cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidation-resistant Ge-doped silicide coating on Cr-Cr2Nb alloys by pack cementation

Abstract The halide-activated pack cementation process was modified to produce a Ge-doped silicide diffusion coating on Cr-Cr 2 Nb alloys in a single processing step. The morphology and composition of the coating depended both on the pack composition and processing schedule and also on the composition and microstructure of the substrate. Higher Ge content in the pack suppressed the formation of CrSi 2 and reduced the growth kinetics of the coating. Ge was not homogeneously distributed in the coatings. Under cyclic and isothermal oxidation conditions, the Ge-doped silicide coating protected the Cr-Nb alloys from significant oxidation and from pesting by the formation of a Ge-doped silica film.
Interactions of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol with d-Amphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine in rats ☆ ☆☆

The acute, reciprocal dose-response interactions between Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 - THC; 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg; IG) and each of three stimulants - d-amphetamine (dA; 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg; IP), cocaine (COC; 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg; IP), and nicotine (NIC; 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg; IP) were studied for their effects on performance of a conditioned avoidance response (CAR), photocell activity, heart rate, body temperature, and rotarod performance. Δ9 - THC impaired CAR and rotarod performance, depressed photocell activity, and decreased heart rate and body temperature. None of the three stimulants influenced CAR performance, but dA and COC increased the number of intertrial responses, and this latter effect was partially antagonized by Δ9 - THC. dA and COC, but not NIC, stimulated photocell activity. Δ9-THC completely blocked this effect of dA, whereas there was mutual antagonism between Δ9 - THC and COC on this measure and NIC markedly potentiated the depression caused by Δ9 - THC. dA and COC tended to offset the impairment of rotarod performance caused by Δ9 - THC, whereas NIC augmented it. The bradycardia and hypothermia caused by Δ9 - THC tended to be augmented by these stimulants, especially NIC. The interactions were also studied after subacute treatment for six days with Δ9 - THC and/or each of the three stimulants. There was evidence for tolerance to the effects of Δ9-THC on all measures and this tolerance generally resulted in less interactive effects between Δ9 - THC and the stimulants. Little or no tolerance was seen for the effects of the three stimulants of their interaction with Δ9 - THC. The time course of radioactivity derived from 14C-Δ9-THC and each of the radiolabelled stimulants was determined in plasma and brain. Only minor interactive effects were found and, in general, they could not account for the functional interactions.
Intraspecific competition in a fluctuating population of Littorina plena Gould (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia)

Abundances and standing biomass of Littorina plena Gould fluctuate seasonally and year-to-year on exposed rocky shores along the northern California coast, apparently as a result of density-independent physical factors such as desiccation, wave stress and near-shore currents. Recruitment to littoral populations occurs primarily during autumn and winter during periods presumably favorable for onshore transport of planktonic larvae. Large numbers of snails occasionally die during unusually warm or dry conditions in the spring and summer; however, mortality peaks between October and March when seasonal storms produce strong wave action which apparently removes adult snails from the shore populations. Experimental manipulations of field densities provide direct evidence that intraspecific competition provides a density-dependent mechanism for altering snail numbers. Microalgal food supplies are depleted even at low experimental densities and the amount of food available to each individual decreases as densities increase. Within natural abundances of L. plena, mortality rates increase and individual body masses decrease as population densities increase. However, the intensity of density-dependent processes varies over time and would seem to be inadequate for regulating population density within narrow limits. Physical factors and competition likely interact to modify natural densities of L. plena. Physical processes which control rates of shore mortality and larval recruitment alter the intensity of subsequent competitive interactions. Competition may still affect physiological tolerances and growth of individual L. plena and reduce the abilities of snails to survive unpredictable physical disturbances.
Smart-aloha for multi-hop wireless networks

This paper presents a novel slotted ALOHA-based protocol for use in ad hoc networks where nodes are equipped with adaptive array smart antennas. The protocol relies on the ability of the antenna and DoA (Direction of Arrival) algorithms to identify the direction of transmitters and then beamform appropriately to maximize SINR (Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio) at the receiver. The performance of the protocol is evaluated using analytical modeling as well as detailed simulation in OPNET and Matlab where we demonstrate the benefits of using smart antennas. The impact of using different number of antenna elements is also studied for this environment.
Changes in thymidine kinase activity during differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells.

Abstract Induction of granulocyte maturation in HL-60 leukemic cells by DMSO (1.2%) or RA (1 μM) is accompanied by a 50–60% decrease in cellular thymidine kinase activity. Similarly, the differentiation of HL-60 cells into monocyte-macrophage phenotype by the addition of PMA is paralleled by a 60–80% suppression of thymidine kinase specific activity. Measurement of thymidine kinase kinetic parameters shows that the V max decreases from 0.7 pmol/min in control cells to 0.43 pmol/min in PMA-treated cells and to 0.38 pmol/min in RA-treated cells. The K m of the enzyme is not affected by either inducing agent and remains at 2.1 μM. Studies with PMA analogs suggest that thymidine kinase modulation is coupled to HL-60 differentiation.
Postnephrectomy pseudoaneurysm with arteriovenous fistula.

Sonography detected a paraaortic pulsatile tubular mass in a patient 10 years after “stump” nephrectomy, which was subsequently confirmed as a renal artery-renal vein fistula by computed tomography, angiography, and laparotomy.
Phenological correlations between flowering plants and activity of urban landscape pests in Kentucky.

Seasonal appearance of 33 insect pests of urban landscapes together with flowering phenology of 34 species of common woody ornamental plants were systematically monitored for 3 yr in central Kentucky. Base temperatures and degree-day requirements corresponding to these events also were determined. Phenological sequences of plant flowering and insect activity were highly consistent between years. For example, crawlers of the oystershell scale, Lepidosaphes ulmi (L.), hatched 1st in each year, followed by those of pine needle scale, Chionaspis pinifaliae (Fitch); euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock); juniper scale, Carulaspis juniperi (Bouche); calico scale, Eulecanium cerusorum (Cockerell); walnut scale, Quadraspidiotus juglansregiae (Comstock); a cottony maple leaf scale, Pulvillaria acericola (Walsh & Riley);) and obscure scale, Melanaspis obscura (Comstock). Similar consistency occurred with clearwing borers (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), leafminers, and other pests. Plant phenology was generally a better predictor of insect activity than was calender date. Comparison of the temporal deviation between plant-insect correlations in Kentucky and Michigan suggests that some phenological predictors are consistent across geographic regions, whereas others are not. A phenology calender was developed that facilitates prediction of pest activity and timing of control actions by horticultural professionals and lay persons.
Hydrogen incorporation in boron-doped 6H-SiC CVD epilayers produced using site-competition epitaxy

We report on the initial investigations of using site-competition epitaxy to control boron incorporation in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) 6H-SiC epilayers. Also reported herein is the detection of hydrogen in boron-doped CVD SiC epilayers and hydrogen-passivation of the boron-acceptors. Results from low temperature photoluminescence (LTPL) spectroscopy indicate that the hydrogen content increased as the capacitance-voltage (C-V) measured net hole concentration increased. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis revealed that the boron and the hydrogen incorporation both increased as the Si/ C ratio was sequentially decreased within the CVD reactor during epilayer growth. Epilayers that were annealed at 1700°C in argon no longer exhibited hydrogen-related LTPL lines, and subsequent SIMS analysis confirmed the outdiffusion of hydrogen from the boron-doped SiC epilayers. The C-V measured net hole concentration increased more than threefold as a result of thel700°C anneal, which is consistent with hydrogen passivation of the boron-acceptors. However, boron related LTPL lines were not observed before or after the 1700°C anneal.
Effects of temperature on intergranular exchange coupling in L10 FePt thin films

The effects of temperature on intergranular exchange coupling for FePt:X:FePt (X = TaOx, SiOx, Cr) sputtered thin film stacks were investigated. In-plane FePt layers separated by a thin layer of segregant were used as an experimental model for the intergranular region in perpendicular recording media. Magnetic hysteresis was measured for varying segregant thicknesses (0.5 nm–1.5 nm) at varying temperatures (300 K–700 K). Exchange coupling energies were calculated using the reversal field, saturation magnetization, and coercivity. The intergranular exchange coupling energy was observed to be well-behaved, decreasing linearly with increasing temperature to 600 K. TaOx resulted in the lowest exchange coupling energy at any given temperature, while SiOx and Cr showed similar decoupling capabilities. At 600 K and beyond, antiferromagnetic behavior was observed. Exchange coupling was found to be negligible at operating temperatures above 600 K even with as little as 0.5 nm of TaOx segregant or 1 nm of SiOx segregant.
Techniques for emergency airway and vascular access in special species

Special species, such as rabbits, ferrets, rodents, parrots, turtles, and snakes, are becoming more popular as pets. Thus, it becomes more likely that a veterinarian may be presented with one of these species on an emergent basis. This article addresses the basic steps of vascular and airway access for each group of special species and will provide information on techniques that can be used to enable the clinician to quickly obtain basic diagnostics and provide the patient with emergency life support. This article also briefly describes methods for humane euthanasia of special species pets.
Real time biosensor analysis of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in food.

Abstract Currently there is no ‘real-time’ detection system to identify food borne toxins. In order to develop such a system, we have used a evanescent wave biosensor for real time detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) in foods. The approach used here is sandwich biosensor, a method utilizing two antibodies. The toxin binds initially to a capturing antibody which is bound covalently on the surface of the biosensor detector. The second antibody binds to the captured toxin. We were able to measure SEA in foods with little or no background interference, demonstrating that biosensor-based measurement of SEA was possible not only with purified SEA but also in complex food matrices such as hot dogs, potato salad, milk and mushrooms. Autoclaved samples of SEA did not evoke a positive response. With both purified SEA and SEA-spiked foods, the assay sensitivity is 10–100 ng/g depending on the material tested and the assay is rapid (
Challenging the Traditional Forestry Extension Model: Insights from the Woods Forum Program in Massachusetts

Traditional forestry education and outreach activities tend to focus on transfer-of-knowledge, often through workshops initiated and led by professionals to “teach” landowners about forest management and conservation. Less than 10 percent of family forest owners in the US have a management plan, participated in cost-share programs, certified their forest land, or hold a conservation easement, suggesting flaws in this traditional model. Some researchers and practitioners have suggested the need for a paradigm shift away from transfer-of-knowledge to more facilitative, participatory approaches, among which peer learning has gained growing attention and is supported by a number of behavioral theories. By analyzing data from participant feedback of a peer learning pilot program in Massachusetts and a follow-up mail survey, this paper examines the perceived usefulness of peer-to-peer interactions and the effect of peer learning over time. The results suggest peer learning did not only appeal to landowners with forestry background, but also succeeded in attracting inexperienced landowners. Participants rated their peer-to-peer experience positively. The retention of information obtained through the program was reflected by participants’ ability to correctly identify foresters, land trust organizations, and reasonable sources of forestry or land management advice. Participants also shared a strong willingness to spread information obtained through peer learning. This study contributes to the identification of potential barriers to and opportunities for peer learning, informs forestry extension efforts in the US and beyond, and highlights the importance of integrating peer learning into the broader forestry education, technical assistance, and financial incentive programs to increase participation and promote sustainable forest management and conservation.
Privacy, reconsidered: New representations, data practices, and the geoweb

Abstract Blogging, social networking, and other Web 2.0 practices have sparked widespread debate about the status and future of privacy. This paper examines an explicitly geographical aspect of Web 2.0 with respect to these debates: the geospatial web, or ‘geoweb’. As part of fundamental shifts in the kinds of geographic information available, its circulation, and representative forms it assumes, the geoweb implies new objects of privacy concern and subsequent privacy-related negotiations over the aggregate of its component information, technologies, and data praxes. Thus we argue that privacy must not only be revisited, but indeed re-conceptualized. Whereas prior research on privacy vis-a-vis geographic information technologies has tended to question what privacy ‘is’, we focus instead on the constitutive outcomes of societal struggles over privacy. We examine how privacy is being negotiated around two geoweb services – Google Street View and the Twitter GeoAPI – to illustrate that these contestations produce privacy as a social object in particular ways. We show that public discourse around actual or anticipated privacy harms stemming from geoweb services and their uses, as well as the preventatives and remedies proposed or implemented to address such harms, reconstitute the objects and practices of privacy concern, and alter the roles and relationships of state, civil and corporate actors in the construction of privacy. Finally we suggest that the geoweb raises new privacy concerns because some of its representational forms – namely geo-tagged images and self-authored texts – facilitate identification and disclosure with more immediacy and less abstraction.
High-Resolution Studies of Grain Boundary Structure in Yttria-Stabilized Cubic Zirconia Thin Films Grown by MOCVD

Polycrystalline cubic-phase YSZ films with a colummar grain morphology were sunthesized by MOCVD. Under suitable growth and annealing conditions highly (001) textured films were obtained and used for investigations of [001] tilt grain boundaries (GBs) by TEM, AEM and HREM. Individual primary GB dislocations in low-angle GBs were imaged by Fresnel contrast and HREM techniques. Both low and high-angle GBs were well structured at the atomic scale. No amorphous GB phases were found in any of the GBs. However, yttria segregation to GBs after high-temperature anneals was indicated by EDS. The atomic-scale structures, although in detail quite different from previously investigated oxide GBs, such as the Σ5, (210) GB in NiO, share a number of structural features with other oxide GBs. These include the tendency toward coherence between low-index planes crossing the GB, misfit localization, and the formation of many types of asymmetric facets that include low-index planes. The fact that well-structured GBs free of secondary phases can be produced in YSZ is of technological importance, especially for fast-ion conduction applications, such as in high temperature fuel cells.
An inquiry into eastern leadership orientation of working adults in Afghanistan

This study analyzes the leadership tendencies of respondents from Afghanistan and compares them with their American counterparts. The responses of 219 Afghans are compared with 87 respondents from the United States, showing similarities of leadership orientation between the two cultures. Afghans have higher scores on the relationship orientation, and age seems to be a factor as well. Suggestions and implications are explored for local managers working with foreigners, multinational managers, political leaders, and United Nations officials working in Afghanistan toward reconstruction and peaceful development of the country.
THE EFFECT OF 6-MERCAPTOPURINE ON DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY IN GUINEA PIGS

The development of tuberculin hypersensitivity in guinea pigs after BCG stimulation was suppressed by intramuscular administration of 50 mg/kg/day of 6-mercaptopurine started at the time of stimulation. Fasting of guinea pigs after BCG stimulation had no effect on the development of tuberculin hypersensitivity.
Public Choice and Urban Water Quality

Abstract. It is the purpose of this paper to examine critically the choice of “zero discharge” as me ultimate goal of our federal water pollution policy and to demonstrate that a goal of 90 percent removal of pollutants from effluents of urban areas will be more economically efficient. Our results indicate that in reaching “Zero discharge,” there is a minimal return in water quality for urban areas which are located on large bodies of water. The final conclusion is that the substantial resources, which would be required to surpass the level of 90 percent removal of pollutants, could be employed more effectively in other social programs.
Hematologic Disorders Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Their Management

More than 4 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). During the next 20-30 years, the burden of HCV-related mortality and morbidity will likely double. To date, the most effective treatment for chronic HCV infection is the combination of either interferon (IFN)-alpha or pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin. For a sustained virologic response, treatment adherence and dose maintenance are essential. However, both IFN-alpha and ribavirin induce hematologic toxicity, such as anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, which can compromise treatment adherence and dose maintenance and could, therefore, potentially influence outcomes. Although there are currently no approved treatments for hematologic complications of HCV therapy, studies have shown that hematopoietic growth factors can provide significant benefits. This review highlights the pharmacology, risks, and benefits of recombinant hematopoietic growth factor therapy in HCV-infected patients.
Microanalysis of nitro compounds. II

A colorimetric method for the determination of phenolic compounds containing the nitro function is described. It is based on the production of a yellow color when nitrophenols are treated with iminobispropylamine in monochlorobenzene solution. There is no interference due to the presence of carbonyl and carboxyl groups in the molecule. Relationship between absorbance and concentration is linear in the range of 1 to 20μg/ml for most nitrophenols. Isomeric compounds can be distinguished by the absorption spectra of their respective colored complexes.
Postoperative adjustable surgery of the superior oblique tendon.

Purpose: To describe a surgical procedure for loosening or tightening the superior oblique (SO) tendon that enables bedside adjustment following the surgery, with surgical outcome reported. Methods: A permanent suture separates the two cut ends of the SO tendon, with a sliding noose for adjustment. The noose is accessed by having the patient look up or straight ahead, not down, during adjustment at the bedside. Records of 17 patients who underwent this surgery between June 2000 and January 2003 were reviewed and analyzed for outcome. Results: Seventeen patients, 18 eyes, mean age 43.7 years (range 5.9 to 71 years) had SO surgery with postoperatively adjustable sutures. Twelve eyes of 11 patients had a loosening procedure, and six eyes had a tightening procedure. Seven of the patients had had previous eye muscle surgery, four having had previous surgery on the same SO tendon. All but one patient returned for follow-up examination, ranging from 1.5 to 7 months postoperatively. Torsional imbalances in 12 pat...
Magnetic susceptibility of Co4+(d5) in octahedral and tetrahedral environments

Abstract Measurements of magnetic susceptibility on compounds containing stoichiometric Co4+ are reported. The compound Ba2CoO4 has the Co4+(d5) ion at a tetrahedral site and displays a susceptibility of the expected magnitude for S = 5 2 . The compounds Ba3Co2CO9 and BaCoO3 have the Co4+ at an octahedral site and show a susceptibility expected for low spin, S = 1 2 . For the low spin case significant deviations from Kotani's calculated susceptibility were observed. Improvement of the theory was made through incorporation of the effects of distortion from perfect octahedral symmetry and the inclusion of higher electronic configurations above t52 in the 2T2 ground state. A case of low spin Ni in octahedral environment is also reported.
A genetic algorithm with neighborhood search for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem

The resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) consists of a set of non-preemptive activities that follow precedence relationship and consume resources. Under the limited amount of the resources, the objective of RCPSP is to find a schedule of the activities to minimize the project makespan. This article presents a new genetic algorithm (GA) by incorporating a local search strategy in GA operators. The local search strategy improves the efficiency of searching the solution space while keeping the randomness of the GA approach. Extensive numerical experiments show that the proposed GA with neighborhood search works well regarding solution quality and computational time compared with existing algorithms in the RCPSP literature, especially for the instances with a large number of activities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011
Geriatrics Education in Psychiatric Residencies: A National Survey of Program Directors

Objective The authors describe the current characteristics of geriatrics training within general psychiatry training programs.
Durable remission of HIV-negative, Kaposi’s sarcoma herpes virus-associated multicentric Castleman disease in patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate

Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is a nonneoplastic lymphoproliferative disorder that has a poor prognosis. Optimal treatment is unknown. There are a few reported cases of MCD and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we report a patient with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus-(KSHV, human herpesvirus-8) associated MCD that showed expression of viral IL-6. Treatment with methotrexate (MTX) resulted in a complete remission of her disease lasting for 54+ months. Multiple studies have suggested that MCD and rheumatoid arthritis are associated with overexpression of the growth-promoting cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), and that MTX downregulates the production of this cytokine in vivo. As such, we suggest that the dramatic improvement in this patient's disease is due to the immunomodulatory properties of MTX.
When is a Word a Word: The Development of Word Knowledge

Abstract The present study was conducted to determine if children's increasing knowledge of wordness could be characterized as conforming to a system of successively mastered levels of understanding similar to acquisitions in a number of other cognitive domains. Stimuli differing on dimensions of word appearance and meaning were presented to first-, third-, fifth-, and seventh-grade students and to college students, who were required to identify whether or not each stimulus was a word and to indicate their certainty about these decisions. The validity of a hierarchical system of levels of understanding of wordness was confirmed. In addition, developmental predictions about accuracy and certainty were supported. It was concluded that children's word knowledge is not unidimensional but involves several underlying component processes.
Retinoic Acid Receptor Isotype Specificity in F9 Teratocarcinoma Stem Cells Results from the Differential Recruitment of Coregulators to Retinoic Acid Response Elements

The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha, beta(2), and gamma isotypes each regulate specific subsets of target genes in F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to monitor the association of RARgamma, retinoic X receptor (RXR) alpha, and coregulators with the RARbeta(2), Hoxa1, and Cyp26A1 retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) in F9 wild type and RARalpha, -beta(2), and -gamma null cells. Additionally we quantitatively monitored expression of the corresponding mRNAs. We demonstrated that the association of RARgamma and/or RXRalpha with a RARE was not sufficient for retinoic acid (RA)-mediated transcription of the corresponding target gene. However, the ability of RARgamma and/or RXRalpha to recruit pCIP (AIB1/ACTR/RAC-3/TRAM-1/SRC-3) and p300 to a RARE did correlate with RA-associated transcription of target mRNAs. Therefore, the specific functions of the RAR isotypes do not manifest at the level of their DNA binding but rather from a differential ability to recruit specific components of the transcriptional machinery. We also demonstrated that RA-mediated displacement of the polycomb group protein SUZ12 from a RARE was inhibited in the absence of RARgamma. Thus, transcriptional components of the RAR signaling pathway are specifically required for displacement of SUZ12 from RAREs during RA-mediated differentiation of F9 cells.
Multimodality imaging findings in image-guided biopsy proven splenic littoral cell angioma: series of three cases

Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare primary splenic vascular tumor arising from the littoral cells that line the splenic sinuses of the red pulp. Definitive diagnosis of this entity depends on histology and immunochemical studies, for which splenectomy is usually performed. We present three image-guided percutaneous core biopsy proven cases of splenic LCA and also discuss imaging features of these rare tumors on CT, MR, and US findings.
A spectrophotometric method for the quantification of 2-phenylethylamine in biological specimens

Abstract An efficient and specific extraction procedure is described for the isolation of 2-phenylethylamine (PEA) from biological material. The method employed, which involves n -hexane extraction from highly alkalinized samples, substantially eliminates most of catecholamines, indoleamines, their presumed metabolites and amino acid precursors as well as those of PEA itself. Characteristics of a chemical reaction used for the quantitation of this amine, which involves a pH and chloride ion dependent oxidation of this compound by Ce(SO 4 ) 2 , are also described. This reaction could also be used for the quantitation of 2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamine, phenylacetic acid, phenylacetaldehyde and phenylethanol. Using the described procedure, PEA levels were determined in different human, cat and rabbit organs, including brain, of nonpretreated animals as well as in human urine.
On the finiteness of the L2-automorphic cohomology of a flag domain☆

Abstract Let D = G V be a flag domain and let Eπ → D be a nondegenerate homogeneous vector bundle over D induced by an irreducible representation π of V. If Γ ⊂ G is a lattice we prove that the L2 − Γ-automorphic cohomology of D with coefficients in Eπ is finite dimensional. In particular we establish finiteness of Γ-automorphic cohomology of the period matrix domain D = SO e (2n, 1) U(n) . The finiteness question, which heretofore has been open, is posed by Wells and Wolf in (Ann. of Math. 105 (1977), 397–448).
Salt-Induced Multilayer Growth: Correlation with Phase Separation in Solution

We report salt-induced phase separation of polyelectrolyte complexes in solution correlates with deposition of polymer multilayers at a surface. Multilayer growth was followed in situ using FTIR-ATR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by attenuated total reflection). The polymer system was quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) (QPVP) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), with various ratios of PMAA to QPVP chain lengths. In solution, phase diagrams were produced for QPVP/PMAA mixtures containing excess of PMAA or QPVP, in both cases showing salt-induced phase separation. These phase diagrams controlled deposition of PMAA or QPVP chains at the surface and explained a bell-shaped dependence of the multilayer thickness on the salt concentration. The order of chain removal (occurring at the step of QPVP or PMAA deposition) could also be predicted from the phase state of QPVP/PMAA mixtures in solution. Finally, we show that, by using short equilibration times with solution, robust multilayers can be produced at ...
Direct adaptive control for non‐linear uncertain systems with exogenous disturbances

A direct adaptive non-linear control framework for multivariable non-linear uncertain systems with exogenous bounded disturbances is developed. The adaptive non-linear controller addresses adaptive stabilization, disturbance rejection and adaptive tracking. The proposed framework is Lyapunov-based and guarantees partial asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system; that is, asymptotic stability with respect to part of the closed-loop system states associated with the plant. In the case of bounded energy L2 disturbances the proposed approach guarantees a non-expansivity constraint on the closed-loop input–output map. Finally, several illustrative numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
WHY THE MARGINS MATTER: OCCULTISM AND THE MAKING OF MODERNITY

“Occult,” a 1902 international encyclopedia of religion tells us, is derived “from Latin occultus—Hidden,” and is applied to the assumption that insight into and control over nature is to be obtained by mysterious or magical procedures and by long apprenticeship in secret lore. The physical science of the middle ages, alchemy and astrology, and in modern times spiritualism, theosophy, and palmistry contain various factors of occult lore. Such doctrines, known as occultism, fall outside the realm of modern science. See MAGIC.
Arms as Influence: The Determinants of Successful Influence

One justification for U.S. arms transfers is that the United States can manipulate its arms exports to make the recipients of American aid comply with American wishes. This article explores the conditions under which such arms influence attempts succeed. Sixteen potential determinants are discussed, drawn from the attributes of the influence attempt, the recipient, the interaction of the recipient and supplier, the supplier, and the systemic environment. A data set of 191 American arms influence attempts from 1950 to 1992 is presented. Using logit analysis, the variables are tested against the outcome—success or failure—of the influence attempt. Successful influence attempts are more likely when the United States used promises or rewards, focused on altering the recipient's foreign policy, made the attempt on civilian regimes, supplied more of the recipient's arms, and made attempts in the first half of the cold war era, when the United States was generally more powerful.
Our hardy hibiscus species as ornamentals.

As a common plant name, "Hibiscus" is more often applied to the showy tropical sorts, especially Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., than to other species of the genus. There is, however, another equally showy group, the hardy herbaceous mallows, native mostly to the Eastern United States. This group includes Hibiscus moscheutos L., H. militaris Cav., H. coccineus (Medicus) Walter, H. grandiflorus Michx., H. lasiocarpus Cav., and their many garden hybrids. The various species in this group are commonly called Rose Mallows. They grow naturally in marshy areas of the Atlantic States from southern New England to Florida, also inland along rivers and lakes. Isolated populations appear in areas such as the Sacramento River Valley of California. The tall vigorous growth of Rose Mallow plants plus the abundantly produced, large, gaily colored flowers makes them a conspicuous and attractive feature of the vegetation. Hibiscus moscheutos most often occurs in almost pure stands along tidal rivers of the mid-Atlantic states. During the peak of flowering, late July to mid-August, these stands are a striking sight to behold. In spite of the large fleshy roots, Rose Mallow plants withstand transplanting easily even when in full flower. They are also readily groxvn from seed and will flower the first season if sown early. Unlike their woody tropical relatives, the Rose Mallows are herbaceous perennials, and the plants become somewhat coarse by the end of the growing season. They also lack the yellow and orange flower colors so prominent in many Hibiscus rosa-sinensis clones. Nevertheless, the various species have been cultivated as ornamentals in the United States since Colonial times. As cultivated plants they perform best when grown in good garden soil with moderate amounts of water.
Fractional Calculus in Bioengineering, Part 2

Fractional calculus (integral and differential operations of noninteger order) is not often used to model biological systems. Although the basic mathematical ideas were developed long ago by the mathematicians Leibniz (1695), Liouville (1834), Riemann (1892), and others and brought to the attention of the engineering world by Oliver Heaviside in the 1890s, it was not until 1974 that the first book on the topic was published by Oldham and Spanier. Recent monographs and symposia proceedings have highlighted the application of fractional calculus in physics, continuum mechanics, signal processing, and electromagnetics, but with few examples of applications in bioengineering. This is surprising because the methods of fractional calculus, when defined as a Laplace or Fourier convolution product, are suitable for solving many problems in biomedical research. For example, early studies by Cole (1933) and Hodgkin (1946) of the electrical properties of nerve cell membranes and the propagation of electrical signals are well characterized by differential equations of fractional order. The solution involves a generalization of the exponential function to the Mittag-Leffler function, which provides a better fit to the observed cell membrane data. A parallel application of fractional derivatives to viscoelastic materials establishes, in a natural way, hereditary integrals and the power law (Nutting/Scott Blair) stress-strain relationship for modeling biomaterials. In this review, I will introduce the idea of fractional operations by following the original approach of Heaviside, demonstrate the basic operations of fractional calculus on well-behaved functions (step, ramp, pulse, sinusoid) of engineering interest, and give specific examples from electrochemistry, physics, bioengineering, and biophysics. The fractional derivative accurately describes natural phenomena that occur in such common engineering problems as heat transfer, electrode/electrolyte behavior, and sub-threshold nerve propagation. By expanding the range of mathematical operations to include fractional calculus, we can develop new and potentially useful functional relationships for modeling complex biological systems in a direct and rigorous manner. In Part 1 of this review (Crit Rev Biomed Eng 2004; 32(1):1-104), the fundamental properties of fractional calculus were introduced. The reader should refer to that material, particularly the sections on special functions and fractional order differential equations, for background.
Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication in the Space Environment

The influence of reduced gravitational forces (in space and on the lunar or Martian surfaces) on manufacturing processes must be understood for effective fabrication and repair of structures and replacement parts during long duration space missions. The electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) process uses an electron beam and wire to fabricate metallic structures. The process efficiencies of the electron beam and the solid wire feedstock make the EBF3 process attractive for use in-space. This paper will describe the suitability of the EBF3 process in the space environment and will highlight preliminary testing of the EBF3 process in a zero-gravity environment.
On the origin of a double, oblique impact on Mars

A double, oblique impact feature north of Olympus Mons provides a unique opportunity to investigate the event that formed it. The sizes of the craters, their ellipticity, shapes of ejecta blankets, separation from each other, and positions relative to each other, all give us information about the event. Coupling this information with an existing model of meteoritic flight through an atmosphere allows us to test several possible scenarios for the event (object type and origin, pre-entry trajectory, atmospheric trajectory, prevailing atmospheric density). We find it highly improbable that the impactor was simply an extra-martian asteroid or comet. We also find that it is unlikely to have been a double-asteroid or a tidally fractured one, but is more likely to have been a Mars-orbiting moonlet whose orbit tidally decayed, and that denser atmospheric conditions than today's may have prevailed when it impacted.
Effects of oral monosodium glutamate in mouse models of asthma

The available evidence from numerous clinical studies has failed to demonstrate a clear and consistent relationship between monosodium glutamate (MSG) and asthma. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MSG on bronchial inflammation by measuring cytological, histological and functional changes in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model. BALB/c mice with experimentally induced asthma were fed a diet containing 0.5% or 5% MSG the week before the first ovalbumin injection and for the subsequent 3-week period. MSG feeding did not affect pulmonary eosinophil infiltration, production of Th2 cytokines, circulating IgE concentrations or airway hyperresponsiveness (induced by methacholine). Histological observations did not reveal pulmonary inflammation, including secondary changes, in the asthmatic mice. An oral gavage challenge with an MSG solution (0.5% or 5%, w/w) did not exert any acute effects on lung inflammation or airway hyperresponsiveness in the asthmatic mice. The results of this study suggest that MSG is not involved in the development of asthma or in acute asthmatic responses, and they support previous observations from well-designed clinical studies.
The effects of brief exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons on feeding and avoidance behaviour in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

Two experiments determined the effects of exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons on feeding and avoidance behaviour in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Subjects received brief exposure to different concentrations of a mixture of seven aromatic hydrocarbons dissolved in acetone and sea water. Exposure to a low concentration decreased feeding. At a higher level, all fish stopped feeding for 3 days and one fish stopped feeding for 10 days. Salmon exposed only to acetone fed normally. Experiment 2 subjects were trained to avoid electric shock. Exposure to a low level of pollutant caused an initial reduction in avoidance response. Exposure to the high level caused a greater reduction and a longer reaction time to the conditioned stimulus. Results suggested that exposure to these levels of aromatic hydrocarbons could limit a fish's ability to survive.
Spontaneous choledochogastric fistula. Report of the first successful surgical repair.

Summary The diagnosis and successful surgical repair of a choledochogastric fistula are described. It is believed that this is the second such fistula described in the literature and the first to be surgically repaired.
Differential modification of opiate receptor activity by arylsulfatase treatment

Abstract Treatment with the enzyme arylsulfatase in vivo selectively attenuated the effect of analgesia induced by morphine, β-endorphin or ethylketocyclazocine but not that induced by Sandoz FK33824 or D-ala 2 -D-leu 5 -enkephalin. The effect on morphine analgesia was indicated both by an increased morphine ED 50 in the presence of a fixed dose of naloxone and by a decreased naloxone ED 50 in the presence of a fixed dose of morphine. Arylsulfatase treatment in vivo also selectively affected in vitro ligand binding; B max values of the low affinity binding site of dihydromorphine, naloxone, D-ala 2 -D-leu 5 -enkephalin, D-ala 2 -met 5 -enkephalinamide and ethylketocyclazocine were decreased significantly while the B max values of the high affinity sites as well as the K D values of both the high and low affinity sites were affected little or not at all. The data suggest that the change induced by the enzyme may have been due to the alteration of certain constituents of the low affinity opiate binding site.
Mental Disorder and Violent Victimization

Much research has focused on violence committed by individuals with mental disorders, but their victimization experiences have received less attention. This literature indicates that individuals with mental disorders are at a significantly higher risk of violent victimization than are individuals with no such diagnosis, but few studies have attempted to provide or test a theoretical explanation for these differences. This study analyzes data from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study, a longitudinal study of individuals released from three psychiatric hospitals, to test the effects of theoretically derived risk factors for victimization. Based on multilevel growth curve models, the author finds that symptomatology, homelessness, and alcohol abuse significantly increase the risk of victimization for persons with major mental disorders. In addition, stress and gender interact, predicting victimization, suggesting that—for men—stress increases the odds of victimization. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
Long- and medium-term ozone effects on lung growth including a broad spectrum of exposure

The effects of semi-annual and 3.5 yr mean ozone (O 3 ) concentrations on children9s forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) were assessed over a study period of 3.5 yrs in 2,153 schoolchildren from 15 study sites in South Western Germany and Lower Austria. Spirometric parameters were assessed twice a year, and differences between consecutive measurements divided by days were considered as a measure of lung growth. Exposure was analysed in four classes, separately for winter and summer (semi-annual mean O 3 concentrations 22–30, 30–38, 38–46, 46–54 parts per billion (ppb) in summer and 4–12, 12–20, 20–28, 28–36 ppb in winter). Regression methods for repeated measurements were used, and these revealed a significantly lower FVC (FEV 1 ) increase estimated at −19.2 (−18.5) mL·100 days −1 for semi-annual mean O 3 exposure in summer between 46 and 54 ppb compared to exposure between 22 and 30 ppb. However, in winter, the estimated difference in FVC (FEV 1 ) was 16.4 (10.9) mL·100 days −1 between the semi-annual O 3 class 28–36 ppb and the 4–12 ppb class. By means of linear regression the study found that there was no association between growth rates and mean summer O 3 for FVC and FEV 1 over a 3.5 yr period. The authors conclude that medium-term effects on schoolchildren9s lung growth are possibly present, but are in the long-term not detectable for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second over a 3.5 yr period due to partial reversibility.
Coronary vasoconstriction and catecholamine cardiomyopathy

Norepinephrine (NE) causes extensive myocardial injury in the rabbit. To investigate a potential mechanism we measured coronary blood flow with radioactive microspheres. Coronary resistance and oxygen demand (heart rate-blood pressure double product) were calculated. Severity of injury was determined by semiquantitative histologic evaluation. Changes resulting from NE infusion were determined in animals with or without alpha-receptor blockade with phentolamine (10 mg). In all animals oxygen demand remained constant. Coronary blood flow (ml/gm/min) was 2.66 at the beginning of the experiment, rose to 3.46 after 3 minutes of NE infusion (p < 0.05), then declined to baseline values (2.33) after 10 minutes. However, coronary blood flow was sharply lower than baseline (1.51; p < 0.05) after 40 minutes of infusion. Coronary resistance rose progressively from baseline values of 40.9 (units) to 74.8 at 40 minutes (p < 0.05). Animals given phentolamine manifested none of these changes. Control subjects infused with saline solution showed no significant changes in coronary blood flow or coronary resistance. Animals pretreated with phentolamine had minimal histologic damage at 48 hours compared with NE alone (p < 0.01). We conclude that NE induces sustained coronary vasoconstriction in the rabbit and that reduced coronary blood flow may contribute to the pathogenesis of NE cardiomyopathy in this species.
Compressed sensing and multistatic SAR

We demonstrate that the remarkable advantages of compressed sensing remain in force when the information operator is constrained to obey the physical rules of a multistatic SAR measurement. The design guidelines of the SAR information operator for l 2 reconstructions is compared to those provided for generic l 1 reconstructions. We report little or no degradation in compression performance when using an information operator obeying SAR sampling constraints. Simulations for a Shepp-Logan image show an image is faithfully reconstructed when the number of measurements is about a third of the number of image pixels, using a minimum total-variation technique. We observed high sensitivity in performance and algorithm convergence to small perturbations in the measurement vectors.