cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional modeling of chemical vapor infiltration: Application to isobaric CVI

Multidimensional (2D and 3D) chemical vapor infiltration models are formulated and used to simulate densification of isotropic or anisotropic preforms of various geometries using SiC deposition from methyltrichlorosilane. A generalized form of the dusty-gas model for mass transport in anisotropic porous structures is used as a flux model in the pore space, and the multidimensional model equations are solved using the Galerkin finite element method. Structures consisting of freely overlapping fibers parallel to a line (one-directional), parallel to a plane (two-directional), or without preferred orientation (three-directional) are employed to model the microstructure of the preforms. The obtained results show that the effects of preform geometry can lead to partial pressure and deposition profiles in the preform that are considerably different from those suggested by one-dimensional analyses of the chemical vapor infiltration process.
Single-molecule approaches for superresolution imaging, trapping, and nanophotonics

Single fluorescent molecules provide useful nanometer-sized absorbers and sources of light, which enable superresolution imaging, trapping, and nanometer-scale probing of optical fields in nanophotonic structures. Fundamentals of these effects will be described.
Three-Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Equilibria of Toroidal Stellarators

Fully nonaxisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic equilibria have been calculated numerically for the Proto-Cleo stellarator utilizing a fully three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium code. It was found that recently observed anomalous circulating currents in stellarators may be a result of the equilibrium condition.
Variability of tissue mineral density can determine physiological creep of human vertebral cancellous bone

Creep is a time-dependent viscoelastic deformation observed under a constant prolonged load. It has been indicated that progressive vertebral deformation due to creep may increase the risk of vertebral fracture in the long-term. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships of creep with trabecular architecture and tissue mineral density (TMD) parameters in human vertebral cancellous bone at a physiological static strain level. Architecture and TMD parameters of cancellous bone were analyzed using microcomputerized tomography (micro-CT) in specimens cored out of human vertebrae. Then, creep and residual strains of the specimens were measured after a two-hour physiological compressive constant static loading and unloading cycle. Creep developed (3877 ± 2158 μe) resulting in substantial levels of non-recoverable post-creep residual strain (1797 ± 1391 μe). A strong positive linear correlation was found between creep and residual strain (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). The current results showed that smaller thickness, larger surface area, greater connectivity of trabeculae, less mean tissue mineral density (TMD, represented by gray levels) and higher variability of TMD are associated with increasing logarithmic creep rate. The TMD variability (GL(COV)) was the strongest correlate of creep rate (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). This result suggests that TMD variability may be a useful parameter for estimating the long-term deformation of a whole vertebral body. The results further suggest that the changes in TMD variability resulting from bone remodeling are of importance and may provide an insight into the understanding of the mechanisms underlying progressive failure of vertebral bodies and development of a clinical fracture.
Petrology of a gneiss-amphibolite lower crustal unit from Zabargad Island, Red Sea

Abstract A metamorphic unit, consisting of amphibolites interlayered with felsic gneisses, is exposed on Zabargad Island, in tectonic contact with mantle-derived peridotites. The amphibolites contain relicts of igneous pyroxenites and gabbros which have recrystallized into mafic granulites. The chemistry of the gabbros-pyroxenites' primary assemblage (Al-augite ± Al-orthopyroxene + kaersutitic pargasite ± plagioclase) suggests that the gabbro-pyroxenites are remnants of a basic layered complex which crystallized at pressures not lower than 9–10 kbar and probably not higher than 12–13 kbar. The felsic gneisses were originally made of quartz + plagioclase + orthopyroxene ± garnet ± clinopyroxene ± magnesiohastingsite, an assemblage characteristic of high pressures (− 5–12 kbar) garnet granulite facies. The high- P tonalitic-trondhjemitic composition of some of the gneisses suggests they were originally part of the lower continental crust, an interpretation supported by the presence of characteristic zircon crystals with ovoidal morphology. The association of granulitic gneisses with high- P gabbroic rocks suggests that the lower continental crust was intruded by basaltic magmas. The pyroxenite-gabbro complex underwent deformation when still hot, followed by recrystallization at P of about 5–6 kbar. During this event, breakdown of the Al-pyroxenes under hydrous conditions resulted in granulitic Al-poor pyroxenes + pargasitic hornblende + plagioclase assemblages. Both the mafic and sialic granulites subsequently underwent further decompression under increasing fluid partial pressure and oxygen fugacity, which resulted in widespread amphibolization of the rocks in the presence of relatively high- T , chlorine-rich, metasomatic fluids. The resulting assemblage Mg-hornblende + plagioclase + ilmeno-hematite ± sphene ± quartz suggests T of 600–700°C, P tot ƒO 2 . Finally, rising fluid partial pressure leads to breakdown of Mg-hornblende and crystallization of metasomatic phases such as alkali-richer, alumina-poorer Mg-hornblende, actinolite. Cl-biotite, Cl-scapolite and Cl-apatite. The Zabargad metamorphic unit probably results from underplating of the lower continental crust by basic magma intrusions before and during the early stages of rifting in the central Red Sea. Subsequently, the lower crustal gabbro-gneiss complex was subjected to a number of retrometamorphic events under decreasing P - T conditions, probably related to progressive uplift during rifting and crustal thinning. The last, low- P metasomatic event is probably related to the final stages of the emplacement of Zabargad Island.
A Role for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATX1 Gene in Copper Trafficking and Iron Transport

The ATX1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was originally identified as a multi-copy suppressor of oxidative damage in yeast lacking superoxide dismutase. We now provide evidence that Atx1p helps deliver copper to the copper requiring oxidase Fet3p involved in iron uptake. atx1Δ null mutants are iron-deficient and are defective in the high affinity uptake of iron. These defects due to ATX1 inactivation are rescued by copper treatment, and the same has been reported for strains lacking either the cell surface copper transporter, Ctr1p, or the putative copper transporter in the secretory pathway, Ccc2p. Atx1p localizes to the cytosol, and our studies indicate that it functions as a carrier for copper that delivers the metal from the cell surface Ctr1p to Ccc2p and then to Fet3p within the secretory pathway. The iron deficiency of atx1 mutants is augmented by mutations in END3 blocking endocytosis, suggesting that a parallel pathway for intracellular copper trafficking is mediated by endocytosis. As additional evidence for the role of Atx1p in iron metabolism, we find that the gene is induced by the same iron-sensing trans-activator, Aft1p, that regulates CCC2 and FET3
Redox‐regulation of Erk1/2‐directed phosphatase by reactive oxygen species: Role in signaling TPA‐induced growth arrest in ML‐1 cells

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 activity signals myeloid cell differentiation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Previously, we reported that Erk1/2 activation (phosphorylation) induced by TPA required reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a second messenger. Here, we hypothesized that ROS generated in response to TPA inhibit Erk1/2-directed phosphatase activity, which leads to an increase phosphorylation of Erk1/2 to signal p21(WAF1/Cip1)-mediated growth arrest in ML-1 cells. Incubation of ML-1 cells with TPA resulted in a marked accumulation of phosphorylated Erk1/2, and is subsequent to H2O2 generation. Interestingly, post-TPA-treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) stimulated a marked and a rapid dephosphorylation of Erk1/2, suggesting a regeneration of Erk1/2-directed phospahatase activity by NAC. ROS generation in ML-1 cells induced by TPA was suggested to occur in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (METC) based on the following observations: (i) undifferentiated ML-1 cells not only lack p67-phox and but also express a low level of p47-phox key components required for NADPH oxidase enzymatic activity, (ii) pretreatment with DPI, an inhibitor of NADH- and NADPH-dependent enzymes, or rhein, an inhibitor of complex I, blocked the ROS generation, and (iii) examination of the microarray analysis data and Western blot analysis data revealed an induction of MnSOD expression at both mRNA and protein levels in response to TPA. MnSOD is a key member of the mitochondrial defense system against mitochondrial-derived superoxide. Together, this study suggested that TPA stimulated ROS generation as a second messenger to activate Erk1/2 via a redox-mediated inhibition of Erk1/2-directed phosphatase in ML-1 cells.
An integrated approach to genome studies.

In their Perspective “Environment and disease risks” (22 October 2010, p. [460][1]), S. M. Rappaport and M. T. Smith make a strong case for applying chemical assays to the “exposome” in epidemiology. Here I emphasize the need to collect and analyze samples at several points in a subject's
Fatigue damage prognosis of a cruciform structure under biaxial random and flight profile loading

The accurate estimation of fatigue life of metallic structural components in service environments is still a challenge for the aircraft designer or fleet manager. Majority of the current available fatigue life prediction models has deficiency to accurately predict damage under random or flight profile service loads. The inherent accuracy is due to the stochastic nature of crack propagation in metallic structure. In addition, currently no generic prediction model available accounting the load interaction effects due to variable loading. In the present paper we discus the use of a Generic Bayesian framework based Gaussian process approach to probabilistically predict the fatigue damage under complex random and flight profile loading.
Shear‐Induced Orientation and Structure Development in Isotactic Polypropylene Melt Containing Modified Carbon Nanofibers

The shear‐induced crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposite melt containing modified carbon nanofibers (MCNFs) was investigated by rheo‐SAXS (small‐angle X‐ray scattering) and rheo‐WAXD (wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction) techniques using synchrotron radiation. Under quiescent conditions, the nucleating effect of MCNFs on crystallization of iPP was pronounced and the system exhibited a remarkably low saturation point (ca. 0.05 wt% of MCNF). In‐situ SAXS and WAXD results showed the development of shear‐induced crystalline structures and lamellar morphology in nanocomposite melts. Under the same shear conditions, the filled system exhibited notably faster kinetics compared with the unfilled system. The oriented crystalline fraction was found to decrease with the MCNF loading, indicating the competition between oriented crystals (induced by shear) and unoriented crystals (due to the nucleating effect of MCNF). At the early stages of crystallization, the amount of the oriented crystal...
Clinical breast examination practices among women undergoing screening mammography.

PURPOSE: To determine the proportion of women who underwent clinical breast examination (CBE) within 12 months before undergoing screening mammography and to examine which factors, if any, were associated with having undergone CBE within 12 months before screening mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1,135 women presenting for screening mammography was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic information, health care provider information, breast self-examination practices, and CBE history. Data were analyzed with the χ2 test of independence. RESULTS: One hundred forty (38.5%) of 364 nonwhite women and 366 (57.4%) of 638 white women reported having undergone CBE 12 months before screening mammography. This association between race and CBE was statistically significant before (P < .001) and after adjusting for education, age, and type of referring physician (P < .001). There was a statistically significant association between ...
Nerve conduction measures in mild diabetic neuropathy in the Early Diabetes Intervention Trial: The effects of age, sex, type of diabetes, disease duration, and anthropometric factors

Article abstract-We evaluated nerve conduction measures at baseline from 429 patients enrolled in a multicenter diabetic neuropathy study. We defined neuropathy by using recently proposed recommendations but included only patients who had measurable sural and peroneal responses and quantitative vibration thresholds. Patients with type II diabetes were older than type I patients (54.5 versus 39.1 years), were heavier (body mass index [BMI] of 30.9 versus 25.5 kg/m 2 , and in general had lower evoked amplitudes. The effects of diabetes type upon nerve conduction measures disappeared when age and BMI were included in regression models. The men had lower amplitudes and conduction velocities and longer latencies than the women. The effect of gender was greatly reduced when height was included in the regression models, but gender continued to be a significant predictor of median sensory amplitude, most conduction velocities, and most latencies in these models. The relationships between nerve conduction measures and age, sex, and anthropometric factors were similar for patients with type II, but not those with type I, diabetes to the relationships reported for normal subjects. This may be a result of greater homogeneity with respect to degree of neuropathy for type II patients than for type I patients. These findings are important in designing and interpreting clinical studies of diabetic neuropathy. NEUROLOGY 1996;46: 85-91
The Effects of Aluminum Alkoxides on the Synthesis of Composite Powders of Alumina and Titania

The synthesis of mixed oxide ceramic powders that consist of very fine (submicron)-monodisperse particles with uniform composition is desirable in the improvement of existing ceramics and the development of new ceramic materials. Metal alkoxide hydrolysis is a very attractive method for the synthesis of ultrapure composite powders at low temperatures by the sol-gel process. The present study investigates the effects of the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxides and the condensation products on the growth kinetics and morphology of composite particles containing alumina and titania. Alkoxides of titanium and aluminum are employed; therefore, powders of high purity are produced. Since various solvents are used as media for powder synthesis, the effect of the solvent on particle morphology will also be discussed.
A centralized distribution protection system

The access of distribution generation(DG) presented new challenges to the operation and protection of power system with the development of the smart power distribution network. The Wiring structure changes from a single power supply into a double-Power or more power. As a result, it brings impact to distributed protection. The result shows the size of DG affects protection and makes it lose selectivity probably, DG upstream protection makes it amplify protection range, DG downstream protection makes it reduce protection range. In response to the problem, this paper proposes a new scheme, which is based on the centralized processing module on the distributed protection. Firstly, a smart unit is installed in the switch, which is only responsible for merging unit and smart terminal unit function, and then SV information and GOOSE information are sent to a centralized processing unit through the fiber-optic communications. And then the centralized processing unit complete protection monitoring and control functions. Through utilizing the site-wide information collected on the distribution network to achieve network-wide protection, monitoring and control functions, it improves the reliability of the distributed protection operation. Compared with the conventional system, this scheme has more flexibility and more reliability on the coordination and the whole property. It is closer to the develop direction Of the distributed networks. Easier to transform into the intelligent distributed networks.
An Opiate Binding Site in the Rat Brain Is Highly Selective for 4,5-Epoxymorphinans

In vitro binding studies have demonstrated the existence of multiple opiate receptor types. An additional site in the rat brain (termed the lambda site) is distinct from the established types by its selectivity for 4,5-epoxymorphinans (such as naloxone and morphine). While the lambda site displays a high affinity for naloxone in vivo and in vitro in fresh brain membrane homogenates, these sites rapidly convert in vitro to a state of low affinity. The regional distribution of the lambda site in the brain is strikingly different from that of the classic opiate receptor types.
Motion compensation in distributed fiber optic sensing via optical frequency domain reflectometry

We demonstrate a novel algorithm for removing adverse effects of motion in distributed strain measurements via Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR), using Rayleigh backscatter from low-bend loss fiber as the transducer. Vibration amplitudes and frequencies of 2.5 Gs and up to 50 Hz, respectively, were corrected for in real-time while measuring up to 10,000 microstrain. Results show 99.3% recovery of motion-affected strain data while maintaining 0.3% accuracy and 5 mm spatial resolution. Measurement acquisition rates were 23.8 Hz and 100 Hz. These results demonstrate that OFDR may be used in dynamic environments to provide accurate and high-resolution, distributed strain measurements.
Trilayer micelles for combination delivery of rapamycin and siRNA targeting Y-box binding protein-1 (siYB-1).

A three layer (trilayer) polymeric micelle system based on the self-association of the triblock polymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly{N-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethyl] aspartamide}-b-poly(e-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PAsp(DET)-b-PCL) has been synthesized and investigated for combination delivery of rapamycin (RAP) and siRNA targeting Y-box binding protein-1 (siYB-1). The trilayer micelle is composed of (a) a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block constituting the outer layer to improve pharmacokinetics, (b) an intermediate compartment composed of the cationic poly{2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino] ethyl aspartamide} (PAsp(DET)) segment for interacting with siYB-1, and (c) an inner hydrophobic poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) compartment for encapsulation of RAP. A major advantage of this system is biocompatibility since PEG and PCL are both approved by the FDA, and PAsp(DET) is a non-toxic pH responsive cationic poly(amino acid)-based polymer. In this study, it has been shown that PCL can encapsulate RAP with high loading efficiencies, and PAsp(DET) can successfully interact with siRNA for efficient transfection/knockdown with negligible cytotoxicity. The enhanced therapeutic efficacy of RAP/siYB-1 micelles was demonstrated in cell cultures and in a PC3 xenograft nude mouse model of human prostate cancer. Herein, we demonstrate that trilayer micelles are a promising approach to improve the simultaneous delivery of combination siRNA/drug therapies.
The artificial worlds approach to emergent evolution

Artificial worlds models of evolutionary systems are computer models that map the essential logical structure of ecological systems, defined as self-sustaining biological organizations. The artificial world comprises an artificial environment, with mass components, energy input, and physical states. It also comprises artificial organisms, including a genome, a phenome, and a (developmental) map that connects the genome to the phenome. Mass components are cycled and space is limited. The evolution process results, as in nature, from genetic variation combined with natural selection imposed by the finiteness of the environment. The selection criteria (fitness values) are not imposed, but rather emerge from the interactions of the organisms with each other and with the environment. The dynamics at the population level also emerges from these basic interactions. In this paper we describe the comparative properties of the EVOLVE family of artificial worlds models.
Involvement of the host RNA polymerase in the early transcription program of Caulobacter crescentus bacteriophage θCdl DNA

Abstract The host RNA polymerase appears to be involved in the early transcription program of the Caulobacter crescentus bacteriophage θCdl. The addition of rifampicin early after infection inhibited the production of phage, whereas θCdl production was not inhibited by the addition of rifampicin at any time after infection of a rifampicin-resistant host. In addition, we found that a rifampicin-resistant RNA polymerase activity dependent on de novo protein synthesis is required for late transcription. The region of early θCdl was mapped by hybridizing labeled RNA extracted from θCdl-infected cells grown in the presence or absence of chloramphenicol to Hin dIII and Hpa I restriction fragments of the θCdl genome.
Phylogeny of the distal musculature of the pectoral appendage

The musculature of forearm and manus basically is divisible into dorsal matrix and ventral matrix of elbow, and dorsal matrix and ventral matrix of the podium. The former contributes to the present musculature of brachium and antibrachium, and the latter to the musculature of antibrachium and podium. The forearm muscles of the former category are divisible into humero-radial (carpi radialis), humero-podial (digitorum communis et sublimis), and humero-ulnar (carpi ulnaris) components. The deep muscles of the forearm (mm. abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis longus, extensor indicis proprius; flexores digitorum profundus et pollicis longus) have been derived from podial matrices that have migrated proximally along the ulna. The short flexors of the hand have been derived from a superficial and a deep basic series: From the former have come mm. palmaris brevis, abductor pollicis brevis, superficial head of the flexor pollicis brevis, abductor et flexor digiti 5, and lumbricales. From the deep series have been derived mm. contrahentes (including adductor pollicis), interossei, opponens pollicis, deep head of flexor pollicis brevis, and opponens digiti 5.
CHIP and Medicaid: Evolving to Meet the Needs of Children

Abstract Objective To examine the evolution of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid programs after passage of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), focusing on policies affecting eligibility, enrollment, renewal, benefits, access to care, cost sharing, and preparation for health care reform. Methods Case studies were conducted in 10 states during 2012—which included key informant interviews and consumer focus groups—and a national survey of state CHIP program administrators was conducted in early 2013. Results Despite the recession that persisted during much of the study period, many states expanded children's coverage by raising upper income eligibility limits or by covering new groups made eligible by CHIPRA. Simplifying rules and procedures for enrollment and renewal continued to be a major priority for CHIP and Medicaid, and CHIPRA played a direct role in spurring innovation. CHIPRA's outreach grants played an important role in supporting and supplementing state outreach efforts. Important legacies of CHIPRA are the law's mandatory requirements for comprehensive dental benefits coverage and mental health parity for all types of CHIP programs. Although most states already offered generous coverage of these benefits, the mandate may have protected them from cuts during the economic downturn. Federal Maintenance of Effort rules were a crucial protection for CHIP, especially during the recession when state budget shortfalls could have led to program cuts. Conclusions Passage of the Affordable Care Act has raised questions surrounding the future role of CHIP in a reformed health care system. A growing number of stakeholders have recommended a 2-year extension of federal CHIP funding to allow complex transition issues to be resolved.
Monitoring Social Change Via Survey Replication: Prospects and Pitfalls from a Replication Survey of Social Roles and Mental Health

Recent methodological criticisms of longitudinal studies employing a panel design suggest that greater care is needed in determining what can and cannot be studied best using that approach, and where other diachronic approaches may be as appropriate or more appropriate. In this paper a few of the key strengths and weaknesses of panel studies relative to one alternative approach—a sequence of cross-sectional surveys on samples from the same population—are reviewed. That review suggests that the latter design holds considerable promise as a method for studying women and social change. In spite of this great potential, a number of possible pitfalls associated with the analysis of successive cross-sectional surveys for that purpose are described and illustrated using examples from a recent twenty-year replication study. Such potential problems include: (1) differences in sample design; (2) differences in response rates; (3) demographic shifts in the population; (4) problems in repeating flawed questions; (5) changes in question meanings and context; (6) problems of maintaining comparable codes; and (7) potential changes in response bias. In spite of these inherent difficulties, however, additional examples derived from the same study are used to demonstrate the great potential value of using survey replication for the examination of important research questions in the study of social change.
Age in relation to worker compensation costs in the construction industry

Background A better understanding of how workers' compensation (WC) costs are affected by an aging US workforce is needed, especially for physically demanding industries, such as construction. Methods The relationship between age and injury type on claim costs was evaluated using a database of 107,064 Colorado WC claims filed between 1998 and 2008 among construction workers. Results Mean WC costs increased with increasing age for total cost (P < 0.0001), medical costs (P < 0.0001), and indemnity costs (P < 0.0001). For each one-year increase in age, indemnity, and medical costs increased by 3.5% and 1.1%, respectively. For specific injury types, such as strains and contusions, the association between age and indemnity costs was higher among claimants aged ≥65 compared to claimants aged 18–24. Conclusions Our findings suggest that specific injury types may be partially responsible for the higher indemnity costs among older construction workers, compared with their younger coworkers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:356–366, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new approach for object measurement under out-of-focus situation

Accurate measurement is important for object detection, pattern recognition, object classification, and industry inspection. Digital image processing techniques have been used to improve the accuracy of object measurement. However, it is still challenging to measure an object, especially when the camera was out-of-focus during the imaging acquisition step. Sometimes, it is even impossible to measure the blurred object. In this paper, the Gaussian degradation model is used to estimate the edges and the size of the object. Currently this approach is for measure one-dimension. This approach can use to measure (almost) totally blurred object. The experiments show encouraging results.
Biodegradation of carbofuran in enhanced and non-enhanced soils

Abstract The enhanced degradation of the insecticide carbofuran limits its use as a corn root worm control. The degradation of carbofuran in soils with (enhanced) and without (non-enhanced) a history of carbofuran usage was studied. Experiments showed a rapid breakdown of carbofuran, at starting concentrations of either 10 or 100μg g − . in previously-exposed soils. Degradation in the unexposed soils was minimal. When degradation of ring and carbonyl 14 C-labelled carbofuran was compared in enhanced soils, as much as 68% of the applied [ 14 C]carbonyl was evolved as 14 C-CO 2 . In contrast conversion of 14 C-ring labeled material to 14 C-CO 2 was minimal. Conversion of either labeled site was minimal in non-exposed soils. In enhanced soils the rapid breakdown of carbofuran was correlated to a decrease in the size of the microbial biomass. From our results, enhanced biodegradation apparently is a two-step process. Hydrolysis of the carbonyl side-chain is followed by adsorption of the primary metabolite to soil. Biomass returned to near control size following removal of the pesticide from the system. However, the rapid breakdown could be slowed by introduction of an adsorptive surface, charcoal.
Corrosion Behavior of Alloy 22 in Oxalic Acid and Sodium Chloride Solutions

Abstract Nickel-based Alloy 22 (UNS N06022) is used extensively in aggressive industrial applications, especially due to its resistance to localized corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in high-chloride environments. The purpose of this work was to characterize the anodic behavior of Alloy 22 in oxalic acid (COOHCOOH) solution and to compare its behavior to sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. Standard electrochemical tests such as polarization resistance and cyclic polarization were used. Results show that the corrosion rate of Alloy 22 in oxalic acid solutions increased rapidly as the temperature and the acid concentration increased. Extrapolation studies show that even at a concentration of 10−4 M oxalic acid, the corrosion rate of Alloy 22 would be higher in oxalic acid than in 1 M NaCl solution. Alloy 22 was not susceptible to localized corrosion in oxalic acid solutions. Cyclic polarization tests of artificially creviced specimens in 1 M NaCl showed that Alloy 22 was susceptible to crevice corrosion...
SOME THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE LEARNING AND LANGUAGE TEACHING

1.1 Diffeerences and similarities between (a) the child's acquisition of his f i r s t language, (b) the child's acquisition of a second language, and (c) the adult's acquisition of a second language. The infant-child acquires his first language in the most natural o r least artificial manner possible. There is normally nothing in his mind to prevent him from ultimately learning a native language; on the contrary, if Chomsky is correct in his 20th century version of the 16th century notion of innate ideas: the infant brain is predisposed towards the acquisition of the grammar of natural language. On the basis of his contacts with parole--the outer, surface manifestations of the speech of his home and community-and regardless of how fragmentary, uninventive, or degenerate this corpus may be, the child internalizes a highly complex, abstract set of interrelated systems, minimally a phonological system, a syntactic system, and a semantic system. Vygotsky2 has shown how the speech function and the thought function have two separate origins in the developing infant, speech having its roots in babbling and emoting through sound, and thought deriving from problem solving and the use of tools. Vygotsky concludes that apes a r e capable of both types of behavior, but that only human beings learn to fuse the two separate functions into a single use, i.e., that combination of vocalizing and thinking which leads to the creation of symbolic language and eventually to the formation of concepts. Vygotsky shows experimentally how the child's thinking develops from (a) an initial primitive mental organization of the environment into "heaps" o r unorganized congeries through (b) several different types of thinking in complexes (still a primitive type of thinking) until it reaches in about the twelfth year of the child's life the final stage (c) where abstract concepts a r e understood and used.
Concave Gratings for Astronomical Spectrographs and Spectrometers

Concave gratings possess a number of characteristics which should make them of interest to earth-bound stellar spectroscopists. Evaluation of a number of specific spectrograph and spectrometer designs indicates that concave grating instruments can be extremely efficient, and therefore are particularly suitable for nebular spectrographs and broad-band spectrophotometry.
Close coupling of systolic and diastolic function: combined assessment provides superior prediction of exercise capacity.

Abstract Background Isolated diastolic dysfunction is thought to account for approximately 50% of cases of heart failure. We tested the hypotheses that (1) the use of different methods for assessing systolic and diastolic function may contribute to the apparent frequency with which they are dissociated and (2) that combined assessment of systolic and diastolic function is superior to either one alone. Methods and Results A total of 110 patients underwent echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the mitral annulus before maximal exercise testing. The correlation between left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and exercise capacity was weak ( r =0.199). Among patients with EF greater than 55%, those with normal exercise capacity (>7 METs) had a higher systolic velocity of the mitral annulus than those achieving less than 7 METs (9.6 ± 0.3 versus 7.5 ± 0.4 cm/s, P =.001). The mitral annular systolic (Sa) and early diastolic (Ea) velocities each correlated moderately with exercise tolerance ( r =0.40 and 0.49, respectively). Sa and Ea correlated highly with each other ( r =0.79, P r =−0.59). A combined index of systolic and diastolic function that includes isovolumic contraction and relaxation times and ejection time had the best correlation with achieved METs ( r =−0.73, P Conclusion When assessed with the same technique, LV systolic and diastolic function are tightly linked. A TDI-derived combined index of myocardial performance is the best predictor of exercise capacity.
Out with James Purdy: An interview

Abstract James Purdy, who was born in 1923 near Pauldine, Ohio, has written several collections of poetry, twenty plays, and sixteen novels, including Malcolm, Narrow Rooms, Eustace Chisholm and the Works, In a Shallow Grave, Garments the Living Wear, and most recently, Out with the Stars. Despite moments of critical acclaim and popularity, Purdy's work generally has met with hostility, ambivalence, and indifference from the literary establishment. His novels also have provoked a mixed response from lesbian and gay communities in the United States. In this interview, Purdy talks about the reasons for his neglect and discusses racial stereotypes, sexual fantasy, political correctness, religious fundamentalism, gay relationships, and contemporary American culture.
The secret life of notebooks

We describe the secret life of notebooks in the hands of mobile professionals who use them as desktop replacement machines. Usage logs reveal that there are four key contexts of use, each with their own separate requirements: desktop, meetings, home and travel. Dynamic detection of and adaptation to these contexts could enhance the value and usability of notebooks and their applications.
Chemiresistors for Array-Based Vapor Sensing Using Composites of Carbon Black with Low Volatility Organic Molecules

Chemically sensitive resistors have been fabricated from composites of carbon black and low volatility, nonpolymeric, organic molecules such as propyl gallate, lauric acid, and dioctyl phthalate. Sorption of organic vapors into the nonconductive phase of such composites produced rapid and reversible changes in the relative differential resistance response of the sensing films. Arrays of these sensors, in which each sensing film was comprised of carbon black and a chemically distinct nonpolymeric organic molecule or blend of organic molecules, produced characteristic response patterns upon exposure to a series of different organic test vapors. The use of nonpolymeric sorption phases allowed fabrication of sensors having a high density of randomly oriented functional groups and provided excellent discrimination between analytes. By comparison to carbon black−polymer composite vapor sensors and sensor arrays, such sensors provided comparable detection limits as well as enhanced clustering and enhanced resolu...
A new method to characterize target location in lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy

Stereotactic body radiation therapy is an emerging technique in the treatment of peripheral lung tumors. However, due to early reports of increased toxicity, the treatment of central lung lesions with hypo-fractionated high-dose regimen remains controversial. Thus far, lung lesions have been defined as either central or peripheral depending solely on their nearest distance from the major airways. The goal of this study is to develop a quantitative method to categorize the location of lung lesions mapped in three-dimensional space. Furthermore, a set of parameters are proposed for assessing risk factors based on target locations. A MATLAB program was developed to quantify the distance between the tumor and the airways, and to calculate the percentage of the target volume lying within a given distance from the main bronchial tree. The program was tested on 20 patients with centrally located lung lesions treated with CyberKnife. A dosimetric analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between dose delivered to the critical structures and target location. The absolute target volume located within a distance of 20 mm from the airways was used to quantify the tumor proximity to the bronchial tree. A strong correlation was found between this parameter and the dose delivered to the critical organs, showing that a detailed knowledge of target location can be used to assess the risk of toxicity during the planning stage. We have developed a tool to quantify the lesion proximity to the bronchial tree. We expect that risk-adapted strategies, accounting for the exact geometric relationship between the tumor and the airways, may improve the management of centrally located lung lesions.
Determination of magnetic exchange stiffness and surface anisotropy constants in epitaxial Ni1-xCox(001) films

Magnetic characteristics of epitaxial ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}(001)$ $(x=0,$ 0.16, and 0.50) films with nominal 200 nm thickness on Cu(001)/Si(100) substrates have been investigated by magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance measurements in order to better clarify the rationale for the large variation in the magnetic exchange stiffness constant A, previously determined from different measurements. The exchange constant as well as the saturation magnetization, effective demagnetizing field, fourth-order magnetocrystalline, and second-order perpendicular uniaxial magnetic anisotropy fields has been determined. The analyses of low-temperature saturation magnetization data on these films yield A values that increase from $0.82\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}$ for a pure Ni film to $2.27\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}$ for the ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.50}{\mathrm{Co}}_{0.50}$ film. Furthermore, spin-wave resonance volume modes observed in $x=0$ and 0.16 films indicate that the surface plays a role in the exchange stiffness constant determination as the surface anisotropy constants are found to be approximately 1 and 4 ${\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2},$ respectively. The latter value is substantially larger than that for any other system reported so far.
Comparison of hepatic and intestinal β-glucuronidase from adult male Fischer rats☆

Abstract 1. 1. The subcellular distribution patterns of β-glucuronidase indicate that 80% of hepatic β-glucuronidase activity is present in the lysosomal-mitochondrial pellet and 60% of intestinal β-glucuronidase activity is in the soluble fraction (105,000 g supernate). 2. 2. A 55-fold purification with a yield of 45% of β-glucuronidase activity from each tissue was obtained by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and column chromatography. 3. 3. Isoelectricfocusing gel electrophoresis reveals a unique β-glucuronidase isozyme for the intestine (pI 5.4) and two for the liver (pI 5.6 and 6.7).
The Elastic Field for Spherical Hertzian Contact Including Sliding Friction for Transverse Isotropy

This paper gives closed-form expressions in terms of elementary functions for the title problem of spherical Hertzian contact of elastic bodies possessing transverse isotropy. Traction in the contact region is also included in the form of Coulomb friction; thus the shear stress is proportional to the contact pressure. The present expressions derived here by integration of the point force Green's functions are simpler and easier to apply than equiualent expressions which have previously been given
The histology of the blood of perophora viridis (ascidian)

The blood of Perophora viridis is found to contain six types of cells: (1) Green cells, which have green-colored fatty bodies embedded in clear cytoplasm. (2) Orange cells, with orange-colored bodies of unknown composition in the cytoplasm. (3) Colorless berry-like cells, with fluid-filled vesicles in the cytoplasm. (4) Granular amoeboid cells. (5) Compartmental amoeboid cells, which have box-like vacuoles containing brownian granules of a fatty substance. (6) Vesicular, signet-ring type of cell having a single large vacuole. The cytological structure of these cells and their reaction to various dyes are described. An effort has been made to homologize the types of cells found in the blood of other ascidians with those found in Perophora. It is concluded that the variety of colors found in the cells of ascidian blood is due to the varying chemical states of the vanadium-containing chromogen present in the cells.
Effects of Sr2+-Substitution on the Reduction Rates of Yz• in PSII MembranesEvidence for Concerted Hydrogen-Atom Transfer in Oxygen Evolution†

Several groups have recently investigated the kinetic effects of biochemical treatments, site-directed mutagenesis, or substitution of essential cofactors on the stepwise, water-oxidizing chemistry catalyzed by Photosystem II. Consistently, these studies show evidence for a slowing of the final, oxygen-releasing step, S3 → S0, of the catalytic cycle. To a degree, some of this work also shows a slowing of the earlier S-state transitions. To study these processes in more detail, we have investigated the effect of replacing Ca2+ with Sr2+on the rates of the S-state transitions by using time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance. The results show a slowdown of the last transition in the cycle, consistent with a report from Boussac et al. [Boussac, A., Setif, P., and Rutherford, A. W. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 1224−1234], and of the earlier S-state transitions as well, which suggests that a common molecular mechanism is at work and that Sr2+ is less effective than Ca2+ in supporting it. While the oxidation of...
Carbon dioxide induces erratic respiratory responses in bipolar disorder.

Abstract Background CO2 respiration stimulates both anxiety and dyspnea (“air hunger”) and has long been used to study panic vulnerability and respiratory control. High comorbidity with panic attacks suggests individuals with bipolar disorder may also mount a heightened anxiety response to CO2. Moreover, problems in the arousal and modulation of appetites are central to the clinical syndromes of mania and depression; hence CO2 may arouse an abnormal respiratory response to “air hunger”. Methods 72 individuals (34 bipolar I, 25 depressive and bipolar spectrum, 13 with no major affective diagnosis) breathed air and air with 5% CO2 via facemask for up to 15 min each; subjective and respiratory responses were recorded. Results Nearly half the subjects diverged from the typical response to a fixed, mildly hypercapneic environment, which is to increase breathing acutely, and then maintain a hyperpneic plateau. The best predictors of an abnormal pattern were bipolar diagnosis and anxiety from air alone. 25 individuals had a panic response; panic responses from CO2 were more likely in subjects with bipolar I compared to other subjects, however the best predictors of a panic response overall were anxiety from air alone and prior history of panic attacks. Limitations Heterogeneous sample, liberal definition of panic attack. Conclusion Carbon dioxide produces abnormal respiratory and heightened anxiety responses among individuals with bipolar and depressive disorders. These may be due to deficits in emotional conditioning related to fear and appetite. Although preliminary, this work suggests a potentially useful test of a specific functional deficit in bipolar disorder.
Strategy for Nonenveloped Virus Entry: a Hydrophobic Conformer of the Reovirus Membrane Penetration Protein μ1 Mediates Membrane Disruption

The mechanisms employed by nonenveloped animal viruses to penetrate the membranes of their host cells remain enigmatic. Membrane penetration by the nonenveloped mammalian reoviruses is believed to deliver a partially uncoated, but still large ( approximately 70-nm), particle with active transcriptases for viral mRNA synthesis directly into the cytoplasm. This process is likely initiated by a particle form that resembles infectious subvirion particles (ISVPs), disassembly intermediates produced from virions by proteolytic uncoating. Consistent with that idea, ISVPs, but not virions, can induce disruption of membranes in vitro. Both activities ascribed to ISVP-like particles, membrane disruption in vitro and membrane penetration within cells, are linked to N-myristoylated outer-capsid protein micro 1, present in 600 copies at the surfaces of ISVPs. To understand how micro 1 fulfills its role as the reovirus penetration protein, we monitored changes in ISVPs during the permeabilization of red blood cells induced by these particles. Hemolysis was preceded by a major structural transition in ISVPs, characterized by conformational change in micro 1 and elution of fibrous attachment protein sigma 1. The altered conformer of micro 1 was required for hemolysis and was markedly hydrophobic. The structural transition in ISVPs was further accompanied by derepression of genome-dependent mRNA synthesis by the particle-associated transcriptases. We propose a model for reovirus entry in which (i) primed and triggered conformational changes, analogous to those in enveloped-virus fusion proteins, generate a hydrophobic micro 1 conformer capable of inserting into and disrupting cell membranes and (ii) activation of the viral particles for membrane interaction and mRNA synthesis are concurrent events. Reoviruses provide an opportune system for defining the molecular details of membrane penetration by a large nonenveloped animal virus.