cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sperm aggregations in female Agkistrodon piscivorus (Reptilia:Squamata): a histological and ultrastructural investigation.

Upon copulation in female Agkistrodon piscivorus, sperm migrate up the oviduct to sperm storage tubules (SSTs) in the posterior infundibulum. The epithelium of the SSTs is composed of ciliated and secretory cells and differs ultrastructurally from that of the epithelium lining the lumen of the posterior infundibulum. Sperm pass through an area composed primarily of ciliated cells at the opening of each gland before aligning themselves in parallel arrays with their nuclei facing an area composed primarily of secretory cells at the base of the tubules. Sperm are also found embedded inter- and intracellularly in the SSTs. The secretory vacuoles in the SSTs become highly electron dense after the start of the fall mating season along with the synthesis of lipid droplets. Histochemical analysis reveals that the alteration in secretory material density is caused by the production of neutral carbohydrates. Some sperm remain in aggregates in the nonglandular section of the posterior uterus until the time of ovulation. However, ultrastructural evidence indicates these sperm degrade before ovulation. Therefore, sperm in posterior aggregates have no role in fertilization of ovulated ova. The data presented here support the hypothesis that infundibular sperm storage is the mode that snakes utilize to sequester viable sperm until ovulation. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dexamethasone-mediated induction of mouse mammary tumor virus RNA: a system for studying glucocorticoid action

We have investigated the mechanisms by which dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) stimulates the production of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) by cell cultures derived from mammary carcinomas of GR mice. Treatment of these cells with dexamethasone stimulates a rapid accumulation of intracellular virus-specific RNA which is dependent upon RNA synthesis but not upon DNA or protein synthesis. The effect of dexamethasone is probably mediated by a specific and saturable glucocorticoid receptor. We conclude that the accumulation of MMTV RNA is a primary response to dexamethasone and that the rate of synthesis of MMTV RNA is probably accelerated by treatment with dexamethasone.
Determinants of Electric Utility Betas

Determinants of Electric Utility Betas. One important aspect of utility regulation is the estimation of cost of equity capital of the firm. Several techniques have been used to estimate the cost of equity, including the discounted cash flow model and the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). CAPM has its foundations in modern portfolio theory and its application has generated a lot of controversy — both from academia and the professional world. Much of the problem in using CAPM in utility rate cases has centered on the issue of estimating the beta coefficient. Myers (1972) points out that problems exist in the following areas: measurement of beta; stability of beta; and incomplete description of risk and return by CAPM. There is evidence to believe that CAPM is still widely used be expert witnesses to explain risk‐return relationships in utility rate cases (Cooley, 1980).
Applying Mosher's method to acetogenins bearing vicinal diols. The absolute configurations of muricatetrocin C and rollidecins A and B, new bioactive acetogenins from Rollinia mucosa.

Abstract Muricatetrocin C ( 1 ), rollidecin A ( 2 ), and rollidecin B ( 3 ), three new bioactive annonaceous acetogenins bearing vicinal diols, were isolated from the leaves of Rollinia mucosa (Annonaceae) using activity-directed fractionation. The total structural elucidations of 1–3, including the absolute stereochemistries of the vicinal diols, were achieved by analyzing their per-Mosher ester derivatives. All three compounds showed potent and selective inhibitory effects against several human cancer cell lines.
Emerging Directions in Computer Applications to Biotechnology: Upgrading the Information Content of Biological Data

Abstract Rapid development of technologies for the measurement of bioprocess variables as well as fundamental biological parameters will lead to massive generation of data. These data, in the form of nucleic acid, protein, and metabolite profiles, along with sequence data resulting from extensive genomics research, will require powerful methodologies for unveiling the critical information resident in them. Upgrading the information content in such data will be the new theme of computer applications in biotechnology. New information discovered from combinations of variables will increase the acceptance of calculated results in the life sciences, and shift the focus from single parameter markers to multiple measurement patterns as descriptors of cellular behavior.
Filled Ir x Co 1-x Sb 3 -based skutterudite solid solutions

Forming iso-electronic solid solutions is a standard approach to achieving low lattice thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials. The phase diagram for IrxCo1-xSb3 solid solutions is calculated by ab initio method, and a limited solid solubility is predicted. We were able to prepare pure and filled CoSb3 doped with Ir in single phase form for the doping concentrations x less than 0.15. The samples maintain very good electrical transport properties due to weak charge carrier scattering from the iso-electronic atoms and, at the same time, the lattice thermal conductivity is reduced significantly. A systematic study of the lattice thermal conductivity of IrxCo1-xSb3 was carried out over a broad range of temperatures from 2 K to 800 K. The behavior of the lattice thermal conductivity as a function of the filling fraction and the concentration of Ir is presented. The data indicate that Ir-doped skutterudite solid solutions are good candidates for high temperature thermoelectric applications.
Use of odor baits in traps to test reactions to intra- and interspecific chemical cues in house mice living in outdoor enclosures

House mice (Mus musculus) living in outdoor enclosures were tested for urinary chemical cue preferences using odor-baited traps. In the first experiment, with only volatile cues available, odors from conspecific males and females of various age classes and reproductive conditions were tested; no preferences were exhibited. In the second experiment mice had both nonvolatile and volatile cues available from the same sources as in experiment I. All age and sex class and female reproductive condition groups exhibited odor cue preferences except juvenile females. There were no specific odor cue preferences exhibited by any of the responder types with regard to odors from juvenile females. In the third and fifth experiments, mice were presented with nonvolatile plus volatile or only volatile urine odor cues, respectively, from four genera,Mus, Peromyscus, Microtus, andHomo. Mice of all age classes and both sexes preferredMus musculus odor, were neutral towardMicrotus ochrogaster odor, and avoided odors fromPeromyscus leucopus andHomo sapiens; these patterns were the same regardless of whether only volatile or both volatile and nonvolatile cues were presented. The fourth and sixth experiments involved testing volatile cues only and volatile cues plus nonvolatile cues from human sweat or feces from dogs, cats, or shrews. Mice avoided the human sweat and feces from cats and shrews, but were neutral toward the odor of dog feces. There were effects on whether mice were trapped in the interior of the enclosure or on the perimeter for some odors tested in these six experiments. The findings provide insights regarding possible functions of odor cues in the behavioral ecology of house mice. Odor-baiting traps can be an effective tool with respect to testing some, but not all questions pertaining to olfactory cues and house mouse social biology.
Productivity of Paced Parallel-Serial Manufacturing Lines With and Without Crossover

The productivity of a manufacturing system is greatly influenced by the configuration of the manufacturing system. This paper examines the importance of configuration on productivity, and the improvements that can be obtained by bufferless parallel-serial configurations, i.e. multiple machining lines in parallel, both with and without crossover between the operations. Combinatorial algebraic models are developed to quantify the productivity of parallel-serial configurations. It is shown that significant improvements to productivity can be obtained by placing operations in parallel, and that there is a synergistic improvement to productivity from having crossover between the operations.
A retracting wire knife for stereotaxic brain surgery made from a microliter syringe.

Abstract A simple and reliable retracting wire knife for stereotaxic brain surgery can be constructed in literally a few minutes. A commercially available syringe is modified using only a pair of pliers and a sanding disc.
Demonstration of a spoken dialogue interface for planning activities of a semi-autonomous robot

Planning and scheduling in the face of uncertainty and change pushes the capabilities of both planning and dialogue technologies by requiring complex negotiation to arrive at a workable plan. Planning for use of semi-autonomous robots involves negotiation among multiple participants with competing scientific and engineering goals to co-construct a complex plan. In NASA applications this plan construction is done under severe time pressure so having a dialogue interface to the plan construction tools can aid rapid completion of the process. But, this will put significant demands on spoken dialogue technology, particularly in the areas of dialogue management and generation. The dialogue interface will need to be able to handle the complex dialogue strategies that occur in negotiation dialogues, including hypotheticals and revisions, and the generation component will require an ability to summarize complex plans. This demonstration will describe a work in progress towards building a spoken dialogue interface to the EUROPA planner for the purposes of planning and scheduling the activities of a semi-autonomous robot. A prototype interface has been built for planning the schedule of the Personal Satellite Assistant (PSA)[12], a mobile robot designed for micro-gravity environments that is intended for use on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The spoken dialogue interface gives the user the capability to ask for a description of the plan, ask specific questions about the plan, and update or modify the plan. We anticipate that a spoken dialogue interface to the planner will provide a natural augmentation or alternative to the visualization interface, in situations in which the user needs very targeted information about the plan, in situations where natural language can express complex ideas more concisely than GUI actions, or in situations in which a graphical user interface is not appropriate.
Chemokine and receptor-gene expression during early and late acute rejection episodes in human cardiac allografts

BACKGROUND The expression levels of several chemokine genes in heart allografts correlate with histologic rejection grade. Potential molecular differences between early and late rejection (grade > or =2) episodes were examined by testing chemokine and receptor-gene expression. METHODS Expression of inducible protein (IP)-10, monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig), interferon inducible-T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted(RANTES), and their receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 was tested in 60 endomyocardial biopsies from 24 patients using quantitative (Taqman) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The biopsies were taken in the first 3 months or from the 9th to the 12th month following transplantation. RESULTS IP-10, Mig, RANTES, CXCR3, and CCR5 expression levels were increased in the later versus earlier biopsies (P< or =0.01) despite no change in histologic rejection-grade status. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate significantly increased expression of T-cell chemoattractants in heart allografts during later rejection when compared with episodes occurring shortly after transplantation. The findings suggest increased intensity of inflammation in rejection occurring at later times posttransplant that are revealed by molecular analyses of the graft.
Neutrino radiative decay in N=1 supergravity theories☆

Abstract We show that the supersymmetrization of models where neutrinos acquire mass through the see-saw mechanism allows for tau neutrinos heavier than 15–20 MeV to decay radiatively in a cosmologically safe way (i.e. with a lifetime τ v ⩽5×10 3 s).
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analyses of phospholipids from INS-1 insulinoma cells: comparison to pancreatic islets and effects of fatty acid supplementation on phospholipid composition and insulin secretion.

Abstract Insulin secretion by pancreatic islet β-cells is impaired in diabetes mellitus, and normal β-cells are enriched in phospholipids with arachidonate as sn-2 substituent. Such molecules may play structural roles in exocytotic membrane fusion or serve as substrates for phospholipases activated by insulin secretagogues. INS-1 insulinoma cells respond to secretagogues and permit the study of effects of culture with free fatty acids on phospholipid composition and secretion. INS-1 cell glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) lipids are demonstrated here by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to contain a lower fraction of molecules with arachidonate and a higher fraction with oleate as sn-2 substituent than native islets. Palmitic acid supplementation induces little change in these INS-1 cell lipids, but supplementation with linoleate or arachidonate induces a large rise in the fraction of INS-1 cell GPC species with polyunsaturated sn-2 substituents and a fall in oleate-containing species to yield a GPC profile similar to native islets. The fraction of GPE lipids comprised of plasmenylethanolamine species with polyunsaturated sn-2 substituents in early-passage INS-1 cells is similar to that of islets, but declines on serial passage. Such molecules might participate in exocytotic membrane fusion, and late-passage INS-1 cells have reduced insulin secretory responses. Arachidonate supplementation induces a rise in the fraction of INS-1 cell GPE lipids with polyunsaturated sn-2 substituents and partially restores responses to insulin secretagogues by late-passage INS-1 cells, but does not further amplify secretion by early-passage cells. Effects of extracellular free fatty acids on β-cell phospholipid composition and secretory responses could be involved in changes in β-cell function during the period of hyper-free fatty acidemia that precedes diabetes mellitus.
Calmodulin Regulates Ca2+-Dependent Feedback Inhibition of Store-Operated Ca2+ Influx by Interaction with a Site in the C Terminus of TrpC1

Abstract The mechanism involved in [Ca 2+ ] i -dependent feedback inhibition of store-operated Ca 2+ entry (SOCE) is not yet known. Expression of Ca 2+ -insensitive calmodulin (Mut-CaM) but not wild-type CaM increased SOCE and decreased its Ca 2+ -dependent inactivation. Expression of TrpC1 lacking C terminus aa 664–793 (TrpC1ΔC) also attenuated Ca 2+ -dependent inactivation of SOCE. CaM interacted with endogenous and expressed TrpC1 and with GST-TrpC1 C terminus but not with TrpC1ΔC. Two CaM binding domains, aa 715–749 and aa 758–793, were identified. Expression of TrpC1Δ758–793 but not TrpC1Δ715–749 mimicked the effects of TrpC1ΔC and Mut-CaM on SOCE. These data demonstrate that CaM mediates Ca 2+ -dependent feedback inhibition of SOCE via binding to a domain in the C terminus of TrpC1. These findings reveal an integral role for TrpC1 in the regulation of SOCE.
Microprocessor-Based Instrumentation For Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) Measurements From Visible To Far Infrared (FIR)

AbstractA scattering instrument for making BRDF measurements is described. The instrument ismicroprocessor- controlled and is designed to obtain BRDF data at wavelengths of 0.6328,1.15, 3.39, 10.6, 41.7, and eventually 118.8 microns.IntroductionSince the BRDF was formally introduced by Nicodemusl in 1970, instrumentation for measur-ing this useful function has become more and more advanced. Instruments2 7 for recording theBRDF and other angle -dependent scattering functions have included such features as clevergoniometric arrangements, interferometric techniques, multiwavelength capability, and vari-ous degrees of computerization.Advances in FIR lasers and microprocessors have made these two areas natural ones inwhich to continue to expand the capabilities of BRDF instrumentation. Longer -wavelengthlasers permit the acquisition of scattering data at longer wavelengths and provide informa-tion that wavelength scaling laws must be compatible with. Microprocessor control allowsmore data to be taken faster, for more extensive surface characterizations, potentialspeckle averaging techniques, greater repeatability, and operator ease.This paper describes a microprocessor- controlled BRDF measuring instrument currentlybeing built. It has been designed to make FIR measurements at 41.7 microns (and eventually118.8 microns) in addition to the more standard wavelengths of 0.6328, 1.15, 3.39, and 10.6microns. The design is based on extensive experience gained from the use of an existingBRDF recording instruments now being phased out.Figure 1 is a block diagram ofthe complete system. The samplewhose scattering characteristicsare to be determined is in a con-verging beam of radiation thatmay be at one of the abovewavelengths. The scatteredradiation is measured with aradiometer that scans about thesample in a horizontal plane.
Loss of plasma membrane integrity, complement response and formation of reactive oxygen species during early myocardial ischemia/reperfusion

Loss of plasma membrane integrity (LPMI) is a hallmark of necrotic cell death. The involvement of complement and ROS in the development of LPMI during the early stages of murine myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated. LPMI developed within 1 h of reperfusion to a level that was sustained through 24 h. C3 deposition became significant at 3-h reperfusion and thus contributed little to LPMI prior to this time. SOD1 transgenic mice had significantly less LPMI compared with WT mice at 1 h of reperfusion but not at later time points. Catalase transgenic mice were not protected from LPMI at 1-h reperfusion compared with WT mice, but had 69% less LPMI at 3-h reperfusion. This protection was transient. At 24-h reperfusion the LPMI of catalase transgenic mice was identical to that of WT mice. The delayed benefits of over-expressed catalase compared with SOD1 are consistent with its antioxidant action downstream of SOD1. The onset of LPMI occurs within 1 h of reperfusion at a level that is maintained through 24 h. ROS contribute significantly to LPMI during the first 3 h of reperfusion, while complement deposition, which becomes significant after 3-h reperfusion, may contribute thereafter.
47.3: Reliability of Transparent Conducting Substrates for Rollable Displays: A Cyclic Loading Investigation

Failure mechanisms for flexible conducting substrates are investigated in the context of rollable/flexible display applications. Cyclic loading experiments (substrates subjected to multiple cycles of tensile strain) were carried out on both ITO coated PET and PEDOT:PSS coated PET substrates. The resistance was measured after each bending cycle. The resistance increased with number of cycles and was not reversible. Even if the tensile strain on the ITO/PET was below the virgin cracking threshold (∼2%) previously reported [APL 76, 1425 (2000)], slight increases in resistance were measurable after just a few cycles.
Two-dimensional localized flow control using distributed, biomimetic feather structures: a comparative study

This paper presents the development of a bioinspired flight control system and a characterization of its performance when operating in turbulent and gusting airflow conditions. This design consists of a skeletal structure with a network of feather-like panels installed on the upper and lower surfaces, extending beyond the trailing edge. Each feather is able to deform into and out of the boundary layer, thus permitting local airflow manipulation. The gust load sensing is predominately performed near the leading edge of the airfoil, and the reaction forces are generated by the feathers located at the trailing edge. For this study, the focus presents a benchmark case of the NACA 4412 airfoil with the standard 20% trailing edge flap design operating in a gusting, turbulent airflow. COMSOL Multiphysics is used to model the flow field and the fluid-structure interactions using Direct Numerical Simulation. The dynamics of the gusting model are developed using MATLAB and LiveLink connected to COMSOL to enable unsteady, turbulent simulations to be performed. Discrete and continuous gusts are simulated at various airfoil angles of attack. Additionally, the airfoils' aerodynamic performance is comparatively analyzed between time-varying and steady-state turbulence models. This paper discusses how these two-dimensional, time-varying turbulent and gusting airflow simulation results can be developed and integrated into a LQR closed-loop feed back flight control system.
An improved abnormal toxicity test by using reference vaccine-specific body weight curves and histopathological data for monitoring vaccine quality and safety in Japan

Vaccines differ from other pharmaceutical products. The quality and safety of batches are regulated to high standards by national regulatory authorities. Various quality control and safety tests have been developed, including the abnormal toxicity test (ATT), which is described in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and in each country's pharmacopoeia. However, the criteria for abnormal results are not well defined in these guidelines. In addition, the animal grade to be used in ATT, classified on the basis of microbial colonization, was not designated in either guideline. In this study, we report a new and improved method of performing ATT, including statistical, histopathological analysis and hematological findings. It is based on the observation that there are body weight changes characteristic to each vaccine, and such standardized changes can be used as references for evaluating test vaccines. In addition, histopathological data are useful for determining vaccine quality and safety. Combined with histopathological examination, the improved ATT will be of great use for evaluating the consistency, quality and safety of different batches of vaccine. The results of these analyses were similar using either 'clean' or specific pathogen-free guinea pigs.
Affinity purification-mass spectrometry and network analysis to understand protein-protein interactions

By determining protein-protein interactions in normal, diseased and infected cells, we can improve our understanding of cellular systems and their reaction to various perturbations. In this protocol, we discuss how to use data obtained in affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) experiments to generate meaningful interaction networks and effective figures. We begin with an overview of common epitope tagging, expression and AP practices, followed by liquid chromatography-MS (LC-MS) data collection. We then provide a detailed procedure covering a pipeline approach to (i) pre-processing the data by filtering against contaminant lists such as the Contaminant Repository for Affinity Purification (CRAPome) and normalization using the spectral index (SIN) or normalized spectral abundance factor (NSAF); (ii) scoring via methods such as MiST, SAInt and CompPASS; and (iii) testing the resulting scores. Data formats familiar to MS practitioners are then transformed to those most useful for network-based analyses. The protocol also explores methods available in Cytoscape to visualize and analyze these types of interaction data. The scoring pipeline can take anywhere from 1 d to 1 week, depending on one's familiarity with the tools and data peculiarities. Similarly, the network analysis and visualization protocol in Cytoscape takes 2-4 h to complete with the provided sample data, but we recommend taking days or even weeks to explore one's data and find the right questions.
Desorption Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry of Proteins

Desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) was evaluated for the detection of proteins ranging in molecular mass from 12 to 66 kDa. Proteins were uniformly deposited on a solid surface without pretreatment and analyzed with a DESI source coupled to a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. DESI-MS parameters optimized for protein detection included solvent flow rate, temperature of heated capillary tube, incident and reflection angle, sheath gas pressure, and ESI voltage. Detection limits were obtained for all protein standards, and they were found to decrease with decreasing protein molecular mass: for cytochrome c (12.3 kDa) and lysozyme (14.3 kDa) a detection limit of 4 ng/mm2 was obtained; for apomyoglobin (16.9 kDa) 20 ng/mm2; for β-lactoglobulin B (18.2 kDa) 50 ng/mm2; and for chymotrypsinogen A (25.6 kDa) 100 ng/mm2. The DESI-MS analysis of higher molecular mass proteins such as ovalbumin (44.4 kDa) and bovine serum albumin (66.4 kDa) yielded mass spectra of low signal-to-noise ...
A U.S. viewpoint: Legislative and scientific aspects of cancer prevention☆

Abstract Many cancer risk factors can act through a variety of mechanisms to influence the incidence of cancer by potentiating the action of initiators or modifying the biological resistance of animals or humans, thereby increasing susceptibility to cancer induction. A reassessment of current priorities concerning research programs and regulatory policies is indicated.
Developmentally Informed Evaluation of Depression: Evidence-Based Instruments

This article has two primary aims: (1) to describe how to incorporate evidence-based assessment procedures into diagnostic practice and (2) to present a review of the more commonly used interview methods and clinical measures of depression among preschoolers, school-age children, and adolescents.
Mixed refrigerants for a glass capillary micro cryogenic cooler

Abstract Optimized mixed refrigerants are applied in Joule–Thomson (JT) micro cryogenic coolers (MCC) to enhance efficiency. Mixed refrigerants deliver equivalent refrigeration power with much lower pressure ratio and flow rate compared to pure nitrogen refrigerant. To determine the behavior of mixtures in MCCs, the normal boiling points of the components, mixture solubility, and refrigeration loss due to pressure drop on the low-pressure side of the heat exchanger are evaluated. The MCC discussed here was designed to operate at 77 K with the heat exchanger warm end precooled to 240 K by a thermo-electric cooler. An optimized five-component mixed refrigerant was calculated to provide a minimum isothermal enthalpy difference of 1.35 kJ/mol between 77 K and 240 K with a high pressure of 1.6 MPa and a low pressure of 0.1 MPa. Experimentally, a stable temperature of 140 K was achieved with a flow rate of 11 μmol/s. A transient temperature of 76 K was observed.
Carbohydrate solutilization of tomato locule tissue cell walls: Parallels with locule tissue liquefaction during ripening

Carbohydrate solubilization and glycosidase activities were investigated in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Solar Set) locule cell walls to identity processes involved in the liquefaction of this tissue. Cell walls were prepared from the locule tissue of fruit at the immature green, mature green, and breaker stages of development. Enzymically active walls incubated in dilute buffer released high molecular mass pectins, oligomeric carbohydrate, and the neutral sugars rhamnose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, and mannose. The release was sustained for at least 50 h at 34°C and was inhibited more than 50% by 1 mM Hg 2+ . Pectins released from the cell walls of locule tissue at progressive stages of liquefaction were similar in molecular mass and showed no evidence of downshifts on a Sepharose CL-2B-300 column during prolonged incubation. A cell-free protein extract prepared from the locule tissue of mature-green fruit promoted a net release of polymeric and monomeric carbohydrates from high-temperature inactivated cell walls. Polygalacturonase activity was not detected in locule protein although glycosidases including β-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.25), α- and β-galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.22-23), β-arabinosidase (EC 3.2.1.56) and #-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) were present. Pectinmethylesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) activity was detected at the immature-green stage but declined to negligible levels in mature-green and breaker locule tissue. Parallels between the in vitro solubilization of carbohydrate from locule tissue cell walls and the changes occurring during locule liquefaction are discussed.
Sputter deposition for semiconductor manufacturing

Sputter deposition, also known as physical vapor deposition, or PVD, is a widely used technique for depositing thin metal layers on semiconductor wafers. These layers are used as diffusion barriers, adhesion or seed layers, primary conductors, antireflection coatings, and etch stops. With the progression toward finer topographical dimensions on wafers and increasing aspect ratios, the broad angular distribution of depositing, sputtered atoms leads to poor or nonexistent coverage in deep features. This has been partially addressed using directional sputtering techniques such as collimated sputtering or long-throw sputtering. More recently, work originating in IBM has moved toward the deposition of films from metal-rich plasmas fed by sputtering, a technique known as I-PVD (for ionized PVD). This technique, based on fairly minor modifications of existing PVD systems, solves many of the intrinsic problems of PVD and appears headed for widespread manufacturing applications.
Surrogate Learning - From Feature Independence to Semi-Supervised Classification

We consider the task of learning a classifier from the feature space X to the set of classes Y = {0, 1}, when the features can be partitioned into class-conditionally independent feature sets X1 and X2. We show that the class-conditional independence can be used to represent the original learning task in terms of 1) learning a classifier from X2 to X1 (in the sense of estimating the probability P(x1/x 2))and 2) learning the class-conditional distribution of the feature set X1. This fact can be exploited for semi-supervised learning because the former task can be accomplished purely from unlabeled samples. We present experimental evaluation of the idea in two real world applications.
A framework for implementing on-line diagnostic advisory systems in continuous process operations

Abstract The application of diagnostic knowledge-based systems to continuous operations involving gas-solid or gas-liquid-solid reactions is analyzed. As a complex reasoning activity, diagnosis is decomposed into its constituent information-processing tasks(IPTs). The important IPTs are described in terms of their input, output, knowledge representation and inferencing strategy. How these tasks interact and are integrated to form a framework for constructing knowledge based diagnostic systems is described. A three phase ebullated bed hydrocracking units is used to illustrate the concepts of the task-based method for building knowledge-based systems. It is shown that this approach provides a natural basis for bringing together a variety of technologies into a comprehensive system for automated diagnosis.
Use of annual mammography among older women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

BACKGROUND As ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a risk factor for invasive breast cancer, ongoing annual mammography is important for cancer control, yet little is known about racial/ethnic and other disparities in use among older women with DCIS.
Pheromone-mediated behavior of the gypsy moth

The pheromone-mediated behavior of gypsy moth males was studied in both natural and simulated populations in central Pennsylvania. Feral males released into 50-m-diam plots, each with 2 feral females around the perimeter, oriented initially to trees and not to females. Neither exposure to virgin females nor exposure to wicks baited with approx 6 mg disparlure affected the subsequent sexual activity of males released into the 0.2-hectare plots. Males released into untreated plots, following 24 hr exposure in an area treated with approx 37 g/hectare of microencapsulated disparlure, located and mated with feral females within 4 min after release. None of the released males was caught in disparlure-baited Delta traps. In the disparlure-treated plot none of the females was mated. Males within this treated plot continued to search actively but did not settle down on the bark surface and initiate short-range (< 15 cm) search behavior. In plots testing the effect of various ratios of baited wicks to virgin females on disruption, there was no evidence of mating disruption due to point-source confusion. There were no significant differences in the responses of feral males to either virgin females or the various portions of Hercon wicks placed out in 0.2-hectare plots. In a series of tests using feral virgin females given various treatments to alter their physical and chemical characteristics (i.e., removed wings, denuded abdomen, washed in xylene, etc.), all females elicited the full range of sexual behavior responses of the male moths in natural populations. Apparently, males stimulated by pheromone are capable of using a number of different additional stimuli to initiate and terminate short-range sexual behavior patterns.
Mobilization of iron from crocidolite asbestos by certain chelators results in enhanced crocidolite-dependent oxygen consumption.

Abstract The reactivity of iron on crocidolite asbestos with dioxygen was determined and compared with iron mobilized from crocidolite. Ferrozine, a strong Fe(II) chelator, was used to demonstrate that iron on crocidolite was redox active. More Fe(II) was mobilized from crocidolite (1 mg/ml) by ferrozine anaerobically (11.2 nmol/mg crocidolite/h) than aerobically (6.6 nmol/mg/h) in 50 m m NaCl, pH 7.5, suggesting that Fe(II) on crocidolite reacts with O 2 upon aqueous suspension. However, suspension of crocidolite in 50 m m NaCl, pH 7.5, did not result in a measurable amount of O 2 consumption. The addition of reducing agents (1 m m ) increased the amount of Fe(II) on crocidolite, and addition of ascorbate resulted in 0.4 nmol O 2 consumed/mg crocidolite/min. Therefore, iron on crocidolite had limited redox activity in the presence of ascorbate. However, mobilization of iron from crocidolite increased its redox activity. Citrate, nitrilotriacetate (NTA), or EDTA (1 m m ) mobilized 79, 32, or 58 μ m iron, respectively, in preincubations up to 76 h, and increased O 2 consumption upon addition of ascorbate to 2.8, 7.6, or 22.0 nmol O 2 consumed/mg/min, respectively. This activity depended only upon the presence of a component(s) mobilized from crocidolite by the chelators. Pretreatment of crocidolite with the iron chelator desferrioxamine B (10 m m ) inhibited O 2 consumption. The results of the present study suggest that iron on or in crocidolite is responsible for the redox activity of crocidolite, but that mobilization of iron by chelators such as citrate, NTA, or EDTA greatly enhances its redox activity. Thus, iron mobilization from crocidolite in vivo by low-molecular-weight chelators may lead to the increased production of reactive oxygen species which may damage biomolecules, such as DNA.
The effects of cross-fostering on the behaviour of two species of North American lemmings, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus and Lemmus trimucronatus: I. Olfactory preferences

Abstract To determine the role of the maternal environment in the development of adult olfactory preferences, the young of two species of North American lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus and Lemmus trimucronatus) were reciprocally cross-fostered shortly after birth. In-fostered (reared by foster conspecific females) and non-fostered animals served as controls. When adult, subjects were tested for olfactory preferences in a free-choice Y-maze olfactometer. When compared to controls, cross-fostered animals showed increased preference for heterospecific odour. This effect was stronger for males than for females. These results suggest that adult species-specific odour preferences are learned during the neonatal period.
Modeling cellular agign and tumorigenic transformation

Abstract Numerous diverse mathematical models have been proposed, in an effort to explain and study the variety of aging processes which occur at the cellular level. This paper will detail the formalization of a framework for studying the propagation of a collection of biological properties through an asynchronously dividing cellular system. We will discuss the problem of modeling asynchrony of division. We will then discuss the problem of modeling the propagation of a single discrete biological property through the system. We will extend this result to a single continuous property. We will then examine how more appropriate equations may be used to give the number of cells which will enter mitosis at any time t. Finally, we will discuss the incorporation of tumorigenic transformation into the model.
Multi-resistance kinetic models for biosorption of Cd by raw and immobilized citrus peels in batch and packed-bed columns

Abstract Biosorbents should be of suitable size and stability for successful use in packed-bed columns, a reactor type commonly used in industrial sorption or ion exchange processes. Two polymeric materials (calcium alginate and agar) were investigated for immobilization of citrus peels to improve biosorbent properties. By varying relevant parameters such as initial concentration, flow rate, and bed height, immobilized peels and raw peels pre-saturated with calcium and hydrogen ions were compared for cadmium biosorption in equilibrium and kinetic batch experiments as well as in fixed-bed reactors. The batch equilibrium was described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, with the following affinity sequence: protonated raw peels (PRP) ≈ protonated alginate-immobilized peels (PALP) > agar-immobilized peels (AGP) > calcinated raw peels (CRP). The Langmuir uptake capacity followed the order PALP > CRP > PRP > AGP. Batch kinetics was described by three mass transfer models (based on external resistance, intraparticle resistance, and both) and by three surface reaction models (pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and Langmuir kinetics). Frequently used mass transfer models such as Weber-Morris, Boyd, and Urano were reviewed, revealing that these models are different approximations of the same parent model. The suitability of using Weber-Morris and Boyd plots to determine the dominating mass transfer resistance was critically evaluated, and mathematically analogous models were identified. Breakthrough curves were simulated by a surface reaction model (Bohart–Adams) and were predicted a priori by a mass transfer model (Klinkenberg) using external and intraparticle mass transfer coefficients from engineering correlation and batch kinetic data, respectively.
A Novel Automotive Transmission Clutch Control Mechanism

Clutch fill control is critical for automotive transmission performance and fuel economy, including both automatic and hybrid transmissions. To ensure proper function of the transmission systems, it is important to have a precise and robust clutch fill process. Current clutch fill control is realized in an open loop fashion, due to the lack of a pressure or position sensor in the clutch chamber. To improve the accuracy and robustness of this system, a new clutch control mechanism is proposed, which includes an internal feedback structure without a pressure or position sensor. First, the design and working principles of the new mechanism are presented. Second, the advantages of the internal feedback mechanism are analyzed and shown to be superior to the traditional clutch fill mechanism. To this end, the dynamic model of the new mechanism is formulated. Through a series of simulations and case studies, the new clutch control mechanism is demonstrated to be effective, efficient, and robust for solving the clutch fill and engagement control problem.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Functionalization of aluminophosphate AlPO4-H1 (VPI-5) with phenylphosphonic acid

Zeolites and related substances, such as aluminophosphates with periodic three-dimensional framework structures which contain pores, have attracted much scientific interest for applications in chemical separation, shape-selective catalysis, host/guest chemistry, and low dielectric constant (low-κ) materials preparation, etc. The recent interest in organically functionalized mesoporous and microporous inorganic materials arises from the advantages that the disparate moieties bring to the system. Although the synthesis of organically functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilicas has been extensively reported, there has been limited success in the functionalization of microporous materials. Herein, we describe the preparation of phenyl-functionalized AlPO4-H1 (VPI-5). The functionalization of AlPO4-H1 with phenylphosphonic acid was investigated by solid state 13C and 31P NMR, BET, XRD, FTIR, EDX, and TGA.
Swallowing the bitter pill: Sources of popular support for neoliberal reform in Latin America

What accounts for the surprisingly widespread popular approval that painful neoliberal reforms elicited in several Latin American countries? This article compares the explanatory power of two rival hypotheses, which draw on conventional rational choice and psychological decision theory. The compensation hypothesis claims that governments can engineer support for costly reforms by compensating the losers through targeted social benefits. The rescue hypothesis questions this claim and maintains that draconian adjustment only finds support if it promises to revert a deep crisis and avert further losses. Data from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela suggest that the rescue hypothesis accounts much better for the initial endorsement of neoliberal shock programs immediately after their enactment. When these shock programs bring about economic stabilization and recovery, targeted social benefits help consolidate support for neoliberalism, which a statistical analysis of the impact of social s...
Preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide with Pt/Fe monolithic catalysts: interactions between external transport and the reverse water-gas-shift reaction

Abstract A series of Pt/Al2O3 catalysts, promoted with Fe and supported on 400 cpsi (cells per square inch) (62 cells/cm2) ceramic straight-channel monoliths, was synthesized and evaluated for preferential oxidation (PROX) of a low concentration of CO in the presence of a high concentration of H2. These catalysts were evaluated in an adiabatic reactor at a total pressure of 0.20 mPa inlet temperatures of 80–170 °C, and a space velocity of 30,000 h−1. The inlet gas composition was—H2: 42%, CO2: 9%, H2O: 12%, CO: 0–1.0%, O2: 0–1.0%, with N2 as the balance. For a catalyst containing 5 wt.% Pt in the washcoat, the carbon monoxide and oxygen conversions increased as the iron concentration in the washcoat was increased up to about 0.5 wt.% Fe. The reverse water-gas-shift (r-WGS) reaction played an important role in determining the outlet CO concentration. A catalyst with 1.6 g/in.3 (0.098 g/cm3) of an alumina washcoat containing 5 wt.% Pt/Al2O3 promoted with 0.5 wt.% Fe was selected for detailed investigation. The effects of both space velocity and linear velocity were studied. External transport was a significant resistance with this catalyst, at the above experimental conditions. The external resistances to heat and mass transfer, coupled with the effect of the r-WGS reaction, reduced the observed CO conversion and selectivity.
Adaptive transversal filter modeling and simulation for telecommunications

Modeling and simulation of an analog/digital hardware system for system identification is described. Specifically, the operation of a charge-coupled device (CCD) transversal filter system identification device, utilizing the clipped least mean square (LMS) algorithm for tap weight updating, is discussed. The rational for the use of the clipped LMS algorithm is delineated, and the results of simulation of the system are presented for white noise. Specific effects modeled and addressed are the loss of charge from cell to cell as the input signal is transferred along the CCD delay line, the calculation of the tap weights and the effect of offset of these weights, the speed of convergence of the system for the clipped LMS algorithm, and the effect of low pass filtering of the input signal. Application of this configuration to the telephone system is described with specific reference to echo cancellation in long distance telephone networks.
Phenylheptatriyne: Occurrence, synthesis, biological properties, and environmental concerns

In addition to a complete bibliography on the occurrence, synthesis, photochemistry, biological activity, and mechanism of phototoxicity of phenylheptatriyne, new data on its phototoxicity in larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, in Daphnia magna and in fish (Pimephales promelas) are presented. The apparent lack of target specificity suggests that additional research will be necessary before considering using PHT in field applications.
Vented endodontic-access crowns.

Abstract A technique has been described for constructing vented endodontic-access crowns. The simplicity of these procedures makes the technique ideal where the prognosis for pulpal health is questionable. The technique avoids the possibility of mutilating fixed prostheses should root canal therapy become necessary. This crown not only facilitates future endodontic procedures, but, through the venting technique, also allows final cementation of the restoration earlier than would otherwise be advisable.
Single-Molecule Imaging of Nuclear Transport

The utility of single molecule fluorescence microscopy approaches has been proven to be of a great avail in understanding biological reactions over the last decade. The investigation of molecular interactions with high temporal and spatial resolutions deep within cells has remained challenging due to the inherently weak signals arising from individual molecules. Recent works by Yang et al. demonstrated that narrow-field epifluorescence microscopy allows visualization of nucleocytoplasmic transport at the single molecule level. By the single molecule approach, important kinetics, such as nuclear transport time and efficiency, for signal-dependent and independent cargo molecules have been obtained. Here we described a protocol for the methodological approach with an improved spatiotemporal resolution of 0.4 ms and 12 nm. The improved resolution enabled us to capture transient active transport and passive diffusion events through the nuclear pore complexes (NPC) in semi-intact cells. We expect this method to be used in elucidating other binding and trafficking events within cells.
Mobile systems location privacy: “MobiPriv” a robust k anonymous system

With the rapid advancement of positioning and tracking capabilities (mobile phones, on-board navigation systems) location based services are rapidly increasing. Privacy in location based systems is addressed in many papers. Our work is focused on the trusted third party privacy framework that utilizes the concept of k-anonymity with or without l-diversity. In previous anonymization models k may be defined as a personalization parameter of the mobile user or as uniform system parameter for all mobile users . Clearly, k other users may not be available at the time of request in these systems. These requests are discarded because the quality of service (QoS) they require cannot be satisfied. In this paper we introduce a novel suite of algorithms called MobiPriv that guarantees a 100% success rate of processing a mobile request using k-anonymity with diversity considerations. We evaluated our suite of algorithms experimentally against previously proposed anonymization algorithms using real world traffic volume data, real world road network and mobile users generated realistically by a mobile object generator.