulting optic is presented.
A new derivation of Stirling's approximation of n !

On presente une methode elementaire d'approximation de Stirling du nombre n! Le developpement en serie ne fait plus appel aux nombres de Berioulli ou a la formule de sommation d'Euler, mais utilise seulement des transformations d'integrales simples et l'integration terme par terme d'une serie
Statin-induced Ras Activation Integrates the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signal to Akt and MAPK for Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Expression in Osteoblast Differentiation *

Lovastatin promotes osteoblast differentiation by increasing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression. We demonstrate that lovastatin stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), leading to an increase in its kinase activity in osteoblast cells. Inhibition of PI3K ameliorated expression of the osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, osteopontin, and BMP-2. Expression of dominant-negative PI3K and PTEN, an inhibitor of PI3K signaling, significantly attenuated lovastatin-induced transcription of BMP-2. Akt kinase was also activated in a PI3K-dependent manner. However, our data suggest involvement of an additional signaling pathway. Lovastatin-induced Erk1/2 activity contributed to BMP-2 transcription. Inhibition of PI3K abrogated Erk1/2 activity in response to lovastatin, indicating the presence of a signal relay between them. We provide, as a mechanism of this cross-talk, the first evidence that lovastatin stimulates rapid activation of Ras, which associates with and activates PI3K in the plasma membrane, which in turn regulates Akt and Erk1/2 to induce BMP-2 expression for osteoblast differentiation.
SU-GG-T-432: Implementation of Modular Phase Space IO in Geant4 with Enhanced Latch Capability

Purpose: Write general‐purpose, modular code for phase space input and output in Geant4 including latch and npass. Method and Materials: Geant4.9.3 does not include the ability to read or write phase space files. These files are useful for dividing the simulation into parts, for example, into patient‐independent and patient‐specific parts. Stand‐alone classes inheriting from G4VPrimitiveScorer and G4VPrimaryGenerator were written for writing and reading phase space in IAEA format. Latch mechanisms are not stand‐alone and require implementation of (provided) G4User classes for tracking. Results: Phase space I/O is implemented in Geant4. For writing, several types of surfaces are allowed, including planes, spherical sections, cylindrical sections, surfaces enclosing a volume. Multiple surfaces of any orientation and geometry are allowed. The concept of latch in BEAMnrc (particle interacted in a region) was expanded to include: particle interacted in a region; particle passed through a region; similarly for ancestors; type of interaction in particle's history; type of ancestor particle; and user‐defined. The user defines the interactions, particles, and regions of interest via get/set functions. As in BEAMnrc, an integer npass records the number of times a particle crosses a phase space surface, which is particularly valuable in studies of backscatter. The MGH proton treatment facility was simulated with phase space files recorded at the phantom surface. Spectra using the various latch cuts were generated, demonstrating the capabilities of latching on regions, interactions, or ancestors. Conclusions: Phase space I/O capabilities have been implemented for Geant4. The classes are easy to incorporate into existing code, allowing writing on different surface geometries, and extend the Latch functionality of BEAMnrc. Support: Support from NIH grant 1R01CA140735‐01.
Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into human hematopoietic progenitor cells

The transfer of the human gene for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) into human bone marrow cells was accomplished by use of a retroviral vector. The cells were infected in vitro with a replication-incompetent murine retroviral vector that carried and expressed a mutant HPRT complementary DNA. The infected cells were superinfected with a helper virus and maintained in long-term culture. The production of progeny HPRT virus by the bone marrow cells was demonstrated with a colony formation assay on cultured HPRT-deficient, ouabain-resistant murine fibroblasts. Hematopoietic progenitor cells able to form colonies of granulocytes or macrophages (or both) in semisolid medium in the presence of colony stimulating factor were present in the nonadherent cell population. Colony forming units cloned in agar and subsequently cultured in liquid medium produced progeny HPRT virus, indicating infection of this class of hematopoietic progenitor cell.
Impaired neurotransmitter release and elevated threshold for cortical spreading depression in mice with mutations in the α1A subunit of P/Q type calcium channels

Abstract The P/Q type voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels are involved in membrane excitability and Ca 2+ -dependent neurotransmitter release within the CNS. Mutations in the Cacna1A gene encoding the α1A subunit of the P/Q type Ca 2+ channel have recently been reported in tottering mice and a more severely affected allele, leaner. Here we show using in vivo cortical microdialysis that evoked increases of extracellular glutamate levels are markedly attenuated in both mutants upon KCl-induced depolarization compared with wild-type mice. Tottering and leaner mice also show a 10-fold resistance to cortical spreading depression induced by cortical electrical stimulation or KCl application to the pial surface. A slower transcortical propagation speed and failure to sustain regenerative spread of the depolarizing wave were more pronounced in leaner neocortex. Both signaling defects appeared unrelated to the developmental history of repeated cortical spike-wave discharges, since neither were observed in the stargazer mouse, a Ca 2+ channel γ2 subunit mutant with a similar seizure phenotype. These data demonstrate two cortical excitability defects revealed by prolonged depolarization in cerebral networks expressing mutant P/Q type Ca 2+ channels, and are the first to identify a gene linked to a spreading depression phenotype.
Anatomical Correlates to Nectar Feeding among the Strepsirrhines of Madagascar: Implications for Interpreting the Fossil Record

One possible ecological scenario for the origin of primates is the archaic pollination and coevolution hypothesis. Its proponents contend that the consumption of nectar by some early primates and the resulting cross-pollination is an example of coevolution that drove adaptive radiations in some primates. This hypothesis is perhaps ecologically sound, but it lacks the morphology-behavior links that would allow us to test it using the fossil record. Here we attempt to identify cranial adaptations to nectar feeding among the strepsirrhines of Madagascar in order to provide such links. Many Malagasy strepsirrhines are considered effective cross-pollinators of the flowers they feed from, and nectar consumption represents as much as 75% of total feeding time. Previous studies identified skeletal correlates to nectar feeding in the crania of nonprimate mammals; from these, nine cranial measurements were chosen to be the focus of the present study. Results indicate that Cheirogaleus, Varecia, and Eulemur mirror other nectar-feeding mammals in having elongated crania and/or muzzles. These strepsirrhines might be effective cross-pollinators, lending support to the coevolution hypothesis.
Outcome of surgical reconstruction for posterior cruciate and posterolateral instabilities of the knee.

Abstract Purpose : To evaluate the clinical outcome and the incidence of degenerative changes in 25 patients with 25 knees undergoing surgical reconstruction for combined posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and posterolateral instabilities of the knee with 2–5-year follow-up. Materials and methods : This series included 16 men and 9 women with an average age of 28 years. The average time from injury to surgery was 10 (range 2–24) months, and the average follow-up time was 40 (range 32–60) months. The mechanisms of injury were 88% due to trauma, and 12% sports related. Arthroscopic single bundle posterior cruciate reconstruction and reconstruction of the posterolateral structures were performed in all cases. Clinical evaluations included functional assessment, ligament laxity and radiograph of the knee. The results were correlated with the duration of injury, the severity of ligament laxity and the follow-up time. Results : The overall results were 68% satisfactory (28% excellent and 40% good) and 32% unsatisfactory (20% fair and 12% poor). Despite functional improvement, complete restoration of ligament stability was observed in only 44% of the knees, while 36% of the knees showed mild ( Conclusion : Despite the functional improvement, the currently devised surgical techniques only have modest success in restoration of ligament stability in knees with combined PCL and posterolateral instabilities. Further improvement in surgical technique including a dynamic reconstruction of the popliteus tendon complex seems necessary. The rate of degenerative changes of the affected knee appeared proportional to the duration of injury, the severity of ligament laxity and the length of follow-up time. The results of this study led us to recommend early surgical reconstruction for knees with combined posterior cruciate and posterolateral instabilities.
Self-Assembled Iii-Phospide Quantum Dots Grown by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

We report InP self-assembled quantum dots embedded in In 0.51 Al 0.49 P grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Growth parameters are altered to study the InP quantum-dot growth characteristics under various growth conditions. Quantum-dot morphology is characterized using atomic-force microscopy. Also, photoluminescence studies of the light-emitting properties are performed. Direct-bandgap ternary In x Al I−x P ( x =˜0.7, ˜0.85) self-assembled quantum dots are also grown and compared with InP quantum dots.
Optimal algorithms for sensitivity analysis in associative multiplication problems

We consider efficient ways of determining the sensitivity of a product to changes in individual factors. The task is motivated by several interesting combinatorial and numeric problems which can be given a unified formulation as the problem of finding the (associative) product of N objects. Both deterministic and probabilistic changes to the factors are considered. Algorithms for two kinds of deterministic variation schemes are considered. Nontrivial lower bounds are obtained which demonstrate the algorithms to be optimal. For probabilistic choice of the parameter to be varied, it is shown that optimal ordered binary search trees or Huffman trees determine the optimal strategies. A number of unsolved are posed.
CARBON STORAGE BY URBAN TREE CULTIVARS, IN ROOTS AND ABOVE GROUND

Abstract Urban trees can favorably affect factors underlying global warming by storing carbon and by reducing energy needs for cooling and heating buildings. To estimate carbon stored in roots and above-ground portions of trees, data was collected consisting of whole tree sampling of Amelanchier, Malus, Pyrus, and Syringa cultivars. Roots were excavated using an Air-Spade™. Regression analysis resulted in two equations for predicting total carbon storage based on height and diameter of trees up to 20 cm dbh: Y = 0.05836 (dbh2) for root carbon storage, and Y = 0.0305 (dbh2 × h)0.9499 for above-ground carbon storage, explaining 97% and 96% of the variation, respectively. Average carbon stored in roots of various cultivars ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 kg for smaller trees, those 3.8 to 6.4 cm dbh, to more than 10.4 kg for trees 14.0 cm to 19.7 cm dbh. Average total carbon stored by cultivars ranged from 1.7 to 3.6 kg for trees less than 6.4 cm dbh to 54.5 kg for trees larger than 14.0 cm. The data from these equations apply mainly to trees in nurseries and recently transplanted trees. Comparisons showed that above-ground estimates from previous studies using a sampling technique overestimated values obtained from actual above-ground weights.
Modeling radiative properties of nanoscale patterned wafers

Temperature nonuniformity in rapid thermal processing of wafers is a critical problem facing the semiconductor industry. One cause of the problem is the nonuniform absorption of thermal radiation in patterned wafers where the optical properties vary across the wafer surface. This paper presents a parametric study of the radiative properties of patterned wafers, considering the effect of temperature, wavelength, and polarization. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is employed to examine the effect of various trench sizes on the radiative properties via numerically solving the Maxwell equations. The effective medium theory (EMT) is also used to help explain the absorptance prediction. The results show that in the cases with trench size variation, the resonance cavity effect may increase the absorptance as the trench width increases. And in the cases with trench size increasing at several different filling ratios, the absorptance does not change much at small filling ratio. The effects of the resonant cavity, diffraction, wave interferences on the spectral-directional absorptance were also discussed. This work is of great importance for optimization of advanced annealing techniques in semiconductor manufacturing.
Predicting outcome after cardiac surgery in patients with cirrhosis: a comparison of Child-Pugh and MELD scores

Abstract Background & Aims: This study aims to quantify the risk of cardiac surgery in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Records of all adult patients with cirrhosis undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass at the Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH) from January 1992 to June 2002 were analyzed for any relationship of Child-Pugh class and/or score and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score with outcome measures of hepatic decompensation and death during the first 3 months after surgery. Results: Forty-four patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (16 patients), valve surgery (16 patients), a combination of the 2 procedures (10 patients), or pericardiectomy (2 patients). Twelve patients (27%) developed hepatic decompensation, and 7 patients (16%) died. Proportions of hepatic decompensation were 3 of 31, 8 of 12, and 1 of 1 patients, and death, 1 of 31, 5 of 12, and 1 of 1 patients in Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C, respectively. The association of hepatic decompensation and mortality with Child-Pugh class, Child-Pugh score, and MELD score was significant ( P 7 was found to have a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 92% for mortality, with a negative predictive value of 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83–99) and positive predictive value of 67% (95% CI, 31–91), respectively. However, a similar cutoff value for MELD score could not be established. Conclusions: Child-Pugh score and/or class and MELD score are significantly associated with hepatic decompensation and mortality after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with cirrhosis. Such surgery can be conducted safely in patients with a Child-Pugh score ≤7. Patients with a Child-Pugh score ≥8 have a significant risk for mortality.
First evidence for vibrational excitations of large atomic clusters in amorphous semiconductors

Abstract Raman and depolarization spectra of GeSe 2 alloyed with Se or As 2 Se reveal a sharp vibrational doublet, only one component of which can be attributed to a vibrational excitation of the GeSe 2 local atomic cluster. The composition dependence of the intensity and polarization of the second feature identify it as an excitation involving a substantially larger cluster with high symmetry. The large cluster is a ring of Ge atoms inter-connected through single Se atoms