cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative study on microwave plasma-assisted combustion of premixed and nonpremixed methane-air flows

A novel microwave plasma-assisted combustion (PAC) system, which consists of a microwave plasma-assisted combustor, a gas flow control manifold, and a set of optical diagnostic system, was developed as a new test platform to study plasma enhancement of combustion. Employing this PAC system, a comparative study on microwave plasma-assisted combustion of premixed and nonpremixed methane-air flows was conducted. Experimental results showed that three different reaction zones (plasma zone, hybrid plasma-flame zone, and flame zone) exist regardless of the fuel injection pattern, namely premixed or nonpremixed. Both plasma zones were characterized with typical atmospheric microwave argon plasma emissions such as OH, NH, and atomic Ar and H lines. However, different optical emission spectra were observed in hybrid zone and flame zone. In hybrid zones, premixed PAC spectra featured with strong emissions from OH, NH, and relatively weak emissions from CN; while in nonpremixed PAC spectra, strong OH, NH, CN, and C 2 emissions were observed simultaneously. Within flame zones, only OH emission presented in premixed PAC, yet in nonpremixed PAC, C 2 emissions dominated over CN and OH emissions. In this work, ignitions at fuel (lean and rich) flammability limits at different plasma powers were also investigated, and results showed that ignition curve of plasma power versus φ FL revealed a U-shape in premixed PAC whereas a curve formed as an approximately linear increasing line reaching a plateau in nonpremixed PAC. In both premixed and nonpremixed PAC, fuel lean flammability limit (φ LFL ) were extended to φ = 0.2, as compare to φ = 0.6 at the same combustion parameters except with no plasma, showing clear evidences of plasma enhancement effects on ignition and flame stabilization. In addition to optical emission spectroscopy (OES) that was employed to characterize the excited state of species such as OH, NH, CN, CH, C 2 , etc., pulsed cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) was utilized to measure absolute number densities of ground state OH(X) radicals in flame zones of premixed and nonpremixed PACs. Results showed different number density profiles along the flame propagation direction between premixed PAC and nonpremixed PAC.
A brief survey of attempts to develop corrosion/erosion resistant materials for coal gasification

Abstract Many of today's advanced processes for coal gasification are viable with existing state-of-the-art materials concepts. The challenge to the materials community is to improve reliability. Corrosion and/or erosion under the coal gasification atmosphere are the major problems degrading the material reliability. This paper briefly surveys the recent attempts at developing corrosion/erosion resistant materials for coal gasification processes.
Uplink Resource Allocation in Cognitive Radio Networks with Imperfect Spectrum Sensing

This paper investigates the problem of uplink subcarrier and power allocation in a Cognitive Radio (CR) network that operates opportunistically within vacant licensed Primary Users (PUs)spectrum. The resource allocation algorithm aims to maximize the CR network throughput under PUs interference constraints. In this paper, CR interference introduced into PUs sub-bands is modeled as a composite of two parts; CR Out-of-Band (OOB) emissions and the interference arising as a result of imperfect spectrum sensing. The uplink subcarrier and power allocation is a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) problem, for which obtaining the optimal solution is known to be NP-Hard. In this paper, we propose a three steps heuristic solution to the uplink resource allocation problem. We show through simulation that the proposed algorithm exhibits near-optimal performance and comes with a significant reduction in computational complexity when compared to that of obtaining the optimal solution.
Children and television advertising: Some research and some perspectives

Abstract This paper's focus is on televised food advertisements and their effects on young children. Pertinent literature that demonstrates children's learning from television commercials is reviewed. A field study using a graphic portraying nutrition information, suitable for television use, is summarized. From information derived from this graphic, young children were able to evaluate the nutrition content of foods. The authors raise questions concerning directions for future research and action and a possible role psychologists and other health care personnel could play in this process.
Pargyline: a glucuronyl transferase inducer.

Nachweis, dass mehrtagige Behandlung von Ratten mit hohen Dosen Pargylin die Glucuronyltransferase-Aktivitat der Lebermikrosomen erhoht.
Using reconfiguration for efficient management of replicated data

Replicated data management protocols have been proposed that exploit a logically structured set of copies. These protocols have the advantage that they provide limited fault-tolerance at low communication cost. The proposed protocols can be viewed as analogues of the read-one write-all protocol in the context of logical structures. In this paper, we start by generalizing these protocols in two ways for logical structures. First, the quorum-based approach is applied to develop protocols that use structured read and write quorums, thus attaining a high degree of data availability for both read and write operations. Next, the reconfiguration or views approach is developed for these structures, resulting in protocols that attain high degrees of availability at significantly low communication cost for read operations. In this sense, the proposed protocols have the advantages of the read-one write-all protocol for low-cost read operations as well as the majority quorum protocol for high data availability. Finally, we generalize the reconfiguration approach to allow for the dynamic reconfiguration of the database system from one replica management protocol to another. This allows database systems to adapt to an evolving and dynamic application environment.
Gradient correction to photon emission rate at strong coupling

We compute the correction to the photon emission rate in the first order of shear components of fluid velocity gradients, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{ij}$, in near-equilibrium hydrodynamic plasma at the strong coupling regime, using the real-time Schwinger-Keldysh formalism in AdS/CFT correspondence. Our result is an integral of an analytic expression. We observe that the gradient correction to the photon emission rate at strong coupling is about 0.3--0.4 times the equilibrium rate in units of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{ij}/T$.
The treatment of enuresis by progressively earlier waking

Abstract A 13-yr-old girl with a 7-yr history of enuresis had obtained only limited success using a daytime instrumental conditioning program. A new program involving waking 2 hr after falling asleep, and then progressively earlier, resulted in elimination of the enuresis. An 8-month follow-up indicated that the recovery had been maintained.
Insights into the function of the zinc hydroxide-Thr199-Glu106 hydrogen bonding network in carbonic anhydrases.

The exact functional role of the zinc hydroxide (water)-Thr199-Glu106 hydrogen bond network in the carbonic anhydrases is unknown. However, from the results of molecular dynamics simulations (MD) we are able to better define its function. From computer graphics analysis and MD simulations on the zinc hydroxide form of human carbonic anhydrase II we find that this interaction forces the hydroxide hydrogen atom to be in a "down" position relative to the deep water-binding pocket. From previous work we have found that this pocket is a high-affinity binding site for CO2. We also note that during the timescale of our simulation (126 ps) the hydrogen bonds between the hydroxide hydrogen atom and Thr199 and the one between Thr199 and Glu106 are not fluxional. We propose that the role of the zinc hydroxide (water)-Thr199-Glu106 hydrogen bond network is to lock the hydrogen atom in the down position in order to expose the CO2 molecule bound in the deep water pocket to a lone pair of the hydroxide oxygen atom. This would allow for the rapid reaction of the CO2 molecule around the zinc ion. Furthermore, if the hydroxide hydrogen atom were not locked in the down position the binding of CO2 to the deep water pocket could be interfered with by the unrestrained hydroxide hydrogen atom (e.g. the N-Zn-O-H torsion could undergo rotational transitions that would partially block the deep water pocket). In summary, the roles we ascribe to this hydrogen bonding network are (1) to allow for facile access of CO2 to the deep water pocket and (2) to allow for maximal exposure of a hydroxide oxygen lone pair to the CO2 carbon atom.
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the rat kidney

This study utilized scanning and transmission electron microscopy of renal tissue to provide new information on the gross and microscopic structure of the kidney. The luminal surface of the proximal convoluted tubule was characterized not only by the border of microvilli, but also by crater-like depressions, and circumferential folds. In tissue processed for scanning electron microscopy the proximal tubular cells separated along their lateral surfaces clearly exposing the topography of the lateral cell projections of cytoplasm which have been generally unavailable for viewing because of their interdigitation with adjacent cells. The various segments of the nephron were identified on the basis of position in the kidney, general morphology, and the distribution and form of apical microvilli, cilia, or flaps. The external surface of the papillary tip had several parallel furrows into which the collecting ducts opened. Large plaquelike depressions lined the papillary surface. The opposed surface of the renal pelvis had small plaque-like depressions separated by narrow ridges. Transmission electron microscopy of plastic-embedded tissue specimens which had been previously dehydrated by the critical point drying method demonstrated that little damage occurred from this procedure.
Regional concentration and efficiency in Mexican manufacturing

Abstract This paper explores the link between industrial location, concentration, and economic efficiency in Mexican manufacturing. Using a linear programming approach, the authors calculate indices of overall, technical, allocative, and scale efficiency for Mexican manufacturing industries by state to test whether, in 1985, those regions with high levels of industrial concentration were suffering from the costs of congestion. The evidence suggests that, at least at the aggregate level, there continued to be a positive relationship between industry concentration and efficiency in production. There is also evidence that overall efficiency was related to scale efficiency, although highly industrialized regions on the production frontier often operated at inefficient scales. In particular, the most concentrated regions (the Federal District, the state of Mexico, Jalisco, and Nuevo Leon) consistently display decreasing returns to scale, indicating that the process of industrial concentration may be leading to diseconomies of scale. Finally, an econometric analysis suggests that scale, urbanization, and agglomeration economies are positively related to overall and technical efficiency at the regional level, while foreign ownership is negatively related. Agglomeration economies at the industry level were not significant. The paper also makes a methodological contribution. It is the first application of a distance-function production methodology to measuring regional efficiency in a developing country. It demonstrates how to conduct distance-function efficiency analysis using the newly developed GAMS mathematical programming environment. These tools should be of considerable interest to applied microeconomists.
A High-Resolution Air Pollution Model Suitable for Dispersion Studies in Complex Terrain

Abstract The development of an air pollution transport model that uses an expanding terrain-following coordinate with high resolution in analytic form near the surface and a high-order accurate transport algorithm is described. The model is designed to be internally consistent in the application of numerical methods, computationally efficient, and suitable for pollutant dispersion studies in complex terrain. The application of the time-splitting Warming–Kutler–Lomax advection scheme is examined in both rotational and deformational flows for its conservation and stability properties. It is found that the combination of this scheme with a short-wave filter makes the integration mass conserving and dispersion free. The model is applied to some hypothetical cases that represent the typical phenomena occurring over mountains. The model proves to be capable of simulating realistic planetary boundary layer structure and stability variation, hydrostatic mountain waves, thermally induced mountain–valley winds, and...
Long-term outcome with lenalidomide and dexamethasone therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

The combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Len-Dex) is a commonly used initial therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Although the initial response rates and toxicity are well known, long-term outcome is not well described. We studied 286 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed MM initially treated with Len-Dex. The median (range) age at diagnosis was 63 (28-92) years, 166 (58%) patients ≤ 65 years and 175 (61%) male. The median estimated duration on Len-Dex was 5.3 months with overall response (≥ partial response) of 72%, including 26% with very good partial response or better. The median overall survival (OS) from the diagnosis was not reached (NR) and the estimated 5-year survival was 71%. The median time to first disease progression, irrespective of transplant status, was 30.2 months. Overall, 143 (50%) patients underwent stem cell transplant. The median OS was NR for patients ≤ 70 years and 5.8 years for the older patients (P=0.01). The 5-year OS estimate for patients in International Staging System stage 1, 2 and 3 were 82, 65, and 44% respectively. There were 21 new second malignancies after MM diagnosis (6.6%). The median survival exceeding 7 years reflects the efficacy of novel agents. The risk of second malignancies doesn't appear to be excessive in this population.
Can a weight loss of one pound a week be achieved with a 3500-kcal deficit? Commentary on a commonly accepted rule

Despite theoretical evidence that the model commonly referred to as the 3500-kcal rule grossly overestimates actual weight loss, widespread application of the 3500-kcal formula continues to appear in textbooks, on respected government- and health-related websites, and scientific research publications. Here we demonstrate the risk of applying the 3500-kcal rule even as a convenient estimate by comparing predicted against actual weight loss in seven weight loss experiments conducted in confinement under total supervision or objectively measured energy intake. We offer three newly developed, downloadable applications housed in Microsoft Excel and Java, which simulates a rigorously validated, dynamic model of weight change. The first two tools available at http://www.pbrc.edu/sswcp, provide a convenient alternative method for providing patients with projected weight loss/gain estimates in response to changes in dietary intake. The second tool, which can be downloaded from the URL http://www.pbrc.edu/mswcp, projects estimated weight loss simultaneously for multiple subjects. This tool was developed to inform weight change experimental design and analysis. While complex dynamic models may not be directly tractable, the newly developed tools offer the opportunity to deliver dynamic model predictions as a convenient and significantly more accurate alternative to the 3500-kcal rule.
Thermodynamic-Analysis-Based Energy Consumption Minimization for Natural Gas Liquefaction

The natural gas liquefaction process is an important sector of the overall liquefied natural gas (LNG) value chain. In this article, a thermodynamic-analysis-based study of the minimization of the energy consumption of a typical natural gas liquefaction process is performed. First, a rigorous simulation of the natural gas liquefaction process is conducted. According to the simulation results, the operating states of the refrigerant and natural gas streams are revealed, along with the operating conditions of the entire liquefaction process. Then, the energy consumption roadmap is determined through in-depth thermodynamic analysis, where the opportunities for energy consumption minimization are identified. Based on the thermodynamic analysis, a rigorous optimization model is developed and solved for energy consumption reduction of the same natural gas liquefaction process. Finally, the optimization results are examined again through rigorous simulation to check the feasibility of the obtained optimal solution.
Reduced sensitivity to the effects of clonidine on ethanol-stimulated locomotor activity in adult mouse offspring prenatally exposed to ethanol

Prenatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH) alters developing catecholamine (CA) systems and acute sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant effects of EtOH. As an extension of previous work involving CA agents, this study addressed whether prenatal EtOH exposure influences central norepinephrine (NE) systems by examining the motoric effects of the direct alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine given alone and in combination with a low-dose stimulant challenge of EtOH. Standard lab chow or liquid diets containing either 25% EtOH-derived calories (EDC), or 0% EDC (pair-fed group) were given to pregnant C3H/He mice on gestation days 6-18. At 90 days of age, male offspring from each prenatal treatment group were monitored for 10 minutes in an open field following IP injections of clonidine (0, 0.0125, 0.025, or 0.05 mg/kg) and either EtOH (1.5 g/kg) or saline. In control offspring, clonidine suppressed locomotor activity and attenuated the stimulant response to EtOH in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, clonidine given alone did not suppress, but appeared to stimulate, activity in prenatal EtOH-exposed offspring. Furthermore, the ability of clonidine to attenuate the locomotor stimulant properties of EtOH was greatly reduced in prenatal EtOH-exposed animals. Taken together, these results indicate a shift to the right in the dose-response function for clonidine in prenatal EtOH-exposed offspring relative to control mice. Further, the results suggest that prenatal exposure to EtOH may result in long-lasting alterations in developing central NE systems, particularly presynaptic alpha 2 adrenoreceptor sensitivity.
High pulse energy ZnGeP2 singly resonant OPO

We report a high pulse energy singly resonant ZnGeP2 OPO, pumped by a Q-switched Ho:Tm:LuLiF4 2µm laser. It generates up to 17.3 mJ in the 4.3-10.1 µm ranges at conversion efficiency of 27.5%.
Adsorption of pepsin by aluminum hydroxide I: Adsorption mechanism

Abstract Adsorption of pepsin by gibbsite and boehmite, non-acid-reactive forms of aluminum hydroxide, was observed and related to the surface area of the adsorbent. Adsorption was pH dependent, with maximum adsorption occurring between pH 2.7–3.3 for gibbsite and pH 2.7–4.3 for boehmite. Electrostatic attraction was an important adsorption mechanism at the pH conditions encountered in the GI tract; the isoelectric point of pepsin was ~1, giving it a negative charge, and the point of zero charge for the adsorbents was >9, giving them a positive charge. However, the pH-adsorption profile can not be fully explained by electrostatic considerations. Desorption studies indicate the importance of specific adsorption because pepsin was not desorbed by washing with acidified water, but was partly desorbed by exchange with phosphate. The IR spectrum of adsorbed pepsin also suggested that specific adsorption of pepsin occurred through anionic ligand exchange involving carboxylate groups of pepsin and surface aluminum ions.
Novel Polycrystalline SiC Films Containing Nanoscale Through-Pores by Selective APCVD

A selective atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) process has been developed to deposit porous polycrystalline silicon carbide (poly-SiC) thin films containing a high density of through-pores measuring 50 to 70 nm in diameter. The selective deposition process involves the formation of poly-SiC films on patterned SiO2/polysilicon thin film multilayers using a carbonization-based 3C-SiC growth process. This technique capitalizes on significant differences in the nucleation of poly-SiC on SiO2 and polysilicon surfaces in order to form mechanically-durable, chemically-stable, and well anchored porous structures, thus offering a simple and potentially more versatile alternative to direct electrochemical etching.
Thermomagnetic properties of the mixed state

Abstract After a general introduction, measurements of the Ettingshausen and Peltier coefficients in two niobium and one vanadium specimen are discussed and compared with the revised theory of Maki for clean type-II superconductors. The ratio, l /ξ 0 , of electron mean free path to coherence length exceeds unity in the specimens. Additional data have been obtained on the normal-current contribution to the effects. In the purest specimen at 8.8 K, it is readily separated from the fluxoid component. We show the normal-current Peltier coefficient below H c2 is identical to that above, and that the entropy current density is parallel to the line velocity. Qualitatively, the transport coefficient, α s , near H c2 depends on mean free path as predicted. Quantitative agreement is poor; but it is not clear that the theory applies, and for very large values l /ξ 0 , accurate measurement may be impossible. The form of the temperature dependence of the coefficient L ( T ) is however in good agreement with the data. Data for the entropy transported by an isolated vortex are presented and discussed. Flux-flow resistance curves in the purest specimen have slopes near H c2 which depend qualitatively on temperature as predicted. The theory does not account for the field-independent Hall tangent which has been observed, whereas a recent calculation of Bardeen et al. of the structure of an isolated vortex does contain this possibility. The Hall effect in dirty specimens is briefly discussed.
Adolescent receptivity to tobacco marketing by racial/ethnic groups in California.

Background Previous research has examined tobacco marketing receptivity across racial/ethnic groups but none has done so across the various levels of the smoking uptake continuum. Identifying adolescent groups that may be more or less receptive to industry marketing, particularly across the levels of smoking uptake, provides important information that may be useful in focusing efforts to eliminate smoking disparities. Methods Data came from 5857 adolescents (66.6% response rate) from the 2002 California Tobacco Survey and were analyzed in 2006. An index measure of receptivity to tobacco marketing was based on advertisement recall and willingness to use/own a tobacco promotional item. Respondents were classified along a smoking uptake continuum as committed never smokers, susceptible never smokers, or any smoking. Logistic regression models controlling for possible confounding variables were fit to test for the association between receptivity and race/ethnicity across levels of smoking uptake. Results African Americans (odds ratio [OR]=0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.61–0.96) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (OR=0.80; 95% CI=0.66–0.97) were less likely than non-Hispanic white adolescents to be receptive to tobacco marketing after controlling for possible confounders. For susceptible never smokers, African Americans (OR =0.67; 95% CI=0.47–0.93) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (OR=0.72; 95% CI=0.54–0.95) were less likely than non-Hispanic white adolescents to be receptive. Conclusions There may be features of the African-American and Asian/Pacific Islander cultures that are protective against receptivity to tobacco marketing, even among those who are susceptible never smokers. Prevention strategies emphasizing such features for adolescents of other races/ethnicities may be beneficial in reducing smoking disparities.
Intestinal ischemia secondary to idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: a case report and review of the literature

Intestinal ischemia secondary to idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: a case report and review of the literature
The influences of evolutionary theory on Pareto's sociology

This paper argues that the influence of evolutionary theory on the sociology of Vilfredo Pareto has been generally misunderstood or overlooked, largely on account of Pareto's own contemptuous rejection of “finalist” Darwinian evolution. But the sources of Pareto's evolutionary ideas were French, not English. Neo-Lamarckian notions of inheritance and the related concept of degeneration helped support Pareto's explanation of social evolution, especially as it is developed in his early sociological works. Understanding these influences helps explain Pareto's peculiarly pessimistic account of the mechanism of social change in modern society.
What is Sidgwick’s Dualism of Practical Reason?

Sidgwick's ‘Dualism of Practical Reason’ has attracted the attention of many interpreters, and the Dualism itself seems to be an historically important version of the view, recently defended by Thomas Nagel, Susan Wolf, and others, that there exists a fundamental fragmentation of value – that the ‘cosmos of duty is reduced to chaos,’ in Sidgwick's words. In this paper, I consider and reject the leading interpretations of Sidgwick's Dualism, and propose an alternative reading. I conclude by offering what I hope is a plausible but Sidgwickian way out of the Dualism.
Circular dichroism of iron, copper, and zinc complexes of transferrin.

Abstract The absorption banda of copper-transferrin are optically active with well-defined positive dichroic bands in the visible range having ellipticities of [θ]620 = 3,620 deg cm2 dmole−1 and [θ]426 = 6,700 deg cm2 dmole−1 in terms of bound copper. In iron-transferrin there are also two bands; a negative ellipticity band with [θ]455 = −16,000 deg cm2 dmole−1 and a positive ellipticity band with [θ]360 = 6,000 deg cm2 dmole−1 in terms of bound iron. Additional copper binding to iron-transferrin produces an absorption band at 675 nm with an associated negative ellipticity band. Zinc binding to apotransferrin, 2 moles per mole, affects 1 mole of tyrosine per mole of Zn2+ bound, and the generated tyrosinate spectrum is optically active. There is optical activity in apotransferrin in the 280 nm region attributable to tryptophan, and optical activities in the 270 and 230 nm regions suggest possible disulfide contributions. Neither the tryptophan optical activity nor the optical activities in the region of 270 nm and 230 nm are affected by metal binding. Apotransferrin has an estimated α-helical content of 17–18%, and there is no observable change in this value when 2 moles of Cu2+ or Zn2+ are bound per mole of protein.
Homogeneous Hyperbolic Systems for Terahertz and Far-Infrared Frequencies

We demonstrate that homogeneous naturally-occurring materials can form hyperbolic media, and can be used for nonmagnetic negative refractive index systems. We present specific realizations of the proposed approach for the THz and far-IR frequencies. The proposed structures operate away from resonance, thereby promising the capacity for low-loss devices.
Computer comparison of n + --p--p + and p + --n--n + junction silicon diodes for IMPATT oscillators

A digital-computer program has been used to compare the performance of an n + --p--p + silicon avalanche diode with its more conventional p + --n--n + complementary junction in IMPATT-oscillator operation. The computer simulation of the former junction predicts a significant improvement of oscillator efficiency (20.1 against 13.9%).
Measuring the centroid gain of a Shack–Hartmann quad-cell wavefront sensor by using slope discrepancy

Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensors (SH WFS) are used by many adaptive optics (AO) systems to measure the wavefront. In this WFS, the centroid of the spots is proportional to the wavefront slope. If the detectors consist of 2×2 quad cells, as is the case in most astronomical AO systems, then the centroid measurement is proportional to the centroid gain. This quantity varies with the strength of the atmospheric turbulence and the angular extent of the beacon. The benefits of knowing the centroid gain and current techniques to measure it are discussed. A new method is presented, which takes advantage of the fact that, in a SH-WFS-based AO system, there are usually more measurements than actuators. Centroids in the null space of the wavefront reconstructor, called slope discrepancy measurements, contain information about the centroid gain. Tests using the W. M. Keck Observatory AO system demonstrate the accuracy of the algorithm.
Recent developments in appearance potential spectroscopy

Abstract Appearance potential spectroscopy measures the probability for the creation of a hole in an inner atomic shell as a function of electron bombardment energy. The spectrum of excitation thresholds provides a simple means of examining the elemental composition in the surface region of a solid. Near threshold the excitation transitions indirectly probe the unoccupied conduction band states. The localized core state, however, overlaps only part of the conduction band, and the line shapes are thus related to a very local density of states. The interpretation is complicated by broadening introduced by the finite lifetime of the core hole, variations in the magnitude of the atomic matrix elements which suppress some thresholds, and the screening response of the conduction electrons to the suddenly altered core potential. These problems are illustrated by spectra of Th, Nb, Re, SC 2 O 3 , Ni, and Si surfaces. Distinct spectral characteristics related to crystallographic orientation are reported for nickel single crystals.
A method for observing changes in radiative losses from an inductively coupled argon plasma

Abstract An experimental method is developed that permits the observation of changes in radiative losses from a low temperature inductively coupled atmospheric pressure argon plasma. It is then used to demonstrate that as a plasma deviates from excitational equilibrium, radiative losses from the near-infrared 4 s - p transition array increase. In particular, the 811.5 nm Ar I spectral line is shown to move from being trapped to being near-opticaily thin upon the introduction of an aerosol flow of argon through the center of the discharge.
Melphalan-mobilized blood stem cell components contain minimal clonotypic myeloma cell contamination.

Optimal methods of stem cell mobilization in multiple myeloma are undefined, and contaminating clonotypic cells could contribute to disease recurrence. A phase 2 trial of intravenous melphalan (60 mg/m2) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (10 μg/kg/d) for mobilization was performed. To enhance reliability, contamination was assessed with 2 sensitive methods, immunoglobulin light and heavy chain variable region patient-specific limiting-dilution polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We evaluated 29 stem cell components (SCCs) from 15 patients; for 9 SCCs, only V L PCR was used because of light chain disease or technical problems with V H primers. For 20 SCCs, V L and V H PCR results were highly correlated ( r 2 = 0.93, P < .01), with 35% (7 of 20) having identical estimates. V H PCR gave significantly higher estimates for 8—and V L PCR for 5—SCCs, supporting the utility of using 2 methods. Estimated clonotypic contamination per SCC was 0.0009% (range, 0%-0.1%) or 0.5 × 104 clonotypic cells per kilogram (range, 0-41.2 × 104/kg), and contamination correlated with CD34+ cells collected ( r 2 = 0.42, P < .01). Melphalan-mobilized SCCs contain minimal clonotypic contamination.
Cytomegalovirus reactivation following chemoradiation for invasive cervical carcinoma

► Cytomegalovirus is an uncommon infectious agent in gynecologic cancer patients. ► Viral causes should be considered in women on chemotherapy with persistent fever.
Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic determination of phytometallophores from Strategy II Fe-uptake species by 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate fluorescence

Abstract An HPLC method to quantitate phytometallophores (phytosiderophores) exuded from roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) growing in nutrient solution culture was developed. 9-Fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) derivatives of phytometallophores were separated on a C18 reverse-phase column using a sodium acetate (pH 7.2) and acetonitrile–methanol gradient over 20 min followed by fluorescence detection. Detection limits ranged from 15 to 370 pmol depending on the particular phytometallophore. The effectiveness of this method was demonstrated using the response of barley seedlings to Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient nutrient solution conditions. Phytometallophores collected in root washings of Fe-deficient barley seedlings increased with plant age while phytometallophore release from Fe-adequate roots was negligible.
Single-carrier block transmission with cyclic prefix over doubly selective channels

Single-carrier block transmission is an alternative scheme to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing for wireless communications when a low peak-to-average power ratio is needed for transmit power efficiency. In this paper, the receiver structure and performance are discussed for single-carrier block transmission with cyclic prefix. As the wireless transmission is over doubly selective channels, a basis expansion model is used to capture both time and frequency-selectivity of the channel. The receiver estimates the channel coefficients in the time domain and uses the channel estimates for equalization in the frequency domain. The channel estimation is assisted by time-domain pilot insertion. The structure of the frequency-domain channel matrix is exploited and a linear minimum mean-square error equalizer is used for equalization. When the basis expansion model is chosen such that it well matches the true channel, simulation results show good receiving performance of the proposed algorithm in a mobile broadband communication scenario.
Alkaline phosphatase in the healing burn wound of the rat

Abstract Alkaline phosphatase has been extracted from the granulation tissue of healing burn wound of the rat, in quantity sufficient to allow testing for its response to heat and urea inactivation, neuraminidase treatment, pH, and a variety of amino acids and other compounds known to affect its activity. It is sensitive to chemical inhibition in a manner similar to isoenzymes from bone or liver, but its sensitivity to heat and urea inactivation falls between those of bone and liver isoenzymes. The possibility that it is composed of a mixture of bone and liver-type isoenzymes cannot be ruled out by the means used in this study. Neuraminidase sensitivity indicates the presence of a terminal sialic acid residue on the polysaccharide portion of the enzyme. Optimum pH was determined to be 9.3 at the substrate concentration and in the buffer system employed. Levamisole was the most effective inhibitor tested. The inhibition by l -homoarginine was found to be pH dependent. The healing burn wound provides an excellent model for study of the nature and role of alkaline phosphatase in wound repair, due to the availability of relatively large amounts of enzyme.
Excitatory response of jaw elevators associated with sudden discomfort during chewing.

Summary Abnormalities associated with the chewing contraction of the masseteric and anterior temporal muscles were evaluated in patients who sensed pain in the area of the temporomandibular joint during mandibular movement. The patients were instructed in the use of an electronic switch to mark any event of discomfort/pain during natural chewing. Individual stimulus to response reaction-times were determined. The electromyographic pattern of the jaw elevators was quantified by root mean square (r.m.s.) peak voltage and contraction time. The statistical analysis of group data showed significantly prolonged contraction times and greater r.m.s. amplitudes for chewing cycles with, compared to cycles without, indication of pain. Also, individual data showed statistically significant differences between painful and non-painful cycles in some cases. It is concluded, that the conscious perception of nociception during the closing phase of chewing is associated with an excitatory response of jaw elevators.
A productive distance from the nation: Uday Shankar and the defining of Indian modern dance

Uday Shankar, a dancer who spent a great deal of his life outside India, improvised new forms of dance and music that he designated as representing Indian culture. Launching his career in Europe and the United States, Shankar adopted his ideas to the availability of local resources including musicians, instruments and set and lighting design. Shankar's innovations in set design, music, choreography and even film directing establish him as a modernist in the 1930s–1940s. Shankar's role in creating new forms of music, especially while he was abroad, led to a particular conflict in his relationship to previously defined categories of national identity. This conflict resulted from Shankar's attempt to define Indian culture in a manner that fell outside officially sanctioned terms of ‘Indian tradition’ and ‘Indian culture’ – as understood in India, as well as abroad.
Integrating globally distributed team projects into software engineering courses

This paper describes a research program on the introduction of globally distributed teams into undergraduate software engineering courses. A pilot study, now completed, involved students at a single institution using two different virtual environments while cooperatively developing requirements artifacts in 3-person virtual teams. We describe the results of this pilot study and the plans for its extension to a three-year multi-institution, multi-culture, and multi-language setting.
The structure of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage PBS 1

The structure of bacteriophage PBS 1 has been studied by electron microscopy using negative staining. Two unique structures were observed: several large helical tail fibers, and a number of “contraction fibers” seen only on contracted particles. The tail sheath was seen at several different stages of contraction. Approximate dimensions of the phage are given.
From Third to Surveilled Place: The Mobile in Irish Pubs

A home away from home, the pub is synonymous with good conversation. Yet, the art of conversation in pubs is changing with the ubiquity of mobile phones. We present a qualitative study spanning over three years describing experiences and rhetoric surrounding the relationship that mobiles have and should have with our conversation in the pub. We found that mobile phones are able to enhance conversation but can also cause a disruption to the informal and adhoc nature of pubs. The use of Facebook on mobile phones has also changed pubs from what Oldenburg terms a third space to a space that is potentially being surveilled. We suggest future designs should not necessarily discourage or encourage mobile use in pubs, but rather provoke us into reflecting on how intertwined modern conversation is with mobile technology in the context of the pub space.
Reductions in [3H]nicotinic acetylcholine binding in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease: an autoradiographic study.

In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), dysfunction in the basal forebrain cholinergic system is accompanied by a consistent loss of presynaptic cholinergic markers in cortex, but changes in cholinergic receptor binding sites are poorly understood. In the present study, we used receptor autoradiography to map the distribution of nicotinic (/sup 3/H)acetylcholine binding sites in cortices of individuals with AD and PD and matched control subjects. In both diseases, a profound loss of nicotinic receptors occurs in all cortical layers, particularly the deepest layers.
Electrostatic Accumulation and Release of DNA Using a Micromachined Lance

This paper investigates the accumulation and release of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) relative to a surface micromachined silicon lance. The lance is a critical element of nanoinjection, a proposed approach for injecting foreign DNA into living cells. The quantity of DNA accumulated on the nanoinjector lance and the speed at which it can be moved on and off the lance are essential to the proposed system's function. Prototype nanoinjector lances were fabricated using a multilayer surface micromachining process. DNA stained with the fluorescent dye 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylidole dihydrochloride was visualized using fluorescent illumination as the DNA was accumulated on and released from the tips of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microlances using a 1.5-V dc source. In 5 min 46 s, the lance accumulated over 32 000 DNA molecules from a dilute DNA solution. The lance then released over 6200 DNA molecules within 6 s. Finally, the nanoinjector lance was used to inject a reporter gene encoding a red fluorescent protein into a mouse embryo, resulting in expression of the gene. The nanoinjector lance represents an important and significant step in the development of a self-contained MEMS-based DNA injection system.
Smart devices and soft controllers

Many of the enabling technologies developed by research communities that haven't always communicated with each other historically. But convergence is in the air - and smart objects and controllers require it. As the Web reaches out in the Internet of things, we increasingly add memory, processing, communications, and intelligence capabilities to the things around us. Targeting a world full of smart objects might provide us a clear grand challenge problem that can lead us to the world where everything truly is alive.
Thermal expansion of bulk amorphous Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 alloy

The linear thermal expansion of the bulk amorphous Zr4.12Ti13.8Cu12 5Ni10Be22.5 (atomic percent) alloy has been measured from 80 K to 773 K. The data for T, Tg were fitted by a model based on the Gruneisen relation and a Debye expression for the heat capacity. From the fit, we deduced the Gruneisen parameter, g = 1.25, and the Debye temperature, QD = 400 K. Annealing the amorphous alloy at 663 K, which is between the glass transition temperature Tg = 623 K and the crystallization temperature Tx = 693 K, causes viscous flow in the sample. This is due to the small viscosity in the undercooled liquid.
Dissecting the Functional Domains of a Nonenveloped Virus Membrane Penetration Peptide

Recent studies have established that several nonenveloped viruses utilize virus-encoded lytic peptides for host membrane disruption. We investigated this mechanism with the "gamma" peptide of the insect virus Flock House virus (FHV). We demonstrate that the C terminus of gamma is essential for membrane disruption in vitro and the rescue of immature virus infectivity in vivo, and the amphipathic N terminus of gamma alone is not sufficient. We also show that deletion of the C-terminal domain disrupts icosahedral ordering of the amphipathic helices of gamma in the virus. Our results have broad implications for understanding membrane lysis during nonenveloped virus entry.
Automatic synthesis of DUT board circuits for testing of mixed signal ICs

Test development is without doubt the major bottleneck in the product delivery cycle of mixed signal ICs. One of the most time consuming tasks during the test development phase is the design of the DUT board where the IC is to be inserted to run on a mixed signal tester. This paper describes a new methodology of capturing test information for an IC through test module schematics and then using an automatic tool to synthesize the final load board circuitry to be used on mixed signal ATEs. >
Flip chip silicon fracture mechanism with 3-point bend metrology on flip chip ball grid array

In this paper, the V-shape silicon cracking was identified due to extreme bending to substrate. The fracture initialise once the stress on silicon exceed the silicon strength.
Spectral density of the intensity at the receiver in dispersive fiber links

Summary form only given. The conversion of laser phase noise to intensity noise by the effect of group velocity dispersion (GVD) in a single-mode optical fiber is well-known. In fiber links such as analog "supertrunk" CATV links and digital dispersion supported transmission (DST) links which span moderate to long distances at 1.55 /spl mu/m, this effect leads to requirements for narrow source laser linewidths. Previous authors have addressed this problem theoretically using a variety of approximate methods which are generally sufficient for consideration of the above applications. None of these models, however, can account conceptually for the large phase variations which inevitably result from phase diffusion, i.e. the "random walk" of the laser phase. Thus for large linewidths or long fiber lengths they eventually will fail. We have found that the spectral density of intensity variations after propagation in a fiber exhibiting only lowest-order group velocity dispersion has an exact solution in terms of the 4th order correlation function of the input field envelope.
Prognostic Nomogram for Renal Insufficiency After Radical or Partial Nephrectomy

Purpose: We analyzed prognostic factors to predict renal insufficiency after partial or radical nephrectomy. We developed and performed internal validations of a postoperative nomogram for this purpose. We used a prospectively updated renal tumor database of more than 1,500 patients.Materials and Methods: From July 1989 to October 2003, 161 partial nephrectomies and 857 radical nephrectomies performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for renal cortical tumors were analyzed. Computerized tomography images were reviewed by a single radiologist. Kidney volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula, V = L1 × L2 × L3 × π/6, where V represents volume and L represents length. Renal insufficiency was defined by 2 serum creatinine values greater than 2.0 mg/dl at least 1 month postoperatively. Tumor histology was not an exclusion criterion and yet we excluded cases of bilateral synchronous disease. Prognostic variables were preoperative serum creatinine, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, pe...
Clocks and insensitivity to small measurement errors

This paper deals with the problem of stabilizing a system in the presence of small measure- ment errors. It is known that, for general stabilizable systems, there may be no possible memoryless state feedback which is robust with respect to such errors. In contrast, a precise result is given here, showing that, if a (continuous-time, nite-dimensional) system is stabilizable in any way whatsoever (even by means of a dynamic, time varying, discontinuous, feedback) then it can also be semiglobally and practically stabilized in a way which is insensitive to small measurement errors, by means of a hybrid strategy based on the idea of sampling at a \slow enough" rate. R esum e. Cet article traite du probl eme de la stabilisation d'un systeme en pr esence de petites erreurs de mesure. Il est connu que, pour des syst emes stabilisables g en eraux, il ne peut pas exister de feedback d' etat sans m emoire qui soit r esistant a de telles erreurs. A l'oppos e, un r esultat pr ecis est donn ei ci, montrant que, si un syst eme (en temps continu et dimension nie) est stabilisable d'une quelconque fa con (m^ eme a l'aide d'un feedback dynamique, instationnaire, discontinu), alors il peut ^ etre semi- globalement et pratiquement stabilis e d'une fa con insensible a de petites erreurs de mesure, a l'aide d'une strat egie hybride reposant sur l'id ee d'une prise de mesure de l' etat a un rythme susamment lent.