cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theoretical studies of H-passivated silicon nanowires, silicon surface systems and Si/Ge core/shell nanowires

XI Chapter 1.Introduction 1 Chapter 2. Calculation Methods 5 2.1 First-Principles Calculation 5 2.2 Empirical potential for Silicon 6 2.3 Genetic Algorithm 7 Chapter 3. Global search for H-passivated Si nanowires structures 9 3.1 The structures of ultrathin H-passivated [112] SiNWs 9 3.2 Magic Structures of H-Passivated SiNWs 24 Chapter 4. Size and Strain Dependent Electronic Structures in H-Passivated [112] Si Nanowires 37 4.
Principales tendencias del siglo XXI en cuanto al crimen organizado, el narcotráfico y la democracia en la región

Durante los ultimos veinte anos, el narcotrafico ha sido una de las prioridades de las agendas y politicas de seguridad y defensa nacional de Estados Unidos y varios paises Latinoamericanos. La emergencia del narcotrafico en Colombia ha estado ligado a una historia de violencia politica marcada por el conflicto armado. Actualmente, frente a los dialogos de paz establecidos con la guerrilla de la FARC, la solucion al narcotrafico se convierte en un punto neualgico de la agenda del posconflicto en el pais
Predicting chaotic time series with fuzzy if-then rules

The authors continue work on a previously proposed ANFIS (adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system) architecture, with emphasis on the applications to time series prediction. They show how to model the Mackey-Glass chaotic time series with 16 fuzzy if-then rules. The performance obtained outperforms various standard statistical approaches and artificial neural network modeling methods reported in the literature. Other potential applications of ANFIS are also suggested. >
Local Structure of Dilute Gallium Ions in LiNi0.908Co0.085Ga0.003 O 2 Cathode Material In Situ X-Ray Absorption Study

We have utilized in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to study the local atomic structure of dilute Ga dopants in LiNi 0.908 Co 0.085 Ga 0.003 O 2 cathode material. We find that in the as-prepared material Ga 3+ ions occupy Ni-type sites in the host lattice, as expected. On delithiation (charging), Ga migrates from octahedral Ni-type sites to interstitial tetrahedral sites. The high site preference of Ga 3+ ions for tetrahedral sites leads to the stabilization of the Ga ions in these sites. We speculate that this migration of the Ga 3+ ions suppresses the transfer of Ni to Li-type sites and also helps to maintain a single hexagonal phase by acting as pillaring ions during high states of charge. We suggest that the high stability of Ga in tetrahedral sites Is at the origin of the significant improvement of the cycling and structural properties of Ga-doped cathode materials reported earlier by others.
Relaxation in N-body simulations of spherical systems

I present empirical measurements of the rate of relaxation in N-body simulations of stable spherical systems and distinguish two separate types of relaxation: energy diffusion that is largely independent of particle mass, and energy exchange between particles of differing masses. While diffusion is generally regarded as a Fokker-Planck process, it can equivalently be viewed as the consequence of collective oscillations that are driven by shot noise. Empirical diffusion rates scale as N^{-1} in inhomogeneous models, in agreement with Fokker-Planck predictions, but collective effects cause relaxation to scale more nearly as N^{-1/2} in the special case of a uniform sphere. I use four different methods to compute the gravitational field, and a 100-fold range in the numbers of particles in each case. I find the rate at which energy is exchanged between particles of differing masses does not depend at all on the force determination method, but I do find the energy diffusion rate is marginally lower when a field method is used. The relaxation rate in 3D is virtually independent of the method used because it is dominated by distant encounters; any method to estimate the gravitational field that correctly captures the contributions from distant particles must also capture their statistical fluctuations and the collective modes they drive.
Crystal silicon quantum layers

Summary form only given. We have prepared thin c-Si layers surrounded by thermal oxide from SIMOX substrates and from crystallized a-Si:H layers grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of silane. These latter layers were crystallized by annealing to 1000 C in flowing Ar. This produces device-quality Si-SiO/sub 2/ interfaces with low defect densities. The thickness of the layers was determined from reflection spectra. The photoluminescence (PL) behavior of the layers was investigated with nm cw excitation which produced the same broad spectrum peaked in the near infrared between 750 and 780 nm.
Exceeding the diffraction limit with single-photon photopolymerization and photo-induced termination

The fabrication of 3D microstructures has been realized by numerous researchers using two-photon polymerization. The premise of these studies is that the confinement provided by localized, two-photon absorption results in polymerization only near the focal point of the focused write beam and unwanted polymerization due to superposition of the out-offocus exposures is significantly reduced, enabling the fabrication of complex structures with features below the diffraction limit. However, the low cross-section of two-photon absorbers typically requires excitation by pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser at 800 nm, resulting in polymerized features that are actually larger than those created by one-photon absorption at half the wavelength. Here we describe a single photon photolithographic technique capable of producing features not limited by the physics of diffraction by utilizing a resin which is able to be simultaneously photoinitiated using one wavelength of light and photoinhibited using a second wavelength. Appropriate overlapping of these two wavelengths produces feature sizes smaller than the diffraction limit and reduces polymerization in the out-of-focus regions while avoiding the high light intensities demanded by multi-photon initiation. Additionally, because the photoinhibiting species are non-propagating radicals which recombine when the irradiation is ceased, memory effects typical of photochromic initiators are avoided, allowing rapid and arbitrary patterning.
Conductive space solar cell coverglass replacement technology

A flexible space solar cell coverglass replacement called Pseudomorphic Glass (PMG) has been under investigation in hopes of providing a robust, flexible, high transmissivity replacement for conventional coverglass. PMG is composed of conventional cover glass and/or fused silica in the form of small spheres incorporated in a variety of polymer matrices. The glass spheres provide the primary radiation protection and the polymer matrix provides the mechanical integrity. PMG development has recently focused on technologies for providing the electrical conductivity required to dissipate environmental charging, even in the presence of electric propulsion plumes.
Robotic learning companions for early language development

Research from the past two decades indicates that preschool is a critical time for children's oral language and vocabulary development, which in turn is a primary predictor of later academic success. However, given the inherently social nature of language learning, it is difficult to develop scalable interventions for young children. Here, we present one solution in the form of robotic learning companions, using the DragonBot platform. Designed as interactive, social characters, these robots combine the flexibility and personalization afforded by educational software with a crucial social context, as peers and conversation partners. They can supplement teachers and caregivers, allowing remote operation as well as the potential for autonomously participating with children in language learning activities. Our aim is to demonstrate the efficacy of the DragonBot platform as an engaging, social, learning companion.
Induction of endogenous glutathione by the chemoprotective agent, 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione, in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells affords protection against peroxynitrite-induced cytotoxicity

Substantial evidence suggests that peroxynitrite generated from the bi-radical reaction of nitric oxide and superoxide is critically involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. Reaction with sulfhydryl (SH)-containing molecules has been proposed to be a major detoxification pathway of peroxynitrite in biological systems. This study was undertaken to determine if chemically elevated intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), a major SH-containing biomolecule, affords protection against peroxynitrite-mediated toxicity in cultured neuronal cells. Incubation of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells with the unique chemoprotectant, 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), led to a significant elevation of cellular GSH in a concentration-dependent fashion. To examine the protective effects of D3T-induced GSH on peroxynitrite-mediated toxicity, SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with D3T and then exposed to either the peroxynitrite generator, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), or the authentic peroxynitrite. We observed that D3T-pretreated cells showed a markedly increased resistance to SIN-1- or authentic peroxynitrite-induced cytotoxicity, as assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium reduction assay. Conversely, depletion of cellular GSH by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) caused a marked potentiation of SIN-1- or authentic peroxynitrite-mediated cytotoxicity. To further demonstrate the causal role for GSH induction in D3T-mediated cytoprotection, SH-SY5Y cells were co-treated with BSO to abolish D3T-induced GSH elevation. Co-treatment of the cells with BSO was found to significantly reverse the protective effects of D3T on SIN-1- or authentic peroxynitrite-elicited cytotoxicity. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time that D3T can induce GSH in cultured SH-SY5Y cells, and that the D3T-augmented cellular GSH defense affords a marked protection against peroxynitrite-induced toxicity in cultured human neuronal cells.
How Do the 2013 Cholesterol Guidelines Compare With Previous Cholesterol Guideline Reports

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association released the Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults on November 12, 2013.1 Are these new cholesterol guidelines perfect? No. Are they an improvement for the decade old guidelines? Yes. Much has happened in the field of cholesterol lowering for the purposes of reducing cardiovascular risk in the past decade. Given that the previous version of cholesterol guidelines were published 13 years ago as the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment …
TIME RELATIONS OF GROWTH : II. THE EQUIVALENCE OF AGE IN MAMMALS ESTIMATED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR GROWTH CONSTANTS.

The numerical values of the growth constants given in the preceding paper of this series are utilized for determining equivalence of growth age and growth weight in several animal forms. The results are presented in the form of two age-equivalence tables and fifteen age-equivalence and weight-equivalence charts.
Reminiscences on selected millennium highlights in the quest for tunable terahertz-submillimeter wave oscillators

The generation of coherent electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum has been one of man's major achievements. With the invention of the laser, the microwave and optical spectral range has seen intense activity in both physical and quantum electronics research and engineering. However, the submillimeter-terahertz region has been somewhat left behind, partly due to the unique challenges it presents in developing sources, detectors, and components. The paper traces selected highlights from the work of Hertz at 50 GHz to current research at terahertz frequencies. There is always the aim that a review might trigger some new ideas to apply to terahertz oscillators.
Fraud and Deception in Publication of Scientific Research: Is There a Solution? HERA's Policy Change

Recent well-publicized events in Norway and South Korea unpleasantly have refocused the scientific community on the issue of whether, and by what means, we can ensure the continued integrity of our...
Effect of polyethylene glycol tether size and chemistry on the attachment of lactase to polyethylene films

Numerous foodstuffs have been developed for lactose intolerant individuals. However, current methods to reduce lactose require excessive enzyme and are not viable for small producers. A novel solution proposed to overcome these problems is the immobilization of lactase to standard food-contact packaging materials. The ability of these packages to convert lactose is dependent on the quantity and specific activity of the enzyme after immobilization. In this study, the material interface of polyethylene (PE) films was modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) tethers of 1 kDa, 2 kDa, 5 kDa, and 10 kDa containing epoxy, acrylate, aldehyde, and succinimdyl ester end-group functionality. The results showed that a 5 kDa tether enabled maximum absolute activity of 0.49 × 10−2 ALU/cm2 when compared to tethers of different sizes with identical functionalization. Compared to succinimdyl, epoxide, and acrylate functionalized PEG tethers, an aldehyde end-group resulted in films with the highest absolute immobilized enzyme activity of 0.67 × 10−2 ALU/cm2. Regardless of tether size or chemistry, the activity retention of lactase was less than 15% compared to the soluble enzyme after immobilization to PEG-functionalized PE films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Have budget deficits and money growth caused changes in interest rates and exchange rates in Canada

Abstract This paper examines empirically the causal impact of monetary and fiscal policy on exchange rates and interest rates in Canada using a six-by-six vector autoregressive (VAR) model with variable lag structure. The results suggest that changes in the base money and budget deficits have no direct causal effects on exchange rates, a finding consistent with the monetary explanation that exchange rates follow a random walk. Also consistent with the Ricardian equivalence hypothesis, the results reveal no direct effect of budget deficits on interest rates, casting doubts on the crowding-out phenomenon for Canada. In contrast, changes in the base money unidirectionally cause changes in interest rates, implying some support for using interest rates as a key intermediate policy target for the Canadian monetary authorities.
Obituary: Herbert N. Hultgren.

Herbert N. Hultgren, M.D.. Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular) Emeritus, at Stanford University School of Medicine died on October 18, 1997, at his home on the Stanford University campus. His career epitomized the growth and development of academic cardiology during the last half of the twentieth century that saw a remarkable development of cardiology and cardiac surgery. Herbert Nils Hultgren was born on August 29, 1917, in Santa Rosa. California, a small city in the northern part of the San Francisco Bay area. His parents were of Swedish origin. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College for two years and then transferred to Stanford University, from which he was graduated in 1939. He then attended Stanford University School of Medicine, whose clinical facilities were located in San Francisco, with the preclinical years on the main university campus 38 miles south in Palo Alto. He received the M.D. degree in 1943, stayed at Stanford for a residency in internal medicine, and then served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1944 to 1945. His period of militay service was notable for his experience at the end of the war with starved prisoners in German concentration camps. He later published careful and systematic observations on severe starvation, using simple methodology; the account displayed a scientific style that remained characteristic throughout his career.'
Vicarious calibration of ASTER backward-looking telescope

The Remote Sensing Group at the University of Arizona has successfully used various vicarious calibration methods for the absolute radiometric calibration of over 13 separate sensors since 2000 including nearly 40 sets of ground-based data collected at large uniform test sites imaged by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). The results from this work have been used to examine the VNIR and SWIR bands showing differences that exceed 10% in some bands. The current work extends the reflectance-based approach to the backward-looking telescope of the VNIR system of ASTER that is used for development of digital elevation models. The off-nadir band, Band 3B is identical to the NIR band of ASTER Band 3 except with a view of 23.5 degrees relative to the nadir-looking telescope. The study of Band 3B is done relative to Band 3 using the playa sites in California and Nevada as well as reflectance-based calibration approaches. The calibration of the nadir and off-nadir views agreed to better than 0.7% for five dates spanning 2000-2002 in the summer months at Ivanpah Playa. Other dates and sites showed differences much larger than can be explained by radiative transfer modeling and atmospheric effects pointing to a possible surface directional effect.
Calculated hyperfine fields and their pressure derivatives in Fe, Co, and Ni

The hyperfine field and its pressure derivative have been calculated for the metallic ferromagnets Fe, Co, and Ni using a local approximation for exchange and correlation. Good agreement with experiment is obtained. A short discussion is given of the behavior under pressure of the core and valence contributions to the hyperfine field in these materials.
Time-dependent reduction in Aβ levels after intracranial LPS administration in APP transgenic mice

Abstract Inflammation has been argued to play a primary role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates the innate immune system, triggering gliosis and inflammation when injected in the central nervous system. In studies described here, APP transgenic mice were injected intrahippocampally with 4 or 10 μg of LPS and evaluated 1, 3, 7, 14, or 28 days later. Aβ load was significantly reduced at 3, 7, and 14 days but surprisingly returned near baseline 28 days after the injection. No effects of LPS on congophilic amyloid deposits could be detected. LPS also activated both microglia and astrocytes in a time-dependent manner. The GFAP astrocyte reaction and the Fcγ receptor microglial reaction peaked at 7 days after LPS injection, returning to baseline by 2 weeks postinjection. When stained for CD45, microglial activation was detected at all time points, although the morphology of these cells transitioned from an ameboid to a ramified and bushy appearance between 7 and 14 days postinjection. These results indicate that activation of brain glia can rapidly and transiently clear diffuse Aβ deposits but has no effect on compacted fibrillar amyloid.
Common and unique parenting predictors of adolescent tobacco and alcohol use.

Abstract Aim The current study sought to identify unique and common demographic and parental predictors of adolescent tobacco and alcohol initiation behaviors. Methods A total of 1023 middle school students (Grades 6–8) and their parents from six Rhode Island schools were enrolled in a larger study on substance use initiation and progression, with the current sample representing those dyads with data at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up ( n = 814 dyads). There was a relatively even split with regard to adolescent sex ( n females = 444; 55%). Comparisons were made between covariate and predictor associations with corresponding substance use behaviors (e.g., ever puffed a cigarette vs. ever sipped an alcoholic drink; ever smoked a whole cigarette vs. ever drank a full alcoholic drink). Results At the bivariate level, a host of demographic and parent-related variables were associated with each adolescent substance use behavior. Adolescent reports of parental monitoring variables were consistently more related to use than parent reports. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, adolescent reports of parental monitoring variables were more frequently associated with tobacco use behaviors than alcohol use behaviors. Tobacco use behaviors were more strongly predicted by perceived availability of tobacco than alcohol use behaviors were predicted by perceived availability of alcohol. Conclusions The distinctive predictors observed for cigarette versus alcohol use make it problematic for new and existing programs to assume that efforts targeting specific individual or parental characteristics will impact both substances with equivalent efficacy.
Are Positive Beliefs about Post-Event Processing Related to Social Anxiety?

Although positive metacognitive beliefs have been found to be associated with symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety disorder, surprisingly few studies have focused on the degree to which positive metacognitive beliefs are associated to social phobia symptoms. In response to this limitation, the primary goal of the current study was the development and validation of the Positive Beliefs about Post-Event Processing Questionnaire (PB-PEPQ). It was anticipated that the PBPEPQ would exhibit adequate psychometric properties. Based on a non-referred sample of 300 undergraduate students, the PB-PEPQ was found to be positively associated with measures of post-event processing and social anxiety symptoms. Further, support was found for the incremental validity of the PB-PEPQ, as the measure predicted variance in social phobia symptoms after controlling for other metacognitive variables, including positive beliefs about worry and positive beliefs about rumination. Overall, the findings may have implications for cognitive models of social phobia. Further, the current findings have possible treatment implications, as individuals with social phobia may benefit from interventions focused on the identification and modification of positive metacognitive beliefs.
A Bridge from Full-Function to Reduced-Function Workstations

This article describes a system that allows a reduced-function workstation, an Apple Macintosh, to perform as a low-end node in an Apollo Domain workstation network. Programs that run in the Apollo environment do not have to be modified to be accessed from the Macintosh; the appropriate system subroutines are intercepted and recast into a suitable form. Each Apollo workstation can support from two to three Macintosh PCs, making the average cost per console as little as $5000. A similar project is underway for the IBM PC family of computers.
Is remote host availability governed by a universal law

The availability of peer-to-peer and other distributed systems depends not only on the system architecture but also on the availability characteristics of the hosts participating in the system. This paper constructs a model of remote host availability, derived from measurement studies of four host populations. It argues that hosts are incompletely partitioned into two behavioral classes, one in which they are cycled on/off periodically and one in which they are nominally kept on constantly. Within a class, logarithmic availability generally follows a uniform distribution; however, the underlying reason for this is not readily apparent.
Characterizing observed limit cycles in the Cassini main engine thrust vector control system

The Cassini spacecraft dynamics telemetry during long Main Engine (ME) burns has indicated the presence of stable limit cycles between 0.03-0.05 Hz frequencies. These stable limit cycles cause the spacecraft to possess small but non-zero oscillating rates for extended periods of time. Even though these limit cycles have been observed in telemetry, they have not hindered the spacecraft performance to any degree of concern. The performance of the ME TVC system has been excellent throughout the prime and extended missions. However, it is important to understand these stable limit cycles from a controller design viewpoint. In this study, we hypothesize that the observed limit cycles in the spacecraft dynamics telemetry appear from a stable interaction between the unmodeled nonlinear elements and the linear ME TVC system. Many nonlinearities in the control system emerge from translating the linear engine gimbal actuator (EGA) motion into the rotational motion of the main engine. One such nonlinearity comes from the gear backlash in the EGA system, which is the focus of this paper. The limit cycle characteristics and behavior can be predicted by modeling this gear backlash nonlinear element via a describing function and studying the interaction of this describing function with the overall dynamics of the spacecraft. The linear ME TVC system and gear backlash nonlinearity responses are modeled analytically. The frequency, amplitude, and nature of the limit cycle are obtained from the Nyquist and describing function stability criteria. In addition, the ME TVC system along with the nonlinearity are modeled in Simulink ‡ . The simulation limit cycle response has similar characteristics as predicted analytically. The analytical and simulated limit cycle responses are compared to the flight telemetry for long burns such as the Saturn Orbit Insertion and Main Engine Orbit Trim Maneuvers. The limit cycle frequencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes of the X-axis spacecraft rate are 0.035 Hz/1.3 x 10 -4 rad/s, 0.058 Hz/2.0 x 10 -4 rad/s, and 0.054 Hz/1.0 x 10 -4 rad/s from telemetry, analytical, and simulated results, respectively. These limit cycle frequencies and amplitudes are on the same order of magnitude and exhibit stable oscillations. This work supports that the stable limit cycles occur due to the interaction between the unmodeled nonlinear elements and linear ME TVC system.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm should be treated with acute leukemia type induction chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first remission

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell (BPDC) neoplasm is a rare but clinically aggressive tumor known to be derived from the precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (CD123+) with a high frequency of cutaneous and bone marrow involvement. Though majority of the patients initially respond to multi-agent chemotherapy, most would relapse within a year. We hereby report a patient with disseminated cutaneous BPDC with marrow involvement diagnosed by typical histo-pathological and flow-cytometric findings. He was subsequently treated with leukemia type induction regimen followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission. He is now 18 months posttransplantation with continued remission with full donor chimerism. We recognize that BPDC with marrow involvement behaves like acute myeloid leukemia and aggressive treatment followed by stem cell transplantation may lead to long-term remission in selected cases.
A mutant of CHO-K1 cells deficient in two nonsequential steps of de novo purine biosynthesis

Abstract An unusual new purine-requiring mutant, Ade − P AB , of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) is described. Ade − P AB will grow in medium supplemented with hypoxanthine, adenine, or aminoimidazole carboxamide. Ade − P AB fails to show genetic complementation with either Ade − A, defective in amidophosphoribosyltransferase (E.C. 2.4.2.14), or Ade − B, defective in phosphoribosylformylglycinamidine FGAM) synthetase (E.C. 6.3.5.3.), but will complement all five of our other hypoxanthine-requiring Ade − complementation groups. Analysis of purine synthesis in wild-type, mutant, and revertant cells and analysis of relevant enzyme activities in cell-free extracts prepared from these cells demonstrates that Ade − P AB is similar to Ade − B in that it has lost FGAM synthetase activity, and is similar to Ade − A in that it has lost glutamine-dependent amidophosphoribosyltransferase activity. Unlike Ade − A, however, Ade − P AB retains the ability to synthesize phosphoribosylamine (PRA), the product of the amidophosphoribosyltransferase reaction, if NH 4 Cl is substituted for glutamine as the nitrogen donor. Moreover, partial revertants of Ade − P AB can apparently synthesize sufficient purines for growth using the NH 4 Cl-dependent reaction. The available evidence indicates that neither a double mutation nor a deletion is probable in Ade − P AB . We discuss the relevance of these observations for our understanding of both the regulation of purine biosynthesis in mammalian cells and the structural organization of the enzymes defective in Ade − P AB and the genes coding for these enzymes.
Autoimmunity: Does autoantigen complementarity underlie PR3-ANCA AAV?

New data unexpectedly suggest that sera from patients with PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis are less reactive than those of healthy controls to the 'antisense' product of the PR3 gene. How does this result fit with the theory of autoantigen complementarity, and the proposed role of anti-idiotypic antibodies in the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis?
A comparison of leading theories for the prediction of goal‐directed behaviours

A number of attitude theories have been proposed recently to explain behaviours subject to thwarting by internal and external impediments. The present research compares the theory of reasoned action, the theory of planned behaviour, a portion of the theory of self-regulation, and the theory of trying and performs tests of their ability to predict two actions relatively low in perceived behavioural control: exercising and dieting. Respondents were 142 students who participated in a two-wave survey over a two-week period. The results indicate that, while attitudes significantly predicted intentions in all theories, subjective norms lead to intentions only under the theory of trying. Further, the effects of past behaviour were not channelled entirely through attitudes, subjective norms, or perceived behavioural control but rather had direct effects on intentions and subsequent behaviour. When past behaviour was taken into account, it was found that the performance of the target acts were not functions of intentions, and perceived behavioural control failed to predict either intentions or behaviour. Desires had strong direct effects on intentions and mediated most of the impact of attitudes. A number of theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
Excluding a small minor

There are sixteen 3-connected graphs on eleven or fewer edges. For each of these graphs H we discuss the structure of graphs that do not contain a minor isomorphic to H.
A very simple spiking neuron model that allows for modeling of large, complex systems

This letter introduces a biologically inspired very simple spiking neuron model. The model retains only crucial aspects of biological neurons: a network of time-delayed weighted connections to other neurons, a threshold-based generation of action potentials, action potential frequency proportional to stimulus intensity, and interneuron communication that occurs with time-varying potentials that last longer than the associated action potentials. The key difference between this model and existing spiking neuron models is its great simplicity: it is basically a collection of linear and discontinuous functions with no differential equations to solve. The model's ability to operate in a complex network was tested by using it as a basis of a network implementing a hypothetical echolocation system. The system consists of an emitter and two receivers. The outputs of the receivers are connected to a network of spiking neurons (using the proposed model) to form a detection grid that acts as a map of object locations in space. The network uses differences in the arrival times of the signals to determine the azimuthal angle of the source and time of flight to calculate the distance. The activation patterns observed indicate that for a network of spiking neurons, which uses only time delays to determine source locations, the spatial discrimination varies with the number and relative spacing of objects. These results are similar to those observed in animals that use echolocation.
On-board and/or ground-based gyroless accelerometer calibration for NASA's Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) Mission

Several methods are presented for the on-board and/or ground-based calibration of accelerometers for the spacecraft (s/c) of the NASA Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) Mission during mission operation. This feasibility study shows that a single lumped bias (represented by 3 parameters) is sufficient to represent all nine accelerometer calibration parameters for sensor bias, orthogonal misalignment and shift in accelerometer position with respect to the s/c center of mass. In this paper, three filters/observers are evaluated and compared for this purpose: the Extended Kalman Filter, the H-infinity filter, and the Sliding Mode Observer. All methods are shown to accurately determine lumped bias, so long as the s/c inertia tensor is well known. Analytical simulations show that these methods are able to correct accelerometer readings to within 1 micro-g of true acceleration.
Functionally regular spaces

Abstract Referring to the p π 8 A (Functionally regular) axiom of Van Est and Freudenthal [W. T. Van Est and H. Freudenthal, Trenning durch Stetigkeit Funktionen in topologischen Raumen, Indagationes Math. 15, 359–368 (1951)] the following are included in the results. Functionally regular spaces with weak topology of point countable type or pseudocompact or such that the weak topology is the semi-regularization can be densely and C ∗ -embedded in a functionally regular space that is closed in every functionally regular space it is embedded in (FR closed). A functionally regular space can be C ∗ -embedded as a closed and nowhere dense subset of an FR closed space iff its weak topology is realcompact. Any functionally regular space may be C ∗ -embedded as a nowhere dense subset of a FR-closed space. A functionally regular space is C -embedded in every functionally regular space it is embedded in iff its weak topology is almost compact. Further results are obtained on the C -embedding of pseudocompact subsets.
Real-time imaging of the plasma spray process—Work in progress

A LaserStrobe Control Vision system was employed to examine water-stabilized plasma (WSP), gas-sta-bilized plasma (GSP), and single-wire arc plasma (SWAP) technologies. Visualization of the plasma spray process in each of these technologies has been made possible, in some instances, for the first time. Parame-ter optimization for the three processes was accomplished. This technology has significantly added to the theoretical and scientific knowledge of plasma diagnostics and plasma processing.
Total cross-section measurements for positrons and electrons colliding with potassium

The first measurements of total cross sections for positrons (5--49 eV) colliding with a non-room-temperature gas (namely potassium) are reported. Comparisons of these measurements with the corresponding electron measurements using the same apparatus and technique (a beam-transmission method) indicate an overall degree of similarity that has not been observed for any other target atoms or molecules, which could be related to the large polarizability of potassium atoms.
American Elite Views of Relations with the Soviet Union

This study examined American elite views of relations with the Soviet Union, and investigated the relative effects of respondents' views and certain kinds of evidence on policy responses to a hypothetical crisis in the Persian Gulf. Four orthogonal factors were found to describe current elite views: (1) support for detente, (2) support for deterrence, (3) assumptions of rationality and accuracy, and (4) rejection of a cold war perspective. Four kinds of evidence were manipulated in a hypothetical crisis scenario: (a) Soviet intentions, (b) the local conventional military balance, (c) the nuclear balance, and (d) the degree of U.S. interest in the region. All belief factors and all four kinds of evidence were found to influence the policy responses in meaningful ways. However, for all policy items, the belief factors accounted for a greater proportion of the variance. These results provide qualified support for the idea that policy responses directed toward managing an adversary are significantly “theory driven.”
Mitochondrial DNA topoisomerase I from human platelets.

Abstract An anucleated cell system has been used for the first time to study mitochondrial topoisomerase activity. Mitochondrial extracts from human blood platelets contained type I topoisomerase. The type I classification was based on ATP-independent activity, inhibition by ATP or camptothecin, and the lack of inhibition by novobiocin. Platelet mitochondrial topoisomerase I relaxation activity was inhibited linearly by increasing concentrations of EGTA. Topoisomerase activity 90% inhibited by 175 μM EGTA was partially restored to 16 and 50% of the initial level of activity by the subsequent addition of 50 and 100 μM Ca 2+, respectively. Additionally, results from studies of partially purified platelet mitochondrial topoisomerase I were consistent with the crude extract data. This work supports the hypothesis that platelet mitochondria contain a type I topoisomerase that is biochemically distinct from that previously isolated and characterized from cell nuclei.
Engineering domain-swapped binding interfaces by mutually exclusive folding.

Abstract Domain swapping is a mechanism for forming protein dimers and oligomers with high specificity. It is distinct from other forms of oligomerization in that the binding interface is formed by reciprocal exchange of polypeptide segments. Swapping plays a physiological role in protein–protein recognition, and it can also potentially be exploited as a mechanism for controlled self-assembly. Here, we demonstrate that domain-swapped interfaces can be engineered by inserting one protein into a surface loop of another protein. The key to facilitating a domain swap is to destabilize the protein when it is monomeric but not when it is oligomeric. We achieve this condition by employing the “mutually exclusive folding” design to apply conformational stress to the monomeric state. Ubiquitin (Ub) is inserted into one of six surface loops of barnase (Bn). The 38-A amino-to-carboxy-terminal distance of Ub stresses the Bn monomer, causing it to split at the point of insertion. The 2.2-A X-ray structure of one insertion variant reveals that strain is relieved by intermolecular folding with an identically unfolded Bn domain, resulting in a domain-swapped polymer. All six constructs oligomerize, suggesting that inserting Ub into each surface loop of Bn results in a similar domain-swapping event. Binding affinity can be tuned by varying the length of the peptide linkers used to join the two proteins, which modulates the extent of stress. Engineered, swapped proteins have the potential to be used to fabricate “smart” biomaterials, or as binding modules from which to assemble heterologous, multi-subunit protein complexes.
A Model for the Propagation of Nonlinear Surface Waves over Viscous Muds

Abstract The effect of a thin viscous fluid–mud layer on nearshore nonlinear wave–wave interactions is studied using a parabolic frequency-domain nonlinear wave model, modified to incorporate a bottom dissipation mechanism based on a viscous boundary layer approach. The boundary-layer formulation allows for explicit calculation of the mud-induced wave damping rate. The model performed well in tests based on laboratory data. Numerical tests show that damping of high frequency waves occurs, mediated by “difference” nonlinear interactions. Simulations of 2-dimensional wave propagation over a mud “patch” of finite extent show that the wave dissipation causes significant downwave diffraction effects.
An appropriate stiffness degradation parameter to monitor fatigue damage evolution in composites

Abstract This article confirms, both computationally and experimentally, the well known observation that damage caused by tensile loading in fiber reinforced polymeric composite laminates may induce only minor variations in the longitudinal stiffness, thereby rendering this stiffness a poor measure for estimating the residual strength of such materials. On the other hand, it is shown herein that the torsional stiffness is highly sensitive to the forms of damage that arise and evolve in the aforementioned composites under tension and appears to correlate very well with the extent of damage. Since the tensile failure scenarios under static and fatigue loads are similar to each other, the latter stiffness can serve as a sensitive parameter for predicting residual life. Furthermore, the current results suggest that the resistance of these materials to twist may be greatly degraded despite their purported insensitivity to reduction in tensile response.
Fertility reduced in a caged native house fly strain by the introduction of strains bearing heterozygous chromosomal translocations.

Fertility Reduced in a Caged Native House Fly Strain by the Introduction of Strains bearing Heterozygous Chromosomal Translocations
Can a Dietary Supplement Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, has been increasing (1) and will increase further with widespread adoption of new diagnostic criteria recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) (2). GDM, even at the milder end of the diagnostic spectrum, is associated with fetal macrosomia, neonatal adiposity, preeclampsia, and cesarean section (3), which can be reduced by diagnosis and treatment (4,5). Such treatment is not without cost (6), and an effective, relatively simple, inexpensive approach to prevention could result in significant savings to the health care system, not to mention decreasing morbidity. In this issue of Diabetes Care , D’Anna et al. (7) describe a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of such a potential prevention strategy. Insulin resistance is characteristic of human pregnancy and may have evolved to ensure the fetus a continued supply of nutrients even in times of famine. Most gravidas increase insulin release and maintain euglycemia, while those with GDM are unable to do so adequately. While metformin, an insulin-sensitizing drug, initially appeared to prevent GDM in nonrandomized cohort studies, a double-blind RCT did not demonstrate efficacy (8). Inositol, present in many foods, is a component of inositolphosphoglycans, a second messenger for insulin action (9) (Fig. 1), and two of its nine isoforms, myo -inositol and chiro -inositol, have been used as insulin-sensitizing agents to treat insulin-resistant states such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in doses ranging from 200 mg/day to 4 g/day (10–12). The authors of the current study have also demonstrated in an RCT a beneficial effect of myo -inositol in treating the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women (13). These same authors (14) reported a lower incidence of GDM (17 vs. 54%) among …
Epidemiology of Nephrolithiasis in Personnel Returning From Operation Iraqi Freedom

OBJECTIVES To examine the epidemiology of urolithiasis in personnel returning from deployment to Southwest Asia. METHODS A survey-based study of personnel returning from deployment to Southwest Asia was performed. The demographics were compared between the personnel reporting a history of urolithiasis during or within the first 90 days of returning from deployment and the personnel without a history of reported urolithiasis. RESULTS A total of 10,180 personnel were demobilized and 6153 surveys were received during a 9-month period, for a survey response rate of 60%. Of the personnel returning survey, 1% reported urolithiasis during their deployment. The personnel who reported urolithiasis were slightly older than those who did not (32.6 vs 29 years old, P < .00038). The odds of reporting urolithiasis during deployment were 30.9 times greater for personnel with a history of stone disease and 2.4 times greater for those with a family history of stone disease. No difference was found in the rates of urolithiasis with regard to sex or race. Also, no strong evidence for an association between the rates of reported urolithiasis and seasonal variations in temperature in Southwest Asia was found. CONCLUSIONS The rate of reported urolithiasis among deployed personnel was lower than that in the general population. The personnel who reported urolithiasis during deployment were slightly older. A personal history or family history of stone disease was significant predictors of urolithiasis in this deployed population.
Mathematical Simulation of Controlled Drug Release from Cylindrical Matrix Devices

AbstractThe general mathematical model for controlled drug release from the cylindrical matrix device was developed. The system under consideration is composed of an active agent which is dissolved homogeneously in a cylindrical porous matrix device. The method of lines was employed to solve the partial differential equation in the present study.The effects of hydrodynamic diffusion layer, the rate of spontaneous decay reaction in the device, the height to radius ratio of the device and the porosity distribution in the device on the rate of drug release were investigated by solving the two dimensional diffusion equation under non-steady state conditions.The results indicated that the release rate may be significantly underevaluated if the data obtained in the in vitro studies under a poor mixing condition are analyzed mistakenly on the assumption of well mixing condition.The findings in the present analysis are of practical significance to the design and development of matrix-diffusion type controlled rel...
Probe systems for static pressure and cross-stream turbulence intensity

A recent study of total-pressure probes for use in highly turbulent streams is extended herein by developing probe systems that measure time-averaged static or ambient pressure and turbulence intensity. Arrangements of tubular probes of circular and elliptical cross section are described that measure the pressure at orifices on the sides of the probes to obtain different responses to the cross-stream velocity fluctuations. When the measured data are combined to remove the effect of the presence of the probes on the local pressure, the time-averaged static pressure and the cross-stream components of turbulence intensity can be determined. If a system of total pressure tubes, as described in an accompanying paper, is added to the static pressure group to form a single cluster, redundant measurements are obtained that permit accuracy and consistency checks.
Dietary zinc, copper and selenium, and risk of lung cancer

Zinc, copper and selenium are important cofactors for several enzymes that play a role in maintaining DNA integrity. However, limited epidemiologic research on these dietary trace metals and lung cancer risk is available. In an ongoing study of 1,676 incident lung cancer cases and 1,676 matched healthy controls, we studied the associations between dietary zinc, copper and selenium and lung cancer risk. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of lung cancer for all subjects by increasing quartiles of dietary zinc intake were 1.0, 0.80 (0.65–0.99), 0.64 (0.51–0.81), 0.57 (0.42–0.75), respectively (p trend = 0.0004); similar results were found for men. For dietary copper, the ORs and 95% CI for all subjects were 1.0, 0.59 (0.49–0.73), 0.51 (0.41–0.64), 0.34 (0.26–0.45), respectively (p trend 25, current smokers, pack-years ≤30, light drinkers and participants without emphysema. Increased dietary copper intake was associated with protective trends (p < 0.05) across all ages, BMI, smoking and vitamin/mineral supplement categories, pack-years ≤30 and 30.1–51.75 and participants without emphysema. Our results suggest that dietary zinc and copper intakes are associated with reduced risk of lung cancer. Given the known limitations of case–control studies, these findings must be interpreted with caution and warrant further investigation. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.