cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strictly Nonblocking 8x8 Integrated Acoustooptic Space-Division Switch Array on LiNbO3

A number of architectures for integrated optic (IO) space-division switching,1 using guided-wave electro-optic (EO) switches2 have been implemented in recent years. Unlike the guided-wave EO devices, guided-wave acoustooptic (AO) devices3 can facilitate a multiplicity of AO Bragg diffractions in the same interaction region of a planar waveguide by controlling the directivity of multiple input light beams, and the directivity and the carrier frequency of the surface acoustic waves (SAWs). Under such circumstances, proper design enables AO Bragg diffraction to take place between a designated pair of a light beam and a SAW without causing significant crosstalk to other similarly interacting pairs. In consummating the above idea, asymmetric4 and symmetric5 4×4 nonblocking guided-wave AO space switches have been constructed recently. As shown in Fig. 1, the 8×8 AO space switch array to be reported here has been fabricated on a Y-cut LiNbO3 substrate, 1.0×10.0×37.0mm3 in size, and consists of a titanium indiffused channel-planar-channel composite waveguide, a pair of titanium-indiffused proton- exchanged (TIPE)6 planar waveguide lenses, and a pair of four-element tilted SAW interdigital transducers (IDTs).7 Potentially, as the size of the switch array increases, these AO switch arrays incur considerably smaller increments in waveguide substrate size and number of on-chip switching elements as well as lower performance degradations such as differential crosstalk and differential insertion loss1 than in the EO switch arrays.
Termination of leech swimming activity by a previously identified swim trigger neuron.

Cell Tr2 is a neuron in the subesophageal ganglion of the leech that can trigger swim episodes. In this report, we describe the ability of Tr2 to terminate ongoing swim episodes as well as to trigger swimming. Stimulation of Tr2 terminated ongoing swim episodes in nearly every preparation tested, while Tr2 stimulation triggered swim episodes in only a minority of the preparations. We suggest that the primary role of Tr2 is in the termination rather than the initiation of swimming activity.
Building a scalable and accurate copy detection mechanism

Often, publishers are reluctant to offer valuable digital documents on the Internet for fear that they will be re-transmitted or copied widely. A Copy Detection Mechanism can help identify such copying. For example, publishers may register their documents with a copy detection server, and the server can then automatically check public sources such as UseNet articles and Web sites for potential illegal copies. The server can search for exact copies, and also for cases where significant portions of documents have been copied. In this paper we study, for the first time, the performance of various copy detection mechanisms, including the disk storage requirements, main memory requirements, response times for registration, and response time for querying. We also contrast performance to the accuracy of the mechanisms (how well they detect partial copies). The results are obtained using SCAM, an experimental server we have implemented, and a collection of 50,000 netnews articles.
Stability of a distributed algorithm for solving linear algebraic equations

In [1], given a matrix A and a vector b, a distributed algorithm was proposed for solving linear algebraic equations of the form Ax = b when there is at least one solution. The equation is simultaneously solved by a group of autonomous agents whose neighbor relations are characterized by a time-dependent directed graph. The main contribution of this paper is to provide necessary and sufficient conditions for exponential convergence of the algorithm under the most general assumption. These conditions utilize a new notion of graph connectivity which is less restrictive than strong connectivity.
MR imaging of neuroblastic masses.

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common non–central nervous system solid tumors in children. Imaging plays a role in the evaluation of the primary tumor and regional and distant disease. This article reviews the biologic, clinical, and MR imaging features of this tumor.
Physiological responses and advertising effects: Is the cup half full or half empty?

A debate has arisen in this journal regarding the utility of psychophysiological measures in general; and of electroencephalographic measures in particular, for evaluating the specific effects of advertising executions. We briefly summarize the positions and replies that have been set forth. Although each is found to have something to contribute, it is also clear that additional basic research using complex persuasion materials in consumer settings is necessary before specific cognitive, emotional, and behavioral advertising effects can be inferred from psychophysiological data. This raises general questions regarding the goal and value of the psychophysiological enterprise. It is suggested that a psychophysiological approach is potentially informative, especially when studying theoretical issues regarding processes underlying social behavior. Research on yet another physiological response system, electrbmyographic activity recorded over the muscles of facial expression, is discussed for purposes of illustration. It is concluded that research has not and is not likely to demonstrate invariant psycho-physiological links nor has it revealed so little about social processes and behavior that physiological responses and systems can be disregarded. An alternative conception of the psychophysiological enterprise is outlined.
Stochastic partial differential equations: analysis and computations

As the name suggests, Stochastic Partial Differential Equations is an interdisciplinary area at the crossroads of stochastic processes and partial differential equations (SPDEs). The beginnings of SPDEs as a new discipline can be traced to the late sixties and early seventies of the previous century. It is safe to say that in the last four decades SPDEs have been one of the most dynamic areas of probability theory and stochastic processes. Generally speaking, any partial differential equation is an SPDE if its coefficients, forcing terms, initial and boundary conditions, or some of the above are random/uncertain. Needles to say, this constitutes an extremely diverse area. The accelerating progress in research on stochastic partial differential equations has stimulated involvement of many experts from other fields in the research on stochastic PDEs. As of now, the subject of SPDEs with its numerous important applications is an exciting mosaic of interconnected topics revolving around stochastics and partial differential equations. Interacting particle systems, fluid dynamics, statistical physics, financial modeling, nonlinear filtering, super-processes, continuum physics and, recently, uncertainty quantification are important contributors to and heavy users of the theory and practice of SPDEs. In the last two decades numerical methods and large scale computations have become a very important and popular part of SPDEs. In fact, this development has made the applied side of SPDEs truly relevant to a wide range of high-tech areas, e.g. computer-based prediction and design, risk assessment and decision making in financial markets, energy, environment etc.
Mercury Monitor for Ambient Air

An isotope-shift, Zeeman-effect atomic absorption spectrometer has been demonstrated to have sufficient sensitivity to continuously monitor the total mercury content of ambient air. At present, the minimum total mercury concentration detectable with this device is 0.2 microgram per cubic meter of air-one fifth of the proposed federal guideline. This is the first technique which responds to both mercury vapor and mercury in particulates available for continuous monitoring at this concentration.
An Internet Framework for Pervasive Sensor Computing

The rapid increase of sensor networks has brought a revolution in pervasive computing. However, data from these fragmented and heterogeneous sensor networks are easily shared. Existing sensor computing environments are based on the traditional database approach, in which sensors are tightly coupled with specific applications. Such static configurations are effective only in situations where all the participating sources are precisely known to the application developers, and users are aware of the applications. A pervasive computing environment raises more challenges, due to ad hoc user requests and the vast number of available sources, making static integration less effective. This paper presents an Internet framework called iSEE (Internet Sensor Exploration Environment) which provides a more complete environment for pervasive sensor computing. iSEE enables advertising and sharing of sensors and applications on the Internet with unsolicited users much like how Web pages are publicly shared today.
Towards common sense planning

Classical planners are deficient in dealing with incomplete knowledge, resulting in incorrect interpretation of situations. This paper introduces a new planner ACP that tackles the problem by combining an action model based on Brown's quantified modal logic Z and a bi-directional reasoning scheme. The commonsense reasoning is handled by doing case analysis on default formulas that characterize each action's logical meaning. ACP suggests a simple and efficient approach for maintaining and updating consistent beliefs at major action steps. The frame problem and the qualification problem are dealt by introducing appropriate default rules and consistency criterion to the action model. Incremental constraints are used to ensure that the next state will be consistent with achieving the goals. The whole planning process can be modified when an unexpected action outcome occurs. The research also shows that if a plan is logically possible, ACP will find it. Therefore, ACP is complete.
Long Tongues and Loose Niches: Evolution of Euglossine Bees and Their Nectar Flowers1

I examined relationships between tongue length of orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini) and nectar spur length of their flowers in the genera Calathea, Costus, and Dimerocostus using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Long-tubed flowers have specialized on one or several species of long-tongued euglossine bees, but long-tongued bees have not specialized on long-tubed flowers. Whereas long tongues may have evolved to provide access to a wider variety of nectar resources, long nectar spurs may be a mechanism for flowers to conserve nectar resources while remaining attractive to traplining bee visitors. RESUMEN Examine la relacion entre la longitud de las lenguas de las abejas de orchideas (Apidae: Euglossini) y la profundidad de las flores en los generos Calathea, Costus, y Dimerocostus usando un analisis filogenetico de contrastes independientes. Las flores de tubos largos se han especializado en una o mas especies de abejas Euglossinis con lenguas largas, pero las abejas de lengua larga no se han especializado en flores de tubos largos. Lenguas largas en las abejas probablemente han sido seleccionado para facilitar el acceso a diversas fuentes de nectar, mientras que en las flores, tubos largos podrian ser un mecanismo para conservar nectar, y a la vez, manteniendose attractivas a las abejas de forajeo “traplining.”
Polydomain model predictions of liquid crystalline polymer orientation in mixed shear/extensional channel flows

The Larson-Doi (LD) polydomain model is used to simulate orientation development along the centerline of slit-expansion and slit-contraction flows of liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs). Orientation is computed using the LD structural evolution equations, subject to an imposed velocity field that accounts for the spatial variation of both shear and extension rates characteristic of this class of flows. Computed axial distributions of orientation averaged through the sample thickness are qualitatively similar to birefringence and X-ray scattering measurements of molecular orientation in similar flows of lyotropic and thermotropic LCPs. In slit-expansion flows, the simulations predict a 90∘ flip in orientation direction near the midplane due to transverse stretching in the expansion region. Far away from the midplane where shear gradients dominate, orientation remains primarily along the flow direction. Within the LD model, tumbling and flow aligning materials respond in a qualitatively similar manner to mixed shear and extension, although tumbling materials are systematically more susceptible to the effects of extension.
Hydroformylation of formaldehyde

Abstract The reaction between hydridotetracarbonylcobalt and monomeric formaldehyde at 0°C in the presence of 1 atm of carbon monoxide leads to stoichiometric hydroformylation with the formation of glycolaldehyde in high yield.
Influence of composition on the photoconductive and photorefractive properties of PVK composites

We present a theoretical and experimental study of both photoconductivity and photorefraction (PR) in several PVK- based photorefractive composites. We used the modified Schildkraut and Buettner's model of space-charge formation in photorefractive polymers that includes both deep and shallow traps. The dynamic equations have been solved semi- empirically using independent measurements of photoconductive properties to predict photorefractive dynamics. Dependence of the dynamics on charge generation, mobility, trap density, acceptor density, ionized acceptor density, as well as their associated rates is examined. The magnitude of the fast time constant of photorefractive development is successfully predicted. The model has also been found to qualitatively predict the reduction in speed due to deep trap filling and ionized acceptor growth. By choosing chromophores with different ionization potentials and by varying the chromophore concentrations, we study the influence of the chromophore ionization potential on the photoelectric and PR properties and reveal the nature of deep traps in the composites and their contribution to both photoconductivity and PR dynamics. Effects of plasticizer components were also investigated.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Melatonin reduces gamma radiation-induced primary DNA damage in human blood lymphocytes

Abstract Peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers 5–10 min before, and at 1 and 2 h after a single oral dose of 300 mg of melatonin. At each time point: (1) the concentration of melatonin in the serum and in the leukocytes was determined; and (2) the whole blood was exposed in vitro to 100 cGy of gamma radiation. Immediately after exposure to the radiation, the lymphocytes were examined to determine the extent of primary DNA damage, viz., single strand breaks and alkali labile lesions (determined from the length of DNA migration and fluorescence intensity of migrated DNA in the comet tail), using the alkaline comet assay. For each volunteer, the results showed a significant increase in the concentration of melatonin in the serum and in the leukocytes at 1 h after the oral dose of melatonin, as compared to the sample collected at 0 hour. The lymphocytes in the blood samples collected at 1 and 2 h after melatonin ingestion and exposed in vitro to 100 cGy gamma radiation exhibited a significant decrease in the extent of primary DNA damage, as compared with similarly irradiated lymphocytes from the blood sample collected before melatonin ingestion. The extent of the melatonin-associated decrease in primary DNA damage did not correspond with the decrease reported earlier in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei; the latter assays required an additional postirradiation incubation of the cells at 37±1°C for 48 and 72 h, respectively.
Microresolution particle image velocimetry

Particle image velocimetry (PIV), a technique commonly used at the macroscopic level to measure velocity vectors of particle-seeded flows, is adapted to measure both instantaneous and ensemble-averaged flow fields in microfluidic MEMS devices, where micro-scale spatial resolution is critical. Adapting PIV to the microscopic level presents a number of challenges, including: (1) visualizing tracer particles that are smaller than the wavelength of light, (2) minimizing errors due to the Brownian motion of the tracer particles, and (3) recording particle images with short exposure times, so that their motion does not cause particle streaking in the image field. The PIV technique is used to measure a low Reynolds number Hele-Shaw flow around a roughly 30 micrometers elliptical obstruction and a low Reynolds number flow through a 20 X 200 micrometers capillary tube. Velocity vector fields are presented with a spatial resolution of 6.9 X 6.9 X 1.5 micrometers . In principle, super-resolution particle tracking velocimetry can be used to extend the spatial resolution of the velocity measurements down to approximately 1.5 X 1.5 X 1.5 micrometers .
Developmental and injury-induced expression of α1β1 and α6β1 integrins in the rat spinal cord

Loss and damage to blood vessels are thought to contribute to secondary tissue loss after spinal cord injury. Integrins might be therapeutic targets to protect the vasculature and/or promote angiogenesis, as their activation can promote tubule formation and survival of endothelial cells in vitro. Here, we show that immunostaining with an antibody against the α1β1 integrin heterodimer is present only in blood vessels from postnatal day 1 (P1) through adulthood in Sprague-Dawley rats. After a spinal cord contusion at T9 in adults, the area of α1β1 integrin positive blood vessels increases within 11 mm from the injury site at 3 days post-injury and remains prominent within the injured core only at 7 days. Staining for the α6β1 integrin heterodimer increases in blood vessels between P10 and adulthood and is present in preganglionic neurons of the intermediolateral cell column (IML) at all ages. The α6β1 integrin is also expressed by motor neurons postnatally, and oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs), as previously reported. After the contusion, the area of α6β1-stained blood vessels is increased at 3 days and most prominently, 1 mm from the injury site, followed by a significant reduction at 7 days, when α6β1 integrin staining is most prominent around the injured core. Staining is also present in a subset of microglia and/or macrophages. These results raise the possibility that α1β1 and α6β1 integrins in blood vessels might be targeted to reduce blood vessel loss and promote angiogenesis, which may promote tissue sparing after spinal cord injury.
Managing Biomedical Image Metadata for Search and Retrieval of Similar Images

Radiology images are generally disconnected from the metadata describing their contents, such as imaging observations (“semantic” metadata), which are usually described in text reports that are not directly linked to the images. We developed a system, the Biomedical Image Metadata Manager (BIMM) to (1) address the problem of managing biomedical image metadata and (2) facilitate the retrieval of similar images using semantic feature metadata. Our approach allows radiologists, researchers, and students to take advantage of the vast and growing repositories of medical image data by explicitly linking images to their associated metadata in a relational database that is globally accessible through a Web application. BIMM receives input in the form of standard-based metadata files using Web service and parses and stores the metadata in a relational database allowing efficient data query and maintenance capabilities. Upon querying BIMM for images, 2D regions of interest (ROIs) stored as metadata are automatically rendered onto preview images included in search results. The system’s “match observations” function retrieves images with similar ROIs based on specific semantic features describing imaging observation characteristics (IOCs). We demonstrate that the system, using IOCs alone, can accurately retrieve images with diagnoses matching the query images, and we evaluate its performance on a set of annotated liver lesion images. BIMM has several potential applications, e.g., computer-aided detection and diagnosis, content-based image retrieval, automating medical analysis protocols, and gathering population statistics like disease prevalences. The system provides a framework for decision support systems, potentially improving their diagnostic accuracy and selection of appropriate therapies.
Palytoxin-induced single-channel currents from the sodium pump synthesized by in vitro expression.

Abstract Palytoxin, the most potent animal toxin, is proposed to convert Na + K + -ATPase into a cation-selective ion channel. Because of the ubiquity of pumps and channels in the living tissues used to study its mechanism of action, it is difficult to rule out that another site may be involved. In order to show that palytoxin selectively acts on Na + K + -ATPase, two entirely in vitro methods were employed: (1) a cell-free expression system to synthesize the rat α3 and β1 subunit proteins, and (2) single-channel recording of the synthetic Na + K + -ATPase reconstituted in a planar lipid bilayer. Upon addition of palytoxin, single-channel currents were induced which had a conductance of 10 pS, in agreement with previous studies. In control experiments, when the cDNAs for Na + K + -ATPase subunits were omitted, no single-channel currents were induced with palytoxin. Thus, the results show unambiguously that the Na + K + -ATPase is the site of action for palytoxin. Because palytoxin turns the Na + K + -ATPase into a channel which can be detected by the exquisitely sensitive single-channel recording technique, the present results are the first to demonstrate the activity of in vitro synthesized Na + K + -ATPase.
Stress induced eating

The relationship of oral behaviors to stress has long been recognized both in humans and in wild animals. In the last decade numerous advances have been made in our understanding of stress-induced feeding predominately because of the development of the simple tail-pinch model of stress induced feeding in rats. Present evidence strongly implicates monoamines and the endogenous opioid peptides as well as other neuropeptides as playing a role in the central regulation of stress-induced eating.
Characteristics of voltage sensitive calcium channels in dendrites of cultured rat cerebellar neurons

We examined the effects of various pharmacological agents on the Ca2+ channels existing in the dendrites of cultured rat cerebellar neurons. The cultures consisted of Purkinje cells and non-Purkinje cells (deep cerebellar nuclear neurons and other non-granule neurons). Changes in intracellular free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, were monitored by digital imaging microfluorimetry using fura-2 as the indicator dye. In the Purkinje cell population increases in dendritic [Ca2+]i evoked by brief pulses of high K+ were very effectively blocked by (> 80%) by omega-Aga-IVA at low concentrations. Nimodipine and omega-conotoxins GVIA and MVIIC only blocked small components of the [Ca2+]i rise. In the non-Purkinje cells, omega-Aga-IVA was much less effective. omega-Conotoxin-GVIA blocked somewhat more and nimodipine blocked a similar percentage of the [Ca2+]i rise. omega-Conotoxin-MVIIC was quite ineffective in these cells. The results are discussed in terms of the types of voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels existing in the dendrites of these cells.
Activation analyses for the different options considered in the US ITER blanket trade-off study

Abstract Detailed activation analyses were performed for the different blanket design options considered in the ITER blanket option trade-off study. The options considered included a self-cooled Li/V option, a helium-cooled Li/V option and a water-cooled 316 SS non-breeding shield option. A vacuum vessel made of double-wall Inconel 625 and water-cooled 316 SS balls was used with all options. The He-cooled blanket activity is higher than that of the self-cooled blanket due to the larger structure content. Meanwhile, the vacuum vessel activity is lower for the He-cooled blanket option due to the larger neutron attenuation in the blanket. The shield activity and decay heat of the 316 SS/H2O option are higher than those of the Li/V blankets due to the large amount (80%) of 316 SS used. In both Li/V options the blanket qualifies as class C low-level waste. On the other hand, the 316 SS/H20 shield does not qualify for disposal as low- level waste. The 316 SS/H2O option produces the highest off-site doses in the case of accidental release of 100% of its radioactive inventory. Only remote maintenance would be allowed for all options.
Asymptotic Finite Elements Introducing the Method of Integral Multiple Scales

The method of integral multiple scales (MIMS) is introduced and applied to linear and nonlinear beam models. Based on the method of multiple scales, MIMS is applied to the system Lagrangian and directly results in a system solution. An analytical solution approach is applied to a linear beam-string model to produce a system of linear differential equations that can be solved to produce an asymptotic solution. The true power of MIMS is then demonstrated through a finite element approach by using a set of parametric shape functions based on beam strings. Where the analytic methodology is limited to continuous systems, the finite element approach is easily applied to discontinuous systems providing an analysis method useful with distributed piezoelectric laminates. Both static and dynamic results are discussed. The use of the asymptotic shape functions in the MIMS asymptotic finite element method results in extremely high precision and provides a methodology that could provide a more efficient analytical tool for the development of highly compliant discontinuous systems.
Introduction to behavioural family therapy for families with young children

This paper presents some suggestions for the implementation of Behavioural Family Therapy for families with young children. It attempts to bridge the gap between clinical research and practice by emphasizing the process of therapy delivery rather than the specific content of the behavioural approach. Suggestions for teaching behaviour management skills, contracting and the effective use of rewards and punishments are given. The common mistakes made by those working with Behavioural Family Therapy are addressed, and suggestions for working with single-parent families are given.
Dynamics and control of the Czochralski process IV. Control structure design for interface shape control and performance evaluation

Abstract Analysis of a low order model of the Czochralski process reveals the performance limitations in controlling both the crystal diameter and interface shape for both feedforward and feedback structures. A new control structure is proposed that maintains crystal diameter, interface shape, and thermal gradients throughout the batch growth cycle. Performance of alternative control structures are evaluated.
Conceptual citation frequency — Quantum mechanics and elementary particle physics

Analyse comparee des citations en mecanique quantique et en physique des particules au moyen de 7 sondages repartis sur une periode de 35 ans. Une difference apparait pour les annees 5 et 10 tandis qu'il n'apparait pas de differences pour les autres annees
Comparative aspects of lipogenesis in mammalian tissues

Abstract Human adipose tissue, unlike that of the rat, has a poor capacity to synthesize fatty acids de novo. The citrate cleavage enzyme is essentially absent from human adipose tissue, and other related lipogenic enzymatic activities are considerably lower and less adaptive than in rat epididymal fat. Studies carried out with monkey liver indicate, indirectly at least, a closer relationship of primate and rat liver. Comparison of lipogenesis in a number of animals indicates that the rat may be a poor experimental model to study the carbon pathway and regulation of lipogenesis.
Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Studies of B12 Coenzymes: The Identification of a Metastable Cob(III)alamin Photoproduct in the Photolysis of Methylcobalamin

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy has been used to investigate the primary photochemistry of methylcobalamin. Approximately 27% of the initially excited methylcobalamin undergoes a bond h...
Roles of Salt and Conformation in the Biological and Physicochemical Behavior of Protegrin-1 and Designed Analogues: Correlation of Antimicrobial, Hemolytic, and Lipid Bilayer-Perturbing Activities†

Protegrins are short (16−18 residues) cationic peptides from porcine leukocytes that display potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Protegrin-1 (PG-1), one of five natural homologues, adopts a rigid β-hairpin structure that is stabilized by two disulfide bonds. We have previously employed the principles of β-hairpin design to develop PG-1 variants that lack disulfide bonds but nevertheless display potent antimicrobial activity [Lai, J. R., Huck, B. R., Weisblum, B., and Gellman, S. H. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 12835−12842.]. The activity of these disulfide-free variants, however, is attenuated in the presence of salt, and the activity of PG-1 itself is not. Salt-induced inactivation of host-defense peptides, such as human defensins, is thought to be important in some pathological situations (e.g., cystic fibrosis), and the variation in salt-sensitivity among our PG-1 analogues offers a model system with which to explore the origins of these salt effects. We find that the variations in antimicrobial ...
Mycofumigation by the Volatile Organic Compound-Producing Fungus Muscodor albus Induces Bacterial Cell Death through DNA Damage

Muscodor albus belongs to a genus of endophytic fungi that inhibit and kill other fungi, bacteria, and insects through production of a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This process of mycofumigation has found commercial application for control of human and plant pathogens, but the mechanism of the VOC toxicity is unknown. Here, the mode of action of these volatiles was investigated through a series of genetic screens and biochemical assays. A single-gene knockout screen revealed high sensitivity for Escherichia coli lacking enzymes in the pathways of DNA repair, DNA metabolic process, and response to stress when exposed to the VOCs of M. albus. Furthermore, the sensitivity of knockouts involved in the repair of specific DNA alkyl adducts suggests that the VOCs may induce alkylation. Evidence of DNA damage suggests that these adducts lead to breaks during DNA replication or transcription if not properly repaired. Additional cytotoxicity profiling indicated that during VOC exposure, E. coli became filamentous and demonstrated an increase in cellular membrane fluidity. The volatile nature of the toxic compounds produced by M. albus and their broad range of inhibition make this fungus an attractive biological agent. Understanding the antimicrobial effects and the VOC mode of action will inform the utility and safety of potential mycofumigation applications for M. albus.
The spontaneous firing patterns of forebrain neurons. V. Time course of changes in caudate unit activity following dopamine-depleting lesions

The effects of unilateral medial forebrain bundle ("MFB") lesions on the spontaneous firing patterns of caudate neurons on both sides of the brain in cats were studied 3 days, 7 days and more than 2 weeks postlesion. Our results indicate that: (1) the spontaneous firing of neurons in the caudate nucleus ipsilateral to the lesion slows significantly by 3 days postlesion and returns to control values by 7 days postlesion, (2) the spontaneous activity of contralateral caudate neurons slows progressively with postlesion time and (3) these changes in neural activity are not correlated with changes in dopamine concentrations in the caudate nucleus.
Evaluating Light Rain Drop Size Estimates from Multiwavelength Micropulse Lidar Network Profiling

AbstractThis paper investigates multiwavelength retrievals of median equivolumetric drop diameter D0 suitable for drizzle and light rain, through collocated 355-/527-nm Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) observations collected during precipitation occurring 9 May 2012 at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) project site. By applying a previously developed retrieval technique for infrared bands, the method exploits the differential backscatter by liquid water at 355 and 527 nm for water drops larger than ≈50 μm. In the absence of molecular and aerosol scattering and neglecting any transmission losses, the ratio of the backscattering profiles at the two wavelengths (355 and 527 nm), measured from light rain below the cloud melting layer, can be described as a color ratio, which is directly related to D0. The uncertainty associated with this method is related to the unknown shape of the drop size spectrum and to the measurement error. Molecular and aerosol scattering contributions and relative transmission ...
Potential Redistribution of Household Wealth by Inflation

ABSTRACT An analysis of the composition of household assets In Australia, in 1966-67, comparing variable price assets with net worth, has confirmed that potential exposure to inflation differs when households are classified by net worth and by age of household head. This constitutes evidence for the frequently encountered assertion that the incidence of wealth redistribution varies between households. The potential for wealth redistribution is most marked amongst older households and those with greater net worth. A comparison of these Australian results was made with the United States, it was found that a greater percentage of households are potentially exposed to Inflation in Australia.
Anisotropy and Spiral Organizing Centers in Patterned Excitable Media

Chemical wave behavior in a patterned Belousov-Zhabotinsky system prepared by printing the catalyst of the reaction on membranes with an ink jet printer is described. Cellular inhomogeneities give rise to global anisotropy in wave propagation, with specific local patterns resulting in hexagonal, diamond, and pentagonal geometries. Spiral wave sources appear spontaneously and serve as organizing centers of the surrounding wave activity. The experimental methodology offers flexibility for studies of excitable media with made-to-order spatial inhomogeneities.
Direct measurement of the internal viscosity of sickle erythrocytes as a function of cell density

Abstract The rotational dynamics of TEMPAMINE can be used to study directly the intracellular environment. The extracellular signal from TEMPAMINE is broadened away by the use of potassium ferricyanide which does not enter the cell. The EPR signal which results when 1 mM TEMPAMINE, 120 mM ferricyanide, and erythrocytes are mixed together arises from TEMPAMINE only in the intracellular aqueous space. The relative viscosity measured by the motion of TEMPAMINE in various control environments is: water at 37°C = 1; human plasma at 37°C = 1.1; internal aqueous environment of washed erythrocytes or whole blood at 37°C = 4.92 ± 0.32. Erythrocytes can be fractionated by density. In sickle-cell anemia (SS), the percentage of cells we find with density > 1.128 g/ml is 15–40%, in normals (AA) and sickle trait (AS) 1%. By direct spin-label measurements with TEMPAMINE we show, for the first time, that the relative internal viscosity ( η μ ) of these dense erythrocytes is markedly elevated and density-dependent. Our results show that (1) η μ increases with increasing cell density; (2) η μ obtained from sickle cells is higher than η μ obtained from normal cells at a given density, and this effect is greater at 37°C than at 20°C; (3) η μ is proportional to MCHC, but η μ in erythrocytes is higher than η μ obtained from in vitro preparations of hemoglobin S at equivalent concentrations. We conclude that the relative internal viscosity of erythrocytes is affected by three factors: the state of cell hydration, the amount of hemoglobin polymer present, and the potential interactions of the cell membrane with intracellular hemoglobin.
Sellars vs. the Given

John McDowell, Richard Rorty, and Robert Brandom invoke Sellars's arguments against the Myth of the Given as having shown that the Given is nothing more than a myth. But most of Sellars's arguments attack logical atomism, not the framework of givenness as such. Moreover, they do not succeed. At crucial points the arguments confuse the perspectives of a knower and those attributing knowledge to a knower. Only one argument—the “inconsistent triad” argument—addresses the Myth of the Given as such, and there are several ways of escaping its conclusion. Invocations of Sellars's refutation of the Myth of the Given are empty.
HIV-associated lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia: Radiologic manifestations and pathologic correlation

The authors reviewed chest radiographs of 16 patients with biopsy-proved lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) who also had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC). Radiographs revealed fine reticular or reticulonodular infiltrates in the pulmonary interstitium in five patients, coarse reticulonodular infiltrates in two, and reticular or reticulonodular opacities with superimposed patchy alveolar infiltrates in nine. Pathologic examination of biopsy specimens revealed lymphocytes, plasma cells, and reticulum cells aggregated about the small arteries and compressing the distal airways. Throughout the course of AIDS or ARC, the radiographic findings of LIP remained stable in 12 of 16 patients. AIDS/ARC-related LIP appears to be a benign reaction of bronchial-associated lymphatic tissue to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, this indolent process cannot be correctly diagnosed based on radiographic findings alone; the use of lung biopsy is required to differentiate LIP from other infections. The authors suggest that patients with these radiographic findings, HIV seropositivity, but no other signs of opportunistic infection or neoplasia should be classified as having AIDS.
Mechanical behavior of alumina-silicon carbide «Nanocomposites»

The fracture behavior of Al2O3 containing 5 vol% 0.15μm SiC particles was investigated using indentation techniques. A significant increase in strength was achieved by the addition of SiC particles to the base Al2O3. Specifically, the strength increased from 560 MPa for Al2O3 to 760 MPa for the composite samples (average values for unindented hotpressed bars tested in four-point bending). After annealing for 2 h at 1300°C, the average strength of the composite samples increased to about 1000 MPa. Toughness was estimated using indentation-strength data. While there was a slight increase in toughness, the increase was not sufficient to account for the increase in the unindented strength on SiC particle addition. It is suggested that the observed strengthening and apparent toughening were due to a machining-induced compressive surface stress.
Inverter-based second-order sigma-delta modulator for smart sensors

Presented is a fully-differential inverter-based switched-capacitor second-order sigma-delta modulator for smart sensor applications. To reduce the supply voltage, the power consumption and the chip area, a simple inverter is used to replace the operational transconductance amplifier in the traditional integrator. The supply voltage can be lower than the summation of the absolute threshold voltages of the PMOS and NMOS transistors in the inverter. The described modulator has been designed and fabricated in AMI 0.5 µm CMOS process. Measurement shows that it can work under 1.5 V supply voltage and provide 55.39 dB signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR). Simulation also shows that the modulator can work under 0.7 V supply voltage and provide 59.38 dB SNDR in IBM 180 nm CMOS process.
ON THE ORIGIN OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE O+CH2O REACTION

Abstract The reaction of oxygen atoms with formaldehyde was studied. Oxygen atoms were produced by UV-laser photolysis of NO 2 , and CO 2 reaction products were detected by time-resolved infrared diode laser absorption. Analysis of the data combined with numerical kinetics modeling indicate that CO 2 is formed primarily or exclusively by a secondary reaction of oxygen atoms with HCO radicals. An upper limit of 0.05 is determined for the CO 2 branching channel in the title reaction.
VALUE-ADDED PROCESSING OF PEANUT MEAL: ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONAL AND NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF WATER SOLUBLE EXTRACTS

Value-added applications are needed for peanut meal, which is the high-protein by-product of commercial peanut oil production. Peanut meal dispersions were hydrolyzed with alcalase, flavourzyme and pepsin in an effort to improve functional and nutritional properties of the resulting water soluble extracts. Degree of hydrolysis (DH) ranged from 20 to 60% for alcalase, 10 to 20% for pepsin and 10 to 70% for flavourzyme from 3 to 240 min. Low molecular weight peptides (<14 kDa) and unique banding patterns reflected the different proteolytic activities of each enzyme as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Total soluble solids and soluble nitrogen increased a minimum of 30 and 110%, respectively, for all hydrolysates after 4-h hydrolysis. Differences in air/water adsorption responses of hydrolysates were a function of protease specificity. Antioxidant capacities of all hydrolysates were greater than unhydrolyzed controls and correlated linearly (R2 = 0.87) with DH, whereas antioxidant capacities of hydrolysates were minimally dependent on bicinchoninic acid protein solubility or relative amino acid distribution. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Peanut meal is the high-protein by-product of commercial peanut oil production. While an excellent source of protein, aflatoxin contamination currently limits applications of peanut meal to feed markets. Recently described efforts to sequester aflatoxin from peanut meal during processing have proven successful, potentially allowing for processing of this material into value-added components including aflatoxin-free protein/peptide concentrates. Accordingly, the current manuscript focuses on the potential for enzymatic hydrolysis (three different proteases are compared) to improve functional and nutritional properties of peanut meal during processing. Enzymatic hydrolysis substantially increases solubility and antioxidant capacities of peanut meal hydrolysates. A potential mechanism for increased antioxidant capacity with increasing hydrolysis is discussed. These and other chemical/functional data within the manuscript directly apply to strategies for value-added processing of peanut meal.
Robust Concurrent Online Testing of Network-on-Chip-Based SoCs

Lifetime concerns for complex systems-on-a-chip (SoC) designs due to decreasing levels in reliability motivate the development of solutions to ensure reliable operation. A precursor to any proposed recovery scheme would require the identification of failures in the system. Non-concurrent in-field testing is an impractical solution due to prohibitive costs in terms of test power and test time. This novel research proposes the use of concurrent online testing (COLT) to circumvent these issues. A test infrastructure-intellectual property (TI-IP) is deployed within network-on-chip (NoC)-based SoC designs to provide online test support while managing intrusion of test into executing applications within the system. This research describes the architecture and operation of a TI-IP capable of COLT. To address scalability of this solution, we show how these would operate when more than one is deployed in an SoC. In the absence of benchmarks for the analysis of COLT, two baseline and eight TI-IP configuration variations within SoC test configurations were developed using application and test benchmarks from the research domain. The power profiles from the NoCSim simulation environment are reported here demonstrating how different configurations of TI-IPs would operate. A robust TI-IP protocol is also specified and possible hazards and their mitigations are identified.
Ultrathin self‐assembled polymeric films on solid surfaces. I. Synthesis and characterization of acrylate copolymers containing alkyl disulfide side chains

Copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate with variable compositions were synthesized, fractionated, and characterized by 1H-NMR, IR, GPC, and viscometry. These copolymers were further modified via polymer analog esterification of copolymer hydroxy groups by a series of disulfide-containing carboxylic acids including lipoic acid and (n-pentyldithio) alkyl carboxylic acids (n-C5H11SS(CH2)mCOOH, m = 10, 15, 22) in the presence of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). Esterification reactions were quantitative for copolymers possessing hydroxy monomer contents ≤ 40% when excess acid and DCC were present for sufficiently long reaction times (2–4 days) at room temperature. Copolymer DSC analysis demonstrates a systematic variation of Tg with copolymer composition in good agreement with ideal mixing theory. These disulfide-bearing copolymers spontaneously yield two-dimensional ultrathin polymer films with side chain-dependent layer thicknesses of 20–45 A by solution adsorption onto freshly deposited gold surfaces. Such ultrathin polymer films are expected to have diverse applications as bound polymeric surface modification reagents. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Studies on Psychrophilic Bacteria. II. Psychrophilic Coliform Bacteria in Stored Commercial Dairy Products

Summary Coliform bacteria had previously been isolated as the dominant psychrophilic types from numerous samples of dairy products after storage at 4° C. for 1 wk. The 61 cultures were characterized according to their biochemical activities and, where possible, classified by species. As a group they showed tendencies toward more marked proteolytic activity and less gas production from lactose than would be expected of coliforms. The majority comprised a homogeneous subgroup which resembled Aerobacter cloacae most closely, but did not correspond in detail to any published description. They were distinguishable chiefly by a slight, delayed, and anaerogenous fermentation of lactose, an alkaline proteolytic reaction in litmus milk, a rapid hydrolysis of gelatin, inability to utilize D-tartrate, and the lack of arginine decarboxylase.
Theoretical Modeling of Chemical Vapor Deposition of Silicon Carbide in a Hot Wall Reactor

A theoretical model, which describes the coupled hydrodynamics, mass transport and chemical reaction, has been developed to simulate chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of silicon carbide (SiC) from gas mixture of methyltrichlorosilane (MTS), hydrogen and argon in a hot wall reactor. In the model analysis, the governing equations were developed in the cylindrical coordinate, and solved numerically by using a finite difference method. A kinetic rate expression of CVD-SiC deposition from the gas mixture was obtained from this study. The deposition rate has an Arrhenius-type dependence on the deposition temperature and is first order with respect to the MTS concentration. Estimated activation energy is 254 kJ/mol. Predicted deposition rate profiles by the model analysis incorporated with the obtained kinetic rate expression showed excellent agreement with experimental data over a variety of applied deposition conditions.