cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural theory of association and concept-formation

The present paper looks for possible neural mechanism underlying such high-level brain functioning as association and concept-formation. Primitive neural models of association and concept-formation are presented, which will elucidate the distributed and multiply superposed manner of retaining knowledge in the brain. The models are subject to two rules of self-organization of synaptic weights, orthogonal and covariance learning. The convergence of self-organization is proved, and the characteristics of these learning rules are shown. The performances, especially the noise immunity, of the association net and concept-formation net are analyzed.
Externally-blown-flap noise

Noise data were obtained with a large externally blown flap model. A fan-jet engine exhaust was simulated by a 1/2-scale bypass nozzle supplied by pressurized air. The nozzle was pylon mounted on a wing section having a double-slotted flap for lift augmentation. Noise radiation patterns and spectra were obtained for nozzle exhaust velocities between 400 and 1150 ft/sec. The blown flap noise data are in good agreement with previous small model results extrapolated to test conditions by Strouhal scaling. The results indicate that blown flap noise must be suppressed to meet STOL aircraft noise goals.
Hand and wrist research productivity in journals with high impact factors: a 20 year analysis

Bibliometric analyses, which study trends in research productivity, have not previously been applied to hand and wrist research. This study analyses temporal and geographic trends in hand and wrist research from 1988 to 2007. Original research articles were collected from seven English language journals selected on the basis of impact factor. Research production and quality (level of evidence) were determined by country and global region. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate trends. No significant increase in research volume was observed, but journal impact factors have risen significantly since 1988. Western Europe contributed significantly more high-quality (Level I and II) studies than the United States. Research contributions show a geographical distribution concentrated in the US and Western Europe, but considerable changes in this distribution have occurred. From 1988 to 2007, there was a relative increase in research production from Europe, Latin America and Asia, and a relative decli...
Penicillin and cephalosporin sulphoximines

Abstract Penicillin N -cyanosulphoximines are obtained by permanganate oxidation of the sulphilimines. Phthalimidosulphoximines are obtained from penicillin or cephalosporin sulphoxides are phthalimidonitrene (from N -aminophthalimide with lead tetraacetate).
Solubility of uric acid and monosodium urate

A comprehensive theoretical treatment of the factors governing the solubility of uric acid and monosodium urate is given. The various constants appearing in the treatment are evaluated as functions of temperature and ionic strength using both existing data and new experimental data. The solubility of uric acid increases with increasing pH, while the solubility of monosodium urate has a minimum near pH 7·7 at 37°C. The solubility product of monosodium urate increases with increasing ionic strength.
Free vibrations of a tire as a toroidal membrane

Abstract A tire is modeled as a toroidal membrane under internal pressure and mounted on a rim, to investigate its free vibration characteristics using a 12 d.o.f. rectangular membrane finite element. Such a modeling is valid if the tire is assumed to be incapable of supporting any weight in the absence of internal pressure. To verify the formulations of the membrane finite element, a flat rectangular membrane subject to in-plane loads and a circular cylindrical membrane under internal pressure are first analyzed. Analytical solutions for these cases are also derived. The analytical and numerical results are in good agreement. A toroidal membrane under internal pressure, assumed to model a low pressure tire, is studied next. Both the analytical derivation and the finite element solutions are presented. For the analytical solution the equations of motion yield a complicated differential equation for which an approximate solution is obtained by assuming that the parallel circle radius is constant as in the case of a bycycle wheel. The finite element solution successfully predicts the symmetrical and the twisting modes of vibration documented by other researchers, and is also in good agreement with the analytical results. The present formulations are useful to obtain a good first approximation of the free vibration response of a tire.
Platelet physiology--facts and fiction.

Abstract The formation of prostaglandins and thromboxanes by platelets is one of several mechanisms which contribute to the basic platelet function, formation of an hemostatic plug. Following vessel injury in normal subjects, platelet adhesion to exposed, connective tissue, release of ADP from platelets and damaged red cells, stimulation of thrombin generation, and conversion of platelet membrane arachidonate into prostaglandins, all contribute to platelet aggregation and plug formation. Thus, only minor prolongation of the bleeding time is produced by aspirin and other prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors. On the other hand, hemostatic plug formation is more strongly dependent on platelet prostaglandin formation when thrombin formation is defective as in patients with hemophilia, and particularly when both platelet adhesion to connective tissue and thrombin formation are defective as in patients with Bon Willebrand's disease. In these diseases, aspirin produces serious prolongation of bleeding times. The initial evidence that the formation of prostacyclin by the vessel wall acts to prolong hemostasis has not been substantiated at this time.
Modeling a secure supply chain integrity preservation system

It is important to preserve the integrity of a product as it is transported through the channel of distribution and delivered to the final consumer. In real world cases, manufacturing plants are sited at different parts of the world. Thus, it is an absolute necessity to have a secure mechanism which allows the supply chain integrity to be preserved. In this paper, we proposed a novel three-way bounded protocol for generating asserted holding and transferal proofs for preserving the integrity of the supply chain system. Additionally, the proofs are used to create a provenance chain for preserving the chronological order of the path of the product. The proposed protocol allows us to ensure the authenticity of the product with respect to its supply chain. We also provide a security analysis of the proposed architecture to illustrate the feasibility of the design.
WE‐D‐T‐6E‐02: A Clinical Planning Tool for Optimization of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Parameters

Purpose: To develop a clinical tool that incorporates novel strategies to optimize all involved parameters in IMRT treatment planning: (a) the number of beams, (b) beam orientations, and (c) fluence maps. Method and Materials: An IMRT planning tool was developed in the MATLAB (The MathWorks, Natick, Ma.) environment with the capability of interfacing to a commercial treatment planning system. It consists of three components: image segmentation, parameter optimization, and isodose and dose-volume histogram (DVH) display. The parameter optimization tool starts with a large number of user input feasible beam orientations and sequentially eliminates beams. Beam elimination is terminated when unacceptable deterioration of the critical structure DVH is encountered. The algorithm uses the novel strategy of forcing the sequential dose distributions to imitate, as best as possible, the dose distribution with all beam orientations. This not only ensures a clinically acceptable final dose distribution but also greatly speeds up the computation time by pre-knowledge of the expected dose at every point in the patient body. This process is illustrated in a typical prostate cancer IMRT plan with prescription doses to prostate and seminal vesicles expanded by 1cm, and more stringent than usual constraints to rectum, bladder, and femoral heads. Results: For the case illustrated, the parameter optimization tool sequentially reduced the number of selected beams from a user input 36 to 7 beams. Reducing the number of selected beams below 7 resulted in abrupt deterioration of the critical structure DVHs. In the tested cases, the resulting dose distributions are clinically excellent owing to the novel strategy of imitating the dose distribution with all beams. Conclusions: The clinical tool presented here serves an important purpose by promoting the extraction of the full benefit of IMRT by optimizing all involved parameters. It can interface with commercial treatment planning systems to enhance their functionality.
Coupling Strategies for High-Speed Aeroheating Problems

A common purpose for performing an aerodynamic analysis is to calculate the resulting loads on a solid body immersed in the flow. Pressure or heat loads are often of interest for characterizing the structural integrity or thermal survivability of the structure. This document describes two algorithms for tightly coupling the mass, momentum and energy conservation equations for a compressible fluid and the energy conservation equation for heat transfer through a solid. We categorize both approaches as monolithically coupled, where the conservation equations for the fluid and the solid are assembled into a single residual vector. Newton’s method is then used to solve the resulting nonlinear system of equations. These approaches are in contrast to other popular coupling schemes such as staggered coupling methods were each discipline is solved individually and loads are passed between as boundary conditions, and demonstrates the viability of the monolithic approach for aeroheating problems.
On the economics of musical composition in Mozart's Vienna

The article provides historical evidence suggesting that a substantial element in the explanation of the profusion of talented composers in the 18th century Habsburg empire was the fragmentation of the state into many near-independent states, each with its own court seeking entertainment and prestige through new musical offerings. The resulting profusion of jobs attracted people into the profession and provided hearings for their work. The article also examines the data on Mozart's finances and using a rough translation of 18th century Austrian currency into current dollars supports recent revisionist findings that, with the exception of several years, he was relatively well off.
Ground-state-energy theorem and the virial theorem of a many-particle system in d dimensions

The equivalence of Pauli's ground-state-energy theorem and the virial theorem is demonstrated for a many-particle system interacting with an interparticle potential in d dimensions at zero and finite temperatures. Pauli's theorem has an integral form in which the variable is the coupling constant e-squared, while the virial theorem has a differential form in which the variable has the number density n. The essence of the equivalence proof consists in changing the variable from n to e-squared by noting the dependence of the excess free energy on dimensionless quantities for zero-temperature and classical cases.
Pathological changes caused by the injection of lipids isolated from gram-positive organisms into the gingiva of rats.

Extractable lipids from Actinomyces naeslundii, strain I, and streptococcus mutans (6715) were injected in the oral mucosa of weanling rats. Whole lipid, neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid fractions were compared with synthetic tripalmitolein. The animals were sacrificed at intervals, 6 hours to 14 days, and the tissues examined histologically. Lipids from A. naeslundii resulted in an initial polymorphonuclear response, gradually replaced by lymphocytes with time. Effects on the underlying alvolar bone included disaaperance of osteoblasts, empty osteocyte lacunae, and in a few cases, bone resorption. An accumulation offibrillar debris was also seen as early as 18 hours, persisiting up to 96 hours. post-injection. Lipids from S. mutans resulted in a marked lymphocyte infiltration preceded by a very slight PMN response, similr changes in underlying bone, and no evidence of fribrillar debris. Recovery of osteoblasts along the underlying bone was slowest with the phospholipid fractions and fastest with neutral lipids seeming to correlate with their respective toxicity. The cell reaction to synthetic triplamitolien was similar to that elicited with the neutral lipid fractions but of shorter duration. In this system lipids from A. naeslundii were apparently more toxic than those from S. mutans.
Piezo-spectroscopic study of Ti3+-doped sapphire fibers

Abstract Fluorescence and excitation spectra of Ti 3+ -doped sapphire fibers were measured under uniaxial compressive stress at 10 K. In fluorescence, a net red shift of the zero phonon fluorescence line of the excited state 2 E g and a decrease of the splittings of the ground state 2 T 2g with uniaxial stress are observed. On the other hand, in excitation spectra (absorption) the two peaks from the Jahn-Teller components of 2 E g are shifted to the blue with different rates under uniaxial stress. The changes are attributed to the stress-induced changes of both crystal field and Jahn-Teller effect.
The use of stable isotopes in quantifying groundwater discharge to a partially diverted creek

Abstract Stable isotopes of water were used to determine the hydrology of, and estimate the volume of groundwater discharge to, Bishop Creek in east-central California. The headwaters of the creek originate from three reservoirs at 2190–2975 m above sea level. Most of the water in Bishop Creek is diverted through a series of five hydroelectric power plants, resulting in streamflow that is less than that under natural conditions. The hydrogen isotopic composition of snow cores collected during this study ranges between − 189 and − 139‰, and is more depleted than that of either the local ground water (δD between − 137 and − 127‰) or the tributary streams (δD between − 139 and − 126‰) flowing into the upper reservoirs. The similar isotopic ratios of the local ground water and the small tributary streams flowing into the upper basin reservoirs indicate that the water collected from the upper basin tributaries originated as local ground water. The δD values of the upper basin reservoirs range from − 126 to − 112‰. Owing to evaporation, these values are more enriched than the δD values of the tributary waters, local winter snow and ground water. This stable isotopic difference, coupled with the diversion for hydroelectric power, allows an excellent opportunity to determine the locations of groundwater discharge, and, using an isotopic mass-balance method, measure that discharge to Bishop Creek.
The isolation and fractionation of soluble ribonucleic acid

A procedure for the isolation of relatively large quantities of soluble RNA from E. coli is described. A new general method for the fractionation of this soluble RNA into the constituent amino acid soluble RNAs has been applied to the isolation of leucine S-RNA. Activity measurements have indicated that the preparation is at least 70% pure and undamaged with regard to its ability to combine with leucine in an appropriate incubation mixture. The nucleotide composition of leucine S-RNA differs from that of total S-RNA. The broad melting curve of leucine S-RNA is of the same general type as that observed for most RNAs that have been isolated.
Subacute toxicity of aldicarb: Prevention and treatment with memantine and atropine

Daily administration (i.p.) of aldicarb in male Sprague-Dawley rats at various dosage levels for 21 days revealed (1) 0.1 mg/kg, nontoxic dose; (2) 0.2 mg/kg, moderately toxic dose; and (3) 0.4 mg/kg, severely toxic dose, Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in discrete brain regions and diaphragm muscle was dose dependent. Toxic signs were premdominantly peripheral even though AChE inhibition was significantly higher in the brain (except striatum). Besides AChE inhibition, marked inactivation of carboxylesterases (false targets) was observed, suggesting a protective mechanism especially against low dosage by reducing free concentration of aldicarb. After 30 min following the 7th, 14th, or 21st dose of aldicarb, the degree of inhibition of esterase(s) remained the same, and consequently no tolerance developed to aldicarb. On day 21, administration of memantine HCl (18 mg/kg, i.p.) and atropine sulfate (16 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min and 15 min, respectively, prior to aldicarb (0.4 mg/kg) injection provided complete protection. Therapeutic administration of these antidotes completly reversed the clinical manifestations of intoxication. The present findings indicated that memantine provided protection and reversal of AChE from inhibition in addition to reversible blockage of hyperneuromuscular activity.
Elastic Behavior of a Rubber Layer Bonded between Two Rigid Spheres

Abstract : Finite element methods (FEM) have been employed to calculate the stresses set up in a thin rubber layer, bonded between two rigid spheres, when small tensile or compressive deflections are imposed. Values of stiffness have been calculated for various spacings of the spheres, i.e., for various thicknesses of the rubber layer. They are in good agreement with earlier experimental measurements of compression stiffness and with predictions of an approximate theoretical treatment. However, they are strongly affected by small departures of the rubber layer from complete incompressibility. The highest dilatant stress (in tension) is found to be set up on the central axis, near the bonded surfaces, where internal failure has been observed to occur in similar bonded layers. For moderately thick layers, the axial tensile stress in the center of the layer is substantially higher than the lateral stresses. This feature suggests that the initiation of failure in this location may not obey the same criterion as for an isotropic stress field, and that a crack, once formed here, will propagate as a tear across the axis of symmetry.
Structural changes in bulk metallic glass after annealing below the glass-transition temperature

Abstract Small structural changes in bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) following thermal treatment below the glass-transition temperature were observed. Zr-based BMG ingots with nominal compositions of Zr 52.5 Cu 17.9 Ni 14.6 Al 10.0 Ti 5.0 (at.%) were isothermally annealed at 630 K for 10–60 min in vacuum and then cooled down. Structural relaxation was indicated by enthalpy evolution during differential scanning calorimetry and by changes in micro-hardness. Atomic structure was studied using time-of-flight neutron diffraction followed by a pair-distribution function (PDF) analysis. Observed changes in the PDF could not be explained by a “free volume” annealing, but were consistent with the elimination of short and long inter-atomic distances.
Mitochondrial relationships and divergence dates of the African colobines : evidence of Miocene origins for the living colobus monkeys

The African colobines represent a neglected area of cercopithecid systematics. Resolving the phylogenetic relationships and estimating divergence dates among the living forms will provide insight into the evolution of this group and may shed light upon the evolution of other African primates as well. This is the first molecular assessment of the evolutionary relationships among the modern colobus monkeys, which are comprised of the black-and-white, olive, and red colobus groups. Over 4,000 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA were amplified and sequenced in over 40 colobus monkey individuals incorporating representatives from all commonly recognized species. Gene trees were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, and penalized likelihood was employed to estimate mitochondrial divergence dates among the sampled taxa. The results are congruent with some aspects of previous phylogenetic hypotheses based on morphology and vocalizations, although the relationships among several West and Central African taxa differ to some degree. The divergence date analysis suggests that the black-and-white, olive, and red colobus had diverged from one another by the end of the Miocene, and that by the Plio-Pleistocene many of the species lineages were already present. This demonstrates that the initial extant colobus monkey diversification occurred much earlier than previously thought and was likely part of the same adaptive radiation that produced the diverse colobine taxa seen in the African Plio-Pleistocene fossil record. The lack of early members from the modern lineages in fossiliferous deposits suggests that they resided in part in the forests of Central and West Africa, which also currently harbor the highest levels of colobus monkey diversity. These forests should not be ignored in models of Plio-Pleistocene human and nonhuman primate evolution.
Visualization Concepts for Generating Insight from NAS Simulation Data

¶This paper describes our initial steps to develop new visualization concepts that can generate insight and understanding from National Airspace System (NAS) simulation data. The capacity of the United States’ National Airspace System (NAS) must at least double to handle the projected increase in passenger demand by 2025. To address this challenge, new capacity-enhancing concepts are being developed. These concepts are tested and evaluated on a NAS simulation tool called the Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES). Concept developers need improved visualization techniques to better understand ACES simulation outputs, and thereby comprehend the strengths, weaknesses and effects of their capacityincreasing concepts. Examining ACES outputs is a nontrivial task. ACES simulates the entire NAS and generates an enormous amount of data. A single simulation run can include over 60,000 flight segments and output tens of gigabytes of data. Traditional approaches for displaying these outputs fall short of what concept developers need. Existing visualization techniques are straightforward geographic plots of aircraft or their related metrics (density, environmental impact, delay, etc.), which are often overwhelming and not illuminating. For example, drawing 10,000 aircraft at their true locations over the continental United States results in a density that is too high for observers to understand the situation and extract useful information. The contribution of this paper is in describing new visualization concepts for this problem domain, where our visualizations do not rely primarily upon plotting data at their true geographic coordinates. We draw from cognitive science principles, perception, ATM characteristics and information visualization techniques to synthesize new approaches for displaying ACES data. Our goal is to enable the user to detect subtle correlations, patterns, trends and relationships that provide insight. We describe our general strategies and approaches, including the results of asking concept developers what specific questions they wanted a visualization tool to answer. Then we present eight new visualization concepts that reveal different aspects of the NAS simulation data, with preliminary implementations of three concepts. Future work includes evaluation on more datasets. A measure of success will be the ability of these new visualization modes to enable users to see subtle but important patterns, trends, correlations, features, and relationships that they could not previously see by any previous means. The goal is to generate insight and allow observers to find important characteristics that they did not even know to look for initially.
An electrophoretic characterization of serum proteins of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu)

Serum proteins of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis for wild adult males and females, nursing young, and reproductively-active females in captivity. Electrophoretic profiles of the adult peccary showed at least six distinct protein bands corresponding to the fractions: albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, and gamma globulin. Globulin fractions of the peccary had different mobilities from the domestic swine. The only sexual dimorphisms were associated with the beta globulin:albumin ratio and the albumin:globulin ratio. Ingestion of colostrum in 1-day-old neonates was marked by a very large increase in gamma globulins. The only significant difference between pregnant and lactating females was in the alpha globulin:beta globulin ratio. Lactating females had higher concentrations of alpha-2 globulin than non-pregnant females.
ANALYSIS OF CONCENTRATION FORCING IN HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS

An analysis of reaction rate enhancements by forced concentration oscillations of reactants for an adsorption/desorption type model with Eley-Rideal surface kinetics, is presented. Under cycling conditions in which the cycle time approaches zero, there is considerable rate enhancement relative to optimal steady state for nonlinear kinetics but no improvement for linear kinetics. The presence of inerts or products from irreversible reactions deteriorates the rate enhancement. For cycle times approaching infinity, there is no rate enhancement for either linear or nonlinear kinetics.
A novel approach to calculation of conformation: Distance geometry

This paper considers the calculation of the conformation of a molecule by the unusual means of proposing the matrix D of all interatomic distances subject to a priori energetic and geometric constraints, and then calculating the corresponding atomic coordinates. The necessary and sufficient conditions on D from distance geometry are cited. Results are given for trials of numerical methods for carrying out such conformational calculations on cyclohexane and trypsin inhibitor.
Can the school context moderate the protective effect of parental support on adolescents' alcohol trajectories in urban Chicago?

Abstract Background Research explaining school effects on alcohol use is scare. This study examined the interactive effect between family support and school characteristics (size, poverty, and sector) on adolescents’ alcohol use trajectories in Chicago. Methods Longitudinal and multilevel data were from the Project of Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods and the Common Core of Data (National Center for Educational Statistics). The sample consisted of 2205 adolescents in 558 schools. A three-level hierarchical linear model was used to estimate multilevel growth curve models and school effects on alcohol trajectories. Results In addition to the strong relationship between parental support and alcohol trajectories; the results also found school effects on the average baseline of alcohol use and the rates of change across time. Interestingly, high levels of parental support were more effective in preventing alcohol use in public schools, while adolescents attending private schools with low levels of parental support were more likely to consume alcohol. Similarly, students attending public schools with higher rates of poverty who enjoy higher levels of parental support were less likely to consume alcohol compared to students with lower parental support attending lower rates of schools poverty. Conclusion Key findings highlight the importance of the interaction between parental support and school characteristics meaning that protective factors provided by parents could be reinforced or diminished by the school context.
Lipid Peroxidation Is a Nonparenchymal Cell Event with Reperfusion after Prolonged Liver Ischemia

A proposed mechanism for irreversible ischemic liver damage has been peroxidation of membrane phospholipids by free radicals. However, the hepatocyte is laden with enzymes which are antioxidants and, therefore, ought to be relatively resistant to oxidative injury. To test the hypothesis that free radical damage from ischemia and reperfusion of the liver is a nonparenchymal cell process, we studied an in vivo model of ischemia. A point of transition from reversible to irreversible ischemia was defined at greater than or equal to 60 min of total ischemia by serial measurements of ATP at control, end of ischemia, and end of reperfusion periods (n = 6 each). Nonparenchymal cells were separated out of 10 livers in each ischemic group using a Percoll gradient. Second derivative spectroscopy did not detect conjugated dienes in any hepatocellular fraction, total cellular, mitochondrial, or microsomal, but did in the nonparenchymal cell fractions of livers from the 60- and 90-min ischemia groups. This in vivo study shows that irreversible ischemia in the rat liver is associated with free radical lipid peroxidation, but that the nonparenchymal cells rather than hepatocytes are the focus of this injury.
Development of the Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph (CHESS)

A key astrophysical theme that will drive future UV/optical space missions is the life cycle of cosmic matter, from the flow of intergalactic gas into galaxies to the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems. Spectroscopic systems capable of delivering high resolution with low backgrounds will be essential to addressing these topics. Towards this end, we are developing a rocket-borne instrument that will serve as a pathfinder for future high-sensitivity, highresolution UV spectrographs. The Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph (CHESS) will provide 2 km s-1 velocity resolution (R = 150,000) over the 100 - 160 nm bandpass that includes key atomic and molecular spectral diagnostics for the intergalactic medium (H I Lyman-series, O VI, N V, and C IV), exoplanetary atmospheres (H I Lyman-alpha, O I, and C II), and protoplanetary disks (H2 and CO electronic band systems). CHESS uses a novel mechanical collimator comprised of an array of 10 mm x 10 mm stainless steel tubes to feed a low-scatter, 69 grooves mm-1 echelle grating. The cross-disperser is a holographically ruled toroid, with 351 grooves mm-1. The spectral orders can be recorded with either a 40 mm cross-strip microchannel plate detector or a 3.5k x 3.5k δ-doped CCD. The microchannel plate will deliver 30 μm spatial resolution and employs new 64 amp/axis electronics to accommodate high count rate observations of local OB stars. CHESS is scheduled to be launched aboard a NASA Terrier/Black Brant IX sounding rocket from White Sands Missile Range in the summer of 2013.
Energy band alignment of injector/insulator heterojunctions

Heterojunction energy band analysis is employed to elucidate the energy band structure of injector (i.e. a metal or heavily-doped semiconductor)/insulator (i.e. an insulator or semi-insulating wide-bandgap semiconductor) heterojunctions. Although both blocking and injecting contacts are considered, the primary focus is to clarify the energy band nature of injecting contacts. An important aspect of this work is the invocation of spatial truncation of the insulator region as a means of obtaining a physically realistic energy band picture of the interface in real devices, thereby avoiding confusion associated with insulator bulk boundary conditions in mathematical device physics models. The topic of insulator injecting contacts is perceived to be one of current interest, since such contacts appear to play a critical role in the operation of transparent thin-film transistors and perhaps other transparent electronics devices.
Progesterone induces the proliferation of urothelial cells in an epidermal growth factor dependent manner.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We have previously reported that estrogen induced proliferation of urothelial cells is modulated by nerve growth factor (NGF). In this study we investigated whether progesterone induces urothelial cell proliferation and whether this effect is modulated by NGF or by epidermal growth factor (EGF).Materials and Methods: Experiments were performed using human urothelial cells immortalized by human papillomavirus E6. Cell proliferation was determined using the alamarBlue (Trek Diagnostic, Westlake, New York) assay. Human papillomavirus were seeded in 48-well plates. They were incubated with 5% alamarBlue and different concentrations of progesterone, EGF or NGF in the presence or absence of neutralizing EGF or NGF antibody, K252a (an inhibitor of trkA, the high affinity receptor for NGF), Ru-486 (an antagonist of progesterone and glucocorticoid receptor) or ZK 137 316 (a specific antagonist of progesterone receptor). Immunoblotting was performed using specific antibodies for progesterone recept...
Some Ideas On Ruling Engine Control Systems

The magnitudes of various effects which may lead to wavefront errors in gratings ruled on the Harrison 'C' engine,and which are not corrected by the translation servo loop, are evaluated. It appears that thermal expansion is not a problem with the current level of temperature control (± 5 x 10 -3 C) and that variations in the refractive index of air could be compensated to the 10 nm level. However an interferometer which permits direct monitoring of the spacing between the diamond carriage assembly and the reference fused silica straightedge indicates larger wavefront errors may arise because of the present diamond carriage support.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An instructional design of open source networking laboratory and curriculum

Computer Networking is one of the most challenging subjects to learn and to teach in an efficient way. On one hand, students may find the topic too technical and dry when presented. On the other hand, most IT instructors still primarily use lectures as the exclusive means to teach. As stated in SIGITE Computing Curricula, it is strongly recommended to incorporate hands-on lab components into teaching as they help students apply the theory to solve real-world problems. In this paper, we designed and implemented open source lab and curriculum that cover a set of learning outcomes recommended by SIGITE IT computing curricula. The design is guided by one of most commonly used instructional design models - Dick and Carey model. This research is aimed at producing students that can configure, maintain and troubleshoot the network from a "hands-on" perspective. In addition, the labs developed in this research, which map the SIGITE IT model curricula, will be helpful in the efforts to pursue ABET accreditation
Z Dependence and Angular Distribution of Bremsstrahlung from 17-Mev Electrons

The relative bremsstrahlung cross section for the upper portion of the spectrum as a function of $Z$, for 17-Mev electrons from a 22-Mev betatron, has been measured. The radiation was detected by means of the ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n)$ induced activity, which has a 10.9-Mev threshold. The effect of atomic screening is small for the quantum energies to which this detector responds, but was taken into account. The results are in agreement with the Bethe-Heitler theory for electron-nuclear interactions within 1 percent. Electron-electron interactions give 0.75 times the intensity for electron-proton interactions, as measured with a copper detector.The total cross section for radiative energy loss of electrons has been measured with an ionization chamber. The experimental $Z$ dependence of the relative cross section indicates that the yield from gold for a given $N({Z}^{2}+Z)$ is somewhat less than that from low $Z$ elements. This discrepancy might be accounted for by improved corrections for screening, and by more accurate consideration of the radiation produced by electron-electron impacts. Rough measurements of the absolute cross section are in agreement with the Bethe-Heitler theory.The intrinsic angular distribution of bremsstrahlung, produced in a small amount of cellophane and air, was measured by film and ion chamber, and was found to fit a $\frac{1}{{[1+{(\frac{E\ensuremath{\theta}}{\ensuremath{\mu}})}^{2}]}^{2}}$ distribution. The angular distribution was measured with three detectors, for one Be and several Au targets. The results are in agreement with calculations in which the above intrinsic distribution and Moli\`ere's multiple scattering theory are used.The central intensity of bremsstrahlung as a function of target thickness, measured with a small ion chamber, is in approximate agreement with a calculation in which the energy loss of the primary electrons has been taken into account.
Biophysical mechanisms responsible for pulsed low-level laser excitation of neural tissue

Background/Objective: The traditional method of stimulating neural activity has been based on electrical methods and remains the gold standard to date despite inherent limitations. We have previously shown a new paradigm to in vivo neural activation based on pulsed infrared light, which provides a contact-free, spatially selective, artifact-free method without incurring tissue damage that may have significant advantages over electrical stimulation in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The goal of this study was to investigate the physical mechanism of this phenomenon, which we propose is a photo-thermal effect from transient tissue temperature changes resulting in direct or indirect activation of transmembrane ion channels causing propagation of the action potential. Methods: Rat sciatic nerve preparation was stimulated in vivo with the Holmium:YAG laser (2.12μm), Free Electron Laser (2.1μm), Alexandrite laser (690nm), and the prototype for a solid state commercial laser nerve stimulator built by Aculight (1.87μm) to determine contributions of photobiological responses from laser tissue interactions, including temperature, pressure, electric field, and photochemistry, underlying the biophysical mechanism of stimulation. Single point temperature measurements were made with a microthermocouple adjacent to the excitation site, while an infrared camera was used for 2-D radiometry of the irradiated surface. Displacement from laser-induced pressure waves or thermoelastic expansion was measured using a PS-OCT system. Results: Results exclude a direct photochemical, electric field, or pressure wave effect as the mechanism of optical stimulation. Measurements show relative small contributions from thermoelastic expansion (300 nm) with the laser parameters used for nerve stimulation. The maximum change in tissue temperature is about 9°C (average increase of 3.66 °C) at stimulation threshold radiant exposures. Conclusion: Neural activation with pulsed laser-light occurs by a transient thermally induced mechanism. Future experiments will reveal if this effect is through direct membrane interaction or facilitated through an indirect effect leading to membrane depolarization.
Could the sonographic characterization of carotid plaque improve the surrogacy of intima-media thickness for vascular outcomes?

Abstract Hiukka's recent negative trial of fenofibrate in type 2 diabetics should not have come as a surprise to those experienced in the acquisition and measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT). Although her study was apparently well designed and carefully conducted, the key issues of plaque quality and vulnerability were not addressed. In order to improve the clinical relevance of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, we translated some of the most robust into age equivalents and used their combined average to compute CardioMetablic Age (CMA), the age equivalent of pooled cardiovascular risk. Five clinical parameters determine CMA—non-HDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting glycemia, supine pulse pressure, and a Framingham risk-adjusted nearest decade. Using high resolution B-mode carotid ultrasound, we also developed a similar image-based carotid index called Intima-Media Age (IMA), the apparent sonographic age of carotid arteries. Five ultrasound characteristics determine IMA—the average of common carotid far wall IMT (CIMT), maximum observed carotid lumen narrowing, maximum observed common carotid elasticity and recoil, plaque layers and components, and plaque layout and architecture. After reviewing the charts of 42 consecutive patients who had carotid sonograms, our 2008 quality audit of CIMT found that IMA was a better predictor of vascular outcomes than CIMT, which was not better than the vascular age predicted by 1/2 (CMA+age). In conclusion, we believe that multifactor plaque analysis—looking for structural, compositional, and hemodynamic signs of plaque vulnerability—could strengthen the surrogacy of CIMT and significantly change the outcomes of some intima-media studies such as Hiukka's trial.
The effects of age and overlearning in an A-B, A-C design using high- and low-H value

This experiment using a verbal paired-associate A-B, A-C transfer paradigm was designed to determine the effects of age and first-list practice on transfer. In addition, within-lists comparisons were made to determine the effect of entropy (H) value of stimulus and response words upon acquisition. Four-pair lists including two high- and two low-H pairs were aurally presented to kindergarten and second-grade S s. All S s were run to one perfect recitation on the first list with overlearning groups receiving ten or 20 additional trials. Significant interference was found with the second-grade S s only. The manipulation of first-list practice had no significant effect on the transfer task. Kindergarten S s made significantly more errors on the low-H pairs in the acquisition of both the first and second lists, while the second-grade S s made significantly more errors on the second list only.
Wake Vortex Prediction Models for Decay and Transport Within Stratified Environments

This paper proposes two simple models to predict vortex transport and decay. The models are determined empirically from results of three-dimensional large eddy simulations, and are applicable to wake vortices out of ground effect and not subjected to environmental winds. The results, from the large eddy simulations assume a range of ambient turbulence and stratification levels. The models and the results from the large eddy simulations support the hypothesis that the decay of the vortex hazard is decoupled from its change in descent rate.
More Women in Science

Universities are failing to take advantage of an available resource: the brainpower of women scientists. In many fields of science, the proportion of women in faculty positions lags well behind the proportion of Ph.D.9s granted to women. In this Policy Forum, the authors explore the reasons for the disparity and offer examples of strategies used at research universities to overcome the impediments to recruitment, retention, and advancement of outstanding women scientists.
Neutrino scattering, absorption and annihilation above the accretion discs of gamma ray bursts

The central engine that drives gamma ray burst (GRB) explosions may derive from the ability of electrons/positrons and nucleons to tap into the momentum and energy from the large neutrino luminosity emitted by an accretion disc surrounding a black hole. This transfer of momentum and energy occurs due to neutrino absorption, scattering and annihilation, and the non-spherical geometry of the source both increases the annihilation efficiency and, close to the black hole, directs the momentum transfer toward the disc axis. We focus on the micro-physical aspects of this system and present annihilation efficiencies and the momentum/energy transfers for a number of accretion disc models. Models in which the neutrinos and antineutrinos become trapped within the disc have noticeably different momentum and energy deposition structure compared to thin disc models that may lead to significant differences in the explosion dynamics. Using these results we make estimates for the critical densities of infalling material below which the transfer of neutrino momentum/energy will lead to an explosion.
Understanding Interaction Models: Improving Empirical Analyses

Multiplicative interaction models are common in the quantitative political science literature. This is so for good reason. Institutional arguments frequently imply that the relationship between political inputs and outcomes varies depending on the institutional context. Models of strategic interaction typically produce conditional hypotheses as well. Although conditional hypotheses are ubiquitous in political science and multiplicative interaction models have been found to capture their intuition quite well, a survey of the top three political science journals from 1998 to 2002 suggests that the execution of these models is often flawed and inferential errors are common. We believe that considerable progress in our understanding of the political world can occur if scholars follow the simple checklist of dos and don'ts for using multiplicative interaction models presented in this article. Only 10% of the articles in our survey followed the checklist.
On the optimal reconfiguration of multipipeline arrays in the presence of faulty processing and switching elements

The reconfiguration of multipipeline arrays in the presence of both faulty processing elements (PEs) and switching elements (SEs) is addressed. Different fault models are used for the PEs and SEs: a PE can be either fault free or faulty; a SE is modeled using a novel functional approach which relates its switching capabilities to its status. This permits a PE to retain a partial functionality in the presence of a fault. An appropriate transformation of the multipipeline array reconfiguration problem to a maximum flow problem is then presented. The conditions under which this transformation is possible, are fully analyzed. A reconfiguration algorithm based on the maximum flow algorithm is presented; the proposed algorithm is optimal as the number of reconfigured pipelines is maximized. >
Thermodynamics of Carbonates

The goal of geologic CO2 sequestration is not just to pump large volumes of supercritical carbon dioxide into underground repositories but to keep it there for hundreds to thousands of years, preferably in chemically bound form. The permanence of CO2 storage in geological repositories is important since large leakage rates would diminish the CO2 abatement achieved with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Effective permanent geologic CO2 storage depends ultimately on the interactions of the supercritical CO2 with the minerals and fluids present in the host underground repositories and their caprock sealing (Xu et al. 2005; Kharaka et al. 2006, 2010; Benson and Cole 2008). Migration of supercritical CO2 within these geological repositories is controlled by confinement/trapping of CO2 in the porous structure as well as solubility of CO2 in the fluids (brine and hydrocarbons) already present in the storage formation (Cole et al. 2010; Doughty 2010). In deep saline aquifers, the dissolution of CO2 in water generates carbonic acid, which in turn reacts with minerals such as clay, mica and feldspar and carbonates present in the reservoir rocks to generate cations and carbonate/bicarbonate ions (Kaszuba et al. 2003, 2005; Kharaka et al. 2006; Ketzer et al. 2009; Cole et al. 2010; Doughty 2010). Finally, precipitation of metal carbonate occurs either by direct or indirect reaction of the CO2 with other minerals and organic matter present in the reservoirs (Garcia et al. 2012; Kharaka et al. 2010; Shao et al. 2010, Xu et al. 2004, 2005). It is essential to understand and predict the chemical reactions and stability of mineral phases formed under sequestration conditions as these could affect the migration of CO2 and the seal …
Comparison between the effect of static contraction and tendon stretch on the discharge of group III and IV muscle afferents.

The exercise pressor reflex is evoked by both mechanical and metabolic stimuli. Tendon stretch does not increase muscle metabolism and therefore is used to investigate the mechanical component of t...