cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Residual damage effects on gate contacts formed on SiC surfaces etched by using the amorphization technique

A trench fabrication process has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated for silicon carbide using the amorphization technique. In the present work, the quality of gates [oxide for metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and Schottky barrier contacts for metal semicondcutor field-effect transistors (MESFETs)] fabricated on the etched surfaces are compared with those formed on the as-grown silicon carbide surface. The resistivity and breakdown electric field of the thermal oxide grown on the etched surface was found to be comparable to that of thermal oxide grown on silicon. However, a large concentration of acceptor type interface states (0.5-1 x 1013 cm−2eV−1) was observed. This results in a large negative interface charge at room temperature and a significant shift in flat band voltage as a function of temperature, which makes the process unsuitable for formation of gates in UMOSFETs. Titanium Schottky contacts formed on the etched surface showed superior reverse current-voltage characteristics and higher breakdown voltages than the Schottky diodes formed on unetched surface with similar doping concentrations. This indicates that the argon implant process for trench formation is suitable for fabrication of gate regions in high voltage vertical MESFETs (or SITs).
Fluorescence lifetime energy-transfer immunoassay quantified by phase-modulation fluorometry

Abstract We describe monitoring of an antigen-antibody interaction by phase-modulation lifetime measurements of the donor-labeled antibody upon binding to acceptor-labeled antigen. Two donor-acceptor pairs are used, each based on a donor-labeled IgG directed against acceptor-labeled IgG from another species. The frequency responses demonstrate the expected decrease in the donor lifetime upon antigen-antibody binding. The phase-modulation immunoassay is shown to work in a competitive format by an increase in lifetime upon addition of unlabeled antigen. Lifetime measurements are desirable for use with scattering and/or optically dense samples because they are mostly independent of the total signal intensity. The use of energy transfer as the transducing mechanism to detect binding allows this method to be extended for use with longer-wavelength laser sources and, if desired, longer-lived donors to further simplify the instrumentation and reduce the contribution of autofluorescence to the signal.
General strategy for the syntheses of corynanthe, tacaman, and oxindole alkaloids.

We report herein the total synthesis of the corynanthe alkaloid dihydrocorynantheol and the formal syntheses of the indole alkaloids tacamonine, rhynchophylline, and hirsutine. The strategies for assembling the corynanthe and tacaman skeletal frameworks comprised of both the classical ABD → ABCD and ABC → ABCD approaches wherein the variously substituted piperidinone D-rings were formed via ring-closing metathesis (RCM) followed by a 1,4-addition to introduce the requisite side chain at C(15). Since 1,4-additions to α,β-unsaturated lactams represent an underdeveloped field, we conducted a series of studies with two unsaturated lactams employing organocuprates and metal enolates as the nucleophiles. These studies revealed that organocuprates derived from Grignard reagents and either stoichiometric amounts of CuCN or catalytic amounts of CuBr·DMS complex are excellent nucleophiles for such additions; TMSCl was a crucial additive for optimizing these reactions. The anion derived from ethyl 1,3-dithiolane-2-c...
“6 and 1” option exchanges and stockholder wealth

Purpose – Firms will, at times, replace employee holdings of out‐of‐the‐money stock options with new ones that have lower exercise prices. This paper seeks to examine how stockholders view such actions.Design/methodology/approach – The stock price reaction to announcements of option exchange programs is used to establish how stockholders view option exchanges. Regression analysis is then used to get insight into firm and program characteristics that explain cross‐sectional differences in the stock price response.Findings – A positive stock price response indicates that stockholders view such option exchanges as value enhancing. Regression analysis indicates that the price response increases with a firm's growth opportunities, the level of employee turnover, the extent to which employee option holdings are out‐of‐the‐money, and the quality of corporate governance. Deals where only non‐executive employees are allowed to participate are viewed more favourably.Originality/value – This is the first paper to do...
Covered self-expandable metal stents for benign biliary tract diseases.

Purpose of reviewBenign biliary diseases are often managed endoscopically using plastic stents. Benign biliary strictures (BBS) respond to placement of multiple large-bore plastic stents, though requiring multiple procedures to place stents, and to exchange stents to prevent and/or treat stent occlu
Medication compliance among the seriously mentally ill in a public mental health system

Medication non-compliance, a pervasive problem among persons with serious, chronic mental illness, has been linked to increased inpatient resources use in public mental health systems. The objective of this analysis was to determine which factors are associated with medication compliance in this population so that more appropriate screening and intervention programs can be designed. Using knowledge gained from clinical research on compliance in schizophrenia and research testing the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework in studying compliance behavior, we conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in the Mississippi public mental health system in 1988. The study subjects were schizophrenic patients (n = 202), the majority of whom were low-income, African-American males. Data sources included structured interviews with patients and family members, as well as state hospital and community mental health clinic administrative records. Receipt of consistent outpatient mental health treatment and belief that one had a mental illness were significantly associated with higher levels of medication compliance in this population of seriously mentally ill patients. Our results suggest that screening programs to identify those at highest risk for non-compliance in this population might be more productive if they included a review of inpatient and outpatient mental health service utilization patterns, in addition to formal assessment of patients' attitudes and beliefs about their illness. This study illustrates an approach to examining predictors of a policy-relevant health behavior in a minority population within a public mental health system.
Aerodynamic characteristics of the planetary atmosphere experiments test entry probe

The aerodynamic characteristics of the Planetary Atmosphere Experiments Test entry probe were determined experimentally in ballistic range tests over a wide range of Mach and Reynolds numbers, and were compared with full-scale flight results. The ground facility data agreed with the full-scale data within 2 to 3% in drag coefficient, and within 5 to 10% in static stability, at the higher Mach numbers. Comparisons of the flight data with conventional wind-tunnel data indicated a significant disagreement in drag coefficient in the transonic speed range suggestive of important sting or wall interference effects. Variations in drag coefficient with Mach number were very small hypersonically, but variations with Reynolds number were of the order of 15% at a free-stream Mach number of 13 over the Reynolds number range from 10,000 to 1,000,000. Variations in the lift and static-stability curves with Mach number and Reynolds number were also defined.
The Ethics of Limb Amputation and Locus of Disease

The ethics of medically-authorized limb amputation in individuals with Body integrity identity disorder (BIID) remains extremely controversial. One factor to consider is the putative locus of a disease process, and whether the proposed treatment--in this case, limb amputation—reasonably addresses the issue of what organ is mediating the patient’s complaint.
Digital Media and Traditional Political Participation Over Time in the U.S.

Research shows that digital media use is positively related to political participation. However, this relationship does not appear in all studies. To date, researchers have generally treated incons...
The human Rgr oncogene is overexpressed in T cell malignancies and induces transformation by acting as a GEF for Ras and Ral

The Ras superfamily of GTPases is involved in the modification of many cellular processes including cellular motility, proliferation and differentiation. Our laboratory has previously identified the RalGDS-related (Rgr) oncogene in a DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene)-induced rabbit squamous cell carcinoma and its human orthologue, hRgr. In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of the human hRgr transcript in a panel of human hematopoietic malignancies and found that a truncated form (diseased-truncated (Dtr-hrgr)) was significantly overexpressed in many T-cell-derived neoplasms. Although the Rgr proto-oncogene belongs to the RalGDS family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), we show that upon the introduction of hRgr into fibroblast cell lines, it is able to elicit the activation of both Ral and Ras GTPases. Moreover, in vitro guanine nucleotide exchange assays confirm that hRgr promotes Ral and Ras activation through GDP dissociation, which is a critical characteristic of GEF proteins. hRgr has guanine nucleotide exchange activity for both small GTPases and this activity was reduced when a point mutation within the catalytic domain (CDC25) of the protein, (cd) Dtr-hRgr, was utilized. These observations prompted the analysis of the biological effects of hRgr and (cd) hRgr expression in cultured cells. Here, we show that hRgr increases proliferation in low serum, increases invasion, reduces anchorage dependence and promotes the progression into the S phase of the cell cycle; properties that are abolished or severely reduced in the presence of the catalytic dead mutant. We conclude that the ability of hRgr to activate both Ral and Ras is responsible for its transformation-inducing phenotype and it could be an important contributor in the development of some T-cell malignancies.
Visual and Electronic Evaluations of Detached Strawberry Leaves Inoculated with Colletotrichum Species

Inoculation of detached strawberry leaves with Colletotrichum species may provide an accurate, rapid, non-destructive method of identifying anthracnose resistant germplasm. Two assessments of anthracnose disease severity were compared on detached strawberry leaves inoculated with Colletotrichum fragariae and C. gloeosporioides: a quantitative assessment made via computer-based image analysis and a visual assessment made by two independent raters. The image analysis provided a precise measurement of percent lesion area of infected leaves. There was a strong positive correlation between percent lesion area and the visual disease scores of the raters.
Test vector chains for increased resolution and reduced storage of diagnostic tests

The use of diagnostic test sets improves the accuracy of defect diagnosis by allowing smaller sets of candidate defect sites to be obtained. However, diagnostic test sets are significantly larger than fault detection test sets, and the complexity of deterministic diagnostic test generation is higher because of the need to consider pairs of faults. This work studies a solution that addresses both the size of a diagnostic test set and the complexity of deterministic diagnostic test generation through the use of what are called test vector chains. Test vector chains provide a specific algorithm for obtaining new tests from existing ones through single-bit changes. They allow smaller test sets to be stored, and additional tests to be obtained by computing test vector chains or subsets thereof. Experimental results demonstrate that tests obtained through test vector chains are effective as diagnostic tests, and that the resulting storage requirements are close to those of fault detection test sets.
Growth factors and combinatorial therapies for CNS regeneration

There has been remarkable progress in the last 20 years in understanding mechanisms that underlie the success of axonal regeneration in the peripheral nervous system, and the failure of axonal regeneration in the central nervous system. Following the identification of these underlying mechanisms, several distinct therapeutic approaches have been tested in in vivo models of spinal cord injury (SCI) to enhance central axonal structural plasticity, including the therapeutic administration of neurotrophic factors. While several tested mechanisms apparently enhance axonal growth, more recent, properly controlled studies indicate that experimental approaches to combine therapies that target distinct neural mechanisms achieve greater axonal growth than therapies applied in isolation. The search for combination therapies that optimize axonal growth after SCI continues.
Reproductive cycles in oregon populations of the echlnoid, Strongylocentrotvs purpuratus (Stimpson). I. Annual gonad growth and ovarian gametogenic cycles

Abstract Four annual reproductive cycles were followed in the echinoid, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson), at three places on the central Oregon coast near 44°45′N lat., where intermittent upwelling depresses coastal sea temperatures from June through September. Monthly measurements were made of the gonad index of samples of 30 urchins and the relative frequency of five stages in oogenesis were determined from sectioned ovaries from these samples. Individuals in these populations are synchronous in their annual cycle of gonad growth, oogenesis, and spawning, the latter taking place between late December and March. The population usually undergoes one major, complete spawning within a period of 30 days. When large reserves of stored nutrients are present, ova continue to mature over a longer period and may be present in quantity from December into April. Gonad weight does not change significantly from March through June. From July through November the gonad undergoes its annual growth at a mean instantaneous relative growth rate of ≈ 1 % per day. Gonad growth is not significantly correlated with sea temperature. Variable temperatures resulting from upwelling do not result in erratic fluctuations in the reproductive cycle, probably because of the annual change in feeding rate, the seasonal shift in energy utilization, and the constancy of the amount of food assimilated during gonad growth. Gonad size and annual growth rates may differ significantly between years and locations, indicating that both are influenced by local environmental factors, probably food availability and degree of wave action. The frequency of oogonial clusters is least in mid-winter, increases after spawning, reaches an annual maximum in June and declines in the fall. Primary oocyte growth is very slow until October, when it increases abruptly, and some oocytes become ova as early as late October. When stored nutrients are low, many oocytes do not complete growth by January, and are not spawned until May. Prolongation of the spawning period delays the increase in frequency of oogonial clusters in the following new cycle. The timing of the annual increase in oogonial cluster frequency and of the onset of rapid oocyte growth did not otherwise vary between places and years. In these populations, entrainment or synchronization of the reproductive cycle to seasonal environmental events probably occurs at the beginning of one or all of these critical annual events: oogonial proliferation, annual gonad growth and rapid oocyte growth.
Collisional sheath verification problem for PIC plasma models

Summary form only given. Exact solutions for the equations that predict the flow and state of plasmas are few and limited to very simple problems, and so computer aided solutions are important to study more interesting and complex plasmas. Verification problems are important for comparison with computed models to demonstrate that computational methods are implemented correctly. When exact solutions are unavailable, it is sometimes useful to benchmark against existing computed solutions. We present a comparison between our collisional kinetic plasma (PIC/DSMC) sheath model and a finite difference solution of a two-fluid collisional plasma sheath model1. Reasonable agreements in potential and density fields and wall current for collisionless to weakly-collisional sheaths between the two models are obtained. A stochastic Richardson Extrapolation technique is used to obtain convergence rates, the extrapolated computational solution and 95% confidence intervals.
Characterization of the FET4 Protein of Yeast EVIDENCE FOR A DIRECT ROLE IN THE TRANSPORT OF IRON

The low affinity Fe2+ uptake system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires theFET4 gene. In this report, we present evidence thatFET4 encodes the Fe2+ transporter protein of this system. Antibodies prepared against FET4 detected two distinct proteins with molecular masses of 63 and 68 kDa. In vitrosynthesis of FET4 suggested that the 68-kDa form is the primary translation product, and the 63-kDa form may be generated by proteolytic cleavage of the full-length protein. Consistent with its role as an Fe2+ transporter, FET4 is an integral membrane protein present in the plasma membrane. The level of FET4 closely correlated with uptake activity over a broad range of expression levels and is itself regulated by iron. Furthermore, mutations inFET4 can alter the kinetic properties of the low affinity uptake system, suggesting a direct interaction between FET4 and its Fe2+ substrate. Mutations affecting potential Fe2+ ligands located in the predicted transmembrane domains of FET4 significantly altered the apparent K m and/or V max of the low affinity system. These mutations may identify residues involved in Fe2+ binding during transport.
The Southwest academic library consortium

On Tuesday, 28 March, 1967, the chief librarians of nine higher institutions met at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, to organize the Southwest Academic Library Consortium. They were greeted by the University of New Mexico Librarian, David Otis Kelley, and a request for 1967 federal funds was discussed. Several months earlier, the Consortium had been inspired and some of its earliest policies suggested by the imagination of Graduate Dean James E. Sublette of Eastern New Mexico University. He recommended specific co-operative projects for consideration and pushed through a joint application for federal funding. His persuasive work with college presidents and chief librarians pushed forward his dream of improving New Mexico and West Texas facilities for library research. Since the 1967 meeting, the rapidly growing Consortium has undertaken many projects successfully, and this is the story ofits progress.1, 2 The Consortium’s general purpose is to promote co-operation among its member institutions. This purpose is carried out through a number of specific projects. Solicitation of funds to support library collection development is foremost among these projects. Since 1967, the Southwest Academic Library Consortium has been working actively to support the book and periodical purchase programs of its member institutions. Sources of funding are the following: (1) U.S. Office of Education Title II consortium grants; (2) annual dues charged to the member institutions; (3) a foundation fund-raising project, just inaugurated; and (4) each institution’s support of its own representative’s travel, work time, and office supplies. The primary Consortium fund-raising project has involved submission of annual proposals to the U.S. Office of Education in order to share in federal funding for library collection support. A total of
Party Politics, Governors, and Economic Policy

In this article, we evaluate the role of elections in governors' state tax policy making. Does it matter for state taxes whether the governor is a Democrat or Republican and whether she is eligible for re-election or faces a binding term limit? Using a Regression Discontinuity Design and a panel of U.S. states, we find that the manner in which governors of different parties implement different tax policies turns crucially on the incumbent's eligibility for re-election. Re-electable Democratic governors increase income taxes relative to similarly situated Republicans, yielding divergence between party policy positions. However, governors facing a binding term limit exhibit the reverse policy difference, resulting in a movement of policy back together.
Dynamic Control of MultiMachine Power Systems Based on Two-Step Optimization Over Admissible Trajectories

An optimal additive power control for an n-generator power system is developed that forces the system to move over optimal trajectories from appropriate initial states to a stable target state over finite time intervals [O, T]. This dynamic optimal control maintains system stability even if some of these initial states lie outside of the subspace of states leading to stable trajectories for the free-running system. Those initial states for which this technique generates admissible (or practical) controls constitutes a region of controllability. The technique presented in this paper first defines a set of admissible trajectories all originating in the designated initial state at time t = 0 and terminating in the stable target state at a fixed, arbitrary time t = T. A cost functional-defined on this set of trajectories is minimized through variational methods to yield an optimal fixed-time trajectory for the interval [0, T]. The fixed-time control required for this optimal trajectory is determined explicitly by means of the state equations. A second cost functional defined on the set of optimal fixed-time trajectories corresponding to all T ?(0, ?) is then minimized to generate an optimal free-time trajectory, control, and time interval [0, T*]. This minimization leads to admissible controls only for initial states in an appropriate region of controllability. Two-and four-machine examples are included for illustrating the technique.
The structures of the network definition language NEDLAN. Its use in defining networks in CAD using interactive computer graphics

Abstract NEDLAN is a problem oriented language used to define structure (syntax) of classes of networks, properties of parts of networks and relationships between these parts within the networks. The obtained definitions are used by a CAD software system in exploration (analysis and design) of networks, belonging to the defined classes, in an interactive graphics environment. This paper presents the structures of the language and illustrates its use in defining classes of networks.
Evaluation of respiratory function during Reeves stretcher use.

Objective. We were aware of a small number of cases in our EMS system where patients in respiratory distress had a worsening of their condition after being removed from the home on a Reeves® stretcher (RS). We sought to determine if this prehospital lifting device causes additional respiratory effort used in normal subjects by describing changes in heart rate, pulse oximetry, tidal volume, minute ventilation, andrespiratory rate. Methods. Forty-nine subjects were entered into this study. Data were collected while the subject was supine on the floor in the RS andonce while suspended over the floor in the device. A randomized crossover design was used. Ten subjects were excluded because of inadvertent omission of a nose plug during spirometry. Data points were recorded in the final minute of a 3-minute exposure. Three minutes was chosen to simulate a prehospital transport time from the scene to the ambulance. Minute ventilation, tidal volume, heart rate, pulse oximetry, andrespiratory rate were recorded for...
Confining the gauge field to a lower dimensional subspace by an inhomogeneous Higgs mechanism.

We study a three-dimensional (3D) U(1) gauge theory coupled to a charged Higgs field with a spatially varying mass term. By choosing the mass term to be nonzero outside a 2D plane, an inhomogeneous, spontaneous breaking of the U(1) gauge symmetry confines the gauge fields to the 2D plane. The photon acquires a mass outside this mass defect. On the defect the 3D gauge action is reduced to an effective 2D gauge action. Simulations show the average plaquette on the defect has the required 2D value which demonstrates the above mechanism. We propose this as a way to simulate gauge theories of chiral fermions in conjunction with the method recently proposed by Kaplan.
Examination of design options for 35 Ah ambient temperature Li-TiS sub 2 cells

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is actively engaged in the development of ambient temperature rechargable lithium cells for future NASA geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) missions. To achieve these ambitious goals, Li-TiS2, Li-MoS3, and Li-V6O13 systems were examined in detail. Among these three, the Li-TiS2 system has shown the longest life cycle and highest rate capability. Experimental Li-TiS2 batteries (10.5 V, 0.4 Ah) developed in-house have completed eight simulated and accelerated GEO seasons successfully. Inview of the encouraging results, the design options were examined for a scaled-up Li-TiS2 cell. It is hoped that the results of these studies will provide guidelines for prioritizing the research efforts and guiding the selection of optimized materials. Designs for 35 Ah Li-TiS2 cell were examined because present day geosynchronous satellites are powered by batteries of 35 Ah capacity. A computer program was developed to evaluate the influence of various design parameters on the specific energy and the rate capability of the cells.
Reassembly of c-myc and relaxation of c-fos nucleosomes during differentiation of human leukemic (HL-60) cells.

Human promyelocytic leukemic (HL-60) cells (1) have amplified c- myc protooncogene sequences which lead to an elevated level of c- myc gene expression (2,3). Induction of HL-60 cells by phorbol esters to undergo monocytic differentiation (4) results in the suppression of c- myc (5), but the activation of c- fos gene transcription (6). Chromatin structures of c- myc and c- fos were compared by measuring their sequences in nucleosome-associated DNA fragments. These nucleosomal particles were released from chromatin by micrococcal nuclease digestion and subsequently analyzed with two dimensional gel electrophoresis. C- myc related sequences were detected in nucleosomal DNA fragments of differentiated cells only, while the c- fos related sequences were found in nucleosomal DNAs of noninduced HL-60 cells. Since the enzyme preferentially digests relaxed DNAs, these results suggest that nucleosomal subunits of c- myc and c- fos chromatin are relaxed during the state of active transcription, and reassembled once their transcription is repressed.
Computer Model Of Focal Plane Array

This paper presents a computer program for simulation of an infrared focal plane array. Standard equations are used to support a menu driven program developed for an IBM personal computer. The terms and equations for each section are presented and samples of actual screen displays of a currently available device are also included. The program is intended to provide the user with a better capability to understand and to study the tradeoffs of fabrication parameters versus the focal plane array performance (i.e. CTE, both spatial and temporal dynamic range, MTF, and noise) used for an optical sensor system analysis. Only surface channel devices are considered in the simulation.
United States cancer mortality regions: 1950--1969.

Abstract White male, white female, non-white male, and non-white female cancer mortality regions of the United States were generated for the period from 1950 through 1969 from average annual state rates of 25 types of cancer. Discriminant analysis was used to generate regions; four separate analyses of two. three, four, and five regions were developed for the groups. A stepwise discriminant analysis was undertaken of each regionalization to identify types that were critical to the formation of the regions. The South, the Northeast, and the West emerged several times as areas of distinctive patterns. Liver, prostate, non-melanoma skin, rectal, and esophageal cancer were outstanding types.
The Effects of γ-Aminobutyric Acid on Prolactin and Gonadotropin Secretion in the Unanesthetized Rat

ABSTRACT. The effects of the intraventricular injection of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on pituitary secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) were examined in Na-pentobarbital (PB)- anesthetized and unanesthetized male rats. GABA (5 or 10µmol) injected into the lateral ventricle of PB anesthetized rats resulted in significant elevations in plasma concentrations of LH and PRL. When administered via a lateral ventricle cannula to unanesthetized rats, GABA (1, 5, or 10µbmol) caused a significant increase in plasma PRL levels but had no effect on plasma LH concentrations. Plasma FSH was uninfluenced by GABA in all animals studied. The data indicate that PB anesthesia can alter the response of the hypothalamic pituitary axis to a possible neurotransmitter agent. (Endocrinology 100: 1437, 1977)
A curriculum model for a graduate degree program in systems analysis

A much needed master's level graduate degree program in systems analysis has been designed and proposed for implementation at Miami University. There are many graduate curricula that emphasize information systems, computer science, or operations research; but our proposal is unique in its attempt to combine these varied, yet related, disciplines. This paper describes the details of the proposed curriculum which largely conforms to the major curriculum recommendations. The proposal is sufficienctly general to be adopted as a model by programs of similar mix and emphasis.
Investigation of supersonic modes and three-dimensionality in bounded, free shear flows

It is found through two-dimensional temporal simulations of high-speed free shear layers that mean flow distortion is significantly increased when supersonic disturbances are introduced as initial conditions. The shear layer exhibits no subharmonic growth or roll-up, but rather a spectral broadening as energy is distributed into higher harmonics. Increasing the velocity of one side of the mixing layer (u2) to roughly 1/5 the speed of the high speed side (u1), allows a slight subharmonic growth at a very slow rate for two-dimensional modes. A first look at three-dimensional free shear flows is also presented for M = 2. No effect is seen for incompressible flow; however, stabilization is seen with respect to maximum temporal growth rates as the transverse velocity is increased. A much stronger, but similar effect is seen if u2 is increased. The wave direction of maximum growth for u2 is greater than 0.4 is found to be the direction of the faster stream (u1) over a broad range of transverse velocities.
Experimental study of the frictional properties of friction spun yarns

This article reports the results from a study conducted to characterize the frictional properties of friction spun yarns. The aim of the study was to obtain data on the surface mechanical properties of a variety of friction spun yarns. The study was essential as the surface mechanical properties influence the fabric formation, bonding strength, and high-performance properties of yarns. The yarns used in the study were made from different fibers and were spun at different speeds. The capstan method was used to obtain the friction force values between the yarns and a glass cylindri- cal rod. The experiment was conducted at different tensions. The results indicate that the friction of friction spun yarns are influenced by different factors such as the type of fiber and tensions applied. The results obtained help to under- stand the surface mechanical properties of high-perfor- mance yarns and their influence on the performance char- acteristics of friction spun yarns. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2450 -2454, 2003
Web service discovery based on behavior signatures

Web service discovery is a key problem as the number of services is expected to increase dramatically. Service discovery at the present time is based primarily on keywords, or interfaces of Web services through the use of ontology. We argue that "behavior signatures" as operational level description should play an important role in the service discovery process. In this paper, we propose a new behavior model for Web services using automata and logic formalisms. Roughly, the model associates messages with activities and adopts the IOPR model in OWL-S to describe activities. A new query language is developed to express temporal and semantic properties on service behaviors. Query evaluation algorithms are developed; in particular, an optimization approach using RE-tree and heuristics is shown to improve the performance. Specifically, experimental results show that the use of RE-tree reduces query evaluation time by an order of magnitude and with heuristics it enhances the performance by two orders of magnitude. This is clearly an encouraging starting point.
Islets of stability beyond period doubling

Abstract Period doubling of a periodic orbit of an area preserving map appears to lead to the elimination of all closed invariant curves in the vicinity. We show, however, that there are always islets of stability again beyond the accumulation point of the period-doubling sequence.
Failure of a Freeze Dryer Slot Door

Freeze-drying is utilized in the biopharmaceutical industry to give higher stability, broader temperature tolerance, and longer shelf-life to formulations that are unstable in aqueous solution (Green and Perry, Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, 1997). Freeze-drying equipment consists of a drying chamber, condensers, a cooling system, and a vacuum system. The drying chamber is where the product is placed to undergo the lyophilization process. The chamber has two access points: a maintenance door, located in a mechanical room, and a slot door, located in a sterile clean room. The maintenance door permits entry into the chamber. The slot door facilitates tray loading and unloading from the clean room using an automatic tray handling system. At 9:26 AM on March 2, 2008, a freeze-dryer failed during the steam-in-place (SIP) cycle. As a result of the failure, the slot door was plastically deformed. Several items in the proximity of the slot door sustained damage. Fortunately, no personnel were inside the clean room when the event occurred; there were no injuries or loss of life. The impact to production was severe. The event removed the freeze dryer from service for approximately 2 months, reducing bulk powder production capacity by 33% during the time it was down. The failure occurred because the slot door was not closed properly when the SIP cycle began. Instead of being completely restrained, it was allowed to become simply-supported, seriously compromising its pressure-containing ability.
1,3-dinitrobenzene toxicity in the least shrew, Cryptotis parva

Shrews are abundant in most areas of toxic chemical contamination and bioaccumulate pollutants at much higher rates than sympatric rodent species. As a part of studies to provide information concerning the toxicity of 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB) in least shrews (Cryptotis parva), groups of 10 females and 10 males received DNB at 0 (control), 0.7, 2.9, 11.6, and 46.3 microl/L (equivalent mean daily dosage of 0, 0.26, 1.06, 4.26, and 17.0 mg/kg body wt in each sex) in their diet for 14 d. Leukocytosis present at the 0.26 mg/kg body weight/d dosage established the lowest-observed-adverse effect level (LOAEL). Adrenal enlargement was noted at the 1.06 mg/kg body weight/d level. Splenic enlargement and reductions in hematocrit and hemoglobin values occurred at the 4.26 mg/kg body weight/d treatment. Enlargements in the liver and heart and reductions in brown fat weight, granulocyte numbers, and alanine aminotransferase levels were present at high dose levels. Histopathologic examinations showed Kupffer's cell hemosiderosis and suggested testicular damage at the two highest tested doses but failed to confirm brain lesions. Least shrews do not follow standard scaling estimates for lifespan or metabolic rates. The LOAEL calculated from the standard terrestrial screening benchmark equation was higher than our findings, suggesting that these estimates must be viewed with caution.
Biomimetic Synthesis of a H2 Catalyst Using a Protein Cage Architecture

A biomimetic approach has been used to develop an artificial hydrogenase that catalyses the efficient reduction of protons producing hydrogen gas. Analogous to the unique biological metal clusters found in hydrogenase enzymes, the engineered active sites are small, well-defined Pt clusters deposited on the interior of a heat shock protein cage architecture with stoichiometries of 150 to 1000 Pt per protein cage. The proton reduction reaction is driven by visible light through a coupled reaction with Ru(bpy)32+ and methyl viologen as an electron-transfer mediator. Hydrogen production rates are comparable to those of hydrogenase on a per protein basis and exceed production rates of other reported Pt-based catalysts. These results demonstrate the utility of a biomimetic approach toward addressing the needs of hydrogen production.
Implementing distributed shared memory based on DCE

The Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) software of the Open Software Foundation offers solutions for security problems and for shared file management in heterogeneous computer networks. It allows distributed programming by remote procedure calls and parallel programming by threads. Distributed shared memory in a computer network pretends a globally shared address space among networked computers. By introducing distributed shared memory into DCE we raise the concept of threads to a higher level of concurrency-threads are spread over several machines. POSIX 1003.4a-compliant multithreaded programs are automatically transformed to execute on a computer network running DCE. Reprogramming is not necessary. The translator algorithms are concealed behind a precompiler, and a runtime system on top of DCE realizes the globally shared address space and distributes threads among different machines. >
Design for Additive Manufacturing of Cellular Structures

AbstractAdditive Manufacturing technologies enable the fabrication of parts and devices that are geometrically complex, have graded material compositions, and can be customized. To take advantage of these capabilities, it is important to assist designers in exploring unexplored regions of design spaces. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges in design for additive manufacturing. A new computer-aided design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) method is presented that is based on the process-structure-property-behavior model common in the materials design community. Examples of cellular materials design and manufacturing are used to illustrate the DFAM method.
Age‐Related Macular Degeneration: Self‐Management and Reduction of Depressive Symptoms in a Randomized, Controlled Study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a self-management program for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in reducing depressive symptoms. DESIGN: Analysis of 6-month follow-up for a subset of participants in a randomized, controlled trial who were clinically depressed at baseline. SETTING: University ophthalmology clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two depressed older adult volunteers (mean age 81.5) with advanced AMD who had been randomized to a self-management program (n=12) or one of two control conditions (n=20). Subjects were included if at baseline they met criteria from the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Axis, I, Fourth Edition, Research Version, for major or minor depressive disorder with significant depressive symptoms (≥5 points) on the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). INTERVENTION: AMD self-management program consisting of cognitive and behavioral elements including health education and enhancement of problem-solving skills. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measure was GDS-15. Secondary outcome measures included National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) and AMD Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up, the self-management group had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms on the GDS-15 than the controls (P=.03). The mean reduction of 2.92 points in the self-management group was more than the 2-point change threshold considered to be clinically meaningful. Change on the NEI-VFQ was nonsignificant. Reduction in depressive symptoms was associated with greater self-efficacy in the self-management group. CONCLUSION: These findings may support the effectiveness of an AMD self-management program for depressed older adults with advanced vision loss from AMD.
Effects of Tissue-type and Development on Dark Respiration in Two Herbaceous Perennials

Abstract Perennial plants go through a number of developmental stages during the growing season. Changes in metabolism during these phases have been documented in laboratory-grown plants but never in native plants growing in natural habitats. The purpose of this study was to describe the seasonal pattern of dark respiration in the above-ground tissues of two herbaceous perennials, Bistorta bistortoides (Pursh) Small and Campanula rotundifolia L., growing in the Rocky Mountains (USA). The effect of biomass accumulation on respiration rate and differences in respiration rate among tissues were measured. Respiration rate differed significantly among the above-ground tissues. Reproductive structures had the highest respiration rates, followed by leaves, then stems. Respiration rate decreased by 10–90% over the growing season in these tissues but was generally not correlated with a decrease in biomass accumulation. The seasonal pattern of respiration rate varied significantly among tissues. Total tissue respiratory flux was calculated at 15 °C for each tissue. In both species, total above-ground respiratory flux was either relatively constant during the growing season with a marked decrease at seed dispersal or a maximum rate was reached at mid-season. In B. bistortoides , leaves had the highest total respiratory fluxes, and the respiratory fluxes of the stem and reproductive structures were similar to one another. In C. rotundifolia , leaf and stem respiratory fluxes were similar, while the respiratory flux of the reproductive structures was considerably lower than that of leaves and stems. This study emphasizes the importance of developmental processes and tissue-type on respiration rate and highlights the importance of including all plant tissues in predictive models of plant carbon balance.
Induction of apoptosis in fibroblasts by IL-1β-converting enzyme, a mammalian homolog of the C. elegans cell death gene ced-3

Abstract The mammalian interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (ICE) has sequence similarity to the C. elegans cell death gene ced-3 . We show here that overexpression of the murine ICE (mICE) gene or of the C. elegans ced-3 gene causes Rat-1 cells to undergo programmed cell death. Point mutations in a region homologous between mICE and CED-3 eliminate the ability of mICE and ced-3 to cause cell death. The cell death caused by mICE can be suppressed by overexpression of the crmA gene, a specific inhibitor of ICE, as well as by bcl-2 , a mammalian oncogene that can act to prevent programmed cell death. Our results suggest that ICE may function during mammalian development to cause programmed cell death.
PRec-I-DCM3: a parallel framework for fast and accurate large-scale phylogeny reconstruction

Accurate reconstruction of phylogenetic trees often involves solving hard optimisation problems, particularly the Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) problems. Various heuristics yield good results for these problems within reasonable time only on small datasets. This is a major impediment for large-scale phylogeny reconstruction. Roshan et al. introduced Rec-I-DCM3, an efficient and accurate meta-method for solving the MP problem on large datasets of up to 14,000 taxa. We improve the performance of Rec-I-DCM3 via parallelisation. The experiments demonstrate that our parallel method, PRec-I-DCM3, achieves significant improvements, both in speed and accuracy, over its sequential counterpart.
Computational Simulation on An Energy Saving Regenerative Refrigerating System

A new type of energy-saving regenerative refrigerating system has been designed by the author and the prototype has been proved functioning properly. In this paper, the principle of the system is analyzed and the model is simulated by the computational fluid dynamics. The major advantages of this system include: the functioning efficiency is higher, the structure is simple and compact with less vibration, and frictional losses are very small between free piston and cylinder.
An attempt to categorize the main determinants of traffic safety

This study attempts to identify the major factors that have contributed to traffic safety in the past, with a view to help identify which approaches are likely to be most fruitful in the future. The study builds upon the author's 1987 study which addressed similarly broad questions that require judgmental synthesis rather than analysis. In the earlier paper all factors were classified into what were defined as 'human infrastructure' and 'engineering infrastructure'. Although components of the engineering infrastructure (roadway, traffic engineering, vehicles) were demonstrated to make important contributions, it was concluded that the human infrastructure component was of even greater importance, with social norms making the largest contribution. The present paper examines traffic fatality rates for 12 countries over a 19-year period, and for the United States over a 68-year period. The observation that variations over time and country appear larger than can be attributed exclusively to engineering improvements suggests again that behavioral factors, especially social norms, are playing a large role. The major changes in public health that have resulted from collective behavior changes in smoking, exercise, diet and alcohol use suggest that further progress in traffic safety might be made by similar collective changes in driver behavior. The following items are judged worthy of additional study as possible stimulants to changing social norms in directions more conducive to traffic safety, and away from directions which are inimical to safety: (i) the effect of fictional television and movie portrayals of the life-threatening use of motor vehicles as heroic or humorous, (ii) the effect of encouraging increased courtesy on the road, and (iii) the effect of social norms relating to alcohol, and the forces that shape such social norms.(A)