cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Denervation on the Afferent Arteriole in the SHR

To study the role the renal nerves may play in the hypertension of the SHR, we conducted a morphometric study of the afferent arteriole of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) which were subjected to renal denervation (or sham-operation). Methacrylate casts were made of the renal vasculature after perfusion fixation with glutaraldehyde. These vascular casts were then examined and measurements made with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Afferent arterioles of the denervated SHR were dilated in comparison to the sham-operated SHR, but there was no difference between the afferent arteriolar diameters of the 2 groups of WKYs. However, the afferent arteriolar diameters of the SHR (either group) were smaller than those of the WKY. Renal denervation caused a reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to sham-operated in both strains of rat. We concluded that the dilation changes of afferent arterioles of denervated SHRs may be related to renal autoregulation resulting from the decreased blood pressure. However, the effect of the loss of sympathetic innervation of the arterioles cannot be ruled out.
Electron Waves in the Magnetic Dipole Field of a Neutron

The relativistic wave functions for an electron moving in the field of a central magnetic dipole that has spin $\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\hbar}$ are studied. Spin inertia and retardation of the central field are neglected. In general, there are then four, first-order, coupled differential equations for the radial dependence of the electron waves; and these are equivalent to two coupled Schroedinger equations having a positive definite potential energy operator. In the particular case that the total angular momentum of the system is zero, however, the equations are equivalent to a single Schroedinger equation in which the potential energy is positive at all radii only for the electron-neutron interaction. The positron-neutron potential becomes strongly negative in a small region near a separation of the order of $\frac{{e}^{2}}{M{c}^{2}}$, where $M$ is the mass of the neutron. The attraction is just sufficient to form a bound ${P}_{\frac{1}{2}}$-state of the positron with zero binding energy. The reality of such neutron-positron state is open to question because of the simplifications that have been made and also because the magnetic dipole moment of the neutron is most probably of extended origin. The single equation obtained when the total angular momentum vanishes is the Mathieu differential equation which may be solved in terms of an integral function by a method developed by Lindemann. Asymptotic forms of these solutions, as well as of the fourth-order equation for total angular momentum unity are presented. The results indicate agreement with those obtained in various applications of perturbation methods. In particular, the ambiguity of the wave functions discussed previously by Bloch is apparent in the solutions for unit angular momentum.
New Spectra-Structure Correlations of Aliphatic Ketones

The study of the spectra of thirty-six aliphatic ketones in the seven to ten micron region has led to the recognition of bands which permit the facile differentiation of ketones of the three following types. CH3COCH2R, CH3CH2COCH2R, and RCH2CH2COCH2CH2R. The differentiation is based upon the fact that the spectra of methyl ketones show bands at 7.38 and 8 60 microns, while those of ethyl ketones have a characteristic band at 9 03 microns The 9 03 micron band in the spectra of ethyl ketones is in addition to bands at 8.60 and 8 82 microns, which are present also in the spectra of ketones of the type RCH2CH2COCH2CH2R (R≠H).
The “odious scourge”: evolving interpretations of the crime of genocide.

The crime of genocide was defined in the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in reaction to the concept of crimes against humanity developed at Nuremberg, which insisted upon a connection with aggressive war in prosecutions for atrocity crimes. The convention stated genocide could be committed in time of peace, but it also narrowed the scope of the crime itself to the intentional destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Cultural genocide was intentionally excluded. Although the text of the definition remains unchanged, judicial interpretation has broadened it significantly. Recent decisions have held that there is no requirement of a state plan or policy. They have also set out a subjective approach to identification of the protected group. Although cultural genocide in an extensive sense is still not recognized within the definition, there is a definite tendency to extend the concept to what is colloquially called “ethnic cleansing.” These broadening definitions influence determinations about genocides, even those committed many years ago.
In Search of Inclusive Growth: The Role of Economic Institutions and Policy

Inclusive economic growth is one of key challenges facing countries across the globe, notwithstanding initial conditions, particularly following the 2008 global economic slowdown. This paper searches for links between the quality of institutions, economic policies, economic growth and employment creation in low-income countries, using the specific case of Sierra Leone to illustrate. While its findings are consistent with the literature, the paper suggests that re-focusing economic policies on per capita real GDP growth may yield employment dividends, but well-targeted interventions would be needed to cater for the unemployed and to support vulnerable groups which may be adversely impacted by the very policies that drive growth.
Gender and spatial population mobility in Iran.

Abstract This paper examines the spatial redistribution of the population of Iran during 1976–1986, focusing on women's migration patterns within the context of the Islamic patriarchal cultural system. Specifically, it attempts to answer the following questions: (a) are Iranian men more mobile than Iranian women? (b) Do Iranian men move longer distances than Iranian women? (c) What was the impact of the Iran-Iraq War on the volume and direction of migration streams? (d) What are the causes and consequences of women's migration in Iran? Data from the 1986 census was organized into two inter-provincial migration matrixes for men and women. From these matrixes, population-adjusted migration rates and migration efficiency ratios were calculated for each of the possible 552 moves. The analysis reveals that the migration rates vary according to rural or urban destinations, migrants' genders, and the spatial scale of their moves. Since less than 10% of women are in the labor force, and usually do not travel alone, their migration decisions are more of an ‘associational’ than an ‘autonomous’ type. Most women migrate as part of a larger family unit or move to join their husbands. Thus, there is a great deal of similarity in the men and women's migration rates, direction of flows, and responses to distance. However, the causes and consequences of women's migration are substantially different from those of men, a pattern which is changing far too slowly.
Preventing bicycle-related head trauma in children * ** * ** * **

Although the majority of bicycle-related injuries and deaths could be prevented by the use of bicycle helmets, rates of helmet use in the United States remain well below Healthy People 2000's goal of 50% usage. Educational efforts to improve usage rates often fail to produce significant changes, in part because a child's understanding of risk plays only a small role in his or her decision to wear a helmet. To address the need for more effective injury prevention techniques, the authors propose a modification of the Health Belief Model, which is used by injury control experts to explain the various cognitive, social, and environmental factors that influence preventative health behavior. By incorporating the behavioral theory of self-efficacy in the structure of the Health Belief Model, trauma care providers and injury prevention specialists will be better able to design successful injury prevention programs that address key variables in health-related decision making.
Mindfulness meditation alleviates fibromyalgia symptoms in women: results of a randomized clinical trial.

Several recent reviews have evaluated evidence on the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) among fibromyalgia sufferers, and concluded that more research should test effects on both psychological and physiological functioning. We conducted a randomized prospective trial of MBSR among female fibromyalgia patients. Effects on perceived stress, pain, sleep quality, fatigue, symptom severity, and salivary cortisol were tested in treatment (n = 51) versus wait-list control participants (n = 40) using data at baseline, post-program, and 2-month follow-up. Analyses revealed that MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress, sleep disturbance, and symptom severity, with gains maintained at follow-up. Greater home practice at follow-up was associated with reduced symptom severity. MBSR did not significantly alter pain, physical functioning, or cortisol profiles. MBSR ameliorated some of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia and reduced subjective illness burden. Further exploration of MBSR effects on physiological stress responses is warranted. These results support use of MBSR as a complementary treatment for women with fibromyalgia (ISRCTN: 34628811).
INHIBITION OF HIV-1 NEF-INDUCED APOPTOSIS OF UNINFECTED HUMAN BLOOD CELLS BY SERINE/THREONINE PROTEIN KINASE INHIBITORS, FASUDIL HYDROCHLORIDE AND M3

The Nef protein of HIV-1 binds to and induces apoptotic cytolysis of uninfected but activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and various cell line cells derived from CD4+ T, CD8+ T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. The Nef-induced apoptosis also occurs with blood cells not expressing CD95 (Fas). The Nef-induced apoptosis as well as Fas-mediated apoptosis was inhibited by acetyl-Try-Val-Ala-Asp-CHO, an IL-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitor. On the other hand, serine/threonine protein kinase (PK) inhibitors, H-7, fasudil hydrochloride and M3, inhibited the Nef-induced apoptosis, and not the Fas-mediated one, without affecting the cell-binding activity of Nef and Nef-binding capacity of the activated cells. Preincubation of the cells with the drugs before being bound by Nef was required for the inhibition of apoptosis. These results suggest that the PK inhibitors specifically act on a cellular protein involved in the upper stream of signal transduction pathway of the Nef-induced apoptosis, which is different from the Fas-mediated pathway but meets it upstream of ICE. In addition, the drugs suppressed the cellular activation-associated cell surface expression of a putative Nef-binding protein in PBMC, although they had no influence on its expression in cell line cells. These findings suggest the feasibility of clinical use of the PK inhibitors to prevent the development of AIDS by inhibiting the Nef-induced apoptosis of uninfected blood cells.
Outdoor 2550-Bil Shielded Precision Gas Capacitor

A new, SF6 insulated 1500/?3-kV, precision capacitor for outdoor operation is described. The capacitance of the unit is 5OpF, the dissipation factor is less than 0.001%, and BIL is 2550-kV. This design could be applicable to other high-voltage apparatus, such as instrument transformers or bushings.
High‐resolution electron microscopy study of x‐ray multilayer structures

Multilayered structures containing thin (1–12 nm) layers of W or Mo, alternating with C or Si, have been prepared to produce thin cross‐sectional specimens, and direct structural information on the atomic scale has been obtained using an ultrahigh resolution electron microscope. Layer thickness and flatness have been analyzed—the average layer thickness varies by up to 0.6 nm from the average value, and the flatness of the layers depends on the quality of the substrate surface. The degree of crystallinity and crystal orientation within the layers has also been examined. This information should enable more accurate theoretical models to be proposed for the multilayer materials and their x‐ray optical properties. The results for the Mo/Si multilayers suggest a model for their growth when prepared by sputtering.
Factors that prevent physicians reporting adverse events.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons why Greek doctors are reluctant to report adverse events.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is an exploratory study using the adverse events questionnaire, administered to 209 doctors in 14 major Athens hospitals, comprising university as well as tertiary.Findings – The questionnaire showed a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.84), which revealed a four‐factor solution, explaining 67.4 per cent of the variance. Three dominant reasons for not reporting, with which almost or more than 50 per cent of doctors strongly or slightly agreed, were identified as no tradition for bringing up adverse events and a belief that bringing up adverse events will not lead to any improvement and workload.Research limitations/implications – Factors that dissuade doctors from bringing up adverse events may be projected not only by cultural aspects such as professional, national and organisational cultures but also by healthcare structural i...
Curved helical drill points for microhole drilling

AbstractThe ubiquitous microdrills with planar point geometry used by industry suffer from a number of undesirable characteristics and limitations that influence their drilling performance with res...
Command of a multi-tier robotic network with local decision-making capabilities

This paper presents a distributed system for commanding a collection of multiple heterogeneous craft which have various levels of mobility (orbital, aerial and surface) and visibility. Under this model, goals are defined at a high level and goal-fulfilment is delegated to subordinate craft (or groups of subordinate craft). Each craft is responsible for its own decision-making (based on heuristics and incorporating local information) to determine how to best effect the completion of the goals that it is delegated. A scenario for a resource location and assessment mission is used to demonstrate the utility of the approach presented. This scenario starts with the capture of simulated orbital imagery. Prospective targets are identified and tasked to UAV units for additional data collection and assessment. With this additional data collected, surface robots are deployed to conduct final verification activities. This approach is compared to a top-down command approach, where all decisions are made by the orbital tier. Metrics used for evaluation include data transmission requirements and the level of coverage generated.
Z b and Z c exotic states as coupled channel cusps

A simple model is used to demonstrate that the candidate tetraquark states ${Z}_{b}(10610)$, ${Z}_{b}(10650)$, ${Z}_{c}(3900)$, and ${Z}_{c}(4025)$ can be explained as coupled channel cusp effects. The model explains in a natural way the masses and quantum numbers of the putative states and the near equality of the widths of the ${Z}_{b}$ states. It is argued that the ${Z}_{c}(3900)$ and ${Z}_{c}(4025)$ should be visible in ${\overline{B}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}J/\ensuremath{\psi}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ or ${B}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}J/\ensuremath{\psi}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, but should not appear in ${\overline{B}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}J/\ensuremath{\psi}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, in agreement with recent LHCb results. Additional tests for cusp effects are suggested.
INDEXING TUITION TO COST OF EDUCATION: The Impact on Students and Institutions

This study examines an emerging trend in state higher education finance policy: the use of an index to establish tuition and fee levels at public institutions. Based on a national survey of tuition-setting policies, this study documents the increasing use of an indexing formula to determine tuition levels. Factors encouraging this trend are examined, and questions that must be addressed by state and institutional policymakers in adopting such a formula are discussed. Policy implications for states and institutions are also considered.
Surface properties after a simulated PLA2 hydrolysis of pulmonary surfactant's main component, DPPC

Abstract The inflammation, so conspicuous in cases of respiratory distress, pneumonia, and asthma, is associated with an airway invasion of plasma proteins and a release into the airway lumen of phospholipase A2 (PLA2). This enzyme catalyzes hydrolysis of surfactant phospholipids, the most abundant and important of which is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Its hydrolysis yields equimolar proportions of lysophosphatidylcholine and palmitic acid (LPC/PA). Exact quantification of DPPC hydrolysis is complicated. Consequently, it was decided to simulate hydrolysis whereby DPPC (3 mg/ml) was gradually replaced with LPC/PA (3 mg/ml), yielding seven different grades of simulated hydrolysis: 0, 17, 33, 50, 67, 83, and 100%. Surface properties of the seven mixtures were examined with various concentrations of albumin added. The Bubble Surfactometer was used to study the surfactant film that is given time to develop at a spherical air-liquid interface. A Capillary Surfactometer was used to evaluate surface properties required for airway patency. It was found, using both of these instruments that the surface activity improved as the simulated hydrolysis of DPPC to LPC/PA increased toward 100%, where the activity was maximal. With the Bubble Surfactometer, surface activity of LPC/PA, 3 mg/ml, improved as albumin concentration increased, and when it reached 15 mg/ml, surface tension became 0 mN/m after only 2 min. With the Capillary Surfactometer, requiring a much faster film adsorption, albumin had an opposite effect. LPC/PA alone maintained patency 100% of the time studied, while even a minimal addition of albumin inhibited surfactant function. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Application of N-15 dilution for simultaneous estimation of nitrification and nitrate reduction in soil-water columns

Nitrification and denitrification rates were estimated simultaneously in soil-floodwater columns of a Crowley silt loam (Typic Albaqualfs) rice soil by an15N isotopic dilution technique. Labeled NO3− was added to the floodwater of soil-water columns, half were treated with urea fertilizer. The (NO3−+NO2−)−N and (NO3−+NO2−)−N concentrations in the floodwater were measured over time and production and reduction rates for NO3− calculated. Nitrate reduction in the urea amended columns averaged 515 μmol N m−2h−1 and nitrification averaged 395 μmol N m−2h−1 over the 35–153 d incubation. The nitrification rate for 4–19 d sampling period (1,560 μmol N m−2h−1) in the urea amended columns was almost 9 times greater than the reduction rate (175 μmol N m−2h−1) over the same period. Without the addition of urea the NO3− production rate averaged 32 μmol N m−2h−1 and reduction 101 μmol N m−2h−1.
PREDICTIVE VALUE OF PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN NADIR AFTER SALVAGE CRYOTHERAPY

AbstractPurpose: We determined nadir prostate specific antigen (PSA) after salvage cyrotherapy to distinguish patients who are potentially cured from those at risk for subsequent biochemical and biopsy proved failure.Materials and Methods: A total of 146 patients who underwent salvage cyrotherapy were followed a median of 21 months (range 3 to 47) with regular serum PSA analysis and digital rectal examination. Sextant biopsies were performed at 6 months or earlier when PSA increased greater than 2 ng./ml. from the nadir value (biochemical failure) or there was a palpable local recurrence. We compared the incidence of biochemical failure and biopsy specimens positive for cancer to pretreatment PSA and posttreatment nadir PSA.Results: In 59 of the 146 patients (40%) PSA decreased to an undetectable level within a median of 3 months. In 85 of the 109 patients (78%) who underwent biopsy the specimens were negative for cancer. Low serum PSA nadir values were associated with low pretreatment PSA and a low incid...
Formation of MboII vectors and cassettes using asymmetric MboII linkers.

Abstract Class-IIS restriction endonucleases such as MboII cleave DNA at a specified distance away from their recognition sequences. This feature was exploited to cleave DNA at previously inaccessible locations by preparing special asymmetric linker/adapters containing the MboII recognition sequence. These could be joined to DNA fragments and subsequently cleaved by MboII. Attachment of a 3′ phosphate to one of the two different oligodeoxynucleotides comprising the asymmetric duplex prevented ligation at the improper end of the linker. Plasmids were constructed containing a unique BamHI or BclI site between the recognition and cleavage site of MboII. These sites were used to introduce a foreign fragment into the plasmid at a position permitting MboII to cleave within the newly inserted fragment. Once cleaved at the unique MboII site, another DNA fragment was inserted. DNA was thus inserted at a sequence not previously accessible to specific cleavage by a restriction enzyme. A cassette containing an identifiable marker, the lac operator, between two oppositely oriented MboII/BamHI linkers was made and tested in a random insertion linker mutagenesis experiment.
Dietary nimodipine delays the onset of methylmercury neurotoxicity in mice

Adult-onset methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is thought to result primarily in sensory and motor deficits but effects on learning are poorly understood. One mechanism by which chronic MeHg may exert its neurotoxicity is via sustained disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis, with a consequent increase of intracellular Ca(2+) ions in vulnerable neurons. A biochemically heterogeneous group of compounds, calcium channel blockers, have been shown in vitro to attenuate MeHg's toxicity. To evaluate the role of calcium antagonism in MeHg toxicity in vivo, adult BALB/c mice were exposed chronically to 0 or 15 ppm of Hg (as MeHg) via drinking water and to nimodipine, a dihydropryidine, L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker with action in the CNS. Nimodipine was administered orally in diets (0, 20, or 200 ppm, producing approximately 0, 2, or 20 mg/kg/day of nimodipine). An incremental repeated acquisition (IRA) of response chains procedure was used to detect MeHg-induced deficits in learning or motoric function and to evaluate possible neuroprotection by nimodipine. MeHg impaired performance on the IRA task, and this was partially or completely blocked by dietary nimodipine, depending on dose. Measures of learning co-varied with measures of motoric function as indicated by overall response rate. Nimodipine delayed or prevented the behavioral toxicity of MeHg exposure as evidenced by IRA performance; effects on learning seemed secondary to response rate decreases.
GLOW CURVES FROM PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA

— Cells and chromatophores of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas viridis were frozen in the dark and illuminated while frozen or were illuminated during freezing. Upon being heated they emitted light. The conditions under which glow curves could be produced and the kinetics of the light emission indicate that the glows resulted from the thermal release of electrons from secondary electron acceptors and their recombination with oxidized reaction center bacteriochlorophyll b. Glow curves could not be obtained with Rhodospirillum rubrum.
Twin Olympians: The hard science and the lives behind it / research summaries: Twin study of cardiometabolic risk factors; Postnatal brain maturation; parental responses to rearing triplets; Chimaeric twins / general interest: Lone soccer twin; identical triplet birth; Life and work of twin Geoffrey D. Langlands; The lone twin

A look at scientific studies of sports performance is informative in view of the 2012 Olympic games in London. The athletic life histories of selected twin competitors supplement the scientific data. Reviews of recent twin studies concerning cardiometabolic risk factors, postnatal brain maturation, parental responses to rearing triplets, and the birth of an unusual chimaeric twin pair are presented. General interest items include the separate careers of twin soccer players, an unexpected identical triplet birth, the interesting life of twin Geoffrey D. Langlands, and the Lone Twin Boat Project.
Asymptotic Expansions and Estimation of the Expected Error Rate for Equal‐Mean Discrimination with Uniform Covariance Structure

The asymptotic error rate of the equal-mean, uniform-covariance-matrix classification rule is approximated by a first order asymptotic expansion. The approximation is compared for accuracy with a Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, an estimator of the error rate and an estimator of the variance of the error rate estimator are derived and applied to a classical example.
Inverse buckling problem for inhomogeneous columns

Abstract This study is motivated by our recent study (Elishakoff, I., Rollot, O., 1999. New closed-form solutions for buckling of a variable stiffness column by mathematica, Journal of Sound and Vibration 224, 172–182), which presented new closed-form solutions for buckling of columns with variable stiffness. The column was simply supported at both ends. In the present study, we rederive, in other means, the same solution, and, moreover, obtain new solutions for two other sets of the boundary conditions by posing an inverse buckling problem. It is shown that the buckling load is dependent upon a single stiffness coefficient. By suitable choice of this parameter, the buckling load can be made arbitrarily large.
Lack of evidence for an interaction between Buchnera GroEL and Banana bunchy top virus (Nanoviridae)

Abstract Circulative plant viruses such as luteovirids and geminiviruses have been shown to bind to GroEL proteins produced by endosymbiotic bacteria harboured within hemipteran vectors. These interactions seem to prevent the degradation of the viral particles in the aphid's haemocoel. Similarly to luteovirids and geminiviruses, Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), a member of the Nanoviridae family, is transmitted in a persistent, circulative manner and can be detected in the haemolymph of the aphid vector, Pentalonia nigronervosa. To date, it is not known if BBTV can interact with GroEL. In this study, we localised and inferred the phylogeny of a Buchnera aphidicola endosymbiont inhabiting P. nigronervosa. Furthermore, we predicted the 3D structure of Buchnera GroEL and detected the protein in the haemolymph of P. nigronervosa. Interactions were tested using 3 different assays: immunocapture PCR, dot blot, and far-western blot assays; however, none of them showed evidence of a BBTV–GroEL interaction. We concluded that it was unlikely that BBTV interacted with Buchnera GroEL either in vitro or in vivo and we discuss possible alternatives by which BBTV viral particles are able to avoid the process of degradation in the aphid haemocoel.
Imperfect credibility and risk premia in the European Monetary System

The paper deals with the estiamation of models for the expected rate of depreciation within the currency bands of the French franc and the Italian lira against the deutshmark, both unconditional and conditional upon no realignment, as well as the estimastion of models for risk premia. Using these estimates,estimates are constructed for the expected rate of depreciation, the expected rate of realignment and the expected rate of devaluation of these exchange rates during their EMS period by appropriate adjustment of interest rate differentials. It is found that these adjustments are of non-trivial magnitude.
Cutaneous metastasis from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

Cutaneous metastases from carcinoma of the thyroid gland are rare. We present the clinical, histologic, and immunohistoehemical features of a solitary metastasis from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Our results indicate that this tumor can produce epithelial mucin and, therefore, must be differentiated from other metastatic carcinomas and from primary apocrine tumors of the skin. Positive staining for thyroglobulin confirmed the diagnosis in this case.
Current-Mixing Gauge Theories of Weak and Electromagnetic Interactions of Hadrons

Assuming mesons and baryons are composed only of multitriplets of fundamental fermions, we construct renormalizable $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\mathrm{U}{(1)}_{Y}$ gauge theories of weak and electromagnetic interactions of hadrons.
Effects of Annealing on Residual Stress and Strain Gradient of Doped Polycrystalline SiC Thin Films

We report the effects of annealing at 925 and 1050°C in argon ambient on the resistivity, average residual stress, and strain gradient of highly doped polycrystalline 3C-SiC films deposited at 800°C and 170 mTorr from 1,3-disilabutane, dichlorosilane, and ammonia. Residual stress shifts from -569 to 274 MPa, compressive strain gradient shifts from 4 X 10 -4 to -0.018 μm -1 , and resistivity shifts from -0.037 to 0.030 Ω cm. Characterization of the SiC films reveals that oxygen impurity diffusion from the ambient during annealing and a change in bonding of nitrogen dopant atoms are sources of the shifts in these properties.
The Commercial Data Masking Facility (CDMF) data privacy algorithm

The Commercial Data Masking Facility (CDMF) algorithm defines a scrambling technique for data confidentiality that uses the Data Encryption Algorithm (DEA) as the underlying cryptographic algorithm, but weakens the overall cryptographic operation by defining a key-generation method that produces an effective 40-bit DEA key instead of the 56 bits required by the full- strength DEA. In general, products implementing the CDMF algorithm in an appropriate manner may be freely exported from the USA. The algorithm is thus intended as a drop-in replacement for the DEA in cryptographic products. Discussed in this paper are the design requirements, rationale, strength, and applications of the CDMF algorithm.
Control flow prediction with tree-like subgraphs for superscalar processors

In order to fetch a large number of instructions per cycle, wide-issue superscalar processors have to predict the outcome of multiple branches in a cycle, and fetch instruction blocks from multiple targets. This paper investigates a control flow prediction scheme that predicts the outcome of multiple branches by performing a single prediction. Instead of predicting the outcome of each individual conditional branch, this scheme considers a tree-like subgraph of the control flow graph of the executed program as a single prediction unit, and predicts the target of a subgraph at a time, thereby allowing the superscalar fetch mechanism to go past multiple branches per cycle. This approach is evaluated using the MIPS architecture, for a 12-way superscalar processor, and an improvement in effective fetch size of more than 50%, over an identical processor that uses branch prediction is observed for the SPEC integer benchmarks. No appreciable difference in the prediction accuracy was observed although the control flow prediction scheme predicted one out of four outcomes.
Systemic Hemophilus influenzae Infection A Study of Risk Factors

In Omaha, from 1974 to 79, 30 (12.5%) of 240 patients with Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia or meningitis had a wide variety of conditions known to be associated with increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. Neonates and adults accounted for 47 per cent of the infections. Non-type b and non-typable strains caused 41 per cent of the episodes. Forty-one per cent of patients had bacteremia with no detectable focus of infection. The incidence of meningitis was low. Mortality was 28 per cent, considerably higher than in patients who were previously healthy.A review of the medical literature indicated that low-birth weight infants and patients with leukemia and other malignancies undergoing chemotherapy, splenectomy, congenital asplenia, sickle cell anemia, immunoglobulin deficiency diseases, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, and skull de fects are at greater risk for systemic H. influenzae disease than the general population.
Ethnic minority elders: a mental health research agenda.

Although some data on medical problems of ethnic elders are available, little information on the mental health consequences of those problems exists. However, studies of middle-aged and older white persons with medical problems suggest that ehtnic elders with such problems may have increased rates of depressive illness and anxiety. The types of dementing illnesses found among ethnic elders and the burden of caregiving on their families are other areas in which research is needed. Data from nursing homes have shown that ethnic elders do not constitute a significant proportion of nursing home population and suggest that most ethnic elders reside with their families, does the extended family structure common in many ethnic groups decrease the burden of care for individual caregivers in these population? Other issues include whether there is a difference in the level of anxiety between ethnic elders who live in urban areas and those who live in rural areas. Does the increased risk for being the target of or b...
Endocannabinoid GPR18 Receptor Activation Confers Cardiovascular Protection in Diabetic Rats

The endocannabinoid receptor GPR18 lowers BP by reducing oxidative stress in brainstem nuclei that control sympathetic activity. We hypothesized that GPR18 activation confers cardiovascular protect...
ON‐LINE QUALITY MANAGEMENT: INTEGRATION OF PRODUCT INSPECTION AND PROCESS CONTROL

A growing recognition that quality management is an important factor in defining a firm's competitive position has led to renewed attention to this function and has resulted in implementation of elaborate systems for on-line quality control comprising product inspection and process control. Traditionally, these functions have been treated independently, with very little interaction. In this paper we examine, in detail, a scheme that integrates the two functions, and we demonstrate that such an approach can result in significant cost savings. The motivation for this work comes from our experience in a wafer fabrication facility that suggested that exchange of quality information between different stages of production could result in significant performance improvements. To illustrate this approach, we consider a specific environment characterized by a single-stage continuous production process whose status is monitored by an X control chart. We assume that quality-related costs may be described as a function of the process output. This is analogous to Taguchi's quality loss function and may be interpreted as a generalization of conventional classification of process output as either acceptable or defective units. The integrative scheme essentially relies on utilization of the process status information (based on process control) in making product inspection decisions. For this system we derive a cost model and develop a solution procedure to determine optimal decision parameters. Limited computational results indicate that the scheme has significant potential for reducing quality-related costs.
The super super-healing MRL mouse strain

The Murphy Roths Large (MRL/MpJ) mice provide unique insights into wound repair and regeneration. These mice and the closely related MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J and Large strains heal wounds made in multiple tissues without production of a fibrotic scar. The precise mechanism of this remarkable ability still eludes researchers, but some data has been generated and insights are being revealed. For example, MRL cells reepithelialize over dermal wound sites faster than cells of other mouse strains. This allows a blastema to develop beneath the protective layer. The MRL mice also have an altered basal immune system and an altered immune response to injury. In addition, MRL mice have differences in their tissue resident progenitor cells and certain cell cycle regulatory proteins. The difficulty often lies in separating the causative differences from the corollary differences. Remarkably, not every tissue in these mice heals scarlessly, and the specific type of wound and priming affect regeneration ability as well. The MRL/MpJ, MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J, and Large mouse strains are also being investigated for their autoimmune characteristic. Whether the two phenotypes of regeneration and autoimmunity are related remains an enigma.
Preparation and single-crystal structure analysis of Sr2NF

Abstract Single-crystalline samples of Ca2NF were prepared by heating a stoichiometric mixture of Ca metal and CaF2 under N2 to 1000°C, followed by slow cooling from the melt. The resulting Ca2NF crystals were yellow in color, and highly air-sensitive. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the compound is isostructural with L -Mg2NF, with tetragonal cell parameters a=4.9018(9) A and c=10.516(3) A, Z=4, and space group I41/amd (No. 141). X-ray refinement was carried out by full-matrix least-squares on F2 on all data, to give R1=0.0426 (all data) and wR2=0.0630 for 12 parameters and 101 independent reflections. The final position assignments were analyzed via bond valence sum calculations.
Ekaterinoslav City in 1905: Workers, Jews, and Violence

In all the upheaval of 1905 in Russia, one of the most violent and volatile areas was Ekaterinoslav Province, which included Donbass coal miners, militant railroaders, and heavy industrial factory workers in and around the mines, the towns, and the province's capital city. Although protest and upheaval were by no means new to the region, in 1905 the province witnessed not only a chain of strikes, meetings, and demonstrations throughout the year, but one of the largest and most militant armed uprisings in December and several destructive anti-Jewish pogroms among the hundreds that swept South Russia in October.This characterization of the region is most fully and persuasively outlined in Charters Wynn's important study, Workers, Strikes, and Pogroms: The Donbass-Dnepr Bend in Late Imperial Russia, 1870–1905 (Princeton, 1992). The present essay, though greatly indebted to Wynn's pioneering work, seeks to build on, critique, and modify some of its conclusions.
Segmented Mirror Design For A 10-Meter Telescope

One of the designs for the University of California's ten meter telescope project has the primary mirror composed of many hexagonal segments. A total of 54 mirror segments surround the 3.6m central mirror. Each segment is supported by 3 position actuators which provide tilt and focus control. The mirror figure is maintained by a non-optical technique using edge sensors to monitor relative mirror segment displacements. Details of the project goals and the critical design characteristics, including the behavior of the control system, and the proposed mirror components will be presented.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polyurethanes from Isosorbide-Based Diisocyanates

Benign building blocks: Stereochemically pure diisocyanates were prepared on a multigram scale from succinic anhydride and isosorbide or isomannide. Characterization of polyurethanes that were produced from these diisocyanates revealed low polydispersity, high thermal stability, and stereochemistry-dependent morphology. If biobased succinic anhydride is used, then no stoichiometric petroleum-derived reagents are required in the synthesis of these materials.
Quantitative measurement of variational approximations

Variational problems have long been used to mathematically model physical systems. Their advantage has been the simplicity of the model as well as the ability to deduce information concerning the functional dependence of the system on various parameters embedded in the variational trial functions. However, the only method in use for estimating the error in a variational approximation has been to compare the variational result to the exact solution. In this Letter, we demonstrate that one can computationally obtain estimates of the errors in a one-dimensional variational approximation, without any a priori knowledge of the exact solution. Additionally, this analysis can be done by using only linear techniques. The extension of this method to multidimensional problems is clearly possible, although one could expect that additional difficulties could arise.
Design of cache memories for multi-threaded dataflow architecture

Cache memories have proven their effectiveness in the von Neumann architecture when localities of reference govern the execution loci of programs. A pure dataflow program, in contrast, contains no locality of reference since the execution sequence is enforced only by the availability of arguments. Instruction locality may be enhanced if, dataflow programs are reordered. Enhancing the locality of data references in the dataflow architecture is a more challenging problem. In this paper we report our approaches to the design of instruction, data (operand) and I-Structure cache memories using the Explicit Token Store (ETS) model of dataflow systems. We will present the performance results obtained using various benchmark programs.
Enhancing Simulation Accuracy through Advanced Hazard Detection in Asynchronous Circuits

A fast and accurate simulator with elaborate hazard detection capabilities is vital for asynchronous circuits, not only for the purpose of design validation through logic simulation, but even more importantly for the purpose of test validation through fault simulation. Towards this end, we developed SPIN-SIM, a logic and fault simulator built around Eichelbergerpsilas classical hazard detection method, yet extended in various ways in order to overcome its limitations. More specifically, in order to improve simulation accuracy and hazard detection, SPIN-SIM i) employs a 13-valued algebra for which it adapts Eichelbergerpsilas method, ii) maintains partial orders of causal signal transitions through relative time-stamps, and iii) unfolds time-frames judiciously to distinguish between hazards and actual transitions. Experimental results demonstrate that, at the cost of a negligible increase in computational time over Eichelbergerpsilas method, if any at all, SPIN-SIM achieves significantly more accurate logic simulation and, by extension, drastically more efficient fault simulation. Furthermore, while the proposed method was developed and is presented for the class of speed-independent circuits, it is easily extendible to various other classes of asynchronous circuits.
A designed cavity in the hydrophobic core of a four-alpha-helix bundle improves volatile anesthetic binding affinity.

The structural features of protein binding sites for volatile anesthetics are being explored using a defined model system consisting of a four-R-helix bundle scaffold with a hydrophobic core. Earlier work has demonstrated that a prototype hydrophobic core is capable of binding the volatile anesthetic halothane. Exploratory work on the design of an improved affinity anesthetic binding site is presented, based upon the introduction of a simple cavity into a prototype (R2)2 four-R-helix bundle by replacing six core leucines with smaller alanines. The presence of such a cavity increases the affinity ( Kd ) 0.71 ( 0.04 mM) of volatile anesthetic binding to the designed bundle core by a factor of 4.4 as compared to an analogous bundle core lacking such a cavity (Kd ) 3.1 ( 0.4 mM). This suggests that such packing defects present on natural proteins are likely to be occupied by volatile general anesthetics in ViVo. Replacing six hydrophobic core leucine residues with alanines results in a destabilization of the folded bundle by 1.7-2.7 kcal/mol alanine, although the alanine-substituted bundle still exhibits a high degree of thermodynamic stability with an overall folded conformational ¢G H2O ) 14.3 ( 0.8 kcal/mol. Covalent attachment of the spin label MTSSL to cysteine residues in the alanine-substituted four- R-helix bundle indicates that the di-R-helical peptides dimerize in an anti orientation. The rotational correlation time of the four-R-helix bundle is 8.1 ( 0.5 ns, in line with earlier work on similar peptides. Fluorescence, far-UV circular dichroism, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies verified the hydrophobic core location of the tryptophan and cysteine residues, showing good agreement between experiment and design. These small synthetic proteins may prove useful for the study of the structural features of small molecule binding sites. The site(s) of action of the volatile general anesthetics remain(s) unknown, despite over a century of active inves- tigation. Extensive studies on how anesthetics might alter the physical properties of the lipid component of membranes have shown only minor effects. Current consensus therefore favors membrane proteins as the targets for volatile anesthet- ics (1, 2). In line with this, a number of investigators have shown that volatile anesthetics alter the function of both voltage-gated (3) and ligand-gated ion channels (4) and also ion transport proteins (5). These studies demonstrate that anesthetics are capable of altering the actiVity of a number of different membrane proteins. However, it remains to be determined whether these functional changes follow directly from anesthetic binding to the proteins in question or are an indirect effect due to changes in the properties of membrane lipids.
Perturbation theory, asymptotic series and the renormalisation group

Abstract The divergence of the perturbation series in quantum field theory is reviewed and an argument presented showing that, at least in the unrenormalised theory, it must be asymptotic in the Poincare sense. Some basic concepts of asymptotic series are reviewed. By combining momentum analyticity with the constraints of the renormalisation group it is shown how in quantum chromodynamics the large order coefficients can be estimated and the effective expansion parameter for the series derived. The optimum number of meaningful terms in the series is estimated.
Proportional Representation, the Single Transferable Vote, and Electoral Pragmatism

An exploration of competing electoral systems—single-member district plurality systems (predominant in the U.S.) versus proportional representation systems (STV in particular)—and competing theories of participatory democracy: J.S. Mill’s optimistic deliberative democracy model, and Richard Posner’s more pessimistic elite democracy model. Mill assumes voters are politically educable, capable of making informed contributions to legislative processes through electoral action. Posner assumes voters are too narrowly self-interested to be substantively educable. Elections, consequently, serve merely as a crude form of quality control and smooth succession of political authority. It is argued that the latter theory is plausible only under single-member district plurality electoral systems like ours, so that the electoral system grounds the theory, not the other way around. Under a single transferable vote system (Mill’s preferred system), in which voters’ ordinal preferences among candidates govern the outcomes in multi-member districts, Mill’s deliberative democracy model has a realistic prospect of success.