cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Piezoelectric Low Net Passive Stiffness (LNPS) flutter test vane

This paper outlines the design, fabrication and testing of a new, high performance piezoelectrically driven aircraft flutter test vane. This flutter test vane utilizes low-net passive stiffness (LNPS) actuator configurations to produce deflection amplification ratios on the order of 5:1 while maintaining full blocked moment generation capability. With an order of magnitude lower weight than conventional vanes, the LNPS flight flutter test vane is capable of producing larger amplitude structural deflections with smaller force levels because vane forcing waveforms, frequencies and phasing can be very exactingly controlled with respect to each other. The paper covers the fundamental driving theories behind the device, actuator geometry, test article layout, fabrication and testing. This device was wind tunnel tested at airspeeds up to 110 ft/s with excellent correlation between theory and experiment. Experimental tests show an improvement in angular deflection and delta lift forces from approximately ±1.8 deg. and 0.45 lb f to ±8.5 deg. and 1.45 lb f , respectively. The flutter test vane consumes only 1W of peak power at max. actuation frequency, drastically reducing the impact of electrical power supply lines on the modal mass of the wing. This paper describes the modeling, testing and evaluation of the adaptive flutter test vane and quantifies the implications on the current state of flight flutter testing.
A fixed detector Kretschmann configuration optical system to study surface plasmon excitations

Abstract A fixed detector Kretschmann configuration optical system is described to study surface plasmon resonance at interfaces. Not only does this system facilitate measurements of reflectivity, it also enables simultaneous pump-probe measurements of other optical properties of materials. Examples are presented from the observations of total attenuated reflectivity at high-index prism/gold interface and surface plasmon induced changes in the photoluminescence spectra of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots.
Flow injection analysis as a diagnostic technique for development and testing of chemical sensors

Abstract An immobilized urease sensor is developed for continuous, on-line analysis. The sensor consists of the enzyme urease, cross-linked with bovine serum albumin into a cellulose pad, with an acid-base indicator dye covalently bound to the surface of the cellulose. The sensor is placed within a flow-injection optosensing system to monitor the change in pH, and subjected to a through evaluation, using the flow-injection technique; sensor stability (both dye and enzyme stability), speed of sensor response, sensor sensitivity, sensor-to-sensor reproducibility, response to a typical interferent, and sensor lifetime data are obtained. Sensor poisoning upon exposure to low levels of mercury, and subsequent regeneration of the immobilized enzyme pad, is investigated for use as an on-line mercury sensor. The urea sensor is also evaluated for use as a continuous monitor for urea in kidney dialysate. Enzyme Michaelis-Menten constants are determined for the immobilized urease, under given assay conditions, using a stopped-flow flow-injection technique.
Central nervous system (CNS) penetration of homoharringtonine (HHT)

Generally tritiated homoharringtonine ([3H]HHT, 150 μCi, 430 μg) was administered intravenously to seven patients at varying times before surgical resection of malignant brain tumor. Plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tumor specimens were obtained during surgery, and the concentrations of HHT, its major metabolite, and [3H]HHT equivalent were determined chromatographically and radiochemically. For [3H]HHT equivalent, the concentration in tumor ranged from 0.6 to 4.3 ng/g and the ratio of tumor to plasma concentration from 0.5 to 1.8. In one patient who had CSF available for drug determination, the CSF to plasma ratio of total [3H]HHT was 0.3 at 45 minutes after drug administration and less than 0.2 ng/ml was unchanged HHT. For unchanged HHT, drug concentration in tumor ranged from undetectable (4 patients) to 1.8 ng/g. A major metabolite of HHT was detectable in the tumor specimens of all the patients. These results indicate that homoharringtonine can penetrate into brain tumors; in 3 patients with brain tumors, the ratios of HHT concentration in the tumor to that in the concurrent plasma were greater than one.
Synthesis of Metal Phosphates Using SiP2O7

The reaction of SiP/sub 2/O/sub 7/ with rare-earth fluorides and oxides and with UO/sub 2/ proceeds at high temperatures (1000/sup 0/ to 1200/sup 0/C) to convert the rare-earth and uranium compounds to ortho- or pyro-phosphates. In these reactions between intimately mixed powders, very finely segregated SiO/sub 2/ is formed and distributed throughout the phosphates. This procedure may be useful for producing easily sinterable products, such as actinide-containing monoliths for nuclear waste disposal. 11 references, 1 figure, 1 table.
The Spectrochemical Determination of Trace Impurities in Graphite

Optical emission spectrographic procedures are described for the estimation of some 60 elements in graphite. Using sodium fluoride as a carrier, the dc arc is employed for a direct examination of powdered graphite, while the copper spark method is used for analysis of the residue after ashing the sample.
Magnetic susceptability study of the ferromagnetic Zr5Sb3Fe and of the contrasting cobalt and nickel analogues

Abstract Magnetic susceptibility data at ∼4-375 K are reported for Zr 5 Sb 3 Z phases with Z = Fe, Co, Ni or nothing. All occur in the Mn 5 Si 3 -type structure and contain infinite chains of confacial zirconium antiprisms, each centered by Z . The phases Zr 5 Sb 3 Co, Zr 5 Sb 3 Ni and Zr 5 Sb 3 exhibit only weak temperature-independent paramagnetism. On the other hand, Zr 5 Sb 3 Fe is ferromagnetic below T c ⋍ 540 K with Curie-Weiss behavior above ∼ 600 K (μ eff = 2.8(2) μ B ); the coercive field is ∼ 50 Oe at 80 K. Some implications of the contrasting structural anisotropy, the diluteness of the iron sublattice, and the high value of T c are noted.
Baroclinic instability and geostrophic turbulence

Abstract I examine the geostrophic turbulence field in equilibrium with a horizontally uniform mean zonal flow driven by solar heating. The equilibrium mean vertical shear is highly supercritical, and the turbulence field has its maximum in kinetic energy at wavenumbers smaller than the wavenumbers of fastest growth predicted by linear stability theory. Wavenumber spectra obtained by averaging lengthy numerical integrations of the two-level quasi-geostrophic equations agree well with the predictions of a simple Markovian turbulence model. Analysis of the turbulence model suggests that the most energetic wavenumbers equilibrate from scattering of the temperature perturbations into higher wavenumbers by the barotropic adverting field. In the higher unstable wavenumbers, including the most supercritical, linear instability is offset chiefly by local rotations of the unstable structures by larger, more energetic eddies.
High-resolution computed tomography of airway changes after induced bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation in asthmatic volunteers

Rationale and Objectives. We examined whether high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) would detect and quantify induced airway changes in asthmatic volunteers. Methods. We performed pulmonary function tests and HRCT on eight asthmatic adults and two nonasthmatic control adults under three conditions: baseline, after methacholine inhalation, and after albuterol inhalation. Changes in pulmonary function, airway internal luminal diameter (AILD), and airway wall thickness (AWT) in the three conditions were compared. Results. After methacholine inhalation, pulmonary function showed significant airflow obstruction in the asthmatic volunteers compared with two nonasthmatic control volunteers. The median value for AILD decreased by 17% ( p = .04). After subsequent inhalation of albuterol, pulmonary function improved to above the baseline levels in the eight asthmatic volunteers. The median value for AILD increased by 18% above the baseline value ( p = .0001). No changes in pulmonary function or AILD were seen in the two nonasthmatic volunteers. AWT did not change significantly in either the asthmatic or nonasthmatic volunteers after inhalation of methacholine or albuterol. Conclusion. HRCT can quantify changes in the internal luminal diameter of asthmatic airways provoked by methacholine and albuterol inhalation.
Are beliefs brain-states? And if they are what might that explain?

L'A. souligne le manque de clarte de l'article precedent intitule «Attitudes as Nonentities». Il critique en particulier l'association rapide qu'y etablit L. Backer entre le presuppose de l'explication causale des croyances, definies comme etats du cerveau, et l'attitude commune qu'elle designe par l'expression point de vue standard. Dans l'article suivant intitule « Reply to Gulick», L. Baker reaffirme ses raisons de rejeter le point de vue standard et de croire que la personne, et non le cerveau, est la porteuse permiere des croyances
A symmetrical all-dielectric interference filter

By replacing the silver layers in the conventional interference filter with seven dielectric layers having alternately high and low indices, it has been possible to obtain a filter having an 80-percent peak transmission and 65A half-width for a first-order transmission band centered at 5200A. The properties of the filter are determined from the theory of the parallel-plate interferometer.
MO-D-108-05: Development of An Accurate Monte Carlo Model of the Standard Clinac 6MV Beam

Purpose: Monte Carlo (MC) models of radiotherapy beams can be used as a comparison benchmark for other dose calculation methods. In any such comparison process, the degree to which an identified deviation represents an actual error will depend upon the accuracy of the benchmark. As part of an ongoing dosimetric study, we have sought to model the standard Varian Clinac 6MV beam as accurately as possible with the BEAMnrc MC code. Methods: In order to insure the reproducibility of our results, the accelerator head geometry was modeled exactly as specified by the manufacturer, with only the electron source parameters and jaw positions varied. Similarly, the widely available Eclipse 'tGolden Beam't data was used for open field comparisons with a target matching criteria of 1% of local dose or 1 mm distance‐to‐agreement for all depths >= Dmax and field sizes ranging from 3×3 to 40×40 cm2. Except for target bremsstrahlung settings, all other transport parameters were left at their default values. Simulations were run for varied monoenergetic electron energy [5.6:0.05:6.2]MeV, Gaussian intensity distribution FWHM [0.0:0.05:0.25]cm, and beam divergence [0.0:0.2:1.2]°. Results: As has been previously established in the literature, matching was found to be strongly dependent on electron beam energy, intensity FWHM, and choice of bremsstrahlung settings. However, as matching approached the target criteria, results became increasingly sensitive to beam divergence as well. It was also found that when using the default bremsstrahlung settings, accuracy better than ∼2% was unobtainable. Under the specified parameter resolution, matching of all points within 1.4%/1.0mm was achieved when using the NRC bremsstrahlung cross section, the higher termed Koch and Motz bremsstrahlung angular sampling, and electron beam parameters of 5.9MeV, 0.1cm, and 0.8°. Conclusion: Under the listed constraints, significant improvements (e.g. matching ∼ 1%/1mm) in Golden Beam modeling are not likely achievable.
Unimolecular decompositions of even-electron ions†

Fragmentations of even-electron ions of lifetimes ≥10−5s caused by electron and chemical ionization and by collisional activation have been correlated. Proposed reaction classifications include: cleavage of one bond with charge migration; cleavage of one bond through cyclization-displacement; cleavage of two bonds in a cyclic ion with charge retention; and cleavage of two bonds in an acyclic ion with rearrangement and charge retention. Such reactions are compared with those of odd-electron ions; despite a higher tendency for rearrangement, the decompositions of a positive even-electron ion, in particular as displayed in its collisional activation spectrum, have substantial utility for characterizing its structure.
Particle-stimulated nucleation of recrystallization for grain-size control and superplasticity in an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy

Abstract Grain refinement of 6xxx aluminum alloys for superplasticity through particle-stimulated nucleation of recrystallization (PSN) has been a difficult task in the past due to the inhomogeneous nature of the precipitate distributions produced by traditional overaging heat treatment methods. Stretching prior to aging does not alleviate the problem. A new approach has been developed, wherein the interfaces of deformation bands caused by severe rolling were exploited as heterogeneous nucleation sites for precipitates in an Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy. (US and International patents are pending.) This approach, combined with a two-step low–high heat treatment resulted in a homogeneous distribution of globular precipitates near 1 μm in diameter. In contrast to the globular shape, the plate-shape morphology was observed in the absence of pre-age deformation. Subsequent rolling and recrystallization resulted in a fine, uniform, equiaxed grain structure with an average grain diameter of 10 μm. The grain structure was weakly textured, statically stable, and superplastic above 500°C. A maximum strain rate sensitivity of 0.5 was achieved, with a corresponding maximum elongation of 375%.
Successful repeat therapy with rituximab for relapsed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disease that is treated successfully with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and often with corticosteroids; however, almost one third of TTP patients have treatment failures that require either long-term TPEs or other adjunct therapies. Recent insights into the autoimmune-pathophysiology of this disease provide the rationale for immune-based therapies. Cumulative evidence suggests that rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody that depletes B-cells temporarily, is an effective therapy in patients with refractory or relapsing TTP. We report here two patients with chronic relapsing TTP who were treated successfully with rituximab. However, both experienced TTP relapse following sustained and prolonged remissions for 21 and 37 months, respectively. They responded favorably with repeat therapy with rituximab. The benefits of rituximab treatment for refractory or relapsing TTP as well as in the prevention of recurrences are discussed.
Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells in Primary and Secondary Influenza Pneumonia

Abstract Virus-specific CD8 + effector T cells (eCTL) are enriched in the lungs of mice with primary influenza pneumonia, though later detection of memory T cells (mCTL) in the mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) or spleen by peptide-based staining protocols is at the limits of flow cytometric analysis. Respiratory challenge with an H3N2 virus months after H1N1 priming induces a massive recall response, which reduces virus titers 2–3 days earlier than in nave controls. Influenza-specific mCTL produce interferon-γ within 6 hr, but still take 4–5 days to localize to the infected respiratory tract. The delay reflects that the recall response develops first in the MLN, which contains relatively few mCTL. The response to a subdominant epitope is less obvious after secondary challenge.
Nature and prediction of changes in marital quality for first-time parent and nonparent husbands and wives.

The study compares changes in dimensions of marital quality for first-time parents and nonparents and examined differences in the extent to which individual-differences variables and discrepancies between spouses on these individual-differences variables predicted change in marital satisfaction for parents and nonparents.
Concussion or benign paroxysmal torticollis

This case report describes a patient who presented to the trauma service on 3 occasions over the course of 2 years, each time with symptoms typical of concussion (e.g., crying, change in mentation, and vomiting). On more in-depth evaluation, it was discovered that the child had torticollis, pallor, and brief dizziness or vertigo with each episode. Benign paroxysmal torticollis is a periodic, paroxysmal syndrome that may be mistaken for the more common concussion. In addition to illustrating a uniquely pediatric neurological syndrome, this case demonstrates the importance of taking a careful history and considering a full range of differential diagnoses when evaluating every patient, even those with seemingly routine injuries.
Interaction between succinyl CoA synthetase and the heme-biosynthetic enzyme ALAS-E is disrupted in sideroblastic anemia

The first and the rate-limiting enzyme of heme biosynthesis is δ-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), which is localized in mitochondria. There are 2 tissue-specific isoforms of ALAS, erythroid-specific (ALAS-E) and nonspecific ALAS (ALAS-N). To identify possible mitochondrial factors that modulate ALAS-E function, we screened a human bone marrow cDNA library, using the mitochondrial form of human ALAS-E as a bait protein in the yeast 2-hybrid system. Our screening led to the isolation of the β subunit of human ATP-specific succinyl CoA synthetase (SCS-βA). Using transient expression and coimmunoprecipitation, we verified that mitochodrially expressed SCS-βA associates specifically with ALAS-E and not with ALAS-N. Furthermore, the ALAS-E mutants R411C and M426V associated with SCS-βA, but the D190V mutant did not. Because the D190V mutant was identified in a patient with pyridoxine-refractory X-linked sideroblastic anemia, our findings suggest that appropriate association of SCS-βA and ALAS-E promotes efficient use of succinyl CoA by ALAS-E or helps translocate ALAS-E into mitochondria.
Fate of glucose in Ascaris lumbricoides.

Abstract 1. 1. Radioactive glucose has been given to Ascaris lumbricoides in sterile salt solution, and the fate of the labeled carbons have been followed. 2. 2. C14 from glucose enters into every major fraction of Ascaris and is highest in glycogen and acids. Half of the sugar consumed is incorporated into glycogen, and a significant part of the acids come directly from glucose. 3. 3. Distribution patterns were observed with G1-U-C14, G1-1-C14, G1-2-C14 and G1-6-C14. The labeling of the CO2 and acetate indicates the major pathway in Ascaris to be the glycolytic pathway. However, the difference in patterns from G1-1-C14 and G1-6-C14, and a considerable amount of randomnization in acetate carbons, indicate a small contribution by the pentose-phosphate pathway and possibly the functioning of other mechanisms.
Recent Development on Theory and Application of Variable Gauge Rolling, a Review

Variable gauge rolling (VGR) is a new technology for producing the materials which have the advantage of lightweight due to optimized thickness according to load distribution. The new progresses in the theoretical research and application of VGR are reviewed in this paper. Two basic equations, VGR-f and VGR-s, were deduced. The former is a new differential equation of force equilibrium, and the latter is a new form of formula for the law of mass conservation. Both of them provide a new base for the development of VGR analysis. As the examples of VGR’s application, tailor rolled blank (TRB) and longitudinal profile (LP) plate are introduced. Now TRBs are only produced in Germany and China, and have been used in the automotive manufacturing to play an important role in lightweight design. LP plates have been used in shipbuilding and bridge construction, and promised a bright prospect in reducing construction weight. In addition, new technologies and applications of VGR emerge constantly. Tailor welded strips and tailor rolled strips with variable thickness across the width can be used for progressive die and roll forming. The 3D profiled blank can be obtained by two-step rolling process. Tailor tubes with the variable wall thickness are an efficient way to reduce the weight. The blank with tailored thickness and mechanical property is also under development. Above products based on the tailored ideas provide a new materials-warehouse for the designers to select so as to meet the needs of weight reducing and material saving.
On the option value of old-growth forest

Abstract The option value of an old-growth forest is determined when the net value of timber is known and non-timber amenity value evolves according to geometric Brownian motion. The model permits the derivation of a critical barrier or boundary on amenity value, denoted A*. Specifically, A* is the minimum amenity value necessary to justify continued preservation. The model is applied to the Headwaters Forest, the last privately-owned stand of old-growth coast redwood, containing timber with a net value between $500 and $600 million. Estimates of the mean drift and variance rates for the amenity value of the headwaters are obtained under the assumption that amenity value is proportional to the visitation rate at the Redwood National Park (50 miles north of the Headwaters Forest). For base-case parameters, the amenity value of the Headwaters must exceed $5.008 million per year to justify continued preservation.
Probabilistic Seismic Demand Models and Fragility Estimates for Reinforced Concrete Highway Bridges with One Single-Column Bent

In performance-based seismic design, general and practical seismic demand models of structures are essential. This paper proposes a general methodology to construct probabilistic demand models for reinforced concrete (RC) highway bridges with one single-column bent. The developed probabilistic models consider the dependence of the seismic demands on the ground motion characteristics and the prevailing uncertainties, including uncertainties in the structural properties, statistical uncertainties, and model errors. Probabilistic models for seismic deformation, shear, and bivariate deformation-shear demands are developed by adding correction terms to deterministic demand models currently used in practice. The correction terms remove the bias and improve the accuracy of the deterministic models, complement the deterministic models with ground motion intensity measures that are critical for determining the seismic demands, and preserve the simplicity of the deterministic models to facilitate the practical application of the proposed probabilistic models. The demand data used for developing the models are obtained from 60 representative configurations of finite-element models of RC bridges with one single-column bent subjected to a large number of representative seismic ground motions. The ground motions include near-field and ordinary records, and the soil amplification due to different soil characteristics is considered. A Bayesian updating approach and an all possible subset model selection are used to assess the unknown model parameters and select the correction terms. Combined with previously developed capacity models, the proposed seismic demand models can be used to estimate the seismic fragility of RC bridges with one single-column bent. Seismic fragility is defined as the conditional probability that the demand quantity of interest attains or exceeds a specified capacity level for given values of the earthquake intensity measures. As an application, the univariate deformation and shear fragilities and the bivariate deformation-shear fragility are assessed for an example bridge.
Betaine excretion by the new-born infant

Ein Betain wurde in grosseren Mengen im aufgefangenen Urin gesunder Sauglinge und ebenfalls im Urin einiger alterer Kinder mit allgemeiner Aminoacidurie gefunden. Die Substanz besitzt eine Aktivitat, welche die Inhibition desBacillus subtilis durchβ-2-Thiophenalanin verhindert. Ihre Aktivitat gleicht derjenigen des Phenylalanins und der Phenylbrenztraubensaure, unterscheidet sich jedoch von diesen dadurch, dass dieβ-2-Thiophenalanin-Inhibition verhindert wurde, wenn Sporen desBacillus subtilis als Erreger verwendet wurden.
Modeling and analysis of the multiperiod effects of social relationship on supply chain networks

Abstract In this paper, we analyze the effects of levels of social relationship on a multiperiod supply chain network with multiple decision-makers (suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers) associated at different tiers. The model incorporates the individual attitudes towards disruption and opportunism risks and allows us to investigate the interplay of the heterogeneous decision-makers and to compute the resultant network equilibrium pattern of production, transactions, prices, and levels of social relationship over the multiperiod planning horizon. In our analysis, we focus on the following questions: (1) how do the evolving relationships affect the profitability and risks of supply chain firms as well as the prices and demands of the product in the market? (2) how do the relationships with the upstream supply chain firms affect the relationships with the downstream firms, and how these relationships influence the profitability and risks of the supply chain firms? (3) how do the supply disruption risks interact with the opportunism risks through supply chain relationships, and how these risks influence the profitability of the firms? The results show that high levels of relationship can lead to lower supply chain overall cost, lower risk, lower prices, higher product transaction and therefore higher profit.
The effects of quantum field renormalization on the predictions of inflation for the CMB anisotropies

In single-field, slow-roll inflationary models scalar and tensorial (Gaussian) perturbations are usually characterized by the so called power spectrum in momentum space. Even though these power spectra are finite and well define in momentum space, typical ultraviolet divergences in quantum field theory appear when these quantities are expressed in position space. The requirement of a finite variance in position space forces the introduction of regularization technics in quantum field theory in an expanding universe. The regularization process has an important impact on the predicted scalar and tensorial power spectra for wavelengths that today are at observable scales.
March madness: a mechatronics project theme

The growing realization of the need to educate mechanical and other non-electrical engineering students in the application of electronics, microprocessors and software has led to the creation of Mechatronics courses (and in some cases degree programs) at many universities around the world. Many of these courses share a set of basic goals and an emphasis on laboratory work in general, and design projects in particular. This paper presents an example of an open-ended project that has been developed in support of the undergraduate mechatronics course at Stanford University. This is a one-quarter course that culminates in a project that occupies the student's laboratory time for the last four weeks of the quarter. The paper will present a recent successful project description and examine several student solutions.
Experimental investigation of security issues in OCDMA: a code-switching scheme

Spectrally phase coded OCDMA with a modulation format based on switching between two codes is demonstrated. The code switching data modulation format enhances security compared to on-off keying by eliminating a vulnerability to eavesdropping based on a simple energy detector.
Modeling radiation pneumonitis risk with clinical, dosimetric, and spatial parameters.

Purpose: To determine the clinical, dosimetric, and spatial parameters that correlate with radiation pneumonitis. Methods and Materials: Patients treated with high-dose radiation for non–small-cell lung cancer with three-dimensional treatment planning were reviewed for clinical information and radiation pneumonitis (RP) events. Three-dimensional treatment plans for 219 eligible patients were recovered. Treatment plan information, including parameters defining tumor position and dose–volume parameters, was extracted from non–heterogeneity-corrected dose distributions. Correlation to RP events was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient ( R ). Mathematical models were generated that correlate with RP. Results: Of 219 patients, 52 required treatment for RP (median interval, 142 days). Tumor location was the most highly correlated parameter on univariate analysis ( R = 0.24). Multiple dose–volume parameters were correlated with RP. Models most frequently selected by bootstrap resampling included tumor position, maximum dose, and D 35 (minimum dose to the 35% volume receiving the highest doses) ( R = 0.28). The most frequently selected two- or three-parameter models outperformed commonly used metrics, including V 20 (fractional volume of normal lung receiving >20 Gy) and mean lung dose ( R = 0.18). Conclusions: Inferior tumor position was highly correlated with pneumonitis events within our population. Models that account for inferior tumor position and dosimetric information, including both high- and low-dose regions (D 35 , International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements maximum dose), risk-stratify patients more accurately than any single dosimetric or clinical parameter.
Nuclear Force Reductions, Missile Defenses, and U.S.-Russian Relations: Managing Contextual Complexity

Changing technologies and geopolitical alignments, together with the spread of nuclear weapons outside of Europe, have created a more complex template for the pursuit of U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control. Security cooperation and reassurance are as important as mutual deterrence, and either American or Russian missile defenses would influence not only their respective calculations of deterrence stability, but also those of new and aspiring nuclear states. The analysis considers a variety of Russian and U.S. post-Moscow Treaty forces and their interactive stability with, or without, missile defenses in the mix.
Crystal structure of yeast mitochondrial peripheral membrane protein Tim44p C-terminal domain.

The protein transports from the cell cytosol to the mitochondria matrix are carried out by the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) complex and the translocase of the inner membrane (TIM) complexes. Tim44p is an essential mitochondrial peripheral membrane protein and a major component of TIM23 translocon. Tim44p can tightly associate with the inner mitochondrial membrane. To investigate the mechanism by which Tim44p functions in the TIM23 translocon to deliver the mitochondrial protein precursors, we have determined the crystal structure of the yeast Tim44p C-terminal domain to 3.2 A resolution using the MAD method. The Tim44p C-terminal domain forms a monomer in the crystal structure and contains six α-helices and four antiparallel β-strands. A large hydrophobic pocket was identified on the Tim44p structure surface. The N-terminal helix A1 is positively charged and the helix A1 protrudes out from the Tim44p main body.
The objectives and reationale of HEBBLE

Abstract HEBBLE's precise aim is to develop and to test explicit predictions about the response of adhesive/cohesive marine sediments to imposed and controlled stresses. Pursuit of this goal has necessitated a coordinated, interdisciplinary effort, to date including physical oceanographers, sedimentologists, radiochemists and biochemists, and biological oceanographers.
Looking beyond head trauma.

Recent scientific interest has focused on the study of traumatic encephalopathy (“The battered brain,” Random Samples, 3 October, p. [23][1]). However, the current hypothesis that the neuropathological findings are the direct result of the cumulative effects of head trauma warrants further
The use of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to probe chromatin in the cell nucleus

All systems in thermodynamic equilibrium are subject to spontaneous fluctuations from equilibrium. For very small system, the fluctuations can be made apparent, and can be used to study the behavior of the system without introducing any external perturbations. The mean squared amplitude of these fluctuations contains information about the absolute size of the system. The characteristic time of the fluctuation autocorrelation function contains kinetic information. In the experiments reported here, these concepts are applied to the binding equilibrium between ethidium bromide and DNA, a system where the fluorescence properties of the dye greatly enhance the effect of spontaneous fluctuations in the binding equilibrium. Preliminary experiments employ well-characterized DNA preparations, including calif thymus DNa, SV40 DNA, and calf thymus nucleohistone particles. Additional measurements are described which have been made in small regions of individual nuclei, isolated from green monkey kidney cells, observing as few as 5000 dye molecules. The data indicate that the strength of dye binding increases in nuclei isolated from cells which have been stimulated to enter the cell growth cycle. The viscosity of nuclear material is inferred to be between one and two orders of magnitude greater than that of water, and it decreases as the cells leave the resting state and enter the cell growth cycle. Washing the nuclei also lowers the viscosity. These experiments demonstrate that fluorescence correlation spectroscopy can provide information at the subnuclear level that is otherwise unavailable.
Generalized Born Model Based on a Surface Integral Formulation

We have derived a surface-area-based version of the generalized Born model (S-GB) as a well-defined approximation to the boundary element formulation of the Poisson−Boltzmann (PB) equation. The relationship of the surface area methodology to the volume-integration-based approach of Still and co-workers is elucidated. On the basis of insights obtained from these results, we then develop empirical correction schemes which yield significant improvements in accuracy, as compared to the uncorrected GB model, in reproducing accurate solutions of the Poisson−Boltzmann equation. A large suite of energetic comparisons of GB, corrected S-GB, and PB for multiple conformations of peptides and proteins is presented.
Elevated Temperature Compressive Properties of Zr-Modified Nial

Small Zr additions are known to substantially affect the deformation behavior and strength of polycrystalline NiAl, yet little information is currently available regarding the high-temperature properties of such alloys. Utilizing prealloyed powder technology, a series of four NiAl alloys have been produced containing from 0.05 to 0.7 at. pct Zr. The creep behavior of these alloys was characterized in compression between 1000 and 1400 K at strain rates ranging from approx. O.1 to 10(exp -9)/ sec. All the Zr-modified alloys were significantly stronger than binary NiAl under lower temperature and faster strain-rate conditions; however, the single-phase materials (Zr less than or equal to 0.1 at. pct) and binary NiAl had similar strengths at high temperatures and slow strain rates. The two-phase NiAl-Ni, AlZr alloys containing 0.3 and 0.7 at. pct Zr had nearly identical strengths. While the two-phase alloys were stronger than the single-phase materials at all test conditions, the degree of microstructural damage in the two-phase alloys due to internal oxidation during testing appeared to increase with Zr level. Balancing the poor oxidation behavior with the consistent strength advantage of the two-phase alloys, it is concluded that optimum elevated-temperature properties could be obtained in Heusler-strengthened NiAl containing between 0.1 and 0.3 at. pct Zr.
Differential metabolism of sodium azide in maize callus and germinating embryos.

Abstract Sodium azide is a potent mutagen of maize ( Zea mays L.) kernels that may have potential as a point mutagen for inducing biochemical mutations in maize tissue cultures. Azide mutagenicity was evaluated in friable, embyogenic maize callus and a nonregenerable maize suspension culture by determining the number of resistant variant cell lines able to grow on media containing inhibitory concentrations of lysine plus threonine (LT). The number o0f LT-resistant variants selected from either culture type did not increase in response to azide treatment. In addition, there was no increase in somatic mutations in more than 100 plants regenerated from azide treated LT-resistant lines. The levels of mutagenic metabolite of azide (presumably azidoalanine), were determined by bioassay in the two azide-treated maize callus types and compared to levels of mutagenic metabolite in embryos isolated from azide-treated kernels. The two types of maize tissue cultures and isolated embryos contained similar levels of mutagenic metabolite 4 h after azide treatment indicating similar uptake and conversion of azide to mutagenic metabolite in the three tissues. Mutagenic metabolite in azide-treated embryos did not significantly decrease after 40 h. However, mutagenic metabolite levels in both azide-treated tissue cultures decreased to near background levels within 20 h providing evidence for rapid metabolism of the azide mutagenic metabolite. The lack of evidence for azide mutagenicity in maize callus and its known potent mutagenicity in kernels appears to be associated with specific differences in azide metabolism between callus tissues and kernel embryos.
Electrodialysis reversal desalination: optimal voltage application rate, linear velocity, and mean ion residence time for maximal ion removal rate

AbstractOptimal voltage application rate, linear velocity, and mean ion residence time (MIRTd) in dilute stream were searched for electrodialysis reversal desalination by using two different feed waters containing TDS 3330 and 7190 mg/L NaCl. Two sets of literature data were used in the analyses. First, the relation among demineralization degree, voltage application rate, and MIRTd were derived from theory. Then, the findings were analyzed from the first set of literature data and validated with the second set of data. The analyses show that the maximal demineralization degree does not appear at the highest voltage application alone and that demineralization degree increases with the increasing voltage application rate to a certain critical value only. The maximal demineralization degree occurs at the combination of lower voltage application and longer MIRTd or vice versa. Data show the maximal demineralization degree does not always present the maximal ion removal rate per effective area of cell pairs pe...
Towards Understanding the Roles Parents Play in Supporting Young Children's Development in Writing.

Through a review of literature, this article examines social aspects of young children's writing development, focusing upon the literacy experiences of non‐mainstream families, whose children are often considered less likely to succeed in school as compared to middle class, mainstream children. Together these studies indicate that the literacy experiences of these families can vary, and these variations are not attributable necessarily to cultural background, social class, or ethnicity. While research underscores the important roles parents can play, findings also challenge traditional views of what constitutes a rich literacy environment and the extent to which certain parents can and do provide a firm foundation.
Abortion, the Golden Rule, and the Indeterminacy of Potential Persons

R.M. Hare and Harry Gensler have each argued that abortion is usually morally wrong because it violates a certain version of the golden rule. The appeal to the golden rule is intended to avoid difficult metaphysical issues such as whether or not a fetus is a person and the moral status of potential persons, any answers to which are likely to be question begging. By applying a certain version of the golden rule to the abortion issue it is hoped that we can come to some conclusion regarding the morality of abortion without dealing with such intractable questions. It also has strong intuitive appeal and is a popular device among anti-abortion activists. Some objections have been raised against this approach, but for the most part this argument has been unduly neglected. The golden rule approach can withstand the objections better than the critics realize and, properly interpreted, the golden rule presents a formidable challenge to the moral acceptability of abortion. Nevertheless, this golden rule argument fails. After considering a version of the golden rule argument against abortion and defending it against the most common objections, we will see why it ultimately fails. There are two important reasons why we should reconsider the golden rule approach to the abortion issue even though it ultimately fails. First, many of the objections raised against the golden rule approach to abortion are aimed at the golden rule itself and its adequacy in assessing or critiquing moral judgments. But the golden rule itself is not the problem and should not be rejected. The problem is with applying the golden rule to a potential person from the perspective of the actual person it is to become. The identity of the potential person is indeterminate. It is potentially a range of different actual future persons. This indeterminacy of potential persons is the second reason why it is important to re-examine the golden rule argument against abortion.
Conditionally controlling nuclear trafficking in yeast by chemical-induced protein dimerization

We present here a protocol to conditionally control the nuclear trafficking of target proteins in yeast. In this system, rapamycin is used to heterodimerize two chimeric proteins. One chimera consists of a FK506-binding protein (FKBP12) fused to a cellular 'address' (nuclear localization signal or nuclear export sequence). The second chimera consists of a target protein fused to a fluorescent protein and the FKBP12-rapamycin-binding (FRB) domain from FKBP-12-rapamycin associated protein 1 (FRAP1, also known as mTor). Rapamycin induces dimerization of the FKBP12- and FRB-containing chimeras; these interactions selectively place the target protein under control of the cell address, thereby directing the protein into or out of the nucleus. By chemical-induced dimerization, protein mislocalization is reversible and enables the identification of conditional loss-of-function and gain-of-function phenotypes, in contrast to other systems that require permanent modification of the targeted protein. Yeast strains for this analysis can be constructed in 1 week, and the technique allows protein mislocalization within 15 min after drug treatment.
Genetic Alteration of a bispecific ligand directed toxin targeting human CD19 and CD22 receptors resulting in improved efficacy against systemic B cell malignancy

A bispecific ligand-directed toxin (BLT) called DT2219ARL consisting of two scFv ligands recognizing CD19 and CD22 and catalytic DT390 was genetically enhanced for superior in vivo anti-leukemia activity. Genetic alterations included reverse orienting VH-VL domains and adding aggregation reducing/stabilizing linkers. In vivo, these improvements resulted in previously unseen long-term tumor-free survivors measured in a bioluminescent xenograft imaging model in which the progression of human Raji Burkitt's lymphoma could be tracked in real time and in a Daudi model as well. Studies showed DT2219ARL was potent (IC50s 0.06-0.2 nM range) and selectively blockable. Imaging studies indicated the highly invasive nature of this B cell malignancy model and showed it likely induced pre-terminal hind limb paralysis because of metastasis to spinal regions prevented by DT2219ARL. DT2219ARL represents a new class of bispecific biological that can be continually improved by genetic mutation.
3D arm movement tracking using adaptive particle filter

In this paper, we present a monocular 3D arm movement tracking system using adaptive particle filter. The effective sample size (ESS) is analyzed in the adaptive particle filter to tackle the abrupt dynamic changes of the arm movement. Sample-efficiency-optimized auxiliary particle filter (SEO-APF) is invoked when low ESS is detected. In SEO-APF, the auxiliary variable weights are computed to minimize the true importance weight variance, so the tracking results and the efficiency of the particle filters are improved. Experimental results have demonstrated the efficacy of this approach for 3D arm movement tracking.
Deep-Inelastic Electroproduction and Conformal Symmetry

Motivated by the observed scale invariance of high-energy inelastic electron-proton scattering, we study the constraints on a Compton amplitude that follow if it is invariant under the full group of conformal coordinate transformations. Although the conformal group contains operations that interchange spacelike and timelike coordinate intervals, a large class of manifestly causal amplitudes can be constructed. We find that the strict application of conformal symmetry reduces the number of independent covariants from four to two in the case of a spin-zero target. The two covariants of the conformal Compton amplitude remain independent when it is restricted to forward scattering. Hence, invariance under the full conformal group yields no constraints on the structure functions of inelastic electron scattering other than that already provided by simple dilation invariance.
The spectral distribution of thermally active vibrational states in an amorphous solid

Abstract Utilizing a novel analysis which involves the product of the Raman scattered Stokes and anti-Stokes intensities in the spectral interval 8 to 550 cm −1 , the spectral distribution of thermally active vibrational states was measured for silica, amorphous B 2 O 3 , the amorphous polymer PMMA, and neutron irradiated silica, from room temperature down to 8 K. Qualitative lineshape analysis of the spectral distribution curves required inclusion of a decaying exponential factor, exp((−2 ω )/ ω c ), where ω c is a temperature dependent fitting parameter. The exponential term is taken to describe the thermal behavior of strongly interacting vibrational modes. In addition to connecting the thermal behavior of the Bose peak modes to the broad peak observed in the heat capacity of amorphous solids, the temperature dependence of the interacting modes connects the Bose peak modes to the negative Gruneisen parameter, the nonlinear behavior observed in the thermal expansion coefficient, and the proposed frequency dependence of the phonon mean free path. The connection with the Gruneisen parameter links the exponential term with Raman coupling coefficient and therefore describes the interaction of acoustic-like excitations.
Polarization vision in crayfish motion detectors

Motion detector interneurons were examined to determine their responsiveness to the motion of polarized light images (i.e. images segmented by spatial variations in e-vector angle). Computer generated images were displayed as intensity contrasts or polarization contrasts on a modified LCD projection panel. The stimuli included the motion of a single stripe (45°–55°/s) and the global motion of a square wave grating (3.3°/s). Neurons were impaled in the medulla interna. Of the neurons which exhibited a directional response to the motion of intensity contrast stimuli, about 2/3 were also directional in the response to polarized light images. Transient (nondirectional) stimuli included looming and jittery motions. The responses to the transient motions of the polarized light images were roughly comparable to those elicited by intensity contrast. The results imply that behavioral responses to polarized light images (i.e. optokinetic and defense reflexes) may have a basis in the polarization sensitivity and synaptic organization of the medulla interna.