cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural property comparison of Ca–Mg–Zn glasses to a colloidal proxy system

Abstract We compare various structural properties of the Ca–Mg–Zn ternary metallic glass system at compositions Ca60MgXZn40−X (where X = 25, 20, 15, 10) to a colloidal proxy system containing “Red”, “Green” and “Blue” particles at the corresponding compositions R60GXB40−X. The methacrylate-based polymer colloid particles have the same relative radius ratio as their atomic counterparts and surface electrostatic charges are employed to mimic atomic interactions. The structures of these colloidal suspensions are investigated through laser scanning confocal microscopy, with each particle species labeled with red, green and blue fluorescent dyes. We find qualitative agreement with number densities and many characteristics of the partial radial distribution functions and partial coordination numbers between the atomic and colloid systems. In general, coordination numbers agree within experimental error. Total coordination numbers for Red-centered clusters are found to be slightly higher than the corresponding Ca-centered clusters, while Green- and Blue-centered clusters have slightly fewer neighbors than Mg- and Zn-centered clusters. These and other differences are noted and possible explanations of these are offered, as well as ways that the proxy system might be improved to more accurately reproduce the structure of the metallic system.
Aeroelastic vibration feedback control of smart aircraft wings in subsonic flight speeds

A minimax control design aimed at augmenting the flutter envelope and enhancing the dynamic aeroelastic response of a smart aircraft wing subject to gust/blast loads is presented. The smart aircraft wing is modeled as an anisotropic thin-walled beam featuring circumferentially asymmetric stiffness lay-up and a number of non-classical effects such as transverse shear, warping restraint and 3-D strain effects. Adaptive materials technology is used for implementing the active control via the boundary bending moment feedback mechanism. The unsteady aerodynamic loads in subsonic compressible flows are based on 2-D indicial functions considered in conjunction with aerodynamic strip theory extended to 3-D wing model. The capability of control on flutter suppression and dynamic response enhancement are investigated, the corresponding applied voltage requirement and power consumption are addressed.
Locomotor responses to benzodiazepines, barbiturates and ethanol in diazepam-sensitive (DS) and -resistant (DR) mice

Diazepam-sensitive (DS) and -resistant (DR) mice were selectively bred for increased and reduced sensitivity to the ataxic effects of diazepam (40 mg/kg). Other response differences between DS and DR mice may reflect pleiotropic effects of the genes fixed during their selection. These mice were tested for their sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant effects of several doses of diazepam, flunitrazepam, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, and ethanol. DR mice were more sensitive than DS mice to the locomotor stimulant effects of all drugs except phenobarbital. These results largely support the hypothesis that a common biological mechanism mediates sensitivity to the stimulant effects of sedative-hypnotic drugs. Receptor mediation of the benzodiazepine effects was examined by administering the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, RO15-1788. Locomotor depression produced by diazepam and flunitrazepam in DS mice was blocked by RO15-1788. However, while the locomotor stimulation produced by diazepam in DR mice was antagonized, the stimulant effect of flunitrazepam was not. This suggests that binding of flunitrazepam to the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor is not necessary for production of locomotor stimulation.
The chemical composition of two species of Daphnia, their algal food and their environment

Abstract Since the elements of which plankton are composed enter the food chain, it was thought interesting to devote a study to their chemical composition. Daphnia magna and D. pulex were reared in a laboratory for three months maintained on a monoculture of E. gracilis supplemented occasionally with a mixed algal culture. These plankton were raised in spring water. A complete chemical analysis revealed the plankton and the rock from which the spring water flowed to contain 54 detectable elements, while the concentrated water had only 53. Major differences were noted between the two species of Daphnia in their ability to accumulate K, Na, Ca, Sr, P, S, Cl, and Co. The Daphnia and algae contained different amounts of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Al, Sc, La, Nd, Sn, Ti, P, S, Cl, Br, I, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zr, Cu, Ag, Be, Si, Pb and Hg. The composition of the Daphnia is governed by the mixed algal culture and the spring water. The Daphnia reject E. gracilis ; the latter does not contribute to their chemical composition. Aside from supplementary additions of N, P, K and Cl to the algal cultures their composition is governed by that of the spring water.
In-vivo characterization of optical properties of pigmented skin lesions including melanoma using oblique incidence diffuse reflectance spectrometry

In this letter, we report the first use of oblique incidence diffuse reflectance spectrometry to conduct in-vivo measurements of optical properties of three different types of pigmented skin lesions, including melanoma, dysplastic, and common nevi. Both absorption and reduced scattering coefficient spectra were estimated from the spatially resolved diffuse reflectance within the wavelength range of 455–765 nm for 144 pigmented skin lesions including 16 melanomas. The absorption and reduced scattering spectra were found to change with the malignancy of the skin lesions, which were generally higher for the malignant cases than the benign ones. Based on the measurement results, the physiological origin leading to the change of the absorption and scattering properties is also discussed.
Gene disruption indicates that the only essential function of the SKI8 chromosomal gene is to protect Saccharomyces cerevisiae from viral cytopathology

We have cloned the SKI8 gene, one of the chromosomal genes that repress replication of M, L-A, and L-BC double-stranded RNA viruslike particles in yeast. The clone was used to map SKI8 to chromosome VII near ade5 and to construct a deletion mutant. The deletion mutant was unable to grow at 8 degrees if and only if M1 double-stranded RNA was present.
Continuous Particle Cross Over in Microfluidic Channels for Continuous Biosensing

A novel concept for continuous biosensing is introduced. Continuous biosensing is achieved by the mechanism named "Particle Cross Over" within microfluidic channels. The functionality of the device is demonstrated by quantifying the binding events of biotin to streptavidin coated beads. The device is designed to have precisely controlled flow structures which allow cytometric beads to pass from one flow region to another without mixing the carrier and sample fluids. The mean and standard deviation of the cytometric bead pixel intensities are 43.52 and 19.39, respectively for 1 μg/ml of biotinylated Fluorescein IsoThioCyanate concentration with a binding time of 0.464 seconds and shows a Gaussian distribution. It is expected that the particle cross over mechanism introduced in this report will be very useful mechanism for applications in continuous biosensing.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A millivolt-to-volt and pulse-to-volt integrator for meteorological purposes

Abstract An electronic integrator with voltage output was developed to integrate millivolt and pulse signals. The integrator contains a power regulator, micropower amplifier, C/MOS digital circuits and a digital-to-analog converter, and operates on 10 mV from 12 V dc. The integrator is linear from 0 to 100 mA input and has a temperature coefficient of −0.13%/°C.
Pregnancy following combination chemotherapy for a mixed germ cell tumor of the ovary

Abstract The introduction of combination chemotherapy for management of patients with germ cell tumors of the ovary has dramatically improved prognosis. Until recently prognosis for patients with Stage I mixed germ cell tumors had been dependent upon the size of the tumor and its germ cell constituents. This report will present a patient with a ruptured mixed germ cell tumor composed predominantly of endodermal sinus tumor elements with foci of dysgerminoma, who was then treated postoperatively with vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide, and subsequently has had two normal-term pregnancies following a negative second-look operation and is alive and free of disease 5 years following the original diagnosis.
Hospitalization of antisocial children: Clinical course, follow-up status, and predictors of outcome

Abstract The present study evaluated the functioning of 324 children (6–13 years of age) who were hospitalized in an acute-care treatment facility. The major goals were to examine the role of antisocial behavior in predicting clinical course and to examine the extent to which measures of child, parent, and family functioning could predict follow-up status up to two years after discharge. Children with a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder were expected to show greater dysfunction at the inception of hospitalization and over the course of follow-up than children with other diagnoses. Measures were administered at the beginning of hospitalization to assess deviant and prosocial child behaviors, parent psychopathology, and family functioning. Child functioning was assessed repeatedly over the course of follow-up to evaluate performance at home and at school. Significant improvements in behavior were evident over the course of hospitalization. However, only a minority of patients were functioning within the normative range at posttreatment and follow-up. Youths with a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder were functioning more poorly at home and at school over the course of follow-up. Follow-up status could be reliably predicted from severity of initial dysfunction, antisocial child behavior, parent psychopathology and family functioning assessed at the beginning of hospitalization. The results attest to the severity and stability of dysfunction of children with antisocial behavior. The implications of these findings for developing alternative treatments are discussed. New models are suggested to guide clinical applications of treatment and treatment outcome research for the problem of severe antisocial behavior in children.
Dissociation curves and binding energies of diatomic transition metal carbides from density functional theory

The computational description of the catalytic processes on the surface of transition metals (TMs) requires methods capable of accurate prediction of the bond forming and breaking between the atoms of metal and other elements. In our previous report [Goel and Masunov, J Chem Phys, 129, 214302, 2008], we studied TM hydrides and found that Boese–Martin functional for kinetics (BMK) combined with broken symmetry approach described dissociation process more accurately than multireference wavefunction theory (WFT) methods and some other functionals. Here, we investigate the binding energy, geometry, electronic structure, and potential energy curves for diatomic TM carbides using several exchange-correlation functionals. The functionals that include explicit dependence on the kinetic energy density (τ-functionals) are considered, among others. We have found M05-2x performance to be the best, followed by BMK, when compared with experimental and high level WFT energetics. This agreement deteriorates quickly for other functionals when the fraction of the Hartree–Fock exchange is decreased. Scalar relativistic corrections yield mixed results for bond lengths and bond energies. The natural bond orbital analysis provides useful insight in description of stable spin state over others in these diatomics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Temperature Dependence of Phonon Raman Scattering in FeB O 3 , InB O 3 , and VB O 3 : Evidence for a Magnetic Contribution to the Intensities

The complete Raman spectra comprised of $4{E}_{g}$ and $1{A}_{1g}$ modes have been observed in four materials of calcite structure (point group ${D}_{3d}$) from 15 to 400 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K: ferromagnetic VB${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (${T}_{c}=32.5$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K), antiferromagnetic FeB${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ (${T}_{c}=350$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K) and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.9}$ ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{0.1}$B${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (${T}_{c}=272$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K), and nonmagnetic InB${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The energies of the modes are similar in all samples, with approximate values of 930 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (${A}_{1g}$) and 1210, 650, 400, and 270 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (${E}_{g}$), and show no significant shift over the temperature range studied. Observed intensity variations with temperature of three lines in InB${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ relative to the ${A}_{1g}$ symmetric mode are consistent with changes in phonon population with temperature. Large variations in intensity of lines relative to the ${A}_{1g}$ modes were observed in the region of ${T}_{c}$ which were qualitatively similar in all three magnetic materials. At high temperatures ($Tg6{T}_{c}$) in VB${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ the intensity changes with temperature were consistent with phonon population changes. The intensity changes in the magnetic crystals are attributed to a phonon-magnon interaction arising from an exchange coupling which depends on ion position. No scattering from magnons was observed in the borates, but the temperature dependence of a line in the spectrum of the structurally related (point group ${D}_{3d}$) transparent antiferromagnet Fe${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ was characteristic of magnon scattering.
The industrial ecology of lead and electric vehicles

The lead battery has the potential to become one of the first examples of a hazardous product managed in an environmentally acceptable fashion. The tools of industrial ecology are helpful in identifying the key criteria that an ideal lead-battery recycling system must meet to achieve “clean recycling”: maximal recovery of batteries after use, minimal export of used batteries to countries where environmental controls are weak, minimal impact on the health of communities near lead-processing facilities, and maximal worker protection from lead exposure in these facilities. The likelihood that the lead battery will provide peaking power for several kinds of hybrid vehicles, a role only recently identified, increases the importance of understanding the levels of performance achieved and achievable in battery recycling. A management system closely approaching clean recycling should be achievable.
Substance concepts and personal identity

According to one argument for Animalism about personal identity, animal, but not person, is a Wigginsian substance concept—a concept that tells us what we are essentially. Person supposedly fails to be a substance concept because it is a functional concept that answers the question “what do we do?” without telling us what we are. Since person is not a substance concept, it cannot provide the criteria for our coming into or going out of existence; animal, on the other hand, can provide such criteria. This argument has been defended by Eric Olson, among others. I argue that this line of reasoning fails to show Animalism to be superior to the Psychological Approach, for the following two reasons: (1) human animal, animal, and organism are all functional concepts, and (2) the distinction between what something is and what it does is illegitimate on the reading that the argument needs.
Investigating regional lithic procurement using multi‐spectral imagery and geophysical exploration

The primary goal of this research was to develop an innovative survey method that could be applied to the prediction, confirmation, and understanding of archaeological sites utilizing aerial and ground-based remote sensing methods in a combined fashion. By drawing on the resources of the University of Colorado Department of Anthropology, the Center for the Study of Earth from Space (CSES), and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), this combined remote sensing method has been used successfully in locating and evaluating ancient chert quarries in the Horse Prairie region of southwestern Montana. The quarries in this region have served as a source of quality raw material for over 10,000 years, and are found along veins of hydrothermal alteration and in deposits of till. By combining ground-truth data based on electromagnetic induction surveying and conventional aerial photography and principal components image analysis of Landsat imagery, various spectral class signatures were created and then reapplied to the raw spectral data in a supervised maximum-likelihood multispectral classification. Subsequent field checking and spectroscopy data illustrate that this classification successfully predicted the location of previously undocumented quarry areas and also suggests that the quarries are highly restricted geographically within the region. The data obtained from this research will also contribute understanding to such problems as the nature of lithic resource procurement and associated economic relationships between the Great Plains and Great Basin areas of the western USA. In addition, this research method will be applicable to a variety of alpine, Arctic, and semi-arid regions where ground surfaces are exposed and spectral signatures can be established. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of the electric field-induced birefringence of vesicles

Electric birefringence of unilamellar lipid vesicles, elongated in the direction of the applied field E, is modeled for a low degree of deformation to a prolate ellipsoid of the original spherical shells. The existing theory for water-in-oil microemulsion is adapted, and the intrinsic birefringence of the lipid membrane and the form birefringence of the aqueous inner compartment of the vesicle are taken into account. Deformation under both constant surface area and constant volume conditions are considered, but thinning of the bilayer at the polar caps and rotational/orientational effects are neglected. For illustration of the utility of the theoretical results, the extent of elongation of large unilamellar vesicles (LUV), prepared from the zwitterionic DOPC (dioleoylphosphatidylcholine), is calculated based on available experimentally measured induced birefringence data. With the use of reasonable values for the refractive indexes of the membrane, the axial ratio P of the deformed vesicle is found to be ...
Victory and Beyond: A Historical Comparative Analysis of the Outcomes of the Abortion Movements in Sweden and the United States

What decides the paths of social policy and movement activity after movements “succeed”? This study compares the policy trajectories in Sweden and the United States after the decriminalization victories regarding abortion in the 1970s, considering unintended and unwanted outcomes as well as movement goals. Divergent institutional, cultural, and political environments, predating the rise of abortion movements in the 1960s, steered future developments, including the organization of abortion services, public understandings, and sociopolitical conflict, in different directions. By linking insights from social movement and social policy approaches, we better understand how environmental opportunities and constraints shape such trajectories.
Simulation of dynamical properties of normal and superfluid helium.

The formation of a superfluid when 4He is cooled below the characteristic lambda transition temperature is accompanied by intricate quantum mechanical phenomena, including the emergence of a Bose condensate. A combination of path integral and semiclassical techniques is used to calculate the single-particle velocity autocorrelation function across the normal-to-superfluid transition. We find that the inclusion of particle exchange alters qualitatively the shape of the correlation function below the characteristic transition temperature but has no noticeable effect on the dynamics in the normal phase. The incoherent structure factor extracted from the velocity autocorrelation function is in very good agreement with neutron scattering data, reproducing the width, height, frequency shift, and asymmetry of the curves, as well as the observed increase in peak height characteristic of the superfluid phase. Our simulation demonstrates that the peak enhancement observed in the neutron scattering experiments below the transition temperature arises exclusively from particle exchange, illuminating the role of Bose-statistical effects on the dynamics of the quantum liquid.
Tetrazane: Hartree-Fock, Gaussian-2 and -3, and Complete Basis Set Predictions of Some Thermochemical Properties of N4H6

Optimized geometries, vibrational frequencies, conformation energies, heats of formation, and proton affinities for tetrazane, H2N−NH−NH−NH2, are determined using various-level ab initio methods. Consequences for tetrazane's role as a high-energy material are discussed.
The effects of time and practice upon culture assimilator training

Abstract The culture assimilator is a technique for training persons from one culture to better understand the behavior of persons from another culture. A laboratory test, using 35 white female college students, of an assimilator for teaching Whites about black culture revealed significant improvements in trained subjects' knowledge of black culture and in their enjoyment of an interpersonal interaction with black confederates. Support was found for the hypothesis that assimilator training heightens subjects' anxiety with regard to interpersonal encounters with members of the target culture, but that the anxiety decreases over time. Results suggest a small positive effect of a supportive practice interaction with a target culture member prior to the behavioral measures. Some of the attitude measures were significant in the hypothesized direction, but others were significant in the opposite direction. Possible causes and implications of these results are discussed.
Studies on the Effects of Histaminergic Agents on Seizure Susceptibility in Mice

The influence of pharmacological modifications of the functional activity of the central histaminergic system was studied on the susceptibility of mice to pentylenetetrazolinduced minimal (clonic) and maximal (tonic) seizures. Enhancement in the functional activity of the system by central administration of histamine or 4-methylhistamine or peripheral l-histidine loading failed to modify the risk of seizures. By contrast, reduction in histaminergic function was found to alter seizure susceptibility. Brocresine, an inhibitor of histamine synthesis, decreased and increased the risk of pentylenetetrazol-induced minimal and maximal seizures, respectively. Many, but not all, classical antihistamines (H1 antagonists) and metiamide (H2 antagonist) increased minimal seizure susceptibility after peripheral and intraventricular administration, respectively.
Comparisons of thick-target bremsstrahlung calculations by EGS4/PRESTA and ITS version 2.1

Abstract Two Monte Carlo codes, EGS4/PRESTA and ITS version 2.1, have been used to calculate spectral distributions of bremsstrahlung and annihilation quanta in 10–30 MV beams from thick targets of Be, Al, and Pb. Spectra are absolute (photons per incident electron) and calculated in 44 annular regions of 1° widths, covering all angles. It was found necessary to do ITS calculations using shortened sub-step sizes for electrons near the target surface to remove a 30–40% error in the angular distribution of bremsstrahlung at small angles that occurs when using default sub-step sizes. The EGS calculations were done using the enhancement which randomly samples the bremsstrahlung angle from an appropriate distribution and giving due consideration to K-shell X-rays. A survey is done of the remaining discrepencies in the spectral distributions of fluence, the total fluence and the mean energies of each spectrum. In general, EGS and ITS agree to ±20% for fluence and ±5% for mean energy. Results are compared to a set of high-precision measurements of absolute thick-target bremsstrahlung spectra used previously to show that EGS is reliable to ±10% for fluence and ±2% for mean energy. The measurements did not clearly identify a strong preferance towards either EGS or ITS.
Is the clinically positive axilla in breast cancer really a contraindication to sentinel lymph node biopsy

Background Clinically positive axillary nodes are widely considered a contraindication to sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer, yet no data support this mandate. In fact, data from the era of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) suggest that clinical examination of the axilla is falsely positive in as many as 30% of cases. Here we report the results of SLN biopsy in a selected group of breast cancer patients with palpable axillary nodes classified as either moderately or highly suspicious for metastasis. Study design Among 2,027 consecutive SLN biopsy procedures performed by two experienced surgeons, clinically suspicious axillary nodes were identified in 106, and categorized as group 1 (asymmetric enlargement of the ipsilateral axillary nodes moderately suspicious for metastasis, n=62) and group 2 (clinically positive axillary nodes highly suspicious for metastasis, n=44). Results Clinical examination of the axilla was inaccurate in 41% of patients (43 of 106) overall, and was falsely positive in 53% of patients (33 of 62) with moderately suspicious nodes and 23% of patients (10 of 44) with highly suspicious nodes. False-positive results were less frequent with larger tumor size (p = 0.002) and higher histologic grade (p = 0.002), but were not associated with age, body mass index, or a previous surgical biopsy. Conclusions Clinical axillary examination in breast cancer is subject to false-positive results, and is by itself insufficient justification for axillary lymph node dissection. If other means of preoperative assessment such as palpation- or image-guided fine needle aspiration are negative or indeterminate, then SLN biopsy deserves wider consideration as an alternative to routine axillary lymph node dissection in the clinically node-positive setting.
Application of material balance concept in waste minimization assessment of a metal finishing process

Microscale application of the material balance concept on a chrome-bearing metal finishing rinse tank was demonstrated to be a useful tool for evaluating waste minimisation alternatives for plating rinses. Although more focused, the approach is easy to implement and once calibrated, the material balance model can predict process sensitivity for variables that are relevant to achieving waste minimisation goals. In this case, substantial savings can be achieved in water usage and sludge generation by reducing flow-through rinse rates and installing mist spray rinses above concentrated finishing tanks.
Minor fiber industries

In which Spanish moss, Palmetto palm, Spartina grass and Teasel bur each plays its role by contributing to the manufacture of particular commodities.
Persistent photoconductivity in overdoped high-T c thin films

Overdoped ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{6+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ exhibits persistent photoconductivity at low temperatures. This effect has been observed before only in underdoped $R{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ $(R$=rare earth or yttrium). Contrary to $R{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$, ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{6+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ shows either a persistent increase or decrease of the carrier density with illumination, depending on doping and wavelength of the incident light. Thus it is possible to increase or decrease the superconducting transition temperature in ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{6+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ reversibly. These photoinduced changes can be explained by the existence of localized states in the charge reservoir layer.
Glutathione levels in olfactory and non-olfactory neural structures of rats.

Abstract Olfactory receptor neurons are a CNS entry point for a wide variety of airborne substances. Therefore, it is probable that detoxification mechanisms are present in these neurons to neutralize such agents. Glutathione (GSH) is an essential component of several detoxification schemes, and this study we examined the distribution and levels of GSH in the olfactory epithelium, olfactory bulb, cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in neonatal, weanling, adult and aged rats. We report that GSH is primarily localized to the olfactory receptor neurons and their axons within the olfactory epithelium. It is also localized within the glomerular neuropil and granule cells of the olfactory bulb. Levels of GSH in the olfactory epithelium and hippocampus do not change as a function of age, although GSH levels decrease in several brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, cerebellum and cortex.
Quantification of bull sperm characteristics measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and the relationship to fertility

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate semen quality of bulls housed under controlled conditions at a large AI facility and relate results to fertility. In Experiment 1 semen was collected from six 6-yr-old bulls twice daily at 3- to 4-d intervals for 3 d. In Experiment 2 eleven 6- to 11-yr-old bulls were used. Extensive breeding information was available and semen was collected as in Experiment 1 but replicated 4 times. Standard semen analysis and computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) with the Hamilton Thorne IVOS, model 10 unit, were performed on 36 first and second ejaculates in Experiment 1 and on 44 first ejaculates in Experiment 2. Sixteen fields (2 chambers with 8 fields per chamber) were examined per sample. In Experiment 1 the correlation between estimated sperm concentration by spectrophotometry and CASA was 0.91 (P < 0.01). Among bulls the range in the percentage of motile spermatozoa was 52 to 82 for CASA versus 62 to 69 for subjective measurements made by highly experienced technicians. Thus, CASA, with high repeatability, provided a more discriminating estimate of the percentage of motile sperm cells than did the subjective procedure. Bull effect was much greater than any other variable in the experiments. Chamber differences were small and so the results for the 2 chambers with 8 fields each were combined. One to five CASA values were correlated with bull fertility, defined as 59-day nonreturn rates corrected for cow and herd effects. The percentage of motile spermatozoa accounted for a small fraction of the total variation in fertility (r2 = 0.34). However higher r2 values (0.68 to 0.98) were obtained for 2 to 5 variables used in the multiple regression equations. The results are promising, and further testing will determine more precisely which of these CASA variables are most useful in estimating bull fertility potential.
Crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) induced by carbon dioxide sorption at elevated pressures

Abstract Experimental results are reported for the crystallization and sorption kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the presence of CO2 at 35 °C and pressures of 40, 50, and 60 atm. The results show that the time scale for crystallization is significantly greater than the time scale for CO2 sorption at these conditions. Crystallization occurs uniformly throughout the polymer film in this kinetic regime, and the sorption isotherm is characterized by a maximum in CO2 solubility as a function of time. The effect of increasing CO2 pressure over the pressure range studied is to enhance both the sorption and crystallization kinetics, although larger rate enhancements are obtained for crystallization. These results suggest that crystallization may occur on a time scale less than that for sorption at even higher CO2 pressures. Crystallization would not occur uniformly throughout the polymer in this kinetic regime, but would move as a front through the polymer film. The morphology of thin polymer films which undergo crystallization at higher pressure may therefore be substantially different from the morphology obtained by crystallization at the CO2 pressures studied here. This work has general significance for dense gas or supercritical fluid extractions of low molecular weight components from polymeric materials. Our results show that the effect of pressure on the extraction can involve more than the solvent properties of the dense gas or supercritical fluid; the effect of pressure on the relative rates of crystallization and sorption, and on polymer morphology must also be considered. The results of this study also suggest that CO2 pressure may be used to control the kinetics of crystallization and sorption in thin films of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and thereby provides the means to manipulate the morphology of this semi-crystalline polymer.
Recent developments in amorphous silicon photovoltaic research and manufacturing at chronar corporation

Abstract Research on improvement of the efficiency and stability of glass-based amorphous silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic submodules is described. Materials aspects of this work include (1) the formation of graded-index, antireflecting glass surfaces, (2) the deposition of high-quality, 5 Ω/□ polycrystalline films of zinc oxide, (3) the use of carbon-graded a-Si 1− x C x :H p-layers in devices, and (4) the use of TiO x layers between the stacks of tandem devices to increase their fill factor. A 9.3% efficient a-Si/a-Si tandem cell is reported. Stability tests indicate that a 10% advantage in power output accrues to tandem cells relative to single-junction cells. Submodule results include a laser-scribed 1 ft sq (900 cm 2 ) tandem junction panel with an active area efficiency of 7.7%. The elimination of localized defects proved crucial to this achievement. Two new low-loss module designs are described; analysis of a type involving dot contacts indicates that the area plus I 2 R losses of conventional modules can be reduced by a factor of 2–3. Finally, a brief description is given of a 10 MWp yr −1 a-Si:H processing line now undergoing trials.
Activation of RNase L by 2′,5′-Oligoadenylates: BIOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION

Ribonuclease L (RNase L) is an endoribonuclease that is activated upon binding of adenosine oligomers linked 2' to 5' to cleave viral and cellular RNAs. We recently proposed a model for activation in which activator A binds to monomer, E, to form EA, which subsequently dimerizes to the active form, E2A2 (Cole, J. L., Carroll, S. S., and Kuo, L. C. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 3978-3981). Here, we have employed this model to define the equilibrium constants for activator binding (Ka) and dimerization of EA to E2A2 (Kd) by equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation and fluorescence measurements. Multi-wavelength sedimentation data were globally fit to the model above, yielding values of Ka = 1.69 microM and Kd = 17. 8 nM for 2',5'-linked adenosine trimer. Fluorescent conjugates of 2',5'-linked adenosine trimer with 7-hydroxycoumarin have been prepared. The coumarin emission anisotropy shows a large increases upon binding to RNase L. Analysis of anisotropy titrations yields values of Ka and Kd close to those obtained by sedimentation. The sedimentation parameters for unmodified 2',5'-linked adenosine trimer also agree with those obtained by enzyme kinetic methods (Carroll, S. S., Cole, J. L., Viscount, T., Geib, J., Gehman, J., and Kuo, L. C. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 19193-19198). Thus, the data presented here clearly define the energetics of RNase L activation and support the minimal activation model.
Effects of laser coherence on coupling efficiency for the double phase-conjugate mirror.

We present the results of an experimental study of the effects of laser coherence on the operation of the double phase-conjugate mirror using barium titanate as the nonlinear medium. In our experiment the two input beams that drive the interaction originate from a single helium–neon laser, and the degree of coherence between the input beams at the crystal is varied through the use of a time-dependent phase delay in one of the beam paths. As the two input beams make the transition from being mutually incoherent to mutually coherent, the phase-conjugate reflectivity decreases dramatically and becomes unstable. These results are significant to laser phase-locking applications where changes in the coupling intensity can affect the quality of phase locking.
A brief cognitive-behavioral intervention for patients with noncardiac chest pain

This study assessed whether the addition of a brief (60-minute) CBT intervention delivered in an emergency department improved outcomes for patients seeking services there for noncardiac chest pain. Patients (N = 59) were recruited after their medical evaluation and randomized to CBT intervention (involving psychoeducation, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and cognitive restructuring about physical symptoms) or treatment-as-usual control. The principal hypothesis that the CBT group would show greater improvement relative to controls was partially supported. The CBT group demonstrated a greater decrease in frequency of chest pain episodes, anxiety sensitivity, and fear of cardiac symptoms at 1- and 3-month follow-up assessments, although there were no differences on chest pain severity, cardiac-related avoidance or attention, quality of life, or general psychological distress.
Double-grating transversely excited atmosphere CO 2 laser as a narrow-band pumping source for far-infrared lasers

The practical application of the narrow-band transversely excited atmosphere CO2 laser, which uses a double-grating cavity, is demonstrated by pumping spectrally pure far-infrared lines in a CH3OH laser.
Population aging in developing countries

Issues related to population aging--Social Security and pension reform, health care financing and provision, and long-term care--have long been the subject of public debate in the industrialized countries of Europe and North America. Economically less developed regions have been slower to adopt aging as a major public policy concern, despite the fact that older populations in many developing countries are growing more rapidly than are those of industrialized nations. Awareness of issues concerning older populations remains low in many nations, even as the absolute numbers of elderly persons double and even triple. This DataWatch considers trends in the basic demography of aging and mortality/health considerations for developing countries.
Double-stranded ribonucleic acid in ‘Barsoy’ barley

Abstract A large double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) resistant to digestion by three restriction endonucleases, by deoxyribonuclease I and by ribonuclease A at a salt concentration of 0.3 M but not at 0.03 M, was isolated by CF11 cellulose chromatography and agarose electrophoresis from Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Barsoy. The molecule was detected in Barsoy from six seed sources but not in nine other barley cultivars. Subsequent analysis identified a similar dsRNA in the parental lines of Barsoy and in a cultivar derived from Barsoy Results of nuclease S1 and electron microscopy studies suggest that the dsRNA is fully base paired. Transmission of the dsRNA to progeny occurred via pollen and egg. It was not transmitted by several species of aphids and was not mechanically transmissible. No obvious symptoms were observed associated with the dsRNA in plants and no ultrastructural cytophatology was observed in leaf cells from dsRNA containing plants. No virus-like particles have been observed in tissues fixed for electron microscopy. A range of virus purification protocols failed to isolate virus-like particles from Barsoy tissue when analyzed by electron microscopy and density gradient centrifugation. The size of the dsRNA was estimated to be 8.7 × 10 6 M r (13.2 kb pairs) by electron microscopy.
Bistability and the Phase Transition in 1,3,2-Dithiazolo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-yl

The molecular radical 1,3,2-dithiazolo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-yl (PDTA) exhibits magnetic bistability just above room temperature, undergoing a well-defined hysteretic phase change with TC↓ = 297(1) K and TC↑ = 343(1) K. The crystal structures of the two phases of PDTA have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 323(2) K. LT-PDTA consists of diamagnetic (S = 0) nearly superimposed π-dimer stacks, while that of HT-PDTA comprises slipped stacks of π-radicals (S = 1/2). The structural interconversion is suggested to proceed via the cooperative breaking and making of intermolecular S- - -N interactions and an inversion symmetry-preserving “domino cascade” of the π-stacked rings.
Rationale and design of the STAR randomized controlled trial to accelerate adoption of childhood obesity comparative effectiveness research.

Abstract Background Comparative effectiveness research (CER) evidence on childhood obesity provides the basis for effective screening and management strategies in pediatric primary care. The uses of health information technology including decision support tools in the electronic health records (EHRs), as well as remote and mobile support to families, offer the potential to accelerate the adoption of childhood obesity CER evidence. Methods/design The Study of Technology to Accelerate Research (STAR) is a three-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial being conducted in 14 pediatric offices in Massachusetts designed to enroll 800, 6 to 12 year old children with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile seen in primary care at those practices. We will examine the extent to which computerized decision support tools in the EHR delivered to primary care providers at the point of care, with or without direct-to-parent support and coaching, will increase adoption of CER evidence for management of obese children. Direct-to-parent intervention components include telephone coaching and twice-weekly text messages. Point-of-care outcomes include obesity diagnosis, nutrition and physical activity counseling, and referral to weight management. One-year child-level outcomes include changes in BMI and improvements in diet, physical activity, screen time, and sleep behaviors, as well as cost and cost-effectiveness. Conclusions STAR will determine the extent to which decision support tools in EHRs with or without direct-to-parent support will increase adoption of evidence-based obesity management strategies in pediatric practice and improve childhood obesity-related outcomes.
Effect of Bioirrigation on Sediment−Water Exchange of Methylmercury in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts

Coastal marine sediments are important sites of methylmercury (MMHg) production, and dissolved efflux provides an important source of MMHg to near-shore, and possibly off-shore, water columns and food webs. We measured the flux of MMHg across the sediment−water interface at four stations in Boston Harbor that span a range of infaunal population densities and bioirrigation intensities. At each station we carried out total MMHg flux measurements using core incubations and collected near-surface pore waters to establish MMHg gradients for diffusive flux calculations. The flux cores were also imaged by CT scanning to determine the distribution of infaunal burrows, and pore−water sulfide and 222Rn profiles were measured. Total MMHg fluxes, measured using core incubations, ranged from −4 to 191 pmol m−2 d−1, and total MMHg fluxes were strongly correlated with burrow densities at the stations. Estimated diffusive fluxes, calculated based on MMHg concentration gradients below the sediment−water interface, were mu...
Thermophoresis of a Radiating Aerosol in Laminar Boundary-Layer Flow

The interaction between radiation and thermophoresis in forced convection laminar boundary-layer flow over an impermeable flat plate is investigated. The fluid is a radiatively nonparticipating constant-property gas containing emitting, absorbing, and isotropically scattering gray aerosol particles. The radiative properties of the gas-aerosol mixture are considered to be proportional to the local concentration of the particles in the mixture. The surface of the plate, maintained isothermal at a temperature lower than the freestream temperature, is assumed to be opaque, gray, and diffusely emitting and diffusely reflecting. Formal relations developed to the radiation part of the problem based on the Galerkin method are used together with the discretized forms of the energy and particle conservation equations to solve the problem numerically through an iterative scheme. The results show that radiation increases both the temperature gradients in the vicinity of the surface and the total heat flux to the surface, but decreases both the concentration of particles at the surface and the particle flux to the surface. It is also shown that with strong radiation the thermal boundary-layer thickness can increase up to one order of magnitude larger than the velocity boundary-layer thickness with an insignificant increase in the concentration boundary-layer thickness. 23more » refs.« less
Higher order occasion setting

Higher order occasion setting with serially presented stimuli was investigated in an appetitively motivated, discrete-trial operant study with rats. Reinforcement of barpressing during an occasion-setting light (a discriminative stimulus) was contingent on immediately preceding second-order occasion setters (i.e., a click train or a buzzer served as a conditional discriminative stimulus). Moreover, the meanings of the clicks and buzzer were themselves indicated by a third-order occasion setter that preceded them (i.e., a white noise acted as a second-order conditional discriminative stimulus). Subjects responded more frequently and had shorter latencies to the first response in the presence of the light on trials during which barpressing was reinforced than on trials during which barpressing was not reinforced. The likelihood that the subjects solved the problem by responding to unique compound stimuli was minimized by the insertion of a 5-sec gap between the different controlling stimuli presented on each trial. Thus, these subjects appear to have mastered a second-order conditional discrimination, which is equivalent to third-order occasion setting if the discriminative stimulus (light) is viewed as a first-order occasion setter. Although the subjects learned to respond appropriately to each of the compound stimuli, differences in responding to specific stimuli were consistent with a higher order feature-positive effect. Some implications of higher order occasion setting are discussed, including the issue of independence between the different levels of occasion setting signaled by a single stimulus.
A Thermal Reynolds Equation and Its Application in the Analysis of Plasto-Hydrodynamic Inlet Zones

An equation which is equivalent to the steady, one-dimensional incompressible Reynolds equation but which takes account of viscosity variations across the lubricant film thickness due to energy dissipation within the film is developed. It indicates that the pressure gradients developed in a lubricated contact are reduced by the influence of energy dissipation. The use of the equation is illustrated by applying it in the analysis of the inlet zones of continuous deformation processes such as strip rolling and strip and wire drawing. The analysis indicates that thermal effects play an important role in deciding the lubricant film thickness in such contacts.
Aging bone and cartilage: cross-cutting issues

Aging is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Yet, these are not necessary outcomes of aging, and the relationship between age-related changes in bone and cartilage and development of disease is not clear. There are some well-described cellular changes associated with aging in multiple tissues that appear to be fundamental to the decline in function of cartilage and bone. A better understanding of age-related changes in cells and tissues is necessary to mitigate or, hopefully, avoid loss of bone and cartilage with aging. In addition, a better understanding of the dynamics of tissue maintenance in vivo is critical to developing tissue replacement and repair therapies. The role of stem cells in this process, and why tissues are not well maintained with advancing age, are frontiers for future aging research.