cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian formulation of the best of liquid and solid reliability methodology

An approach to reliability prediction for liquid or solid rockets is presented. The approach is based on Bayesian statistical methods and incorporates existing reliability methodology. The Bayesian model provides a framework for incorporating various types of information and for regular revision and updating of predictions. It facilitates the calculation of confidence intervals for reliability and of required test numbers to achieve reliability goals. INCE its inception, the rocket propulsion industry has concentrated primarily on designs that maximize payload capability in the context of specified, usually well-defined, mission and performance considerations, with costs and reli- ability of secondary concern. This is not to say that reliability was not considered to be important; it is often a critical factor. It is, however, much more difficult to predict than perfor- mance and weight, particularly at the design stage. As a result, x reliability evaluation was based mainly on full system testing and operational outcomes. The reliability levels that the industry has succeeded in achieving have come about through the use of large margins (safety factors) in part design and of a build-test-fail-fix ap- proach. The success of the design as far as reliability was concerned thus depended on factors that were determined by engineering judgment derived from the company and engi- neer's background, past experience, historical data, trial and error, handbook statistics, and similar information sources. Reliability analyses that were performed, if any, were usu- ally based on oversimplified models and assumptions. In addi- tion, process and operations-induced failures were seldom adequately addressed, if even included in the reliability analy- sis. As a result of these and many other difficulties, past reliability predictions have almost invariably overestimated the reliability of an operational system. Over the past few years, this situation has been changing considerably, primarily as a result of the reliability and cost requirements specified for the Advanced Launch System (ALS), later called the National Launch System (NLS). For example, the ALS Phase A specification required that, for the space transportation engine (STE), a 0.99 reliability be achieved with 90% confidence. This greatly stimulated interest in analytical efforts toward early quantification of reliability, leading in turn to recognition of the need for careful and thorough identification of failure modes as well as the need for development of more realistic engineering and statistical models of failure mechanisms and their likelihood of occur- rence. Moreover, funding is generally not available to achieve high reliability through an extensive development program. Further impetus to early quantification and prediction is the importance of reliability in evaluating competing systems (liq- uids and solids) at the very earliest stages of design. An initial
Estimation of rate ratio and relative difference in matched‐pairs under inverse sampling

To increase the efficiency of a study and to eliminate the effects of some nuisance confounders, we may consider employing a matched-pair design. Under the commonly assumed quadrinomial sampling, in which the total number of matched-pairs is fixed, we note that the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of rate ratio (RR) has an infinitely large bias and no finite variance, and so does the MLE of relative difference (RD). To avoid this theoretical concern, this paper suggests use of an inverse sampling and notes that the MLEs of these parameters, which are actually of the same forms as those under the quadrinomial sampling, are also the uniformly minimum variance estimators (UMVUEs) under the proposed samplings. This paper further derives the exact variances of these MLEs and the corresponding UMVUEs of these variances. Finally, this paper includes a discussion on interval estimation of the RR and RD using these results as well. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The mechanism of recovery of hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase during glucose-refeeding: Role of glucagon and insulin

Refeeding studies were performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats that had been fasted for 72 hours to characterize the specific effect of carbohydrates on T3 metabolism. Fasting is associated with low serum T3 levels and reduced hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase activity (T4 → T3). Carbohydrate refeeding (20% glucose in H2O) normalized both the serum T3 and hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase activity within 72 hours, whereas fat (10% Intralipid) and amino acids (5.5% Travasol) had no effect after 72 hours of refeeding. Refeeding with a mixed diet (Purina Rodent Chow) occasionally reactivated hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase activity, however, normalization of enzyme activity did not occur within 72 hours. Time-course studies demonstrated that hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase activity was not stimulated until 24 hours of carbohydrate refeeding had elapsed and that 48 to 72 hours were required for normalization. The mechanism of the carbohydrate-refeeding effect was characterized by analyzing the alterations in the kinetics Michaelis constant (Km) and maximal velocity (Vmax) of hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase and the changes in the hepatic content of nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH), which are possible enzyme cofactors. There was no relationship between the hepatic enzyme activity and the NP-SH response during the refeeding period. Moreover, homogenate enrichment with the sulfhydryl compound, dithiothreitol (DTT), did not alter the temporal profile of the enzyme recovery consequent to refeeding. Refeeding with carbohydrate had no effect on the Km of hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase but had a significant effect on the Vmax. Refeeding with glucose induced an increase in enzyme Vmax over the time-course, which became significant (P < 0.005) compared with the enzyme Vmax of the fasted group by 72 hours. During carbohydrate refeeding, a positive correlation was noted between the ratio of serum insulin to glucagon and hepatic-T4-5′-deiodinase activity (r = 0.82, P < 0.001), whereas a negative correlation was found between enzyme activity and the ratio of serum glucose to insulin (r = −0.9, P < 0.001). Furthermore these correlations also applied during refeeding with fat and amino acids. Thus, the carbohydrate-refeeding reactivation of hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase in fasted rats is a delayed process that requires a refeeding period equivalent to the duration of fasting for enzyme normalization to occur. Recovery was due to an increase in the hepatic content of active enzyme rather than an enhancement of cofactor supply. The glucoregulatory hormones, glucagon and insulin, may modulate these carbohydrate induced changes on hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase. Moreover, the differential reaction of hepatic T4-5′-deiodinase to specific nutriments may be mediated by these glucoregulatory hormones.
The Significance of Genetic Contributions and Markers in Disorders of Spinal Structure

Clinical evidence suggests that a moiety of patients with low back syndrome refractory to conventional treatment may embody a pleiotropic expression of Marfan-like pathology of support tissue. Individuals in the suspect group display a triad of clinical findings including refractory low back syndrome, certain dural ectasias, and a susceptibility to protracted reactions after lumbar puncture. Certain stigmata found in these patients and their families are among those commonly seen in Marfan's disease. The concept, if valid, has important implications affecting therapeutic choices and may offer insights into unexplained failures. The finding of significant family involvement strengthens the possibility of a heritable substratum for this category of low back disease.
Examining Delinquent Nongang Members and Delinquent Gang Members: A Comparison of Juvenile Probationers at Intake and Outcomes

This study examines differences between juvenile gang and nongang members participating in a juvenile probation program designed to identify and intervene with youth considered to be high risk for ...
Vertical structure in stratified wakes with high initial froude number

Initially turbulent bluff body wakes decay in the presence of a stable background density gradient to form chains of comparatively stable and long-lived vortex structures, most of the late-time properties of which have been shown to be independent of the initial generating Froude number (for a sphere of diameter, D , moving at speed, U , F = 2 U / ND , where N is the buoyancy frequency). Results of experiments with vertical interrogation planes are described, where any anticipated F-dependence might be most evident, as the competing effects of horizontal inertial forcing and the restoring buoyancy force can be measured directly by simultaneous measurement of horizontal and vertical velocity components. Experiments were conducted at sufficiently large values of Re [ges ] 3 × 10 3 and F [ges ] 4 that turbulence can occur over many scales in the near wake, and the scaling properties might then extrapolate to ocean engineering applications. When F [ges ] 4, the fluid motions in the intermediate, non-equilibrium regime always occur in coherent patches whose vertical extent is smaller than the total wake height. The patches of vorticity have longer horizontal than vertical coherence lengths, and may be termed layers, even though they are far from uniform in the horizontal. The degree to which the complex vertical structure is later dominated by the mean wake defect depends strongly on F. The total wake height, L V , depends on the initial value of F so that L V / D ∼ F 0.6 . L V is established early and remains almost unchanged up to Nt ≈ 30. At later times, the non-equilibrium wake exchanges potential with kinetic energy and re-adjusts according to local dynamical constraints, so that, within each layer, the quasi-two-dimensional flow proceeds without any further dependence on, or memory of, the initial value of F . The flow is everywhere stable to overturning Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities and local length and velocity scales evolve so that the local horizontal and vertical Froude numbers, F H , F V , are both of order 0.1. Although Osmidov-length arguments for vertical scale selection appear to be physically appropriate, they do not correctly predict the measured F -dependence in either L V , or in the layer height, l V . Thus the physical mechanism responsible remains elusive, as the alternative laminar instability mechanisms are not presented with the appropriate, scale-free initial conditions over the parameter range in which they have been shown to operate. Ultimately, the measurements support the application of low F H and F V scaling theories to the late wake flow. The preceding non-equilibrium stage, when the vertical structure of the late wake is determined, does not yield so readily to assumptions involving the smallness of the vertical velocity component.
Electrical properties of individual gold nanowires arrayed in a porous anodic alumina template

A procedure to fabricate a highly ordered electrodeposited nanowire array in a porous anodic alumina template with nanowires of uniform length and exposed tips for establishing low-resistance ohmic contacts has been demonstrated. In this work, contacts to Au nanowire arrays have been investigated as a model system. The structural, topographical and electrical characteristics of the nanowire array have been studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy. Measurements showed that an electrical contact between the conducting AFM probe and the exposed Au nanowire tips was initiated only after a force of 14.4 ± 2 nN was applied. The I –V characteristics were linear up to the maximum applied current density of 1.5 × 1012 A/m2, and the resistivity of the individual Au nanowires in the template was estimated to be between 1.4 and 7 times the resistivity of large grained bulk Au. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evidence for quadrupolar contributions to the circular magnetic X-ray dichroism of rare earths

Abstract CMXD provides a new probe of local magnetism in ferro(i)magnetic materials. Here, we describe a recent study of the angular dependence of the circular magnetic X-ray dichroism (CMXD) at the DyL 3 edge of the alloy Dy 0.4 TB 0.6 to determine the multipolar nature of the dichroic features above and below the absorption edge. Differences in the angular behavior of the feature below the edge are consistent with quadrupolar transitions.
Automated Chest X-Ray Analysis

A brief review of the development of computer analysis of chest X-rays at the University of Missouri - Columbia is given. Chest analysis by computer has developed from cardiac silhouette shape and size analysis to lung field analysis in the form of image texture algorithms. The overriding problem is the variability in the normal human anatomy, especially as it is presented in radiographs. A major effort has been made to produce and verify valid data bases of substantial size. The diagnostic effectiveness of digital image analysis algorithms has been the utmost concern. Success has been achieved on a small scale relative to the total area of automated chest X-ray analysis.
Deformation and erosion of f.c.c. metals and alloys under cavitation attack

Experimental investigations have been conducted to determine the early stages of cavitation attack on 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, electrolytic tough pitch copper, brass, and bronze, all having polycrystalline fcc matrices. The surface profiles and scanning electron micrographs show that the pits are initially formed at the grain boundaries, while the grain surfaces are progressively roughened by multiple slip and twinning. The initial erosion is noted to have occurred from the material in the grain boundaries, as well as by fragmentation of part of the grains. Further erosion occurred by shearing and necking of the surface undulations caused by plastic deformation. The mean penetration depth, computed on the basis of mass loss, was lowest on the bronze and greatest on the copper. Attention is given to the relation of cavitation attack to grain size, glide stress and stacking fault energy.
The study of neurotransmitter interactions using positron emission tomography and functional coupling

Functional brain imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) has opened up new avenues for the investigation of possible functional disturbances related to psychiatric disease as well as pharmacodynamic assessment of drug treatment in vivo. Different strategies to study pharmacologic effects on the brain have been developed in recent years. The basic methods are to measure (a) blood flow or glucose metabolism, (b) parameters of specific receptor binding, or (c) neurotransmitter metabolism. Each of these can be performed either in a resting state or after perturbation with a pharmacologic challenge. Our group has developed a general strategy for investigating pharmacologic effects on brain function: (a) determining indirect drug-induced metabolic changes with fluorodeoxyglucose PET and (b) characterizing functional interactions of neurotransmitter systems by assaying drug-induced displacement of specific receptor ligands. These study designs reflect a paradigm shift where functional coupling of brain regions and interaction of different neurotransmitter systems are seen as the basis for a multitransmitter hypothesis of schizophrenia. In this view, any disturbance in the self-regulatory process is reflected in the loss of functional interaction between systems. An overview of recent studies and their possible clinical importance will be presented.
SEGMENTATION OF ULTRASONIC IMAGES WITH NEURAL NETWORKS

Neural networks differ from traditional approaches to image processing in terms of their ability to adapt to regularities in image structure and to self-organize so as to implement directed transformations. Biomedical ultrasonic images are often degraded in quality by noise and other factors, making enhancement techniques particularly important. This paper describes use of back propagation and competitive learning for enhancement and segmentation of ultrasonic images of the eye. Of particular interest is the extension or these technique to segmentation of three-dimensional data sets, where simple thresholding and gradient operations are not entirely successful.
The control of sexual receptivity in female cockroaches

Abstract Female receptivity and sex pheromone production are controlled by different mechanisms. In B. fumigata females the corpora allata control pheromone production. The female's pheromone releases courtship behaviour in the male; he raises his wings exposing his tergum and apparently releases a pheromone. The receptive female is attracted to the male and mounts and ‘feeds’ on his tergum. The mounting and feeding behaviour, which is indicative of female receptivity, is not directly controlled by the corpora allata. Receptivity in N. cinerea and L. maderae is determined by some event, presumably in the brain, which occurs at about the same time as the onset of activity of the corpora allata. It is suggested that the neurosecretory system is involved in acceptance of the male by the female.
Steric effects in the electroreduction of 9-anthryl styryl ketone and 9,10-anthryl bis(styryl ketone)

Abstract The electrochemical behavior of 9-anthryl styryl ketone (ASK) and 9,10-anthryl bis(styryl ketone) (ABSK) in acetonitrile and N,N-dimethylformamide at a Pt electrode was investigated by cyclic and rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. ASK is reduced in a reversible one-electron step to form the radical anion which rapidly couples (k2=105 M−1 s−1) to form the dimeric dianion. The dimer can be reoxidized to form ASK. ABSK is reversibly reduced to the stable dianion which shows no tendency to couple. The cyclic voltammogram wave shape suggests that the styryl-keto groups in the 9-and 10-positions are non-interacting so that the reduction occurs in two steps whose standard potentials differ by the statistically predicted 36 mV.
Association of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) genes with nonsyndromic myelomeningocele.

BACKGROUND A common and severe neural tube defect (NTD) phenotype, myelomeningocele (MM), results from the defective closure of the caudal end of the neural tube with herniation of the spinal cord and meninges through the vertebral column. The exact mechanisms for NTDs are unknown, but excessive oxidative stress, particularly in association with maternal diabetes, has been postulated as a mechanism for MM. Methods The SNPlex Genotyping (ABI, Foster City, CA) platform was used to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 and 2 genes to assess their association with MM risk. The study population included 329 trio (affected child and both parents) and 281 duo (affected child and one parent) families. Only cases with documented MM were studied. Seventeen SNPs across the SOD1 and SOD2 genes met the quality-control criteria to be considered for statistical analysis. Genetic association was assessed using the family-based transmission disequilibrium test in PLINK (a genome association analysis toolset). RESULTS Four SNPs in the SOD1 gene (rs 202446, rs202447, rs4816405, and rs2070424) and one SNP in the SOD2 gene (s 5746105) appeared to be associated with MM risk in our population. After adjusting for multiple testing, these SNPs remained significant. CONCLUSION This study provides the first genetic evidence to support association of myelomeningocele with superoxide scavenging. The rare alleles of the five specific SNPs within SOD1 and SOD2 appear to confer a protective effect on the susceptibility for MM risk in the MM population tested. Further evaluation of the roles of superoxide scavenging and neural tube development is warranted. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transverse color tolerances for visual optical systems

We performed psychophysical experiments to determine the effects of transverse chromatic aberration on observer performance through a specially designed telescopic system that presents negligible monochromatic aberration. Our results provide the basis for assessing the performance of visually coupled lenses in detail. The effect of transverse color on contrast sensitivity is more severe than on resolution. Color effects are compared with those of astigmatism: It is shown how one may make detailed predictions of system performance in order to decide on the necessary balance of aberrations at the design stage.
THE PERINEURAL EPITHELIUM OF SYMPATHETIC NERVES AND GANGLIA AND ITS RELATION TO THE PIA ARACHNOID OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND PERINEURAL EPITHELIUM OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.

A multiple layered flat epithelial cell layer covering the sympathetic ganglion chain and its derivatives (e.g. the splanchnic nerves) has been described. This layer is continuous around the grey and white rami communicans and is in turn continuous with the perineural epithelium of peripheral nerves. A capillary plexus and mast cells in this layer have also been demonstrated. This epithelium is shown on the surface of the blood vessel which enters the sympathetic trunk and resembles the leptomeningeal covering of the blood vessels of the central nervous system. The epi- and perineural. and epi- and periganglionic connective tissue layers of the sympathetic system are extremely delicate and minimal in quantity when compared to the epi- and perineurium of peripheral nerves. This paper thus completes the evidence that the whole of the peripheral nervous system and its ganglia (voluntary and autonomic) is isolated from the environment in which it lies and is maintained in an environment similar to or identical with that of the central nervous system.
PECVD Silicon Carbide as a Chemically-Resistant Thin Film Packaging Technology for Microfabricated Antennas

This paper describes an effort to develop microfabricated planar antennas that utilize a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) based silicon carbide (SiC) thin film packaging technology to provide chemical resistance. The antennas are coplanar waveguide fed dual frequency folded slot antennas fabricated on alumina substrates that utilize a self matching impedance technique. The PEVCD SiC thin film was deposited at 300degC at a chamber pressure of 900 mTorr and a power level of 100 W. The SiC film thickness was 450 nm. The antennas exhibit a return loss better than -15 dB at 5 and 7 GHz before and after SiC deposition. The gain of the antennas is 3 dB at 5 and 7 GHz before and after SiC deposition. The SiC-coated antennas were submerged into Au etchant for over a 24 hr period with no degradation in RF performance or physical integrity
On effective use of reliability models and defect data in software development

In software technology today, several development methodologies such as extreme programming and open source development increasingly use feedback from customer testing. This makes the customer defect data become more readily available. This paper proposes an effective use of reliability models and defect data to help managers make software release decisions by applying a strategy for selecting a suitable reliability model, which best fits the customer defect data as testing progresses. We validate the proposed approach in an empirical study using a dataset of defect reports obtained from testing of three releases of a large medical system. The paper describes detailed results of our experiments and concludes with suggested guidelines on the usage of reliability models and defect data.
Nonmonotonic conditionals that behave like conditional probabilities above a threshold

Abstract I'll describe a range of systems for nonmonotonic conditionals that behave like conditional probabilities above a threshold. The rules that govern each system are probabilistically sound in that each rule holds when the conditionals are interpreted as conditional probabilities above a threshold level specific to that system. The well-known preferential and rational consequence relations turn out to be special cases in which the threshold level is 1. I'll describe systems that employ weaker rules appropriate to thresholds lower than 1, and compare them to these two standard systems.
Regulation of L-DOPA biosynthesis by site-specific phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in AtT-20 cells expressing wild-type and serine 40-substituted enzyme

De novo L-DOPA biosynthesis was studied in stably transfected AtT-20 cells expressing wild-type- or [Leu 40 ]-recombinant tyrosine hydroxylase (rTH). Basal rates of DOPA accumulation were much higher by cells expressing rTH in which Leu was substituted for Ser 40 (S40L-rTH) than by those expressing wild-type rTH (WT-rTH). Treatment of WT-rTH cells with forskolin produced an increase in DOPA accumulation and a concomitant increase in WT-rTH phospho-Ser 40 content, whereas DOPA production by cells expressing S40L-rTH was entirely unaffected by forskolin. After forskolin treatment of 32 P i -prelabeled cells, WT-rTH was phosphorylated at Ser 8 , Ser 19 , Ser 31 , and Ser 40 , whereas 32 P incorporation into S40L-rTH was restricted to Ser 8 , Ser 19 , and Ser 31 . Relatively prolonged treatment of AtT-20 cells expressing WT-rTH with either a depolarizing agent (elevated potassium) or a phosphatase inhibitor (okadaic acid) increased DOPA production and increased the phosphorylation state of Ser 40 ; but, unlike forskolin, these treatments also increased DOPA production by cells expressing S40L-rTH. Thus, the present studies demonstrate that Ser 40 phosphorylation mediates forskolin-induced increases in DOPA biosynthesis directly but that mechanisms other than Ser 40 phosphorylation can mediate the increases in DOPA biosynthesis produced either by depolarization or by protein phosphatase inhibition.
Investment and competition in unlicensed spectrum

Adding unlicensed spectrum, such as the recent opening of the television white spaces in the US, has the potential to benefit customers by increasing competition, but may also increase congestion. In an earlier paper, we studied this using models for price competition in congestible networks. Here we extend that model to include the investment costs of providers. With such costs, we characterize the equilibria of the resulting network investment and pricing game and show that in some cases the equilibrium is not increased competition but rather investment by a single monopolist.
"I'm the Momma": Using photo-elicitation to understand matrilineal influence on family food choice

Background Many complex and subtle aspects relating to mothers and food choice are not well understood. Mothers play a primary role in their children's food choices, but research has not specifically examined how matrilineal family members who do not reside in the same household, such as a mother's mother, aunt, or grandmother, influence the current family's food choices.
Recent developments in space-based gamma-ray telescopes for 1 MeV to 10 GeV energies

A new generation of large area, high resolution and improved sensitivity gamma ray telescopes are under development for the post-CGRO era in gamma ray astronomy and astrophysics, applying silicon strip detectors, scintillating fibers with position sensitive photomultipliers and cryogenic liquid drift chambers. A short review of these novel technologies is presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Making Space for Vedānta: Canon and Commentary in Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism

Nearly every theistic school since the time of Samkara has engaged with the Ved?ntic tradition, usually by writing a commentary on the Brahmas?tra. Never theless, Ved?nta found itself on uncertain ground during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, due largely to the rise of influential devotional movements across North India. Many of these movements established their influence by deliberately setting themselves apart from the Ved?ntic pursuits of earlier Vaisnava schools. They saw the emphasis on Ved?nta as the hallmark of knowledge (j?ana)-oriented systems, in contrast to their own exclusive absorption in devotion (bhakti). A good case in point is the R?dh?vallabhi school of Hita Harivamsa, which was contiguous with the Caitanya tradition both in time (sixteenth century) and location (Vrnd?vana). Followers of Hita Harivamsa distinguish themselves from other Vaisnava schools by insisting that they do not subscribe to "any general or particular philosophical standpoint" (d?rsanika matav?da), nor are they "dependent in every way on ancient bhakti texts [such as the Bh?gavata Pur?na]" (Gosvami, 1989, p. 57).1 Although love (prema) is the essence of all the Vedas, Hita Harivamsa "declared it to be beyond all schools of Ved?nta and said that the help of any Ved?ntic school was unnecessary for its establishment" (Gosvami, 1989, p. 54). The poetry (v?n?) of Hita Harivamsa is considered the highest means of valid knowledge (pramana)? The Caitanya Vaisnava tradition of Bengal, on the other hand, found that some engagement in Ved?ntic discourse was necessary, if only to provide a solid
Actuating power capacities of polymers, gels, and composites for use in smart materials systems

The potential of using volume and shape changes of polymers, gels, and composites as a source of actuating power was evaluated. For an ordinary polymer, volume changes may be induced by simple heating and cooling (thermal expansion) or by allowing the polymer to undergo physical transitions such as glass transition, melting or crystallization, and solid state phase transformation. Shape changes in shape memory polymers may be obtained by a combination of thermal and deformation treatments. Polymer gels may undergo large continuous or discrete volume changes in response to stimuli such as temperature, solvent concentration, pH value, electric field, and light. A composite/bimetal laminate, when configured in a proper stacking sequence, is capable of generating out-of-plane forces or deflections. When constrained from changing the volume or shape, each class of these materials can exert a great counteracting stress or pressure on the constraining body. when free to expand or contract, the material may be prescribed to undergo a large change in volume or shape. The magnitudes of the counteracting stresses and the percentages of achievable volume or shape changes were calculated for several commonly used gels, piezopolymers and composites/bimetals. Methods and procedures for making these calculations were established.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Presence of anti-müllerian hormone in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis): gender and seasonal differences

Background Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is a glycoprotein of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily secreted by male Sertoli cells and female ovarian granulosa cells. This study determined squirrel monkey AMH levels as influenced by gender and seasonality. Methods Squirrel monkey sera AMH were measured by an enzymatically amplified two-site immunoassay. Results A significant difference (P < 0.001) was found in AMH levels between male (mean = 3.46 ng/ml) and female squirrel monkeys (mean = 22.12 ng/ml). A significant difference (P < 0.05) was found in male AMH levels between breeding (mean = 4.21 ng/ml) and non-breeding seasons (mean = 2.78 ng/ml). No significant differences were found between female groups. Conclusions Anti-mullerian hormone levels in female squirrel monkeys are the highest in any primate species reported, whereas in the male, levels are within reported ranges. The AMH assay may allow us soon to assess the squirrel monkey fertility potential as a function of various factors.
Induction of gynogenesis and sex reversal in silver carp

Abstract Gynogenesis was induced in silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix , to test female homogamety for sex determination and subsequently, to produce genetic females for androgen sex reversal. Heat shock (34°C) slightly increased the yield of gynogenetic diploids, but mild cold shock (22°C) was less productive than no-shock controls and severe cold shock (5°C) was lethal. All gynogens were females. Treatment with methyltestosterone suspended in liquid dimethylpolysiloxane was ineffective in inverting the phenotypic sex of silver carp but the androgen delivered from a silastic implant induced sex reversal of genetic females in some treatments. Males were produced when treatment was initiated at 79 days of age (110–120 or 125–135 mm, TL), 124 days of age (100–110 mm, TL) and 319 days of age (90–100 mm, TL). The period of gonadal differentiation was affected by growth rate and was correlated with successful reversal.
Effect of ionizing radiation on the dynamic mechanical properties of an epoxy and a graphite fiber/epoxy composite

TGDDM/DDS epoxy and T300/NARMCO 5208 composite specimens were exposed to 0.5 MeV electrons to dose levels up to 10,000 Mrad, and the effects of radiation on the mechanical properties were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In nominally cured specimens there remain unreacted epoxide groups because the epoxy system vitrifies during the cure, preventing additional reaction. DMA shows that ionizing radiation continues the reactions of epoxide groups. Also, the ultimate glass transition is shown to decrease monotonically with radiation dose. The room temperature elastic modulus of the epoxy increases slightly with radiation, but at temperatures exceeding 100°C there is a slight decrease with radiation. There is a dynamic loss phenomena associated with the composites, not seen in the epoxy, that is thought to be due to the interphase region between the fiber and the matrix.
Conversion of benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside into the d-galactose analog

Abstract Acetolysis of benzyl 2-acetamido-3- O -acetyl-4,6-di- O -(methylsulfonyl)-α- d -glucopyranoside gave, after O -deacetylation, benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α- d -galactopyranoside in 47% yield.
Modulation by estradiol of rabbit atrial chronotropic response to histamine

The chronotropic response (Δ rate) to histamine of atria from estradiol 17-β (E2; 0.1 mg/kg)-treated (14 days) rabbit was significantly greater compared to those from control rabbits. However, the maximum response of atria from rabbits treated with a higher dose of E2 (1.0 mg/kg) was not significantly different from control. Cimetidine (2.8×10−7 M) inhibited the theoretical maximum increase in rate to histamine in all 3 groups, control 25%, E2 (0.1 mg) 42% and E2 (1.0 mg) 35%.
Humanizing a highway maintenance simulation model

Abstract Industrial engineers are often called upon to set up systems that other people must use. As such, it is important that clear documentation and procedures are developed for the system. When the system is to be used by a wide range of personnel, the task of describing how to operate the system takes on added importance—and, when the system is computer based, clarity and ease of use become mandatory. This paper describes the evolutionary process which led to the development of an interative input module for a highway maintenance simulation model. The paper also describes the simulation model's purpose and the manner in which the input module is arranged in order to effectively respond to user requests.
Prognostic determinants in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Prospective evaluation of a therapeutic strategy based on clinical, Holter, hemodynamic, and electrophysiological findings.

BACKGROUND Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) frequently have arrhythmias and hemodynamic abnormalities and are prone to sudden death and syncope. An important need exists for improved risk stratification and definition of appropriate investigation and therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS The relation of 31 clinical, Holter, cardiac catheterization, and electrophysiological (EP) variables to subsequent cardiac events in 230 HCM patients was examined by multivariate analysis. Studies were for cardiac arrest (n = 32), syncope (n = 80), presyncope (n = 52), ventricular tachycardia (VT) on Holter (n = 36), a strong family history of sudden death (n = 9), and palpitations (n = 21). Nonsustained VT on Holter was present in 115 patients (50%). Sustained ventricular arrhythmia was induced in 82 patients (36%). Seventeen cardiac events (eight sudden deaths, one cardiac arrest, and eight syncope with defibrillator discharges) occurred during a follow-up of 28 +/- 19 months. The 1-year and 5-year event-free rates were 99% and 79%, respectively. Two variables were significant independent predictors of subsequent events: sustained ventricular arrhythmia induced at EP study (beta, 3.5; p = 0.002) and a history of cardiac arrest or syncope (beta, 2.9; p less than 0.05). Only two of 66 patients without symptoms of impaired consciousness had a cardiac event (3-year event-free rate, 97%). In contrast, nonsustained VT on Holter was associated with a worse prognosis only in patients with symptoms of impaired consciousness: 11 of 79 symptomatic patients with VT on Holter (14%) had events versus only four of 85 symptomatic patients without VT on Holter (5%) (p = 0.057). Notably, none of 51 patients without symptoms of impaired consciousness in whom VT was not induced at EP study had a cardiac event. CONCLUSIONS In HCM, VT on Holter is of benign prognostic significance in the absence of symptoms of impaired consciousness and inducible VT, and sustained VT induced at EP study, especially when associated with cardiac arrest or syncope, identifies a subgroup at high risk for subsequent cardiac events.
Comment on “Gravitational Damping of Alfvén Waves in Stellar Atmospheres and Winds”

Khabibrakhmanov & Mullan considered Alfven wave propagation in a gravitational field. They pointed out that an ion can drift along the wave electric field, and gain energy if the wave propagates upward. They interpreted this result in terms of plasma heating and wave damping. We offer an alternative interpretation. We show that the Lorentz force associated with the drift in question is the force that guides the particle along the magnetic field lines. This force is analogous to the surface force exerted by an inclined plane on an object which is sliding on it. The electric field implies a moving magnetic field line, which is analogous to a moving inclined plane. The energy gained as a particle drifts along the electric field is shown to be analogous to the work done by the surface force which is exerted by a moving inclined plane. Thus the energy gain does not represent heating. It is simply the work done by the force which guides a particle along a moving magnetic field line.
Which Way Out? The Manner and Consequences of Losing Office

Most of the burgeoning theoretical and empirical literature on the role of leaders in comparative politics and international relations is built on the assumption that leaders choose policies to stay in office. However, leaders can lose office in a variety of ways. Leaders can lose office as a result of ill health; they can lose office in a regular manner; or they can be removed in an irregular manner such as by a coup. How a leader loses office, moreover, significantly affects the leader's subsequent fate. A broader perspective on not just the probability, but also the manner of losing office—and its associated consequences—thus suggests an additional mechanism to explain the behavior of leaders. If policy significantly affects not just whether, but also how, leaders lose office, leaders might design policy to minimize the anticipated negative consequences of losing office. Once we unpack the manner in which leaders lose office, for example, we see that the postulated logic of diversionary war only holds ...
Isabella d'Este and Lorenozo da Pavia, ‘master instrument-maker’*

And what shall I say of thee, O Lorenzo Gusnasco … ? Of such renown were your musical instruments, Lorenzo, that when they were for sale in the principal cities of Italy and bore the inscription of having been made by Lorenzo da Pavia the client never hesitated, no matter how excessive the price might have seemed, to spend greatly because of the excellence and authority of this most famous maker.
Determinants of Private Saving in South Asia

This article examines the determinants of private saving rates in five South Asian nations using annual time series data. An econometric model is developed in which private saving is a function of government expenditures, the money supply, the real interest rate, macroeconomic instability, per capita income growth and two demographic variables. Prior to carrying out the estimations, we test for the stationarity of the data series by carrying out unit root tests. The overall results indicate that government expenditures and past savings have a negative impact on private saving, while the level of financial development and per capita income growth have a positive effect. The degree of urbanization, the real interest rate and the dependency ratio have no noticeable impact on private saving.
Cholecystokinin Stimulates the Down-regulation of CTP:Phosphocholine Cytidylyltransferase in Pancreatic Acinar Cells

Stimulation of rat pancreatic acinar cells with cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to result in a significant inhibition of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT), a rate-limiting enzyme in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. Immunoprecipitation of CT from 32P-labeled acinar cells revealed that CCK treatment also caused a marked reduction in CT phosphate levels. The effects of CCK were maximal over 60 min and dependent on concentration, exhibiting an EC50 of 800 pM. Other calcium mobilizing secretagogues such as carbamylcholine (100 microM) and bombesin (10 nM) also reduced CT phosphate levels to 20 and 39% of control, respectively. Treatment of cells with thapsigargin and/or 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate established that a combination of increased intracellular Ca2+ and protein kinase C activation was necessary to decrease phosphorylated CT content. Conversely, secretin (10 nM) or 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (100 microM) added alone had no effects. Use of the compound JMV-180 indicated CCK was acting through the low affinity state of the CCKA receptor to reduce CT phosphate levels. Further, the decrease in phosphorylated CT caused by CCK was blocked by the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid (3 microM) and calyculin A (100 nM). Finally, immunoblotting from whole cell lysates revealed CT was partially degraded in response to CCK, providing a novel mechanism by which the inhibition of CT enzyme activity occurs in response to the hormone. Moreover, this degradation was also blocked by a phosphatase inhibitor. These data suggest that the dephosphorylation of either CT itself or some other regulatory molecule(s) which mediates the CCK-induced protease activation may play a central role in reducing CT enzyme levels in acinar cells.
Characteristic and matching polynomials of chemical graphs

A new algorithm is described for the calculation of characteristic polynomials of graphs. This algorithm uses the Householder matrix tridiagonalization method in combination with the Sturm sequence to directly provide the desired polynomial coefficients. The accuracy of the procedure for moderately large chemical graphs (≈ 100 vertices) is shown to be equivalent to that of previous procedures which use integer arithmetic. A new non-recursive procedure for evaluation of the matching polynomial is also presented. This latter procedure uses a single multiple fragmentation of a polycyclic graph to obtain acyclic fragments whose characteristic polynomials define the matching polynomial.
Urinary calcium excretion in children with spina bifida: correlation to level of lesion, mobility and frequency of fractures?

Conclusion The urinary calcium cannot be used as an easy method to predict the risk of fractures due to osteopenia. The correlation of serum calcium levels mobility parameters has to be explained by further investigations with more patients and refinements of investigation methods (e.g. additional examination of parathyroid hormone). from 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida Belfast, UK. 24-27 June 2009
The boundary of the geomagnetic field, August to November, 1961

Abstract The magnetosphere boundary observations of the Explorer 12 satellite are described. More than seventy distinct boundary penetrations were observed in the period from August to November 1961, while the satellite orbit moved from local noon to the dawn meridian. The average boundary distance near the noon meridian in August and September of 1961 was 10·7 Re. This average distance increased beyond 13 Re near the dawn meridian in November, 1961. The approximate thickness of the boundary was observed to vary between twenty and a few hundred kilometers. Evidence of boundary motion was seen during many passes when there were multiple reversals of field direction. The boundary observations are generally consistent with the closed magnetosphere model of Chapman and Ferraro, although the boundary may, on occasion, be open in the manner suggested by Dungey.
Operational parameters for mechanical freezing of alum sludge

Abstract Freezing tests were conducted with alum sludge that had been dewatered to a solids content typically produced by a gravity thickener, vacuum filter, and belt press. These sludges were then frozen at various rates in thin layers to simulate a horizontal belt freezer. The tests indicate that a low freezing rate and a high initial solids content produce larger alum sludge particles. Curing time has no effect on grain size. The maximum freezing rates for the gravity-thickened, vacuum-filtered, and belt-pressed sludges were 6.6, 15.5, and 19.8 kg h −1 m −2 , respectively. The electrical cost of freezing sludge with this device was estimated to be $0.004 m −3 . These tests show that dewatering prior to freezing not only saves energy because it reduces the amount of sludge to be frozen, but it improves the final product in terms of a larger effective grain size.