cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of Copper-Hafnium Multilayers

The structure of copper-hafnium multilayers has been studied as a function of composition modulation wavelength by x-ray diffraction and EXAFS. Sputter deposited samples were produced with composition modulation wavelengths of 1/2, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 20 close packed planes of each constituent per layer. The structure evolved anisotropically from amorphous to crystalline with increasing composition modulation wavelength, with crystalline order first appearing in the growth direction in the 7 mono-layer sample. Structural coherence in the growth direction was not observed to extend beyond one elemental layer in any sample, and evidence for a disordered interfacial layer was observed by EXAFS for all samples. Small angle x-ray diffraction showed strong composition modulation for all but the 1/2 monolayer sample. The amorphous interface is the result of reaction during deposition similar to the solid state reaction observed in other systems such as nickel-zirconium.
Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and transforming growth factor-beta on adipogenesis and expression of thyrotropin receptor in human orbital preadipocyte fibroblasts

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is an orbital autoimmune disease that is closely associated with Graves' hyperthyroidism. Examination of retroorbital tissues in GO reveals an accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, increased fat volume, lymphocytic infiltration, and the presence of several inflammatory cytokines. A subpopulation of human orbital fibroblasts can be differentiated in vitro into cells with the morphologic features of adipocytes. We demonstrated recently that these differentiated cultures show increased expression of functional TSH receptor (TSHr). To determine whether the presence of inflammatory cytokines might impact adipogenesis or TSHr expression in these cultures, we treated orbital fibroblasts from normal individuals or GO patients with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or transforming growth factor-beta. We found that each of these cytokines inhibits TSH-dependent cAMP production and TSHr gene expression, and that TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma also inhibit morphological adipocyte differentiation. When cytokines were added after differentiation, the inhibition was less pronounced. Our results suggest that TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and transforming growth factor-beta may act within the orbit in GO to modulate expression of the putative orbital autoantigen, TSHr. In addition, the former two cytokines may play a role in determining the extent to which the volume of the orbital adipose tissue increases in this condition.
Improvements in electrical safety

The author discusses observations made during a 1960 sabbatical leave-of-absence spent in nine countries of central and western Europe, followed by a month's service as safety consultant at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, New Mexico, studying problems of electric shock and electrical safety. This paper presents a varied assortment of current problems including safety grounding, grounding versus bonding, relative hazard of 120-versus 240-volt a-c systems, and double insulation for appliances and hand tools. It deplores the lack of electrical safety in both laboratories and schools of electrical engineering, and concludes with the recent development of differential circuit breakers. The new miniature circuit breaker is considered a major breakthrough in electrical safety for low-voltage utilization circuits for both the home and industry.
Laparoscopic exploration for the clinically undetected hernia in infancy and childhood

Background: Routine contralateral groin exploration in infants and children with a clinically detected inguinal hernia is the subject of much debate. The detection of a patent processus vaginalis by transinguinal laparoscopy has proven advantageous. However, controversy remains regarding the true incidence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis as well as which of these will actually develop into a clinically apparent hernia. Methods: From January 1997 through December 1999, 358 infants and children (aged 1 to 157 months, mean 32) were treated in the three University of Oklahoma teaching hospitals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for inguinal hernia. The findings at laparoscopic exploration of the contralateral side were recorded to determine the incidence of contralateral patency as it relates to a child’s age, gender, and side of the initial clinical diagnosis. Results: The overall incidence of a patent processus vaginalis on contralateral examination was 33% (117 of 358). All patent processus vaginalis were repaired. Bilateral inguinal hernia was significantly more common in younger patients (present in 50% if less than 1 year, 45% if less than 2 years, 37% if less than 5 years, and 15% if greater than 5 years of age; P <0.05). In boys, the incidence was 49%, 45%, and 32% in those under 1 year of age, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. In girls, the incidence was 59%, 50%, and 37% in those under 1 year of age, under 2 years of age, and in total, respectively. The side of the clinically detected hernia did not influence the laparoscopic findings of a contralateral hernia with 30% (50 of 169) positive findings on left inguinal exploration versus 31% (28 of 90) positive findings on right inguinal exploration. Conclusions: The high incidence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis warrants routine laparoscopic exploration in infants and children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair, especially those less than 5 years of age. The use of transinguinal laparoscopic explorations avoids unnecessary open exploration in 66% of infants and children undergoing inguinal hernia repair.
Wear of the metallic studs on the composite seat of the 2320 Starr-Edwards aortic valve and its clinical consequences

The 2320 Starr-Edwards aortic valve has a composite seat with metallic studs that protrude through the cloth. Certain clinical and morphologic findings are described in 6 patients who had this prosthesis in situ for 50 to 144 months (mean 92). Considerable disruption of the cloth covering both struts and base, and varying degrees of wear of the metallic studs that line the luminal side of the prosthetic ring occurred in each. Excessive stud wear resulted in severe disruption of the cloth lining the interior of the prosthetic ring. Cloth disruption may be associated with hemolytic anemia, embolic consequences, or both. Of our 6 patients, 4 had severe hemolytic anemia, 4 had neurologic events compatible with emboli and 1 died suddenly. Stud wear as observed in the 2320 series Starr-Edwards prosthesis also may occur in the models 2310 and 2400 prostheses, which have the same composite seat.
Collagen sheeting implants in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

. In this study, collagen sheeting is used for correction of various contour deformities of the face. This material, which was used in 16 patients, is easily implanted, does not lead to infection, and has an average resorption rate of 21% at 6 months. It provides excellent cosmetic results.
KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING GOALS OF PRIMARY CARE AND REGULAR INTERNS

As part of the long-term evaluation of BCH'a primary care residency program, entering interns in pediatrics (N=13) and medicine (N=36) are assessed to see whether there are significant differences between primary care (PC) and regular trainees (PC) as they begin residency. Areas of assessment include cognitive knowledge (scores on the American Board of Pediatrics Pretest Exam, and Parts B and C of the American Board of Internal Medicine's Certifying Exam), and a training goals questionnaire. Aggregating board scores for 3 cohorts ( N=147 ), median distribution analysis shows no consistent differences between PC and PC pediatric interns. For the 3 medicine cohorts, no consistent differences emerged on Part B (factual recall knowledge), while on Part C (patient management) PC interns scored somewhat lower as a group than PC interns. An important finding from the training goals questionnaire (1974, 1975) is the high degree of comparability among PC and PC interns, Including similarity between cohorts and between departments. One difference was the interest of 17/28 PC medicine interns in subspecialty and research training. These findings tend to contravene the suggestion that those entering primary care have different attitudes and cognitive knowledge than their peers in traditional pathways. Further evaluation will show whether significant differences do develop between PC and PC trainees during their 3-year residency.
Production by Alpha Particles of Functionally Stable Broken Chromosome Ends in Maize.

Maize pollen, carrying the linked dominant markers I Sh 13z Wx, was irradiated with alpha particles from an external plutonium source, and was used to pollinate plants carrying the corresponding recessives. The resulting marker losses and endosperm mosaics were analyzed to ascertain whether alpha particles are capable of breaking chromosomes so as to generate functionally stable new ends. It was found that the ratio of stable broken ends to unstable broken ends is about 0.54 plus or minus 0.20 or that about 35 percent of all terminal breaks are stable. X-rays or ultraviolet produce few if any stable chromosome ends in this material. (auth)
Securing multiagent systems against a sequence of intruder attacks

In this paper, we discuss the issue of security in multiagent systems in the context of their underlying graph structure that models the interconnections among agents. In particular, we investigate the minimum number of guards required to counter an infinite sequence of intruder attacks with a given sensing and response range of an individual guard. We relate this problem of eternal security in graphs to the domination theory in graphs, providing tight bounds on the number of guards required along with schemes for securing a multiagent system over a graph.
Some Observations about the Suicide of the Adulteress in the Modern Novel

Babis Dermitzakis posits in his article "Some Observations about the Suicide of the Adulteress in the Modern Novel" that in three major male-authored European novels -Madame Bovary, Anna Karenina, and Therese Raquin -the protagonists are wives who commit adultery ending in suicide. In contrast, texts by women authors of the period show no similar description and perception of adultery by women. Dermitzakis suspects that the male writers did not simply fictionalize a specific social behavior or condition; rather, they likely imported their own prejudices about women's adultery -and more generally about women's sexuality -into their writing. Biographical evidence of the three authors appears to support such a hypothesis. Babis Dermitzakis, "Some Observations about the Suicide of the Adulteress in the Modern Novel" page 2 of 5 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 1.2 (1999):
Comparison of DNA extraction methodologies used for assessing fungal diversity via ITS sequencing

Traditional methods of assessing fungal exposure have been confounded by a number of limiting variables. The recent utilization of molecular methods such as internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing of ribosomal RNA genes has provided improved insight into the diversity of fungal bioaerosols in indoor, outdoor and occupational environments. However, ITS analyses may also be confounded by a number of methodological limitations. In this study, we have optimized this technology for use in occupational or environmental studies. Three commonly used DNA extraction methodologies (UltraClean Soil kit, High Pure PCR Template kit, and EluQuik/DNeasy kit) were compared in terms of sensitivity and susceptibility to PCR inhibitors in dust for three common fungal bioaerosols, Aspergillus versicolor, Rhizopus microsporus and Wallemia sebi. Environmental dust samples were then studied using each extraction methodology and results were compared to viable culture data. The extraction methods differed in terms of their ability to efficiently extract DNA from particular species of fungi (e.g. Aspergillus versicolor). In addition, the ability to remove PCR inhibitors from dust samples was most effective using the soil DNA extraction kit. The species composition varied greatly between ITS clone libraries generated with the different DNA extraction kits. However, compared to viable culture data, ITS clone libraries included additional fungal species that are incapable of growth on solid culture medium. Collectively, our data indicated that DNA extraction methodologies used in ITS sequencing studies of occupational or environmental dust samples can greatly influence the fungal species that are detected.
The origin of the cultivated tomato

The ancestral form of the cultivated tomato was originally confined to the Peru-Ecuador area. After spreading north possibly as a weed in pre-Columbian times it was not extensively domesticated until it reached Mexico, and from there the cultivated forms were disseminated.
Beyond gaming: programming the PLAYSTATION®3 cell architecture for cost-effective parallel processing

The Cell Broadband Engine (BE) architecture is a 9-core heterogeneous processor [3]. It is a new and versatile architecture that is well suited for a variety of applications including digital media, entertainment, communications, medical imaging, security and surveillance, and HPC workloads. The same Cell BE processor that powers IBM Cell blade servers is also available for a fraction of the cost in Sony PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) gaming consoles. The PS3 is not just a gaming console however because it is readily possible to install other operating systems and boot the PS3 into a programmable environment using popular Linux distributions. Thus a PS3 provides a practical vehicle for academic and research endeavors that focus on parallel architectures and parallel programming. This tutorial demonstrates the ease of leveraging PS3 consoles as low-cost and high-performance platforms for parallel execution. The tutorial provides a brief technical overview of the Cell architecture, and focuses on programming models and programming patterns that facilitate the development of efficient applications for the Cell BE.
Toxicity of selenium to post-weanling rats☆

Abstract Dietary selenium, as sodium selenite and as seleniferous wheat, was fed to young rats in 6-week experiments. The selenium additions were at levels of 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, 6.4, 8.0, 9.6, and 11.2 ppm in a wheat-type diet. Except for a slight growth reduction with the diet containing 4.8 ppm of selenium as sodium selenite, growth retardation did not occur unless the diets contained 6.4 ppm or more of the additive from either source. Mortality occurred after the fourth week when the additive was at 8.0 ppm or more. In observations with seleniferous-wheat selenium at growth inhibitory levels, voluntary feed intake reduction accounted for growth reduction, since equal amounts of control diet gave similar or somewhat less weight gain. Diets containing seleniferous-wheat selenium at 1.6–8.0 ppm did not affect water consumption in 4-week observations. However, 6.4 ppm in the diet increased spleen weight and altered liver appearance; and 8.0 ppm or more caused further effects such as enlargement of the pancreas, reduction in hemoglobin content of blood, and elevation of bilirubin content of serum. Selenium from seleniferous wheat was deposited in tissues such as liver, thigh muscle, and hair to a greater extent than was selenium from sodium selenite.
Low-cost, porous carbon current collector with high sulfur loading for lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract Li–S batteries with a porous carbon current collector (PCCC), high sulfur loading (2.3 mg cm− 2, equal to 80 wt.% sulfur content), high capacity, and long cycle life have been fabricated with a simple one-step paste absorption method. The intimate contact between the insulating sulfur and the embedded conductive matrix allows high active material loading. The high absorptivity of electrolyte by the PCCC facilitates efficient retention of soluble polysulfides within the PCCC, so the 3D cathode architecture stabilizes the electrochemical reaction within the porous space.
Development Plus Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies of a Prototype Supported-Nanoparticle Heterogeneous Catalyst Formation System in Contact with Solution: Ir(1,5-COD)Cl/ γ-Al2O3 and Its Reduction by H2 to Ir(0)n/γ-Al2O3

An important question and hence goal in catalysis is how best to transfer the synthetic and mechanistic insights gained from the modern revolution in nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and catalysis to prepare the next generation of improved, supported-nanoparticle heterogeneous catalysts. It is precisely this question and to-date somewhat elusive goal which are addressed by the present work. More specifically, the global hypothesis investigated herein is that the use of speciation-controlled, well-characterized, solid oxide supported-organometallic precatalysts in contact with solution will lead to the next generation of better composition, size- and shape-controlled, as well as highly active and reproducible, supported-nanoparticle heterogeneous catalysts—ones that can also be understood kinetically and mechanistically. Developed herein are eight criteria defining a prototype system for supported-nanoparticle heterogeneous catalyst formation in contact with solution. The initial prototype system ...
1,3-indane-based chromogenic calixpyrroles with push-pull chromophores: synthesis and anion sensing.

Knoevenagel condensation of 2-formyl-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole with selected 1,3-indanedione derivatives yields calix[4]pyrrole anion sensors with push−pull chromophores displaying strong intramolecular charge transfer. The push−pull feature results in augmented signal output as well as in dramatic changes in anion selectivity exemplified by a 50-fold increase in acetate vs chloride selectivity compared to the parent calix[4]pyrrole.
Relation between low-energy-electron scattering and l -changing collisions of Rydberg atoms

Collisions of Rydberg atoms with other atoms may induce changes in the electronic orbital angular momentum of the Rydberg state. A theory is presented that expresses the cross section for this process in terms of the $s$-wave amplitude for low-energy-electron scattering from the other atom. In its most accurate form, the theory requires a convolution of the electron-scattering amplitude and the initial momentum-space wave function of the Rydberg state. However, an approximate analytic solution is derived in which the $l$-mixing cross section at a particular $n$ is written as the electron-scattering cross section at the mean electronic kinetic energy of the Rydberg state, multiplied by a scaling function that depends only on $n$. The analytic solution clearly exhibits the asymptotic scaling behavior of the cross sections. Collisions of $\mathrm{Na}(\mathrm{nd})+\mathrm{He}$, Ne, and Ar are treated as specific examples.
Auditory Filter Widths in Children and Adults.

Abstract Filter widths for six groups of subjects, adults and children ages 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, were estimated using two different psychophysical approaches. Subjects participated in an experiment with a fixed signal level (psychophysical tuning curve procedure) and in an experiment having a fixed masker level (notched noise procedure). The psychophysical tuning curves were determined with 200-Hz-wide noise bands centered at 2.3, 2.6, 3.0, 3.4, and 3.6 kHz. The 200-ms, 3-kHz signal was fixed in level at 30 dB SPL. Notched noise thresholds were determined with notch widths of (Δƒ/ƒ) 0.0, 0.2, and 0.4. The Δƒ was the distance, in hertz, from the center frequency, ƒ, to the edge of symmetrically placed bands of noise. The bands of noise were fixed at 35-dB pressure spectrum level. Results revealed no significant differences between the children and the adults on measures of Q10, ERB, and K. The conclusion of the present study was that auditory filter widths from the ages of 6 to adult were not significantly different.
Who is ‘Daddy’ revisited: the status of two-year-olds' over-extended words in use and comprehension

Diary observations of two-year-olds' over-extended word use have been interpreted as arising from the word's underlying semantic feature structure, retrieval error, or limited vocabulary. The first interpretation was tested by analysing whether the same few features systematically characterized most over-extensions of a word (picture-naming task), and whether the same word was over-extended in comprehension (picture-pointing task). Four instances of over-extended use were studied in each of 5 children aged 1; 9 to 2; 3. A semantic feature interpretation is rejected, as is the view that overextensions are used by the child deliberately, to refer to objects which he knows are not properly named by the words. The need to construct models of early word meaning which reflect the early instability of conceptual organization, the probability of retrieval error in recall tasks, and the developmental history of individual words – particularly parental acceptance or rejection of use – is discussed.
Effect of diet and temperature on development rates, survival, and reproduction of the Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Developmental rates, egg hatch, survival, adult weight, and reproductive potential were determined for Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), reared on wheat bran diet, almonds, pistachios, and walnuts at four temperatures. Developmental rate and adult weight were highest on bran diet. Developmental rates on almonds and pistachios were similar, although development on almonds was faster at higher temperatures. Developmental rate and survival were lowest on walnuts. At 35 degrees C, no Indianmeal moth completed development on walnuts and developmental rates on all other diets decreased, indicating that the thermal threshold had been surpassed. Diet had no significant effect on reproductive potential of adults reared at temperatures of 25 and 28.3 degrees C. At 31.7 degrees C, adults reared on bran diet produced the most progeny; adults reared on walnuts produced the fewest progeny. No progeny resulted from adults reared on any diet at 35 degrees C. Suitability of diet for Indianmeal moth development was correlated with diet moisture content; however, the poor performance of walnuts may have been due to the development of rancidity. The results of this study illustrate the difficulty in developing a model for the diverse conditions that exist in California's Central Valley.
Reconsideration of a test for dopaminergic stimulation: Inability of apomorphine to induce mouse jumping

Apomorphine was administered parenterally to mice in an unsuccessful attempt to induce amphetamine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-like elicited jumping. The efficacy of jumping behavior as an indicator of dopaminergic overstimulation is criticized in light of the results.
Intake of a Concentrate Mixture Containing Various Anionic Salts Fed to Pregnant, Nonlactating Dairy Cows

Abstract Intake of concentrate mixtures containing various anionic salts was evaluated. Anionic salt treatments consisted of either NH 4 Cl, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O, or CaCl 2 ·2H 2 O in loose form or a pelleted mixture of anionic salts (56% MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O and 44% NH 4 Cl, plus carriers). Experimental cows were 12 pregnant, nonlactating, pluriparous cows. Anionic salts were mixed with 2.27kg of concentrate and offered once daily along with mixed grass and alfalfa hay fed separate from the concentrate mixture. Treatments were arranged in two replicates of balanced 6 × 6 Latin squares; periods were 5 d each. Full dose of the anionic salts was 2.32 eq/d; one-third of this dose was fed on d 1 of each treatment period, two-thirds were fed on d 2, and the full dose was fed from d 3 through 5. Mean intake of the concentrate mixture was 97.6% for the control diet (no anionic salts added) and 76.5, 34.4, 34.0, 28.6, and 23.7% for the full dose of MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O, pelleted anionic salts mixture, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , NH 4 Cl, and CaCl 2 ·2H 2 O, respectively. The concentrate mixture containing MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O was consumed more completely than concentrate mixtures containing any of the other anionic salt treatments.
Effect of Clinical Finishing Procedures on Amalgam Microstructure

Spherical amalgam specimens were burnished, burnished-polished, polished (wet), or polished (dry). The amalgams were sectioned normal to the prepared surface, elemental analyses were made at a series of depths from the surface with the electron microprobe and the phase fractions were calculated. Significant variations in phase distributions exist within 100 μm of the surface.
Nanocrystalline FCC Thin Films Are More Prone to RT Creep Than What We Think

Although nanocrystalline (Nc) metallic thin films are excellent candidate materials for Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and microelectronics due to their outstanding yield strength, serious reliability concerns arise from their increased room temperature creep rates. A comprehensive experimental investigation was carried out to extract the strain-rate dependent mechanical behavior of Au (38 nm grain size) and Ni (20 nm grain size) micron-thin films conducted for the very first time at strain rates in the broad range of 10−6 – 10 /s which spans time scales from ms to hours. Nc-Au films demonstrated a clear bi-linear change in their inelastic properties, i.e. the elastic limit and its yield strength, while the Nc-Ni films showed a linear increase in their inelastic properties over the same loading rates. This unexpected trend for the Au films emphasized the significant contribution of room temperature (RT) creep at strain rates between 10−6 – 10−4 /s, at which rate, larger grain size materials are not prone to creep at RT. This realization prompted a series of novel microscale creep experiments, the first of their kind, at time scales of 104 –105 s. An important finding was that the first stage of creep, primary creep, proceeds at a very fast rate, of the order of 10−7 /s, lasting for 5–6 hours after the application of a stress. Furthermore, multi-stage creep experiments revealed that the primary creep rate decreased with the order of creep cycle, while the steady state creep response remained the same in all creep cycles. This creep response of nanocrystalline FCC films was modeled via a non-linear viscoelastic creep model that captured the effect of applied stress on both primary and steady-state creep regimes.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Nitrogen availability and fungal‐bacterial responses in successional semiarid steppe soils

Nitrogen availability plays a major role in influencing the microbial community structure as plant‐soil systems develop in succession. In this study, three successional sites, sampled 5, 13, and 39 years after disturbance, were compared with an undisturbed native site. Microbial responses were related to time since disturbance and soil nitrogen (N) availability. Nitrogen was modified by mineral N and carbohydrate additions. Microscopic techniques were used to assess the biomass (total and active) of bacteria and fungi at spring and summer samplings. In the undisturbed native plots, with decreased N availability, increases occurred in microscopically assessed microbial biomass, primarily fungal, in comparison with control plots. This fungal response did not occur on the previously disturbed successional plots that were treated in a similar manner. Ratio analyses of the various parameters provided additional information related to these responses. For both samplings, the ratio of total fungi/total bacteria ...
Structure determination of c(2×2) S on Ni(100) using polarization-dependent surface extended x-ray-absorption fine structure

Improvements in the signal-to-noise ratio of surface extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure spectra of chemisorbed low-$Z$ atoms allow for the first time precise determination of complete adsorption geometries. For $c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ S on Ni(100) the first-nearest-neighbor distance is 2.23\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 \AA{} and the adsorption site is the fourfold hollow as independently derived from either the second nearest S-Ni distance, amplitude ratios for three polarization directions, or the absolute S coordination number on the surface.
The effects of sharp corners on buoyancy-driven flows with particular emphasis on outer boundaries

Abstract The effects of sharp corners and the far field boundary conditions on vorticity generation and flow instabilities are discussed. The importance of the far field boundary conditions and the interaction between the controlling variables are discussed and an in-depth analysis of the fluid flow and vortex interaction in the open-ended cavity is presented. The formation of a thermally stratified region and its role in influencing the thermal instabilities is discussed. The transient behavior of the flow field through the formation of vortices and the opposing interactions of the buoyant and suction mechanisms leading to an oscillating central vortex and overshooting and oscillations in the heat transfer process are analyzed. Finally, the effects of the geometric and thermophysical parameters as well as the influence of the Rayleigh number and different temperature levels are thoroughly explored.
Self-Assembling of Monolayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticles

Self-assembling of monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters onto a gold electrode surface was reported. The particles were surface-active with multiple copies of peripheral thiol groups that resulted from an exchange reaction with alkanedithiols. Excessive dithiol and displaced thiol ligands were removed from the cluster exchange solution via liquid extraction using a hexane−methanol system. The self-assembling process appeared to be rather fast, similar to that for simple alkanethiols. The resulting particle adlayers exhibited discrete electron-transfer features that were ascribed to the quantized capacitance charging to the particle double layers. The electrode double-layer capacitance, evaluated from impedance measurements, also showed a modulation with electrode potentials. Consistent electron-transfer rate constants were obtained from the Laviron evaluation as well as from the impedance measurements. The electron-charging behaviors were also quite visible in aqueous media when the interparticle “void” s...
Understanding the Yalta Axioms and Riga Axioms through the Belief Systems of the Advocacy Coalition Framework

This research employs stakeholder analysis based on the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) to examine two coalitions of US foreign policy during the postwar and early Cold War periods. It defines the proponents of the Yalta axioms and the proponents of the Riga axioms as two purposive groups based on ideological positions. By identifying the stakeholders, their strategic bases, their belief systems (with respect to the Soviet Union), and their policies and resources, this research demonstrates how each coalition formed and competed with the other. More importantly, it offers a way to understand the seemingly inconsistent policy positions of Kennan and Bohlen that supported the Riga axioms at one time and opposed them at another time. By so doing, this research demonstrates the utility of the ACF in examining foreign policies.
Fixed and periodic points of local contraction mappings on probabilistic metric spaces

Several results concerning local contractions on uniform spaces are obtained and applied to yield some theorems on fixed and periodic points for local contractions on probabilistic metric spaces.
Zero-Dissipation Limit of Solutions with Shocks for Systems of Hyperbolic Conservation Laws

We consider the convergence of solutions of conservation laws with viscosity to solutions having shocks of hyperbolic conservation laws without viscosity as the viscosity tends to zero. Our analysis reveals a rich structure of nonlinear wave interactions due to the presence of shocks and initial layers. These interactions generate four different wave patterns: initial layers, shock layers, diffusion waves and coupling waves. We study the propagation and interactions of the four wave patterns by a detailed pointwise analysis.
Particle diffusion in low-speed flows☆

Abstract The theory of diffusional exchange between flowing fluids and surfaces is extended to the case of diffusing particles of finite diameter. Similitude laws for particle diffusion to cylinders and spheres and solutions for the transfer rate at the forward stagnation point are derived by a modified version of thin concentration boundary layer theory. The theoretical expression for the transfer rate to the cylinder at the forward stagnation point compares well with aerosol filtration data taken from the literature.
Coenzyme a esters of 2-aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides and 2-arylpropionate antiinflammatory drugs are potent and stereoselective inhibitors of rat liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase

Abstract The CoA esters of diclofop, haloxyfop and fluazifop are up to 425-fold more potent than the corresponding unconjugated herbicides as inhibitors of rat liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2); the most potent inhibitor is ( R )-fluazifopyl-CoA 2 (K i = 0.03 μ M). The binding site is stereoselective for ( R )-diclofop, the herbicidally active enantiomer, and for ( R )-diclofopyl-CoA. The CoA esters of the antiinflammatory drugs ibuprofen and fenoprofen also strongly inhibit this carboxylase. ( S )-Ibuprofenyl-CoA (K i = 0.7 μ M), the CoA ester of the enantiomer with antiinflammatory activity, is 15-fold more potent as an inhibitor than ( R )-ibuprofenyl-CoA. These results suggest that some of the biological effects of these herbicides and antiinflammatory drugs in animals may be due to the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by their acyl-CoA serivatives.
Effect of Pinewood Nematode Density on Tethered Flight of Monochamus carolinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Monochamus carolinensis (Olivier) beetles infested with the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus , were tethered and flown upon emergence from host logs. The mean (±SD) number of nematodes carried per beetle was 7,933 (±16,997) with a mean flight time of 18.6 (±11.4) min. Larger beetles exhibited longer flights and carried more nematodes. The density of nematodes in the beetle had a slight negative influence on flight capability. The sex of the beetle had no effect on flight duration or the number of nematodes carried.
A Parallel QR Algorithm for Symmetric Tridiagonal Matrices

We show that if the size of the tridiagonal matrix in any given iteration is n, then the parallel QR algorithm requires 0(log 2 n) steps with 0(n) processors per iteration and no square roots. This results in a speedup of 0(n/log 2 n) over the sequential algorithm with an efficiency of 0(1/log 2 n). We also give an error analysis of the parallel triangular system solvers used in each iteration.
Observations on Δ7-cholestenol metabolism in the rabbit☆

Abstract 1. 1. Tritium-labeled sterol appears in the free and total cholesterol pools of the serum of the rabbit following tritium-labeled Δ 7 -cholestenol feedings in a manner qualitatively similar to that occurring following tritiumlabeled cholesterol feedings. 2. 2. The conversion of Δ 7 -cholestenol to cholesterol has been demonstrated. Tritium-labeled cholesterol was isolated from the liver sterols of rabbits fed tritium-labeled Δ 7 -cholestenol.
Should Improving Student Thinking Include Altering Student Values? The Role of General Education.

Although educators sometimes wonder, students are thinking in their classes. Students' thinking is shaped by their values and attitudes. But should education be shaping the values and attitudes that shape student thinking?
Quantifying predictive uncertainty for a mountain-watershed model

Summary Watershed models require calibration before they are utilized as a decision-making tool. This paper describes a rigorous sensitivity analysis, automated parameter estimation and evaluation of prediction uncertainty for a Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework (WARMF) model of the Turkey Creek Watershed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using UCODE calibration and uncertainty-analysis software. Simulated stream flow is strongly sensitive to 7 of the 20 parameters evaluated: hydraulic conductivity, field capacity, total porosity, precipitation weighting factor, evaporation magnitude, evaporation skewness and snow melting rates; and parameter sensitivity is dependent on site-specific climate and soil conditions. Simulated stream flow matched observed stream flow fairly well with an R 2 value of 0.85, Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (NSE) value of 0.75 and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.23 m 3 /s. The calibrated model was used to predict changes in stream flow that would result from changes in land use, including development of forested areas in parts of the watershed to commercial and residential areas. As expected, new development resulted in increased peak flows and reduced low flows. Uncertainty associated with all model parameters, including those not estimated by calibration by enhancing the parameter variance/covariance matrix, was considered when evaluating prediction uncertainties. Seventy percent of the time, predicted flows had uncertainties less than 20% with more of the uncertainty during low flow conditions.
Cerebral endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

The purpose of this study was to measure the temporal profile of expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in cerebral microvessels after middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat...
EFFECTS OF THIAMINE DEFICIENCY AND TREATMENT WITH THE ANTAGONISTS, OXYTHIAMINE AND PYRI-THIAMINE, ON THE LEVELS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THIAMINE DERIVATIVES IN RAT BRAIN

Total thiamine, free thiamine, thiamine diphosphate (TDP) plus thia-mine triphosphate (TTP) and total hydroxyethylthiamine (HET) levels were measured in brains of control, deficient, and oxythiamine (OTH)- and pyrithiamine (PTH)-treated rats. The brain levels of TDP+TTP decreased to 39% and 12% of the control thiamine levels in defici-ent and PTH-treated rats respectively. The brain HET and TDP+TTP levels of the OTH-treated rats were not significantly different from the controls. The HET levels were decreased significantly (α<0.005) by the fourth day of treatment and decreased steadily to 1/7th of the control values in the terminal stages only in the PTH-treated rats. A significant drop in the HET levels from the control levels was interpreted to mean that the pyruvate utilization was significantly impaired in the brain.
Deliberate Presleep Control of Dream Content: An Experimental Study:

29 subjects attempted, over a period of 10 nights, to influence their dreams using techniques described in Garfield's book, Creative Dreaming (1974). A target suggestion was selected from a list of...
Broadening the deception construct

This essay argues for an enlarged conceptualization of deception. A multidimensional scaling of similarity judgments of forty‐six deception‐related terms identified a number of aspects underlying the construct. They included evaluation, detectability, and premeditation. The elicited terms were subjected to a hierarchical cluster analysis, which revealed six families of deception: fictions, playings, lies, crimes, masks, and unlies. Implications of these results were explored.
PLASMALOGENS. II. STUDIES ON FORMATION OF CYCLIC ACETALS FROM ALKENYL GLYCEROL ETHERS.

The 1-alkenyl glycerol ethers were converted to the corresponding cyclic glycerol acetals. The conditions necessary for their cyclization were studied, and no cleavage of the alkenyl linkage was observed. The compounds isolated from the cyclization reaction were identical with the synthetic cyclic glycerol acetals prepared by a different route.
The Prevalence of Neurologic Dysfunction in Children with Strabismus Who Have Superior Oblique Overaction

Background: Children with certain neurologic diseases (hydrocephalus, meningomyelocele, or cerebral palsy) have been reported to manifest a high frequency of A-pattern strabismus and superior oblique overaction. However, it is not generally recognized whether children with strabismus who have superior oblique overaction are more likely to have concurrent neurologic diseases than those without superior oblique overaction. In this study, the authors examine this issue. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients (n = 168) with overdepression of the downturned eye in adduction, who were examined between October 1989 and March 1992. A randomly selected population of children with strabismus who did not have overdepression of the eye on infraduction and adduction served as controls (n = 98). Patients with simulating or confounding conditions such as pseudo-superior oblique overaction, inferior rectus skew deviation (alternating skew on lateral gaze), and restrictive or paralytic strabismus, and who were older than 20 years of age, were excluded. Results: One hundred twelve patients with true superior oblique overaction were analyzed. Of these 112 patients, 45 (40.2%) had concurrent neurologic abnormalities, compared with less than one fifth (17.3%) of control subjects (17 of 98) ( P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Children with strabismus who have superior oblique overaction were found to have higher prevalence of concurrent neurologic diseases than control subjects. Superior oblique overaction may represent a clinical marker for an associated neurologic dysfunction, possibly representing a form of skew deviation in some cases.
Productive ageing in China: a human capital perspective

In China, it is estimated that the number of people aged 60 and older will reach 171 million in 2010 and 248 million in 2020. By 2051, China's ageing population is expected to peak at 438 million. From human and social capital perspectives, an ageing population and its social networks can be tremendous resources and assets for the country. Productive engagement in later life () has documented significant positive impacts on older adults, families, and society. The challenging question is how to support human capital enhancement among the ageing population. In this paper, the author suggests possible directions for the development of ageing policy and programs so that productive social engagement among China's ageing population will be maximized. Strategies on how to enhance human capital of older adults in the context of volunteerism, social entrepreneurship, and age-friendly community development are discussed.
PGI2 and PGD2 effects on cyclic amp and human T-cell mitogenesis

Abstract The effects of PGI 2 , PGD 2 , PGE 2 , and PGF 2α on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBL) cyclic AMP levels and their response to a T cell mitogen (PHA) were investigated. It was determined that although PGI 2 , PGD 2 , and PGE 2 all elevate intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in HPBL, only PGD 2 and PGE 2 exert potent suppression of PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation. It is suggested that the instability of PGI 2 in aqueous solution is at least partially responsible for its relative inability to maintain elevated levels of cyclic AMP and concomitant suppression of mitogenesis. PGD 2 was found to exert an effect very similar to PGE 2 , both in terms of cyclic AMP elevation and suppression of T cell mitogenesis.
Low-temperature noise measurements of an InAs/GaSb-based nBn MWIR detector

Recent experiments on conventional p-on-n and n-on-p Type II superlattices (SLS) infrared detectors still indicate larger than theoretically predicted dark current densities, despite the well known suppression of the Auger recombination mechanism. Rather, dark current in SLS is thought to still be limited by trap-assisted tunneling in the depletion region and surface leakage currents resulting from lack of fully passivated mesa sidewalls. An emerging infrared detector technology utilizing a unipolar, single-band barrier design, the so-called nBn architecture, potentially suppresses these remaining noise current mechanisms. In this report, measurements of the noise current spectral density of a mid-wave infrared nBn detector, composed of a type-II InAs/GaSb strain layer superlattice (SLS) absorber (n) and contact (n) layers with an AlGaSb barrier (B), under low-temperature, low-background conditions are presented. Here, noise was measured using a transimpedance amplifier incorporating a dewar-mounted feedback resistor R F and source-follower MOSFET, both held at 77 K. This configuration confines high detector impedance issues to the dewar, minimizes Johnson noise due to the electronics, and enhances bandwidth by reducing stray capacitance. Features of the detector's noise spectrums at different bias are examined.
Prognostic importance of serum sodium concentration and its modification by converting-enzyme inhibition in patients with severe chronic heart failure.

Although past reports have identified a variety of prognostic factors in patients with severe chronic heart failure, previous studies have not evaluated the interaction of prognostic variables and drug treatment. We analyzed the association of 30 clinical, hemodynamic, and biochemical variables with survival in 203 consecutive patients with severe heart failure; all variables were assessed just before initiation of treatment with a variety of vasodilator drugs, and all patients were subsequently followed for 6 to 94 months. By regression analysis, pretreatment serum sodium concentration was the most powerful predictor of cardiovascular mortality, with hyponatremic patients having a substantially shorter median survival than did patients with a normal serum sodium concentration (164 vs 373 days, p = .006). The unfavorable prognosis for hyponatremic patients appeared to be related to the marked elevation of plasma renin activity that we noted in these individuals (10.0 +/- 2.0 ng/ml/hr), since hyponatremic patients fared significantly better when treated with angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitors than when treated with vasodilator drugs that did not interfere with angiotensin II biosynthesis (median survival 232 vs 108 days, p = .003). In contrast, there was no selective benefit of converting-enzyme inhibition on the survival of patients with a normal serum sodium concentration, in whom plasma renin activity was low (1.9 +/- 0.3 ng/ml/hr). This interaction between serum sodium concentration, drug treatment, and long-term outcome suggests that the renin-angiotensin system may exert a deleterious effect on the survival of some patients with chronic heart failure, which can be antagonized by converting enzyme inhibition, and provides a clinical counterpart for the similar prognostic role that has been postulated for angiotensin II in experimental preparations of heart failure.
Step Strain Deformations for Viscoelastic Fluids: Experiment

Shear stress and normal stress relaxation data were collected for a range of shear strains for a polystyrene–dibutyl phthalate solution. Data from single‐step shear strain experiments were used to test time–strain factorability and to check on the applicability of the Lodge–Meissner rule. Significant departures from time–strain factorability were found, but the shear and normal stress data were in excellent agreement with the Lodge–Meissner prediction. Data from double‐step shear strain experiments were used to check the predictions of the K–BKZ and Doi–Edwards theories. It was found that these theories do not generally provide adequate descriptions of double‐step shear strain deformations.
Linear-time algorithms for weakly-monotone polygons

Abstract We introduce the class of weakly-monotone polygons, and give an optimal triangulation algorithm for the class. We also present a simple linear-time detection algorithm, which for input polygon P returns the set of directions in which P is weakly-monotone.