cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limit Cycle Oscillation Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks

A static arti cial neural network in the form of a multilayer perceptron is investigated to determine its ability to predict linear and nonlinear  utter response characteristics. The network is developed and trained using linear  utter analysis and  ight-test results from a  ghter test. Eleven external store carriage con gurations are used as training data, and three con gurations are used as test cases. The network was successful in predicting the aeroelastic oscillation frequency and amplitude responses over a range of Mach numbers for two of the test cases. Predictions for the third test case were not as good. Several network sizes were investigated, and it was found that small networks tended to overgeneralize the training data and are not capable of accurate prediction beyond the sample space. Conversely, networks that were too large, or trained to error levels that were extreme, tended to memorize the training data, and are also unable to produce adequate predictions beyond the sample space. The results of this study indicate that relatively simple networks using small training sets can be used to predict both linear and nonlinear  utter response characteristics.
When ‘fit’ leads to fit, and when ‘fit’ leads to fat: How message framing and intrinsic vs. extrinsic exercise outcomes interact in promoting physical activity

A unique aspect of exercise is that people may choose to engage in it to achieve a variety of outcomes, ranging from extrinsic (appearance, health) to intrinsic (satisfaction, enjoyment). We examined how the impact of gain- vs. loss-framed messages depends on the type of outcome emphasised. Drawing from regulatory focus theory (Higgins, E.T. (1997). Beyond pleasure and pain. American Psychologist, 52, 1280-1300; Higgins, E.T. (2000). Making a good decision: Value from fit. American Psychologist, 55, 1217-1230), we predicted that gain-framed messages would 'fit' with intrinsic outcomes and loss-framed messages would 'fit' with extrinsic outcomes, but the effect of such fit on physical activity would depend on the participants' need for cognition (NC). We tested these hypotheses with a sample of 176 sedentary young adults who read an exercise message with randomly assigned frame (gain/loss) and outcome (intrinsic/extrinsic). Participants provided daily reports of exercise over the following week. The predicted interaction between frame, outcome and NC was found (p=0.001) such that a 'fit' message promoted somewhat, but not significantly, greater exercise for those with high NC, but a 'non-fit' message promoted significantly greater exercise for those with low NC. Furthermore, differences in physical activity were partially mediated by attitudes towards exercise. Findings shed light on how the outcomes and motivations associated with physical activity shape people's behavioural responses to framed health communications.
Coupled-mode analysis of fiber-optic add drop filters for dense wavelength-division multiplexing.

We present a coupled-mode theory of fiber-optic add drop filters, which involve directional coupling between two fibers combined with fiber Bragg gratings defined inside the coupling region. The analysis self-consistently accounts for both the directional and the reflection coupling, and the propagation constants and structure of the supermodes of the combined structure are derived. We present a detailed analysis of a filter design based on identical fibers. The calculated device parameters satisfy the requirements for dense wavelength-division multiplexing applications.
Learning and Estimation of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve Models

The extant literature is split on the best measure of marginal cost in the New Keynesian Philips Curve, with the output gap and the labor share being the most commonly advocated proxy measures. Which one is the best measure? In this article, I assume that agents update their understanding and expectation period by period, a learning process. In terms of econometrics, I use a recursive Vector Autoregression approach and conduct a forecasting exercise that considers updating of information sets used for formation of expectation. I find that the traditional output gap measure is a more significant variable explaining the dynamics of the U.S. inflation rate, as compared with a measure of the labor income share. Furthermore, the role of the output gap cannot be replaced using lagged values of inflation. Instead, both the output gap and lags of the actual inflation rate are important determinants of inflation.
The Sanitary Aspects of a Cream Separator Cleaned and Sterilized by Centrifugal Force

Cleaning equipment and pipe lines without disassembling them is an accepted practice in the dairy industry in this country. The commercial clarifier and cream :separator are disassembled for cleaning. A study was made of the sanitary efficiency of cleaning and sterilizing a .cream separator by centrifugal force. The pressure in the revolving bowl was found to be 109 p.s.i.g, at the instant the solutions were released into the cream and skimmilk assembly. The description of the separator and its mechanics has been reported (2). A similar study was made of another separator (3).
Chloroquine mediated alterations in mammalian cell metabolism and viral replication.

Chloroquine is an effective antimalarial drug that has also been successfully employed clinically in treating lupus erythematosus (1), as well as rheumatoid arthritis (2). A number of studies performed to examine the biological effects of chloroquine have revealed a diversity of activities. Some of the drug effects included a stabilization of lysosomal membranes (3), an activation of E. coli tyrosine transfer ribonucleic acid (RNA) (4), binding to bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with an alteration of the polymerase reactions (5-8) and an inhibition of a number of metabolic enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase (9) and succinic dehydrogenase (10). There is a relative paucity of information describing the effects of chloroquine on mammalian cell metabolism and no information on the effects of this drug on the replication of animal viruses. Since chloroquine is employed clinically as well as for investigative purposes, this study sought to examine the effect of this drug on mammalian cell biosynthetic ...
Optimized Design of Recycle Chromatography for Separation of a Single Component from a Ternary Mixture

Recycle chromatographic systems were designed to isolate one component from a ternary mixture. Since the concentrations of the dilute ternary mixtures studied (phenols, amino acids, and benzenes) were all in the linear range of isotherms, the Lapidus−Amundson equation was used to predict the broadening of elution bands caused by axial dispersion and mass-transfer resistance. Optimum operating conditions were designed to isolate the target solutes with over 99% purity and yield. Compared to complete ternary separation, recycle chromatography for separation of a single component required significantly less solvent and had higher productivity. For the amino acid system the optimum column length and mobile-phase velocity which had maximum productivity were determined with different sizes of adsorbent particle. When large particles were used, longer columns and faster mobile-phase velocities were needed to obtain maximum productivity as compared with small particle sizes.
Taphonomic signature as a function of environmental process: Shells and shell beds in a hurricane-influenced inlet on the Texas coast

Abstract Criteria for taphonomic processes, including dissolution, breakage, abrasion, size sorting and shell orientation, were statistically correlated against environmental parameters representing shell source, depositional environment and depth of burial, using samples obtained from San Luis Pass, a microtidal inlet on the Texas coast. Core intervals were differentiated by cluster analysis into shell-poor sands, slightly shelly sands, shell-rich sands and shell gravels based on their percent carbonate and percent shell gravel content. Boundaries between these sedimentary classes represent thresholds in physical processes forming the shell deposits. We propose that this classification scheme for shelly sediments may be useful for field descriptions in a variety of depositional and tectonic settings. The death assemblages were predominantly composed of whole and fragmental molluscan shells. Most shells show the effects of physical taphonomic processes such as shell breakage, edge rounding, surface abrasion and size sorting. A significant minority of the shells show evidence of minor chemical alteration (dissolution). Patterns of dissolution, edge rounding and surface abrasion differed significantly on shells in a mixed-faunal assemblage derived from different habitats (bay, inlet/beach, inner shelf and unrestricted). Thus, the habitat where a species lived, rather than its final depositional environment, controlled most aspects of its taphonomy. Only shell orientation and size-frequency distribution were significantly affected by final environment of deposition. The hypothesis that a discrete high energy (hurricane) “event” can imprint a unique taphonomic signature is, consequently, false. Although hurricanes physically winnow shell material, a single “event” merely concentrates shells with preexisting characteristics without further significant alteration. Depth of burial was poorly correlated with most biostratinomic effects, including dissolution. Significant dissolution must occur only near the sediment-water interface. Accordingly, quantified taphonomic characteristics might be useful in identifying the original habitats of species deposited in mixed accumulations; “taphofacies” reflect not only the final depositional process, but also taphonomic processes in the habitat of origin.
Flame synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract Flames offer potential for synthesis of carbon nanotubes in large quantities at considerably lower costs than that of other methods currently available. This study aims to examine conditions for carbon nanotube formation in premixed flames and to characterize the morphology of solid carbon deposits and their primary formation mechanisms in the combustion environment. Single-walled nanotubes have been observed in the post-flame region of a premixed acetylene/oxygen/15 mol% argon flame operated at 6.7 kPa with Fe(CO) 5 vapor used as a source of metallic catalyst necessary for nanotube growth. Thermophoretic sampling and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the solid material present in the flame at various heights above burner (HAB), giving a resolution of formation dynamics within the flame system. Catalyst particle formation and growth is observed to dominate the immediate post-flame region (10–40 mm HAB). Nanotubes were observed to be present after 40 mm HAB with nanotube inception occurring as early as 30 mm HAB. Between 40 and 70 mm HAB, nanotubes are observed to coalesce into clusters. A nanotube formation ‘window’ is evident with formation limited to fuel equivalence ratios between 1.5 and 1.9. A continuum of morphologies ranging from relatively clean clusters of nanotubes to amorphous material is observed between these lower and upper limits. High-resolution TEM and Raman spectroscopy revealed nanotube bundles with each nanotube being single-walled with diameters between 0.9 and 1.5 nm.
Freedom, Choice and Public Well-Being: Some Psychological Perspectives

Optimization of well being with minimal regulations seems like a reasonable goal. The problems (and recent progress) in measuring well being are described. The complex meanings of freedom are discussed, with a contrast between “actual” and perceived freedom. Then, the limitations of humans as decision makers in the current complex world in which decisions may have global impact, are described. For the domain of regulations related to food and public health, it is noted that our current scientific knowledge is limited, and policy is influenced by political as well as scientific factors. The risks of misguided regulations are substantial. Finally, the determinants of decisions are described, with particular emphasis on moralization: the historical conversion of a preference into a moral value, as with cigarette smoking in the United States. The consequences and causes of moralization are considered.
Activation of dopaminergic neurons modulates ventral pallidal responses evoked by Amygdala stimulation

The ventral pallidum is a basal forebrain region that is thought to integrate cognitive processes with motoric behaviors. These functions are influenced by ventral pallidal inputs, which include projections from the amygdala and the ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra zona compacta. By examining the consequences of this convergence at the neuronal level, the present study indicates that electrical activation of ventral tegmental regions releases dopamine in the ventral pallidum which subsequently modulates pallidal electrophysiological responses evoked by stimulating the amygdala. Stimulation-evoked responses were characterized for extracellular single unit recordings of spontaneously active ventral pallidal neurons from chloral hydrate anesthetized rats. Stimulation of the amygdala evoked short latency ( 12 ms; polysynaptic) responses in all ventral pallidal neurons tested. Fifty-nine per cent of the tested neurons responded to ventral tegmental stimulation with short latency inhibition, and these neurons were often sensitive to microiontophoretically applied dopamine. Iontophoresis of dopamine antagonists SCH23390 (a D1 antagonist) or sulpiride (a D2 antagonist) attenuated the ventral tegmental-induced inhibitions. These observations indicate that the evoked responding was the result of endogenously released dopamine, and that D1 and D2 receptors were involved in this effect. Ninety-two per cent of the ventral pallidal neurons that demonstrated short latency responses to amygdala stimulation also exhibited short latency responses to activation of the ventral tegmentum. This suggests that these inputs often converge onto the same pallidal neurons. Amygdala-evoked responses were consistently attenuated by prior stimulation of the ventral tegmentum. Similarly, microiontophoretic ejection of dopamine attenuated amygdala-evoked effects. These results indicate that dopamine modulates amygdala-evoked pallidal responses. Such modulation may contribute to the integrative functions of the ventral pallidum.
Hydrilla control with split treatments of fluridone in Lake Harris, Florida

After several unsuccessful management efforts, a split treatment of fluridone was applied to the 6700 ha Lake Harris in March and June 1987, at a rate of 3.4 kg ha-1 (680 and 340 kg fluridone, respectively) to two 3 m deep, hydrilla-infested bays. Fluridone concentrations in the water were sampled following the June treatment. Average fluridone concentrations were 2.1 μg 1_1 prior to this second application, and a maximum concentration of 30.2 μg l-1 was detected in the treated area on the day following application. Fluridone residues dissipated out of the plot quickly due to dilution but concentrations declined lake-wide more slowly, following a logarithmic model, with an estimated fluridone half-life of 97 days. Control of hydrilla in Lake Harris resulted from the long exposure (over 25 weeks due to the split application) to fluridone concentrations of 2 μg 1_1, well below the maximum labelled rate of 150μg-1.
Sinusoidal analysis: a high resolution method for correlating biochemical reactions with physiological processes in activated skeletal muscles of rabbit, frog and crayfish.

A high resolution method for determining the complex stiffness of single muscle fibres is described. In this method the length of the fibre is oscillated sinusoidally, and the resulting force amplitude and phase shift are observed and interpreted in terms of chemo-mechanical energy transduction. In activated, fast skeletal muscles of rabbit (psoas), frog (semitendinosus) and crayfish (walking leg flexor), we resolved at least three exponential rate processes. We named these (A), (B), (C) in order of slow to fast. These processes should reflect ATP hydrolysis and concomitant energy transduction since they are absent in muscles that are relaxed, in rigor or fixed. The great similarities in the complex stiffness data from different muscles suggests that there is a common mechanism of chemo-mechanical energy transduction across a broad phylogenetic range.
Structural geology: Invisible faults under shaky ground

The Haiti earthquake ruptured one or more buried faults, generated tsunamis and caused extensive structural damage in Port-au-Prince. Investigations in the epicentral region quantify seismic hazards but offer no clear views of Haiti's seismic future.
A Numerical Study of Plasma Skimming in Small Vascular Bifurcations

Owing in part to a plasma-skimming mechanism, the distribution of red blood cells (RBCs) into branches of microvascular bifurcations typically differs from the distribution of the bulk blood flow. This paper analyzes the plasma-skimming mechanism that causes phase separation due to uneven distribution of red blood cells at the inlet cross section of the parent vessel. In a previous study, the shape of the surface that divides the flow into the branches was found by numerical simulation of three-dimensional flow of a homogeneous Newtonian fluid in T-type bifurcations. Those findings are used in this study to determine, as a first approximation, the side-to-parent vessel RBC flux ratio and discharge hematocrit ratio as a function of corresponding flow ratios. Calculations are based on the assumption that RBCs move along streamlines of a homogeneous Newtonian fluid and are uniformly distributed within a concentric core at the inlet cross section of the parent vessel. The results of our calculations agree well for a wide range of flow parameters with experimental data from in vivo and in vitro studies.
Tuning the adhesion of layer-by-layer films to the physicochemical properties of inner limiting membranes using nanoparticles.

Abstract Retinal trauma is a serious concern for patients undergoing inner limiting membrane (ILM) peeling to correct for various vitreoretinal interface conditions. This mechanical trauma can be prevented by modifying the surface of surgical instruments to increase adhesion to the ILM. To this effect, we have studied the effects of roughness and surface charge on the adhesive properties of ILMs by utilizing layer-by-layer (LbL) films with embedded gold nanoparticles (LbL-AuNP films). LbL films were assembled on atomic force microscopy (AFM) tipless cantilevers. Topographical analysis of these films, with and without nanoparticles, showed that LbL films with nanoparticles had a higher rms roughness compared to films alone or unmodified cantilevers. Nanoparticle-modified LbL films significantly increased the adhesion forces at the cantilever–ILM interface, compared to LbL films without particles. Surprisingly, adsorption of gold nanoparticles onto the AFM cantilevers caused increases in adhesion forces greater than those measured with LbL-AuNP films. These results have important implications for the design of surface modifications for vitreoretinal surgical instruments.
Optimum doses of deuterium oxide and sodium bromide for the determination of total body water and extracellular fluid.

Abstract A practical approach for determining optimum tracer doses is described for measurements of total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) based on dilution of deuterium oxide and sodium bromide with respective analyses by nuclear magnetic resonance and anion-exchange chromatography. Using these techniques and plasma concentrations corresponding to adult doses up to 1.5 g kg−1 body weight of deuterium oxide and 0.05 g kg−1 of sodium bromide, the variations of analyses of these tracers, at these respective doses, were calculated. TBW determination with an RSD of less than 2% was found to require administration of 0.4 g kg−1 of deuterium oxide. Because basal concentrations of bromide are quantifiable, the accuracy of the extracellular water determination depends upon the magnitude of the increase in plasma bromide concentration; a sodium bromide dose of 0.01 g kg−1 provides a deviation in the determined ECW volume of approximately 1%.
Chair's welcome message

On behalf of the Steering Committee, I extend a warm welcome to you to the 2103 IEEE AP-S/URSI-USNC Symposium, July 7– 13, 2013 in Orlando, Florida. The conference has been organized to provide you with excellent opportunities for networking and interacting with your colleagues and has exciting, unique social activities planned for all family members.
Multiple tandemly repeated binding sites for the YY1 repressor and transcription factors AP-1 and SP-1 are clustered within intron-1 of the gene encoding the IE110 transactivator of herpes simplex virus Type 1

Expression of the IE110 (ICP0) transactivator protein of HSV appears to be critical for reactivation from the latent state and occurs at immediate-early times during the lytic cycle under the control of an upstream divergent enhancer-promoter region that contains multiple Oct and Sp-1 binding sites overlapping with VP16 response elements. Surprisingly, the large 800-bp first intron of the HSV-1 IE110 gene also proved to have a complex repetitive organization encompassing multiple transcription factor binding sites within four distinct domains. DNase I footprinting studies revealed that 13 of 17 copies of a 15-bp repeated element represented high-affinity binding sites for the cellular YY1 repressor protein. Between 4 and 7 of these sites are direct tandem repeats and the rest are interspersed with three repeated AT-rich motifs and a dyad symmetry region containing two strong AP-1 binding sites and an adjacent SP-1 binding site on each arm. Several of the YY1 sites also bound weakly to SRF. The intron also contains four clustered purine/pyrimidine tracts of between 16 and 23 bp long. Both the AP-1/AP-2/SP-1 dyad protein binding region and, to a lesser extent, the YY1 tandem-repeat cluster conferred responsiveness to TPA when placed upstream of a heterologous promoter in transient expression assays. The functional significance of the HSV-1 IE110 intron region is unknown as yet, but the novel arrangement of tandemly repeated YY1 sites has the potential to produce structural bending and transcriptional attenuation effects. Interestingly, few of these transcription factor binding motifs are conserved in the equivalent IE110 intron of HSV-2, and the domain appears to represent a unique alternative control region that is specific for HSV-1.
Performance of Distributed Dynamic Frequency Selection Schemes for Interference Reducing Networks

One of the more commonly envisioned algorithms for cognitive radios is spectrum filling via dynamic frequency selection. Applying the cognitive radio design framework proposed in [1], we formalize a low complexity distributed ad-hoc dynamic frequency sele ction algorithm that converges to near-minimal interference frequency re-use patterns. We then examine the performance of this algorithm in the presences of practical considerations such as intra-network policy variations and timing issues and show that while this leads to situations that violate the framework of [1], the steady-state and convergence properties of the framework are still preserved. 1. This work was made possible through the support basic research grant # N000140310629 from the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation Integrated Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) sponsored Integrated Research and Education in Advanced Networking (IREAN) fellowship and the support of MPRG and Wireless @ Virginia Tech industrial affiliates.
Synthesis of Fine Co/ WC Composite and Application to Supersonic Plasma Spraying

Co/ WC composite powders (with 10 wt% content of Co) were synthesized by direct mechanical grinding in a rotary-vibration mill. The powders with different mill time were evaluated. WC and WC/Co composite coatings were prepared by supersonic plasma spraying. The results showed that the milled powders consist of composite particles that were formed in the first 2h of milling. Longer milling times improve the distribution of phases inside the composite particles. The formation of the composite particles involves sequential steps of deformation, fragmentation, cold welding, work hardening and piercing of particles of the hard phase in the soft phase. X-ray spectra of the sprayed coating are shown that only very weak W2C and Co6W6C peaks are observed. Compared with WC coating, the Co/ WC coating is denser, and less large pores within composite coating.
Speed control and scheduling of data mules in sensor networks

Unlike traditional multihop forwarding among stationary sensor nodes, use of mobile devices for data collection in wireless sensor networks has recently been gathering more attention. The use of mobility significantly reduces the energy consumption at sensor nodes, elongating the functional lifetime of the network. However, a drawback is an increased data delivery latency. Reducing the latency through optimizing the motion of data mules is critical for this approach to thrive. In this article, we focus on the problem of motion planning, specifically, determination of the speed of the data mule and the scheduling of the communication tasks with the sensors. We consider three models of mobility capability of the data mule to accommodate different types of vehicles. Under each mobility model, we design optimal and heuristic algorithms for different problems: single data mule case, single data mule with periodic data generation case, and multiple data mules case. We compare the performance of the heuristic algorithm with a naive algorithm and also with the multihop forwarding approach by numerical experiments. We also compare one of the optimal algorithms with a previously proposed method to see how our algorithm improves the performance and is also useful in practice. As far as we know, this study is the first of a kind that provides a systematic understanding of the motion planning problem of data mules.
Partner Choice and the Differential Retreat from Marriage.

The contemporary retreat from marriage in the United States has had a differential impact across socioeconomic and racial groups. Here, 1990 marriage rates and propensities for Virginia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin are analyzed regarding (a) the likelihood that persons in different groups ever marry and (b) patterns of partner choice with respect to race and educational level. Marriage remains strong in most race-education groups but is substantially lower among Blacks and among those with less than 12 years of education. Patterns of partner choice have shifted to show greater symmetry between the educational levels of brides and grooms. Changes have been modest with regard to the level and pattern of interracial (Black-White) marriage. Marriage is increasingly a union of equals, but a union chosen more by Whites than by Blacks and more by the well educated than by the poorly educated.
Older Adults Coping With Vision Loss

Age-related vision loss is one of the most commonly cited disabling impairments of adult life. Stressors presented by vision loss can create barriers, threatening the well-being of the individual. This qualitative study of 30 older adults (65 to 95 years of age) investigated vision loss and coping strategies. All participants experienced unexpected sight loss during their adult years. The Adaptation to Age-Related Vision Loss (AVL) Scale was used in this study to examine psychosocial adaptation to vision impairment. The coping strategies of vision impairment were assessed by collecting self-reported reflections toward vision loss and how the change impacted the participant's life. Given the correct balance of support, confidence, and acceptance, older adults can confront the existing barriers and focus on the ability to optimize function with vision loss. Health care service providers and practitioners can provide needed assistance and a helpful guide to assist older adults in successfully coping with vision impairment.
Reducing Extracellular pH Sensitizes the Acinar Cell to Secretagogue-Induced Pancreatitis Responses in Rats

Background & Aims Protease activation within the pancreatic acinar cell is a key early event in acute pancreatitis and may require low pH intracellular compartments. Clinical studies suggest that acidosis may affect the risk for developing pancreatitis. We hypothesized that exposure to an acid load might sensitize the acinar cell to secretagogue-induced pancreatitis. Methods Secretagogues (cerulein, carbachol, and bombesin) can induce protease activation in acinar cells at high (100 nmol/L, 1 mmol/L, and 10 μmol/L, respectively) but not at physiologically relevant concentrations. The effects of decreasing extracellular pH (pHe) in early secretagogue-induced pancreatitis (zymogen activation and injury) were examined in rats (1) in vitro with isolated acini and (2) in vivo with an acid challenge. Results In acini, lowering pHe from 7.6 to 6.8 enhanced secretagogue-induced zymogen activation and injury, but did not affect secretion. For cerulein, this sensitization was seen over a range of concentrations (0.01–100.00 nmol/L). However, reduced pHe alone had no effect on zymogen activation, amylase secretion, or cell injury. We have reported that zymogen activation is mediated by the vacuolar ATPase (vATPase), a proton transporter. vATPase inhibition, using concanamycin (100 nmol/L), blocked the low pHe effects on zymogen activation. An acute acid load given in vivo enhanced cerulein-induced (50 μg/kg) trypsinogen activation and pancreatic edema. Conclusion These studies suggest that acid challenge sensitizes the pancreatic acinar cell to secretagogue-induced zymogen activation and injury and may increase the risk for the development and severity of acute pancreatitis.
Elastic scattering of electrons by neutral donor impurities in silicon

We consider the elastic scattering of low-energy electrons by neutral donor impurities in silicon, taking account of the actual anisotropic many-valley conduction band. Necessary modifications of the standard formulas of elastic-scattering theory that result from band anisotropy are derived. S matrices are determined by the solution of a set of coupled differential equations in which the static Coulomb potential and approximate representations of exchange and polarization interactions appear. The scattering is strongly anisotropic and spin dependent, even at very low energies.
Etching High Aspect Ratio Silicon Trenches

Small ground rule ( 40) trenches in silicon are necessary to achieve required values of cell capacitance in the fabrication of charge-storage capacitors in dynamic random access memory devices. Etching of trenches suffers from a dynamic reactive ion etching (RIE) lag mechanism caused by constriction of trench openings during the etch process. Also, at high aspect ratios (accentuated by constriction of trench openings), reduced ion energy and etchant species flux to the trench bottom (etch front) results in slower etch rates leading to etch stop. This dynamic RIE lag effect and potential etch stop pose significant challenges towards obtaining deeper trenches. In this paper, two methods are proposed to minimize these problems. Short duration cleaning steps, predominantly etching in nature without any builtin deposition component, are used intermittently during the multistep etching sequence. Mask selectivity is preserved as these cleaning steps do not contribute significantly to the mask etch rate. The first method decreases the constriction of the trench opening by thinning the sidewall deposition, thus partially restoring the design dimension of the trench opening. The second method removes the etch-stop or blocking layer at the bottom of the trench without significantly contributing to sidewall thinning. These methods increase the differential etch rate of silicon at high aspect ratios, thereby help achieve the higher silicon depths required to meet the manufacturing process tool utilization targets. © 2003 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
A cycle for organic nitrile synthesis via dinitrogen cleavage.

In the presence of NaH, the reaction between N2 and Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) proceeds at room temperature to afford NMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (95%). Lewis acidic silyl triflates (Me3SiOTf + pyridine or (i-Pr)3SiOTf) mediate a reaction between acid chlorides and NMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 to yield acyl imidos [RC(O)NMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3][OTf] (R = Me, 92%; Ph, 75%; t-Bu, 64%). The reduction of [RC(O)NMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3][OTf] by magnesium anthracene followed by treatment with Me3SiOTf affords molybdenum ketimides, R(Me3SiO)CNMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (R = Me, 82%; Ph, 77%; t-Bu, 46%). Exposing R(Me3SiO)CNMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 to SnCl2 or ZnCl2 produces ClMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (71−93% for SnCl2) and RCN (97−99%). Magnesium metal reduces ClMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 to Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (74%), completing a synthetic cycle. New strategies for the functionalization of sterically hindered nitrides and nitrile extrusion from d2 ketimides are presented in the context of a new route for derivatizing N2.
Abstract 5115: The role of Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) in osteosarcoma tumorigenesis

Osteosarcoma (OS) remains a devastating disease and requires better understanding of its biology for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Tumor growth and metastases formation require an ability of cells to have a flexible cytoskeletal organization. Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) is one of the scaffolding cytoskeleton-regulatory protein, whose role in tumors remains unknown. In the current study we investigated the role of CIP4 in OS tumorigenesis. We transfected highly aggressive mouse OS cells, DLM8 with the plasmid that downregulated expression of CIP4 protein (DLM8/shCIP4). We found that the growth rate of DLM8/shCIP4 clones was reduced by 30% when compared with non-transfected DLM8 cells or DLM8 cells transfected with control plasmid (DLM8/sh). When DLM8/shCIP4 cells were injected into mice subcutaneously they formed tumors that grew significantly slower than DLM8 or DLM8/sh control cells (p Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5115.
Ventriculoarterial coupling with intra-aortic balloon pump in acute ischemic heart failure

Abstract Purpose: We analyzed the mechanism of effects of intra-aortic balloon pumping using the pressure-volume relationship and ventriculoarterial coupling in the normal and failing hearts. Materials: In 12 anesthetized Holstein calves (weight, 94 ± 8 kg), the ventricular end-systolic and arterial elastances, pressure-volume area, and external work were analyzed during steady-state contractions with traditional hemodynamic parameters with intra-aortic balloon pumping–off and –on (1:1 synchronous ratio). An acute ischemic heart failure was induced by injecting 10 μm microspheres (4.2 ± 1.8 × 10 7 · 100g left ventricular weight –1 )into the left main coronary artery; all measurements were repeated. Results: Intra-aortic balloon pumping did not change hemodynamic parameters in the control. However, during heart failure, intra-aortic balloon pumping decreased the arterial elastance from 3.6 ± 1.3 mm Hg to 2.9 ± 1.2 mm Hg · mL –1 while not affecting the ventricular end-systolic elastance, this resulted in an improvement of the ventriculoarterial coupling ratio from 3.1 ± 0.8 to 2.3 ± 0.8. Intra-aortic balloon pumping decreased not only end-systolic pressure (from 69 ± 16 mm Hg to 64 ± 19 mm Hg) but end-diastolic volume and pressure (from 139 ± 38 mL to 137 ± 37 mL and from 13.9 mm Hg to 12.8 mm Hg, respectively) with the leftward shift of the pressure-volume loop. Pressure-volume area decreased (from 914 ± 284 mm Hg to 849 ± 278 mm Hg · mL) although stroke volume increased (from 21 ± 6 mL to 24 ± 6 mL). Conclusion: Reduction of the arterial elastance with intra-aortic balloon pumping improved the ventriculoarterial coupling ratio and increased stroke volume. Leftward shift of the pressure-volume loop resulted in the reduction of pressure-volume area, which suggests the conservation of the myocardial oxygen consumption. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:164-71)
Online social networking: redefining the human web

Purpose – Although the inplementation of online social networking (OSN) within the hospitality industry is relatively new, its parameters possess unique implications for hospitality industry constituencies including guests, staff members, and management. The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution, scope and types of online social networks and potential implications for hospitality businesses.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on an in‐depth review of literature, including intended and unintended consequences of social media.Findings – While social networking can assist a hospitality firm in strengthening guest loyalty and satisfaction, it may also expose itself to unfair criticism and unfounded speculation. In addition, some hospitality firms have sponsored coworker sites in an attempt to incentivize interactivity by encouraging peer‐to‐peer and staff‐to‐administrator participation, only to risk exposure of negative relationships and strained working conditions.Research limitatio...
The effects of redox-inactive metal ions on the activation of dioxygen: isolation and characterization of a heterobimetallic complex containing a Mn(III)-(μ-OH)-Ca(II) core.

Rate enhancements for the reduction of dioxygen by a MnII complex were observed in the presence of redox-inactive group 2 metal ions. The rate changes were correlated with an increase in the Lewis acidity of the group 2 metal ions. These studies led to the isolation of heterobimetallic complexes containing MnIII–(μ-OH)–MII cores (MII = CaII, BaII) in which the hydroxo oxygen atom is derived from O2. This type of core structure has relevance to the oxygen-evolving complex within photosystem II.
Characterization of particulate D-apiosyl-and D-xylosyltransferase from Lemna minor.

Abstract A particulate enzyme preparation capable of catalyzing the transfer of d -[U-14C]apiose and d -[U-14C]xylose from uridine 5′-(α- d -[U-14C]apio- d -furanosyl pyrophosphate) (UDP[U-14C]Api) and uridine 5′-(α- d -[U-14C]xylopyranosyl pyrophosphate) (UDP[U-14C]Xyl) to endogenous acceptor molecules was isolated from Lemna minor. The two enzymes were named UDP- d -apiose:acceptor d -apiosyltransferase and UDP- d -xylose:acceptor d -xylosyltransferase and were associated with particulate material sedimenting between 480 and 34,800g. The rate of d -[U-14C]apiose or d -[U-14C]xylose incorporation was proportional to the quantity of enzyme preparation used and was constant with time to 1.5 min. Both enzymes showed a pH optimum of 5.7 in citrate-phosphate buffer. The d -apiosyltransferase has a Km for UDP[U-14C]Api of 4.9 μ m . Bovine serum albumin and sucrose stimulated the rate of incorporation of both pentoses. Both enzymes rapidly lost activity; with our best conditions, approximately 50% of each enzyme activity was lost in 6 min at 25 °C or in 3 h at 4 °C. Incorporation of d -[U-14C]apiose was obtained in the absence of added uridine 5′-(α- d -galactopyranosyluronic acid pyrophosphate) (UDPGalUA); however, the addition of UDPGalUA not only almost doubled the rate of incorporation, but also increased the total incorporation of d -[U-l4C]apiose and extended the proportional range of incorporation at 25 °C from 1.5 to 2 min.
Management of extensive squamous cell carcinoma on the site of radiation-induced dermatitis with severe fibrosis: a case report

Dermatitis is a common side effect of radiation therapy (RT) whereas squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is not. Management must include treatment options outside of RT, especially when cases are limited by extreme fibrosis. Here, we present a case in which a patient developed multiple SCC, severe radiation fibrosis, and limited neck mobility. This situation of increased risk for intubation required interdisciplinary coordination for proper therapeutic intervention, namely Mohs micrographic surgery to manage cutaneous lesions.
Modulating protein structure with fluorous amino acids: increased stability and native-like structure conferred on a 4-helix bundle protein by hexafluoroleucine.

There has recently been much interest in exploiting the unusual properties associated with fluorocarbons to modulate the physicochemical properties of proteins. Here we present a detailed investigation into the effect on structure and stability of systematically repacking the hydrophobic core of a model protein with the extensively fluorinated (fluorous) amino acid l-5,5,5,5‘,5‘,5‘-hexafluoroleucine (hFLeu). The starting point was a 27-residue peptide, α4-H, that adopts an antiparallel 4-α-helix bundle structure, and in which the hydrophobic core comprises six layers of leucine residues introduced at the “a” and “d” positions of the canonical heptad repeat. A series of peptides were synthesized in which the central two (α4-F2), four (α4-F4), or all six layers (α4-F6) of the core were substituted hFLeu. The free energy of unfolding increases by 0.3 (kcal/mol)/hFLeu on repacking the central two layers and by an additional 0.12 (kcal/mol)/hFLeu on repacking additional layers, so that α4-F6 is ∼ 25% more stab...
Effects of fatigue and gender on peroneal reflexes elicited by sudden ankle inversion.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neuromuscular fatigue and gender on peroneus brevis muscle (PB) and peroneus longus muscle (PL) reflexes elicited by sudden ankle inversion. Sixteen males and fifteen females stood on a "trap-door" platform that suddenly inverted the ankle 20° when released. The resulting movement elicited peroneal reflexes. Reflex measurements were collected both before and after fatiguing the ankle evertors. Reflex delay in the PB and PL was not affected by fatigue, gender, or their interaction. Reflex amplitude in the PL exhibited no main effect of fatigue or gender, but their interaction was significant. Pairwise comparisons revealed PL reflex amplitude decreased by 11.3% in males ( p =0.008) and increased 22.1% in females ( p =0.003) with fatigue. A similar trend was found in the PB, but was not statistically significant. This opposite effect in females and males may be due to differences in how males and females compensate for fatigue, and may be related to the gender difference in ankle injury rate.
Ll-filters in CFAR (constant false-alarm rate) detection

Most radar systems determine the presence of a target via the comparison of the appropriate return (actually the output of a square-law device) to a threshold. In order to achieve CFAR (constant false-alarm rate) operation, this threshold must incorporate some estimate of the ambient noise power level, usually derived using measurements from a reference window of neighboring cells (in range, bearing, and/or doppler). Under the assumption that the reference celis are statistically homogeneous, cell-averaging (CA)-CFAR, which uses the empirical mean from the cells in the reference window as the noise power estimate, is optimal. However, the reference cells may contain interfering targets and/or clutter edges, and in such situations CA-CFAR performs poorly. Several alternative schemes have been proposed, but none appears to work well uniformly over the broad class of possible reference window nonhomogeneities. In this paper we investigate the use of the Li-filter, a MSE-optirni.zed amalgamation of ordered-statistic (L) and linear (1) ifiters, to form an estimate of the noise power. Our results show that Ll-CFAR, while in some situations suboptimal, appears to be robust to reference window nonuniformities.
Expression of phosphodiesterase 5 in maternal and fetal sheep.

Objective Ovine pregnancy is associated with elevated levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide stimulates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which results in vascular smooth muscle relaxation/vasodilation. Phosphodiesterase type 5 regulates cGMP in the urogenital track. The present study was designed to determine message expression of phosphodiesterase type 5 in the myometrium, uterine vessels, and placentome of the sheep and phosphodiesterase type 5 protein expression in the maternal and fetal placentome. Study design Tissue was collected from 5 nonpregnant and 5 pregnant anesthetized animals (gestational day = 134 ± 4) and frozen at −80°C. Optimized reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was performed on all tissues, and immunohistochemistry was performed on the placentome only. Results Phosphodiesterase type 5 messenger ribonucleic acid levels were significantly higher in the myometrium and placentome, compared with the maternal blood vessels. Phosphodiesterase type 5 protein was immunolocalized to the vascular smooth muscle of the maternal vessels, stroma, and placental capsule only. Conclusion Although phosphodiesterase type 5 messenger ribonucleic acid was present in the fetal placenta, phosphodiesterase type 5 protein was expressed only in maternally derived placental tissue. This suggests that regulation of cGMP levels and vascular tone in the umbilical circulation differs from the uterine circulation.
Enabling enterprise mashups over unstructured text feeds with InfoSphere MashupHub and SystemT

Enterprise mashup scenarios often involve feeds derived from data created primarily for eye consumption, such as email, news, calendars, blogs, and web feeds. These data sources can test the capabilities of current data mashup products, as the attributes needed to perform join, aggregation, and other operations are often buried within unstructured feed text. Information extraction technology is a key enabler in such scenarios, using annotators to convert unstructured text into structured information that can facilitate mashup operations. Our demo presents the integration of SystemT, an information extraction system from IBM Research, with IBM's InfoSphere MashupHub. We show how to build domain-specific annotators with SystemT's declarative rule language, AQL, and how to use these annotators to combine structured and unstructured information in an enterprise mashup.