cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Search for Anomalies in the Palladium-Deuterium System

A polycrystalline palladium rod is electrolytically charged with deuterium up to a deuterium/palladium ratio of 0.81 while several sample parameters are simultaneously measured in situ, including electrical resistivity, sample dimensions, cell temperature, and neutron production. Various charging rates are used in an attempt to provoke any anomalous behavior, such as a previously unknown crystallographic or chemical phase change, that might account for reports of heat or neutron production. Neither the electrical resistivity nor sample dimensions manifest evidence of any anomaly.
A space saving digital VLSI evolutionary engine for CTRNN-EH devices

Continuous time recurrent neural network - evolvable hardware (CTRNN-EH) control devices are composed of an analog continuous time recurrent neural network (CTRNN) with an onboard evolutionary algorithm (EA) engine that evolves the parameters of the neural network. These control devices have been demonstrated to be useful in a variety of real time control applications and are amenable to mixed-signal VLSI implementation for the control applications under stringent size and power constraints. Unlike the CTRNNs, which are analog in nature, the EA engine has to be implemented using digital VLSI techniques. Because these techniques do not offer the advantages of small area and power directly, the task of adhering to size and power constraints is challenging and must be accomplished at the algorithmic level. In this paper, the authors discussed the aforementioned issues in detail and also propose a space-saving digital EA engine for the CTRNN-EH device. The EA engine has been modeled in Verilog HDL. The synthesis results are presented and the functionality of the EA is demonstrated on a small test problem.
An integrated process control laboratory

Recent changes in competition, the market, and process instrumentation and computers have made process control a primary focus for every process engineer. Consequently, industry has a strong desire for newly hired engineers to be aware of the contemporary equipment and practice of process control, in addition to classroom theory. Revision of the standard education experiences has benefits, and industry and academic collaboration on the improvements will keep the changes both educationally and industrially relevant. Best of all collaboration can create a significant funding source.
Living at the edge

As process technology continues its breakneck advancement down Moore's "highway", morecomplete subsystems are being designed in single chip form. Inevitably, this integration isrequiring significant investments in the integration of hardware/software design teamsthroughout the development process. This talk will begin with a review the current state of theart with regards to design drivers, methods, and technology being used by hardware and softwareteams to create these complex systems. We will then explore what the future holds as we movedown into nanometer silicon process nodes and ultimately to molecular technologies.
Towards Computing the Battle for Hearts and Minds: Lessons from the Vendée

We analyze the conditions and processes that spawned a historic case of insurgency in the context of regime change. The analysis is an early step in the development of formal models that capture the complex dynamics of insurgencies, resistance and other conflicts that are often characterized as “battles for hearts and minds” (henceforth BHAM). The characterization, however, flattens the complexities of the conflict. It suggests bloodless engagements where victories come from public relations and demonstration projects that foster positive attitudes among a subject population. Officials conducting these battles sometimes use the label to mask their ignorance of the complexities and sometimes with the intention of minimizing their difficulties in dealing with them. Modeling can therefore be a constructive step in overcoming their impoverished thinking.
The acetyl substituent of succinoglycan is not necessary for alfalfa nodule invasion by Rhizobium meliloti Rm1021

Rhizobium meliloti Rm1021 requires a Calcofluor-binding exopolysaccharide, termed succinoglycan or EPS I, to invade alfalfa nodules. We have determined that a strain carrying a mutation in the exoZ locus produces succinoglycan that lacks the acetyl substituent. The exoZ mutant nodules alfalfa normally.
Short-term (intestinal) and long-term (postintestinal) conversion of β-carotene to retinol in adults as assessed by a stable-isotope reference method

Background Quantitative information on the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A in humans is limited. Objective We determined the short- and long-term conversion of labeled beta-carotene to vitamin A by using a stable-isotope reference method. Design [(2)H(8)]beta-Carotene (11,011 nmol, or 6 mg) in oil was given with a liquid diet (25% of energy from fat) to 22 adult volunteers (10 men, 12 women). Three days after the [(2)H(8)]beta-carotene dose, the volunteers each took a dose of [(2)H(8)]retinyl acetate (8915 nmol, or 3 mg) in oil with the same liquid diet. Blood samples were collected over 56 d. Results The 53-d area under the serum [(2)H(4)]retinol response curve (from the [(2)H(8)]beta-carotene dose) was 569 +/- 385 nmol. d, and the 53-d area under the serum [(2)H(8)]retinol response curve (from the [(2)H(8)]retinyl acetate dose) was 1798 +/- 1139 nmol. d. With the use of [(2)H(8)]retinyl acetate as the vitamin A reference, the [(2)H(4)]retinol formed from [(2)H(8)]beta-carotene (11,011 nmol) was calculated to be equivalent to 3413.9 +/- 2298.4 nmol retinol. The conversion factor of beta-carotene to retinol varied from 2.4 to 20.2, and the average conversion factor was 9.1 to 1 by wt or 4.8 to 1 by mol. This conversion factor was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.57, P = 0.006). The postabsorption conversion of beta-carotene was estimated as 7.8%, 13.6%, 16.4%, and 19.0% of the total converted retinol at 6, 14, 21, or 53 d after the [(2)H(8)]beta-carotene dose, respectively. Conclusion The quantitative determination of the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A in humans can be accomplished by using a stable-isotope reference method. This approach provides in vivo metabolic information after a physiologic dose of beta-carotene.
A spectrophotometric study of p-nitrosodi- phenylamine as a reagent for rhodium

Abstract The red colour produced by heating excess p -nitrosodiphenylamine with rhodium has been studied to determine the optimum conditions for the analytical use of the reagent. The absorbance curve of the coloured complex shows an absorbance maximum at 520 mμ when measured against a reagent blank. The reaction is carried out in a buttered solution at pH 5·4 and is allowed to stand at room temperature for 1 hr for colour development. Beer's law is obeyed over the range investigated, 0·62 to 4·34 ppm, the optimum concentration range being 1·0 to 3·8 ppm. The sensitivity of the reaction is 0·0054 μg per cm 2 . Samples containing 3·12 ppm of rhodium gave absorbance readings showing average and maximum relative deviations of 0.69 and 1·22%, respectively. Interferences of other platinum metals have been investigated.
Topography of the Escherichia coli 30 S ribosome revealed by the modification of ribosomal proteins.

Chemical and enzymatic iodination were used to determine the position of proteins within the 30 S ribosome of Escherichia coli. The relative degree of iodination was determined in intact 30 S ribosomes, particles unfolded with EDTA, ribonuclease digests of ribosomes and extracted proteins. These procedures permitted an evaluation of the influence of protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions, protein conformation and position, on the degree to which protein could be modified by radioactive iodine. From the data we conclude that all 30 S ribosomal proteins are accessible to the external milieu, and that none are buried within the three-dimensional structure of the particle.
Detecting CP violation in a single neutrino oscillation channel at very long baselines

We propose a way of detecting $\mathit{CP}$ violation in a single neutrino oscillation channel at very long baselines (on the order of several thousands of kilometers), given precise knowledge of the smallest mass-squared difference. It is shown that $\mathit{CP}$ violation can be characterized by a shift in $L/E$ of the peak oscillation in the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ appearance channel, both in vacuum and in matter. In fact, matter effects enhance the shift at a fixed energy. We consider the case in which sub-GeV neutrinos are measured with varying baseline and also the case of a fixed baseline. For the varied baseline, accurate knowledge of the absolute neutrino flux would not be necessary; however, neutrinos must be distinguishable from antineutrinos. For the fixed baseline, it is shown that $\mathit{CP}$ violation can be distinguished if the mixing angle ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$ were known.
Further differentiation of early neural tube explants in organ culture as studied by electron microscopy.

Chick embryo spinal cord has been explanted at 2-day stages, when few or no cells have formed axons, and cultured organotypically with adjacent tissues or isolated from all other tissues.Relatively mature nerve cells and glial cells, neurites and synapses could be seen in electron micrographs of cultures maintained for three to four weeks. Histological organization and some aspects of cell differentiation differed in the two types of cultures. Ependymal cells and randomly arranged cells, possibly modified glia, were seen only in cultures of neural tube with adjacent tissue; neurons and macroglia seemed to be more numerous in cultures of isolated neural tube.The development of characteristic cells, with variations according to culture conditions, provides the opportunity for further study of factors controlling patterns of proliferation and differentiation in the central nervous system from very early to advanced stages.
CRT-109 Clinical Outcomes Comparison Between First- And Second-generation Drug-eluting Stents In Octogenarians With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Coronary intervention is infrequently performed in octogenarians and the clinical outcomes of drug-eluting stents (DES) in octogenarians with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences between the first- and second-generation
Chronic smoking, but not acute nicotine administration, modulates neural correlates of working memory.

Rationale Beyond the amelioration of deprivation-induced impairments, and in contrast to effects on attentional processes, the cognitive-enhancing properties of nicotine on working memory (WM) operations remain unclear.
Small-angle X-ray scattering studies of fibrin film: comparisons of fine and coarse films prepared with thrombin and ancrod.

Measurements of small-angle x-ray scattering have been made on films prepared from fine and coarse (i.e., formed at high and low, respectively, pH and ionic strength) clots of bovine fibrin by osmotic shrinkage or compression in one dimension. Intensity profiles were obtained with pinhole geometry on films stretched up to a stretch ratio of 1.43. In unstretched coarse films, repeat spacings were seen at about 245, 120, and 77-80 A. These peaks can probably be identified with the first, second, and third orders of the well-known fibrin repeat of 225 A. In unstretched fine films, only the 77-80 A spacing was seen. In this case, the first two orders may be weak because the half-staggered arrangement of monomer units giving rise to the 225 A reflection is not reinforced by lateral aggregation of protofibrils; the third order may be strong since the molecular subdomains appear to divide the repeat roughly into thirds. After stretching, the 77-80 A spacing persisted in the meridional direction but almost disappeared in the equatorial. Experiments on unstretched films prepared with ancrod substituted for thrombin gave similar results.
Calculations on the diphenylmethyl anion

Semiempirical and ab initio calculations for the diphenylmethyl anion and related species are reported. MINDO/3 calculations indicate a coplanar anion with an enlarged bond angle of ∼139° to counteract the steric repulsions. MNDO calculations reveal an expanded bond angle with somewhat greater twist (21°). The ab initio calculations (STO-3G level) reveal an expanded central bond angle with an intermediate degree of phenyl twist. The results are compared with experimental data for this and related anions.
Breakdown in the metacognitive chain: Good intentions aren't enough in high school

a b s t r a c t Two experiments examined the effects of a metacognitive betting implementation in high school Biology students. The results showed that people were generally good at monitoring their own knowledge in that students performed better on items judged with high bets than items judged with low bets. We also found that those who were required to make bets, as compared to those who did not, had higher intentions of studying for longer periods of time, prior to the test. However, there were no differences in actual study time. Nor was there a difference in final performance, as one would expect, between the betters and the non-betters. In summary, we found indication of (1) good intentions when using the betting procedure, but (2) breakdown in the metacognitive chain during control. That is, while requiring students to make deliberate judgments improves their intentions to study, they, unfortunately, fail to carry out those intentions.
Wave-front correctors by diamond turning.

The production of wave-front correctors by single-point diamond turning is reported. Interferograms are shown which demonstrate excellent agreement between the diamond-turned surface and the desired surface. It is concluded from this experiment that it is now feasible by means of single-point diamond turning to make generalized wave-front control surfaces or to produce any unusual surface desired by the optical designer. The maximum departure from the nearest regular surface is set by the dynamic range and maximum diamond point acceleration permitted by the machine.
Ultraviolet photolysis of amino acids in a 100 K water ice matrix: Application to the outer Solar System bodies

Abstract We report the rates of decomposition by ultraviolet (UV) photolysis of four amino acids in millimeter-thick crystalline water ice matrices at 100 K to constrain the survivability of these important organic molecules within ice lying near the surfaces of outer Solar System bodies. We UV-irradiated crystalline ice samples containing known concentrations of the amino acids glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and phenylalanine, then we measured the surviving concentrations using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. From these experiments, we determine photolytic decomposition rates and half-lives. The half-life varies linearly with the ice thickness for all acids studied here. For example, glycine is the most resistant to photolytic destruction with a half-life of 50, 12, and 3.7 h in 1.6, 0.28, and 0.14 mm thick ices, respectively. We explain this linear variation of half-life with thickness as a consequence of extinction, mostly due to scattering, within these macroscopically thick ice samples. Applied to low latitude surface ice on Jupiter's satellite Europa, this analysis indicates that the concentration of any of these amino acids within the top meter of similar ice will be halved within a ∼10 year timescale.
Histological and Physiological Studies of Cyclocryotherapy in Primate and Human Eyes

In human and primate eyes treated with cyclocryotherapy, the epithelial and capillary elements of the ciliary processes were destroyed and replaced by fibroblast-like cells. The trabecular mesh-work and Schlemm's canal were histologically affected by cyclocryotherapy. Damage to the angle structures impaired aqueous outflow. This damage may partially counteract the favourable effect of cryotherapy on intraocular pressure. The loss of ciliary epithelium resulted in breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier and accounted for chronic aqueous flare. Correlation of external cryoprobe temperatures and internal ciliary pars plicata temperatures in live and enucleated monkey eyes demonstrated the uveal blood flow attenuates the effect of cryotherapy on the ciliary body.
Erythrocyte membrane abnormality in muscular dystrophy.

We found that erythrocyte membranes of dystrophic mice were considerably altered as measured by the technique of whole cell aqueous polymer partitioning. The difference was directly linked to the sex of the animal. Littermates of the diseased animals (genetic carriers or 'expressers') also had erythrocytes that were dramatically different from the sexand age-matched normals. The data show conclusively absolute differences in erythrocyte membranes from dystrophic animals. This observation has two implications: 1) expression of muscular dystrophy is not confined to muscle, and 2) the disease may be a general membrane defect instead of an abnormality of other cellular organelles. The prime defect in the group of diseases classified as muscular dystrophies is unknown except descriptively from the disease name--l.e., dystrophy of muscles (1,2). Furthermore, no curative therapy is known. Many investigators have been interested in whether the disease is manifest in organs other than muscle, and the idea of a systemic membrane defect has been advanced (3,4). Using aqueous polymer partitioning we are able to show definite alterations in erythrocyte membranes in dystrophic mice. Aqueous polymer partitioning is a sensitive technique for measuring properties of surface membranes (5,6). The technique is so sensitive that it is possible to identify subtle differences between membranes. However, the significance of these differences in partitioning ratios is uncertain-it can be shown only that a difference exists--but best speculations are that the technique
Validation of a multifactorial risk factor model used for predicting future caries risk with nevada adolescents

The objective of this study was to measure the validity and reliability of a multifactorial Risk Factor Model developed for use in predicting future caries risk in Nevada adolescents in a public health setting. This study examined retrospective data from an oral health surveillance initiative that screened over 51,000 students 13-18 years of age, attending public/private schools in Nevada across six academic years (2002/2003-2007/2008). The Risk Factor Model included ten demographic variables: exposure to fluoridation in the municipal water supply, environmental smoke exposure, race, age, locale (metropolitan vs. rural), tobacco use, Body Mass Index, insurance status, sex, and sealant application. Multiple regression was used in a previous study to establish which significantly contributed to caries risk. Follow-up logistic regression ascertained the weight of contribution and odds ratios of the ten variables. Researchers in this study computed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PVP), negative predictive value (PVN), and prevalence across all six years of screening to assess the validity of the Risk Factor Model. Subjects' overall mean caries prevalence across all six years was 66%. Average sensitivity across all six years was 79%; average specificity was 81%; average PVP was 89% and average PVN was 67%. Overall, the Risk Factor Model provided a relatively constant, valid measure of caries that could be used in conjunction with a comprehensive risk assessment in population-based screenings by school nurses/nurse practitioners, health educators, and physicians to guide them in assessing potential future caries risk for use in prevention and referral practices.
Targeting of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Growth Factor Complexes to Fibrillin

Both latent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-binding proteins fibrillins are components of microfibril networks, and both interact with members of the TGF-β family of growth factors. Interactions between latent TGF-β-binding protein-1 and TGF-β and between fibrillin-1 and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) are mediated by the prodomain of growth factor complexes. To extend this information, investigations were performed to test whether stable complexes are formed by additional selected TGF-β family members. Using velocity sedimentation in sucrose gradients as an assay, complex formation was demonstrated for BMP-7 and growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), which are known to exist in prodomain/growth factor complexes. Comparison of these results with complex formation by BMP-2, BMP-4 (full-length and shortened propeptides), BMP-10, and GDF-5 allowed us to conclude that all, except for BMP-2 and the short BMP-4 propeptides, formed complexes with their growth factors. Using surface plasmon resonance, binding affinities between fibrillin and all propeptides were determined. Binding studies revealed that the N-terminal end of fibrillin-1 serves as a universal high affinity docking site for the propeptides of BMP-2, -4, -7, and -10 and GDF-5, but not GDF-8, and located the BMP/GDF binding site within the N-terminal domain in fibrillin-1. Rotary shadowing electron microscopy of molecules of BMP-7 complex bound to fibrillin-1 confirmed these findings and also showed that prodomain binding targets the growth factor to fibrillin. Immunolocalization of BMP-4 demonstrated fibrillar staining limited to certain tissues, indicating tissue-specific targeting of BMP-4. These data implicate the fibrillin microfibril network in the extracellular control of BMP signaling and demonstrate differences in how prodomains target their growth factors to the extracellular space.
Syntheses and reactions of some 4,5-dihaloimidazole-2-carboxylic acid derivatives

The preparation of 5H,10H-diimidazo[1,2-a:1′,2′-d]pyrazine-5,10-dione (2a) and its 2,3,7,8-tetrabromo- and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro- analogs (2b and 2c, respectively) is reported. These dimers, when allowed to react with various anilines, afford imidazole-2-carboxamides (3a-c).
Synthesis, Characterization, and Anion Binding of Redox-Active Triarylborane Polymers

Two new ferrocene-containing triarylborane polymers have been prepared from trimethylsilyl-substituted polystyrene via selective polymer modification reactions with organometallic reagents. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the polymers have been investigated and compared with the respective molecular model compounds. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal reversible ferrocene-centered oxidation and boron-centered reduction processes at similar potentials as for the molecular species. In contrast, binding studies indicate a distinct polymer effect in that the molecular species show a much larger affinity for fluoride.
Mantle-flow tectonics and the origin of Ishtar Terra, Venus

It is proposed that western Ishtar Terra formed due to compression and crustal thickening above a cylindrical mantle downwelling. A model for crustal deformation due to downwelling successfully reproduces many observed characteristics of western Ishtar. Although axisymmetric downwelling occur in numerical models of constant-viscosity mantle convection, there is no evidence for their existence in earth's mantle, where downwellings are sheet-like. Either modes of downflow in Venus and earth are fundamentally different, or differences in near-surface conditions and material behavior selectively emphasize surface expressions of the different downwelling modes.
Ozone and Oxygen permeation behavior of silicone capillary membranes employed in membrane ozonators

The permeabilities and selectivities of O3, O2, and N2 through silicone capillary membranes employed to degrade organic pollutants in water or air have been experimentally determined. These characteristics have been studied for silicone membranes used in membrane reactors having the following conditions: O3 in O2 on one side of the membrane, and either water containing pollutants or a perfluorocarbon (FC) phase containing pollutants on the other side. The permeability of O3 (8.8 e-13 kgmol · m/m2 · s · kPa) is four times that of O2 through virgin silicone rubber. Exposure to O3 modifies the polymer and alters the permeabilities of O3 and O2. The presence of water with O3 leads to an increase in O3 and O2 permeability (∼ 30%) and an increase in the selectivity, (∼ 10%). The increased permeabilities are likely to be due to the formation of peroxides on the surface and possibly in the polymer. When the silicone capillary membranes were exposed to a perfluorocarbon (FC), the permeabilities of O3 and O2 decreased (∼ 9%) due to an increase in crosslinking in the polymer matrix; there was also a slight increase in (∼ 2%), which can be ascribed to the smaller molecular sieving radius of O2 compared to N2. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 1263–1273, 1998
Azlactone-functionalized polymers as reactive platforms for the design of advanced materials: Progress in the last ten years

Polymers functionalized with azlactone (or oxazolone) functionality have become increasingly useful for the rapid and modular design of functional materials. Because azlactones can react via ring-opening reactions with a variety of different nucleophilic species (e.g., primary amines, hydroxyl groups, and thiol functionality), azlactone-functionalized materials can serve as convenient ‘reactive’ platforms for the post-synthesis or post-fabrication introduction of a broad range of chemical functionality to soluble polymers, insoluble supports, and surfaces/interfaces. The last decade has seen an increase in both the number and the variety of reports that exploit the properties and the reactivities of azlactone-functionalized polymers. Here, we highlight recent work from several different laboratories, including our own, toward the design and characterization of azlactone-functionalized polymers, with a particular emphasis on: (i) new synthetic approaches for the preparation of well-defined azlactone-functionalized polymers using living/controlled methods of polymerization, (ii) the design and modular synthesis of side-chain functionalized polymers and block copolymers via post-polymerization modification of azlactone-functionalized polymers, (iii) the development of reactive polymeric supports useful in the contexts of separations and catalysis, and (iv) methods for the fabrication of reactive thin films and other approaches to the immobilization of azlactone functionality on surfaces and interfaces. Examples discussed herein reveal a growing awareness of azlactone functionality as a useful tool for polymer chemists, and highlight several ways that the unique reactivity of these materials can both complement and provide useful alternatives to other reactive polymers currently used to design functional materials.
On the Stochastic Dynamics of Neuronal Interaction

The response of many neurons in the nervous system is a nonlinear function of membrane potential. Nevertheless, if the membrane potentials are normally distributed then their covariance satisfies a linear equation. This suggests that information in the nervous system may be processed by correlations between membrane potentials, a hypothesis which is subject to direct experimental test. The acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information in the form of correlations is consistent with present knowledge of human information processing.
Continuous production of palm methyl esters

A system for continuous transesterification of palm oil was developed using a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) and pumps for continuous delivery of oil and catalyst and for continuous removal of product. Potassium hydroxide was used as the catalyst, the methanol-to-oil molar ratio was 6∶1, and reaction temperature was 60°C. The yield of methyl esters increased from 58.8% of theoretical yield at a residence time of 40 min to 97.3% at a residence time of 60 min. However, higher residence times decreased the production rate. During long-term continuous operation, the CSTR displayed steady state conditions in terms of product profile and methyl ester concentration. This process has good potential in the manufacture of biodiesel.
High-rate sputter deposition and heat treatment of thick Nb-Al-Ge and Nb-Al superconductors

Crystal structures, microstructures and critical temperatures were determined for Nb-Al-Ge and Nb-Al sputter-deposits in order to evaluate their dependence on sputter-deposition conditions, heat treatment procedures and composition. High-rate sputter deposition techniques were used to make the deposits at rates up to 1 Μm/min. Compositions studied were Nb3(Al0.6Ge0.4), Nb3(Al0.75Ge0.25), Nb3Al, Nb2.52(Al0.84)Ge0.16), Nb2.33Al, Nb3.07(Al0.75Ge0.25), and Nb4.15(Al0.71Ge0.29). The investigation indicated it is feasible to make practical A-15 phase superconductors by high-rate sputter deposition. Of all the deposits studied, Nb3(Al0.75Ge0.25),i.e., Nb2Al3Ge, deposited at 15°C and heat treated at 750°C for 1 to 5 days had the highest critical temperature (18.5 K), and it had a very high critical current density;e.g., 4.4 × 105 A/cm2 at 100 kOe and 4.2 K. Deposits having the highest critical temperatures consisted only of undecomposed metastable A-15 phase. The high current density was attributed to the presence of very small A-15 phase grains, which were observed to be about 350a in diameter by transmission electron microscopy. The crystal structures for deposits made at 15°C were not always clearly defined, but probably were all body-centered-cubic. Body-centered-cubic phases were transformed by heat treatment for short times at 550°C to 850°C to an A-15 phase that was supersaturated with Al and Ge. If heat treatment temperatures were too high or heat treatment times were too long, however, minor phases formed as the A-15 phase decomposed. Nb3(Al0.75Ge0.25) deposits made at elevated temperatures (485°C and 750°C) predominantly consisted of the A-15 phase, but the presence of minor phases even before heat treatment indicated Al and Ge were not completely retained in the A-15 phase solid solution during deposition. Deposits made with-20 V substrate-anode bias had nearly the same composition as the sputtering target, but deposits made with -50 V and -75 V bias had significantly lower Al and Ge contents than the target. The compactness of the A-15 crystal structure relative to the bcc structure was noted in a comparison of average atomic volumes for the two structures in Nb3Al. The average atomic volume in the A-15 phase formed by heat treatment was 1.36 pct less than the average atomic volume in the bcc phase that existed before heat treatment in sputter-deposited Nb3Al made at 15°C.
Computational evaluation of effective stress relaxation behavior of polymer composites

Abstract This paper presents a micromechanics model to characterize the effective stress relaxation stiffness of polymer composites. The linear viscoelastic behavior of polymer material was modeled by hereditary integral. The proposed model was established based on the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH). All computations with this model were accomplished in the time domain, hence the Laplace transform and inversion commonly used for linear viscoelastic composites are not needed in this theory. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model were verified by comparing with the results and utilization of finite element models developed using ABAQUS.
Pleiotropic mutants of Chinese hamster cells with altered cytidine 5′-triphosphate synthetase

Following chemical mutagenesis and multiple-step indirect selection, four clones of Chinese hamster V79 cells were isolated which exhibited auxotrophy for thymidine, deoxycytidine, or deoxyuridine but not for cytidine or uridine. All were resistant to uridine, 3-deazauridine, 5-fluorouridine, thymidine, and cytosine arabinoside at concentrations that were toxic to wild-type V79 cells. The cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP) and deoxycytidine 5′-triphosphate (dCTP) pools in the mutants were expanded, but the uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP) pool either decreased or remained unchanged relative to the wild-type level. Furthermore, since the parental cells appear to be deficient in dCMP deaminase activity and CTP (or one of its metabolites) has been shown to inhibit uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP) reduction, an elevated CTP level should lead to the observed thymidine auxotrophy. It also explains the joint resistance of mutant clones to thymidine and cytosine arabinoside. The change in the ratio of intracellular dCTP to thymidine 5′-triphosphate (dTTP) may be responsible for the elevation in the rates of spontaneous mutations in these mutants.
Effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole on the in vitro metabolism and single-dose pharmacokinetics of chlorzoxazone, a selective CYP2E1 substrate in Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to study the effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) on in vitro metabolism, oral, and intravenous (IV) pharmacokinetics of chlorzoxazone (CZX) in rats. Enzyme kinetics of CZX was performed with rat and human liver microsomes and pure isozyme (CYP2E1) with and without ABT. The enzyme kinetics (Vmax and Km) of the formation of 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone (OH-CZX) was found to be similar among rat liver microsomes (3486 pmol mg protein−1 min−1 and 345 µM), human liver microsomes (3194 pmol mg protein−1 min−1 and 335 µM) and pure isozyme (3423 pmol mg protein−1 min−1 and 403 µM), but KI and Kinact values for ABT towards the ability to inhibit the formation of OH-CZX from CZX varied between liver microsomes (rat: 32.09 µM and 0.12 min−1; human: 27.19 µM and 0.14 min−1) and pure isozyme (3.18 µM and 0.29 min−1). The novel robust analytical method was capable of quantifying CZX, OH-CZX, and ABT simultaneously in a single run, and the method was used for both in vitro and in vivo studies. Pre-t...
Mechanics of postextrasystolic potentiation in normal subjects and patients with valvular heart disease

To determine the relative influence of preload, afterload, and inotropic state on postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP) of ventricular performance in man, we computed angiographic left ventricular volume and wall stress frame by frame for a control and potentiated beat in each of 31 patients. In 10 normal subjects, PESP increased ejection fraction by 14%, while left ventricular end-diastolic volume increased by 8% (p less than .001) and end-systolic stress fell by 21% (p less than .005). Enhanced diastolic filling (+6%, p less than .005) with a small decline in end-systolic stress (-8%, p = NS) likewise contributed to potentiation of ejection fraction (+14%, p less than .001) in seven patients with aortic stenosis. Diastolic filling was not significantly augmented during the compensatory pause in six patients with isolated mitral regurgitation, nor in eight patients with aortic regurgitation (+2%, p = NS for both). Although afterload tended to fall for potentiated beats in patients with aortic (-11%, p = NS) and mitral regurgitation (-23%, p = NS), analysis of ejection fraction-end-systolic stress relationships demonstrated an independent effect of inotropic state on potentiated ejection performance. Thus, utilization of preload reserve contributed to PESP in normal subjects and patients with aortic stenosis, but not in those with volume overload imposed by chronic valvular regurgitation. Enhanced inotropic state independent of small changes in afterload was demonstrated in all subgroups.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids do not activate AMP-activated protein kinase in mouse tissues

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) deficiency partitions fatty acids away from lipid synthesis towards fatty acid oxidation in liver and skeletal muscle in part due to activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. The mechanism of AMPK activation by SCD1 mutation is unknown, however since SCD1-/- animals have increased relative amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), we hypothesized that the increased levels of PUFA might be responsible for the activation of AMPK in SCD1 deficient mice. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to analyze the effect of PUFA on AMPK in liver, skeletal muscle, and heart. We fed mice ad libitum for 14 days with diet supplemented with fish oil (5% fat). As expected, fish oil supplementation significantly increased n-3 PUFA content in each of the analyzed tissues. Hepatic mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase and acyl-CoA oxidase decreased by 92% and increased by 60%, respectively, consistent with known PUFA effects. However, after 14 days of PUFA feeding, we did not find any changes in AMPK phosphorylation and protein content in mouse liver, skeletal muscle, and heart. The data suggest that PUFA are not involved in AMPK activation in mouse tissues and that the increased activity of AMPK in SCD1-/- mice is probably PUFA-independent.
Ultrasonic tissue characterization of end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy

The clinical use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors now represents the standard of care for the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. We utilized ultrasonic tissue characterization to define potentially salutary effects of treatment with ACE inhibitors on the material properties of the heart and its potential influence on cardiac remodeling at the cellular level. Ten 1-month-old cardiomyopathic (CM) Syrian hamsters were treated with captopril (2 g/L water ad libitum), and 10 CM and 5 normal hamsters were maintained untreated for 9 months. Hearts were excised, and backscattered radiofrequency data were acquired from 1200 independent sites from each specimen with a high-resolution 50-MHz acoustic microscope for calculation of integrated backscatter. Treatment with captopril elicited relative decreases in left ventricular (LV) wet weight, LV calcium concentration and integrated backscatter (IB) in treated as compared with untreated cardiomyopathic hearts without affecting LV collagen concentration. The IB from hearts of treated cardiomyopathic hamsters was significantly less in both grossly normal regions of myocardium (P < 0.02) and scar tissue regions (P = 0.0005) as compared with IB from hearts of untreated hamsters. The reduced integrated backscatter from hearts of treated cardiomyopathic hamsters indicates direct alterations in the material properties of cardiomyopathic hearts after captopril therapy. The lower IB from scar tissue in the treated animals was associated with decreased scar tissue calcification, which represents a novel therapeutic effect of captopril. This is the first report that delineates direct effects of ACE inhibitors on the material properties of both scar tissue and grossly normal myocardium at the cellular level in experimental dilated cardiomyopathy. Quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization may ultimately play a role in initiating and monitoring the effects ACE inhibitors on cardiac remodeling, calcium deposition and tissue stiffness in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Laboratory studies on the photostability of fumagillin, the active ingredient of Fumidil B1

La fumagilline est la seule substance autorisee aux Etats-Unis et au Canada pour traiter la nosemose de l'Abeille domestique. Elle est utilisee sous forme de Fumidil B en sirop depuis le debut des annees 50, mais des observations recentes suggerent que la decomposition par la lumiere pourrait expliquer certains echecs lors de son utilisation dans les nourrisseurs couvre-cadres. La fumagilline a ete dissoute dans de l'ethanol a 50 % ou dans du sirop de sucre et exposee au soleil. On a observe une serie de decompositions (Fig. 2), avec des demi-vies de l'ordre de 4-5 s, 30 s, 4 min et 16 h. En 6 h la concentration en fumagilline est passee de 40 μg/mL a 5,5 μg/mL et six autres produits qui absorbent la longueur d'onde de 280 nm sont apparus. La somme de tous ces pics d'absorption, exprimee en fumagilline, a baisse egalement (Fig. 3). Apres une diminution exponentielle de 42 a 37 μg/mL (t 1 /2 4 s), la somme de tous les pics d'absorption a ensuite diminue de facon lineaire sur 6 h jusqu'a une valeur equivalant a 15 μg/mL. Des resultats semblables ont ete obtenus en irradiant des solutions de Fumidil B dans de l'ethanol a 50 % ou dans du sirop de sucre. L'exposition au soleil de la fumagilline dans l'ethanol a 50 % durant trois jours a entraine la disparition, a l'exception de traces, de toute la substance de depart ou de tous les produits de degradation qui absorbent la longueur d'onde de 280 nm. Une photolyse semblable, quoique plus lente, s'est produite sous lumiere fluorescente (t 1 /2 29,9 min, Fig. 4). Le fait qu'au moins certaines de ces modifications correspondaient a des reactions d'equilibre a pu etre montre en separant un echantillon irradie durant 4 min en une fraction substance de depart et une fraction produits puis en irradiant a nouveau les deux fractions. Apres irradiation les deux fractions etaient constituees d'un melange semblable de composes, ce qui indique une photoreversion des produits vers la substance d'origine. On pense que des reactions d'isomerisation Z:E sont a la base de ce processus dans le groupe ester tetraenedioique de la molecule. Des abeilles, auxquelles on avait inocule Nosema apis et qui avaient recu en nourrissement de la fumagilline dans du sirop de sucre irradie pendant 0, 0,5, 5, 30 ou 360 min, ont presente pour tous les traitements une baisse du nombre de spores (Fig. 5). On n'a pas observe de differences significatives pour les traitements sans fumagilline. Le nombre initialement eleve de spores indique que certaines abeilles utilisees etaient deja infectees par la nosemose. Des expositions de courte duree (6 h ou moins) de la fumagilline au soleil provoquent des rearrangements moleculaires mais n'ont pas d'effets negatifs apparents sur l'activite contre N. apis.
Learning a common language through an emergent interaction topology

We study the effects of various emergent topologies of interaction on the rate of language convergence in a population of communicating agents. The agents generate, parse, and learn sentences from each other using recurrent neural networks. An agent chooses another agent to learn from, based on that agent's fitness. Fitness is defined to include a frequency-dependent term capturing the approximate number of interactions an agent has had with others---its "popularity" as a teacher. This method of frequency-dependent selection is based on our earlier Noisy Preferential Attachment algorithm, which has been shown to produce various network topologies, including scale-free and small-world networks. We show that convergence occurs much more quickly with this strategy than it does for uniformly random interactions. In addition, this strategy more closely represents choice preference dynamics in large natural populations, and so may be more realistic as a model for adaptive language.
Policy Management for Secure Data Access Control in Vehicular Networks

The state-of-the-art research in vehicular network security does not address the need for low latency message access control in vehicular applications with tight connection time and message delay requirements. In existing security solutions, the major limitation is that no trust establishment mechanisms that adapt to rapidly changing scenarios and highly mobile environments (mainly because of key management delay, processing overhead, and changing communication peers). To address this issue, we present a policy management framework for secure data access control in vehicular networks. Our solution address two interrelated research areas to achieve efficiency and scalability for data access control and policy management in highly dynamic vehicular networks. The main contributions are in two-fold: (a) efficient key management and group-based policy enforcement using attribute-based cryptography; and (b) dynamic security policy management framework and methodology to manage credentials based on role, time, location and other situation dependent attributes. Our solution utilizes efficient attribute-based cryptography algorithm to achieve unprecedented speedups in message processing time to meet the real-time requirement. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed solution, a systematic and comprehensive evaluation is produced to valid our proposed solution.
Quantifying the benefit of responsive pricing and travel information in the stochastic congestion pricing problem

Abstract This paper is concerned with roadway pricing amidst the uncertainty which characterizes long-term transportation planning. Uncertainty is considered both on the supply-side (e.g., the effect of incidents on habitual route choice behavior) and on the demand-side (e.g., due to prediction errors in demand forecasting). The framework developed in this paper also allows the benefits of real-time travel information to be compared directly against the benefits of responsive pricing, allowing planning agencies to identify the value of these policy options or contract terms in publicly-operated toll roads. Specifically, six scenarios reflect different combinations of policy options, and correspond to different solution methods for optimal tolls. Demonstrations are provided on both the Sioux falls and Anaheim networks. Results indicate that providing information to drivers implemented alongside responsive tolling may reduce expected total system travel time by over 9%, though more than 8% of the improvement is due to providing information, with the remaining 1% improvement gained from responsive tolling.
Computer-aided design tools for plasma etchers

The prospects for computer aided design (CAD) tools for use in designing plasma etchers and plasma processing systems are discussed. Accurate numerical models of etching and film- depositing plasmas are becoming available, so that the main limitations on modeling are increasingly due to lack of cross-section and other similar data. These plasma models must still be validated, however, not just against each other but quantitatively or qualitatively against experiment. CAD tools will very probably consist of several modules, such as a plasma module, a plasma-chemistry module, and a surface module. The coupling of the modules amplifies errors, increasing the need for precision. The state of available calculation techniques is considered, emphasizing the way we have created a flexible framework for setting up and combining numerical tools, to minimize time and errors in developing simulations.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Predicting College Grades and Degree Completion Using High School Grades and SAT Scores: The Role of Student Ethnicity and First Language

The degree to which SAT scores and high school grade-point average (GPA) predicted first-year college GPA (FGPA) and college graduation was examined for four groups: Hispanic students whose first language was Spanish and Hispanic, Black, and White students whose first language was English. The percentage of variance in FGPA jointly explained by high school GPA and SAT score varied from 7% to 20% across groups. Survival analyses showed that high school GPA had a statistically significant influence on graduation in the White/English group; SAT had a significant effect in the Hispanic/English and White/English groups. The regression and survival analyses revealed interesting differences in achievement patterns between the Hispanic/Spanish and Hispanic/English groups, demonstrating the value of taking language background into consideration in educational research.