cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term memory for food reward magnitude: The role of the prefrontal cortex

Memory for magnitude of reinforcement was assessed in rats using a go/no-go short-term memory paradigm. During the task's study phase rats were given a piece of cereal comprised of either 25 or 50% sugar. For all trials, one of the cereal types was designated positive, the other negative. On the ensuing test phase the rat was presented with an object which covered a food well. If a positive food reward was given during the study phase, a second food reward was placed beneath the object. No food reward was placed under the object if the study phase consisted of a negative food reward. Latency to object displacement was used as the measure of performance. Following the establishment of a significant difference between latency to approach the object with reward compared to latency to approach the object without reward, rats were given either agranular insular cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, pre- and infralimbic cortex or control lesions. Agranular insular cortex lesioned animals demonstrated a mild post-surgery impairment. Trials consisting of 10 and 20 s delays between the study and test phases were then introduced. Delays exacerbated the previous deficit of the agranular insular cortex lesion group, but had little effect on the other lesion groups. All animals transferred to a new set of cereals containing 25 and 50% sugar and exhibited taste preferences to sugar solutions of different concentrations. These results indicate that the agranular insular cortex may play an important role in the processing of affect-laden information within a prefrontal cortex short-term or working memory system.
Characterization of viscoelastic properties of adsorbed biomolecules and biomolecular assemblies with high frequency micromachined quartz resonators

Abstract Micromachined quartz crystal resonator arrays operating in the 66–69 MHz fundamental mode range were tested for their ability to provide high sensitivity to mass loading and viscoelastic properties of biomolecules and biomolecular assemblies. Calibrations using viscous water–glycerol mixtures give the expected linear dependence on the square root of the density–viscosity product. Sequential adsorption of avidin layers interspersed with dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidylpropionate) (DTSSP) or biotynilated bovine albumin (BBA) cross-linker layers provided thick and planar viscoelastic layers for testing. The data reveal a high Q- factor sensitivity and the observed complex impedance changes could be accounted for using a layer dependent, variable viscosity model treated with continuum mechanics approach. The best interpretation of the frequency and Q- factor changes indicates that the layer material properties are most likely dominated by the frictional effects arising from the inter-linking molecules between the layers. These results show the ability of these high frequency micro resonators as an incisive tool for analyzing both static loading and dynamic viscoelastic properties of bimolecular adsorbates.
Effect of Thermal Denaturation on the Texturization of Soybean Protein Via Twin-Screw Extrusion

Abstract The texturization performance of thermally modified soybean flours, with nitrogen solubility indices (NSI) ranging from 80.0-8.6%, was evaluated using a twin-screw extruder under steady-state conditions. Following extrusion, the rheological, functional and ultrastructural properties of the textured products were examined. Heat processing resulting in NSI values between 35.4 and 23.7% was shown to decrease expansion and water absorption capacity and increase shear peak force of the finished product. Extrudates obtained from excessively thermally processed flours (8.6% NSI) exhibited limited texture development and disintegrated upon rehydration. Mild heat denaturation (> 57% NSI), however, resulted in products with excellent rheological and functional characteristics. Analysis of the feed properties such as water holding capacity and viscosity of the heat denatured flours indicated trends that could be correlated with product characteristics, thus providing additional information on the mechanisms governing texturization. Scanning electron microscopic examination of dried extrudates revealed microstructural features which corresponded with extrudate properties.
A comparison of thinning methods in red pine: consequences for stand-level growth and tree diameter

Long-term replicated experiments that contrast thinning method (dominant thinning, thinning from below) while controlling stocking level are rare. Stand growth and tree size responses to thinning method can be useful for making decisions to achieve desired objectives, whether these are timber or wildlife habitat related. We examined data from two long-term (>50 year old) silvicultural experiments in red pine to understand how alternative thinning prescriptions influence stand-level basal area, volume, and biomass growth, as well as quadratic mean tree diameter. We found that gross growth in stands treated with dominant thinning was often, although not always, greater than growth in stands treated with thinning from below. However, the differences in growth between thinning methods are smallest at stocking levels and stand ages typical for red pine management. We found that biomass growth increases with dominant thinning were generally less than basal area or volume growth increase. Furthermore, greater gross growth associated with dominant thinning versus thinning from below must be weighed against the significantly smaller average tree sizes that result from repeated dominant thinning.
Shape Changes by {100} Lithium Fluoride Ridge-Channel Arrays and of Lithium Fluoride Particles at Sintering Temperatures

Lithium fluoride was chosen for experimental study of shape changes by faceted and nonfaceted surface features of a ceramic because Wang et al. have shown that isolated pores in single-crystal LiF can form with either faceted or rounded shapes. Parallel channels of rectangular cross section were etched into an LiF [100] single-crystals surface, by a photolithography technique, to produced ridge-channel arrays of controlled size and shape. The shape changes undergone by these arrays and by LiF isolated particles and plower beds at sintering temperatures were studied by SEM. The ridge-channel arrays and particles developed either faceted or rounded shapes, depending on temperature and atmosphere. Adsorption of an impurity, presumably H[sub 2]O or O[sub 2], although it causes faceting, increases the rate of mass transport from the ridges to channels. The influence of array geometry on mass transport rates is compared to models to show that the rate-limiting mass transfer step is probably a surface step when the surfaces remain faceted and many be a surface step when the surfaces are rounded.
Studying the Influence of Culture on Outsourced, Offshored Software-Testing Practice: An Ethnographic Approach

The practice of outsourcing software testing tooffshore companies has grown significantly. Moreover, theoutsourced, offshored software testing (OOST) practice demands that test engineers at the vendor organization adopt their client's (or potential users') perspective to perform thetesting tasks effectively. However, vendor test engineers andclients (users) have different cultures and thus, may havedifferent understandings and expectations. These differencesmay influence the way testing is performed and thus, impactfactors such as the quality of the testing (and product)and productivity. Because recent studies indicate that cultureappears to have a greater influence on the outsourced, offshoredsoftware-engineering practice than originally envisioned, it isimportant to study culture's influence on OOST practice.However, most studies on outsourcing and offshoring considerculture in the context of cultural dimensions such as Hofstede's,which significantly limits the meaning of culture. Hence, it is necessary to study culture's influence on OOST by adopting anon-dimensional perspective of culture so that the limitationsof the existing cultural studies can be addressed. This research will conduct an ethnographically-informed study of client andvendor teams involved in OOST practice to understand what and how cultural factors influence the practice using the cultureas-models perspective. The goal is to build conceptual culturalmodels of client and vendor testing teams, so that such modelscan be used for comparisons to better understand how culturesupports and causes barriers in the current OOST practice.
Impact parametrisation and daughter trajectories

Abstract Using the impact-parameter representation suggested by a study of kinematics at infinite momentum, we discuss the analytic properties of the direct s -channel partial-wave amplitude and have found that a simple b =0 behaviour of the impact-parameter amplitude leads to an infinite number of poles in l -plane.
Starch-Gel Electrophoresis of Alkaline Phosphatases using a Histochemical Method

WE have recently reported a technique for the demonstration by a histochemical method of phosphatase bands following starch-gel electrophoresis1,2.
Energy Bands in β′‐PdIn

The energy bands for ordered β′-PdIn have been calculated by the augmented-plane-wave (APW) method. The results are similar to those for β′-CuZn except near R. The theoretical extremal Fermi surface cross-sections are reasonably in agreement with those obtained by the de Haas-van Alphen studies. The possible open orbits have also been studied. The electronic density of states curve has been obtained from the energy bands. The electronic specific heat coefficient, the magnetic susceptibility and the cyclotron effective masses have also been estimated. Comparisons have been made between our results and optical data. [Russian Text Ignored].
Spatial Organization of Northern Flying Squirrels, Glaucomys sabrinus: Territoriality in Females?

ABSTRACT. We determined home-range overlap among northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) to assess their spatial organization. We found extensive home-range overlap among females, and though this overlap could reflect social behavior, we found no evidence of attraction among females, with only one instance of den sharing. Instead, our results suggest that females share foraging areas but may be territorial in portions of the home range, especially around den trees and during young-rearing. Home-range overlap could also result from, the extrinsic effect of forest fragmentation due to timber harvest, which might impede dispersal and force squirrels to cluster on remaining fragments of suitable habitat.
Thin-layer and liquid column chromatographic analyses of the lipids of adult Onchocerca gibsoni.

Lipids were extracted from adultOnchocerca gibsoni with chloroform/methanol and the total lipid content was characterized. Glycolipids were isolated from other lipid classes by Florisil column chromatography and were then fractionated by DEAE-Sephadex ionexchange chromatography. HPTLC revealed the presence of 9 neutral glycolipid bands and of 15 acidic glycolipid bands that stained for sialic acid with resorcinol. Lipids that contained no carbohydrates were analyzed by a combination of TLC and amino column chromatography. Triacylglycerols, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and free fatty acids were found to be major components of the neutral lipid fraction, and diacylglycerols and monoacylglycerols were minor components. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were the predominant phospholipids. Phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine were also present in significant amounts, whereas only traces of cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid were detected. Several minor lipids and phospholipids remained unidentified. These results indicate that adultO. gibsoni have a nonglycosylated lipid composition resembling that of other parasitic nematodes as well as a substantial repertoire of glycolipids, including many with the characteristics of gangliosides.
An improved method for detecting Y chromosomal DNA.

The DNA probe Y97 was derived from a repeat sequence in the human Y centromere, a region which must be present in a mitotically functional Y chromosome. We have demonstrated that Y97, which detects a Y-specific 5.5-kb Eco RI fragment by Southern analysis, is very useful for the molecular detection of small amounts of Y-derived material and represents a significant improvement over previous tests for molecular diagnosis of sex. The male-female difference in hybridization was unequivocal even when only 25 ng of total DNA was used per lane. Furthermore, in mixing experiments the 5.5-kb Eco RI fragment was detectable even when only 5% of the total DNA was male. By increasing hybridization stringency, we have developed a rapid, sensitive, and accurate method to detect Y chromosomal DNA in unrestricted samples.
Optical studies of the growth of Cd 1-x Zn x S nanocrystals in borosilicate glass

We analyze optical-absorption and Raman-scattering measurements of CdS- and Zn-doped borosilicate glass, heat treated at 600 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 725 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, to study the nucleation and growth of II-VI nanoparticles. The energy of vibrational Raman modes indicates that ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Zn}}_{\mathit{x}}$S crystallites form where x is initially zero and increases to 0.15 with time. In glass which is quenched from high temperature (g1000 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C) there is a weak, monotonic optical absorption which increases with photon energy. Heat treatment at 600 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 725 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C causes the optical absorption to increase and to form a peak between 3.0 and 3.2 eV. After the peak reaches its maximum value, it begins to shift to lower energy. We interpret the optical data in terms of quantum confinement of electron and hole excited states. We conclude that nucleation of particles in this glass composition is homogeneous. Typical critical nuclei are in the range from 1.5 to 2 nm. The particle size distribution is narrowest (25% full width at half maximum) at the end of the homogeneous nucleation stage and broadens when coarsening begins.
Temporal synthesis and intranuclear accumulation of the nuclear acidic proteins during periods of chromatin reactivation in Physarum polycephalum

Abstract In the lower eukaryote Physarum polycephalum , depending upon the existing cell state (i.e., actively growing plasmodia or metabolically quiescent cysts), there is in the complement of acidic chromatin proteins certain “proliferation” or “nonproliferation” associated proteins. Nonproliferative microplasmodia can be induced to undergo a 12 hr period of physiological and metabolic reorganization resulting in mitosis, DNA synthesis, and the reestablishment of active synchronous growth. During the 12 hr period of chromatin reactivation the specific acidic proteins associated with inactive chromatin and nonproliferative cell states decrease in intranuclear concentration in a continuous and linear fashion. The specific proteins associated with metabolically active chromatin and proliferative cell states are synthesized preferentially at different times during the 12 hr transition period. While several of the proliferation-associated proteins increase continuously in intranuclear concentration during the reactivation period others show maximum increases in their intranuclear concentration during the 2 hr period just preceding mitosis and DNA synthesis. The changes which develop in the acidic chromatin and nucleolar proteins during the period of chromatin reactivation occur independent of and prior to DNA synthesis and mitosis. Incorporation studies using [ 14 C]-glutamic acid have provided additional evidence for periods of pooled protein and delayed intranuclear binding. The relative specific activities of individual protein bands determined through gel radiography show temporal differences independent of intranuclear protein concentration. It has been estimated that the proteins which are synthesized and accumulate in the nucleus during periods of chromatin reactivation are present in intranuclear concentrations between 80,000 and 1,000,000 copies per nucleus.
Privacy and Social Stratification

This article notes ways that power is central to questions of personal information access and use. New surveillance technologies are likely to sustain and even strengthen traditional forms of social stratification. Yet power is rarely a zero-sum game. A number of factors that limit unleashing the full potential of privacy-invading technology, even in contexts of inequality, are considered: legal and moral normative constraints on power holders; the logistical and economic limits on total monitoring; the interpretive, contextual, and indeterminate nature of many human situations; system complexity and interconnectedness; human inventiveness; and the vulnerability of those engaged in surveillance to be compromised or responded to in kind.
Understanding the electrical characteristics of micromotors

This paper presents a comprehensive list of issues related to the electrical characteristics of both electrostatic and electromagnetic micromotors and aims at understanding the behavior of the micromotor from the electrical standpoint. The paper takes the step-by-step approach by first presenting an overview of the laws of electrostatics and electromagnetism for micromachines, their applicability, features and limitations, and then progresses to independently analyze some of the important machine related quantities like electromotive torque, force-output, angular frequencies, supply conditions and requirements, for different types of electrostatic and electromagnetic micromotor constructions. A thorough study on the electric machine parameters that affect the performance of the micromotor need to be performed, since it would serve as a useful link in integrating the micromachine output performance with the fabrication process and challenges associated with it. Achieving such integration would then determine the optimized working condition for the micromotor. The main reason for this study is that although significant advancements have fostered the growth of micromotors in the recent past which has led to the establishment of the micromotor as quite a remarkable machine for powering micromechanical devices, and also as an industrial requirement for various applications, there has always been a concern about the optimal performance of the micromotor, since there is more than just one technology that is being incorporated to realize the micromotor. With fields ranging from surface engineering and chemistry to material science engineering exerting influence on the micromotor design, it becomes very important to completely comprehend the electrophysics of the micromachine that would in turn interact with the science of fabrication to result in the development of better micromotors with considerably less functional complexity.
Further characterization of the aggregation and fusion of chromaffin granules by synexin as a model for compound exocytosis.

Synexin was isolated from bovine liver and found to aggregate adrenal chromaffin granules in the same Ca2+-dependent manner as previously described for adrenal synexin. The chromaffin granule aggregating activity of liver synexin was blocked in vitro by the addition of an antibody prepared to the 47,000 molecular weight band extracted from an SDS gel of an adrenal medullary synexin preparation. Chromaffin granules aggregated by synexin fused when exposed to cis-unsaturated fatty acids at concentrations comparable to those released from phospholipids by stimulated secretory cells. The synexin-induced aggregation reaction was blocked by Erythrosin B, a common food coloring, and by the phenothiazine antipsychotics trifluoperazine and promethazine. The aggregation and fusion of chromaffin granules thus appears to be a useful model system for studying synexin from diverse tissues and for testing pharmacologically or texicologically active substances for effects on secretory systems.
Energy cost of gluconeogenesis in rat liver

Abstract The notion is presented that recycling of carbon between the steps pyruvate to P-enolpyruvate, and fructose diphosphate to fructose-6-P, is involved in the overall control of hepatic gluconeogenesis in both normal and pathological states. This results in a higher than theoretical energy cost for gluconeogenesis, which may be revealed by low apparent P:O ratios when calculated on the basis of the theoretical increment of 6 moles of ATP used per mole of glucose formed, compared with the observed increment of respiration when the rate of gluconeogenesis is altered. The concept is developed that the rate of gluconeogenesis is controlled either directly by changes in the concentration of factors modifying pyruvate carboxylase or indirectly by alterations of the activity of pyruvate kinase. If the activity of the latter enzyme is increased, flux through the loop Pyr → OAA → PEP → Pyr will be increased and net gluconeogenesis decreased. Since the inhibitory effects of alanine and ATP on pyruvate kinase can be overcome by low concentrations of fructose diphosphate, interactions in the segment of the gluconeogenic pathway from P-enolpyruvate to glucose, although not able to affect gluconeogenesis flux directly, can control it indirectly by alterations of the fructose diphosphate concentration. Interactions discussed are variations of the citrate concentration, which will affect the activity of phosphofructokinase, and altered metabolic states caused by changes of the state of reduction of the cytosolic pyridine nucleotides. By taking into account the possibility that high rates of carbon recycling between pyruvate and P-enol-pyruvate occur relative to the net rate of gluconeogenesis, the relationship between changes of the cytosolic pyridine nucleotide oxidation-reduction state and the overall control of gluconeogenesis is clarified.
Precision machining on an open architecture machine tool

MOSAIC-PM is based on a workstation/VME bus/Real time UNIX/C-language architecture. It is being used on a regular basis for a wide variety of demonstrations in 'intelligent systems and advanced manufacturing.' These demonstrations have included a) feature based machining, b) rapid prototyping by machining, c) networked manufacturing and d) sensor based machining. The goals of the demonstrations in sensor based machining are to improve the precision of the components being machined: i.e. to improve the capability of a 'standard' machine tool structure and give it some of the characteristics of a 'precision' machine. One routine uses a Renishaw touch trigger probe to inspect partially machined components after 'roughing'; the data collected are then used to modify the tool paths during 'finishing' to provide more precision. A second routine relies on a dynamometer to maintain constant force during cutting. This demonstration aims to achieve maximum precision by cutting at a constant force to keep tool deflection at a known value. During the demonstration, the dynamometer results are used as the feedback signal in the reference control loop of machining.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Governs Endothelial Cell Sensitivity to LPS-Induced Apoptosis

Human endothelial cells (EC) are typically resistant to the apoptotic effects of stimuli associated with lung disease. The determinants of this resistance remain incompletely understood. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by human pulmonary artery EC (HPAEC). Its expression increases in response to various death-inducing stimuli, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We show here that silencing MIF expression by RNA interference (MIF siRNA) dramatically reduces MIF mRNA expression and the LPS-induced increase in MIF protein levels, thereby sensitizing HPAECs to LPS-induced cell death. Addition of recombinant human MIF (rhMIF) protein prevents the death-sensitizing effect of MIF siRNA. A common mediator of apoptosis resistance in ECs is the death effector domain (DED)-containing protein, FLIP (FLICE-like inhibitory protein). We show that LPS induces a transcription-independent increase in the short isoform of FLIP (FLIP(s)). This increase is blocked by MIF siRNA but restored with the addition of recombinant MIF protein (rHMIF). While FLIP(s) siRNA also sensitizes HPAECs to LPS-induced death, the addition of rhMIF does not affect this sensitization, placing MIF upstream of FLIP(s) in preventing HPAEC death. These studies demonstrate that MIF is an endogenous pro-survival factor in HPAECs and identify a novel mechanism for its role in apoptosis resistance through the regulation of FLIP(s). These results show that MIF can protect vascular endothelial cells from inflammation-associated cell damage.
Periodic interactions of charged particles with spatially localized fields

Abstract We derive and analyze a generic mapping for the spatially periodic interaction of charged particles with localized, coherent electric fields. For such interactions stochastic motion exists in a bounded region of phase-space. Conditions are determined for which diffusion can describe the dynamics in such a bounded, stochastic phase-space.
Romincka forest – a malacofauna refuge of European significance

ABSTRACT: A total of 60 species of land mollusc: 55 snails and 5 slugs were recorded in Romincka Forest as a result of malacological research of 16 sites, combined with additional qualitative search. Due to snail species richness Romincka Forest is among the richest within low-lying forests in Poland and within the whole Middle-European Lowland. It is especially rich in species belonging to the family Clausiliidae. Eleven of the snail species recorded: Columella aspera Walden, Vertigo ronnebyensis (Westerlund), Aegopinella minor (Stabile), Oxychilus alliarius (Miller), Cochlodina orthostoma (Menke), Macrogastra latestriata (A. Schmidt), M. tumida (Rossmassler), Clausilia dubia Draparnaud, C. pumila C. Pfeiffer, C. cruciata Studer and Helicigona lapicida (Linnaeus), are new records for this part of Poland, or required the verification of old records. Differences in snail species abundance were examined in three habitat types: subcontinental dry-ground forest was richer (46 snail species) than alder-ash marshy forest (40) and glades (22). Dry-ground forest sites are also more uniform in composition.
Hyphal Development in Candida albicans Requires Two Temporally Linked Changes in Promoter Chromatin for Initiation and Maintenance

Phenotypic plasticity is common in development. For Candida albicans, the most common cause of invasive fungal infections in humans, morphological plasticity is its defining feature and is critical for its pathogenesis. Unlike other fungal pathogens that exist primarily in either yeast or hyphal forms, C. albicans is able to switch reversibly between yeast and hyphal growth forms in response to environmental cues. Although many regulators have been found involved in hyphal development, the mechanisms of regulating hyphal development and plasticity of dimorphism remain unclear. Here we show that hyphal development involves two sequential regulations of the promoter chromatin of hypha-specific genes. Initiation requires a rapid but temporary disappearance of the Nrg1 transcriptional repressor of hyphal morphogenesis via activation of the cAMP-PKA pathway. Maintenance requires promoter recruitment of Hda1 histone deacetylase under reduced Tor1 (target of rapamycin) signaling. Hda1 deacetylates a subunit of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase module, leading to eviction of the NuA4 acetyltransferase module and blockage of Nrg1 access to promoters of hypha-specific genes. Promoter recruitment of Hda1 for hyphal maintenance happens only during the period when Nrg1 is gone. The sequential regulation of hyphal development by the activation of the cAMP-PKA pathway and reduced Tor1 signaling provides a molecular mechanism for plasticity of dimorphism and how C. albicans adapts to the varied host environments in pathogenesis. Such temporally linked regulation of promoter chromatin by different signaling pathways provides a unique mechanism for integrating multiple signals during development and cell fate specification.
Atrial reduction plasty Cox maze procedure: extended indications for atrial fibrillation surgery.

Abstract Background The Cox maze procedure yields good results for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, patients with predictors of failure—chronic long-standing AF, low amplitude fibrillatory waves, and large left atriums—are generally thought not to benefit from a maze procedure. We report an aggressive approach for these patients, utilizing biatrial reduction plasty concomitantly with the Cox maze procedure for AF. Methods A complete Cox maze procedure utilizing supplemental RF ablation was performed in 36 patients. All underwent resection of both atrial appendages and biatrial reduction plasty encompassing resection of the left atrial posterior wall from left to right pulmonary veins and from inferior pulmonary veins to the mitral annulus, as well as removal of the right atrial lateral wall. Mitral or tricuspid valve repair, or both, was performed on 32 patients. Results These patients had a mean AF duration of 45 ± 89 months. Their preoperative left atria measured 66 ± 16 mm, with mean AF waves of 0.74 ± 0.3 mm. Mean preoperative New York Heart Association class was 2.7 ± 0.7 and left ventricular ejection fraction was 48 ± 9. Cross clamp and bypass times were 91 ± 35 minutes and 124 ± 33 minutes, respectively. The average posterior left atrial tissue resected was 5.4 × 2.1 cm, and mean resected atrial weight was 10.3 ± 2 g. There were no deaths and length of stay was 5.5 ± 2 days. At a follow-up time of 19 ± 16 months, 32 of the 36 patients were in normal sinus rhythm and New York Heart Association class I. Conclusions Aggressive biatrial reduction plasty Cox maze procedure was effective in 89% of these "low success" AF patients. This simple procedure can extend utilization of the Cox maze procedure to more patients with chronic AF.
Correlations of the first normal stress difference with shear stress and of the storage modulus with loss modulus for homopolymers

The effects of temperature, molecular weight and its distribution, side chain branching, and the structure of polymers on the elastic behavior of bulk homopolymers were investigated, by using logarithmic plots of first normal stress difference (N1) against shear stress (σ12) and logarithmic plots of storage modulus (G′) against loss modulus (G″). For the investigation, we have used data from the literature as well as our recent experimental results, covering a very wide range of temperature and shear stress or loss modulus. It has been found that such plots are very weakly sensitive to (or virtually independent of) temperature and to the molecular weight of high molecular weight polymers, but strongly dependent upon the molecular weight distribution and the degree of side chain branching. A theoretical interpretation of the observed correlations is presented, using molecular theories.
High frequency rheometry of viscoelastic coatings with the quartz crystal microbalance.

We describe a quantitative method for using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to characterize the high frequency viscoelastic response of glassy polymer coatings with thicknesses in the 5–10 μm regime. By measuring the frequency and dissipation at the fundamental resonant frequency (5 MHz) and at the third harmonic (15 MHz), we obtain three independent quantities. For coatings with a predominantly elastic response, characterized by relatively low phase angles, these quantities are the mass per unit area of the coating, the density-shear modulus product, and the phase angle itself. The approach was demonstrated with a model polyurethane coating, where the evolution of these properties as a function of cure time was investigated. For fully cured films, data obtained from the QCM are in good agreement with results obtained from traditional dynamic mechanical analysis.
Heats of adsorption from flow calorimetry: relationships between heats measured by different methods

Abstract A number of different “heats of adsorption” measured in flow calorimetric experiments are related to one another, to other common measurements of heat of adsorption, and to the theoretical surface enthalpy. Theoretical equations have been developed to show the relationships between the values obtained by different methods. These equations apply to the adsorption on solids from binary liquid solutions. The differences between measurements are attributed to the following three effects: (1) mixing between the surface and the bulk phase, (2) mixing in the interface between solutions, and (3) kinetic effects. To account for effect 1, use of our equations requires knowledge of the adsorption isotherm and bulk heats of dilution. Effect 2 requires bulk heats of dilution plus the concentration profile between the “replacing” and “replaced” solution both before and after the flow calorimetry experiment. A method is suggested to test kinetic effects. We have tested our theory against literature data and some of our own. The theory satisfactorily predicts the measured differences between different experimental protocols.
Origin of Higher Friction for Elastomers Sliding on Glassy Polymers

We have designed a novel approach to couple infrared−visible sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy with adhesion and friction measurements to determine the molecular structure of the surface molecules at the contact and sliding interfaces. The frictional force of crosslinked poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) lens sliding on poly(styrene) (PS) is a factor of 4 higher than that of PDMS sliding on poly(vinyl n-octadecyl carbamate-co-vinyl acetate) (PVNODC). This higher frictional force of PDMS/PS interface cannot be explained by its adhesion energy or hysteresis. The SFG results indicate that the hydrocarbon PVNODC surface consists of well-ordered crystalline side chains that do not restructure upon mechanical contact and during sliding of the PDMS lens. On the contrary, the SFG results show that the PS phenyl groups are more tilted upon mechanical contact and during sliding compared to that at the PS surface before contact. The change in phenyl orientation can be due to local chain interpenetration that ...
Investigation of the lowest-order TE mode of the parallel-plate metal waveguide for terahertz pulses

We describe an experimental and theoretical study of the lowest-order transverse-electric (TE1) mode of the parallel-plate waveguide for the propagation of broadband THz pulses, and demonstrate undistorted THz pulse propagation via the TE1 mode. This demonstration overcomes two fundamental problems associated with the low-frequency cutoff of this mode, the group velocity dispersion and the spectral filtering, which have prevented the use of this mode for THz wave guiding in the past. We also observe a remarkable counter-intuitive property of the TE1 mode: its attenuation decreases with increasing frequency. This phenomenon has not been observed with any other THz waveguide to date, and can enable extremely low-loss propagation. In addition, we find that it is possible to achieve almost 100% coupling to the TE1 mode from an input Gaussian beam. These results favor the use of the TE1 mode for the efficient guiding of THz pulses.
Modification of reinforcement aftereffects and level of training.

In the first of 2 experiments, 3 groups of 8 rats each were given 1 day of acquisition training in a runway under the same reinforcement schedule, RNNRNNRNNR. The groups were differentiated only on the basis of NT-length, which was regulated by placing Ss by hand in the baited goalbox during the intertrial interval following Trials 1, 4, 7 (Group N2-length), Trials 2, 5, 8 (Group N1-length), or Trials 3, 6, 9 (Group N0-length). on the day subsequent to acquisition training 10 N trials were administered. The second experiment was essentially a replication of the first, except it only included Groups N1 and N2, each of which contained 11 Ss. The finding that resistance to extinction was an increasing function of N-length was interpreted as supporting the modified aftereffects hypothesis and as presenting particular difficulties for some alternative views.
Miracle and Machine: The Two Sources of Religion and Science in Derrida's "Faith and Knowledge"

This essay attempts to lay out the three principal theses of Jacques Derrida's 1994–1995 "Faith and Knowledge," Derrida's most sustained but also most challenging work on the nature of religion and the relationship between religion and science. After demonstrating through these three theses that religion and science not only share a common source—or have a common genesis—but are in what Derrida calls an autoimmune relationship to one another, the essay puts these theses to the test by reading a brief passage near the middle of the essay where Derrida recounts the genesis of "Faith and Knowledge" itself. Derrida's seemingly anecdotal recounting of this genesis is thus shown to reflect the three theses of "Faith and Knowledge," the way in which, in a word, the breath of creation, or the miracle of religion, is always doubled, supplemented, and thus contaminated by the machine of science and tele-technology.
Rebound symptoms following battery depletion in the NIH OCD DBS cohort: clinical and reimbursement issues.

Objective Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising treatment for medication refractory obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD); however, there may be neuropsychiatric symptoms from unintended battery failure. Background Previous studies indicated rebound symptoms from impulse generator (IPG) failure in Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor. Unique to OCD is that battery failure may precipitate neuropsychiatric symptoms rather than motor symptoms. Methods Six patients with medication refractory OCD received implants as part of the previously reported National Institutional Health (NIH) DBS cohort. All available clinical data and adverse event data was reviewed. Results The average age of cohort was 42.2 years (30-59 years), and the average baseline Y-BOCS score was 33.8 (31-38). All six subjects were observed to have increased OCD symptomatology during IPG failure; however, Y-BOCS scores remained less than pretreatment range, in five subjects. One of the subjects had a Y-BOCS score greater than pretreatment during the period of IPG failure. In addition, Y-BOCS scores improved back to baseline after IPG replacement in five subjects. Other symptoms potentially related to battery failure included: suicidality (n = 1), mood disturbance (n = 2), panic attacks (n = 1), fatigue (n = 2), and a restless sensation in the arms and legs (n = 1). A small number of subjects reported no side effects associated with IPG failure because of preemptive replacement (n = 2). Conclusions This is a preliminary case series detailing the side effects resulting from IPG failure during OCD DBS. Preemptive battery replacement was an effective strategy for avoiding these issues, and timeliness in insurance reimbursement may be considered in the future. Additionally the use of rechargeable batteries may also help this issue. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00057603
Nuclear and ion spins in semiconductor nanostructures

Abstract Spin interactions are studied between conduction band electrons in GaAs heterostructures and local moments, specifically the spins of constituent lattice nuclei and of partially filled electronic shells of impurity atoms. Nuclear spin polarizations are addressed through the contact hyperfine interaction resulting in the development of a method for high-field optically detected nuclear magnetic resonance sensitive to 10 8 nuclei. This interaction is then used to generate nuclear spin polarization profiles within a single parabolic quantum well; the position of these nanometer-scale sheets of polarized nuclei can be shifted along the growth direction using an externally applied electric field. In order to directly investigate ion spin dynamics, doped GaMnAs quantum wells are fabricated in the regime of very low Mn concentrations. Measurements of coherent electron spin dynamics show an antiferromagnetic exchange between s-like conduction band electrons and electrons localized in the d-shell of the Mn impurities, which varies as a function of well width.
The functional significance of skeletal allometry in Megaladapis in comparison to living prosimians

Slow vertical climbing and clinging are the dominant positional behaviors of the most convincing reconstruction of the primary spatial niche of Megaladapis, a giant extinct prosimian from Madagascar. The vertical support model of Cartmill ('74) predicts that clawless mammals should exhibit relatively elongated forelimbs in expanded size ranges. The allometric corollaries of this model are tested on closely related interspecific samples of Megaladapis and selected extant prosimians. Megaladapis and indriids (vertical leapers and clingers) conform to the structural predictions of the model, and are clearly distinguished from the more pronograde lemurids and cheirogaleids. Extreme hindlimb reduction (negative allometry) is coupled with moderate forelimb elongation (positive allometry) in Megaladapis. These body proportions effectively optimize pedal friction during vertical climbing and minimize the moment of body weight pulling the animal away from the trunk. Positive forelimb allometry occurs in the indriids, while isometry obtains for the hindlimb. The adaptive significance of these morphological strategies are discussed, as are possible selective mechanisms which effect the extreme hindlimb reduction in Megaladapis. Body weight estimates are also presented for Megaladapis edwardsi and Megaladapis grandidieri (50–100 kg and 40–75 kg, respectively).
Real-time Petri nets for modeling, controlling, and simulation of local area networks in flexible manufacturing systems

Abstract Flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) are advanced manufacturing systems consisting of machining cells, robots, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that function under the hierarchical control of computers. The flexibility of an FMS is primarily imparted by integrating the functions of different system elements such as machining cells, robots, and AGVs using computers. Hence, the communication among computers, machining cells, robots, and AGVs in the FMS is important to realize the full benefits of FMSs. Despite the abundant literature on factory communications there is a need for integrated tools to model communication networks in FMS that can be used for both performance evaluation and real-time control. In this paper, the role of local area networks (LANs) in FMSs is explicated. The contribution of this paper is two-fold. With this aim first, the differences between the LANs in conventional computer systems to that of LANs in FMSs are emphasized. Secondly, Real-time PNs are demonstrated as an integrated modeling tool for LAN in FMS. A software package has been developed to simulate the Petri net models (PNMs). The software package developed aids system designers by simulating the PNM and generating certain performance criteria. Furthermore, the same package assists control engineers for the real-time control of the system designed by system designers.
A Nonparametric Approach for Assessing Latent Trait Unidimensionality.

Assuming a nonparametric family of item response theory models, a theory-based procedure for testing the hypothesis of unidimensionality of the latent space is proposed. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is derived assuming unidimensionality, thereby establishing an asymptotically valid statistical test of the unidimensionality of the latent trait. Based upon a new notion of dimensionality, the test is shown to have asymptotic power 1. A 6300 trial Monte Carlo study using published item parameter estimates of widely used standardized tests indicates conservative adherence to the nominal level of significance and statistical power averaging 81 out of 100 rejections for examinee sample sizes and psychological test lengths often incurred in practice.
Marital Relationships, Evaluations of Spouse and Self, and Anxiety

Questionaire data were gathered from 164 married couples to test hypotheses that husbands' and wives' anxiety levels will be low to the extent that: (a)they share decision-making power, share household role responsibilities, and express high maritial solidarity; and (b) they hold positive evaluations of one another, perceive positive reactions from one another, and show positive self-evaluations. The first hypothesis was supported only for solidarity. The second hypothesis received strong support for husbands and wives. For wives, solidarity was the strongest predictor of anxiety, while self-evaluation was the most important factor for husbands.
Three-dimensional resist profile simulation

A new 3-dimensional (3-D) resist profile simulator has been developed. The energy distribution in the photoresist is calculated by Yeung's vector model in order to take into account the effects caused by oblique propagation of the light, which cannot be neglected because of high numerical aperture (NA) of the projection lens. A new algorithm for the development process is proposed to overcome the inconveniences of conventional models. A new differential equation which we call `Profile Equation' is derived and solved numerically to give the final resist profile. This model has been found to give practically the same results as those obtained by using string model in the 2-D case and can easily be applied to the 3-D case.
Hegel and the paradox of ideology: The deconstruction of liberalism

La critique hegelienne du liberalisme constitue ce que l'A. appelle le paradoxe de l'ideologie, i.e. le noeud gordien historique entre les droits de l'individu d'une part et les droits de l'ordre socio-politique d'autre part
A dynamically reconfigurable deblocking filter for H.264/AVC codec

This paper introduces a dynamically reconfigurable implementation of deblocking filtering for H.264/AVC coding. The basic idea is to use a scalable approach that allows dynamic hardware reconfiguration of different modes based on power (or hardware complexity), bitrate, and image reconstruction quality. The modes are arranged hierarchically. A complex mode includes all of the deblocking filtering options of simpler modes. This provides scalable performance where the use of additional hardware resources (or power) result in better rate-distiortion performance. Within each mode, the deblocking filter is selected based on boundary strength so as to balance computational complexity with performance improvement. An optimal mode approach is also introduced. In the optimal mode, the mode with the best reconstruction quality is selected for each video frame. The optimal mode provides an upper bound (in the rate-distortion sense) to what can be achieved with the current modes. The deblocking filters are implemented on a Virtex-5 FPGA. The results are validated over 11 commonly-used videos, where image quality is assessed using SSIM.