cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The dynamic response of compliant materials to an impulsive pressure field

The dynamic interaction between a compliant material and an impulsive pressure field, periodic in space and instantaneous in time, was examined as a first step at modelling the interaction between organized structures in a turbulent boundary layer and a compliant surface. The interaction, modelled two-dimensionally, was treated dynamically by matching the pressure forces to the surface stresses in the compliant material at each instant of time. A new boundary element method was formulated to model the compliant material which was treated as a linear isotropic material, elastic in dilatation and viscoelastic (Standard) in shear. The inertial forces and viscoelastic creep stresses have been included in this formulation as transient body forces. The elastic interaction was characterized by a non-dimensional threshold velocity, above which the elastic instabilities grew temporally and spatially in the downstream direction to produce a non-linear breakdown of the interaction. Freestream velocities as high as 9CT (shear wave speed) were found to produce stable elastic interactions. Thinner materials produced smaller amplitude waves of higher frequencies that grew more rapidly than those in thicker materials. The stability characteristics were independent of the location of the compliant material with respect to the spatial distribution of the pressure pulse. For viscoelastic interactions, the stability curve, which serves as a bound on the types of materials capable of producing drag reduction, shows distinct regions of elastic types of interactions (Class B) and damping dominated interactions (Class A) as a function of the constants of the rheological model describing the compliant material. Class A disturbances in these interactions show slower growth or decay than Class B disturbances.
Norepinephrine modulates the motility of resting and activated microglia via different adrenergic receptors

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), monitor the brain for disturbances of tissue homeostasis by constantly moving their fine processes. Microglia respond to tissue damage through activation of ATP/ADP receptors followed by directional process extension to the damaged area. A common feature of several neurodegenerative diseases is the loss of norepinephrine, which might contribute to the associated neuroinflammation. We carried out a high resolution analysis of the effects of norepinephrine (NE) on microglial process dynamics in acute brain slices from mice that exhibit microglia-specific enhanced green fluorescent protein expression. Bath application of NE to the slices resulted in significant process retraction in microglia. Analysis of adrenergic receptor expression with quantitative PCR indicated that resting microglia primarily express β2 receptors but switch expression to α2A receptors under proinflammatory conditions modeled by LPS treatment. Despite the differential receptor expression, NE caused process retraction in both resting and LPS-activated microglia cultured in the gelatinous substrate Matrigel in vitro. The use of subtype-selective receptor agonists and antagonists confirmed the involvement of β2 receptors in mediating microglial process dynamics in resting cells and α2A receptors in activated cells. Co-application of NE with ATP to resting microglia blocked the ATP-induced process extension and migration in isolated microglia, and β2 receptor antagonists prolonged ATP effects in brain slice tissues, suggesting the presence of cross-talk between adrenergic and purinergic signaling in microglia. These data show that the neurotransmitter NE can modulate microglial motility, which could affect microglial functions in pathogenic situations of either elevated or reduced NE levels. Background: Microglia respond to cell death by extending their processes toward ATP released at the site of damage. Results: Norepinephrine induces process retraction in resting and activated microglia through β2 and α2A receptors, respectively. Conclusion: Norepinephrine alters the ability of microglia to respond to ATP. Significance: Adrenergic receptor signaling might alter the ability of microglia to detect and respond to tissue damage in vivo.
Selective processing of eating disorder relevant stimuli: Does the Stroop Test provide an objective measure of bulimia nervosa?

Objective To evaluate the specificity of the modified Stroop test as an objective measure of bulimia nervosa. Method: A modified Stroop Test was administered to patients with bulimia nervosa and two non-clinical control groups of restrained and unrestrained eaters. Results: The data failed to show any specificity in the Stroop effect. Nor did the test provide a useful measure of treatment response. Discussion: Taken in conjunction with previous inconsistent findings, the results of this study call into question the utility of the modified Stroop effect as a specific measure of bulimia nervosa. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 22:329–333, 1997.
Interrelationships between p-coumaric acid, evapotranspiration, soil water content, and leaf expansion.

Increasing concentrations of p-coumaric acid applied to (cucumber seedling)–[Cecil Ap soil–sand mixture (or soil)] systems inhibited evapotranspiration (primarily transpiration) and leaf area expansion of cucumber seedlings and increased soil moisture. Higher soil moisture resulting from the inhibition of evapotranspiration lowered soil solution concentrations of p-coumaric acid by 14–40% but did not significantly influence the inhibitory effects of p-coumaric acid on seedlings. Inhibition of evapotranspiration and total leaf area and increases in lowest daily soil water were observed 1–3 d after the first p-coumaric acid treatment, whereas inhibition of absolute and relative rates of leaf expansion was observed within a 24-hr period. Development of the maximum effects of p-coumaric acid required several additional days. Recovery from effects, i.e., return to control levels, after p-coumaric acid depletion from soil solution was a gradual process requiring days for evapotranspiration, lowest daily soil water, and total leaf area, but was slightly faster for leaf area expansion. It appears, at least for short-term studies, that the initial input or treatment concentrations of p-coumaric acid represented a reasonable estimate of dose despite the dynamic nature of soil solution concentrations, and that the lowering of available p-coumaric acid concentrations, associated with the elevation of soil moisture, did not result in a concurrent detectable seedling response. However, increased soil moisture associated with p-coumaric acid treatments of sensitive species suggests a means by which the magnitude of some allelopathic interactions may be modified and resource competition and allelopathy could interact.
Chemical Biology Applied to the Study of Bacterial Pathogens

In recent years, chemical biology and chemical genomics have been increasingly applied to the field of microbiology to uncover new potential therapeutics as well as to probe virulence mechanisms in pathogens. The approach offers some clear advantages, as identified compounds (i) can serve as a proof of principle for the applicability of drugs to specific targets; (ii) can serve as conditional effectors to explore the function of their targets in vitro and in vivo; (iii) can be used to modulate gene expression in otherwise genetically intractable organisms; and (iv) can be tailored to a narrow or broad range of bacteria. This review highlights recent examples from the literature to illustrate how the use of small molecules has advanced discovery of novel potential treatments and has been applied to explore biological mechanisms underlying pathogenicity. We also use these examples to discuss practical considerations that are key to establishing a screening or discovery program. Finally, we discuss the advantages and challenges of different approaches and the methods that are emerging to address these challenges.
Association of gastrocnemius tendon calcification with chondrocalcinosis of the knee

Objective. Chondrocalcinosis of the knee is a common radiological finding in the elderly. However, visualization of chondrocalcinosis may be difficult in patients with advanced cartilage loss.The purpose of this study was to determine sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of gastrocnemius tendon calcification that might serve as a radiographic marker of chondrocalcinosis in patients with painful knees. Design and patients. We prospectively evaluated 37 knee radiographs in 30 consecutive patients (29 men, 8 women; mean age 67 years, age range 37–90 years) with painful knees who had radiographic evidence of chondrocalcinosis. The frequency of fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage, and gastrocnemius tendon calcification was determined. For a control group, we evaluated knee radiographs in 65 consecutive patients with knee pain (54 men, 11 women; mean age 59 years, age range 40–93 years) who had no radiological signs of chondrocalcinosis. The frequency of gastrocnemius tendon calcification in the control group was determined. Results. Gastrocnemius tendon calcification was 41% sensitive, 100% specific, and 78% accurate in predicting chondrocalcinosis. The gastrocnemius tendon was calcified on 15 of 37 (41%) radiographs in the experimental group and on 0 of 67 radiographs in the control group. In the chondrocalcinosis group, 23 (62%) had posterior hyaline cartilage calcification, 14 (38%) had anterior hyaline cartilage calcification, 31 (84%) had medial meniscus calcification, and 36 (97%) had lateral meniscus calcification. Conclusions. Our results show that gastrocnemius tendon calcification is an accurate radiographic marker of chondrocalcinosis in patients with knee pain.
Tumor-Induced Pressure in the Bone Microenvironment Causes Osteocytes to Promote the Growth of Prostate Cancer Bone Metastases

Crosstalk between tumor cells and their microenvironment is critical for malignant progression. Crosstalk mediators including soluble factors and direct cell contact have been identified, but roles for the interaction of physical forces between tumor cells and the bone microenvironment have not been described. Here we report preclinical evidence that tumor-generated pressure acts to modify the bone microenvironment to promote the growth of prostate cancer bone metastases. Tumors growing in mouse tibiae increased intraosseous pressure. Application of pressure to osteocytes, the main mechanotransducing cells in bone, induced PCa growth and invasion. Mechanistic investigations revealed that this process was mediated in part by upregulation of CCL5 and matrix metalloproteinases in osteocytes. Our results defined the critical contribution of physical forces to tumor cell growth in the tumor microenvironment, and they identified osteocytes as a critical mediator in the bone metastatic niche.
Dispersion in non-flat obstructed terrain and advanced modeling techniques

An expert panel examined the influence of complex terrain, industrial plant obstacles and thermal inhomogeneities on the dispersion of gaseous plumes or aerosols resulting from accidental releases of hazardous materials. Perturbations in transport and dispersion induced by such flow disturbances were estimated. The limitations and accuracies of current numerical and physical modeling techniques were examined. Finally, important unresolved questions concerning the estimation of transport of hazardous materials in the presence of realistic industrial building, storage and transportation environments were identified.
Fourth-Grade Biliteracy: Searching for Instructional Footholds

To examine factors predictive of successful 4th-grade 2nd language reading, I used a hierarchical multiple regression equation that included Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Reading percentile rank as the criterion variable. The equation tested 5 predictor variables: English language proficiency, years of U.S. schooling, and 3 informal reading inventory scores. The full regression equation indicated that the composite predictor variables accounted for 35% of the variance in TAKS Reading percentile rank, English language proficiency and years of U.S. schooling accounted for 25% of the variance, and English language proficiency accounted for 13% of the variance. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Can differences in heat flow between east and southern Africa be easily interpreted?: Implications for understanding regional variability in continental heat flow

Nyblade, AA. and Pollack, H.N., 1993. Can differences in heat flow between east and southern Africa be easily interpreted?: Implications for understanding regional variability in continental heat flow. Tectcmophysics, 219: 257-272. We address the extent to which regionat variations in continental heat flow can be interpreted, making use of a heat ffow data set from east and southern Africa. The first-order observation deriving from these heat flow measurements is a common pattern characterized in both regions by Iow heat flow in Archean cratons and higher heat flow in younger mobike belts. Two regional differences between east and southern Africa are superimposed on this common heat flow pattern: (1) heat flow in the Tanzania Craton is about 13 mW m-’ lower than in the Kalahari Craton, and (2) heat flow in the Mozambique Belt in east Africa is about 9 mW m -’ lower than in the southern African mobile belts, within about 250 km of the respective Archean cratons. The differences in heat flow between east and southern Africa suggest that the thermal stntcture of the lithosphere beneath these regions differs somewhat, and we attempt to resolve these differences in tithospberic thermal structure by examining four explanations that could account for the heat flow observations: (I) diminished beat flow in shallow boreholes in east Africa; (2) less crustal heat production in the regions of lower heat flow; (3) thicker lithosphere beneath the regions of lower heat flow; (44) cooler mantle beneath the areas of lower heat flow. We find it difficult to interpret uniquely the heat flow differences between east and southern Africa because available constraints on crustal heat production, crustal structure, lithospheric thickness and mantle temperatures are insufficient to discriminate among the possible explanations. Hence, extracting significant information about lithospheric thermal structure from regional heat flow variations requires more ancillary geochemical and geophysical info~ation than Africa presently offers.
Reconnection Effects in z-pinch Wire Arrays from 2-D Hall-MHD Simulations

Summary form given only. Understanding the initial stages of plasma formation in cylindrical wire-array Z-pinches is a complicated process that probably cannot be fully understood using standard MHD modeling and computer simulation. Results from 2D Hall magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of wire array Z-pinches, using a code specifically developed for this purpose, are presented. In the coronal plasma near the point where the magnetic field reverses due to cancellation by the global magnetic field of the local field from an individual wire, reconnection is found to occur and have considerable effect. The reconnection jets directed towards the central axis significantly contribute to the energetics of the plasma streaming onto the precursor. Direct conversion of magnetic field energy into directed kinetic energy as well as thermal energy due to reconnection is comparable to that resulting from the usual global JxB acceleration of plasma. Results from both MHD and Hall-MHD simulations are compared.
Delayed sidetone in relation to the reading of different materials.

Several studies were conducted with speakers reading short phrases aloud while experiencing one amount or another of delayed sidetone (0.0–0.30 sec). The phrases represented different numbers of syllables, different types of syllables, different numbers of phonemes, and first and second languages. Additional syllables and unfamiliar material consistently increased the reading time of the speakers disproportionately. The reading of syllables of two and four sounds was apparently more retarded by delayed sidetone than ones of three sounds. Two-sound syllables comprised of vowel-consonants required more time to read than ones comprised of consonant-vowels. The effect of additional phonemes, with the type of syllables held constant, added linearly in the reading time of the phrases. The syllabic characteristics, the length, and probably the familiarity of the material affected the reading time nonlinearly.
SELLING THE HARD GOODS THE SOFT WAY: AMERICAN VERSUS FOREIGN CARS

This paper reports on research which compared consumers' stated reasons for buying foreign cars (gas mileage, price, quality) with their beliefs as to the kind of person who drove foreign cars as opposed to domestic cars. (Trendy, modern, upscale individuals.) It is then suggested that the status‐heavy motives are the operational ones; that foreign cars are bought for these affective reasons rather than the rational ones consumers believe they used. Possible shifts in marketing strategy to bring it into conformance with the real motives are discussed. Evaluated are; first, making domestic cars appear foreign, second, a head‐on attack and third, a concentrated attack on any existing mechanical or design deficiencies. Finally, some generalization from the automobile history to the product life cycle, in general, is proposed. This suggests that as a sophisticated product matures, appeals must be shifted from technologically oriented promotion to promotion intended to highlight the high status of the owners of the product.
Involvement of kallikrein in the antihypertensive response to furosemide in essential hypertension.

Twelve white men with essential hypertension were treated for 1 month in randomized order with either placebo or low-dose furosemide (40 mg/day) and compared to 22 race-, age-, and diet-matched normal controls. Furosemide therapy significantly reduced mean arterial pressure (108.6 +/- 2.4 vs. 101.0 +/- 2.7 mm Hg, p 0.1). A significant (p < 0.05) inverse correlation between mean arterial pressure and urinary kallikrein activity suggests a possible role for the kallikrein-kinin system in the antihypertensive mechanism of furosemide.
Counselors in the Classroom: A Developmental Approach to Student Well-Being:

Middle level and high school counselors play a critical role in the development of students' mental and emotional well-being. Given the counselors' varied responsibilities and the sometimes overwhelming number of students in a school, successfully accomplishing this task can be a challenge.
Measurement of perioral pressures during playing of musical wind instruments.

Abstract The forces produced against the labial surfaces of the maxillary incisors during the playing of various types of musical wind instruments were measured in twenty subjects by means of a transducer. This instrument pressure was compared to pressures produced by the perioral muscles during the execution of prescribed exercises (maximum pressure, swallowing, whistling, and thumb-sucking).
Effect of precursor history on synthesis of high-Tc BPSCCO superconductor

High-Tc lead-doped BSCCO superconductors (BPSCCO) were prepared from precursors of three different histories. The method, which combined three kinds of calcined powders, decreased the total sintering time for the formation of high-Tc BPSCCO superconductor phases relative to other methods based on one type of powder. The proportion of secondary phase, such as Ca22CuO3 was also reduced. As a result, the transition temperature,Tc, from the current method is higher than for the latter fabrication methods. Thec-axis parameters of BSCCO superconductors from different precursors were compared. The average X-ray particle size of each phase in the bulk sample was calculated from the Scherrer formula. Finally, the surface morphology and composition of BPSCCO were examined by SEM and energy dispersive spectrometry.
Unintended Consequences of Court Arbitration: A Cautionary Tale From New Jersey

Arbitration programs are expected to reduce delay and costs by providing a more efficient substitute for trial. But since most disputes are already resolved without adjudication, an arbitration program is likely to divert more cases from settlement than from trial. The net effect can be an increase in delay and congestion in the courts. This pattern is illustrated by a recent study of court-annexed automobile arbitration in New Jersey. Following the introduction of arbitration, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of cases settled without third-party intervention, but no reliable decrease in the trial rate, and a significant increase in filing-to-termination time for auto cases assigned to the program. Arbitration programs appear to meet a demand for fair, adjudicative third-party hearings, but in doing so, they don't always improve court efficiency, and can even reduce it.
Cor pulmonale as a complication of methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria (Cbl-C type)

We report an infant with a bronchiolitis-like illness and rapid deterioration who developed a cor pulmonale-like picture with a dilated right ventricle. Urinary organic acid assays established a probable diagnosis of Cbl-C-type methylmalonic aciduria, later confirmed by complementation studies. Despite medical intervention and cyanocobalamin treatment the patient died on his tenth hospital day. Postmortem examination showed the presence of thromboemboli in the pulmonary circulation. We hypothesize that acute cor pulmonale developed in this infant secondary to thromboembolism of his pulmonary circulation. A review of the literature shows that thromboembolism may be a part of this disease process.
Renal Trauma and Hypertension

Eleven cases of hypertension after renal trauma were reviewed. The average age of the patients was 22 years on first examination at the Cleveland Clinic. Ten patients were asymptomatic; 4 were not aware that they had suffered specific renal trauma. The onset of hypertension occurred at very different intervals after the traumatic event, sometimes after several years, thus making imperative long-term observation of patients suspected of having sustained renal trauma. Nephrectomy ameliorated hypertension in 7 of 8 patients, 6 of whom became normotensive; more conservative operations failed to relieve hypertension in 2 of 3 patients. Mechanisms of post-traumatic renal hypertension include parenchymal compression from hematomas (analogous to the cellophane-wrapped kidney of Page) and renal artery stenosis or occlusion (analogous to the Goldblatt kidney).
Axiomatic renormalization of the stress tensor of a conformally invariant field in conformally flat spacetimes

Abstract Using only the general properties which the renormalized stress-energy tensor T μν should satisfy—and not relying on any assumptions associated with specific renormalization techniques—we derive the expression for T μν for conformally invariant fields in conformally flat spacetimes of two and four dimensions. In two dimensions, these arguments rederive the Davies-Fulling-Unruh expression for the stress tensor of a scalar field; in four dimensions the results agree with those of Brown and Cassidy, except that we exclude the local curvature term depending on fourth-order derivatives of the metric. The dynamics of a k = 0 Robertson-Walker universe filled with radiation of the conformally invariant field is investigated and it is found that the equations cease to admit a solution when the Planck density is reached.
Electrospun polyacrylonitrile fibers with dispersed Si nanoparticles and their electrochemical behaviors after carbonization

Si nanoparticle-incorporated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers are prepared using the electrospinning method and Si-filled carbon (Si/C) fibers are obtained by the subsequent heat treatment of these Si/PAN fibers. Their microstructures are characterized by various analytical techniques. It is found that Si nanoparticles are distributed both inside and on the surface of PAN fibers and this is preserved after the formation of Si/C fibers. The crystal structure characterization indicates that, in Si/C fibers, Si nanoparticles exist in a crystalline state while carbon is in a predominantly amorphous or disordered form. Si/C fibers show high reversible capacity and good capacity retention when tested as anodes in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The excellent electrochemical performance of these fibers can be ascribed to the combined contributions of carbon matrices and Si nanoparticles, and the favorable textures and surface properties of the Si/C fibers.
Anger types and the use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco among Native American adolescents.

Abstract Background Although tobacco use appears common among Native Americans, the study of dual use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco has been neglected. The current study examines tobacco use among a sample of Native American adolescents. Also, it considers how the psychological factor of anger may relate to tobacco use. Methods The participants were 513 Native American students from a national sample in grades 6, 8, and 10 in the United States. Cluster analysis was used to identify anger types, and these types were compared on their tobacco use. Results Cluster analysis identified four anger types. One type was the Externalizing Type, characterized by the tendency to show externalizing behaviors such as fighting and yelling. This type had an elevated rate of tobacco use. In terms of an odds ratio, the Externalizing Type was about 10 times more likely to smoke, about 6 times more likely to use smokeless tobacco, and about 8 times more likely to show dual use. The majority of dual users were the Externalizing Type. Conclusions The results suggest that externalizing anger types are more likely to use tobacco, and that smoking cessation programs for teens could be more effective when they address anger issues.
Resultant fields for mixed plate bending elements

Abstract In this work the Hellinger-Reissner variational principle is used to formulate plate bending elements based upon Reissner-Mindlin plate theory. The formulation introduces an explicit coupling between interpolations of the shear and moment stress resultant fields. Because of the coupling, shear locking is avoided at the element level rather than at the global level. The coupling term is obtained by constraining the shear and moment resultant fields, that are initially assumed independent, to perform no work when subjected to a set of incompatible displacement modes. The resultant fields are formulated as a complete polynomial expansion in the element's natural coordinates and then transformed to the physical domain. Thus, frame invariant elements are always obtained. The resulting elements are shown to perform well on a set of standard problems for thin and thick plates.
Characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis phagosome

Mycobacterium tuberculosis parasitizes host macrophages and resides in a phagosome that does not fuse with lysosomes and that resists acidification. Compared with phagosomes containing inert particles, the M. tuberculosis phagosome exhibits maturational arrest: plasma membrane proteins and early endocytic markers persist and there is limited acquisition of lysosomal markers.
Factors Influencing the Formation and Stability of Filled Hydrogel Particles Fabricated by Protein/Polysaccharide Phase Separation and Enzymatic Cross-Linking

Filled hydrogel particles can be used to encapsulate, protect, and deliver lipophilic components. In this study, we investigated the influence of preparation conditions on the size of filled hydrogel particles created using biopolymer phase separation and enzymatic cross-linking. We then investigated the stability of these particles to external stresses: pH (pH 2–8); heat (40°–90 °C, 20 min); sodium chloride (0–500 mM); and calcium chloride (0–8 mM). Filled hydrogel particles were fabricated as follows: (i) high methoxy pectin, sodium caseinate, and caseinate-coated lipid droplets were mixed at pH 7 under conditions where phase separation due to thermodynamic incompatibility occurred; (ii) this mixture was acidified (pH 5) to induce adsorption of anionic pectin molecules around lipid-filled caseinate-rich particles; (iii) the caseinate within the particles was enzymatically cross-linked using transglutaminase. Three mixing conditions (0, 100, and 1,000 rpm) were tested during particle acidification. Particle size measurements indicated that larger particles were formed at 0 and 100 rpm than at 1,000 rpm. Under high pH conditions (pH 6–8), particles cross-linked with transglutaminase remained intact while control particles (not cross-linked) disintegrated. The addition of calcium to both control and cross-linked particles resulted in system gelation above 4 mM calcium chloride. Control and cross-linked particles remained stable to heating and to the addition of sodium chloride. Results from this study demonstrate the versatility and robustness of this delivery system for lipophilic bioactives.
Diffusion of a multi-species component and its role in oxygen and water transport in silicates.

An important but poorly understood factor that affects diffusion rates is the role of speciation during diffusion of a multi-species component. The diffusion of such a component is complicated by the different diffusion coefficient of each species and the interconversion reactions among the species. These complexities can be treated by a diffusion equation that incorporates the diffusive fluxes of all species contributing to the concentration of the component. The effects of speciation on the diffusion of the component can be investigated experimentally in some simple cases by measuring concentration profiles of all species developed during diffusion experiments or by studying some of their other consequences. Experimental data on water diffusion in rhyolitic glasses indicate that although dissolved water is present as two species. H_2O molecules and OH groups, molecular H_2O is the dominant diffusing species at very low to high water concentrations. This explains the apparently complex behavior of water diffusion. Experimental data on oxygen diffusion in some silicates using ^(18)O tracers in the form of H_(2)^(18)O are consistent with the idea that ^(18)O transport is dominated by diffusion of H_2O molecules even at lower water contents (ppm or less). This explains why oxygen transport depends on the presence of water and generally depends on water fugacity linearly. For this mode of oxygen transport, there is a simple theoretical relationship between the effective total oxygen diffusion coefficient and the total water diffusion coefficient that is a function of only the water concentration of the silicate at low water content. This relationship appears to describe quantitatively the existing data over a wide range in water contents and diffusion coefficients in several phases.
Stable field emission from nanoporous silicon carbide.

We report on a new type of stable field emitter capable of electron emission at levels comparable to thermal sources. Such an emitter potentially enables significant advances in several important technologies which currently use thermal electron sources. These include communications through microwave electronics, and more notably imaging for medicine and security where new modalities of detection may arise due to variable-geometry x-ray sources. Stable emission of 6 A cm−2 is demonstrated in a macroscopic array, and lifetime measurements indicate these new emitters are sufficiently robust to be considered for realistic implementation. The emitter is a monolithic structure, and is made in a room-temperature process. It is fabricated from a silicon carbide wafer, which is formed into a highly porous structure resembling an aerogel, and further patterned into an array. The emission properties may be tuned both through control of the nanoscale morphology and the macroscopic shape of the emitter array.
Effect of a tie layer on the delamination toughness of polypropylene and polyamide‐66 microlayers

The effect of a thin tie layer on the adhesion of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide-66 (PA) was studied by delamination of microlayers. The microlayers consisted of many alternating layers of PP and PA separated by a thin layer of a maleated PP. The peel toughness and delamination failure mode were determined using the T-peel test. Without a tie layer, there was no adhesion between PP and PA. A tie layer with 0.2% MA provided some adhesion; however, delamination occurred by interfacial failure. Increasing the maleic anhydride (MA) content of the tie layer increased the interfacial toughness. With 0.5% MA, the interfacial toughness exceeded the craze condition of PP, and a transition from interfacial delamination to craze delamination occurred. Crazing ahead of the crack tip effectively reduced the stress concentration at the interface and dramatically increased the delamination toughness. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1461–1467, 1999
Heat pipe based cold energy storage systems for datacenter energy conservation

Abstract In the present paper, design and economics of the novel type of thermal control system for datacenter using heat pipe based cold energy storage has been proposed and discussed. Two types of cold energy storage system namely: ice storage system and cold water storage system are explained and sized for datacenter with heat output capacity of 8800 kW. Basically, the cold energy storage will help to reduce the chiller running time that will save electricity related cost and decrease greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the electricity generation from non-renewable sources. The proposed cold energy storage system can be retrofit or connected in the existing datacenter facilities without major design changes. Out of the two proposed systems, ice based cold energy storage system is mainly recommended for datacenters which are located in very cold locations and therefore can offer long term seasonal storage of cold energy within reasonable cost. One of the potential application domains for ice based cold energy storage system using heat pipes is the emergency backup system for datacenter. Water based cold energy storage system provides more compact size with short term storage (hours to days) and is potential for datacenters located in areas with yearly average temperature below the permissible cooling water temperature (∼25 °C). The aforesaid cold energy storage systems were sized on the basis of metrological conditions in Poughkeepsie, New York. As an outcome of the thermal and cost analysis, water based cold energy storage system with cooling capability to handle 60% of datacenter yearly heat load will provide an optimum system size with minimum payback period of 3.5 years. Water based cold energy storage system using heat pipes can be essentially used as precooler for chiller. Preliminary results obtained from the experimental system to test the capability of heat pipe based cold energy storage system have provided satisfactory outcomes and validated the proposed system concept.
Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of the fetal brain: the three horn view.

Objective To describe an easy technique for obtaining one of the most important views of the fetal brain and image. Tthe entire lateral ventricle including the anterior, posterior and inferior horns is demonstrated on one image. We propose to call this view, obtained in an oblique plane ‘the three horn view’. Methods Depending upon the scanning technique employed there are two ways to obtain the three horn view: (1) by two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal transfontanelle sonography obtained by using the left and right Oblique-1 sections, and (2) by three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the fetal brain, is obtained by acquiring a volume scan of the brain orienting the fetal head in the three main orthogonal planes and by rotating or tilting the midcoronal section to the left and right. Results To illustrate the technique of obtaining the three horn view four normal fetal brains were scanned. Two scans utilized the 2D transvaginal transfontanelle approach and two scans utilized the 3D scanning technique. The same technique was then applied to six fetuses with various brain malformations with inflicted changes in the shape of the proposed three horn view. Conclusion The three horn view, depicting the anterior, posterior, and inferior horns on the same image, was easy to obtain using both the 2D and the 3D ultrasound techniques. It provided diagnostic and clinically useful information much like neonatal transfontanelle ultrasound imaging after which it was emulated. Copyright © 2000 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Infrared and visible laser-induced thermal and density optical nonlinearities in nematic and isotropic liquid crystals

ABSTRACT Using a Qswitched CO laser pulse induced dynamic grating technique, the basic mechanisms for the optical nonlinearities of nemazic and isotropic liquid crystals in the infrared(10.6 rim) region are reexamined. The principle mechanisms are the density and temperatureeffects, which are characterized by relaxation times in the nano and micro-second time scales,respectively. Optical seff.4imiting effects and optical switching using isotropic liquid crystalsare also demonstrated for visible nanosecond(Qswitch N&YAG at 0.53 rim) and for infraredmicrosecond laser pulses, respectively.INTRODUCTIONOwing to their complex physical structures, and various inter. and intra.mo1ecu1arcorrelations, liquid crystals posses a wide range of optical nonlinearities spanning multiple timescales. A detailed discussion on the physical optical and nonlinear optical properties of liquidcrystals may be found in the references ' The study of short pulse, laser induced nonlineareffects in liquid crystals have been pursued by various researchers for many years. Khoo et aVand Eichler and MacDOnald' reported observations of visible picosecond laser induced thermal,density ,
Knit: component composition for systems software

Knit is a new component definition and linking language for systems code. Knit helps make C code more understandable and reusable by third parties, helps eliminate much of the performance overhead of componentization, detects subtle errors in component composition that cannot be caught with normal component type systems, and provides a foundation for developing future analyses over C-based components, such as cross-component optimization. The language is especially designed for use with component kits, where standard linking tools provide inadequate support for component configuration. In particular, we developed Knit for use with the OSKit, a large collection of components for building low-level systems. However, Knit is not OSKit-specific, and we have implemented parts of the Click modular router in terms of Knit components to illustrate the expressiveness and flexibility of our language. This paper provides an overview of the Knit language and its applications.
Bayesian hierarchical duration model for repeated events: an application to behavioral observations

This article presents a continuous-time Bayesian model for analyzing durations of behavior displays in social interactions. Duration data of social interactions are often complex because of repeated behaviors (events) at individual or group (e.g. dyad) level, multiple behaviors (multistates), and several choices of exit from a current event (competing risks). A multilevel, multistate model is proposed to adequately characterize the behavioral processes. The model incorporates dyad-specific and transition-specific random effects to account for heterogeneity among dyads and interdependence among competing risks. The proposed method is applied to child–parent observational data derived from the School Transitions Project to assess the relation of emotional expression in child–parent interaction to risk for early and persisting child conduct problems.
RELIABILITY PREDICTION AND OPTIMUM DESIGN OF BOLTS UNDER STATIC AND FATIGUE LOADS

The deterministic method for bolt stress calculation and design has been well developed, but the reliability approach by considering the randomness of involved quantities is seldom seen. The strength, dimension and load of a bolt are actually random variables, so that the risk of failure always exists. In this paper, the various failure modes corresponding to different loads and the strengths, tensile, shear, static and fatigue, are investigated, and the reliability prediction and design methodologies of bolts are presented.
Review: Novel Physics of Gases Near Carbon Nanotubes and Buckyballs

Nanotubes and buckyballs represent novel substrates for gas adsorption. This situation has attracted significant experimental and theoretical attention, resulting in a wide variety of intriguing behaviors, including phases of unconventional effective dimensionality. This article reviews this field. Many of the unusual predictions have yet to be tested. In some cases, heterogeneity plays a significant role in actual experiments. This research area therefore presents many unanswered questions of fundamental significance.
Commentary---Approaches to Promotion Evaluation: A Practitioner's Viewpoint

As a marketing practitioner, I applaud Messrs. Abraham and Lodish and Messrs. Blattberg and Levin for attempting to unravel the effects of promotional actions, especially those directed at the retail trade. Both papers demonstrate a keen awareness of the “messy” problems confronting practitioners, such as gaps in companies' internal records, numerous deviations from nominal promotional plans, inadequacies in the common sources of competitive sales data, and the confounding of various merchandising actions.
Response to Salmonella enteritidis Infection by the Immunocompromised Avian Host

Abstract To develop knowledge of the avian immune response and improve the ability of chickens to resist infection by Salmonella enteritidis (SE), the role of the different components of the immune response against SE infection was examined. Birds were given treatments with cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine A, or testosterone propionate to induce immunological deficiency, and experiments were performed to determine the effects of each on the immune response. Each treatment reduced hatch rate, survival rate, and rate of weight gain. As measured by flow cytometry, treatments with cyclophosphamide and testosterone propionate decreased the percentages of B cells to background levels and increased the percentages of CT8 cells significantly above controls. The intestinal shed rate of SE increased after treatment with testosterone propionate and cyclophosphamide, but dissemination to the spleen of infected birds was not different from controls for any treatment. The SE infection was also immunosuppressive as measured by the proliferative response to mitogenic stimulation. Maximum lymphocyte proliferation occurred 1 wk after infection in response to .5 μg concanavalin A per 106 cells. By the 2nd wk, proliferation dropped 10-fold to almost no response. Results showed that immunocompetence relied on interdependent functions of multiple components of the immune response, i.e., aspects of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
Claret: using data types for highly concurrent distributed transactions

Out of the many NoSQL databases in use today, some that provide simple data structures for records, such as Redis and MongoDB, are now becoming popular. Building applications out of these complex data types provides a way to communicate intent to the database system without sacrificing flexibility or committing to a fixed schema. Currently this capability is leveraged in limited ways, such as to ensure related values are co-located, or for atomic updates. There are many ways data types can be used to make databases more efficient that are not yet being exploited.We explore several ways of leveraging abstract data type (ADT) semantics in databases, focusing primarily on commutativity. Using a Twitter clone as a case study, we show that using commutativity can reduce transaction abort rates for high-contention, update-heavy workloads that arise in real social networks. We conclude that ADTs are a good abstraction for database records, providing a safe and expressive programming model with ample opportunities for optimization, making databases more safe and scalable.
A note on correcting for chance success in objective tests

The conventional scoring formula to “correct for guessing” is derived and is compared with a regression method for scoring which has been recently proposed by Hamilton. It is shown that the usual formula,S=R−W/(n−1), yields a close approximation (correct within one point) to the maximum-likelihood estimate of an individual's “true score” on the test, if we assume that the individual “knows” or “does not know” the answer to each item, that guessing at unknown items is random, and that success at guessing is governed by the binomial law. It is also shown that the usual scoring formula yields an unbiased estimate of the individual's “true score,” when the true score is defined as the mean score over an indefinitely large number of independent attempts at the test or at equivalent (parallel) tests.
Would You Buy a Used Car from a Self-enhancer? Social Benefits and Illusions in Trait Self-enhancement

Trait self-enhancement has been consistently associated with genuine adaptive benefits, as well as some social liabilities. In the current investigation, we examined whether self-enhancement might generate social benefits. Among a sample of high-exposure survivors of the September 11th terrorist attack (Study 1), trait self-enhancement was associated with leadership behaviors during the 9/11 attack, with a larger social network, and with greater daily contact with close friends/relatives. The association between self-enhancement and social network size was replicated in a college sample (Study 2), even when social desirability was statistically controlled. A previous finding (Bonanno, Rennicke, & Dekel, 2005) linking self-enhancement with reduced social constraints against personal disclosure was also replicated in Study 2. However, when compared with actual social constraints reported by participants' friends/relatives, self-enhancers' perceptions appeared to be illusory. Together, these findings suggest...
Immobilization by Polyurethane of Pseudomonas dacunhae Cells Containing l-Aspartate β-Decarboxylase Activity and Application to l-Alanine Production

Whole cells of Pseudomonas dacunhae containing l-aspartate beta-decarboxylase activity were immobilized by mixing a cell suspension with a liquid isocyanate-capped polyurethane prepolymer (Hypol; W. R. Grace & Co., Lexington, Mass.). The immobilized cell preparation was used to convert l-aspartic acid to l-alanine. Properties of the immobilized P. dacunhae cells containing aspartate beta-decarboxylase activity were investigated with batch reactors. Retention of enzyme activity was observed to be as much as 100% when cell lysis was allowed to occur before immobilization. The pH and temperature optima were determined to be 5.5 and 45 degrees C, respectively. Immobilized P. dacunhael-aspartate beta-decarboxylase activity was stabilized by the addition of 0.1 mM pyridoxal-5-phosphate and 0.1 mM alpha-ketoglutaric acid to a 1.7 M ammonium aspartate (pH 5.5) substrate solution. Under conditions of semicontinuous use in a batch reactor, a 2.5% loss in immobilized l-aspartate beta-decarboxylase activity was observed over a 31-day period.